Determination of phenolic acids in olive oil by capillary electrophoresis

A CZE method for the separation and quantitation of phenolic acids (cinnamic, syringic, p-coumaric, vanillic, caffeic, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic, protocatechuic), extracted from extra virgin olive oil, was developed. The sample preparation involved the LLE and SPE extraction methods. CE separation was performed in a fused silica capillary of I.D.= 50microm using as a BGE 40 mM borate buffer at pH=9.2. The separation voltage was 18kV with corresponding current of 27-28 microA. Detection was accomplished with UV-detector at lambda=200nm. The proposed method was fully validated. A good repeatability of migration time (RSD% ranged from 0.81 to 1.63) and of corrected peak area (RSD% from 2.89 to 5.77) was obtained. The linearity of detector response in the range from 5 to 50 ppm was checked, obtaining the correlation coefficient R2 values in the range: 0.9919-0.9997. Some phenolic acids in real oil samples were detected and quantified with the proposed method.     

Structural and spectroscopic characterization of Al2−x Cr x O3 powders obtained by polymeric precursor method

Al₂O₃ and Al_2−x Cr _x O₃ (x = 0.01, 0.02 and 0.04) powders have been synthesized by the polymeric precursors method. A study of the structural evolution of crystalline phases corresponding to the obtained powders was accomplished through X-Ray Diffraction and UV-vis spectroscopy (reflectance spectra and CIEL^*a^*b^* color data). The obtained results allow to identify the γ-Al₂O₃ to α-Al₂O₃ phase transition. The single-phase α-Al₂O₃ powder was obtained after heat treatment at 1050 °C for 2 h. The results show that the green to red color transition and ruby luminescence lines observed for the powders of Al_2−x Cr _x O₃ are related to the γ to α-Al₂O₃ phase transition and the temperature and time range for such transition depends on the chromium content.     

Reactivity of radicals generated on irradiation of trans-[Ru(NH3)4(NO2)P(OEt)3](PF6)

The electronic absorption spectrum of trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)(NO(2))(P(OEt)(3)](+) in aqueous solution is characterized by a strong absorption band at 334 nm (lambda(max) = 1800 mol(-1) L cm(-1)). On the basis of quantum mechanics calculations, this band has been assigned to a MLCT transition from the metal to the nitro ligand. Molecular orbital calculations also predict an LF transition at 406 nm, which is obscured by the intense MLCT transition. When trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)(NO(2))(P(OEt)(3)](+) in acetonitrile is irradiated with a 355 nm pulsed laser light, the absorption features are gradually shifted to represent those of the solventocomplex trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)(solv)(P(OEt)(3)](2+) (lambda(max) = 316 nm, epsilon = 650 mol(-1) L cm(-1)), which was also detected by (31)P NMR spectroscopy. The net photoreaction under these conditions is a photoaquation of trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)(NO(2))(P(OEt)(3)](+), although, after photolysis, the presence of the nitric oxide was detected by differential pulse polarography. In phosphate buffer pH 9.0, after 15 min of photolysis, a thermal reaction resulted in the formation of a hydroxyl radical and a small amount of a paramagnetic species as detected by EPR spectroscopy. In the presence of trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)(solv)P(OEt)(3)](2+), the hydroxyl radical initiated a chain reaction. On the basis of spectroscopic and electrochemical data, the role of the radicals produced is analyzed and a reaction sequence consistent with the experimental results is proposed. The 355 nm laser photolysis of trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)(NO(2))(P(OEt)(3)](+) in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 also gives nitric oxide, which is readily trapped by ferrihemeproteins (myoglobin, hemoglobin, and cytochrome C), giving rise to the formation of their nitrosylhemeproteins(II), (NO)Fe(II)hem.     

