Influence of the formulation of catalysts deposited on cordierite monoliths for acetic acid oxidation

Monolithic catalysts are prepared by washcoating cordierite monoliths with different sols (Pt/Al₂O₃, Pt/CeO₂, Pt/ZrO₂, Pt/Al₂O₃CeO₂, Pt/Al₂O₃ZrO₂, and Pt/CeO₂ZrO₂). These sols are prepared by a sol–gel process and characterized by specific surface area (S_BET), inductively coupled plasma, hydrogen chemisorption, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, oxygen storage capacity, X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction, CO₂ chemisorption, and the model reaction of 3,3-dimethylbutene isomerization. The catalytic performances of the monolithic catalysts are then evaluated for the acetic acid oxidation. The nature of catalyst coating has been found to influence the adherence with the cordierite monolith and the presence of cerium in the catalyst appears to increase the adherence of the latter. Pt/CeO₂, Pt/Al₂O₃CeO₂, and Pt/CeO₂ZrO₂ are found to be the most reducible catalysts (oxygen storage capacity and temperature-programmed reduction) and to have the lowest acidities (3,3-dimethylbutene isomerization). CO₂ chemisorption shows that these catalysts possess a good basicity. From the relation established between the catalytic activity and the redox and acid–base properties it has been concluded that the reducibility is the key factor for a good catalytic activity although the basicity has a significant influence on the catalytic performance.     

Cyclisation reaction between 3-methylquinoxaline-2-thione and benzaldehydes into 3-benzyl-2-aryl-thieno[2,3-b]quinoxaline promoted by Brønsted acids

2,3-Disubstituted thieno[2,3-b]quinoxaline derivatives have been synthetized through the condensation of commercially available benzaldehydes with 3-methylquinoxaline-2-thione in EtOH using Brønsted acids, namely sulfuric or hydrochloric acids. A wide range of substituted benzaldehydes has been used, allowing the formation of 3-(substituted)benzyl-2-arylthieno[2,3-b]quinoxalines in high yields in only one step.     

Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) as a source of antioxidant and anti-aging phytochemicals for cosmetic applications

Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) is a herbaceous perennial that has been used for centuries in folk medicine. More recently, nettle extracts have also been used in cosmetics because of the many benefits of their topical application for skin health. Their potential anti-aging action is of particular interest and is primarily ascribed to their antioxidant capacity. Here, using an experimental design approach and a clustering analysis, we linked the phytochemical composition of nettle extracts to their biological activities. This approach confirmed the antioxidant capacity of nettle extracts as well as providing the first evidence of another mechanism for their anti-aging potential involving the inhibition of enzyme activities, such as elastase and collagenase. We attributed these inhibitory effects to ursolic acid and quercetin present in the nettle extracts. Our results also demonstrated the possibility of extracting ursolic acid, quercetin and other phenolic compounds differentially to obtain an extract with a strong antioxidant capacity and anti-aging activities toward both elastase and collagenase. This could be of particular interest for cosmetic applications of nettle extracts.     

Preparation and characterization of H3−2(x+y)MnxCoyPMo12O40 heteropolysalts. Application to adipic acid green synthesis from cyclohexanone oxidation with hydrogen peroxide

H_3−2(x+y)Mn_xCo_yPMo₁₂O₄₀ heteropolysalts (x + y ≤ 3/2 and x, y: 0–1.5) were prepared by a cationic exchange method based on barium sulfate precipitation. Structural and textural properties of salts were examined by several physicochemical techniques such as infrared, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray, and ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis, and their catalytic properties were evaluated in the cyclohexanone oxidation using hydrogen peroxide (30%). The reaction products, adipic, glutaric, succinic, hexanoic, 6-hydroxyhexanoic, 7,7-dimethoxy, and heptanoic acids and 1,1-dimethoxy octane were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. Only adipic, glutaric, and succinic acids were quantified by chromatography (high-performance liquid chromatography), the other products were noted X. Adipic acid (AA) is the major product for all systems. The effects of molar ratios of catalyst/reactant and cyclohexanol/cyclohexanone, heteropolysalt composition, and reaction duration on AA yield were investigated. The stability of the catalytic system was also examined. H_3−2(x+y)Mn_xCo_yPMo₁₂O₄₀ catalysts were found to be efficient for the cyclohexanone oxidation with conversions >95%. Among them, H₁Mn_0.25Co_0.75 exhibits the highest AA yield (75%).     

Utilisation de la Vanilline et de Son Oxime Comme Etalon Interne Dans les Dosages des Acide-Phenols par Chromatographie Liquide: I. Application au Dosage de l'Acide Homovanillique Urinaire

Abstract

An HPLC method of standardization for acid-phenol (especially HVA) determination in urine is proposed. Urine spiked with vanillal is extracted with ethyl acetate. Exact area of the vanillal chromatographic peak is measured by difference beetwen two chromatograms : one of the urinary extract and one of the same extract submitted to oximation reaction. The method allows reliable internal standardization even when various urinary compounds are superposed to vanillal on the chromatogram. Correlation with CPG for HVA determination is excellent.     

动力学荧光法测定抗坏血酸

在稀硫酸介质中,抗坏血酸活化溴酸钾氧化孔雀绿的反应,使其荧光增强,建立了动力学荧光测定抗坏血酸的新方法。在最佳条件下,测定的线性范围为10—120μg/mL,方法的检出限为0.0158μg/mL。对浓度为20μg/mL的抗坏血酸进行11次平行测定相对标准偏差为2.6%。此方法已用于药剂中抗坏血酸的测定,结果满意。     

Decomplexing madder lakes using oxalic acid: A novel method coupled with microwave or ultrasound processes

The aim of the present study was to establish a mild extraction and universal method to characterize madder lakes of Rubia tinctorum by liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector . To analyze the lakes, anthraquinone molecules must be decomplexed of metal links. To this end, two processes, one ultrasound and the other microwave, were improved in association with two solutions, an oxalic acid solution (0.5 M in MeOH/H₂O 50/50) and an acetic acid buffer solution (1 M). First, the decomplexation of an alizarin experimental lake was optimized in comparison with a reference method using a strong acid. The microwave process used oxalic acid and increased the decomplexation yield of alizarin (71%) compared with the reference method (31%). Second, different madder experimental lakes, which were prepared using different metal salts, were decomplexed. The obtained results suggest that the use of microwave associated with oxalic acid solution is the most universal method providing a decomplexation of anthraquinones from lakes without hydrolysis of glycosidic compounds occurring.     

Hydrogen sulphide removal from the effluents of a phosphoric acid production unit by absorption into chlorinated seawater under alkaline conditions

Atmospheric pollution during the manufacturing of Wet process Phosphoric Acid (WPA) is a critical environmental issue. The aim of this study was to examine the absorption of hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) emitted by this process into a chlorinated seawater solution under alkaline conditions. Parameters such as pH, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) concentration, gas flow rate, operating time and volumetric ratio of the liquid as well as gas phases (Q/Q) were investigated for their effects on H₂S absorption efficiency. It was found that sodium hypochlorite is an effective and economical H₂S oxidant. Moreover, according to the obtained results, a dose of 1 g Cl₂/l and a pH of 11 are recommended. The preferred gas flow rate in this study was equal to 15 l/min. Under these conditions, more than 98% of the hydrogen sulfide was removed, even at relatively high H₂S concentrations in industrial gas released from the plants of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT).