Rapid Approaches for Assignment of the Relative Configuration in 1-Oxygenated 1,2-Diarylpropan-3-ols by 1H NMR Spectroscopy

The structural elucidation of chiral molecules with more than one stereocenter is usually a tricky problem. In this paper, efficient ¹H NMR spectroscopic approaches for assigning the erythro and threo configurations of 1-oxygenated 1,2-diarylpropan-3-ols were developed. By analysis of the chemical shift differences of diastereotopic methylene H₂-3 (Δδ₃) in CDCl₃ or the chemical shift differences of H-1 and H-2 (Δδ_1,2) in methanol-d₄, deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide, and acetone-d₆, the configurations of 1-oxygenated 1,2-diarylpropan-3-ols can be rapidly and conveniently determined.

How Alcoholic Disinfectants Affect Coronavirus Model Membranes: Membrane Fluidity, Permeability, and Disintegration

Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out with a view to investigating the stability of the SARS-CoV-2 exterior membrane with respect to two common disinfectants, namely, aqueous solutions of ethanol and n-propanol. We used dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) as a model membrane material and did simulations on both gel and liquid crystalline phases of membrane surrounded by aqueous solutions of varying alcohol concentrations (up to 17.5 mol %). While a moderate effect of alcohol on the gel phase of membrane is observed, its liquid crystalline phase is shown to be influenced dramatically by either alcohol. Our results show that aqueous solutions of only 5 and 10 mol % alcohol already have significant weakening effects on the membrane. The effects of n-propanol are always stronger than those of ethanol. The membrane changes its structure, when exposed to disinfectant solutions; uptake of alcohol causes it to swell laterally but to shrink vertically. At the same time, the orientational order of lipid tails decreases significantly. Metadynamics and grand-canonical ensemble simulations were done to calculate the free-energy profiles for permeation of alcohol and alcohol/water solubility in the DPPC. We found that the free-energy barrier to permeation of the DPPC liquid crystalline phase by all permeants is significantly lowered by alcohol uptake. At a disinfectant concentration of 10 mol %, it becomes insignificant enough to allow almost free passage of the disinfectant to the inside of the virus to cause damage there. It should be noted that the disinfectant also causes the barrier for water permeation to drop. Furthermore, the shrinking of the membrane thickness shortens the gap needed to be crossed by penetrants from outside the virus into its core. The lateral swelling also increases the average distance between head groups, which is a secondary barrier to membrane penetration, and hence further increases the penetration by disinfectants. At alcohol concentrations in the disinfectant solution above 15 mol %, we reliably observe disintegration of the DPPC membrane in its liquid crystalline phase.

2,3-Diaminopropanols Obtained from d-Serine as Intermediates in the Synthesis of Protected 2,3-l-Diaminopropanoic Acid (l-Dap) Methyl Esters

A synthetic strategy for the preparation of two orthogonally protected methyl esters of the non-proteinogenic amino acid 2,3-l-diaminopropanoic acid (l-Dap) was developed. In these structures, the base-labile protecting group 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) was paired to the p-toluensulfonyl (tosyl, Ts) or acid-labile tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) moieties. The synthetic approach to protected l-Dap methyl esters uses appropriately masked 2,3-diaminopropanols, which are obtained via reductive amination of an aldehyde prepared from the commercial amino acid N^α-Fmoc-O-tert-butyl-d-serine, used as the starting material. Reductive amination is carried out with primary amines and sulfonamides, and the process is assisted by the Lewis acid Ti(OⁱPr)₄. The required carboxyl group is installed by oxidizing the alcoholic function of 2,3-diaminopropanols bearing the tosyl or benzyl protecting group on the 3-NH₂ site. The procedure can easily be applied using the crude product obtained after each step, minimizing the need for chromatographic purifications. Chirality of the carbon atom of the starting d-serine template is preserved throughout all synthetic steps.

Reaction of 1-propanol with Ozone in Aqueous Media

The main aim of this work is to substantiate the mechanism of 1-propanol oxidation by ozone in aqueous solution when the substrate is present in large excess. Further goals are assessment of the products, their formation yields as well as the kinetic parameters of the considered reaction. The reaction of ozone with 1-propanol in aqueous solution occurs via hydride transfer, H-abstraction and insertion. Of these three mechanisms, the largest share is for hydride transfer. This implies the extraction of an hydride ion from the activated C-H group by O₃ according to reaction: (C₂H₅)(H)(HO)C-H + O₃ → [(C₂H₅)(H)(HO)C⁺ + HO₃^-]_cage → (C₂H₅)(H)(HO)C⁺ + HO₃^-. The experimentally determined products and their overall formation yields with respect to ozone are: propionaldehyde-(60 ± 3)%, propionic acid-(27.4 ± 1.0)%, acetaldehyde-(4.9 ± 0.3)%, acetic acid-(0.3 ± 0.1)%, formaldehyde-(1.0 ± 0.1)%, formic acid-(4.6 ± 0.3)%, hydrogen peroxide-(11.1 ± 0.3)% and hydroxyl radical-(9.8 ± 0.3)%. The reaction of ozone with 1-propanol in aqueous media follows a second order kinetics with a reaction rate constant of (0.64 ± 0.02) M^-1·s^-1 at pH = 7 and 23 °C. The dependence of the second order rate constant on temperature is described by the equation: l n   k I I = ( 27.17 ± 0.38 ) - ( 8180 ± 120 ) × T - 1 , which gives the activation energy, Ea = (68 ± 1) kJ mol^-1 and pre-exponential factor, A = (6.3 ± 2.4) × 10¹¹ M^-1 s^-1. The nature of products, their yields and the kinetic data can be used in water treatment. The fact that the hydride transfer is the main pathway in the 1-propanol/ozone system can probably be transferred on other systems in which the substrate is characterized by C-H active sites only.

Solvent Mediation of Peptide Conformations: Polyproline Structures in Water, Methanol, Ethanol, and 1-Propanol as Determined by Ion Mobility Spectrometry-Mass Spectrometry

Ion mobility spectrometry and circular dichroism spectroscopy are used to examine the populations of the small model peptide, polyproline-13 in water, methanol, ethanol, and 1-propanol over a range of solution temperatures (from 288 to 318 K). At low temperatures, the less-polar solvents (1-propanol and ethanol) favor the all-cis polyproline I helix (PPI); as the temperature is increased, the trans-configured polyproline II helix (PPII) is formed. In polar solvents (methanol and water), PPII is favored at all temperatures. From the experimental data, we determine the relative stabilities of the eight structures in methanol, ethanol, and 1-propanol, as well as four in water, all with respect to PPII. Although these conformers show relatively small differences in free energies, substantial variability is observed in the enthalpies and entropies across the structures and solvents. This requires that enthalpies and entropies be highly correlated: in 1-propanol, cis-configured PPI conformations are energetically favorable but entropically disfavored. In more polar solvents, PPI is enthalpically less favorable and entropy favors trans-configured forms. While either ΔH0 or ΔS0 can favor different structures, no conformation in any solvent is simultaneously energetically and entropically stabilized. These data present a rare opportunity to examine the origin of conformational stability. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Performance and methane fermentation characteristics of a pilot scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) for treating pharmaceutical wastewater containing m-cresol (MC) and iso-propyl alcohol (IPA)

