Thermal characterization of UHMWPE stabilized with natural antioxidants

This work presents a study of the thermal degradation of ultra-high molecular mass polyethylene (UHMWPE) stabilized with natural (α-tocopherol and carvacrol) and synthetic antioxidants. Thermogravimetric analysis in dynamic mode was used to determine the apparent activation energies of different samples. The stabilization of UHMWPE with low concentrations (around 0.3%) of α-tocopherol is enough to obtain an efficient thermal performance of the polymer. Carvacrol is also a good stabilizer for UHMWPE, but at higher concentration than in the case of α-tocopherol. The comparison of apparent activation energy between samples with natural and synthetic antioxidants in similar concentration shows that α-tocopherol is a better stabilizer in terms of their thermal performance.     

Preparation and Chemical and Biological Studies of the Novel Complex μ-1,4,5-triphenyl-1,3,4-triazole-2-thiolate-bis[dichlorotriethylphosphineplatinum(II)]a

The mesoionic compound, 1,4,5-triazole-2-thiolate, is a versatile ligand, capable of binding metal centres in different ways. The present study shows how it reacts with the bridging platinum(II) complex μ-dichlorobis[(chlorotriethylphosphineplatinum(II)], [Pt₂(PEt₃)₂Cl₄], originating a bimetallic complex. Both the sulphur atom and nitrogen 3 behave as basic sites, coordinating different platinum centres. An interesting isomerization process, shown by ³¹P{¹H} n.m.r. spectroscopy, occurs at the S-bonded platinum moiety, resulting in a fluxional behaviour of the complex. It is also shown to target CT-DNA with moderate binding affinity.To the memory of Dr. Wagner M. Teles (1971–2004).     

High-performance liquid chromatographic separation and quantitative determination of valepotriates in valeriana drugs and preparations (author's transl)

It is possible directly to separate and analyse, quantitatively and qualitatively, the valepotriates from Valeriana crude extracts or from commercial Valeriana preparations by high-performance liquid chromatography. The separations are achieved on 4 or 8 mm I.D. columns packed with silica gel (particle size 10 micron) with n-hexane-ethyl acetate mixtures as eluent. A refractive index detection system is necessary for determining all of the valepotriates. If the concentration differences between didrovaltratum and valtratum are very great, an ultraviolet (UV) detector must be used and the determination must be conducted in two steps. For valtratum drugs UV detection alone will suffice. As internal standards p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde should be used for extracts and preparations from valtratum races, and benzaldehyde in the presence of didrovaltratum races. This determination is superior to the combined thin-layer chromatographic-hydroxamic acid method used hitherto with respect to time consumption, precision, and sensitivity.     

(+)- and (-)-2-aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acids and their incorporation into highly rigid beta-peptides: stereoselective synthesis and a structural study

[Chemical reaction: See text] Several derivatives of (+)- and (-)-2-aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid, 1, have been prepared through enantiodivergent synthetic sequences. The stereoselective synthesis of free amino acid (+)-1 has been achieved, and this product has been fully characterized for the first time. Stereocontrolled alternative synthetic methodologies have been developed for the preparation of bis(cyclobutane) beta-dipeptides in high yields. Among them, enantio and diastereomers have been synthesized. beta,beta- and beta,delta-Dimers resulting from the coupling of a cyclobutane residue and a linear amino acid have also been prepared. The ability of the cyclobutane ring as a structure-promoting unit both in the monomers and in the dimers has been manifested. The NMR structural study and DFT theoretical calculations evidence the formation of strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds giving rise to cis-fused [4.2.0]octane structural units that confer high rigidity on these molecules both in solution and in the gas phase. The contribution of a cis-trans conformational equilibrium derived from the rotation around the carbamate N-C(O) bond has also been observed, the trans form being the major conformer. In the solid state, this equilibrium does not exist, and moreover, intermolecular hydrogen bonds are present.     