New alkyl-cobalt(III) complexes containing chiral centers in the chelating system

The complex mer-[Co(III)(L(1)Npy)(2)](+) (1') where the L(1)Npy(-) is the tridentate 3-[(2-pyridyl)methylimino]butan-2-one oximate ligand, gives alkyl-cobalt derivatives after reduction with NaBH(4)/Pd(2+) to the Co(I) and alkylation. The formation of the cobalt-carbon bond is accompanied by the reduction to the amino form of one or both imino ligands (depending on the experimental conditions) initially present in 1'. In one series of experiments, complexes of the type fac-[RCo(III)(L(1)Npy)(H-L(1)NHpy)](+) (R = Me, i-Pr, CH(2)Cl, CH(2)Br, CH(2)CF(3), and Bz) were obtained, in which only one of the two ligands was reduced to the amino form (H-L(1)NHpy). The saturation of one azomethine group causes the products to assume a fac configuration and induces the formation of one asymmetric carbon and one asymmetric nitrogen center in the chelating system. When an excess of reducing agent is used, both azomethine groups may be saturated, causing the introduction of one pair of chiral carbons and one pair of chiral nitrogens. Two isomers of the methyl derivative [MeCo(III)(L(1)NHpy)(H-L(1)NHpy)](+) were isolated. The X-ray analysis reveals that these isomers differ from one another in configuration of the C and N chiral centers. Possible reaction mechanisms leading to these different types of complexes are proposed.     

Effect of Temperature in micro-HPLC Separation of PAHs under Isocratic Conditions Using Octadecyl and Alkylamide Phases

The main difficulty in micro-HPLC separation is the manipulation with the composition of the mobile phase (degassing of solvents and a slow establishment of equilibrium) but the problem of elution can be solved by temperature optimalization. The effect of temperature in micro-HPLC separation of the 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (mixture SRM 1647 of the US EPA) has been studied using conventional C₁₈ and new developed AP phase (an amide group localized in the hydrophobic ligands). All the investigations have been performed under isocratic conditions (binary hydroorganic mobile phase: acetonitrile/water). The results have shown that, in the case of AP phase, application of temperature gradient (from 298 to 303 K), enabled the attainment of complete 16 PAHs separation (especially of the first 4 solutes).     

A neutral complex of an azino–DTDAF compound with TCNQ

In the crystal structure of the title 1:1 complex, ethyl 2‐{[5‐(ethoxy­carbonyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐3,4‐di­methyl‐1,3‐thia­zol‐2‐yl­idene]­hydrazono}‐2,3‐di­hydro‐3,4‐di­methyl‐1,3‐thia­zole‐5‐carboxyl­ate–7,7,8,8‐tetra­cyano‐p‐quinodi­methane (1/1), C₁₆H₂₂N₄O₄S₂·C₁₂H₄N₄, the planar donor and tetra­cyano‐p‐quinodi­methane (TCNQ) mol­ecules are each located on inversion centres and are stacked alternately. The bond lengths indicate that, in this complex, the donor and acceptor are neutral, as confirmed by IR investigation.     

Vibrational spectra of Na, K, Mn2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ salts of 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic (pyromellitic) acid--a short hydrogen bond evidence

Five salts of 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid (pyromellitic acid), [C6H2(COO)4H4], have been synthesized and investigated by infrared and Raman spectroscopy and by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods: sodium salt [Na2(H2O)2][C6H2(COO)4H2], potassium salt [K(H2O)3][C6H2(COO)4H3] and transition metal salts [M(H2O)6][C6H2(COO)4H2], which M = Mn, Ni and Zn. Crystal structures of all five compounds show short intramolecular asymmetric hydrogen bonds (SHB) between adjacent carboxyl groups with O...O distance average of 2.40 A. The Raman and infrared spectra reported indicate the presence of short hydrogen bonds in all salts, in agreement with the X-ray data. The O-H stretching mode [nu(OH)] had been observed at about 2500 cm(-1). Deuterated analogues were synthesized and their Raman spectra show that nu(OH)/nu(OD) ratio average is about unit. The symmetric [nu(sym)(O..H..O)] and asymmetric [nu(asym)(O..H..O)] stretching modes have been attributed about 300 and 870 cm(-1), respectively, in all salts, and for deuterated analogues, the ratio nu(OH)/nu(OD) to nu(sym)(O..H..O, O..D..O) is close to unit like it occurs in nu(OH). The vibrational modes, mainly SHB modes, are tentatively assigned by molecular orbital ab initio calculations of pyromellitic acid and anions [C6H2(COO)4H3]- and [C6H2(COO)4H2]2-. Geometry optimizations showed a good agreement with experimental data. Frequency calculation confirms the assignment of specific vibrational modes. Ab initio calculations show that nu(C=O) and nu(sym)(COO) are strongly coupled with in plane OH bending [delta(OH)]. In Raman spectra of deuterated analogues is observed a frequency shift of these bands.     