In this study, a pilot scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) was operated for 80 days to treat pharmaceutical wastewater containing m-cresol (MC) and iso-propyl alcohol (IPA). The aim of the study is to investigate the performance and methane fermentation characteristics of AnMBR at different hydraulic retention time (HRT) (48, 36, 24, 18 and 12 h). The average total removal efficiencies of MC and IPA were 95%, 96% during the 80 days, which demonstrated that the AnMBR system performed well in the MC and IPA removal. The major volatile fatty acid (VFA) was found to be acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, besides, the VFA accumulated apparently when HRT decreased to 12 h. The decrease of HRT led to an increase of relative abundance of methanosarcina from 13 to 33% and a decrease in biogas yield from 0.19 to 0.05 L/gCOD_removal. The biogas production was found to increase dramatically at HRT of 36 h. The trend of methane content kept stable at this stage with the average value of 78.5% which higher than other HRTs. The investigation of methanogen community showed that methanosarcinaceae was always dominant acetoclastic methanogens and methanomicrobiales was the dominant hydrogen utilizers throughout the operational period. When the HRT dropped to 12 h, the growth of the methanosarcinaceae and methanomicrobiales was observed, the amount of the methanosarcinaceae and methanomicrobiales sharply increased. After the overall research, HRT of 36 h was chosen as the most suitable operating condition due to the comprehensively preferable performance and more economical.

Environmental Factors Modulating the Stability and Enzymatic Activity of the Petrotoga mobilis Esterase (PmEst)

Enzymes isolated from thermophilic organisms found in oil reservoirs can find applications in many fields, including the oleochemical, pharmaceutical, bioenergy, and food/dairy industries. In this study, in silico identification and recombinant production of an esterase from the extremophile bacteria Petrotoga mobilis (designated PmEst) were performed. Then biochemical, bioinformatics and structural characterizations were undertaken using a combination of synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD) and fluorescence spectroscopies to correlate PmEst stability and hydrolytic activity on different substrates. The enzyme presented a high Michaelis-Menten constant (KM 0.16 mM) and optimum activity at ~55°C for p-nitrophenyl butyrate. The secondary structure of PmEst was preserved at acid pH, but not under alkaline conditions. PmEst was unfolded at high concentrations of urea or guanidine through apparently different mechanisms. The esterase activity of PmEst was preserved in the presence of ethanol or propanol and its melting temperature increased ~8°C in the presence of these organic solvents. PmEst is a mesophilic esterase with substrate preference towards short-to medium-length acyl chains. The SRCD data of PmEst is in agreement with the prediction of an α/β protein, which leads us to assume that it displays a typical fold of esterases from this family. The increased enzyme stability in organic solvents may enable novel applications for its use in synthetic biology. Taken together, our results demonstrate features of the PmEst enzyme that indicate it may be suitable for applications in industrial processes, particularly, when the use of polar organic solvents is required.

The Occurrence of Propyl Lactate in Chinese Baijius (Chinese Liquors) Detected by Direct Injection Coupled with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

As one of the oldest distillates in the world, flavor compounds of Chinese Baijiu (Chinese liquor) were extremely complex. Propyl lactate was firstly detected by direct injection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in 72 Chinese Baijius. The objectives were to detect the contents of propyl lactate and evaluate its contribution to the aroma of Chinese Baijiu based on odor activity values (OAVs). The levels of propyl lactate in these distillates were determined by internal standard method and selective ion monitoring (SIM), which ranged from 0.050 to 1.900 mg∙L⁻¹ under investigation. Its detection threshold was determined by Three-Alternative Forced-Choice (3-AFC) and curve fitting (CF), which was 0.740 mg∙L⁻¹ in 38% ethanol solution. The contribution of propyl lactate on the aroma of these distillate drinks was evaluated by their odor activity values (OAVs), which varied from 0.066 to 4.440. The OAVs of propyl lactate were found to exceed 1 in 13 Chinese Baijius, including 50° Jingzhi Guniang 5 years (4.440), 52° Jingzhi Guniang 10 years (3.024), Jingyanggang (2.568), Xianghe Ronghe Shaofang (2.313), and 1956 Laolang (1.431), which indicated that propyl lactate was one of odor-active components in these Chinese Baijius.

Easy approach to assembling a biomimetic color film with tunable structural colors

The self-assembly of silica microspheres into a close-packed array is a simple method of fabricating three-dimensional photonic crystal structural color films. However, the color is very dull because of the interferences of scattering and background light. In this study, we added a small quantity of surface-modified carbon black (CB) to the system of colloidal silica in n-propanol. The use of n-propanol as a dispersant is beneficial to the rapid development of photonic crystal films during the process of dip-coating. The doping of CB into silica microspheres can absorb background and scattering light, resulting in vivid structural colors.

Fluorescent-protein stabilization and high-resolution imaging of cleared, intact mouse brains

In order to observe and quantify long-range neuronal connections in intact mouse brain by light microscopy, it is first necessary to clear the brain, thus suppressing refractive-index variations. Here we describe a method that clears the brain and preserves the signal from proteinaceous fluorophores using a pH-adjusted non-aqueous index-matching medium. Successful clearing is enabled through the use of either 1-propanol or tert-butanol during dehydration whilst maintaining a basic pH. We show that high-resolution fluorescence imaging of entire, structurally intact juvenile and adult mouse brains is possible at subcellular resolution, even following many months in clearing solution. We also show that axonal long-range projections that are EGFP-labelled by modified Rabies virus can be imaged throughout the brain using a purpose-built light-sheet fluorescence microscope. To demonstrate the viability of the technique, we determined a detailed map of the monosynaptic projections onto a target cell population in the lateral entorhinal cortex. This example demonstrates that our method permits the quantification of whole-brain connectivity patterns at the subcellular level in the uncut brain.

Development and validation of LC methods for the separation of misoprostol related substances and diastereoisomers

Misoprostol is a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analogue which is mainly used for prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers, but also for abortion due to its labour inducing effect. Misoprostol exists as a mixture of diastereoisomers (1:1) and has several related impurities owing to its instability at higher temperatures and moisture. A simple and robust reversed phase liquid chromatographic (RPLC) method is described for the separation of the related substances and a normal phase (NP) LC method for the separation of misoprostol diastereoisomers. The RPLC method was performed using an Ascentis Express C18 (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column kept at 35 °C. The mobile phase was a gradient mixture of mobile phase A (ACN-H2O-MeOH, 28:69:3 v/v/v) and mobile phase B (ACN-H2O-MeOH, 47:50:3 v/v/v) eluted at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. UV detection was performed at 200 nm. The NPLC method was undertaken by using an XBridge bare silica (150 mm × 2.1 mm, 3.5 μm) column at 35 °C. The mobile phase contained 1-propanol-heptane-TFA (4:96:0.1%, v/v/v), pumped at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. UV detection was performed at 205 nm. This LC method can properly separate the two diastereoisomers (Rs > 2) within an analysis time of less than 20 min. Both methods were validated according to the ICH guidelines. Furthermore, these new LC methods have been successfully applied for purity control and diastereoisomers ratio determination of misoprostol bulk drug, tablets and dispersion.

