Sulfate Ions in Titania Polymorphs

Sol-gel titania was sulfated by using sulfuric acid as hydrolysis catalyst, or by impregnating with ammonium sulfate fresh samples prepared with nitric acid or ammonium hydroxide as hydrolysis catalyst. Samples were characterized with X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Sulfate ions were found anchored to brookite and anatase phases, because they have short O—O atomic bond lengths slightly larger than the largest O—O bond length of sulfate ion. Since the shortest O—O atomic bond in anatase is smaller than the one in brookite, the sulfate ions are then less deformed when they are anchored to anatase, and consequently more stable. Therefore when the sample temperature is raised, the brookite with sulfate ions was transformed mainly to anatase and not into rutile, which is the most probably transformation when these ions are not involved. Sulfate ions also hindered anatase and brookite crystallite growing and stabilized the crystalline structure of anatase. When the sulfate ions are lost the crystalline anatase phase is transformed into rutile, leaving a large number of vacancies that favored atom diffusion and consequently the growing of rutile crystallites. The crystalline evolution of the samples as a function of the annealing temperature is almost independent of the sulfating method.     

Toward true DNA base-stacking energies: MP2, CCSD(T), and complete basis set calculations

Stacking energies in low-energy geometries of pyrimidine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine homodimers were determined by the MP2 and CCSD(T) calculations utilizing a wide range of split-valence, correlation-consistent, and bond-functions basis sets. Complete basis set MP2 (CBS MP2) stacking energies extrapolated using aug-cc-pVXZ (X = D, T, and for pyrimidine dimer Q) basis sets equal to -5.3, -12.3, and -11.2 kcal/mol for the first three dimers, respectively. Higher-order correlation corrections estimated as the difference between MP2 and CCSD(T) stacking energies amount to 2.0, 0.7, and 0.9 kcal/mol and lead to final estimates of the genuine stacking energies for the three dimers of -3.4, -11.6, and -10.4 kcal/mol. The CBS MP2 stacking-energy estimate for guanine dimer (-14.8 kcal/mol) was based on the 6-31G(0.25) and aug-cc-pVDZ calculations. This simplified extrapolation can be routinely used with a meaningful accuracy around 1 kcal/mol for large aromatic stacking clusters. The final estimate of the guanine stacking energy after the CCSD(T) correction amounts to -12.9 kcal/mol. The MP2/6-31G(0.25) method previously used as the standard level to calculate aromatic stacking in hundreds of geometries of nucleobase dimers systematically underestimates the base stacking by ca. 1.0-2.5 kcal/mol per stacked dimer, covering 75-90% of the intermolecular correlation stabilization. We suggest that this correction is to be considered in calibration of force fields and other cheaper computational methods. The quality of the MP2/6-31G(0.25) predictions is nevertheless considerably better than suggested on the basis of monomer polarizability calculations. Fast and very accurate estimates of the MP2 aromatic stacking energies can be achieved using the RI-MP2 method. The CBS MP2 calculations and the CCSD(T) correction, when taken together, bring only marginal changes to the relative stability of H-bonded and stacked base pairs, with a slight shift of ca. 1 kcal/mol in favor of H-bonding. We suggest that the present values are very close to ultimate predictions of the strength of aromatic base stacking of DNA and RNA bases.     

Mechanism of OH radical-induced oxidation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-cresol to <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-methylphenoxyl radical

The OH radical-induced oxidation of p-cresol to p-methylphenoxyl radical was studied in aqueous solution in a wide pH range by means of pulse radiolysis combined with optical spectroscopy. OH-adduct cyclohexadienyl type radicals were identified as intermediates of the reaction. In the acidic pH range the first-order rate coefficient of phenoxyl radical formation was found linearly dependent on the H₃O⁺ concentration yielding a bimolecular rate coefficient of 1.8 × 10⁸ mol^–1 dm³ s^–1. In the alkaline range a linear dependence was found on the OH^– concentration with rate coefficient of 4.9 × 10¹⁰ mol^–1 dm³ s^–1. These findings were interpreted in terms of acid-base catalysis of the H₂O elimination from the OH-adduct. With the time resolution applied, 30 ns, the radical cation p-CH₃C₆H₄OH^+. was not observed as intermediate.     

Thermal study of vermiculites and mica-vermiculite interstratifications

Simultaneous DTA-TG has been carried out on a set of natural vermiculite samples. Based on their dehydration behaviour the samples can be divided in two groups: (a) those with DTA endothermic peak temperatures at 140°–150°C and 240°–270°C (pure vermiculties) and (b) those with peak temperatures at 95°–115°C (vermiculite with mica or mica-vermiculite interstratifications). The low temperature at which the endothermic effect in group (b) appears is discussed on the basis of dilution due to the inert layers of mica, differences in chemical composition, and lowering of interlamellar water bond energy.     

