Catalytic Para‐Xylene Maximization. V. Toluene Methylation with Methanol and Disproportionation of Toluene Using Pt/ZSM‐5 and Pt/Mordenite Catalysts

Toluene was methylated with methanol and disproportionated using catalysts containing different Pt contents (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%) supported on H‐ZSM‐5 or H‐mordenite (H‐M) zeolites in a fixed‐bed flow‐reactor operated atmospherically at temperatures of 300–500 °C in a flow of hydrogen. Platinum dispersion in the zeolite supports and acid sites strength distribution were evaluated using hydrogen chemisorption (1:1 stoichiometry) and ammonia temperature programmed desorption (TPD) in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Toluene methylation was much faster on all catalysts than toluene disproportionation (DISP). Both reactions were more accelerated using H‐ZSM‐5 containing catalysts than H‐M containing catalysts. The yield of xylenes, and in particular para‐xylene, was significantly influenced by the yield of trimethylbenzenes (TMBs) in product. The selectivities for para‐, ortho‐ and meta‐xylenes production were found largely dependent on the Pt content in the catalysts, particularly when supported on H‐ZSM5‐zeolite. However, using Pt/H‐M catalysts, these selectivities were not strictly controlled by Pt content in the catalysts.     

Automated and enhanced extraction of a small molecule-drug conjugate using an enzyme-inhibitor interaction based SPME tool followed by direct analysis by ESI-MS

We report a novel, fast, and automatic SPME-based method capable of extracting a small molecule-drug conjugate (SMDC) from biological matrices. Our method relies on the extraction of the drug conjugate followed by direct elution into an electrospray mass spectrometer (ESI-MS) source for qualitative and quantitative analysis. We designed a tool for extracting the targeting head of a recently synthesized SMDC, which includes acetazolamide (AAZ) as high-affinity ligand specific to carbonic anhydrase IX. Specificity of the extraction was achieved through systematic optimization. The design of the extraction tool is based on noncovalent and reversible interaction between AAZ and CAII that is immobilized on the SPME extraction phase. Using this approach, we showed a 330% rise in extracted AAZ signal intensity compared to a control, which was performed in the absence of CAII. A linear dynamic range from 1.2 to 25 μg/ml was found. The limits of detection (LOD) of extracted AAZ from phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and human plasma were 0.4 and 1.2 μg/ml, respectively. This with a relative standard deviation of less than 14% (n = 40) covers the therapeutic range.

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Effect of gemini surfactant additives on pour point depressant of crude oil

Efficiencies of cationic gemini surfactant additives in improving the pour point depressant of crude oil were investigated. The length of alkyl chain is a major factor affecting the improvement of the pour point depression. The adsorption behavior of these gemini surfactants at air/solution and oil/solution interfaces were investigated by measuring the surface tension and interfacial tension as functions of concentration. It is found that there is a good relation between surface properties especially interfacial tension of the gemini surfactants and their efficiency in depressing the pour point. Also, the surface parameters and free energies of micellization and adsorption confirm the decreasing and improving of pour point depression. Crystallization study in crude oil revealed the relationship between the structure and activity of gemini surfactant additives. It is found that the x-ray diffraction patterns of waxes with additives are remarkably different from those without additives. The mechanism of the depressants action has been suggested according the adsorption of each additive. Adsorption of the additive on the surface of the wax particles inhibits their growth and alters the crystal habits through micelle core. Pretreatment of the crude oil with pour point depressants has received the greatest acceptance due to its simplicity and economy.     

Promising photoluminescence optical approach for triiodothyronine hormone determination based on smart copper metal–organic framework nanoparticles

