A re-statement of the Hohenberg–Kohn theorem and its extension to finite subspaces

Bearing in mind the insight into the Hohenberg–Kohn theorem for Coulomb systems provided recently by Kryachko (Int J Quantum Chem 103:818, 2005), we present a re-statement of this theorem through an elaboration on Lieb’s proof as well as an extension of this theorem to finite subspaces. Contribution to the Serafin Fraga Memorial Issue.     

Pozzolanic properties of a residual FCC catalyst during the early stages of cement hydration

The catalyst used in fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) units of refineries after several recovery cycles in regeneration units, reduces its activity and it is partially substituted by new catalyst in the process. As it has a high silicon and aluminum oxides content, the pozzolanic properties of a Brazilian FCC spent residual catalyst, used in different substitution degrees to cement, were evaluated by three thermal analysis techniques during the early stages of hydration of a type II Portland cement. NCDTA curves show in real time that the residual catalyst, accelerates the stages of cement hydration. TG and DSC curves of respective pastes after 24 h of hydration evidence the pozzolanic activity of the waste, respectively, by the lower water mass loss during the dehydroxylation of the residual calcium hydroxide and by the lower dehydroxylation endothermal effect. Within the analyzed period, the higher is the cement substitution degree, the higher is the pozzolanic activity of the residual catalyst.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of camptothecin- 4β-triazolopodophyllotoxin conjugates

Abstract

Two new compounds (9 and 10) having a camptothecin (CPT) analog conjugated to the 4β-azido-4-deoxypodophyllotixin analog by untilizing the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditon (CuAAC) reaction, and were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against a panel of five human cancer cell lines (HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7 and SW480) using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiahiazo-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Two novel conjugates shown weak cytotoxicity, compound 10 showed highly potent against HL-60 cell line tested, with IC₅₀ value 17.69?±?0.19?μM. This compound suggested its potential as anticancer agents for further development.

     

Sorption behavior of Co(II) on γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> in the presence of humic acid

The fate and transport of toxic metal ions and radionuclides in the environment is generally controlled by sorption reactions. The extent of sorption of divalent metal cations is controlled by a number of factors including cosorbing or complexing. In this work, the effects of pH, humic acid HA/Co(II) addition orders, ionic strength, concentration of HA, and foreign cations on the Co(II) sorption on γ-Al₂O₃ in the presence of HA were investigated. The sorption isotherms of Co(II) on γ-Al₂O₃ in the absence and presence HA were also studied and described by using S-type sorption model. The experimental results showed that the Co(II) sorption is strongly dependent on the pH values, concentration of HA, but independent of HA/Co(II) addition orders, ionic strength, and foreign cations in the presence of HA under our experimental conditions. The results also indicated that HA enhanced the Co(II) sorption at low pH, but reduced the Co(II) sorption at high pH. It was hypothesized that the significantly positive influence of HA at low pH on the Co(II) sorption on γ-Al₂O₃ was attributed to strong surface binding of HA on γ-Al₂O₃ and subsequently the formation of ternary surface complexes such as ≡S-OOC-R-(COO⁻) _x Co^2−x . Chemi-complexation may be the main mechanism of the Co(II) sorption on γ-Al₂O₃ in the presence of HA.     

First-second shell interactions in metal binding sites in proteins: a PDB survey and DFT/CDM calculations

The role of the second shell in the process of metal binding and selectivity in metalloproteins has been elucidated by combining Protein Data Bank (PDB) surveys of Mg, Mn, Ca, and Zn binding sites with density functional theory/continuum dielectric methods (DFT/CDM). Peptide backbone groups were found to be the most common second-shell ligand in Mg, Mn, Ca, and Zn binding sites, followed (in decreasing order) by Asp/Glu, Lys/Arg, Asn/Gln, and Ser/Thr side chains. Aromatic oxygen- or nitrogen-containing side chains (Tyr, His, and Trp) and sulfur-containing side chains (Cys and Met) are seldom found in the second coordination layer. The backbone and Asn/Gln side chain are ubiquitous in the metal second coordination layer as their carbonyl oxygen and amide hydrogen can act as a hydrogen-bond acceptor and donor, respectively, and can therefore partner practically every first-shell ligand. The second most common outer-shell ligand, Asp/Glu, predominantly hydrogen bonds to a metal-bound water or Zn-bound histidine and polarizes the H-O or H-N bond. In certain cases, a second-shell Asp/Glu could affect the protonation state of the metal ligand. It could also energetically stabilize a positively charged metal complex more than a neutral ligand such as the backbone and Asn/Gln side chain. As for the first shell, the second shell is predicted to contribute to the metal selectivity of the binding site by discriminating between metal cations of different ionic radii and coordination geometries. The first-shell-second-shell interaction energies decay rapidly with increasing solvent exposure of the metal binding site. They are less favorable but are of the same order of magnitude as compared to the respective metal-first-shell interaction energies. Altogether, the results indicate that the structure and properties of the second shell are dictated by those of the first layer. The outer shell is apparently designed to stabilize/protect the inner-shell and complement/enhance its properties.     

