Liquid chromatographic determination of fenbendazole residues in pig tissues after treatment with medicated feed.

Fenbendazole (FBZ) is an anthelmintic widely used in farm animals to treat parasitic infestations. In pigs, it is administered in the food. The aim of this study was to validate an analytical method for the determination of FBZ and its metabolites in pig tissues. This method is based on oxidation of FBZ and its sulfoxide metabolite to the sulfone metabolite (FBZSO2). The limit of quantitation for this method is 20 ng FBZSO2/g for all tissues. The maximum residue limits (MRLs) established for FBZ and its metabolites in pig tissues are 50 ng/g for muscle, fat, and kidney and 500 ng/g for liver. This method is based on a liquid-liquid extraction followed by an oxidation with peracetic acid and a cleanup procedure based on 2 liquid-liquid extractions. Determination is achieved by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The present method is adjusted to the MRL established for FBZ and its metabolite residues. The analysis of the residues shows that after 72 h posttreatment, no FBZSO2 was detected in muscle, fat, and kidney and that liver levels were below the MRL.     

Probing reaction mechanisms in mixed phase TiO2 by EPR

Charge separation processes in mixed phase TiO₂ photocatalysts are investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The mechanisms of interfacial electron transfer, subsequent charge migration and recombination at surface sites, and other interfacial effects on chlorophenol/TiO₂ chemistry have been probed. Distorted interfacial sites have been observed and are proposed as catalytically reactive hot spots. This detailed knowledge of charge transfer processes is critical to the nanoscale design of catalysts and subsequent improvement of catalytic efficiency.     

One-pot synthesis of 1-exo-alkylidene-2,3-anhydro furanoses: convenient precursors for exo-glycals and functionalized C-glycals

1-exo-Methylene-2,3-anhydro furanoses, obtained from C-glycals in a one-pot, three step operation can be readily transformed into functionalized C-glycals by palladium-catalyzed nucleophilic addition.     

Small-angle x-ray scattering of semicrystalline polymers. I. Review of existing models

The effect of previously proposed distributions of particle size and interparticle “gap” lengths on the small-angle x-ray scattering of a paracrystalline one-dimensional macrolattice has been examined. It was concluded that the general paracrystalline model, in which the fluctuations of crystalline and amorphous thickness both contribute to the destruction of long-range order, best describes the structure of lamellar aggregates in semicrystalline polymers. By using this model, the influence of symmetric and asymmetric lattice statistics on the positions of the scattering maxima were investigated. It was found that positively skewed thickness distributions result in the second-order maximum occurring at an angle greater than twice that of the first-order maximum (sx?₂/sx?₁ > 2.0); the position of the first-order maximum is generally greater than the Bragg angle of the structure. With negatively skewed distributions, the ratio of the scattering angles, sx?₂/sx?₁, is less than 2.0, and the first maximum is displaced below the Bragg angle. Qualitatively similar behavior is found with lattices characterized by symmetric lattice statistics, though these deviations from the Bragg conditions are smaller than in the case of negatively skewed distributions. The ratio of the scattering angles of the second and first maxima best reflects the general shape of the lattice statistics in a paracrystalline lattice. The effect of a transition zone, having properties intermediate between those of the crystalline and amorphous regions, was also considered. While the intensity of the higher-order maxima is decreased, no significant shift of the scattering angles results from the incorporation of such a transition zone.     

Small-angle x-ray scattering of semicrystalline polymers. II. Analysis of experimental scattering curves

The small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) patterns of a number of linear polyethylene (PE) and polyoxymethylene (POM) samples have been measured and compared to the intensity functions of one-dimensional paracrystalline lattices. It was found that the ratio of the angular positions of the second and first scattering maxima (θ₂/θ₁) is generally less than or equal to 2.0, implying that the paracrystalline lattice statistics are symmetric or moderately skewed to larger periods. The Bragg spacing (“long period”) of such samples is within 3% of the identity period of the macrolattice. With quenched POM the ratio θ₂/θ₁ is substantially larger than 2.0, which indicates either extremely asymmetric lattice statistics or coexisting structures within the material. From consideration of the reduced widths of the first scattering maxima, it was found that some broadening is present in addition to that from the paracrystallinity. This excess broadening could result from a finite lattice length of ～1000 Å. The need for careful experimental technique for obtaining the actual position of the scattering maximum is emphasized. In addition, it is demonstrated that the scattering curve and the correlation function of the system yield essentially the same apparent structural periods.