Algebraic Kekulé structures of benzenoid hydrocarbons

An algebraic Kekulé structure of a benzenoid hydrocarbon is obtained from an ordinary Kekulé structure by inscribing into each hexagon the number of pi-electrons which (according to this Kekulé structure) belong to this hexagon. We show that in the case of catafusenes, there is a one-to-one correspondence between ordinary and algebraic Kekulé structures. On the other hand, in the case of perifusenes, one algebraic Kekulé structure may correspond to several ordinary Kekulé structures.     

Determination of Lercanidipine Hydrochloride and Its Impurities in Tablets

The reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed for determination of lercanidipine hydrochloride and its synthetic impurities, degradation and oxidative products in Carmen^® tablets. The best separation was performed on Zorbax SB C18 column, 250 x 4.6 mm, particle size 5 m. Acetonitrile-water-triethylamine 55:44.8:0.2 (v/v/v) was used as a mobile phase with flow rate 1 mL min^–1. pH was adjusted to 3.0 with orthophosphoric acid. UV detection was performed at 240 nm. Duration of chromatographic run was about 12 min for six examined compounds. The chromatographic conditions for the determination of lercanidipine hydrochloride and its related substances were the same, but the concentration of lercanidipine hydrochloride was 0.03 mg mL^–1 for assay and 0.3 mg mL^–1 for related substances. The validation of the method performance characteristics (figures of merits, quality of parameters) was established to be adequate for the intended use. The evaluation of number of parameters, such as selectivity, linearity, accuracy, specificity, precision (repetability and reproducibility), sensitivity and detection and determination limits is entailed.Acknowledgements This work was supported by the Institute of Pharmacy of Serbia, Belgrade and by the Ministry for Science, Technology and Development of Serbia, Contact: 1458     

Oxygen adsorption on hydrated gold cluster anions: experiment and theory

The discovery that supported gold clusters act as highly efficient catalysts for low-temperature oxidation reactions has led to a great deal of work aimed at understanding the origins of the catalytic activity. Several studies have shown that the presence of trace moisture is required for the catalysts to function. Using near-atmospheric pressure flow reactor techniques, we have studied humidity and temperature effects on the reactivity of gas-phase gold cluster anions with O2. Near room temperature, the humid source produces abundant gold-hydroxy cluster anions, Au(N)OH(-), and these have a reversed O2 adsorption activity: Nonreactive bare gold clusters become active when in the form Au(N)OH(-), while active bare clusters are inactive when -OH is bound. The binding energies for the stable structures obtained from density functional calculations confirm fully these findings. Moreover, the theory provides evidence that electron-transfer induced by the binding of a OH group enhances the reactivity toward molecular oxygen for odd anionic gold clusters and suppresses the reactivity for the even ones. The temperature dependence of O2 addition to Au(3)OH(-) and Au(4)(-) indicates deviations from equilibrium control at temperatures below room temperature. The effects of humidity on gold cluster adsorption activity support the conclusion drawn for the mechanism of O2 adsorption on "dry" gold cluster anions and provides insight into the possible role of water in the enhanced activity of supported gold cluster catalysts.     

The effect of morphological changes on the coprecipitation of strontium by calcium phosphate

The coprecipitation of strontium by a calcium phosphate phase formed at an elevated pH 10.8 was investigated. The first phase obtained under these conditions in the amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) which is transformed into crystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) after the induction period. Is has been shown that this transformation together with morphological changes of the precipitated solid phase, influences the amount of the sorbed strontium significantly. The possible consequences of this finding on practical application of coprecipitation of strontium by calcium phosphate have been discussed.     

Studies of iron,cobalt and chromium distribution in some continental aquatic ecosystems and biological materials

The aim of the present work was to investigate iron, cobalt and chromium distribution in samples of living and non-living matter by using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Investigations were carried out starting with water systems components, such also specias living in these systems and biological tissues from rat and human organs. The following conclusions have been drawn for elements distribution in the relation enviromment/living matter: (1) iron, cobalt and chromium contents in plankton are very close to these found in suspended materials; (2) among all the investigated living organisms, the highest contents of investigated elements have been found in fish; (3) inspite of the contents of iron, cobalt and chromium being somewhat lower in bentos and crustacea than in suspended materials, all the obtained values are very close, and (4) human liver has somewhat higher iron- and cobalt-contents than rat liver, which, however, has higher chromium concentration. Of all the investigated living organisms chromium content was the lowest in human liver.     

Thermal analysis of low alloy Cr-Mo steel

The paper deals with results of thermal analysis of low-alloyed chromium-molybdenum steel. The methods of analysis were dilatometry, differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The Ac₁ and Ac₃ temperatures of the steel samples measured by dilatometry and DTA during the heating period were in good agreement. Generated by cooling a martensitic structure first became apparent at 503 K. Tempering of the as-quenched samples showed the presence of the second tempering stage in the region between 473 and 573 K. At that stage heat capacity decreased from 0.48 to 0.32 J g^-1 K^-1, as a result of conversion of transition carbide due to heat consumption. After normalization of the as-quenched samples the heat capacity values were restored to between 0.42 and 0.47 J g^-1 K^-1 in the temperature range from 373 to 673 K. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Monitoring of the metal displacement from the recombinant mouse liver metallothionein Zn(7)-complex by capillary zone electrophoresis with electrospray MS detection

A solution of a Zn-complex of recombinant mouse MT-1 isoform (Zn(7)-MT-1) was prepared and titrated with Cd(2+) ions. A method based on the coupling of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with electrospray MS detection was developed for the analysis of the stoichiometry of the species formed during the titration. The method offered the possibility of the on-line removal of up to 100 mM Tris or phosphate buffer solutions that would otherwise suppress the electrospray signal. By allowing the determination of the metal stoichiometry of the complex species present in solution the method was shown to be complementary to circular dichroism and UV-VIS spectrophotometry conventionally used for similar studies. The titration of the Zn(7)-MT complex with Cd(II) showed the sequential displacement of the Zn by Cd. The unusually high stability of the Cd(6)Zn(1)-MT species was observed which suggests a structural role of the remaining Zn(II) ion.     

Cyclic chronocoulemetry: Disproportionation and dimerization reactions coupled to electron transfer

An extension of double-potential-step chronocoulemetry to multiple or cyclic techniques has been developed, and its potential applications in the study of coupled chemical reactions in electrochemistry are discussed. Disproportionation and dimerization mechnisms are considered. Wroking curves have been calculated with the use of the finite difference digital simulation method. It is shown that better resolution for disproportionation and dimerization reactions can be obtained with cyclic chronocoulometry than with double-potential-step chronocoulemetry. The method has been experimentally verified measuring the disproportionation reaction U(V) in 1 mol dm^?3 sodium hydrogen carbonate solutions. A rate coefficient of 15.6 dm³ mol^?1 was calculated for this reaction.     

Complete 1H and 13C NMR spectral assignment of cis- and trans- 3-(2-[2-(4-methylphenyl)ethenyl]phenyl])sydnones

1H and 13C NMR spectra of cis- and trans-3-(2-[2-(4-methylphenyl)ethenyl]phenyl])sydnones, the first stilbene-substituted mezoionic oxadiazolium rings, were fully assigned combining the information in various solvents, such as deuterated benzene, acetone and chloroform, using 2D NMR techniques.