Preparation of a titania/X-zeolite/porous glass composite photocatalyst using hydrothermal and drop coating processes

Combinations of TiO2 photocatalysts and various adsorbents have been widely studied for the adsorption and photocatalytic decomposition of gaseous pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Herein, a TiO2-zeolite-porous glass composite was prepared using melt-quenching and partial sintering, hydrothermal treatment, and drop coating for preparation of the porous glass support and X-zeolite and their combination with TiO2, respectively. The obtained composite comprised anatase phase TiO2, X-zeolite, and the porous glass support, which were combined at the micro to nanometer scales. The composite had a relatively high specific surface area of approximately 25 m2/g and exhibited a good adsorption capacity for 2-propanol. These data indicated that utilization of this particular phase-separated glass as the support was appropriate for the formation of the bulk photocatalyst-adsorbent composite. Importantly, the photocatalytic decomposition of adsorbed 2-propanol proceeded under UV light irradiation. The 2-propanol was oxidized to acetone and then trapped by the X-zeolite rather than being released to the atmosphere. Consequently, it was demonstrated that the micrometer-scaled combination of TiO2 and zeolite in the bulk form is very useful for achieving both the removal of gaseous organic pollutants and decreasing the emission of harmful intermediates.

Indirectly suspended droplet microextraction of water-miscible organic solvents by salting-out effect for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

A simple and low-cost method that indirectly suspended droplet microextraction of water-miscible organic solvents (ISDME) by salting-out effect before high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) detection was used for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in different samples. The ISDME is a combination of salting-out extraction of water-miscible organic solvent and directly suspended droplet microextraction (DSDME). Ninety-five microliters water-miscible organic solvent (1-propanol) was added to a 500-µL sample. A homogeneous solution was formed immediately. To produce a steady vortex at the top of the solution, the sample was agitated at 700 rpm using a magnetic stirrer. By the addition of ammonium sulfate (saturated solution) to the homogeneous solution, 1-propanol was separated and collected at the bottom of the steady vortex. Finally, 20 µL 1-propanol was injected into HPLC-UV. The effects of important parameters such as water-miscible organic solvent (type and volume), type of salt, and extraction time were evaluated. Under optimum conditions, the method has a good linear calibration range (0.1 µg/L-300 µg/L), coefficients of determination (R(2) > 0.998), low limits of detection (between 0.02 µg/L and 0.27 µg/L), and acceptable recovery (>85.0%).

An innovative approach for highly selective direct conversion of CO₂ into propanol using C₂H₄ and H₂

Multifunctional catalysts are developed for converting CO2 with C2H4 and H2 into propanol. Au nanoparticles (NP) supported on TiO2 are found to facilitate this reaction. The activity and selectivity strongly depend on NP size, which can be tuned by the method of Au deposition and by promoting with K. The promoter improves the selectivity to propanol. Under optimized reaction conditions (2 MPa, 473 K, and CO2/H2/C2H4=1:1:1), CO2 is continuously converted into propanol with a near-to-100% selectivity. Catalytic tests as well as mechanistic studies by in situ FTIR and temporal analysis of products with isotopic tracers allow the overall reaction scheme to be determined. Propanol is formed through a sequence of reactions starting with reverse water-gas shift to reduce CO2 to CO, which is further consumed in the hydroformylation of ethylene to propanal. The latter is finally hydrogenated to propanol, while propanol hydrogenation to propane is suppressed.

Enzymatic Synthesis of 2-Chloro-4-nitrophenyl 4,6-O-3-Ketobutylideneβ-Maltopentaoside, a Substrate forα-Amylase

A transglycosylation reaction with 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl beta-maltoside as an acceptor was done with 4,6-O-3-ketobutylidene maltopentaose and Bacillus macerans cyclodextrin glucanotransferase in an aqueous solution containing 50% n-propanol, and there were two main transglycosylation products. They were identified as 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl 4,6-O-3-ketobutylidene beta-maltopentaoside and 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl 4,6-O-3-ketobutylidene beta-maltohexaoside, and their yields were 30% and 21% respectively on the basis of the decrease of 4,6-O-3-ketobutylidene maltopentaose. For the production of 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl 4,6-O-3-ketobutylidene beta-maltopentaoside at high substrates concentrations, the addition of n-propanol in this reaction not only increased the solubility of 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl beta-maltoside sufficiently but also suppressed side reactions.

UV-Vis spectroscopic study of preferential solvation and intermolecular interactions in methanol/1-propanol/acetonitrile by means of solvatochromic probes

Solvatochromic UV-Vis shifts of four indicators (4-nitroaniline, 4-nitroanisole, 4-nitrophenol and N,N-dimethyl-4-nitroaniline) have been measured at 298.15K in the ternary mixture methanol/1-propanol/acetonitrile (MeOH/1-PrOH/MeCN) in a total of 22 mole fractions, along with 18 additional mole fractions for each of the corresponding binary mixtures, MeOH/1-PrOH, 1-PrOH/MeCN and MeOH/MeCN. These values, combined with our previous experimental results for 2,6-diphenyl-4-(2,4,6-triphenylpyridinium-1-yl)phenolate (Reichardt's betaine dye) in the same mixtures, permitted the computation of the Kamlet-Taft solvent parameters, α, β, and π(*). The rationalization of the spectroscopic behavior of each probe within each mixture's whole mole fraction range was achieved through the use of the Bosch and Rosés preferential solvation model. The applied model allowed the identification of synergistic behaviors in MeCN/alcohol mixtures and thus to infer the existence of solvent complexes in solution. Also, the addition of small amounts of MeCN to the binary mixtures was seen to cause a significant variation in π(*), whereas the addition of alcohol to MeCN mixtures always lead to a sudden change in α and β. The behavior of these parameters in the ternary mixture was shown to be mainly determined by the contributions of the underlying binary mixtures.

[Comparative assessment of Cladophora, Spirogyra and Oedogonium biomass for the production of fatty acid methyl esters]

The use of alternative fuels for the mitigation of ecological impacts by use of diesel has been focus of intensive research. In the present work, algal oils extracted from cultivated biomass of Cladophora sp., Spirogyra sp. and Oedogonium sp. were evaluated for the lipase-mediated synthesis of fatty acid monoalkyl esters (FAME, biodiesel). To optimize the transesterification of these oils, different parameters such as the alkyl group donor, reaction temperature, stirring time and oil to alcohol ratio were investigated. Four different alcohols i.e. methanol, ethanol, n-propanol and n-butanol were tested as alkyl group donor for the biosynthesis FAME and methanol was found to be the best. Similarly, temperature 50 C and stirring time of 6 h were optimized for the transesterification of oils with methanol. The maximum biodiesel conversions from Cladophora (75.0%), Spirogyra (87.5%) and Oedogonium (92.0%) were obtained when oil to alcohol ratio was 1 : 8.

