Physico-chemical characterization of nanofiltration membranes.

This study presents a methodology for an in-depth characterization of six representative commercial nanofiltration membranes. Laboratory-made polyethersulfone membranes are included for reference. Besides the physical characterization [molecular weight cut-off (MWCO), surface charge, roughness and hydrophobicity], the membranes are also studied for their chemical composition [attenuated total reflectance Fourier spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)] and porosity [positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS)]. The chemical characterization indicates that all membranes are composed of at least two different layers. The presence of an additional third layer is proved and studied for membranes with a polyamide top layer. PAS experiments, in combination with FIB (focused ion beam) images, show that these membranes also have a thinner and a less porous skin layer (upper part of the top layer). In the skin layer, two different pore sizes are observed for all commercial membranes: a pore size of 1.25-1.55 angstroms as well as a pore size of 3.20-3.95 angstroms (both depending on the membrane type). Thus, the pore size distribution in nanofiltration membranes is bimodal, in contrast to the generally accepted log-normal distribution. Although the pore sizes are rather similar for all commercial membranes, their pore volume fraction and hence their porosity differ significantly.     

The changing face of chemical derivatization in pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

The present and past use of chemical derivatization reactions is overviewed with emphasis on the present role of derivatization in chromatographic and electrophoretic methods with special respect to fluorogenic derivatization to increase the selectivity and sensitivity, chiral derivatization to transform enantiomeric pairs to easily separable diastereomers, and GC/GC-MS derivatization. Non-chromatographic derivatization is also discussed with emphasis on UV-VIS spectrophotometry, fluorimetry, and immunoassay methods. The up-to-dateness of derivatization methods with negative examples mainly from the field of UV-VIS analysis are also discussed. Finally, examples are given on how the experiences obtained in the course of old studies can be used to solve current problems with the aid of chemical derivatization. Received: 19 January 1998 / Revised: 2 March 1998 / Accepted: 6 March 1998     

Stereoselective synthesis of unnatural α-amino acid derivatives through photoredox catalysis

A protocol for stereoselective C-radical addition to a chiral glyoxylate-derived N-sulfinyl imine was developed through visible light-promoted photoredox catalysis, providing a convenient method for the synthesis of unnatural α-amino acids. The developed protocol allows the use of ubiquitous carboxylic acids as radical precursors without prior derivatization. The protocol utilizes near-stoichiometric amounts of the imine and the acid radical precursor in combination with a catalytic amount of an organic acridinium-based photocatalyst. Alternative mechanisms for the developed transformation are discussed and corroborated by experimental and computational studies.

A protocol for stereoselective C-radical addition to a chiral glyoxylate-derived N-sulfinyl imine was developed through visible light-promoted photoredox catalysis, providing a convenient method for the synthesis of unnatural α-amino acids.     

Surface Characterization of Sepiolite by Inverse Gas Chromatography

Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) was applied to characterize the surface of sepiolite. The adsorption thermodynamic parameters (the standard enthalpy (ΔH ⁰), entropy (ΔS ⁰) and free energy of adsorption (ΔG ⁰)), the dispersive component of the surface energy (γ _S ^d ), and the acid/base character of sepiolite surface were estimated by using the retention time of different non-polar and polar probes at infinite dilution region. The specific free energy of adsorption (ΔG ^sp ), the specific enthalpy of adsorption (ΔH ^sp ), and the specific entropy of adsorption (ΔS ^sp ) of polar probes on sepiolite were determined. ΔH ^sp were correlated with the donor and modified acceptor numbers of the probes to quantify the acidic K _A and the basic K _D parameters of the sepiolite surface. The values obtained for the parameters K _A and K _D indicated an acidic character for sepiolite surface.     

Ab initio calculation of the heptamer (NH3)7 as a reasonable starting point for a description of the ammonia crystal

Quasi-Wannier functions for the ammonia crystal have been determined from optimized ab initio calculations of the heptamer (NH₃)₇, thus accounting for all the first neighbor interactions. The calculated geometry and binding energy are in good agreement with their experimental counterparts.     

Studies on pyridazine derivatives. IV Mesylation reaction of pyridazinylpyrazoles

On mesylation, 1-pyridazinylpyrazoles ( 1 ), give, depending on the substituents and reaction conditions, O-mesylpyrazoles ( 2 ) and O-mesyl-4-N-mesyl-1,4-dihydro-4-pyridyl-pyrazole derivatives ( 3 ). The structures of these compounds were confirmed by ir and ¹H nmr spectral data.     

Efficiency of decomposition procedures for the determination of some elements in soils by atomic spectroscopic methods

Nine decomposition procedures for soil samples, such as via acid mixtures and fusion in open systems and microwave and autoclave dissolution (in closed systems under elevated temperature and pressure) were assessed using certified soil reference materials. The determination of various elements in solutions was performed by FAAS and ICP-OES and the results were compared with certified values and with direct current arc OES analysis. Received: 3 March 1997 / Revised: 30 May 1997 / Accepted: 3 June 1997     

Fast semiempirical calculations

Most quantum chemists regard semiempirical methods as ephemeral and computationally cost efficient. For this reason, an article dealing with computational efficiency of semiempirical methods is probably very unfashionable. However, experience at a big computer installation, shared by ab-initio and semiempirical quantum chemists shows that the second group actually consumes more computer time than the first. Obviously, the greater size of the molecules in semiempirical calculations outweighs the inherent efficiency of these methods. The present article describes a simple method for accelerating SCF -type semiempirical methods.     

Beitr?ge zur Chemie des Schwefels. 84

Zusammenfassung Durch Zonenschmelzen konnte hochreiner Schwefel dargestellt werden, dessen Verunreinigungsgehalt (Kohlenstoff: weniger als 2,4 · 10^–4%, Silicium 1,3 · 10^–6%, Magnesium: 4,0 · 10^–6%) wesentlich kleiner war als bei allen nach anderen Verfahren gereinigten Schwefelproben. Ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung von Silicium, Eisen und Magnesium in kleinen Schwefeleinwaagen durch Spektralanalyse ohne vorherige Anreicherung wurde ausgearbeitet.

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Summary High-purity sulphur was prepared by zone melting. The percentage of impurities (carbon < 2.4×10^–4%, silicon 1.3×10^–6%, magnesium 4.0×10^–6%) was considerably smaller than in sulphur purified by other procedures. A method is described for the determination of silicon, iron and magnesium in sulphur samples by direct spectroscopic analysis without enrichment of the elements to be analysed.

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83. Mitteilung: Lutz, H. D., u. Lj. Kosti: Z. Naturforsch. 21b, 892 (1966).

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Der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft danken wir für die Förderung dieser Arbeit.     

Calcul théorique des énergies de divers arrangements géométriques de la molécule (η5-C5H5)2TiCl2

The molecular energy of the complex (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂TiCl₂ has been calculated for experimental geometry and for several hypothetical forms by a semi-empirical CNDO/2 approach. The energy difference between experimental (quasi-tetrahedral) geometry and a planar geometry is ca. 20 kcal mol^?1. This difference is sufficiently high to explain the difficulty of the inversion process.