Loss and recovery in hydrophobicity of silicone rubber exposed to corona discharge

This paper describes the loss and recovery in the hydrophobicity of unfilled high temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (HTV-SR) resulting from corona discharge. In this study, HTV-SR specimens were exposed to corona stress generated by a parallel needle-plane electrode system, and physicochemical analyses on the surface layer of SR before and after corona discharge treatment were carried out by using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It is demonstrated that hydrophilic OH groups that are by-products of ageing can be formed instead of hydrophobic CH₃ groups on the surface of aged SR and the corona discharge plays an important role on the temporary loss of hydrophobicity. After a substantial period of ‘rest’, the hydrophobic recovery of SR results from the diffusion of low-molecular weight (LMW) silicone fluid from the bulk onto the aged layer.     

Synthetic studies on cyathins: enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-allocyathin B2

[reaction: see text] The enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-allocyathin B(2) has been achieved. Our approach features a convergent enantioselective construction of the 5-6-7 tricyclic core system using the originally developed chiral building blocks via asymmetric catalysis, the intramolecular aldol reaction in high yield, successful samarium diiodide-mediated ring expansion, and a newly developed double-bond installation method.     

Localization of Iα and Iβ phases in algal cellulose revealed by acid treatments

Highly crystalline I-rich type Cladophora cellulose, which had been kept in never-dried condition, was treated in 60wt% sulfuric acid at 100°C, for 1–48h. The cellulose microcrystals thus obtained were analysed by X-ray diffractometry, FT-IR, and transmission electron microscopy. The I component was found to be more degraded than the I component. The cellulose I/I ratios of the samples acid-treated for 0, 24, and 48 h were about 8:2, 6:4, and 4:6, respectively. After the acid treatment, the microcrystals became narrower in width, and very sharp at their ends. These results indicate that the I phase is mostly located at the surface of the microcrystals, which is morphologically more susceptible to the acid treatment.     

Temperature dependence of fractionation of hydrogen isotopes in aqueous sodium chloride solutions

The D/H ratios of hydrogen gas in equilibrium with aqueous sodium chloride solutions of 2, 4 and 6 molalities were determined within the range 10 to 95°C, using a hydrophobic platinum catalyst. With each of the different sodium chloride concentrations, the hydrogen isotope effect between the solution and pure water changes linearly with the square of the reciprocal temperature. On the basis of the results for hydrogen isotope fractionation observed in this study, and those of hydrogen isotope fractionation between pure water and vapor, it is concluded that the structure of the aqueous sodium chloride solution does not change significantly with temperature. The hydrogen isotope effect is evidently different from the results of vapor pressure isotope effects (VPIE) on sodium chloride solutions measured on separated isotopes. The difference between the present work and the VPIE studies is probably due to a non-ideal behavior in a mixture of isotopic water molecules and/or to a H₂O-D₂O disproportionation reaction in sodium chloride solutions. The distinction between the latter two mechanisms can not be differentiated at present.     

Determination of traces of lead and copper in foods by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with metal atomizer

Summary A method is described for the determination of traces of lead and copper in foods by a microcomputer-processed atomic absorption spectrometry with a molybdenum micro-tube atomizer. Accurate results of lead and copper are obtained by atomization in the presence of thiourea. Thiourea contributes to a highly reproducible atomization profile and reduction of interferences from concomitant elements in foods. Solid samples are digested with nitric acid in the Uni-seal decomposition vessel, while liquid or water-soluble samples are directly atomized.

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Bestimmung von Blei- und Kupferspuren in Lebensmitteln durch elektrothermische AAS mit einem Metallzerstäuber

Zusammenfassung Ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung von Blei- und Kupferspuren in Lebensmitteln mittels mikrocomputer-gesteuerter AAS mit einem Zerstäuber aus Molybdän wurde beschrieben. Die Zerstäubung in Gegenwart von Thioharnstoff gibt genaue Resultate. Dieser führt zu einem gut reproduzierbaren Zerstäubungsprofil und setzt die Störung von Begleitelementen herab. Feste Proben werden mit Salpetersäure aufgeschlossen, flüssige oder wasserlösliche Proben werden unmittelbar eingesetzt.

     

Effect of Amines on the Selective Bromination of Some β-Substituted-2-Butenoic Esters

The effect of amines on the selective bromination of some β-substituted-2-butenoic esters is described. The bromination of methyl (Z)-4-t-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-3-methylbutenoate 2 in the presence of DIPEA (N, N-diisopropylethylamine) and the successive treatment of the obtained dibromide with potassium t-butoxide afford the desired Z bromide selectively. But the corresponding E bromide forms exclusively when 2, 6-di-t-butyl-4-methylpyridine is used in the bromination.     

Complexation of hydrazine with native cellulose in water and toluene

Adsorption–complexation of cellulose by hydrazine solutions in water and toluene was studied for native cellulose of varied crystallinity. Penetration of hydrazine into cellulose takes place more readily in hydrazine solution of higher concentration and with cellulose of lower crystallinity, but the equilibrium uptake was nearly independent of crystallinity. Complexation from toluene solution takes place at lower hydrazine concentration in toluene than in water, presumably because of the difference in hydrazine–solvent interaction. The adsorption isotherm of hydrazine in water is likely to be sigmoid, implying a cooperative sorption mechanism. It can presumably be ascribed to the disordered structure in the course of complexation.     

Formation and stability of cellulose–copper–NaOH crystalline complex

We investigated the crystal structure of alkali-celluloses, Na-cellulose IIA and II(Cu), formerly known as Na-cellulose IIB, by synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Na-cellulose IIA, formed from cellulose I by high-concentration NaOH treatment, has a fiber repeat of 15 Å and a threefold-like helical conformation. Na-cellulose II(Cu), prepared by treating cellulose I with copper-saturated alkali solution, also has a fiber repeat of 15 Å with threefold helical symmetry. Incorporation of Cu(II) ions into cellulose was confirmed by multiwavelength anomalous diffraction. Monitoring by X-ray diffraction revealed that the formation of this complex from cellulose I is remarkably slow, probably because of the involvement of copper ion. The stability of alkali-cellulose II(Cu) was tested to estimate the influence of the presence of copper in the crystal. Na-cellulose II(Cu) characteristically dissolved in aqueous ammonia solution, indicating strong coordination of copper ion to cellulose.     

Characterization of tension and normally lignified wood cellulose inPopulus maximowiczii

We have investigated unlignified tension wood and normally lignified wood celluloses inPopulus maximowiczii with particular reference to the composition of two crystalline phases I/I (triclinic/ monoclinic). Four independent techniques, which enable us to detect the two phases, CP/MAS¹³C NMR, Fourier transform infrared microscopy, selected-area electron diffraction, and X-ray diffraction were applied. Because of the low crystallinity of wood celluloses, particularly in the case of celluloses in the lignified cell wall, no single method was decisive enough to be able to determine the composition of the two phases as one can with highly crystalline materials. The I dominant structure (monoclinic crystal type) was, however, preferred for both tension and normal wood celluloses.