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.     

Resistant starches and health

It was initially hypothesized that resistant starches, i.e., starch that enters the colon, would have protective effects on chronic colonic diseases, including reduction of colon cancer risk and in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Recent studies have confirmed the ability of resistant starch to increase fecal bulk, increase the molar ratio of butyrate in relation to other short-chain fatty acids, and dilute fecal bile acids. However the ability of resistant starch to reduce luminal concentrations of compounds that are damaging to the colonic mucosa, including fecal ammonia, phenols, and N-nitroso compounds, still requires clear demonstration. As such, the effectiveness of resistant starch in preventing or treating colonic diseases remains to be assessed. Nevertheless, there is a fraction of what has been termed resistant (RS1) starch, which enters the colon and acts as slowly digested or lente carbohydrate in the small intestine. Foods in this class are low glycemic index and have been shown to reduce the risk of chronic disease. They have been associated with systemic physiological effects such as reduced postprandial insulin levels and higher HDL cholesterol levels. Consumption of low glycemic index foods has been shown to be related to reductions in risk of coronary heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes has in turn been related to a higher risk of colon cancer. If carbohydrates have a protective role in colon cancer prevention this may lie partly in the systemic effects of low glycemic index foods. The colonic advantages of different carbohydrates, varying in their glycemic index and resistant starch content, therefore, remain to be determined. However, as recent positive research findings continue to mount, there is reason for optimism over the possible health advantages of those resistant starches, which are slowly digested in the small intestine.     

Kinetic and Thermodynamic Parameters of the Thermal Decomposition of Some Metal Complexes of 4‐Benzamido‐3‐Thiosemicarbazone Derivatives

The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters such as reaction order, activation energy, enthalpy, free energy and entropy change related to the thermal decomposition of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) hydrazone complexes of 4‐benzamido‐1‐(4‐actylpyridine)‐3‐thiosemicarbazone (BACPT) and 4‐benzamido‐1‐(pyridine‐3‐aldehye)‐3‐thiosemicarb‐azone (BAPT) were evaluated from differential thermal analysis (DTA) curves using Thomas‐Clarke's method. The thermal stability of these complexes are discussed in relation to the nature of the metalion and of the ligand present. A suitable mechanism for the thermal decomposition process of the complexes based on the data of the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was suggested.     

Two validated chromatographic determinations of an antifungal drug,its toxic impurities and degradation product: A comparative study

Tolnaftate, a thionoester anti‐fungal drug, was subjected to alkaline hydrolysis to produce methyl(m‐tolyl)carbamic acid and β ‐naphthol (tolnaftate impurity A). N‐Methyl‐m‐toluidine, tolnaftate impurity D, was synthesized and structurally elucidated along with tolnaftate alkaline degradation products using IR, H¹NMR and MS. Two stability‐indicating HPTLC and RP‐HPLC methods were developed and validated, for the first time, for determination of tolnaftate, its alkaline degradation products and toxic impurities in the presence of methyl paraben, as a preservative in Tinea Cure^® cream. The proposed HPTLC method depended on separation of the studied components on TLC silica gel F₂₅₄ plates using hexane–glacial acetic acid (8:2, v/v) as a developing system and scanning wavelength of 230 nm. The proposed RP‐HPLC method was based on separation of the five components on an Eclipse plus C₁₈ column. The mobile phase used was acetonitrile–water containing 1% ammonium formate (40:60, v/v), with a flow rate of 1 mL/min and detection wavelength of 230 nm. The proposed methods allowed the assay of tolnaftate toxic impurities, β ‐naphthol and N‐methyl‐m‐toluidine, down to 2%, allowing tracing of β ‐naphthol that could be absorbed by the skin causing systemic toxic effects, unlike tolnaftate, indicating the high significance of such determination. International Conference on Harmonization guidelines were followed for validation.     

