Headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry applied to quality control in multilayer-packaging manufacture

A method based on headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is proposed for the quality control of multilayer packaging and its manufacturing process. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are produced in the manufacturing process of the packaging. They can cause organoleptic problems or modify the properties of the packaging depending on the nature and the amount of the VOCs formed. The quantification using packaging samples with a known VOC concentration for the calibration is proposed in order to reduce the analysis time, and the method is validated using a statistical test. Finally, the method is applied to the determination of odour-responsible compounds in multilayer packaging samples obtained under different extrusion-coating conditions, i.e. type of extruder, type of polymer and extrusion speed.     

Is the ring conformation the most critical parameter in lipase-catalysed acylation of cycloalkanols?

CAL-B catalysed the resolution of several five and six-membered cyclic beta-hydroxy esters efficiently with the exception of the cis-cyclohexanol (+/-)-4. When employing molecular modelling techniques the conformation turned out to be the most important determinant for their reactivity towards O-acetylation. In all cases, the R enantiomers reacted faster than the S enantiomers since the reactive intermediates of the former can adopt more favourable ring conformations and thus experience less steric hindrance in the active site. Furthermore, the minimised structure for the main conformer of R-4 showed that the axial hydrogens in the 3 and 5-positions with respect to the hydroxyl group prevent the enzymatic reaction.     

Complex formation reaction of the iron(III) hydroxo dimer with periodate ion

The kinetics and mechanism of the ligand substitution reaction between Fe(2)(OH)(2)(4+) and periodate ion has been studied. This process is unique among the reactions of the iron(iii) hydroxo dimer because the initial rate is second-order with respect to Fe(2)(OH)(2)(4+). The formation of a bi- and a tetranuclear complex, Fe(2)(OH)(2)(H(4)IO(6))(3+) and Fe(4)(OH)(4)(H(4)IO(6))(7+), is proposed. Comprehensive fitting of the kinetic data was used to show that the proposed model, which is very similar to earlier models used with other inorganic oxoanions, gives a reasonable interpretation of all observations. It is shown that the lifetime of Fe(2)(OH)(2)(H(4)IO(6))(3+) is relatively long and it can open a pathway to form oligomeric and less soluble products at higher initial concentrations. The speciation of aqueous periodate ion solution was also studied and it is proposed that the tetrahedral form, IO(4)(-), is less dominant over the octahedral form, H(4)IO(6)(-), than previously thought.     

Quantitative determination of alpha(s2)- and alpha(s1)-casein in goat's milk with different genotypes by capillary electrophoresis

A capillary electrophoresis (CE) method has been applied for the quantitative determination of alpha(s1)- and alpha(s2)-CN in goat's milk. Several analytical parameters were evaluated showing the reliability of this CE method. Coefficients of determination (R2) greater than 99% were obtained and determination limits of 1.23 and 0.98 mg/ml were achieved for alpha(s1)- and alpha(s2)-CN, respectively. The analytical parameters studied in terms of accuracy, precision and recovery were within acceptable limits. Among 18 samples of 4 different genotypes (BB, EE, BF and FF) for alpha(s1)-CN were analysed, different amounts were obtained from the genotypes.     

Voltammetric monitoring of laccase-catalysed mediated reactions

Six different compounds capable of mediating laccase-catalysed reactions have been tested by cyclic voltammetry. They exhibited quasi-reversible electrodic behaviour with formal redox potentials ranging from 150 to 800 mV (E(0)' vs. SCE). The immersion of a laccase-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in mediator solutions generated large cathodic catalytic currents easily recorded by cyclic voltammetry at low-potential scan rates. This current showed two well-defined pH profiles, which correlated with the variation of the mediator redox potentials at the pH range tested. The relevant effect of temperature on the activity of laccase has been assessed here. Likewise, it was shown that the current record varied with the substrate concentration. This trend fitted Michaelis-Menten kinetics, which allowed us to give an estimation of the affinity of the fungal laccase for the different mediators.     

Cycloaddition reactions of alkoxy alkynyl Fischer carbene complexes with o-quinodimethanes (oQDMs)

[reaction: see text] The reaction of o-quinodimethanes (oQDMs) with alkoxy alkynyl Fischer carbene complexes is highly dependent on the carbene complex. Thus, for arylalkynyl carbene complexes, the initial [4 + 2]-cycloadduct evolves opening a new entry to the benzo[b]fluorene skeleton, which is present in many natural products. However, for alkenylalkynyl carbene complexes, the reaction takes place through the double bond, instead of the triple bond, in an unprecedented fashion, leading to new functionalized alkynyl carbene complexes.     