A copper metal–organic framework nanoparticles (Cu‐MOF‐NPs) synthesized via simple technique. The prepared Cu‐MOF‐NPs nanoparticles were further characterized using ¹H‐NMR, FE‐SEM/EDX and thermal study (DSC/TGA). The FE‐SEM/EDX, thermal analysis, and NMR spectrum data with the other analysis support the nano‐Cu‐MOF structure and the monomeric unit (n[Cu (AIP)₂(APY)(H₂O)₂].4H₂O) of Cu‐MOF‐NPs. The photoluminescence (PL) studies of triiodothyronine hormone (T3) based on the prepared Cu‐MOF‐NPs investigated. The results revealed that the Cu‐MOF‐NPs might be used as a biosensor in the determination of triiodothyronine hormone (T3) in biological fluids through a significant quenching of the photoluminescence intensity of Cu‐MOF‐NPs at excitation wavelength 492 nm. The calibration plot achieved over the concentration range 0.0–200.0 ng/dL T3 hormone with a correlation coefficient 0.996 and limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) 0.198 and 0.60 ng/dL, respectively. The PL spectra are indicating that Cu‐MOF‐NPs has highly selective sensing properties for T3 hormone without interfering with other human many hormones types. This approach considered a promising analytical tool for early diagnosis of the cases of thyroid disease. The mechanism of quenching between the Cu‐MOF‐NPs, and T3 hormone studied. The mechanism was a dynamic type and obtained due to the energy transfer mechanism.     

A novel nano‐size lanthanum metal–organic framework based on 5‐amino‐isophthalic acid and phenylenediamine: Photoluminescence study and sensing applications

In this paper, a novel lanthanum metal–organic framework La‐MOF was prepared via hydrothermal and reflux methods. The La‐MOF was achieved through the reaction of a 5‐amino‐isophthalic acid with 1, 2‐phenylenediamine and lanthanum chloride. The prepared La‐MOF structure was confirmed by XRD, mass spectrometry, IR, UV–Vis and elemental analysis, whereas the size, and morphology was examined by FE‐SEM/EDX and HR‐TEM. The results indicated that the La‐MOF prepared via both methods have the same structure and composition. Meanwhile, the MOF yield, reaction time, morphology, physiochemical and sensing properties were highly depended on the used preparation method. The photoluminescence (PL) study was carried out for the La‐MOF, and the results showed that La‐MOF exhibits strong emission at 558 nm after excitation at 369 nm. Moreover, the PL data indicating that the La‐MOF has highly selective sensing properties for iron (III) competing with different metal ions. The Stern‐Völmer graph shows a linear calibration curve which achieved over a concentration range 1.0–500 μM of Fe³⁺ with a correlation coefficient, detection, and quantitation limits 0.998, 1.35 μM and 4.08 μM, respectively. According to the remarkable quenching of the PL intensity of La‐MOF using various concentrations of Fe³⁺, it was successfully used as a sensor for Fe³⁺detecting in different water resources (pure and waste) samples. The quenching mechanism was studied and it has a dynamic type and due to efficient energy transfer between the La‐MOF and Fe³⁺.     

Montmorillonite K10 Clay: An Efficient Catalyst for Hantzsch Synthesis of 1,4‐Dihydropyridine Derivatives

An efficient, solid‐catalyst‐mediated Hantzsch synthesis of 1,4‐dihydropyridines is described. This procedure has such advantages as short reaction time, high yields, and simple workup. The catalyst could be reused several times and keeps its initial activity in the subsequent reactions.     

Efficient,Rapid, and Regioselective Bromination of Phenols and Anilines with N-Bromosaccharin Using Tungstophosphoric Acid as a Heterogeneous Recyclable Catalyst

A simple, efficient, and rapid method for high-yielding regioselective mono bromination of phenols and anilines has been achieved by treatment with N-bromasaccharin in the presence of a catalytic amount of tungstophosphoric acid.     

An efficient four-component synthesis of dithiocarbamate derivatives

An environmentally benign, one-pot, four-component synthesis of chemically and pharmaceutically interesting dithiocarbamate derivatives is reported. The one-pot reaction of various aromatic aldehydes, ketones, aliphatic amines, and carbon disulfide, in the presence of potassium hydroxide in urea-choline chloride deep eutectic solvent or ethanol, leads to the corresponding dithiocarbamates in good to excellent yields. This method provides a convenient and time-saving strategy, with a simple work-up procedure.     

Determination of the Monoclonal Antibody Tocilizumab by a Validated Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography Method

Chromatographia - Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as well as cancers. Tocilizumab improves clinical outcomes and reduce...