Electrocatalysis in confined space

The complex interplay of restricted mass transport leading to local accumulation or depletion of educts, intermediates, products, counterions and co-ions influences the reactions at the active sites of electrocatalysts when electrodes are rough, three-dimensionally mesoporous or nanoporous. This influence is important with regard to activity, and even more to selectivity, of electrocatalytic reactions. The underlying principles are discussed based on the growing awareness of these considerations over recent years.     

Optimal Reinsurance-Investment Strategy Under Risks of Interest Rate,Exchange Rate and Inflation

Methodology and Computing in Applied Probability - In this paper, we pursue the optimal reinsurance-investment strategy of an insurer who can invest in both domestic and foreign markets. We assume...     

The Reactions of 2,2,2-Trichloro-1-phenylethanone with O,C and S Nucleophiles

The reactions of 2,2,2-trichloro-1-phenylethanone with various oxygen, carbon and sulfur nucleophiles were investigated with a view of widening the use of trichloroethanones as acylating agents.     

Comparative Analytical and Antioxidant Activity Studies on a Series of Fagus sylvatica L. Leaves Extracts

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - This paper was aimed at analytical and antioxidant activity studies on a series of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) leaves...     

Hard porous chromium containing macrospheres as new catalysts for the esterification reaction of acetic acid with epichlorohydrin

This paper reports a systematic study on the preparation, characterization and testing of metallosilicate macrobeads that contain chromium ions as active catalytic centers. In order to obtain hard macrospheres, four metals (Cr, Al, Zr and Zn) were incorporated into the silica matrix using chitosan as a template and shape generator. Metallosilicate macrospheres were synthesized at room temperature using tetraethylorthosilicate as silicon source and chlorohydric acid as catalyst. The size of metallosilicate macrospheres was in the range 0.9 — 1.1 mm. The catalyst was characterised by means of water sorption technique, FTIR spectroscopy and SEM/EDX analyses. FTIR spectra put into evidence the presence of metallic ions within the silica framework. EDX analyses confirmed the efficient incorporation of metals within the silica matrix (the content of metals from the calcined catalyst is almost the same as that from the initial gel mixture). Porous structure of catalyst investigated by water sorption technique and by pycnometric methods (with n-heptan and mercury respectively) proved that the synthesized catalyst had micro, meso and macropores. Catalyst was tested in the esterification reaction of acetic acid with epichlorohydrin. The temperature and the amount of catalyst exerted a marked influence on reaction rate. This work opens new perspectives for heterogeneous catalysis encouraging the replacement of powder catalysts with macrospherical catalysts that are easy to recover and to reuse.      

Comparative Studies on Analytical,Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities of a Series of Vegetal Extracts Prepared from Eight Plant Species Growing in Romania

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - Given the large applicability in both pharmaceutical and cosmetic field, this work was aimed at analytical (high-performance...     

A Volatile Lactone of Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus,Pathogen of European Ash Dieback,Inhibits Host Germination

The largely unknown secondary metabolism of the plant pathogenic fungus Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus was investigated by use of the CLSA method. A set of volatile lactones was identified by GC/MS. The lactones were synthesized and used in bioassays in which one of the compounds was found to be a strong germination inhibitor for ash seeds, causing necroses in the plant tissue.     

Analysis of Fatty Acids,Amino Acids and Volatile Profile of Apple By-Products by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Apple industrial by-products are a promising source of bioactive compounds with direct implications on human health. The main goal of the present work was to characterize the Jonathan and Golden Delicious by-products from their fatty acid, amino acid, and volatile aroma compounds’ point of view. GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) and ITEX/GC-MS methods were used for the by-products characterization. Linoleic and oleic were the main fatty acids identified in all samples, while palmitic and stearic acid were the representant of saturated ones. With respect to amino acids, from the essential group, isoleucine was the majority compound identified in JS (Jonathan skin) and GS (Golden skin) samples, lysine was the representant of JP (Jonathan pomace), and valine was mainly identified in GP (Golden pomace). A total number of 47 aroma volatile compounds were quantified in all samples, from which the esters groups ranged from 41.55–53.29%, aldehydes 29.75–43.99%, alcohols from 4.15 to 6.37%, ketones 4.14–5.72%, and the terpenes and terpenoids group reached values between 2.27% and 4.61%. Moreover, the by-products were valorized in biscuits manufacturing, highlighting their importance in enhancing the volatile aroma compounds, color, and sensorial analysis of the final baked goods.