Structural characterization and magnetic properties of sandwich-type tungstoarsenate complexes. Study of a mixed-valent VIV2/VV heteropolyanion

Complexes K11Na1[As2W18(Mn(H2O))3O66]x27H2O (1) and Na12[As2W18(Co(H2O))3O66]x34H2O (2) have been characterized. 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma, with a = 30.6484(4) A, b = 14.9946(2) A, and c = 19.17080(10) A (Z = 4), while 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, with a = 14.124(2) A, b = 23.294(3) A, c = 32.247(3) A, and beta = 98.935(10) degrees (Z = 4). Structures of the anions of 1 and 2 are similar, the divalent metals adopting a square pyramidal environment. K11[As2W18(VO)3O66]x23H2O (3) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma, with a = 30.6240(5) A, b = 14.9861(2) A, and c = 19.2651(3) A (Z = 4). The structure has revealed a disorder on two of the three metals linking the [alpha-AsW9O33]9- parts. For these two vanadium atoms, the V=O bonds are directed alternatively toward the inside or the outside of the [alpha-AsW9O33]9- cavity. The remaining vanadium shows a V=O bond always directed toward the outside of the cavity. Titration of VIV by CeIV revealed that 3 is the mixed-valent VIV2VV species. Magnetic measurements are in agreement with this formulation. The high-temperature molar magnetic susceptibility of a powdered sample of 3 clearly confirms the presence of two d1 centers. The two VIV are antiferromagnetically coupled, with J = -2.9 cm-1 and g = 1.93. Crystallographic data do not permit the location of the two VIV to be distinguished from the location of the VV. As expected, the Mn(II) are very weakly antiferromagnetically coupled in compound 1. The complex Na8[Ni(H2O)6]2[As2W18(Ni(H2O))3O66]x20H2O (4) has been synthesized. The anion crystallized with two octahedral [Ni(H2O)6]2+ as counterions. Magnetic data have been fitted assuming that the only exchange-coupled centers are the nickels of the polyanion. 4 exhibits an antiferromagnetic coupling with J = -1.7 cm-1, g = 2.27, and theta = -1.5 K.     

Crystal structure of potassium tetramethylammonium hexacyanocobaltate(III) trihydrate: K3(Me4N)3[Co(CN)6]2·3H2O

The structure of K₃(Me₄N)₃[Co(CN)₆]₂·3H₂O has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray diffraction data. The unit cell is formed by parallel layers of cobalt octahedra [CoC₆] and potassium octahedra, [K(1)N₅O(1)], separated byc/2. In each layer both types of octahedra are located alternatively. The [MeN₄]⁺ tetrahedra are located in the cavities between the two layers of octahedra. The crystal structure of this compound is the first example of its type. TMC 2483     

Analysis of mercury(II), methylmercury and phenylmercury by RPHPLC with micellized dithizone post-column derivatization photometric detection

Post-column derivatization detection system based on dithizone solubilized in cetyltrimethyl-ammonium hydrogenesulfate micellar media at pH 2.0 was devised and evaluated for selective detection of mercury(II), methylmercury and phenylmercury in reversed-phase HPLC system with photometric detection at 500 nm. This reagent solution is fully compatible with acidic organo-aqueous mobile phases generally used in RPHPLC. With the aid of the detection systematic study of the retention behaviour of three mercury species on octadecylsilica sorbent was carried out. Influence of pH, acetonitrile volume fraction, complex forming additives was investigated in detail. In mobile phase consisting of 5–30% of acetonitrile in water at pH 2.0 and 2·10^–4 mol·I^–1 DCTA linear calibration curves were measured in range 20–1000 ppb with correlation coefficient better than 0.99. Detection limits were 1–5 ng for this three mercury species. Interferences of copper(II) and silver(I) are negligible.     

Thermal behaviour of amorphous Li2ZrO3 prepared by sol-gel technique

The results of the investigations of thermal behaviour of Li₂ZrO₃, prepared in the amorphous state by means of sol-gel technique are demonstrated. The thermal treatment was carried out in air under constant heating rate of 5 deg·min^–1 and cooling rate of 2.5 deg·min^–1. The methods of DTA, TG, Emanation Thermal Analysis (ETA) and dilatometry were used, for characterization of the thermal behaviour in dynamic conditions. The X-ray diffraction patterns were used for characterization of the phase changes observed by TA Methods.

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Zusammenfassung Ergebnisse aus Untersuchungen des thermischen Verhaltens von Li₂ZrO₃, hergestellt mittels einer Sol-Gel-Technik im amorphen Zustand werden dargelegt. Die thermische Behandlung wurde in Luft bei einer konstanten Aufheizgeschwindigkeit von 5 Grad·min^–1 und einer Abkühlgeschwindigkeit von 2,5Grad·min^–1 durchgeführt. Zur Beschreibung des thermischen Verhaltens unter dynamischen Verhältnissen wurden DTA, TG, Emanationsthermoanalyse und Dilatometrie angewendet. Zur näheren Charakterisierung der bei TG beobachteten Phasenumwandlungen wurde Röntgendiffraktion verwendet.