Temperature-dependent microwave dielectric relaxation studies of hydrogen bonded polar binary mixtures of propan-1-ol and propionaldehyde

The molecular interaction between the polar systems of propan-1-ol and propionaldehyde for various mole fractions at different temperatures were studied by determining the frequency dependent complex dielectric permittivity by using the open-ended coaxial probe technique method in the microwave frequency range from 20 MHz to 20 GHz. The geometries are optimized at HF, B3LYP and MP2 with 6-311G and 6-311G+ basis sets. Dipole moments of the binary mixtures are calculated from the dielectric data using Higasi's method and compared with the theoretical results. Conformational analysis of the formation of hydrogen bond between the propan-1-ol and propionaldehyde is supported by the FT-IR and molecular polarizability calculations. The average relaxation times are calculated from their respective Cole-Cole plots. The activation entropy, activation enthalpy and Kirkwood correlation 'g' factor, excess permittivity (ε(E)), excess inverse relaxation time (1/τ)(E), Bruggeman parameter (f(B)) have also been determined for propan-1-ol and propionaldehyde and the results were correlated.

Propagation of dynamic nuclear polarization across the xenon cluster boundaries: elucidation of the spin-diffusion bottleneck

Earlier Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) experiments with frozen xenon/1-propanol/trityl mixtures have demonstrated spontaneous formation of pure xenon clusters above 120 K, enabling spectrally-resolved real-time measurements of (129)Xe nuclear magnetization in the clusters and in the surrounding radical-rich matrix. A spin-diffusion bottleneck was postulated to explain the peculiar time evolution of (129)Xe signals in the clusters as well as the apparent discontinuity of (129)Xe polarization across the cluster boundaries. A self-contained ab initio model of nuclear spin diffusion in heterogeneous systems is developed here, incorporating the intrinsic T1 relaxation towards the temperature-dependent equilibrium polarization and the spin-diffusion coefficients based on the measured NMR line widths and the known atomic densities in each compartment. This simple model provides the physical basis for the observed spin-diffusion bottleneck and is in a good quantitative agreement with the earlier measurements. A simultaneous fit of the model to the time-dependent NMR data at two different DNP frequencies provides excellent estimates of the cluster size, the intrinsic sample temperature, and (129)Xe T1 constants. The model was also applied to the NMR data acquired during relaxation towards the thermal equilibrium after the microwaves were turned off, to estimate T1 relaxation time constants inside and outside the clusters. Fitting the model to the data during and after DNP provides consistent estimates of the cluster size.

Isotope labeling studies on the electron impact mass spectral fragmentation patterns of chloropropanol acetates

Chloropropanol (CP) esters are part of an emerging group of process-induced toxicants that are considered as potential health hazards particularly in palm oil. Mass spectrometry-based methodologies for identification of CP esters in food are critical in overcoming the challenges associated with direct detection methods. In the present study, a convenient strategy was employed to generate all possible CP acetates through reacting acetic anhydride with either glycerol in the presence of a chloride source or the corresponding CPs, such as 3-chloro-, 1,3-dichloro-, 2-chloro-, and 1,2-dichloropropanols, allowing for the identification of the individual CP acetates and assignment of their mass spectral fragmentations. Mass spectral fragmentations were confirmed through the use of the isotopic signature of chlorine in addition to the isotope labeling experiments performed using isotopically labeled precursors, such as [¹³C-U₃] glycerol, [¹³C-U₄] acetic anhydride, [¹³C-2,2'] acetic anhydride, and [d₅] 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) as reactants. Such studies have indicated that all CP esters can undergo two general fragmentations under electron impact (EI) conditions, one generating the acylium ion at m/z 45 and the other generating a chlorinated cyclic acyloxonium ion at m/z 135.6. Considering the fact that such ions can also be generated from any fatty acid containing CP esters after undergoing McLafferty rearrangement, the ion at m/z 135.6 can therefore be considered as a universal marker for the presence of CP esters undergoing EI fragmentation. Furthermore, these studies have also indicated the formation of ions characteristic of CP diesters, monoesters, and dichloro esters.

Anticonvulsant properties of histamine H3 receptor ligands belonging to N-substituted carbamates of imidazopropanol

Ligands targeting central histamine H3 receptors (H3Rs) for epilepsy might be a promising therapeutic approach. Therefore, the previously described and structurally strongly related imidazole-based derivatives belonging to carbamate class with high H3R in vitro affinity, in-vivo antagonist potency, and H3R selectivity profile were investigated on their anticonvulsant activity in maximal electroshock (MES)-induced and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-kindled seizure models in Wistar rats. The effects of systemic injection of H3R ligands 1-13 on MES-induced and PTZ-kindled seizures were screened and evaluated against the reference antiepileptic drug (AED) Phenytoin (PHT) and the standard histamine H3R inverse agonist/antagonist Thioperamide (THP) to determine their potential as new antiepileptic drugs. Following administration of the H3R ligands 1-13 (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg, ip) there was a significant dose dependent reduction in MES-induced seizure duration. The protective action observed for the pentenyl carbamate derivative 4, the most protective H3R ligand among 1-13, was significantly higher (P <0.05) than that of standard H3R antagonist THP, and was reversed when rats were pretreated with the selective H3R agonist R-(α)-methyl-histamine (RAMH) (10mg/kg), or with the CNS penetrant H1R antagonist Pyrilamine (PYR) (10mg/kg). In addition, subeffective dose of H3R ligand 4 (5mg/kg, ip) significantly potentiated the protective action in rats pretreated with PHT (5mg/kg, ip), a dose without appreciable protective effect when given alone. In contrast, pretreatment with H3R ligand 4 (10mg/kg ip) failed to modify PTZ-kindled convulsion, whereas the reference drug PHT was found to fully protect PTZ-induced seizure. These results indicate that some of the investigated imidazole-based H3R ligands 1-13 may be of future therapeutic value in epilepsy.

Retention of halogenated solutes on stationary phases containing heavy atoms

To examine the effects of weak intermolecular interactions on solid-phase extraction (SPE) and chromatographic separation, we synthesized some novel stationary phases with a heavy atom effect layer by immobilizing halogenated aromatic rings and hydroxyl groups onto the surface of a hydrophilic base polymer. Using SPE cartridges packed with the functionalized materials, we found that the heavy atom stationary phases could selectively retain halophenols in organic solvents, such as 1-propanol which blocks the hydrogen bonding, or acetonitrile which blocks the π-π interaction. The extraction efficiency of the materials toward the halophenols depended on the dipole moments of phenoxy groups present as functional groups. On the other hand, the extraction efficiency of solutes toward the functional group depended on their molar refractions, i.e., induced dipole moments. The retention of the solutes to the stationary phase ultimately depended on not only strong intermolecular interactions, but also the effects of weak interactions such as the dispersion force.

