Synthesis and mesomorphic characterization of azoesters with a coumarin ring

We have synthesized a homologous series of azoesters consisting of a coumaryl moiety as the end group. Eleven derivatives of this series exhibit mesomorphism. The nematic mesophase is exhibited from ethyl homologue onward, while the smectic phase commences at the pentyl derivative and is exhibited along with the nematic phase up to the hexadecyl derivative. The N-I transition temperatures curves show the usual odd-even effect. All the compounds in this series are thermally stable and exhibit a wide mesomorphic range of nearly 120°C. Their thermal stabilities and other characteristics are discussed.     

Microfunnel‐filter‐based emulsification microextraction followed by gas chromatography for simple determination of organophosphorus pesticides in environmental water samples

A simple and fast method named microfunnel‐filter‐based emulsification microextraction is introduced for an efficient determination of some organophosphorus pesticides including diazinon, malathion, and chlorpyrifos in the environmental samples including the river, sea, and well water. This method is based upon the dispersion of a low‐toxicity organic solvent (dihexyl ether), as the extractant, in a high volume of an aqueous sample solution (45 mL). It is implemented without a centrifugation step, and using a syringe filter and a micro‐funnel, the phase separation and transfer of the enriched analytes to the gas chromatograph are simply achieved. By filtration of the extractant phase, a suitable sample clean‐up is obtained, and the total extraction time is just a few minutes. The factors influencing the extraction efficiency are optimized, and under the optimal conditions, the proposed method provides a good linearity (in the range of 15–1500 ng/mL (R² > 0.996). A high enrichment factor is obtained (in the range of 306–342), and the method provides low limits of detection and quantification (in the ranges of 4–8 and 15–25 ng/mL, respectively).     

Separation Membranes Constructed from Inorganic Nanofibers by Filtration Technique

Nanofibrous materials have been extensively investigated and used as building blocks for various nanodevices, due to their unique one‐dimensional structures. Recently, novel membranes constructed by using nanofibers have been reported by various techniques. Here, we will give a critical review of our recent research on the general solution processed unique sub‐3 nm thin metal hydroxide nanofibers and their application for constructing ultrathin separation membranes via filtration technique. The superior separation performances of these membranes hold the promising future for pressure‐driven membrane separation processes.     

Homo-Coupling of Terminal Alkynes Using a Simple,Cheap Ni(dppe)Cl2/Ag2O Catalyst System

A simple Ni(dppe)Cl₂/Ag₂O combination has been established as an efficient catalyst system for the homo-coupling of aromatic terminal alkynes. This reaction proceeds under mild conditions and can be applied to alkynone substrates. Various aromatic 1,3-diynes were obtained in good to excellent yields.     

In Situ Generation of Formaldehyde and Triphenylphosphine from (Hydroxymethyl)triphenylphosphonium and Its Application in Wittig Olefination

The reaction of (hydroxymethyl)triphenylphosphonium with benzylic or allylic halide under basic conditions at room temperature affords terminal alkenes in 61–89% yields. In this reaction, both formaldehyde and triphenylphosphine are in situ generated from (hydroxymethyl)triphenylphosphonium and further undergo Wittig olefination with benzylic or allylic halide.     

Oil Base Mud. Part I: Synthesis of Some Local Surfactants Used as Primary Emulsifiers for Oil Base Mud and Evaluation of Their Rheology Properties

Six oil soluble nonionic surfactants with different HLBs have been prepared. Their HLBs situate between 3.9 and 6.7. Transesterification was carried out for glycerol and triethanol amine with oleic acid at different moles to obtain six emusilifiers. They named glycerol momooleate (I), glycerol diooleate (II), glycerol trioleate (III), triethanol amine mono-, di- and tri-oleate (IV), (V,) and (VI). The chemical structure was confirmed using; the elemental analysis, FTIR and ¹HNMR. They were evaluated as a primary emulsifiers (PE) for thdrilling fluids (oil base mud) comparing with a currently used primary emulsifier (Fc). The water in oil base mud (w/o emulsions) was prepared. The concentration of emulsifiers and their HLB exhibited interesting rheology properties including shear-thinning behavior, yield value, viscoelastic effects, thixtropy, gel strength, and filtration loss. The rheology properties of such emulsions strongly depended on the average size distribution of the dispersed droplets that could be varied both with the bulk concentration and HLB value of the emulsifiers. The interfacial and surface properties of these emulsifiers suggest that the droplet size of the dispersed phase and bulk concentration are strongly related to the HLB value of emulsifiers. The w/o emulsion (mud formulation) stability is sensitive to the droplet size of the dispersed phase and HLB value of the used emulsifier. The results were discussed on the light the chemical structure of the primary emulsifiers and the emulsion ingredients.     

Characterization of Colloidal Gas Aphron-Fluids Produced from a New Plant-Based Surfactant

Colloidal gas aphrons (CGAs) are gas bubbles with diameters ranging from 10 to 100 microns, generated by intense stirring of a surfactant solution at high speed. The surface activity and aggregation behavior of the surfactant affects the size/size distribution, stability, and other physicochemical properties of generated aphrons. Therefore, selection of a suitable surfactant is important for the generation of microbubbles with the desired properties. The goal of this articleis to investigate the potential use of a new plant-derived surfactant as an aphronizer surfactant in preparation of CGA-based drilling fluids for accomplishing desirable rheological and filtration properties. For this purpose, natural surfactant obtained from leaves of special tree, namely, Zizyphusspina Christi and used for preparation of aphron-based fluids. To achieve the research objectives, laboratory tests of suspension generation, microscopic visualization, initial yield, filtration loss, and rheological characterization with varying concentrations of surfactant and polymer were performed. Experimental results demonstrate that newly proposed biosurfactant has a great potential for application in preparation of CGA-based drilling fluids for implementation in petroleum drilling industry.      

Characterization of the B4 phase by dielectric and AFM measurements

Dielectric measurements on a sample consisting of banana-shaped molecules were carried out in a frequency range between 0.1 Hz and 10 MHz. The sample exhibited B₂ and B₄ phases. As usual, two ranges of relaxation were detected in the B₂ phase, the fast reorientation about the long axes of the molecules and a slow collective process. In the B₄ phase, only one dielectric active process at low frequencies was found; this does not differ from the low frequency relaxation of the B₂ modification. This relaxation is probably related to the dynamics of superstructures. Crystallization could be observed after keeping the sample for a longer time at higher temperature. Thus, it was possible to differentiate clearly between the crystalline and the B₄ phases. AFM investigations prove the existence of focal-conic domains and periodic superstructures in the B₄ phase; then do not appear in the crystalline state. For this reason the B₄ phase is regarded as different from a classical crystalline phase.     

Determination of Some Transition Metals by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy after Extraction with Pyridine-2-aldehyde-2-quinolylhydrazone

The extraction of pyridine-2-aldehyde-2-quinolylhydrazone chelates of cadmium, cobalt, copper, nickel, and zinc into isoamyl alcohol (IAOL) and methylisobutyl ketone (MIBK) has been investigated as a basis for the determination of these metals. Below pH 6 the extraction is enhanced by the addition of perchlorate, suggesting that charged complexes are being extracted by ion-pair formation. Sensitivities (1% absorption) are reported for IAOL and MIBK solutions of the metals sprayed into an air-acetylene flame. A procedure for the determination of the above metals by atomic absorption spectroscopy after extraction is given. The procedure is applied to the analysis of tap water for cadmium, copper, and zinc.