DFT description of the magnetic properties and electron localization in dinuclear di-mu-oxo-bridged manganese complexes

Density functional theory (DFT) was applied to describe the magnetic and electron-transfer properties of dinuclear systems containing the [MnO2Mn]n+ core, with n=0,1,2,3,4. The calculation of the potential energy surfaces (PESs) of the mixed-valence species (n=1,3) allowed the classification of these systems according to the extent of valence localization as Class II compounds, in the Robin-Day classification scheme. The fundamental frequencies corresponding to the asymmetric breathing vibration were also computed.     

Conformational Study of Naringenin in the Isolated and Solvated States by Semiempirical and Ab Initio Methods

Naringenin is a natural widespread flavanone occurring in different foodstuffs that presents several important biological activities. Although its properties are well documented, its mechanisms of action are still controversial. The present article reports a conformational analysis of naringenin, using the semiempirical AM1 and ab initio methods, at the Hartree–Fock level of theory. The 3-21G, 3-21G*, 6-31G, and 6-31G** basis sets were used. The electron correlation effects were included through the Møller–Plesset second-order perturbation theory. The solvation of naringenin has been investigated through the standard SCRF, the supermolecule (SM), and the combined SM/SCRF models. The results have shown that there are two degenerate forms of naringenin, differing mainly by the orientation of a hydroxyl group (C4—OH). The energy barrier for the interconversion between them is ca. 6 kcal.mol^–1, suggesting some conjugation between the -system of the aromatic B ring and the hydroxyl group (C4—OH).     

Collaborative study of EPA Method 317.0 for the determination of inorganic oxyhalide disinfection by-products in drinking water using ion chromatography with the addition of a postcolumn reagent for trace bromate analysis

The development of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 317.0 is initiated to provide a sufficiently sensitive and fundamental technique for the compliance monitoring of trace levels of bromate in drinking water. After a comparative evaluation of Method 317.0 and elimination of a chlorite interference, this method is tested by a collaborative study in order to determine the precision and bias of the method and evaluate its potential role as a future compliance-monitoring method for inorganic disinfection by-products (DBPs) and trace bromate. This technique provides a practical method for future compliance monitoring for all of the inorganic oxyhalide DBPs including trace concentrations of bromate.     

A novel deacylation during the amination of trifluoromethyl β-dicarbonyl compounds

Starting from trifluoromethyl β-dicarbonyl compounds, a rare loss of CF₃CO was observed in the amination reactions performed under heterogeneous conditions using NsONHCO₂Et as the aminating agent and CaO or NaH as the base, while corresponding nonfluorinated β-dicarbonyl compounds under analogous conditions give non deacylated aminated compounds. This reaction can facilitate a direct synthesis of N-substituted α-amino esters or α-amino ketones.     

An unmediated hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on hemoglobin incorporated in a montmorillonite membrane

Hemoglobin was incorporated in a montmorillonite membrane. Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies revealed that the electron transfer reactivity and peroxidase activity of the protein were both enhanced. Nevertheless, its structure was still maintained native-like in the membrane. An unmediated hydrogen peroxide biosensor was accordingly prepared. The calibration plot of this H202 sensor was linear in the range of 1.0 x 10(-6)-6.0 x 10(-4) mol L(-1). The relative standard deviation was 3.1% for six successive determinations at a concentration of 1.0 x 10(-4) mol L(-1). The detection limit was 6.0 x 10(-7) mol L(-1). Possible interferences in real sample analyses are discussed.     

Unusual nitration of substituted 7-amino-1,8-naphthyridine in the synthesis of compounds with antiplatelet activity

Several 1,8-naphthyridine derivatives have been diazotizated to obtain the corresponding hydroxy derivatives or mixture of hydroxy and hydroxy nitro derivatives. The respective amounts of hydroxy and hydroxy nitro derivatives depends on the nature of the substituents, on their position on the naphthyridine nucleus, on the amount of sodium nitrite and on the reaction temperature. A study of the electronic density of some molecules suggests a possible explanation of the effects induced by the nature of the substituents and of their position. Some of the compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit human platelet aggregation in vitro induced by arachidonic acid. Only compound 26 showed interesting antiplatelet activity.