ansa-Metallocene derivatives XXXIII. 2-Dimethylamino-substituted bis-indenyl zirconium dichloride complexes with and without a dimethylsilyl bridge: syntheses, crystal structures and properties in propene polymerization catalysis

Bis(2-N,N-dimethylamino-indenyl) zirconium dichloride, (2-(CH₃)₂N-C₉H₆)₂ZrCl₂, and dimethylsilyl-bridged bis(2-N,N-dimethylamino-indenyl) zirconium dichloride, (CH₃)₂Si(2-(CH₃)₂N-C₉H₅)₂ZrCl₂, were prepared by reaction of the corresponding ligand lithium salts with ZrCl₄ in toluene. Diffractometric structure determinations reveal C₂-symmetric complex geometries for both complexes. An increased electron density at the Zr center of the dimethylamino-substituted complexes is indicated by reduction potentials which are 0.3–0.4 V more negative than those of their unsubstituted analogs. When activated with methyl aluminoxane in toluene solution, (CH₃)₂Si(2-(CH₃)₂N-C₉H₅)₂ZrCl₂ catalyzes the polymerization of propene to polymers with a microstructure comparable with that of polymers produced with other Me₂Si-bridged bis(indenyl)ZrCl₂ complexes, but with a substantially increased fraction of i-propyl end groups derived from alkyl exchange between Zr-polymer and Al---Me species.     

Critical parameters and optimization of a magnesium-selective liquid membrane electrode for application to human blood serum

Summary The selectivity of a new magnesium ionophore (ETH 7025) induced in membranes of different compositions is experimentally studied in view of the ion activities in human serum. The required selectivity coefficient against calcium for the application of an ion-selective magnesium electrode to human serum is calculated for the worst case. Other critical parameters for the application of a liquid PVC-based ion-selective membrane to undiluted human serum discussed are: the sensor lifetime which is related to the lipophilicity of the carrier as well as the ruggedness of the membrane against interactions with components of the relatively lipophilic sample.     

Analysis of nitriles at low parts per million levels by capillary gas chromatography

Two methods have been developed for the determination of trace levels of acetonitrile and propionitrile in light naphthas. One involves clean-up and preconcentration by medium pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC) in which nitriles are concentrated ten-fold while the complex hydrocarbon matris is removed. The concentrated solution is then analyzed by high resolution GC with flame ionization detection. The second method involves direct injection of samples into a capillary GC equipped with chemiluminescence nitrogen detection. The results and repeatability obtained from both methods are comparable. Preconcentration enables identification by GC-MS and simultaneous analysis of other polar species, with no need for selective detectors. Direct analysis is, on the other hand, much less time-consuming and requires less sample.     

Enhancing the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic materials using simultaneous ball milling

One of the limiting factors restricting the effective and efficient bioconversion of softwood-derived lignocellulosic residues is the recalcitrance of the substrate following pretreatment. Consequently, the ensuing enzymatic process requires relatively high enzyme loadings to produce monomeric carbohydrates that are readily fermentable by ethanologenic microorganisms. In an attempt to circumvent the need for larger enzyme loadings, a simultaneous physical and enzymatic hydrolysis treatment was evaluated. A ball-mill reactor was used as the digestion vessel, and the extent and rate of hydrolysis were monitored. Concurrently, enzyme adsorption profiles and the rate of conversion during the course of hydrolysis were monitored. α-Cellulose, employed as a model substrate, and SO₂-impregnated steam-exploded Douglas-fir wood chips were assessed as the cellulosic substrates. The softwood-derived substrate was further posttreated with water and hot alkaline hydrogen peroxide to remove >90% of the original lignin. Experiments at different reaction conditions were evaluated, including substrate concentration, enzyme loading, reaction volumes, and number of ball beads employed during mechanical milling. It was apparent that the best conditions for the enzymatic hydrolysis of α-cellulose were attained using a higher number of beads, while the presence of air-liquid interface did not seem to affect the rate of saccharification. Similarly, when employing the lignocellulosic substrate, up to 100% hydrolysis could be achieved with a minimum enzyme loading (10 filter paper units/g of cellulose), at lower substrate concentrations and with a greater number of reaction beads during milling. It was apparent that the combined strategy of simultaneous ball milling and enzymatic hydrolysis could improve the rate of saccharification and/or reduce the enzyme loading required to attain total hydrolysis of the carbohydrate moieties.     

Development of an optical membrane for humidity

4-(N,N-dioctylamino)-4-trifluoroacetyl-azobenzene (ETH^T 4001), together with the catalyst tridodecylmethylammonium chloride, is dissolved in the hydrophilic polymer polyurethane Tecoflex. The resulting membrane layers show high sensitivity toward water vapour and allow the application of the membranes for humidity measurements. Upon exposure to humid air, the membrane exhibits a decrease in absorbance at a wavelength around 490 nm and an increase at around 430 nm. This signal change is caused by the conversion of the trifluoroacetyl group of the reactand into a diol, thus changing the electron delocalisation of the reactand. The sensor layer exhibits a dynamic range from 1% to 100% RH with highest sensitivity in the 5%–40% RH range. The limit of detection is 0.5% RH. The amount of added catalyst enables the sensitive range to be tailored. The selectivity over ethanol and carbonate is sufficient for the membrane to be used for long-term measurements of air. The change in colour of the humidity-sensitive membrane from red to yellow also means it can be used as an optical test strip.     

Non-empirical calculations on the rydberg states of ethylene

Different methods for representing the upper orbitals in Rydberg transitions are tested by means of a series of ab initio SCF and CI calculations for ethylene and various properties for such diffuse united-atom species are reported. Calculated transition energies indicates the maximum separation between individual components of the (π,3d) Rydberg species to be in the 0.1-0.2 range, with similarly small energy separations being obtained for the corresponding (π, 3p) states     

Einen Trennungsgang zur quantitativen Bestimmung von Keto- und Aminos?uren in kleinen Mengen des Liquor Cerebrospinalis

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