Electrochemical study of spinel oxide systems with nominal compositions Ni1− x Cu x Co2O4 and NiCo2− y Cu y O4

Studies on the electrochemical behaviour of Ni_{1− x} Cu _x Co₂O₄ (x ≤ 0.75) and NiCo_{2− y} Cu _y O₄ (y ≤ 0.30) electrodes in 5 mol dm⁻³ KOH aqueous solutions are presented. The oxide layers have been prepared by thermal decomposition of aqueous nitrate solutions on nickel supports at 623 K. Powder samples were also prepared by thermal decomposition under the same conditions. The powder samples and the oxide layers were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction. The influence of the copper content on the voltammetric response of the electrodes and activity towards oxygen evolution reaction is analysed and correlated with the surface composition of the electrodes by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data. The analysis of the results reveals that the presence of Cu affects the electrode behaviour and its influence depends on which cation has been replaced. Received: 22 February 1999 / Accepted: 26 October 1999     

Platinum–cadmium electrocatalyst for ethylene glycol electrochemical reaction in perchloric acid electrolyte

The electrooxidation of ethylene glycol was studied using platinum–cadmium electrocatalysts supported on high surface area carbon Vulcan XC-72. This is the first instance of Cd being used as an electrocatalyst for glycol oxidation reaction. The catalysts were prepared with various Pt:Cd atomic ratios of 90:10, 80:20, and 70:30. All the catalysts prepared were synthesized by the alcohol reduction method with 20 wt.% metal on carbon. These materials were characterized morphologically by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and electrochemically by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The electrochemical measurements were carried out at 25, 35, 45, and 55 °C, and the products of the electrochemical reaction were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The XRD patterns of all the PtCd catalysts presented cubic face-centered structures, and TEM revealed a homogeneous particle distribution on the carbon support with low agglomeration. The average particle size was assumed to be the maximum of the Gaussian distribution curve of particle size, at close to 2.5 nm. The presence of Cd results in an improvement in the glycol oxidation reaction, as observed by cyclic voltammetry; linear sweep voltammetry shows a lower onset potential compared to that of pure platinum. At a constant potential of 0.50 V (vs. RHE) at ambient temperature, HPLC showed glycolaldehyde to be the main byproduct formed from ethylene glycol oxidation at potential constant of 0.50 V.     

Factorial analysis optimization of a Diltiazem kinetic spectrophotometric quantification method

A Diltiazem kinetic spectrophotometric method was optimized by factorial analysis. The experimental method is based on a two-stage reaction of Diltiazem with hydroxylamine and a ferric salt: in the first stage there is a hydroxamic acid formation; and, in the second stage there is a red colour complex ferric hydroxamate formation. The variables under investigation were: solvent; hydroxylamine, sodium hydroxide and ammonium ferric sulphate concentrations; volume of perchloric acid; and, temperature. The responses of the reactional system were the maximum absorbance, the wavelength and the reaction time at maximum absorbance. Experimental design methodologies were used in the optimization. Fractional and full factorial designs followed by optimization Box-Behnken and central composite experimental designs were used. The observed optimum conditions were: methanol as reaction solvent; hydroxylamine concentration of 9.375%; sodium hydroxide concentration of 18.750%; ferric reagent concentration of 2.000%; minimum volume of perchloric acid to neutralize the sodium hydroxide; and, room temperature as reaction temperature. With this set of experimental conditions a reaction time of 10.5 s with maximum colour development at 512 nm wavelength was achieved.     

Synthetic Cathinones: Recent Developments,Enantioselectivity Studies and Enantioseparation Methods

New psychoactive substances represent a public health threat since they are not controlled by international conventions, are easily accessible online and are sold as a legal alternative to illicit drugs. Among them, synthetic cathinones are widely abused due to their stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. To circumvent the law, new derivatives are clandestinely synthesized and, therefore, synthetic cathinones keep emerging on the drug market, with their chemical and toxicological properties still unknown. In this review, a literature assessment about synthetic cathinones is presented focusing on the recent developments, which include more than 50 derivatives since 2014. A summary of their toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic properties are also presented. Furthermore, synthetic cathinones are chiral compounds, meaning that they can exist as two enantiomeric forms which may present different biological and toxicological activities. To analyze the enantiomers, the development of enantiomeric resolution methods for synthetic cathinones is crucial. Many methods have been reported over the years that include mostly chromatographic and electromigration techniques, with liquid chromatography using chiral stationary phases being the technique of choice. This review intended to present an overview of enantioselectivity studies and enantioseparation analysis regarding synthetic cathinones, highlighting the relevance of chirality and current trends.     

Ultrasound‐Assisted Synthesis of Hybrid Vanadium Oxide/Polyaniline Nanowires

A single‐step sonochemical procedure to synthesize hybrid vanadium oxide/polyaniline nanowires starting from crystalline V₂O₅ and aniline in aqueous medium is presented. The synthesis explores the effect of high power ultrasounds on heterogeneous solid–aqueous phases, which leads to 30 nm width wires of 5 to 10 µm in length. Monomer intercalation and oxidative polymerization within the inorganic matrix proceed simultaneously with morphological changes. The electronic conductivity of hybrid nanowires reaches 0.8 S · cm⁻¹ at room temperature.

