New type of dry substances content meter using microwaves for application in biogas plants

Dry substances (DS) are an important index for monitoring and controlling anaerobic co-digestion in biogas plants. We have developed and tested an online meter that measures suspended solids by means of the reflection coefficient of an exiting microwave signal, which is dependent on the dielectric properties of the suspensions. Intelligent models based on partial least squares regression (PLSR) and artificial neural network (ANN) for calibration allow exact and reproducible measurements under different circumstances. This measuring method is appropriate for contactless and online measurements of dry substance contents in biogas plants in a large range from 2–14%.     

Complexes of dibromo(ethylenediamine)-palladium(II) observed from aqueous solutions by electrospray mass spectrometry

The dimeric complex of dibromo(ethylenediamine)palladium(II) observed in water was investigated using electrospray mass spectrometry. One microM aqueous solutions of Pd(en)Br2 yielded a variety of previously unreported species. The most abundant ion observed was attributable to the Pd(en)Br2.Pd(en)Br+ dimeric complex at m/z 568.7 (most abundant stable isotopes). The characteristics of the oligomeric complexes were examined using collision-induced dissociation (CID) up to MS6. The most common loss mechanism observed was loss of HBr leaving an unsaturated Pd(II) center. Fragmentation of the ethylenediamine ligand was also observed during CID experiments. Loss of Pd was only observed as the final step in the CID process when other loss mechanisms had been exhausted. A number of calculations were carried out at the B3-LYP/SBKJC[d] level of theory in an attempt to elucidate the structure of the [2M-Br]+ dimer.     

A Modular Class of Fluorescent Difluoroboranes: Synthesis,Structure, Optical Properties,Theoretical Calculations and Applications for Biological Imaging

Ten borylated bipyridines (BOBIPYs) have been synthesized and selected structural modifications have been made that allow useful structure–optical property relationships to be gathered. These systems have been further investigated using DFT calculations and spectroscopic measurements, showing blue to green fluorescence with quantum yields up to 41 %. They allow full mapping of the structure to determine where selected functionalities can be implemented, to tune the optical properties or to incorporate linking groups. The best derivative was thus functionalised with an alkyne linker, which would enable further applications through click chemistry and in this optic, the stability of the fluorophores has been evaluated.     

Functionalised,chiral imidazolium compounds from proteinogenic amino acids

Chiral, carboxylic acid-functionalised imidazolium zwitterions were synthesised from the corresponding L-amino acids leucine, valine and isoleucine.