Evaluation of Coriolis Micro Air Sampling to Detect Volatile and Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds

There are several analytical procedures available for the monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air, which differ mainly on sampling procedures. The Coriolis micro air sampler is a tool normally designed for biological air sampling. In this paper, the Coriolis micro bio collector is used to evaluate its ability to sample organic contaminants sampling and detecting them when combined GC-MS. We also compare the use of the Coriolis micro with a standardized sampling method, which is the use of a lung box with a Nalophan^® bag. The results show that the Coriolis micro sampling method is suitable for the sampling of organic contaminants. Indeed, the Coriolis micro allows to sample and detect mainly semi-volatile molecules, while the lung box/Nalophan^® bags allow to sample more volatile molecules (highly volatile and volatile). These results were confirmed in the controlled air lab with a slight difference with the field. The simultaneous use of the both techniques allow to sample and detect a larger number of molecules with specific physicochemical properties to each sampling technique. In conclusion, the Coriolis micro can sample and detect volatile organic compounds present in air. We have shown that the development of alternative sampling methods and the use of non-target analysis are essential for a more comprehensive risk assessment. Moreover, the use of the Coriolis micro allows the detection of emergent molecules around the Thau lagoon.     

On Elliptic Equations with General Non-Local Boundary Conditions in UMD Spaces

In this work, we give new results concerning existence, uniqueness and maximal regularity of the strict solution of a class of elliptic equations with non-local boundary conditions containing an unbounded linear operator. This study is performed in the framework of UMD Banach spaces.     

Gamma-irradiation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs): investigation of physicochemical and antioxidant properties

Gamma irradiation is a common process mostly used for sterilization against bacteria growth. However, when the process is applied to a material, physical and chemical changes may alter its integrity and behaviour. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of γ-irradiation on the surface chemistry of CNCs. The carbonyl content (both carboxylic acid and aldehyde functionalities) was followed to investigate the influence of the irradiation dose. Thermal stability, wettability and antioxidant properties were also measured. Conductometric titration showed that the carboxylic acid groups content (COOH) was increased from 43 mmol COOH kg^?1 CNCs for native CNCs to 631 mmol COOH kg^?1 CNCs when a dose of 80 kGy was applied. These changes were confirmed by FTIR and fluorescence spectroscopy. At high irradiation doses, a significant decrease of approximately 30% was observed in the cellulose degree of polymerization while the aldehyde groups content was increased to 379 mmol CHO kg^?1 CNCs due to the cleavage of glycosidic linkages. These physicochemical changes led to enhanced antioxidant properties of CNCs.     

Determination of gold leaf thickness in a Renaissance illumination using a nondestructive approach

In this work, the thickness of the gold leaf applied in the Manueline foral charter of Murça (illuminated in 1512) will be determined using X‐ray fluorescence. In the frontispiece of the Manueline foral charter of Murça, the capital D was gilded using a gold leaf over a priming made of lead white. The characteristic lines of Pb (namely Lα and Lβ), although attenuated in the Au layer, are still visible in the X‐ray fluorescence spectra. By determining the intensity ratio Lα/Lβ and comparing it with the ratio for an infinitely thick sample, the thickness of the attenuating material can be determined. Using this methodology, the thickness of the gold leaf applied in the charter of Murça was estimated as 1.6 µm. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Symmetries of massless Dirac equations and supersymmetric quantum mechanics

It is shown how symmetries of Dirac equations can be used to obtain constants of motion for nonrelativistic supersymmetric quantum Hamiltonians. In particular, conserved supercharges are found for a spin-1/2 particle in the field of a dyon which yield under anticommutation the generalized Runge-Lenz symmetry of the system.This work is supported in part through funds provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada and the Fonds FCAR of the Quebec Ministry of Education.     

