On the mechanism of vanillin formation in the catalytic oxidation of lignin with oxygen

The influence of catalyst (CuSO₄ solution), pH and temperature on the vanillin formation and oxygen consumption in oxidation of lignin in alkaline media have been studied. It was shown that the main role of catalyst in the lignin oxidation is to change the selectivity of hydroperoxide fragmentation rather than to accelerate oxidation.     

Computer modeling of amorphous silica structures

An algorithm for large cluster construction for quantum-chemical modeling of amorphous silica structures is suggested. The algorithm is based on the conception that different species of disperse amorphous silica, namely aerosil, silica gel and aerogel are different polymorphic forms; that these polymorphic modifications can be classified by Libau's crystallochemical classification of silicates; that each classification mode is determined by the manufacturing method. The structure models presented are obtained in accordance with the algorithm and are in line with the chemical reactions forming the basis of commercial manufacturing of the products.     

Application of the slotted quartz tube in flow-injection flame atomic-absorption spectrometry

The slotted quartz has been applied to flow-injection flame atomic-absorption spectrometry (FI-FAAS) showing several important advantages. The tube life was improved by a factor of 5-6 compared to conventional continuous aspiration. Flow impact systems were found not to be necessary in the applications so that larger enhancement factors may be achieved without sacrifice in precision. For 1.0 mg/l. copper, 1.0 mg/l. lead, 0.1 mg/l. cadmium and 1.0 mg/l. gold sensitivity enhancement factors of 3.1, 5.5, 5.3 and 4.0 were obtained with precisions of 1.3%, 1.1%, 1.6% and 1.7% RSD (n = 11) respectively. Application of the slotted quartz tube FI-FAAS method to the determination of heavy metals in urine has shown improved tolerance to interfering matrices. Recoveries obtained by spiking undiluted urine samples with 0.1 mg/l. copper and lead, and 0.01 mg/l. cadmium were in the range 100-102%.     

Flow injection determination of oxalate in urine based on an inhibitory effect

Summary Two methods based on the use of the normal and stopped-flow injection modes were developed for the determination of oxalate based on its inhibitory effect on the catalytic action of Fe(III) on the 2,4-diaminophenol/hydrogen peroxide system. The linear determination ranges achieved were between 0.2 and 12.0 g ml^–1 and between 0.2 and 40.0 g ml^–1, the precision was ±5.4%, and ±3.5%, and the sampling rate was 30 and 20 samples h^–1 for the normal and stopped-flow method, respectively. Both methods have been applied to the determination of oxalate in urine with excellent results.     

Analytical diagnosis of soil pollution with heavy metals

Summary The diagnosis of soil pollution essentially depends on the adoption of a suitable procedure for sample treatment, rather than the choice of a purely analytical techniqueTotal soil analysis may give information about possible enrichment of the soil with heavy metals, but is generally and for most elements not a sufficient criterion for the estimation of the biological effect and has to be completed by additional chemical analyses, specifying the chemical forms and mobility of the contaminating compounds in the soil.The possibilities for the estimation of total and extractable elements are discussed as well as analytical speciation techniques in relation to the determination of their biological effects.

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Analytische Bestimmung der Verunreinigung von Böden mit Schwermetallen

Zusammenfassung Die Bestimmung einer Bodenverunreinigung hängt wesentlich von der geeigneten Probenvorbehandlung ab und weniger von der rein analytischen Methode. Eine Gesamtanalyse gibt Auskunft über eine mögliche Anreicherung von Schwermetallen, ist aber im allgemeinen und für die meisten Elemente nicht ausreichend zur Erkennung der biologischen Wirkung und muß durch zusätzliche chemische Analysen zur Spezifizierung der chemischen Form und der Mobilität der Verunreinigungen ergänzt werden. Möglichkeiten zur Gesamtbestimmung der Elemente sowie des extrahierbaren Anteils werden diskutiert und Verfahren zur Spezifizierung in Beziehung zur biologischen Wirksamkeit aufgezeigt.

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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. W. Fresenius on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Micranoic acids A and B: two new octanortriterpenoids from Schisandra micrantha

Two novel octanortriterpenoids, micranoic acids A (1) and B (2), along with three known compounds, kadsuric acid (3), 3beta-hydroxy-lanost-9(11),24(25)-dien-26-oic acid (4) and schizandronic acid (5), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandra micrantha. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. Micranoic acids A and B represent a new group of triterpenes in which the entire C-17 side chain has lost. This is the first report of octanortriterpenoids isolated from the family Schisandraceae.     

Dichrometric determination of mercury(I)

Summary A dichrometric procedure has been reported for the direct titration of mercury(I) to an iodine monochloride end point. The concentration of hydrochloric acid must be at least 7.5 N at the end point.     

Fluorocyclohexanes-III 1H:4H/2H- and 1H/2H:4H-nonafluorocyclohexane and derived compounds

Two nonafluorocyclohexanes of b.p. 92° and 101°, made by fluorination of benzene,¹ have each been dehydrofluorinated to give the same six unsaturated products. These were identified by oxidation and other studies as 3H:4H- and 4H:5H-octafluorocyclohexene, 1H-1:4-, 1H-1:3-, and 2H-1:3-heptafluorocyclohexadiene, and hexafluorobenzene,² thus indicating a 1H:2H:4H-structure for the saturated precursors. The stereochemistry of the adjacent> CHF groups was established by resolution, via the brucine salt, of the 3H:4H-hexafluoroadipic acid obtained by oxidation of the 4H:5H-mono-olefin, showing that the hydrogens were trans. The complete stereochemistry of the nonafluorides was suggested by the dehydrofluorinations and confirmed by further fluorination³ to give known decafluorocyclohexanes. Treatment of 4H/5H-octafluorocyclohexene with lithium aluminium hydride in diethyl ether gave 1H,4H/5H-heptafluorocyclohexene, a precursor of pentafluorobenzene.⁴     

Stoichiometric number molecularity and multiplicity

On the basis of the polynomial to which the system of pseudo-steady-state equations corresponding to the nonlinear single-route mechanism is reduced (kinetic polynomial), the known concepts of stoichiometric number and molecularity have been studied. A set of the minimal-integer stoichiometric coefficients is shown to correspond to the kinetic characteristics in the neighborhood of equilibrium.

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The gas phase structure of tetrakis(trifluoromethylthio)ethene, CF3S)2C=C(SCF3)2

The geometric structure of (CF₃S)₂C=C(SCF₃)₂ in the vapour phase was determined by electron diffraction. The molecule possesses D₂ symmetry with the S---CF₃ bonds oriented perpendicular to the ethene plane, in alternating directions up-down-up-down. The following skeletal geometric parameters were obtained (r_a distances and angles, experimental uncertainties are 3σ values): C=C = 1.34Å (ass.), C(sp²---S = 1.761(5)Å, S---C(sp³) = 1.832(5)Å, S---C---C = 119.6(4)°, C---S---C = 100.6(13)°, and ø(C=C---S---C) = 90.9(11)°. The gas phase conformation differs considerably from the crystal structure, where the molecule possesses C_i symmetry and the CF₃ groups, which are bonded to cis-standing sulfur atoms, lie on the same side of the ethene plane with dihedral angles ø(C=C---S---C) of 117° and 127°.