129I in soil and grass samples around a nuclear reprocessing plant

Neutron activation analysis was used to determine¹²⁹I in soil and grass samples around a reprocessing plant. The method involved wet oxidation of samples, using chromic acid, followed by distillation, collection of iodine in alkaline solution, loading on Dowex-1, irradiation and post-irradiation purification steps. The -activity of¹³⁰I isotope of the purified samples was measured for quantitative determination of¹²⁹I. The experimental results showed that¹²⁹I and the¹²⁹I/¹²⁷I atomic ratio in soil samples varied from 1.09×10^–4 to 5.33×10^–3 pCi g^–1 and 0.10×10^–6 to 6.12×10^–6, respectively. Further, the geometric mean of soil-to-plant transfer factor (Bv) for¹²⁹I was found to be 0.16 which was comparable with other published values.     

Investigating the interface of superhydrophobic surfaces in contact with water

Neutron reflectivity (NR) is used to probe the solid, liquid, vapor interface of a porous superhydrophobic (SH) surface submerged in water. A low-temperature, low-pressure technique was used to prepare a rough, highly porous organosilica aerogel-like film. UV/ozone treatments were used to control the surface coverage of hydrophobic organic ligands on the silica framework, allowing the contact angle with water to be continuously varied over the range of 160 degrees (superhydrophobic) to <10 degrees (hydrophilic). NR shows that the superhydrophobic nature of the surface prevents infiltration of water into the porous film. Atomic force microscopy and density functional theory simulations are used in combination to interpret the NR results and help establish the location, width, and nature of the SH film-water interface.     

Oxidation of Fe2+ ions by transfer of energy from γ-irradiated NaCl in aqueous Fricke solution

The oxidation of iron/II/ ions has been studied by dissolving -irradiated NaCl crystals in aqueous Fricke solution. The yield of iron/III/ ions was determined as a function of the amount of NaCl added, storage time, dose, concentration of iron/II/ ions and pH of the Fricke solution. The energy transfer parameter, , which is the ratio of G/Fe³⁺/ obtained by the addition of irradiated NaCl to that by direct radiolysis was evaluated.     

Conversion of Aldoximes into Nitriles with Raney Nickel in Refluxing 2-Propanol

Aldoximes are readily dehydrated to nitriles with Raney nickel in refluxing 2-propanol.     

Mechanistic study of asymmetric Michael addition of malonates to enones catalyzed by a primary amino acid lithium salt

A mechanistic study was carried out for the asymmetric Michael addition reaction of malonates to enones catalyzed by a primary amino acid lithium salt to elucidate the origin of the asymmetric induction. A primary β-amino acid salt catalyst, O-TBDPS β-homoserine lithium salt, exhibited much higher enantioselectivity than that achieved with the corresponding catalysts derived from α- and γ-amino acids for this reaction. Detailed studies of the transition states with DFT calculations revealed that the lithium cation and carboxylate group of the β-amino acid salt catalyst have important roles in achieving high enantioselectivity in the Michael addition reaction of malonates to enones.     

Development and Validation of Hptlc Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Propranolol Hydrochloride and Flunarizine Dihydrochloride in Combined Tablet Dosage Form

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - A simple, precise, and accurate high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method for the simultaneous determination of...     

A new high: Cannabis as a budding source of carbon-based materials for electrochemical power sources

Cannabis sativa L., a low-cost, fast-growing herbaceous plant, is seeing a resurgence in widespread cultivation as a result of new policies and product drive. Its biodegradable and environmentally benign nature coupled with its high specific surface area and three-dimensional hierarchal structure makes it an excellent candidate for use as a biomass-derived carbon material for electrochemical power sources. It is proposed that this ‘wonder crop’ could have an important role in the energy transition by providing high-functioning carbon-based materials for electrochemistry. In this article, all instances of C. sativa usage in batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors are discussed with a focus on highlighting the high capacity, rate capability, capacitance, current density and half-wave potential that can be achieved with its utilisation in the field.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activities of sulfonohydrazide‐substituted 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivative and its oxinates

Looking at the pharmacological importance of 8‐hydroxyquinolines and sulfonamides, in the present study, a novel bi‐dentate ligand 4‐amino‐N′‐[(8‐hydroxyquinoline‐5‐yl)methyl] benzenesulfonohydrazide (AHQMBSH) having above both moieties within a single molecular framework was synthesized by the reaction of N‐acetamidobenzene sulfonohydrazide with 5‐chloromethyl‐8‐hydroxyquinoline hydrochloride. Its metal(II) oxinates were also prepared with Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) salts. All the above compounds were investigated by physicochemical analyses, thermogravimetric analysis and spectroscopic techniques. Antimicrobial activities for the above prepared compounds were carried out using the agar‐plate method against various strains of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtillis, Pseudomonas aerugionsa, Escherichia coli) and fungi (Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavous). The results show a significant increase in antimicrobial and antifungal activities of AHQMBSH compared with the parent 8‐hydroxyquinoline and sulfonamides. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.