New unsymmetrical difluoroaromatic compounds and estimation of their reactivities in nucleophilic substitution

A series of previously unknown unsymmetrical difluoroaromatic compounds, viz., p-fluorobenzoylphenyl(p-fluorophenyl)-substituted imidazoles, pyrazines, and quinoxalines, were synthesized according to multistep procedures with the use of chloral as the key compound. The reactivities of the resulting difluoroaromatic compounds were estimated based on ¹⁹F and ¹³C NMR spectral data and the results of quantum-chemical calculations. The calculated charge densities on the C_ipso atoms correlate linearly with the experimental chemical shifts in the ¹⁹F and ¹³C NMR spectra. Difluoroaromatic compounds, which are characterized by _F > –110 and _C > 163 and by the charge density on the C_ipso atom higher than 0.08 e, are sufficiently activated to be used for the preparation of high-molecular-weight polyethers.     

Activated bis- and tetrafluoroaromatic compounds containing bis-phenylquinoxaline fragments

New activated bis- and tetrafluoroaromatic compounds containing the bis-phenylquinoxaline fragments, viz., methylene-bis-6(7),6"(7")-{2-(p-fluoro)phenyl-3[4-(p-fluorobenzoyl)phenyl]quinoxalines}, were prepared according to multistep procedures with the use of chloral as the starting compound. The presence of the activating carbonyl groups in the para positions with respect to two fluorine atoms opens up the possibility of the use of these monomers for the synthesis of high-molecular-weight aromatic quinoxaline-containing polyether ketones.     

Effect of selenium oxidation state on cadmium translocation in chamomile plants

Syntheses and spectral characteristics of cadmium(II) compounds (CdSeO₄, CdSeO₃, and Cd(NCSe)₂(nia)₂) containing selenium in oxidation states (VI), (IV), and (-II) are described. In Cd(NCSe)₂(nia)₂, nicotinamide (nia) and selenocyanate anions are bonded to Cd atom as N-donor monodentate ligands. Nicotinamide is coordinated through the ring nitrogen atom. The effects of these selenium compounds as well as Cd(NCS)₂(nia)₂ on the growth and Cd accumulation in roots and shoots of hydroponically cultivated chamomile plants (cultivar Lutea) were studied. In the applied concentration range (12–60 μmol dm⁻³) Cd(NCS)₂(nia)₂ affected neither the length nor the dry mass of roots and shoots. Other compounds applied at 24 μmol dm⁻³ and 60 μmol dm⁻³ significantly reduced dry mass of roots and shoots. Selenium oxidation state in the cadmium compounds affected Cd accumulation in plant organs as well as Cd translocation within the plants, which was reflected in the values of bioaccumulation (BAF) and translocation factors (S/R). Cd amount accumulated by shoots was lower than that in the roots. The highest BAF values determined for Cd accumulation in shoots were obtained with CdSeO₄. Substitution of S with Se in the Cd(NCX)₂(nia)₂ (X = Se or S) caused an increase of Cd translocation into the shoots. Presented at the XVIIIth Slovak Spectroscopic Conference, Spišská Nová Ves, 15–18 October 2006.     

Tertiary amine-mediated synthesis of microporous carbon membranes

Microporous carbon membranes were prepared on an -alumina support by a pyrolysis of cationic tertiary amine/anionic polymer composites. The precursor solutions contain a thermosetting resorcinol/formaldehyde (RF) polymer and a cationic tertiary amine. Three types of cationic tertiary amines with different chain lengths were used, such as tetramethlammonium bromide (TMAB), tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPAB) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). A porous structure was produced by a decomposition of the amine and the resulting pores assisted the further gasification of the RF polymer at high temperature. The carbon/alumina membranes have thin and continuous carbon top layers with a thickness of 1 μm. Gas permeation tests were performed using single gases of CO₂, O₂, N₂, CF₄, n-C₄H₁₀ and i-C₄H₁₀, as well as binary mixtures of CH₄/n-C₄H₁₀ and N₂/CF₄ at different temperatures between 23 and 150 °C. The carbon membrane prepared using TMAB showed separation factors higher than 650 for the CH₄/n-C₄H₁₀ mixtures and higher than 8100 for the N₂/CF₄ mixture. From the permeation of pure gases with different molecular sizes, the pore sizes of the carbon membrane prepared using TMAB, TPAB and CTAB are estimated to be 4.0, 5.0 and larger than 5.5 Å, respectively, indicating that the micropore size of the carbon membranes is controllable by using different amines.     

