Spherical Particles of Zirconia-Titania of Hexagonal Structure from a Neutral Amine Route

Through the sol–gel process, using the so-called neutral amine route, spherical particles of 1:1 zirconia–titania were synthesized from zirconium(IV) and titanium(IV) butoxides as well as 1,12-diaminododecane as precursor species. The obtained product exhibited a hexagonal structure, as determinated by X-ray diffraction data. The obtained material was also characterized by thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and surface area measurements. Despite the release of template molecules on heating, the spherical morphology was retained up to about 1200°C, at which the disruption of the spheres took place.     

The First VOPO4·2H2O Intercalation Compound Synthesized through a Solid-State Reaction at Room Temperature

This communication reports the first intercalation into VOPO₄·2H₂O performed through a solid-state reaction at room temperature. Ethyleneurea, EU (2-imidazolidone) was intercalated into the oxovanadium phosphate by grinding in a mortar stoichiometric amounts of both reagents at room temperature for 30 min. C, H and N elemental analyses of the obtained intercalation compound gave the formula VOPO₄·(EU)·H₂O. The profile of the absorption bands due to the VOPO₄ lattice vibration around 1000 cm⁻¹ was retained after reaction, providing evidence that an intercalation compound and not merely a salt of V-P-O species was produced. For α-VOPO₄·2H₂O, the interlayer distance is 0.75 nm, whereas for the EU inter-calation compound it is 0.95 nm. The obtained SEM micrographs show that the microstructure of VOPO₄·2H₂O is changed after reaction, with a total exfoliation of the oxovanadium matrix.     

Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric investigations of manganese–glycine interactions

Thermogravimetric (t.g.) and differential scanning calorimetric (d.s.c.) data have been used to study metal–amino acid interactions in adducts of general formula MnCl₂ · ngly (gly = glycine, n = 0.7, 2.0, 4.0 and 5.0). All the prepared adducts exhibit only a one step mass loss associated with the release of glycine molecules, except for the 0.7gly adduct, which exhibits two glycine mass loss steps. From d.s.c. data, the enthalpy values associated with the glycine mass loss can be calculated: MnCl₂ · 0.7gly = 409 and 399 kJ mol^–1, MnCl₂ · 2.0gly = 216 kJ mol^–1, MnCl₂ · 4.0gly = 326 kJ mol^–1 and MnCl₂ · 5.0gly = 423 kJ mol^–1, respectively. The enthalpy associated with the ligand loss, plotted as function of the number of ligands for the n = 2.0, 4.0 and 5.0 adducts, gave a linear correlation, fitting the equation: H (ligand loss)/kJ mol^–1 = 67 × (number of ligands, n) + 76. A similar result was achieved when the enthalpy associated with the ligand loss was plotted as a function of the _a(COO^–) bands associated with the coordination through the carboxylate group, 1571, 1575 and 1577 cm^–1, respectively, for the n = 2.0, 4.0 and 5.0 adducts, giving the equation H (ligand loss) /kJ mol^–1 = 33.5 × _a(COO^–) /cm^–1 – 52418.5. This simple equation provides evidence for the enthalpy associated with the ligand loss being very closely related to the electronic density associated with the metal–amino acid bonds.     

Synthesis,characterization and a thermogravimetric study of copper,cobalt and tin mono- and bis-adducts with ethyleneurea,ethylenethiourea and propyleneurea

This paper describes the synthesis, characterization and a thermogravimetric (t.g.) study of 11 adducts of general formula MCl₂·nL (M = Cu, Co and Sn; n = 1 and 2 for Sn, and 2 for Cu and Co; L = ethyleneurea eu, ethylenethiourea etu, and propyleneurea pu). The i.r. results shows that the eu and pu adducts are coordinated through oxygen, whereas for etu nitrogen is the coordination site. The (C=O) or (C=S) trend is: Cu > Co > Sn. The t.g. curves show that the adducts release ligand molecules in a single mass loss step. As regards considering adducts with the same stoichiometry, the observed thermal stability trend is: etu > pu > eu.     

Effects of Adsorbed Polyaniline on Redox Process on MoO3 Surface

The effects exhibited by adsorbed conducting polyaniline on the redox process on a molybdenum oxide surface were studied. Thermogravimetric results indicate a 4% polyaniline deposition. Cyclic voltammograms of the adsorbed polymer on MoO3 show that polyaniline exerts remarkable effects on the molybdenum blue oxidation-reduction process, with oxidation and reduction potentials of 0.33 and 0.18 V, respectively. This effect strongly enhances the electrode response, and can be used as an important tool in qualitative and/or quantitative determinations of molybdenum in solution as well as in any substrate. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.     

Effect of Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata Hook. F. & Thomson) Essential Oil on Acute Inflammatory Response In Vitro and In Vivo

The aim of this study is to evaluate the phytochemical profile, oral acute toxicity, and the effect of ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata Hook. F. & Thomson) essential oil (YEO) on acute inflammation. YEO was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. For in vitro tests, YEO was assessed using cytotoxicity, neutrophil chemotaxis induced by N-formyl methionyl leucyl phenylalanine (fMLP), and phagocytic activity tests. YEO was orally administered in zymosan-induced peritonitis, carrageenan-induced leukocyte rolling, and adhesion events in the in situ microcirculation model and in carrageenan-induced paw edema models. YEO (2000 mg/kg) was also tested using an acute toxicity test in Swiss mice. YEO showed a predominance of benzyl acetate, linalool, benzyl benzoate, and methyl benzoate. YEO did not present in vitro cytotoxicity. YEO reduced the in vitro neutrophil chemotaxis induced by fMLP and reduced the phagocytic activity. The oral treatment with YEO reduced the leukocyte recruitment and nitric oxide production in the zymosan-induced peritonitis model, reduced rolling and adherent leukocyte number induced by carrageenan in the in situ microcirculation model, and reduced carrageenan-induced edema and mechanical hyperalgesia. YEO did not present signs of toxicity in the acute toxicity test. In conclusion, YEO affected the leukocyte activation, and presented antiedematogenic, anti-hyperalgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties.     

Adsorptive stripping voltammetry of sex hormones at the static mercury drop electrode

Controlled adsorptive accumulation of testosterone, methyltestosterone and progesterone on the static mercury drop electrode provides the basis for direct stripping measurement of these compounds ar nanomolar concentrations. The adsorptive stripping behavior is evaluated with respect to preconcentration time and potential, stripping mode, concentration dependence, drop size and other variables. With 5-min accumulation, peak current enhancements of 45, 18 anal 12 are observed for 5 × 10^?8 M testosterone, progesterone and methyltestosterone, respectively, relative to direct pulse voltammetry. Detection limits are 1.6 × 10^?10 M for testosterone, 2 × 10^?10 M for progesterone and 3.3 × 10^?10 M for methyltestosterone with 15-min preconcentration. The relative standard deviation for 8 × 10^?8 M progesterone is 3.4% (n=8). Applicability to direct measurements of methyltestosterone in pharmaceutical formulations is assessed.