Sulla geometria asintotica delle foglie di una foliazione

Pour les feuilles (non-compactes) d’un feuilletageF d’une variété différentiable compacteV ily a une «géométrie riemannienne asymptotique» bien définie à quasiisométrie près. La géométrie euclidiennen-dimensionnelle peut être réaliséc comme une telle géométrie asymptotique.     

Studies on the Flash Vacuum Thermolysis of Thiones of Selected N‐, O‐, and S‐Heterocycles

Thermal decomposition of thiones of selected N‐, O‐ and S‐heterocycles under flash vacuum thermolysis conditions was investigated. In the case of six‐membered 4H‐3,1‐benzoxathiin‐4‐thione 6 , the course of the reaction depended on the substitution pattern at C(2) (Scheme 3). Thus, the 2‐unsubstituted derivative 6a led to the unstable product 2 , which upon treatment with MeOH was converted quantitatively into methyl 2‐mercaptobenzoate ( 7 ). The analogous thermolysis of the 2,2‐dimethyl derivative 6b yielded 2‐methyl‐4H‐1‐benzothiopyran‐4‐thione ( 8 ) as a sole product. In the case of thiophthalide derivatives 15 , a thermal rearrangement in the gas phase leading to the corresponding benzo[c]thiophen‐1(3H)‐ones 16 in high yields was observed (Scheme 6). Unexpectedly, thionation of 1,3‐oxathiolan‐5‐one 17 with Lawesson's reagent under standard conditions led to 1,2‐dithietane derivative 19 , which, after the gas‐phase thermolysis, underwent a ring enlargement to yield 3H‐1,2‐dithiole 20 (Scheme 7). The six‐membered 4H‐1,3‐benzothiazine‐4‐thione 21 was shown to give three products: phenanthro[9,10‐c]‐1,2‐dithiete ( 22 ), 3H‐1,3‐benzodithiole‐3‐thione ( 23 ), and N‐(3H‐1,2‐benzodithiol‐3‐ylidene)prop‐2‐en‐1‐amine ( 24 ) (Scheme 8). The latter is the product of the initial reaction, whereas 22 and 23 are postulated to be formed as secondary products of the conversion of the intermediate 6‐(thioxomethylene)cyclohexa‐2,4‐diene‐1‐thione ( 26 ) (Schemes 9 and 10).     

Oxidation of methanol at the network film of polyoxometallate-linked ruthenium-stabilized platinum nanoparticles

We explore here the ability of ruthenium hydroxo species to undergo spontaneous deposition on Pt nanoparticles and to form colloidal solutions of oxoruthenium-protected (-stabilized) nanoparticles of Pt. These particles can be spontaneously attracted to carbon substrates, and they form ultrathin self-assembled films. Fabrication of the multilayer network films on electrodes has been achieved by linking the positively charged oxoruthenium-covered Pt clusters with heteropolyanions of tungsten. By repeated alternate treatments in a solution of phosphododecatungstate (PW₁₂O₄₀^3–) and in a colloidal suspension of oxoruthenium-protected (-stabilized) Pt nanoparticles, the film thickness can be increased systematically (layer by layer) to form stable three-dimensional assemblies on carbon electrodes. It is apparent from cyclic voltammetric and chronoamperometric measurements (that were performed at 20 and 60 °C) that the resulting hybrid films show attractive properties towards the oxidation of methanol at fairly low potentials (0.25–0.4 V versus the saturated calomel electrode). With approximately the same loading of oxoruthenium-covered Pt nanoparticles and under analogous conditions, linking or derivatizing the nanoparticles with phosphotungstate leads to the systems higher electrocatalytic activity. It is possible that, in addition to ruthenium hydroxo species, PW₁₂O₄₀^3– exhibits an activating effect on dispersed Pt particles. An alternative explanation may involve the possibility of different morphologies of the catalytic films in the presence and absence of phosphotungstate anions.Dedicated to Zbigniew Galus on the occation of his 70th birthday