Bis-phosphites and bis-phosphinites based on distally-functionalised calix[4]arenes: coordination chemistry and use in rhodium-catalysed, low-pressure olefin hydroformylation

Six calix[4]arenes each bearing two non-cyclic PR2 units attached at distal phenolic oxygen atoms, p-Bu t-calix[4]arene-25,27-(OPR2)2-26,28-(OR')2(R = OPh; R'= Prn, L1; R = OPh; R'= CH2CO2Et, L2; R= OPh; R'= CO2 cholesteryl, L3; R = Ph; R'= Prn, 4; R = Ph; R'= CH2CO2Et, L5; R = Ph; R'= CO2cholesteryl, L6) have been synthesized and their coordinative properties investigated. The diphosphites L1-L3, where the P centres are separated by 12 bonds, readily form chelate complexes provided the complexation reaction is achieved either by using a starting complex that possesses good leaving groups or by operating under high dilution in order to avoid oligomer formation. Thus, the cationic complexes [Rh(COD)L1]BF4 and [Rh(COD)L3]BF4 were both formed in high yield by reacting the appropriate diphosphite with either [Rh(COD)(THF)2]BF4 or [Rh(COD)2]BF4. At high dilution, reaction of L3 with the neutral complex [PdCl2(COD)] afforded the chelate complex [PdCl2L3] in 90% yield. The reaction of one equiv. of L1 with [Rh(acac)(CO)2] resulted in the formation of [Rh(acac)L1] without requiring high dilution conditions. When the latter reaction was carried out with 0.5 equiv. of L1, the bimetallic complex [{Rh(acac)(CO)}2(eta]1-P,eta1-P'-L1)] was formed instead. Reaction at high dilution of with the cyclometallated complex [Pd(o-C6H4CH2NMe2)(THF)2]BF4 gave the expected chelate complex [Pd(o-C6H4CH2NMe2)]BF4. The latter slowly converts in solution to an oligomer in which the ligand behaves as a (eta1-P,eta1-P') bridging ligand, thus leading to a less strained structure. All six ligands, when mixed with [Rh(acac)CO2], effectively catalyse the hydroformylation of octene and styrene. In the hydroformylation of octene, the linear aldehyde selectivities observed with L2 and L3 are significantly higher (linear : branched =ca. 10) than those obtained with the other 4 ligands of this study and also with respect to PPh3. Molecular modelling shows that the lower rim substituents of and form tighter pockets about the metal centre than do the other ligands and so sterically favour the formation of Rh(n-alkyl) intermediates over that of Rh(i-alkyl) ones. In styrene hydroformylation, all ligands result in the formation of unusually high amounts of the linear aldehyde, the b : l ratios being all close to 65 : 35. The highest activities were found when using an L/Rh ratio of 1/1.     

Sulfur K-edge XANES study of dihydrolipoic acid capped gold nanoparticles: dihydrolipoic acid is bound by both sulfur ends

Dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) capped gold nanoparticles (Au@DHLA) are characterized in solid and liquid states by sulfur K-edge XANES spectroscopy; it clearly shows that DHLA is anchored to gold thanks to both sulfur ends.     

Non-destructive Removal of the Bornanesultam Auxiliary in α-Substituted N-Acylbornane-10,2-sultanis under Mild Conditions: An efficient synthesis of enantiomerically pure ketones and aldehydes

α-Substituted N-acylbornane-10, 2 -sultams 6, 9 , and 10 can be converted into enantiomerically pure ketones 5. 13 , and 14 , respectively, via a two-step procedure involving a known mercaptolysis reaction followed by an [Fe(acac)₃]-mediated coupling of the resulting S-benzyl thioesters with Grignard reagents. Furthermore, enantiomerically pure aldehydes 23 can be obtained from α-substituted N-acylbornane-10,2-sultams 6 via a one-step reduction with (i-Bu)₂AIH. No epimerization at the α-chiral center is observed during the cleavage reaction whereby the chiral auxiliary, bornane-10,2-sultam 1 or ent- l , was recovered. By using this methodology, several natural products or precursors thereof can be prepared.     

The XIth International symposium “polymers and light”

Information Congresses, Conferences, Symposia, Meetings, and Seminars in the Field of Chemical Sciences Held with the Participation of the Russian Academy of Sciences

The XIth International symposium polymers and light     

Supercritical CO2 improved phosphine imide reaction on peracetylated β-cyclodextrin

Supercritical CO₂ (sCO₂) was successfully used as solvent and reagent in the ‘one-pot’ phosphine imide reaction. In sCO₂ smooth conditions and with or without assistance of triphenylphosphine-bounded polymer, the reaction efficiently leads to the desired urea β-Cd compounds in a short time, bringing an interesting alternative for solving problems of OVC and hazardous reagent substitution in the synthesis of ureido-Cds and, by extension, of urea derivatives.