Purification of inkjet ink from water using liquid phase, electric discharge polymerization and cellulosic membrane filtration

A method to separate inkjet ink from water was developed using a liquid phase, electric discharge process. The liquid phase, electric discharge process with filtration or sedimentation was shown to remove 97% of inkjet ink from solutions containing between 0.1-0.8 g/L and was consistent over a range of treatment conditions. Additionally, particle size analysis of treated allyl alcohol and treated propanol confirmed the electric discharge treatment has a polymerization mechanism, and small molecule analysis of treated methanol using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy confirmed the mechanism was free radical initiated polymerization.

High activity preparations of lipases and proteases for catalysis in low water containing organic solvents and ionic liquids

Simple precipitation of enzymes has shown impressive catalytic efficiencies in organic solvents. In asmuch as these can be recovered after the reaction, these can be viewed as immobilized preparations just like more extensively used cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs). This chapter describes three protocols which use these enzyme precipitated and rinsed with propanol/some other appropriate organic solvent. The first two protocols show their applications in ionic liquids for a transesterification reaction and a kinetic resolution. The third protocol presumably incorporates an "imprinting" effect so that the precipitates are now able to efficiently catalyze transesterification of tributyrin with tertiary alcohols.

Direct nanopatterning of 100 nm metal oxide periodic structures by Deep-UV immersion lithography

Deep-UV lithography using high-efficiency phase mask has been developed to print 100 nm period grating on sol-gel based thin layer. High efficiency phase mask has been designed to produce a high-contrast interferogram (periodic fringes) under water immersion conditions for 244 nm laser. The demonstration has been applied to a new developed immersion-compatible sol-gel layer. A sol-gel photoresist prepared from zirconium alkoxides caped with methacrylic acids was developed to achieve 50 nm resolution in a single step exposure. The nanostructures can be thermally annealed into ZrO(2). Such route considerably simplifies the process for elaborating nanopatterned surfaces of transition metal oxides, and opens new routes for integrating materials of interest for applications in the field of photocatalysis, photovoltaic, optics, photonics or microelectronics.

Sonoluminescence and sonochemiluminescence from a microreactor

Micromachined pits on a substrate can be used to nucleate and stabilize microbubbles in a liquid exposed to an ultrasonic field. Under suitable conditions, the collapse of these bubbles can result in light emission (sonoluminescence, SL). Hydroxyl radicals (OH()) generated during bubble collapse can react with luminol to produce light (sonochemiluminescence, SCL). SL and SCL intensities were recorded for several regimes related to the pressure amplitude (low and high acoustic power levels) at a given ultrasonic frequency (200kHz) for pure water, and aqueous luminol and propanol solutions. Various arrangements of pits were studied, with the number of pits ranging from no pits (comparable to a classic ultrasound reactor), to three-pits. Where there was more than one pit present, in the high pressure regime the ejected microbubbles combined into linear (two-pits) or triangular (three-pits) bubble clouds (streamers). In all situations where a pit was present on the substrate, the SL was intensified and increased with the number of pits at both low and high power levels. For imaging SL emitting regions, Argon (Ar) saturated water was used under similar conditions. SL emission from aqueous propanol solution (50mM) provided evidence of transient bubble cavitation. Solutions containing 0.1mM luminol were also used to demonstrate the radical production by attaining the SCL emission regions.

Separation of fluorescently labeled phosphoinositides and sphingolipids by capillary electrophoresis

Phosphoinositides (PIs) and sphingolipids regulate many aspects of cell behavior and are often involved in disease processes such as oncogenesis. Capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) is emerging as an important tool for enzymatic assays of the metabolism of these lipids, particularly in cell-based formats. Previous separations of phosphoinositide lipids by CE required a complex buffer with polymer additives which had the disadvantages of high cost and/or short shelf life. Further a simultaneous separation of these classes of lipids has not been demonstrated in a robust buffer system. In the current work, a simple separation buffer based on NaH(2)PO(4) and 1-propanol was optimized to separate two sphingolipids and multiple phosphoinositides by CE. The NaH(2)PO(4) concentration, pH, 1-propanol fraction, and a surfactant additive to the buffer were individually optimized to achieve simultaneous separation of the sphingolipids and phosphoinositides. Fluorescein-labeled sphingosine (SFL) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1PFL), fluorescein-labeled phosphatidyl-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and phosphatidyl-inositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3), and bodipy-fluorescein (BFL)-labeled PIP2 and PIP3 were separated pairwise and in combination to demonstrate the generalizability of the method. Theoretical plate numbers achieved were as high as 2×10(5) in separating fluorophore-labeled PIP2 and PIP3. Detection limits for the 6 analytes were in the range of 10(-18)-10(-20)mol. The method also showed high reproducibility, as the relative standard deviation of the normalized migration time for each analyte in the simultaneous separation of all 6 compounds was less than 1%. The separation of a mixture composed of diacylglycerol (DAG) and multiple phosphoinositides was also demonstrated. As a final test, fluorescent lipid metabolites formed within cells loaded with BFLPIP2 were separated from a cell lysate as well as a single cell. This simple and robust separation method for SFL and S1PFL and various metabolites of phosphoinositide-related signal transduction is expected to enable improved enzymatic assays for biological and clinical applications.

Kinetics of esterification of acidified oil with different alcohols by a cation ion-exchange resin/polyethersulfone hybrid catalytic membrane

Hybrid catalytic membranes consisting of cation ion-exchange resin particles (CERP) and polyethersulfone (PES) were prepared by immersion phase inversion and used as heterogeneous catalysts for the esterification of acidified oil with methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol. The membranes were characterized by ion exchange capacity and swelling degree tests. The membranes were annealed at different temperatures to improve catalytic activity and membranes annealed at 393 K had the highest catalytic activity. Butanol allowed the highest free fatty acids (FFAs) conversion of 95.28% since it has better miscibility than the other alcohols which strengthened mass and heat transfer. Furthermore, pseudo-homogeneous kinetic models of the esterification of acidified oil with the four alcohols were established according to the experimental data. The kinetic models can well predict the FFA conversion.