     

Chemical Characterization and Bioactivity of Commercial Essential Oils and Hydrolates Obtained from Portuguese Forest Logging and Thinning

Essential oils (EOs) and hydrolates (Hds) are natural sources of biologically active ingredients with broad applications in the cosmetic industry. In this study, nationally produced (mainland Portugal and Azores archipelago) EOs (11) and Hds (7) obtained from forest logging and thinning of Eucalyptus globulus, Pinus pinaster, Pinus pinea and Cryptomeria japonica, were chemically evaluated, and their bioactivity and sensorial properties were assessed. EOs and Hd volatiles (HdVs) were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. 1,8-Cineole was dominant in E. globulus EOs and HdVs, and α- and β-pinene in P. pinaster EOs. Limonene and α-pinene led in P. pinea and C. japonica EOs, respectively. P. pinaster and C. japonica HVs were dominated by α-terpineol and terpinen-4-ol, respectively. The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH, ORAC and ROS. C. japonica EO showed the highest antioxidant activity, whereas one of the E. globulus EOs showed the lowest. Antimicrobial activity results revealed different levels of efficacy for Eucalyptus and Pinus EOs while C. japonica EO showed no antimicrobial activity against the selected strains. The perception and applicability of emulsions with 0.5% of EOs were evaluated through an in vivo sensory study. C. japonica emulsion, which has a fresh and earthy odour, was chosen as the most pleasant fragrance (60%), followed by P. pinea emulsion (53%). In summary, some of the studied EOs and Hds showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and they are possible candidates to address the consumers demand for more sustainable and responsibly sourced ingredients.     

Molecular Hybridization Strategy on the Design,Synthesis, and Structural Characterization of Ferrocene-N-acyl Hydrazones as Immunomodulatory Agents

Immunomodulatory agents are widely used for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases, but the range of side effects of the available drugs makes necessary the search for new immunomodulatory drugs. Here, we investigated the immunomodulatory activity of new ferrocenyl-N-acyl hydrazones derivatives (SintMed(141–156). The evaluated N-acyl hydrazones did not show cytotoxicity at the tested concentrations, presenting CC₅₀ values greater than 50 µM. In addition, all ferrocenyl-N-acyl hydrazones modulated nitrite production in immortalized macrophages, showing inhibition values between 14.4% and 74.2%. By presenting a better activity profile, the ferrocenyl-N-acyl hydrazones SintMed149 and SintMed150 also had their cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory effect evaluated in cultures of peritoneal macrophages. The molecules were not cytotoxic at any of the concentrations tested in peritoneal macrophages and were able to significantly reduce (p < 0.05) the production of nitrite, TNF-α, and IL-1β. Interestingly, both molecules significantly reduced the production of IL-2 and IFN-γ in cultured splenocytes activated with concanavalin A. Moreover, SintMed150 did not show signs of acute toxicity in animals treated with 50 or 100 mg/kg. Finally, we observed that ferrocenyl-N-acyl hydrazone SintMed150 at 100 mg/kg reduced the migration of neutrophils (44.6%) in an acute peritonitis model and increased animal survival by 20% in an LPS-induced endotoxic shock model. These findings suggest that such compounds have therapeutic potential to be used to treat diseases of inflammatory origin.     

Chemical Approach to the Optimization of Conditions Using HS-SPME/GC–MS for Characterization of Volatile Compounds in Eugenia brasiliensis Fruit

Grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) is a native fruit of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, belonging to the Myrtaceae family, which designatesthe most significant number of species with food potential. It stands out due to its phytochemical characteristics because of the presence of polyphenols and volatile organic compounds. Volatile compounds are substances released by foods that give off an aroma and influence flavor. Solid-phase microextraction is a technique that allows for low-cost, fast, and solvent-free extraction, has an affinity for numerous analytes, and is easily coupled to gas chromatography. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the efficiency of different fibers of SPME (solid-phase microextraction) in the extraction of volatile organic compounds from grumixama pulp; optimize a method for extraction time, temperature, and sample weight; and to determine the characteristic volatile profile of this fruit. For the extraction of volatile compounds, three fibers of different polarities were used: polar polyacrylate (PA) fibers, divinylbenzene/carboxyne/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) semipolar fibers, and polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB). Fourteen volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified by DVB/CAR/PDMS, six by PA, and seven by PDMS/DVB through solid-phase microextraction in the headspace mode (SPME-HS). Considering the total number of compounds identified, regardless of the fiber used, and the optimization of the method, Eugenia brasiliensis presented sesquiterpene fractions (85.7%, 83.3%, and 85.7% of total VOCs) higher than the monoterpene fractions (14.3%, 16.7%, and 14.3%) for DVB/CAR/PDMS, PA, and PDMS/DVB, respectively in its composition. In addition, it was possible to verify that the fiber DVB/CAR/PDMS presented a better efficiency due to the larger chromatographic area observed when the grumixama pulp was subjected to conditions of 75 °C, 2.0 g, and an adsorption time of 20 min.     

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography of Chromobacterium viscosum lipase on polypropylene glycol immobilised on Sepharose.

The fractionation of Chromobacterium viscosum lipase was performed using a polypropylene glycol-Sepharose gel. The influence of mobile phase composition on the adsorption of lipase on the gel was studied and it was found that the retention of lipase depends on the salt used and increased with increasing the ionic strength. The retention was not strongly affected by changing the pH value of the mobile phase. By using 20% (w/v) ammonium sulphate in phosphate buffer a total retention of lipase on the column was obtained and by simply decreasing the ionic strength of the buffer, desorption of lipase could be achieved. The chromatographic purification of Chromobacterium viscosum lipase by hydrophobic interaction chromatography on Sepharose CL-6B modified by covalent immobilisation of 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether, polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol was also compared.