Comprehensive microanalytical study of welding aerosols with x‐ray and Raman based methods

A comprehensive analysis of individual welding fume particles of different size fraction has been performed by applying of an innovative combination of the energy‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF), micro‐Raman spectroscopy (MRS) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Owing to this set of analytical techniques, a systematic study of the chemical composition along with the size, morphology and structure parameters of the collected welding particles was performed. The results show distinct interdependencies between the particles' elemental composition and their sizes and structures, which are consistent with commonly assumed mechanisms of their formation and evolution. In particular, interactions between the particles of fine and coarse fractions as well as regularities in distribution of the most toxic welding fume components (Mn and its oxides) have been observed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Swelling effects in cross-linked polymers by thermogravimetry

A Brazilian coal power plant generates a waste composed by the fly and bottom ashes produced from coal combustion and by a spent sulfated lime generated after SO₂ capture from combustion gases. This work presents a study of the early stages of the hydration of composites formed by this waste and a type II Portland cement, which will be used for CO₂ capture. The cement substitution degrees in the evaluated composites were 10, 20, 30 and 40%, and the effect of the coal power unit waste on the hydration reaction was analyzed on real time by NCDTA, during the first 40 h of hydration. The results show that the higher is the substitution degree, the higher is the retarding effect on the cement hydration process. Actually, by respective thermogravimetric (TG) and derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) analysis on initial cement mass basis, this effect is caused by double exchange reactions among Ca and Mg components of the waste, during the first 4 h of hydration, which promote a much higher exothermic effect in the NCDTA curve, simultaneously to respective induction periods. The pozzolanic reactions, due to the presence of the waste silica and alumina containing amorphous phases, consume part of the original Ca(OH)₂ content existent in the waste in the case of 30 and 40% substituted pastes, and also from part of the Ca(OH)₂ produced in cement hydration reactions, in the case of the 10 and 20% substituted pastes.     

Mono-<Emphasis Type="Italic">meso</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butylporphyrin

Summary. Treatment of meso-tetra(tert-butyl)porphyrin with sulfuric acid/n-butanol affords a mixture of porphyrin and mono-tert-butylporphyrin in relatively high yield.     

A 15N NMR study of some azoles

¹⁵N NMR data are reported for 42 azoles, taken mostly at a standard concentration and in a common solvent (0.5 M dimethyl sulfoxide with a 0.01 M increment of Cr(acac)₃ for each nitrogen atom present). Signal assignments were assisted by comparison with ¹⁴N line widths, the use of ²J(¹⁵N¹H) couplings, and shielding calculations obtained by the INDO/S–SOS approach. The generally large differences in nitrogen-shielding changes permitted rather facile shift assignments.     

Differentiation between isomeric structures of benzazoles by 14N, 13C and 1H NMR

Nitrogen chemical shifts constitute an effective means of distinguishing between isomeric benzazole ring systems. There is a large difference in nitrogen shielding, usually more than 20 ppm, between isomeric benzenoid- and quinonoid-like structures. ¹³C and ¹H NMR is shown to provide unambiguous structure assignment only in cases of symmetric quinonoid ring systems of azoles.     

Taking stock of the occupational safety and health challenges of nanotechnology: 2000–2015

Engineered nanomaterials significantly entered commerce at the beginning of the 21st century. Concerns about serious potential health effects of nanomaterials were widespread. Now, approximately 15 years later, it is worthwhile to take stock of research and efforts to protect nanomaterial workers from potential risks of adverse health effects. This article provides and examines timelines for major functional areas (toxicology, metrology, exposure assessment, engineering controls and personal protective equipment, risk assessment, risk management, medical surveillance, and epidemiology) to identify significant contributions to worker safety and health. The occupational safety and health field has responded effectively to identify gaps in knowledge and practice, but further research is warranted and is described. There is now a greater, if imperfect, understanding of the mechanisms underlying nanoparticle toxicology, hazards to workers, and appropriate controls for nanomaterials, but unified analytical standards and exposure characterization methods are still lacking. The development of control-banding and similar strategies has compensated for incomplete data on exposure and risk, but it is unknown how widely such approaches are being adopted. Although the importance of epidemiologic studies and medical surveillance is recognized, implementation has been slowed by logistical issues. Responsible development of nanotechnology requires protection of workers at all stages of the technological life cycle. In each of the functional areas assessed, progress has been made, but more is required.     

Synthesis of diverse macrocyclic peptidomimetics utilizing ring-closing metathesis and solid-phase synthesis

The synthesis of a range of highly functionalized peptidomimetic macrocycles has been accomplished using ring-closing metathesis and enyne tandem cross-metathesis-ring-closing metathesis reactions. This approach gives access to rigidified macrocycles modeled on the structures of cyclic peptides and designed to be biologically stable. The potential for peripheral functionalization of these templates has been demonstrated using Diels-Alder reactions, palladium(0) coupling reactions, and amide formation both in the solution phase and using polymer-supported syntheses.     

An X-ray diffraction study of some mesoionic 2,3-diphenyltetrazoles

An X-ray diffraction study is reported for four molecules of mesoionic 2,3-diphenyltetrazoles. The results confirm a dipolar mesoionic structure, aromatic character of the tetrazole ring and no conjugation between the phenyl and tetrazole rings. The geometry of the exocyclic group is discussed in detail. The molecular parameters of the compounds investigated are correlated with¹³C and¹⁵N nmr data. The results obtained are compared with similar structures which have already been studied.