Treatment of mixtures of toluene and n-propanol vapours in a compost-woodchip-based biofilter

The present work describes the biofiltration of mixture of n-propanol (as a model hydrophilic volatile organic compound (VOC)) and toluene (as a model hydrophobic VOC) in a biofilter packed with a compost-woodchip mixture. Initially, the biofilter was fed with toluene vapours at loadings up to 175 g m(-3) h(-1) and removal efficiencies of 70%-99% were observed. The biofilter performance when removing mixtures of toluene and n-propanol reached elimination capacities of up to 67g(toluene) m(-3) h(-1) and 85 g(n-propanol) m(-3) h(-1) with removal efficiencies of 70%-100% for toluene and essentially 100% for n-propanol. The presence of high n-propanol loading negatively affected the toluene removal; however, n-propanol removal was not affected by the presence of toluene and was effectively removed in the biofilter despite high toluene loadings. A model for toluene and n-propanol biofiltration could predict the cross-inhibition effect of n-propanol on toluene removal.

Aqueous solutions of lower alcohols investigated by pyrene fluorescence spectroscopy

The aqueous solutions of lower alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol and 2-propanol, were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy of pyrene, defining the Py scale for polarity. Sigmoidal curves were used to fit the Py values of aqueous alcohol solutions as a function of the logarithm of water-alcohol mole ratio, i.e., log(WAR). The results from curve fittings were discussed in terms of the structural transitions of aqueous alcohol solutions, as well as the dissociation constants for alcohol- and water-pyrene complexes. The microscopic alcohol and water phases were considered to be saturated with each other, and the structures of dilute aqueous alcohol solutions were found to be more complicated than those of concentrated ones.

Triple-line behavior and wettability controlled by nanocoated substrates: influence on sessile drop evaporation

In this article, we investigate the influence of the surface properties of substrates on the evaporation process. Using various nanocoatings, it is possible to modify the surface properties of substrates, such as the roughness and the surface energy, while maintaining constant thermal properties. Experiments are conducted under atmospheric conditions with five fluids (methanol, ethanol, propanol, toluene and water) and four coatings (PFC, PTFE, SiOC, and SiO(x)). The various combinations of these fluids and coatings allow for a wide range of drop evaporation properties to be studied: the dynamics of the triple line, the volatility of fluids, and a large range of wettabilities (from 17 to 135°). The experimental data are in very good quantitative agreement with existing models of quasi-steady, diffusion-driven evaporation. The experimental results show that the dynamics of the evaporative rate are proportional to the dynamics of the wetting radius. Thus, the models succeed in describing the evaporative dynamics throughout the evaporation process regardless of the behavior of the triple line. Moreover, the use of various liquids reveals the validity of the models regardless of their volatility. The results also confirm the recent finding of a universal relation for the time evolution of the drop mass, independent of the drop size and initial contact angle. Finally, this study highlights the separate and coupled roles of the triple line and the wettability on the sessile drop evaporation process. Data reveal that the more wet and pinned a drop, the shorter the evaporation time.

Characteristics of the energy bands and the spectroscopic parameters of Pr3+ ions in PrCl3 mixed methanol, iso-propanol and butanol solutions

An investigation on the absorption spectra of the praseodymium chloride (PrCl(3)) in methanol, iso-propanol and butanol is carried out between 190 nm and 1100 nm. We have observed and assigned six energy bands of the 4f(2) electronic configuration of the Pr(3+) ion in the visible to near-infra-red and one due to 4f5d configuration in the ultraviolet region. The 4f5d band has been detected properly for low concentration of PrCl(3). We have also constructed a free-ion Hamiltonian and calculated the energy levels of the 4f(2) configuration theoretically. Hence, the best fit free-ion parameters are deduced.

Study on the toxic interaction of methanol, ethanol and propanol against the bovine hemoglobin (BHb) on molecular level

The toxic interaction of methanol, ethanol and propanol with bovine hemoglobin (BHb) at protein molecular level was studied by resonance light scattering (RLS), fluorescence, ultraviolet-visible absorption (UV-vis) and circular dichroism (CD) techniques. The experimental results showed that the three alcohols all had toxic effects on BHb and the effects increased along with the increasing alcohol dose. The results of RLS and fluorescence spectroscopy showed that alcohols can denature BHb. They changed the microenvironment of amino acid residues and led to molecular aggregation. The decreasing order of the influence is propanol, ethanol and methanol. The results of UV-vis and CD spectra revealed that alcohols led to conformational changes of BHb, including the loosening of the skeleton structure and the decreasing of α-helix in the second structure. The changes generated by propanol were much larger than those by methanol and ethanol.

Effect of alcohols on aggregation behaviors of branched block polyether Tetronic 1107 at an air/liquid surface

The aggregation behaviors of branched block polyether Tetronic 1107 (T1107) at an air/liquid surface was investigated in mixed solvents consisting of water and one of the following polar cosolvents: ethanol, n-propanol, ethylene glycol (EG), or glycerol (GLY). Surface tension measurements provide information about the effects of cosolvents on the critical micellization concentration (cmc), the standard Gibbs energy (ΔG°(mic)), the maximum surface excess concentration (Γ(max)), the minimum area per polyether molecule at the air/liquid surface (A(min)), and the standard free energy of adsorption (ΔG°(ads)). The addition of ethanol and n-propanol to water disfavors the micellization and progressively increases the cmc of T1107, whereas the cmc decreases with the addition of EG and GLY. The values of ΔG°(mic) of T1107 are all negative in mixed solvents, and their absolute values become smaller as the ethanol or n-propanol content increases but become larger as the EG or GLY content increases. The cosolvents have a significant effect on the surface adsorption and cmc, and the order is as follows: n-propanol-water > ethanol-water > water > EG-water > GLY-water. The octanol/water partition coefficient (log P) of the cosolvent is used to correlate the effects, and it could capture the effect of cosolvents on the cmc qualitatively. The surface dilational rheological properties of T1107 in water and water-alcohol mixtures were also studied by surface dilational viscoelasticity and surface tension relaxation measurements. The dilational elasticity decreases monotonously in the presence of ethanol or n-propanol. With the increasing concentration of EG and GLY, the dilational elasticity of T1107 passes through a maximum that coincides with the change in Γ(max).

Investigations of preferential solvation on 1,4-dimethoxy-3-methyl anthracene-9,10-dione

Preferential solvation of 1,4-dimethoxy-3-methyl anthracene-9,10-dione (DMMAD) has been investigated using optical absorption technique. The preferential solvation parameters show that the DMMAD is preferentially solvated by acetone in acetone (AC)+propan-2-ol (PROH), AC+CH2Cl2 and AC+CCl4 mixtures. DMMAD prefers PROH in PROH+CCl4 mixture. In the case of benzene+CCl4 mixture DMMAD is preferentially solvated by benzene in benzene rich region and by CCl4 in CCl4 rich region. The results have been discussed in terms of hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole and induced dipole-dipole interactions between DMMAD and solvent molecules.