Phytochemical Profiling of Lavandula coronopifolia Poir. Aerial Parts Extract and Its Larvicidal,Antibacterial, and Antibiofilm Activity Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Infections associated with the emergence of multidrug resistance and mosquito-borne diseases have resulted in serious crises associated with high mortality and left behind a huge socioeconomic burden. The chemical investigation of Lavandula coronopifolia aerial parts extract using HPLC–MS/MS led to the tentative identification of 46 compounds belonging to phenolic acids, flavonoids and their glycosides, and biflavonoids. The extract displayed larvicidal activity against Culex pipiens larvae (LC₅₀ = 29.08 µg/mL at 72 h). It significantly inhibited cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase (CYP450), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and carboxylesterase (CarE) enzymes with the comparable pattern to the control group, which could explain the mode of larvae toxification. The extract also inhibited the biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by 17–38% at different Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) (0.5–0.125 mg/mL) while the activity was doubled when combined with ciprofloxacin (ratio = 1:1 v:v). In conclusion, the wild plant, L. coronopifolia, can be considered a promising natural source against resistant bacteria and infectious carriers.     

Experimental investigation into the nonlinear dynamics of a bistable laminate

Nonlinear Dynamics - An experimental study of the single-well and twin-well, also referred to as intra-well and inter-well, respectively, nonlinear dynamics of a bistable composite laminate is...     

Performance of Low Earth Orbit Satellite Systems with Coding

The effect of block, convolutional and Turbo coding on the probability of error and the capacity are investigated for CDMA Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite systems. The model employed assumes a contaminated Gaussian traffic model to be more compatible with different population areas. The conventional Gaussian distribution can be considered as a special case.     

Development and application of a validated stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic method using photodiode array detection for simultaneous determination of granisetron, methylparaben, propylparaben, sodium benzoate, and their main degradation products in oral pharmaceutical preparations

A simple, rapid, and sensitive RP-HPLC method using photodiode array detection was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of granisetron hydrochloride, 1-methyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid (the main degradation product of granisetron), sodium benzoate, methylparaben, propylparaben, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (the main degradation product of parabens) in granisetron oral drops and solutions. The separation of the compounds was achieved within 8 min on a SymmetryShield RP18 column (100 x 4.6 mm id, 3.5 microm particle size) using the mobile phase acetonitrile--0.05 M KH2PO4 buffered to pH 3 using H3PO4 (3+7, v/v). The photodiode array detector was used to test the purity of the peaks, and the chromatograms were extracted at 240 nm. The method was validated, and validation acceptance criteria were met in all cases. The robust method was successfully applied to the determination of granisetron and preservatives, as well as their degradation products in different batches of granisetron oral drops and solutions. The method proved to be sensitive for determination down to 0.04% (w/w) of granisetron degradation product relative to granisetron and 0.03% (w/w) 4-hydroxybenzoic acid relative to total parabens.     

Structural studies and anticancer activity of a novel (N6O4) macrocyclic ligand and its Cu(II) complexes

A novel (N6O4) macrocyclic ligand (L) and its Cu(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, spectral, thermal (TG/DTG), magnetic, and conductivity measurements. Quantum chemical calculations have also been carried out at B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) to study the structure of the ligand and one of its complexes. The results show a novel macrocyclic ligand with potential amide oxygen atom, amide and amine nitrogen atoms available for coordination. Distorted square pyramidal ([Cu(L)Cl]Cl·2.5H2O (1), [Cu(L)NO3]NO(3)·3.5H2O (2), and [Cu(L)Br]Br·3H2O (4) and octahedral ([Cu(L)(OAc)2]·5H2O (3)) geometries were proposed. The EPR data of 1, 2, and 4 indicate d1x2(-y)2 ground state of Cu(II) ion with a considerable exchange interaction. The measured cytotoxicity for L and its complexes (1, 2) against three tumor cell lines showed that coordination improves the antitumor activity of the ligand; IC50 for breast cancer cells are ≈8.5, 3, and 4 μg/mL for L and complexes (1) and (2), respectively.