Influence of drying method on the material properties of nanocellulose I: thermostability and crystallinity

The effect of drying method on selected material properties of nanocellulose was investigated. Samples of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were each subjected to four separate drying methods: air-drying, freeze-drying, spray-drying, and supercritical-drying. The thermal stability and crystallinity of the dried nanocellulose were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction. Supercritical-drying produced NFCs with the least thermal stability and the lowest crystallinity index. Air-drying or spray-drying produced NFCs which were more thermally stable compared with freeze-dried NFCs. The CNCs dried by the three methods (air-drying, freeze-drying, and spray-drying) have similar onset temperature of thermal degradation. The different drying methods resulted in various char weight percentages at 600 °C for the dried NFCs or CNCs from TGA measurements. The dried NFCs are pure cellulose I while the dried CNCs consist of cellulose I and II. The calculated crystallinity indices differ with each drying method. The cellulose II content in CNCs changes as a function of drying method. For the application of nanocellulose in non polar thermoplastics, spray-dried products are recommended according to their higher thermal stability and higher crystallinity index.     

Electron field emission properties of closed carbon nanotubes

Recent experiments have shown that carbon nanotubes exhibit excellent electron field emisson properties with high current densities at low electric fields. Here we present theoretical investigations that incorporate geometrical effects and the electronic structure of nanotubes. The electric field is dramatically enhanced near the cap of a nanotube with a large variation of local field distribution. It is found that deviation from linear Fowler-Nordheim behavior occurs due to the variation of the local field in the electron tunneling region. The maximum current per tube is of the order of 10 microA. Local and microscopic aspects of field emission from nanotubes are also presented.     

Photoinduced isomerization of 4-(4′-dimethylaminostyryl) pyridine N-oxide

The effects of photoirradiation on the conformation state of 4-(4′-dimethylaminostyryl)pyridine N-oxide was studied by spectral (EAS, ¹H NMR, IR) and thermochemical methods. Trans→cis isomerization was found to proceed in 4-(4′-dimethylaminostyryl)pyridine N-oxide irradiated with light (λ ≤ 400 nm) in chloroform. The conversion of the trans form of 4-(4′-dimethylaminostyryl)pyridine N-oxide to the cis form depends on the time and intensity of irradiation. Maximum conversion was achieved when a photostationary mixture formed with a ratio of components trans:cis = 40:60. Further irradiation of the solutions of 4-(4′-dimethylaminostyryl)pyridine N-oxide in chloroform led to salification with HCl formed during the decomposition of CHCl₃.     

Palladium-catalyzed aminocarbonylation of aryl iodides using aqueous ammonia

Aminocarbonylation of aromatic iodides using aqueous ammonia in toluene has been developed. Various primary aromatic amides have been efficiently synthesized in good to excellent yields in the presence of catalytic quantities of Pd(OAc)₂/CYTOP®292. The usage of aqueous ammonia avoids the handling of two gases in the reaction.     

Chemo- and regioselective cyclohydrocarbonylation of alpha-keto alkynes catalyzed by a zwitterionic rhodium complex and triphenyl phosphite

alpha-Keto alkynes react with CO and H(2) in the presence of catalytic quantities of the zwitterionic rhodium complex (eta(6)-C(6)H(5)BPh(3))(-)Rh(+)(1,5-COD) and triphenyl phosphite affording either the 2-, 2(3H)-, or 2(5H)-furanones in 61-93% yields. The cyclohydrocarbonylation is readily accomplished using substrates containing alkyl, aryl, vinyl, and alkoxy groups at the acetylenic terminal, as well as a variety of primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl groups connected to the ketone functionality. Structural and electronic properties present in the starting materials mediate the chemo- and regioselectivity of the reaction.     

Synthesis, spectral, thermal and biological studies of Co(III) and binuclear Ni(II) complexes with a novel amine-imine-oxime ligand

Two different metal complexes of [Co(HL)(L)(Ac)₂]·4H₂O (I) and [Ni₂(L)₂(Ac)₂]·4H₂O (II), have been synthesized with newly prepared amine-imine-oxime ligand [HL = 3-(4′-aminobiphenyl-4-ylimino)-butan-2-one oxime, Ac = CH₃COO⁻]. This ligand HL was prepared by the condensation of diacetylmonoxime with benzidine. The structure of the ligand and complexes have been proposed by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR, electronic spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements, mass spectra, molar conductivity and thermo gravimetric analysis. The molar conductance measurements of the complexes in DMF solution correspond to non electrolytic nature for the complexes. Octahedral and tetrahedral geometries have been determined to the complexes of Co(III) and binuclear Ni(II) respectively. The ligand and its metal complexes were tested in vitro for their biological effects. Their activities against two gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and one fungal specie (Candida albicans) were found. They were inactive against tested gram negative bacteria. The text was submitted by authors in English.     

1H NMR and calorimetric study on binding ability of cyclodextrins to isomeric pyridinecarboxylic acids in aqueous solution

Complex formation of α- and β-cyclodextrins with isomeric pyridinecarboxylic acids (picolinic, nicotinic and isonicotinic acids) in water were studied by calorimetry and ¹H NMR at 298.15 K. The obtained results revealed the weak 1:1 complex formation governed by the cavity dimensions and position of the carboxylic group in the pyridine ring. It was found that selective inclusion complex formation of α- and β-cyclodextrins with nicotinic and isonicotinic acids takes place. In the case of picolinic acid, the considerable role of external interactions and formation of less stable complexes were detected. The location of the carboxylic group in the meta-position of pyridine ring is more favorable for the effective binding. The pyridinecarboxylic acids are shallow inserted into α-cyclodextrin cavity possessing the smaller diameter, while they are deeply included into β-cyclodextrin cavity. Thermodynamic parameters of complex formation (K, Δ_cG⁰, Δ_cH⁰ and Δ_cS⁰) were calculated and discussed in terms of influence of reagents structure.     

Synthesis of 3-substituted-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,3-benzothiazin- 2-ones via a highly regioselective palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of 2-substituted-2,3-dihydro-1,2-benzisothiazoles

A novel synthesis of 3-substituted-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,3-benzothiazin-2-ones is described herein. The strategy relies on a highly regioselective palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of 2-substituted-2,3-dihydro-1,2-benzisothiazoles to give the corresponding 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,3-benzothiazin-2-one derivatives in good to excellent yields.     

Synthesis of morpholin-2-ones by chemoselective intramolecular rhodium-catalyzed reductive ring expansion of oxazolidines

The rhodium-catalyzed reductive intramolecular ring expansion of N-(ethoxycarboxymethyl)oxazolidines was carried out under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide and hydrogen to afford N-methylmorpholin-2-ones in good to excellent yields.