Study of layered silicate clays as synergistic nucleating agent for polypropylene

Effect of very small quantities of organically modified layered silicate clay on the nucleation of polypropylene (PP), as an additive at ppm levels dosage was investigated, in combination with two of the most commercially exploited organic nucleating agents, one of which is a cyclic aromatic phosphinate salt and the other is bis(3,4‐dimethylbenzylidene) sorbitol, each representing a separate class of nucleating molecules by itself. Substitution of a considerable fraction of either of these organic nucleating agents with organically modified inorganic nanoclay was seen to result in a unique synergy between the two in nucleating PP. Polarized light microscopy studies of these synergistic formulations with organoclay to nucleating agent ratios of 1:1 and 1:3 totaling 0.2 weight percent in PP showed significant reduction in spherulite size from that of non‐nucleated PP, and compared with the samples containing exclusive organic nucleating agent at similar loading. Differential scanning calorimetric studies provided evidence and insight into such synergistic behavior. Crystallization and supercooling temperatures for the synergistic formulations were comparable for those formulations containing only organic nucleating agents, indicating comparable nucleation efficiency, whereas organoclay alone, although showing some extent of nucleation, was clearly poorer in efficiency. Wide and small angle X‐ray scattering studies further explained these observations. An increase in the gamma polytype fraction was seen in samples that contained both organoclay and nucleating agent, pointing to the role of organoclay as a gamma nucleator. Organoclay was found to be completely exfoliated in these synergistic formulations and was seen as well‐dispersed, single platelets in the PP matrix. A hybrid network consisting of exfoliated organoclay platelets and organic nucleating agent molecules was proposed, which is more stable and stiffer than the network formed by nucleating agent alone. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1786–1794, 2010     

An unusual bioactive oleanane triterpenoid from Rhododendron campanulatum D.Don

An unusual oleanane triterpene(1) was isolated from aerial parts of Rhododendron campanulatum.The compound had shown prominent antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities.The structure of the compound was determined by spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR spectral analysis.     

Mixed-ligand complexes of copper(I) with diimines and phosphines: Effective catalysts for the coupling of phenylacetylene with halobenzene

New copper(I) mixed-ligand complexes 1–4 of the formula Cu(N–N)PR₃X, where N–N = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (5,5′dimbpy) and PR₃ = tricyclohexylphosphine, tris(2-cyanoethyl)phosphine and isopropyldiphenylphosphine, have been synthesized. The complexes were characterized by EA, IR, NMR and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The solution fluorescence emission spectra were measured. The single crystal X-ray analysis showed that the copper(I) ion is four-coordinate with a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The complexes catalyze the formation of diphenylacetylene from the coupling of halobenzene with phenylacetylene. The complex Cu(5,5′-dimethylbpy)P{(cyhexyl)₃}I showed the highest catalytic activity. At room temperature all four complexes exhibit, in dichloromethane, emission maxima in the 329–344 nm range, corresponding to intra-ligand excited states.     

Longitudinal distribution of trace elements in the atmosphere of an industrial area from neutron activation analysis

Industrial units play a significant role in atmospheric pollution. Industrial exhausts deteriorate the atmospheric quality causing unhygienic environment for the people working in the vicinity. This work presents a study of the longitudinal distribution of trace elements of the Sheikhupura industrial area. Three kinds of distribution patterns were observed and are discussed in detail. The results are based on the neutron activation analysis of 16 trace elements.     

Identification,control strategies,and analytical approaches for the determination of potential genotoxic impurities in pharmaceuticals: A comprehensive review

Potential genotoxic impurities in pharmaceuticals at trace levels are of increasing concern to both pharmaceutical industries and regulatory agencies due to their possibility for human carcinogenesis. Molecular functional groups that render starting materials and synthetic intermediates as reactive building blocks for small molecules may also be responsible for their genotoxicity. Determination of these genotoxic impurities at trace levels requires highly sensitive and selective analytical methodologies, which poses tremendous challenges on analytical communities in pharmaceutical research and development. Experimental guidance for the analytical determination of some important classes of genotoxic impurities is still unavailable in the literature. Therefore, the present review explores the structural alerts of commonly encountered potential genotoxic impurities, draft guidance of various regulatory authorities in order to control the level of impurities in drug substances and to assess their toxicity. This review also describes the analytical considerations for the determination of potential genotoxic impurities at trace levels and finally few case studies are also discussed for the determination of some important classes of potential genotoxic impurities. It is the authors’ intention to provide a complete strategy that helps analytical scientists for the analysis of such potential genotoxic impurities in pharmaceuticals.     

Abeliaside,a new phenolic glucoside from Abelia triflora

A new phenolic glucoside, abeliaside, along with four known compounds, 5,6,7,4′-tetrahydroxy flavones, caffeic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid and caffeic acid glucoside, was isolated from the leaves of Abelia triflora R. Br. (Caprifoliaceae). The structure of the new compound was elucidated by different spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1–5 were assayed for their anticancer activities against two cancerous human cell lines, MCF-7 and PC-3 cells, and normal Vero cell line using the crystal violet staining method. From the results it could be seen that caffeic acid possessed the highest anticancer effect against MCF-7 (IC₅₀: 17 μg/mL) and PC-3 (IC₅₀: 20.1 μg/mL) compared to vinblastine sulphate as reference drug (IC₅₀: 4.6, 2.8 μg/mL). The other compounds showed weak anticancer activity on both cell lines.     

Real-time tracking of hydrogen peroxide secreted by live cells using MnO2 nanoparticles intercalated layered doubled hydroxide nanohybrids

We report a facile and green method for the fabrication of new type of electrocatalysts based on MnO₂ nanoparticles incorporated on MgAl LDH P-type semiconductive channel and explore its practical applications as high-performance electrode materials for electrochemical biosensor. A series of MgAl layered doubled hydroxide (LDH) nanohybrids with fixed Mg/Al (M²⁺/M³⁺ atomic ratio of 3) and varied amount of MnCl₂.4H₂O are fabricated by a facile co-precipitation method. This approach demonstrates the combination of distinct properties including excellent intercalation features of LDH for entrapping nanoparticles and high loading of MnO₂ nanoparticles in the host layers of LDH. Among all samples, Mn5–MgAl with 0.04% loaded manganese has a good crystalline morphology. A well-dispersed MnO₂ nanoparticles encapsulated into the host matrix of hydrotalcite exhibit enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of H₂O₂ as well as excellent stability, selectivity and reproducibility due to synergistic effect of good catalytic ability of MnO₂ and conductive MgAl LDH. Glass carbon electrode (GCE) modified with Mn5–MgAl possesses a wide linear range of 0.05–78 mM, lowest detection limit 5 μM (S/N = 3) and detection sensitivity of 0.9352 μAmM⁻¹. This outstanding performance enables it to be used for real-time tracking of H₂O₂ secreted by live HeLa cells. This work may provide new insight in clinical diagnosis, on-site environmental analysis and point of care testing devices.