SO_4~（2－）／ZrO_2超强酸制备方法的改进

用ＢＥＴ、ＸＲＤ、流动指示剂法、化学分析、低温正丁烷异构化反应等手段研究了制备条件对ＺｒＯ２前驱体和ＳＯ／ＺｒＯ２超强酸性能的影响．实验结果表明，采用不同的制备条件，ＺｒＯ２前驱体的比表面可相差１．８倍，ＳＯ／ＺｒＯ２的酸强度相差约１０００倍．ＳＯ／ＺｒＯ２的正丁烷异构化反应活性相差约３００倍．ＺｒＯ２最高比表面可达２４５ｍ２／ｇ，ＳＯ／ＺｒＯ２酸强度为Ｈ０≤－１．６０，２０℃时ＳＯ／ＺｒＯ２正丁烷异构化反应速率常数为１５．５×１０－３ｈ－１。     

Hydrogenation of CO over carbides of tungsten

CO hydrogenation on tungsten carbides has been investigated.The methanation activitiesof tungsten carbides are comparable to that of supported Group VIII metal catalysts.Temperature-programmed thermal desorption spectra of CO on tungsten carbide show that CO is adsorbed non-dissociatively,and the surface—CO bond appears to be rather weak.     

Solar-Driven Artificial Carbon Cycle

Constituting the artificial carbon cycle,for example,through recycling CO₂ and converting CH₄ to value-added fuels and chemicals with solar energy,offers a sustainable future for humankind to tackle the global environmental issues and energy crisis.However,significant bottlenecks remain in such photocatalytic conversion,mainly related to the reaction activity and product selectivity.Herein,we share our efforts and systematic research progress on addressing the double bottlenecks for achieving solar-driven artificial carbon cycle,with specifically focusing on the photocatalytic CO₂ and CH₄ conversion.We further elucidate the common fundamentals behind various designed photocatalytic materials systems.Toward future development,we highlight the opportunities and challenges in the research field.     

Preconcentration and separation of copper(II), cadmium(II) and chromium(III) in a syringe filled with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane supported on silica gel

In this study, a syringe was filled with silica gel loaded with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, for the separation and preconcentration of copper, cadmium and chromium prior to their determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) in seawater. For this purpose, a syringe was filled with 0.5 g of modified silica gel and the sample solution was drawn into the syringe and ejected back again. The analyte elements were quantitatively retained at pH 5. Then, the elements sorbed by the silica gel were eluted with 2.0 M of HCl and determined by GFAAS. At optimum conditions, the recovery of Cu, Cd and Cr were 96-98%. Detection limits (3delta) were 6.6, 7.5 and 6.0 micro g L(-1) for Cu, Cd and Cr, respectively. The elements could be concentrated by drawing and discharging several portions of sample successively but eluting only once. Cu, Cd and Cr added to a seawater sample were quantitatively recovered (>95%) in the range of the 95% confidence level. The method proposed in this paper was compared with a column technique. Optimum experimental conditions, reproducibility, precision and recoveries of both techniques are the same, but the syringe technique is much faster, easier and more practical than the column technique. It is a portable system and allows one to make the sorption process in the source of sample. In addition, the risk of contamination is less than in the column technique.     

Borate adsorption at Pt(111) in acidic medium

The adsorption/desorption process of borate was studied at Pt(111) in acidic solution by cyclic voltammetry. A so-called butterfly wave in the cyclic voltammogram of Pt(111) in HClO₄ shifted to negative direction upon the addition of boric acid with the disappearance of its sharp spikes. The shift in potential was found to be −57 mV with a tenfold increase of boric acid concentration. This illustrates that this anomalous wave is due to borate adsorption/desorption by a one-electron transfer process. The borate adsorption/desorption wave was observed to shift by −63 mV/pH. At pH>3, the anomalous wave splits forming two separate waves, depending on the pH and the scan rate. The appearance of two waves is assigned to the change in the adsorption mode of borate or the participation of OH in the adsorption process.