Quantitation of trimethyl amine by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using a base-modified column

Headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been successfully applied to the analysis of the highly volatile species trimethyl amine (TMA). TMA quantitation in fiberglass insulation resins (ultimately used by the automotive and building products industries) is of interest because of its highly odoriferous nature. The release of TMA from fiberglass insulation products is the principal component responsible for the "fishy" odor encountered in automobiles. Currently, the industry standard for the analysis of TMA involves injecting an aqueous insulation extract into the GC-MS equipped with a polyethylene glycol column. Several problems inherent in this analysis prohibit consistent performance and enhance the possibility for wide variations in the quantitative results. This article reports the development of a new approach to the quantitation of TMA from fiberglass insulation between the levels of 1 and 150 ppm.     

Aziridination of alkenes using N-iodo-N-potassio-p-toluenesulphonamide as a nitrene precursor

N-Iodo-N-potassio-p-toluenesulphonamide was found to be a convenient nitrene precursor for the aziridination of alkenes in the presence of copper catalysts.     

Fractional distribution of graphene oxide and its potential as an efficient and reusable solid catalyst for esterification reactions

Graphene oxide (GrO) prepared by the Hummers method was separated into three different fractions (GrO₅₀₀₀, GrO₂₀₀₀, and GrO_res) on the basis of their dispersion stability in the water. Infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and elemental analyses revealed that GrO₅₀₀₀ possesses a high degree of oxygen functionalities including phenolic, carboxylic, and ?OSO₂H groups, compared with the other fractions. The GrO₅₀₀₀ was found to be a highly efficient and reusable solid catalyst for the esterification of various carboxylic acids with a variety of alcohols to furnish corresponding esters in high to excellent yields. The catalytic activity of the GrO₅₀₀₀ was attributed to the ability of highly polar GrO₅₀₀₀ scaffold to adsorb/attract reactants, where the acid functionalities of GrO₅₀₀₀ facilitated the esterification process efficiently. The chemical and structural features of GrO₅₀₀₀ were discussed to understand the improved catalytic activity compared with GrO₂₀₀₀ and conventional solid acid catalysts. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of cellulose nanofibers on the curing behavior of epoxy/amine systems

Epoxy composites were prepared using diglycidyl ether bisphenol F and water-dilutable diglycidyl ether bisphenol A with curing agents, polyoxypropylenediamine and diethylmethylbenzenediamine, in water or dimethylformamide as a solvent. The influence of cellulose nanofibers and solvents on curing kinetics of epoxy composites was investigated. Curing kinetic parameters were calculated using the model-fitting methods and the isoconversional method. Among these, the Sestak–Berggren equation best fit the experimental data. Results indicated that dimethylformamide decreased the reaction rate, whereas water revealed the opposite pattern. Cellulose nanofibers catalyzed the reaction between bisphenol F resins and the aromatic curing agent.     

Mild Organic Ammonium Tribromide–Mediated Regioselective Ring Opening of Epoxides with Alcohols,Water, Acetic Anhydride,and Amines Under Solvent-Free Reaction Conditions

Organic ammonium tribromide (OATB), N-methylpyrrolidine-2-one hydrotribromide (MPHT) was found to be an efficient catalyst for the regioselective ring opening of epoxides with various nucleophiles under solvent free conditions. This procedure occurs under neutral and mild reaction conditions with out adding any additive and afforded high yields of products.

Effect of bulk density on flame resistance of rockwool in combined fire-resistant facings

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Fire protection of steel structures is playing an increasingly important role nowadays. The fire protection of steel structures can be solved with...     

Strange particle production in the hadrochemical model

Strange particle production in heavy ion collisions is calculated in the framework of a hadrochemical model. It is compared with the results of cascade and fireball model calculations and experimental data. The importance of πN and πΔ collisions in producing kaons and hyperons is pointed out.