Spatial distribution and risk assessment of radioactivity and heavy metal levels of sediment,surface water and fish samples from Lake Van,Turkey

In this study, radioactivity levels of 228 lake water samples, 63 upper and depth sediment samples and 12 fish samples from Lake Van were investigated from 2005 to 2008 and the distribution patterns of the radionuclides were presented. Analysis included gross alpha–beta and total radium isotopes activities and uranium concentrations of the water, and gross alpha and gross beta activities and relevant ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K activity of the sediment and fish samples of the lake. Mean gross alpha, gross beta and radium isotopes activities of lake water were found 0.74 ± 0.46, 0.02 ± 0.01 and 0.06 ± 0.04 Bq/L, respectively. Mean gross alpha and beta activities in upper and depth sediments were found to be 41 ± 6 and 1,514 ± 74 Bq/kg; 77 ± 5 and 394 ± 24 Bq/kg at a 95 % confidence level, respectively. Mean activities of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K activity concentrations in upper and depth sediments were determined to be 225 ± 22, 70 ± 7 and 486 ± 39 Bq/kg; 174 ± 4, 63 ± 3 and 263 ± 25 Bq/kg, respectively. The mean gross alpha and beta, ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K aktivities in fish samples were established as 47 ± 18, 470 ± 12, 0.57 ± 0.220, 0.022 ± 0.006, 319 ± 11 Bq/kg, respectively. The transfer factor from lake water to fish tissues, annual intake by humans consuming fish, and annual committed effective doses were estimated and evaluated.     

Cu-based atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate using a novel tridentate ligand with mixed donor atoms

This study is aimed at atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) using a novel catalyst. The bis-(2-dodecylsulfanyl-ethyl)-amine (SNS) tridentate ligand with mixed donor atoms was synthesized in high purity using inexpensive reagents and was reacted with copper(I) bromide to produce the CuBr/SNS catalyst. The catalyst mediated living polymerization of MMA yielding polymers with controlled molecular masses and narrow molecular mass distributions (PDI < 1.25). Also, the kinetic plot exhibited a linear increase of ln([M]₀/[M]) versus time, indicating constant concentration of propagating radicals during the polymerization. The products were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FT-IR, UV-VIS, GC and elemental analyses (CHNS) and by GPC.     

Extraction of methocarbamol from human plasma with a polypyrrole/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite decorated with magnetic nanoparticles as an adsorbent followed by electrospray ionization ion mobility spectrometry detection†

In this work, a polypyrrole/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite decorated with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was chemically synthesized and applied as a novel adsorbent for the extraction of methocarbamol from human plasma. Electrospray ionization ion mobility spectrometry was used for the determination of the analyte. The properties of the magnetic‐modified adsorbent were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The effects of experimental parameters on the extraction efficiency of the sorbent were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the linear dynamic range was found to be 2–150 ng/mL with the detection limit of 0.9 ng/mL. The relative standard deviation was 5.3% for three replicate measurements of methocarbamol in plasma sample. The extraction efficiency of the sorbent for the determination of different drugs with various polarities was also compared to that of Fe₃O₄‐polypyrrole and Fe₃O₄‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes sorbents. Finally, the method was used for the determination of methocarbamol in blood samples.     

Cross-aldol Condensation of Cycloalkanones and Aromatic Aldehydes in the Presence of Nanoporous Silica-based Sulfonic Acid (SiO2-Pr-SO3H) under Solvent Free Conditions

The aromatic aldehydes underwent cross aldol condensation with cycloalkanones in the presence of a catalytic amount of nanoporous silica-based sulfonic acid (SiO2-Pr-SO3H) under solvent-free conditions to afford the corresponding α,α’-bis(substituted benzylidene)cycloalkanones in excellent yields with short reaction time without any side reactions. This method is very general, simple and environmentally friendly in contrast with other existing methods. SiO2-Pr-SO3H was proved to be an efficient heterogeneous solid acid catalyst, which could be easily handled and removed from the reaction mixture by simple filtration, and also recovered and reused without loss of reactivity.     

Determination trace amounts of thallium after separation and preconcentration onto nanoclay loaded with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol as a new sorbent

A procedure has been proposed for the separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of thallium. It is based on the adsorption of thallium ions onto organo nanoclay loaded with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN). Thallium ions were quantitatively retained on the column in the pH range of 3.5–6.0, whereas quantitative desorption occurs with 5.0?mL of 5% ascorbic acid and thallium was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Linearity was maintained between 0.66?ng?mL^?1–15.0?µg?mL^?1?in initial solution. Detection limit was 0.2?ng?mL^?1?in initial solution and preconcentration factor was 150. Eight replicate determinations of 2.0?µg?mL^?1 of thallium in final solution gave a relative standard deviation of ±1.48%. Various parameters have been studied, such as the effect of pH, breakthrough volume and interference of a large number of anions and cations and the proposed method was used to determine thallium ions in water and standard samples. Determination of thallium ions in standard sample showed that the proposed method has good accuracy.     

A Facile One-Pot Synthesis of Highly-Functionalized Stable Heterocyclic Phosphorus Ylides in Aqueous Media

Phthalimide or succinimide undergo a reaction with dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and triphenylphosphine to produce highly-functionalized stable heterocyclic phosphorus ylides in good yields in water-tetrahydrofuran (6:1). This methodology is of interest because of the use of water as solvent, thus minimizing the cost, operational hazards, and environmental pollution.     

Synthesis and characterization of copper(II) Schiff base complex supported on Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles: a recyclable catalyst for the one‐pot synthesis of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones

Fe₃O₄–Schiff base of Cu(II) is found to be a recyclable and heterogeneous catalyst for the rapid and efficient synthesis of various 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐one derivatives from the two‐component condensation of 2‐aminobenzamide and an aldehyde. This reaction is simple, green and cost‐effective. Separation and recycling can also be easily done by magnetic decantation of the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with an external magnet. The prepared catalyst was characterized using thermogravimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, inductively coupled plasma analysis, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nanocrystalline TiO2, via green combustion synthesis,as an efficient and reusable catalyst for the preparation of 1,8‐dioxooctahydroxanthenes and 1,8‐dioxodecahydroacridines

Nanocrystalline TiO₂ is synthesized using a green combustion method and used as a recyclable catalyst for the one‐pot multicomponent synthesis of 1,8‐dioxodecahydroacridines and 1,8‐dioxooctahydroxanthenes, under solvent‐free conditions. This method is mild, environmentally friendly, inexpensive and highly effective for obtaining good to excellent yields of the products. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.