Biodiesel preparation from transesterification of glycerol trioleate catalyzed by basic ionic liquids

In the present study,the transesterification of glycerol trioleate was carried out over a basic ionic liquid,1-butyl-3- methylimidazolium hydroxide([Bmim]OH) and an 87.2%yield of methyl ester was achieved.The product was isolated through simple decantation from the biphasic system due to the immiscibility of[BmimJOH with ester.[Bmim]OH can be easily recovered and reused six times without dramatic decrease in ester yield.     

Graphite epoxy composite electrodes modified with bacterial cells

The modification of a graphite-epoxy composite electrode (GECE) with bacterial cells along with an analytical application are presented. Pseudomonas putida DSM 50026 was used as a biological component and the measurement was based on the respiratory activity of the cells. The optimization of working conditions of resulting biosensor (including pH and temperature) was conducted and the limit of detection was calculated as 7 microM phenol based on the signal to noise ratio. Then the system was applied for xenobiotic detection. Resulting sample signals were found to be very similar with the standard solutions having the same concentration while the recoveries of the spiked samples were close to 100%.     

Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles with Universal Dispersibility through Crown Ether Surface Coordination for Phase-Transfer Catalysis and Separation Membranes

Dispersing metal-organic framework (MOF) solids in stable colloids is crucial for their availability and processibility. Herein, we report a crown ether surface coordination approach for functionalizing the surface-exposed metal sites of MOF particles with amphiphilic carboxylated crown ether (CE^C). The surface-bound crown ethers significantly improve MOF solvation without compromising the accessible voids. We demonstrate that CE^C-coated MOFs exhibit exceptional colloidal dispersibility and stability in 11 distinct solvents and six polymer matrices with a wide range of polarities. The MOF-CE^C can be instantaneously suspended in immiscible two-phase solvents as an effective phase-transfer catalyst and can form various uniform membranes with enhanced adsorption and separation performance, which highlights the effectiveness of crown ether coating.