An approach towards understanding the structure of complex molecular systems: the case of lower aliphatic alcohols

An extensive study of liquid aliphatic alcohols methanol, ethanol, and propanol, applying reverse Monte Carlo modelling as a method of interpretation of diffraction data, is presented. The emphasis is on the evaluation of several computational strategies in view of their suitability to obtain high quality molecular models via the reverse Monte Carlo procedure. A consistent set of distances of closest approach and fixed neighbour constraints applicable to all three investigated systems was developed. An all-atom description is compared with a united-atom approach. The potentialities of employment of neutron diffraction data of completely deuterated and isotopically substituted samples, x-ray diffraction data, and results of either molecular dynamics or Monte Carlo calculations were investigated. Results show that parallel application of x-ray and neutron diffraction data, the latter being from completely deuterated samples, within an all-atom reverse Monte Carlo procedure is the most successful strategy towards attaining reliable, detailed, and well-structured molecular models, especially if the models are subsequently refined with the results of molecular dynamics simulations.

Gold and gold-iron modified zeolites--towards the adsorptive deodourisation

Zeolites exhibiting different structures (Y, Beta, and ZSM-5) were modified with gold and iron and applied for odour adsorption from the air containing dibutyl sulphide (Bu(2)S) used as a representative odour producing compound. The structure of the zeolites used determines the rate of adsorption (higher on Y type zeolites and smaller on two other zeolites), whereas hydrophilicity affects the selectivity towards Bu(2)S adsorption increasing in the order: Y<Beta<ZSM-5. For the same zeolite structure, Bu(2)S adsorption selectivity depends on the total acidity of zeolites which increases after iron modification. The texture and surface properties of the modified zeolites were studied by XRD, XPS, UV-vis, TEM, pyridine adsorption and FTIR, test reactions (acetonylacetone cyclisation, isopropanol decomposition).

Mapping the local osmotic modulus of polymer gels

Polymer gels undergo volume phase transition in a thermodynamically poor solvent as a result of changes in molecular interactions. The osmotic pressure of gels, both synthetic and biological in nature, induces swelling and imparts the materials with the capacity to resist compressive loads. We have investigated the mechanical and swelling properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) gels brought into the unstable state by changing the composition of the solvent. Chemically cross-linked PVA gels were prepared and initially swollen in water at 25 degrees C, and then n-propyl alcohol (nonsolvent) was gradually added to the equilibrium liquid. AFM imaging and force-indentation measurements were made in water/n-propyl alcohol mixtures of different composition. It has been found that the elastic modulus of the gels exhibits simple scaling behavior as a function of the polymer concentration in each solvent mixture over the entire concentration range investigated. The power law exponent n obtained for the concentration dependence of the shear modulus increases from 2.3 (in pure water) to 7.4 (in 35% (v/v) water + 65% (v/v) n-propyl alcohol mixture). In the vicinity of the theta-solvent composition (59% (v/v) water + 41% (v/v) n-propyl alcohol) n approximately 2.9. Shear and osmotic modulus maps of the phase separating gels have been constructed. It is demonstrated that the latter sensitively reflects the changes both in the topography and thermodynamic interactions occurring in the course of volume phase transition.

Sonochemical reduction of permanganate to manganese dioxide: the effects of H2O2 formed in the sonolysis of water on the rates of reduction

Chemical effects of ultrasound have been actively researched in the field of the synthesis of various metal nanoparticles and nanostructured materials. It is very important to understand the reduction mechanism of metal ions, because the reduction processes can be often applied to the synthesis of various materials. In this study, the sonochemical reduction of MnO4- to MnO2 in water under Ar atmosphere was investigated to discuss the reduction mechanism. It has been reported that H, OH, H2 and H2O2 are formed from the sonolysis of water. To understand the roles of H2O2 on the reduction, the reaction of MnO4- with H2O2 without ultrasonic irradiation was investigated. The obtained results suggested the progress of the following reaction: 2MnO4-+3H2O2-->2MnO2+3O2+2OH-+2H2O. In addition, the rates of the sonochemical reduction of MnO4- were investigated in the presence of 1-propanol, where 1-propanol acted as an OH radical scavenger so that the amounts of the sonochemically formed H2O2 molecules were able to be controlled. The results clearly indicated that the sonochemically formed H2O2 molecules as well as H2 molecules and H atoms play an important role for MnO4- reduction. This mechanism was also supported by the analysis of pH changes during ultrasonic irradiation: the pH value increased as the sonochemical reduction of MnO4- proceeded.

Photocatalytic degradation of gaseous 1-propanol using an annular reactor: kinetic modelling and pathways

Photocatalytic oxidation of airborne contaminants appears to be a promising process for remediation of air polluted by Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). In the present work, the photocatalytic oxidation of gaseous 1-propanol has been investigated by using an annular photoreactor. The annular photocatalytic reactor was modelled by a cascade of heightened elementary continuously stirred tank reactors. The influence of several kinetic parameters such as pollutant concentration, incident light irradiance, contact time and humidity content has been studied. The photocatalytic degradation by-products of 1-propanol has been identified in the gas-phase by GC/MS. Propionaldehyde and acetaldehyde were found to be the main gaseous intermediates. Propionaldehyde and acetaldehyde have been taken into account in a "two-site model" to evaluate the possible competition of adsorption between 1-propanol and its by-products of degradation. A mechanistic pathway is then proposed for the photocatalytic degradation of 1-propanol.

Selective micro preconcentration of propofol for anesthetic depth monitoring by using seedless electroplated gold as adsorbent

This communication presents selective preconcentration of the anesthetic agent (Propofol) and the elimination of unwanted species from a representative sample of human breath. In this approach, a micro preconcentrator (microPC) consisting of embedded high-aspect-ratio pillars (30 microm x 120 microm chi 240 microm), an outer dimensions of 7 mm x 7 mm (encompass more than 3500 micro pillars), total inner surface area of approximately 10 m(2), and a total inner volume of approximately 6.5 microL was used to selectively preconcentrate Propofol. The microPC has on-chip thermal desorption capability and was coated by electrodeposited gold as an adsorbent material. Experimental evaluations showed successful preconcentration of trace level of Propofol from a mixture containing several volatile organic compounds diluted in water-like solvent (1-propanol) and the efficient removal of non-polar compounds present in the mixture.

Alcohol production through volatile fatty acids reduction with hydrogen as electron donor by mixed cultures

In this research we demonstrated a new method to produce alcohols. It was experimentally feasible to produce ethanol, propanol and butanol from solely volatile fatty acids (VFAs) with hydrogen as electron donor. In batch tests, VFAs such as acetic, propionic and butyric acids were reduced by mixed microbial cultures with a headspace of 1.5 bar of hydrogen. Observed alcohol concentrations were 3.69+/-0.25 mM of ethanol, 8.08+/-0.85 mM of propanol and 3.66+/-0.05 mM of n-butanol. The conversion efficiency based on the electron balance was 55.1+/-5.6% with acetate as substrate, 50.3+/-4.7% with propionate and 46.7+/-2.2% with n-butyrate. Methane was the most predominant by-product in each batch experiment, 33.6+/-9.6% of VFA and hydrogen was converted to methane with acetate as substrate; which was 27.1+/-7.1% with propionate and 36.6+/-2.2% with n-butyrate. This VFAs reducing renewable fuel production process does not require carbohydrates like fermentable sugars, but uses biomass with high water content or low sugar content that is unsuitable as feedstock for current fermentation processes. This so-called low-grade biomass is abundantly present in many agricultural areas and is economically very attractive feedstock for the production of biofuels.

