Molecular orbital studies on the conformation of GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid)

In distinction to Extended Hückel Theory which predicts as the most stable conformation of free zwitterionic GABA a totally extended form, PCILO and SCF ab initio studies show that the intrinsically preferred conformation of the isolated molecule is a highly folded one, resulting from strong interactions between the two charged ends. Computations are also carried out for hydrated GABA in the supermolecule approach allowing moreover for the flexibility of binding of some of the water molecules of the first hydration shell. They predict the coexistence in solution of a large number of conformations showing different degrees of folding (or extension), a result confirmed by recent NMR studies. This and a number of similar results show that we have to adapt our thinking on the role of conformations in pharmacological activity to this situation, which was frequently obscured by the more abundant results of X-ray crystallography yielding a single conformation.     

Analyse de la fraction monophénolique des condensats de fumée de cigarettes par association de méthodes chromatographiques

Résumé Les monophénols sont isolés des condensats de fumées de cigarette par chromatographie sur couche mince de Kieselgel G avec un mélange (31) de cyclohexane et d'acétate d'éthyle extraits du support, puis séparé et dosés par chromatographie en phase gazeuse sur colonne capillaire. Le rendement de l;opération est de 80±2% pour le triméthyl 3,4,5 phénol, de 65% pour le triméthyl 2,3,5 phénol. Les teneurs obtenues sont de 8g de phénol, 3g de (para + méta) crésol et 0,5 g de diméthyl 2,6 phénol par mg de condensat. De nombreux autres alkylphénols ont été identifiés.

---

Analysis of the monophenolic fraction of tobacco smoke condensates by a combination of chromatographic methods

Summary Monophenols are separated from tobacco smoke condensates by thin-layer chromatography on Kieselgel G using a 31 mixture of cyclohexane and ethylacetate. The monophenolic fraction is recovered from the support and analyzed by GC on a capillary column. The yield is 80±2% for 3,4,5 trimethylphenol and 65% for 2,3,5 trimethylphenol. The concentration determined for phenol, (para+meta) cresol and 2,6 dimethylphenol are 8,3 and 0.5 g per mg of condensate respectively. Numerous other alkyl phenols have been identified.

     

Sandwich structures at oil-water interfaces under alkaline conditions

Equilibrium liquid crystal (LC) layer on an interface between crude oils and water was observed at high pH. This layer is composed mainly of sodium naphthenates produced in situ at the water/oil interface. Transient LC layer was also evolved at the interface of aqueous phase of sodium hydroxide solutions and oleic phase of naphthenic acid (NA) solutions as result of a chemical reaction between NaOH and NA. This chemical reaction causes transport process resulting in a disturbance of the interface. Optical observation of this interface disturbance reviled that the interface covered with LC shows considerably lower flexibility as compared to LC free interface. The LC layer eventually dissolves in the water phase at low oil-to-water ratio, while at high oil-to-water ratio it can form an equilibrium phase, which spreads spontaneously at the oil-water interface.     

Full verification of the liquid exclusion-adsorption chromatography theory using monolithic capillary columns

Capillary electrochromatography (CEC) was used to separate alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs) as model diblock copolymers, with monolithic polymers as stationary phases. The order of elution indicate that the two polymer blocks follow distinct chromatographic modes: size-exclusion for the poly(oxyethylene) group and adsorption interaction for the alkyl part. Therefore, our experimental results were compared to the theory describing liquid exclusion-adsorption chromatography (LEAC). They were found in perfect agreement with the theory, which turned to be verified for the first time over the full range of polymer lengths.     

Complex study of nickel skeleton catalysts: V. Study of novel non-pyrophoric nickel skeleton catalysts by derivatograph

The structure and properties of non-pyrophoric skeleton catalysts prepared from NiSi, NiAlSi, NiMg and NiZn alloys have been studied—apart from other thermal methods—by means of the derivatograph.Our experimental results have contributed to the explanation of the non-pyrophoric behaviour of these catalysts. We demonstrated that the desorption of the hydrogen content in our catalysts is not accompanied by the oxidation of active nickel. This oxidation takes place only at higher temperatures, above 200°C, at a rate proportional to the amount of active nickel.Other constituents of the catalysts (adsorbed water, hydroxide content) were also determined from the experimental data. The outstandingly high Mg(OH)₂ content of the NiMg catalyst indicates that its structure is dissimilar: Mg(OH)₂ also acts as support for the catalyst.     

On the equivalence between the energy and virial routes to the equation of state of hard-sphere fluids

The energy route to the equation of state of hard-sphere fluids is ill defined since the internal energy is just that of an ideal gas, and thus it is independent of density. It is shown that this ambiguity can be avoided by considering a square-shoulder interaction and taking the limit of vanishing shoulder width. The resulting hard-sphere equation of state coincides exactly with the one obtained through the virial route. Therefore, the energy and virial routes to the equation of state of hard-sphere fluids can be considered as equivalent.     

Thermal properties of tetrahydroperparine derivatives

The thermal behaviour of tetrahydroperparine (THP) and its derivatives with various acids has been investigated. The acid is liberated from the formate derivative basically in two steps, while the other aliphatic acids are released quantitatively before the thermal decomposition of the THP molecule. The thermoanalytical curves, electrical conductivity data measured in the molten phase, and infrared spectra prove that while part of the formic acid is hydrogen-bonded the other part is bound ionically in the molecule. It may be assumed that the marked biological activity of the compound can be explained by this difference in the nature of the bonds.     

On the synthesis of geometric isomers of 2-methyl (or phenyl)-4-[α-arylethylidene]-5(4H)-oxazolones

Several Z-2-methyl(or phenyl)-4-[α-arylethylidene]-5(4H)-oxazolones 3Z, 4Z were prepared. The results obtained were compared by diazomethane insertion and condensation procedure. In order to synthesize E-2-phenyl-4-[α-arylethylidene]-5(4H)-oxazolones 4E hydrogen bromide isomerization in dry benzene was used.     

Novel electroanalytical techniques for pollution analysis

Summary Two new analytical techniques are described. The so-called injection technique operates on evaluating a dynamic concentration signal as a result of following the concentration change in a certain part of a flow-through channel after injecting a sample or reagent at a small volume into the current of an appropriate solution flowing at a constant rate.The second technique, the programmed coulometric titration technique, also uses the flow-through channel principle; that means this novel technique allows the more precise titrimetric way of analysis in flowing solutions. In the case of both techniques potentiometric and voltammetric detectors were involved. Several examples proved the multifold advantages of these techniques for environmental analysis.

---

Neue elektroanalytische Verfahren für die Umweltanalyse

Zusammenfassung Zwei neue Methoden werden beschrieben. Die sog. Injektionstechnik wertet ein dynamisches Konzentrationssignal aus, das sich aus der Änderung in einem Durchflußkanal ergibt, wenn Probe oder Reagens in kleinen Volumina in einen konstant fließenden Flüssigstrom injiziert werden. Das zweite Verfahren, die programmierte coulometrische Titration, erlaubt die Anwendung der genaueren titrimetrischen Technik auf fließende Lösungen. Bei beiden Methoden werden potentiometrische und voltammetrische Detektoren verwendet. Mehrere Beispiele zeigen die vielfachen Vorteile dieser Verfahren bei der Anwendung auf die Analyse von Umweltmaterial.

Presented at the 6th Annual Symposium on Recent Advances in the Analytical Chemistry of Pollutants, April 21–23, 1976; Vienna, Austria