Synthesis of pseudoiridolactones

Bicyclic δ-lactones with a carbon group at the bicyclic junction C-7a, designed as pseudoiridolactones, were synthesized from α-alkyl-α-hydroxymethylcyclopentanones via an intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction.     

Low-temperature electron radiation damage in scandium

Electron irradiation of hcp scandium at T ? 12 K allowed to determine the energy threshold for Frenkel-pair creation, T_d = 13.8 ± 0.5 eV, and the defect resistivity, $\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>F</mtext>}}\text{≈ 5 × 10}{}^{\mathrm{?3}}\text{Ω}\text{cm/F.P}$. The annealing spectrum exhibits four substages between 20 and 70 K, a broad substage centered at 105 K attributed to interstitial long-range migration, and a stage III between 240 and 300 K.     

Hierarchical Zeolites as Catalysts for Biodiesel Production from Waste Frying Oils to Overcome Mass Transfer Limitations

Hierarchical crystals with short diffusion path, conventional microcrystals and nanocrystals of ZSM-5 zeolites were used for biodiesel production from waste frying oils and were assessed for their catalytic activity in regard to their pore structure and acidic properties. Produced zeolites were characterized using XRD, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, SEM, TEM, X-ray fluorescence, and FTIR. Pore size effect on molecular diffusion limitation was assessed by Thiele modulus calculations and turnover frequencies (TOF) were used to discuss the correlation between acidic character and catalytic performance of the zeolites. Owing to the enhanced accessibility and mass transfer of triglycerides and free fatty acids to the elemental active zeolitic structure, the catalytic performance of nanosponge and nanosheet hierarchical zeolites was the highest. A maximum yield of 48.29% was reached for the transesterification of waste frying oils (WFOs) using HZSM-5 nanosheets at 12:1 methanol to WFOs molar ratio, 180 °C, 10 wt % catalyst loading, and 4 h reaction time. Although HZSM-5 nanosponges achieved high conversions, these more hydrophilic zeolites did not function according to their entire acidic strength in comparison to HZSM-5 nanosheets. NSh-HZSM5 catalytic performance was still high after 4 consecutive cycles as a result of the zeolite regeneration.     

Point and Multipoint to Plane Barrier Discharge Process for Removal of NOx from Engine Exhaust Gases: Understanding of the Reactional Mechanism by Isotopic Labeling

An experimental study on the removal of NO_x in a simulated vehicle exhaust gas has been carried out using point to plane and multipoint to plane DBD corona reactors. Hydrocarbon (C₃H₆) and NO_x by-products were systematically investigated with a Gas Chromatography coupled to a Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). NO_x (NO and NO₂) and CO output were also monitored with a gas analyzer in order to complete the mass balance. ¹⁸O tracer technique analyzes is applied to investigate the mechanism of propylene decomposition. From the plasma chemical reaction pathway proposed, it is apparent that the oxygen activation is one of the important steps for initiating the oxidation processes and the R-NO_x formation. We present data for the reaction of the (N₂/O₂/C₃H₆/CO₂NO/H₂O system in the corona discharge reactors mentioned above. This system has been shown to generate a significant amount of aldehyde. CH₃NO₂ and CH₃ONO₂ are the main R-NO_x compounds produced. Reactant composition and discharge energy densities (controlled by a numerical oscilloscope) were the operating parameters under study in wet and dry air mixture. Water vapors played an important role in NO_x removal (especially in NO₂ removal) via the reaction forming HNO₃. Therefore, in wet-gas mixture supplied reactors the highest removal rates of NO_x were as high as 30%, while in dry-gas only 15%. Different dielectric materials such as Al₂O₃/SiO₂ and TiO₂ on Al₂O₃/SiO₂ support have been used.