Heterogeneous Suzuki cross-coupling reactions over palladium/hydrotalcite catalysts

The efficiency of various heterogeneous solids consisting of palladium supported on hydrotalcite as catalysts in the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction between bromobenzene and phenylboronic acid was studied. Based on the catalytic activity results, the reaction develops to an acceptable extent with 100% selectivity at moderate temperatures in the presence of some of the catalysts. The best results were provided by a catalyst consisting of an acetate-pyridine complex of Pd supported on hydrotalcite that gave high conversion values even after three reuses. The reactions conditions were very mild (a temperature of 55 degrees C and atmospheric pressure). In fact, the catalyst provided conversion and selectivity results surpassing those of existing heterogeneous phase catalysts and most homogeneous phase catalysts for the same purpose.     

An iterative method for improving decimal calculations on computers

Since radix-10 arithmetic has been gaining renewed importance over the last few years, high performance decimal systems and techniques are highly demanded. In this paper, a modification of the CORDIC method for decimal arithmetic is proposed so as to improve calculations. The algorithm works with BCD operands and no conversion to binary is needed. A significant reduction in the number of iterations in comparison to the original decimal CORDIC method is achieved. The experiments showing the advantages of the new method are described. Also, the results with regard to delay obtained by means of an FPGA implementation of the method are shown.     

A gravity-independent single-phase electrode reservoir for capillary electrophoresis applications

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) holds great promise as an in situ analytical technique for a variety of applications. However, typical instrumentation operates with open reservoirs (e.g., vials) to accommodate reagents and samples, which is problematic for automated instruments designed for space or underwater applications that may be operated in various orientations. Microgravity conditions add an additional challenge due to the unpredictable position of the headspace (air layer above the liquid) in any two-phase reservoir. One potential solution for these applications is to use a headspace-free, flow-through reservoir design that is sealed and connected to the necessary reagents and samples. Here, we demonstrate a flow-through high-voltage (HV) reservoir for CE that is compatible with automated in situ exploration needs, and which can be electrically isolated from its source fluidics (in order to prevent unwanted leakage current). We also demonstrate how the overall system can be rationally designed based on the operational parameters for CE to prevent electrolysis products generated at the electrode from entering the capillary and interfering with the CE separation. A reservoir was demonstrated with a 19 mm long, 1.8 mm inner diameter channel connecting the separation capillary and the HV electrode. Tests of these reservoirs integrated into a CE system show reproducible CE system operation with a variety of background electrolytes at voltages up to 25 kV. Rotation of the reservoirs, and the system, showed that their performance was independent of the direction of the gravity vector.