A verification of the reaction mechanism of direct carbon solid oxide fuel cells

Anode-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with Cu–CeO₂–yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) anode, YSZ electrolyte film, and silver cathode were fabricated. The cells were tested with 5 wt% Fe-loaded activated carbon and dry CO, respectively, and their performances were compared to verify the reaction mechanism of direct carbon SOFCs (DC-SOFCs). The corresponding current–voltage curves and impedance characteristics of the cells operating on these two different fuels were found to be almost the same at high temperatures, demonstrating the presumed mechanism that the anode reaction of a DC-SOFC is the electrochemical oxidation of CO, just as in a SOFC operated directly on CO. Some experimental evidences including the difference in open circuit voltage at different temperatures and the operating stability of the cells were analyzed in detail.     

Calibration of the complex matrix effects on the sampling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in milk samples using solid phase microextraction

Solid phase microextraction (SPME), a simple, fast and promising sampling technique, has been widely used for complex sample analysis. However, complex matrices could modify the absorption property of coatings as well as the uptake kinetics of analytes, eventually biasing the quantification results. In the current study, we demonstrated the feasibility of a developed calibration method for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in complex milk samples. Effects of the complex matrices on the SPME sampling process and the sampling conditions were investigated. Results showed that short exposure time (pre-equilibrium SPME, PE-SPME) could increase the lifetime of coatings, and the complex matrices in milk samples could significantly influence the sampling kinetics of SPME. In addition, the optimized sampling time, temperature and dilution factor for PAHs were 10 min, 85 °C and 20, respectively. The obtained LODs and LOQs of all the PAHs were 0.1–0.8 ng/mL and 1.4–4.7 ng/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the accuracy of the proposed PE-SPME method for milk sampling was validated by the recoveries of the studied compounds in two concentration levels, which ranged from 75% to 110% for all the compounds. Finally, the proposed method was applied to the screening of PAHs in milk samples.     

Silane‐bridged diphosphine ligand for palladium‐catalyzed ethylene oligomerization

In this study, bis(diphenylphosphinemethyl)dimethyl silane ( L1 ) and its palladium(II) halide complex, L1 /PdCl₂ ( C1 ), were synthesized and characterized. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of the complex revealed bidentate coordination at the Pd center. In combination with methylaluminoxane (MAO) as co‐catalyst, C1 exhibited excellent catalytic activity and selectivity for ethylene dimerization toward butene. The maximum catalytic activity obtained from the C1 /MAO system for ethylene dimerization to yield butenes was 7.33 × 10⁵ g/(mol_Pd · h). The selectivity toward butene remained stable and high (> 96%) over the various conditions.     

Mg(ClO4)2-catalyzed intramolecular allylic amination: application to the total synthesis of demethoxyfumitremorgin C

A Mg(ClO₄)₂-catalyzed intramolecular amination of allylic alcohols with carbamate or sulfonamide nucleophiles to form substituted piperidine and pyrrolidine derivatives has been developed. This method has been successfully applied to the total synthesis of demethoxyfumitremorgin C.     

Development and validation of a UPLC‐MS/MS method for the determination of cucurbitacin B in rat plasma and application to a pharmacokinetic study

Cucurbitacin B (CuB), one of the most abundant forms of cucurbitacins, is a promising natural anticancer drug candidate. Although the anticancer activity of CuB has been well demonstrated, information regarding the pharmacokinetics is limited. A rapid, selective and sensitive UPLC‐MS/MS for CuB was developed and validated using hemslecin A (HeA) as internal standard (IS). Plasma samples were pre‐treated by liquid–liquid extraction with dichloromethane. Separation was achieved on a reversed‐phase C₁₈ column (50 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) at 35°C using isocratic elution with water–methanol (25:75, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The analytes were monitored by a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer with positive electrospray ionization mode. The calibration curve was linear (r > 0.995) in a concentration range of 0.3–100 ng/mL with a limit of quantification of 0.3 ng/mL. Intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy and precision were validated by percentage relative error and relative standard deviation, respectively, which were both lower than the limit of 15%. This assay was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of CuB in Wistar rats. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.