Distribution of fallout radionuclides through soil surface layer

The distribution of¹³⁷Cs through soil layers has been investigated by field sampling. The investigation deals with¹³⁷Cs concentration found after the Chernobyl accident. The relationship between important soil characteristics, total precipitation and cesium distribution are analyzed. Cesium is strongly sorbed in the top soil layer and its migration downward is limited. Measurements performed over a 3-year period revealed that approximately 20–38 per cent of total¹³⁷Cs is located in the upper soil layer.     

Investigations of a novel process to the framework of benzo[c]cinnoline

A novel synthetic process leading to the framework of benzo[c]cinnoline has been discovered and investigated. The process is composed of two separate reactions, the first of which is a partial reduction of the nitro groups of the 2,2'-dinitrobiphenyl, a process that we believe proceeds via a SET mechanism to yield the hydroxyamino and nitroso groups. In the following step the cyclization takes place under formation of the -N=N- bond. We believe that this process take place via a radical mechanism through the nitroso radical anion. The novel process affords either benzo[c]cinnoline or benzo[c]cinnoline N-oxide, both in high yields, 93% and 91%, respectively. To obtain benzo[c]cinnoline, the reaction is conducted with an alcohol as solvent and an alkoxide as the base, while for benzo[c]cinnoline N-oxide, water is used as solvent with sodium hydroxide as the base. To establish the latter procedure, statistical experimental design and multivariate modeling were utilized to reveal the response surface for the reaction and to determine the optimal conditions for the reaction. A proposal for the complex reaction mechanism is given. During the corroboration of the mechanism, a new deoxygenation reaction for converting benzo[c]cinnoline N-oxide into benzo[c]cinnoline was discovered. The reaction is conducted by treating the N-oxide with sodium ethoxide at elevated temperature to achieve near-quantitative conversion into benzo[c]cinnoline in a yield of 96%.     

A Large Volume Injection Procedure for GC-MS Determination of PAHs and PCBs

A simple on-column injection system for large volume of liquid samples for the GC-MS determination of traces of PAHs and PCBs has been investigated. A deactivated fused silica capillary 20 m × 0.53 mm I.D. and 2 meters of an HP5 column (0.53 mm,1 m film thickness) were used as retention gaps. Injection volumes of 80 L for PAHs and 90 L for PCBs, allow determination of 5–50 ng L^–1 PAHs and 11–44 ng L^–1 PCBs in hexane solution with an RSD of < 10%. The method has been used for the determination of PCBs and PAHs in soil sample.     

Preparation and stereoselectivity of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition ofD-glucose-derived nitrones to N-arylmaleimides

Summary Nitrones2 derived fromD-glucose oxime and benzaldehydes without employing any protection of hydroxyl group were isolated in pure state. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of2 to N-arylmaleimides gave predominantly theanti isoxazolidines3 and was rationalized byZ/E isomerization of N-glycosylnitrones2. The structure and steric configuration of the products have been assigned on the basis of¹H- and¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. AM1 calculations of the nitrones and MM2 calculations of the adducts were performed.

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Darstellung und Stereoselektivität der 1,3-dipolaren Cycloaddition vonD-Glucose-abgeleiteten Nitronen an N-Arylmaleimiden

Zusammenfassung Die Nitrone2 wurden ausD-Glucoseoxim und Benzaldehyden ohne Schutz von Hydroxylgruppen in reinem Zustand erhalten. Die 1,3-dipolare Cycloaddition von2 an N-Arylmaleimiden ergab bevorzugt dieanti-Isoxazolidine3; dies wurde über eineZ/E-Isomerisierung der N-Glycosylnitrone2 rationalisiert. Struktur und Stereochemie wurden auf Basis von¹H- und¹³C-NMR-Spektroskopie ermittelt. Außerdem wurden AM1-Berechnungen an den Nitronen und MM2-Rechnungen an den Addukten ausgeführt.

     

Cyclopentane-1,3-dione bis(4-methylthiosemicarbazone) monohydrochloride as a spectrophotometric reagent for the determination of chlorate in perchloric acid medium

1,3-Cyclopentanedione bis(4-methylthiosemicarbazone) monohydrochloride produces colored solutions with chlorate ions in strongly acid medium. The yellow color obtained has been used to propose a spectrophotometric method of C10₃^? determination in the concentration range 0.5–6.0 ppm (molar absorptivity 1.26 × 10⁴ liters mol^?1 cm^?1 at a wavelength of 397 nm).     

Adsorption of crude oil on anhydrous and hydrophobized vermiculite

This publication reports the adsorption of crude oil on vermiculite samples, expanded and hydrophobized with carnauba (Copernícia Cerífera) wax. The adsorption studies were performed by using columns filled with the vermiculite matrices and by dispersion of the vermiculite samples in an oil-water (50 ppm of oil) emulsion. The hydrate vermiculite exhibits a very low adsorption capacity against crude oil. On the other hand, anhydrous (expanded) and hydrophobized matrices show a high adsorption capacity. The 10% hydrophobized matrix show a 50% increased adsorption capacity, in comparison with the expanded one. For adsorption performed in the water-oil emulsion, saturation of the solid hydrophobized matrix is achieved after 60 min. The hydrophobized samples exhibit adsorption factors in the 0.7-1.0 range.