The solid-state E/Z-photoisomerization of 1,2-dibenzoylethene

The E/Z-photoisomerization of trans-1,2-dibenzoylethene (DBE) in the confinement of its crystal lattice proceeds readily, but not as a single crystal to single crystal process which was claimed previously by others. This model for the Z-->E isomerization at the 11-12 double bond of the retinal moiety in the crystal-like confinement of rhodopsin was investigated in view of the fact that the precise geometric features are crucial for a better understanding of the postulated twist mechanism. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) monitored long-range anisotropic molecular movements if trans-DBE was photoisomerized, but cis-DBE was unreactive even at the extreme sensitivity of AFM. The crystal lattices of both isomers cannot accommodate a rotational mechanism but at best the twist mechanism with the large groups not leaving their planes. The unidirectional solid-state photochemistry derives from the crystal packing of cis-DBE which exhibits severe 3D-interlocking. Thus, trans-DBE molecules are not formed in the cis-lattice, because their moving away would be prohibited. Conversely, photochemically formed cis-DBE molecules escape the foreign trans-DBE lattice easily along its glide planes, as is experimentally observed by AFM. These findings are reminiscent of the escape of 11-trans-retinal from the rhodopsin array in the vision cascade.     

Potentiometric studies of ternary complex formation Cu(II), Ni, Zn or Cd iminodiacetic acid/amino-acid complexes

The formation constants, log K(mab), for the reactions MA + B right harpoon over left harpoon MAB [where M = Cu(II), Ni, Zn or Cd, A = terdentate ligand and B = bidentate or terdentate ligand] have been determined. Potentiometric evidence is presented for the stepwise addition of the secondary ligand B to the 1:1 metal iminodiacetate (MA). The formation constants and the free energies of formation (DeltaG) have been calculated at 25 +/- 1 degrees and mu = 0.10. The order in terms of secondary ligands has been found to be ASPA > Gly > Aln and Gly > Aln > ASPA with iminodiacetic and nitrilotriacetic acid as primary ligands respectively (ASPA = aspartic acid, Gly = glycine, Aln = dl-alanine). The plot of log K(mab) against log k(mb)(2) shows a linear relationship between the formation constants of the ternary and 1:2 M(II)secondary ligand complexes.     

Evaluation of a carbon-rod atomizer for routine determination of trace metals by atomic-absorption spectroscopy applications to analysis of lubricating oil and crude oil

A carbon-rod atomizer (CRA) fitted with a 'mini-Massmann' carbon rod was evaluated for routine analysis of petroleum and petroleum products for trace metal content by atomic-absorption spectroscopy. Aspects investigated included sensitivity, detection limit, effect of solvent type, and interferences. The results of analysis of oil samples with this technique were compared with those obtained by other techniques. Metals studied were silver, copper, iron, nickel, and lead. Sensitivity and detection limit values obtained with the CRA were similar to those obtained with the carbon-filament atomizer. Strong 'solvent effects' were observed as well as interference by cations. On the basis of this study, design changes for the CRA are suggested, with the object of minimizing 'solvent effects' and interferences, increasing the atomization efficiency, and increasing the residence time of the atomic vapour in the optical path of the instrumental system.     

Separation mechanism of nortriptyline and amytriptyline in RPLC

The single and the competitive equilibrium isotherms of nortriptyline and amytriptyline were acquired by frontal analysis (FA) on the C18- bonded discovery column, using a 28/72 (v/v) mixture of acetonitrile and water buffered with phosphate (20 mM, pH 2.70). The adsorption energy distributions (AED) of each compound were calculated from the raw adsorption data. Both the fitting of the adsorption data using multi-linear regression analysis and the AEDs are consistent with a trimodal isotherm model. The single-component isotherm data fit well to the tri-Langmuir isotherm model. The extension to a competitive two-component tri-Langmuir isotherm model based on the best parameters of the single-component isotherms does not account well for the breakthrough curves nor for the overloaded band profiles measured for mixtures of nortriptyline and amytriptyline. However, it was possible to derive adjusted parameters of a competitive tri-Langmuir model based on the fitting of the adsorption data obtained for these mixtures. A very good agreement was then found between the calculated and the experimental overloaded band profiles of all the mixtures injected.     

Optimization of simulated moving bed plants with low efficient stationary phases: separation of fructose and glucose

An optimization procedure for simulated moving bed (SMB) plants with low efficient stationary phases is presented. The new aspect is that the desorbent consumption can be cut by 70% by running the plant with lower internal liquid flows and a corresponding larger switch time while the productivity is kept constant. This concept was validated by the separation of fructose and glucose in water on a calcium resin with an eight-column SMB plant. The separation can be predicted well by a true moving bed (TMB) and a simulated moving bed simulation. Adsorption isotherms were determined up to 300 kg/m3 for glucose and 500 kg/m3 for fructose from 25 to 80 degrees C. Experimental SMB runs were performed over a wide range of feed concentrations (10-350 kg/m3) and temperatures (25-80 degrees C). The strong influence of the delay volume is pointed out. For an experimental run with high feed concentration a complete set of data is presented. To reduce biological growth separation at 80 degrees C is recommended.     

The Baylis-Hillman condensation of alpha,beta-conjugate cycloketones with aldehydes using diethylaluminum iodide alone as the promoter

The Baylis-Hillman condensation of three types of alpha,beta-conjugate cycloketones with aldehydes was successfully performed by using diethylaluminum iodide as the Lewis acid promoter alone without the direct use of a Lewis base. The reaction proceeded to completion at 0 degree C in CH2Cl2 within 24 h to give modest to good yields (53-72%).     

Effect of the homogeneity of the column set on the performance of a simulated moving bed unit. I. Theory

Although it is impossible to manufacture identical columns for use in a simulated moving bed (SMB) process, theoretical studies assume that all the columns in an SMB unit have identical characteristics. In practice, calculations in modeling and optimization studies are made with the average values of each column parameter set. In this report, the effects on SMB process performance caused by column-to-column fluctuations of the parameters are discussed. As a first step, we show how the differences in porosity of the columns may be taken into account with a revised set of separation conditions. Reductions in the purity of the extract and the raffinate streams are quantitatively related to the column-to-column fluctuations of the retention times of the two components arising from these porosity differences. For the sake of simplicity, the discussion first addresses the case of a four-column SMB operating under linear conditions. Then, the scope is extended to the cases of SMB units incorporating several columns in each section and to SMB units operating under nonlinear conditions.     

On the thermal expansion of nanohole free volume in perfluoropolyethers

To determine the free volume in polymers, positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy data are transformed into nanohole volumes by modeling the cavities as spheres or, more generally, using geometries assuming an isotropic thermal expansion. However, this guess could be unrealistic owing to the irregular shape of nanoholes and constrained movements of the macromolecules. In this work, it is shown that a comparison of hole-lattice theory with positron and dilatometric data for a homologous series of perfluoropolyethers supplies information on the anisotropic expansion of nanoholes; the relation between volume and typical unconstrained size of the cavities can be expressed by a power law with noninteger exponents.