Determination of imazalil by on-line coupled capillary isotachophoresis with capillary zone electrophoresis

A simple, rapid and reproducible capillary isotachophoretic on-line coupled with capillary zone electrophoresis (CITP-CZE) method for the determination of IMz in food packaging extracts and its residues in apples is described. A good separation of the IMZ from other sample constituents was achieved within 15 minutes without any sample clean up. Method characteristics (linearity, accuracy, intra-assay and detection limit) were determined. Less amount of time involved, sufficient sensitivity and low running cost are the important attributes of CITP-CZE method.     

Synthesis and binding studies of new bis-calix[4]arenes containing aromatic and heteroaromatic units

A series of new bis-calix[4]arenes containing different aromatic and heteroaromatic moieties have been synthesized. The complexing behavior of these bis-calix[4]arenes have been studied towards different metal ions and it has been found that these bis-calix[4]arenes bind silver ions selectively over other metal ions. The complexation has been studied by liquid-liquid extraction and by NMR and IR spectroscopy.     

Hydrogenation of ethyl esters of 4-phenyl-and (2-furyl)-substituted 2,4-dioxobutyric acids at palladium black

The hydrogenation of ethyl 4-R-2,4-dioxobutyrates (R = phenyl, 2-furyl) at 5% Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst, modified with cinchonidine, and at palladium black was investigated. The former had low activity under the conditions we tested. The main products during the hydrogenation of these compounds at palladium black are ethyl 4-R-2-hydroxy-4-oxobutyrates. The yield of the phenyl derivative amounts to 68.5%, while the yield of the corresponding 2-furyl derivative amounts to 97%. In the last case ethyl 2-hydroxy-4-oxo-4-(2-tetrahydrofuryl)butyrate was detected as impurity. The optimum conditions for the formation of ethyl 2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyrate (yield 88.2%) were determined. __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 655–659, May, 2006.     

Chromatographic Analysis of Trans Resveratrol in Italian Wines: Comparisons between FL, UV and MS Detection

Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene) is a phytoalexin that belongs to the group of stilbenes, known to occur in grapes and consequently in grape products. Its presence in wine is an important qualitative parameter because of the several beneficial effects on human health. The aim of this work is the development of a high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of trans resveratrol in wines, and comparisons between the results obtained by different detection techniques: UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Resveratrol is analysed on a C-18 column using gradient elution. The method permits direct injection of sample, revealing to be time-saving, overcoming the need of sample pre-treatment steps. Detection limits were 154.8 ng mL⁻¹ by HPLC-UV, 118.0 ng mL⁻¹ by HPLC-FL and 48.0 ng mL⁻¹ by HPLC-MS. Trans resveratrol has been then quantified in a group of 52 wines derived from different Italian regions, cultivars and winemaking technologies by HPLC-UV.     

Analysis to obtain precise density fluctuation of supercritical fluids by small-angle X-ray scattering

A procedure of analysis for small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data has been established to obtain density fluctuation of supercritical fluids near the critical point. It is indispensable for the certain analysis to utilize both of high-quality SAXS data measured under stable thermodynamic condition and accurate P–ρ–T data in supercritical region. As a standard example, SAXS measurements have been performed for supercritical CO₂, which is a suitable sample satisfying the condition for both experiment and analysis. The measurements were carried out along four isothermal conditions at reduced temperature of T_r = T/T_c = 1.020, 1.022, 1.043 and 1.064. Comparing the experimental density fluctuation with calculated one from the most reliable equation of state, the differences are within 8% at most.     

Electrooxidative coupling of salts of nitro compounds with halide,nitrite, cyanide,and phenylsulfinate anions

Electrolysis of salts of primary and secondary nitro compounds (nitroethane, 1- and 2-nitropropanes, nitrocyclohexane, and nitrocycloheptane) in the presence of excess halide, nitrite, cyanide, and phenylsulfinate anions under undivided and divided amperostatic electrolysis conditions in a two-phase medium (CH₂Cl₂/H₂O) produces geminal nitrohalides (35–85% yields), dinitro compounds (15–51%), nitronitriles (6–27%), and nitrosulfones (50–70%). The salts of secondary nitro compounds form the products of oxidative coupling with halide and phenylsulfinate anions under the undivided electrolysis conditions. In all other cases, divided electrolysis is required. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1539–1546, July, 2005.