Molecular interactions between pyrazine and n-propanol, chloroform, or tetrahydrofuran

The molecular interactions of pyrazine (PZ) with n-propanol, chloroform, and tetrahydrofuran (THF) have been investigated by employing ultraviolet spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculation methods. A new quantity, excess absorption coefficient, was introduced to represent the strength of the interaction. It was found that the interaction decreased in the order: PZ-propanol>PZ-chloroform>PZ-THF. The Benesi-Hildebrand method indicated that the interaction stoichiometries of the PZ-chloroform and PZ-THF systems were both 1:1 and the equilibrium constants were determined to be 2.07 and 0.64M(-1), respectively. Using a nonlinear fitting method, we demonstrated that the PZ-propanol was a two-step 1:2 interaction pair and the equilibrium constants were determined to be 8.8 and 0.19M(-1). Quantum chemical calculations showed the existence of hydrogen-bonding interactions in all the three system: normal Ncdots, three dots, centeredH-O hydrogen bond in the PZ-propanol system, unconventional Ncdots, three dots, centeredH-C hydrogen bond in the PZ-chloroform, and weak N-C-Hcdots, three dots, centeredO hydrogen bond in the PZ-THF system. Methodologically, we pointed out that special care must be taken when the Benesi-Hildebrand method is used to evaluate 1:2 interactions.

Improvement of erythromycin production by Saccharopolyspora erythraea in molasses based medium through cultivation medium optimization

In the present work, erythromycin production was carried out in submerged culture using Saccharopolyspora erythraea. Different experiments were conducted to optimize the cultivation medium through the change of carbon and nitrogen sources to cheaper one in order to reduce the cost of medium and to utilize sugar cane molasses as one of major sugar industry by-products in Egypt. It was found that the addition of sugar cane molasses a sole carbon source at a concentration of 60 g/l accompanied by corn steep liquor (as organic N-source) in combination with ammonium sulphate (as inorganic N-source) gave the maximal erythromycin production. The antibiotic production in this medium reached about 600 mg/l which is about 33% higher than the value obtained in glucose based medium. On the other hand, the addition of n-propanol in concentration of 1% (v/v) increased the antibiotic production reaching about 720 mg/l after 144 h. Concluding, the new medium formulation based on cheap carbon source, sugar cane molasses, was a good alternative solution for the production of erythromycin economically.

Short-chain alcohols promote accelerated membrane distention in a dynamic liposome model of exocytosis

We have used amperometric measurements in a model system consisting of two liposomes connected with a membrane nanotube to monitor catechol release during artificial exocytosis and thereby to elucidate the effect of small-chain alcohols on this dynamic membrane process. To determine the rate of membrane shape change, catechol release during membrane distention was monitored amperometrically, and the presence of alcohols in the buffer was shown to accelerate the membrane distention process in a concentration-dependent manner. Compression isotherms for the same lipid composition in the absence and presence of ethanol and 1-propanol were measured to determine how these short-chain alcohols affect the lipid packing in monolayers. The isotherms show a marked decrease in lipid packing density that is dependent on the particular alcohol and its concentration. Comparison of the electrochemical and isotherm results suggests a correlation between decreasing lipid packing density and increasing rates of membrane shape change.

Enhancement of ultrasonically initiated emulsion polymerization rate using aliphatic alcohols as hydroxyl radical scavengers

Ultrasonically initiated emulsion polymerization of styrene was carried out in the presence of aliphatic alcohols, e.g. methanol, ethanol, n-pronanol and n-butanol, as volatile hydroxyl radical scavengers. With the addition of methanol, the polymerization rate of styrene increased, while the molecular weight and the average particle size of the produced polystyrene decreased because more radicals were produced in the presence of methanol. This is true also for the other polymerization system using other aliphatic alcohols, such as ethanol, n-pronanol and n-butanol, suggesting that the alcohols enter into cavitation bubbles and further react with hydroxyl radicals (*OH) from the sonolysis of water to produce hydroxyalkyl radicals, so as to reduce the recombination of *H and *OH radicals, therefore more radicals will be present in the systems for initiating polymerization. Obviously, it is an effective way to enhance ultrasonically initiated emulsion polymerization rate of styrene by adding volatile hydroxyl radical scavenger.

Homogeneous solvation controlled photoreduction of cobalt(III) complexes in aqueous 2-methyl-2-propanol solutions linear solvation energy relationship and cyclic voltammetric analyses

The effect of solvent participation on the ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT, L-->Co(III)) reduction of the of Co(III)(en)(2)Br(RC(6)H(4)NH(2))(2+) where R=m-OCH(3), p-F, H, m-CH(3), p-CH(3,)p-OC(2)H(5) and p-OCH(3) were examined in aqueous 2-methyl-2-propanol (Bu(t)OH) solutions. The change in the reduction behavior of Co(III) centre was also examined through cyclic voltammetric studies. The observed reduction in quantum yield due to LMCT excitation can mainly be accounted using linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) comprising model correlation equations. These consist of empirical parameters such as Grunwald-Winstein's solvent ionizing power, Y, Dimroth-Richardt's solvent micro-polarity parameter, E(T)(N), Gutmann's donor number, DN(N), along with Kamlet-Taft's solvatochromic parameters (hydrogen bond acceptor acidity/basicity alpha/beta and solvent dipolarity/polarizability, pi*). The origin of solvent effect is found to be due to microscopic interaction between the solvent donor and the nitrogen-bound hydrogen of the ligand. Cyclic voltammograms show an irreversible reduction of Co(III) in DMF using Glassy Carbon Electrode, GCE, the redox peaks for the aniline complexes appear at -0.20 and 0.525V. Irradiation of the complexes with UV light (lambda=254nm) in binary mixtures produce Co(II)(aq) and the concentration of this species are highly dependent on x(alc) (x(alc)=mole fraction of alcohol). The observed quantum yield (logPhi(Co(II))) is found to be linearly related to mole fraction of organic co-solvent added in the mixture, therefore, logPhi(Co(II))=26.41 x 10(-2) when x(2)=0.0094 and 43.75 x 10(-2) when x(2)=0.076 for a typical complex Co(III)(en)(2)Br(p-OCH(3)C(6)H(4)NH(2))(2+) in aqueous 2-methyl-2-propanol at 300K. Cyclic voltammetry and LSER analyses illustrate the variation of reduction property of Co(III) by the aryl ligand and homogeneous solvation of the excited state of the complex Co(III)(en)(2)Br(RC(6)H(4)NH(2))(2+) in H(2)O/Bu(t)OH mixtures.

Three rotor potential energy scans, conformational equilibrium constants and vibrational analysis of 3-fluoro-1-propanol CH(2)FCH(2)CH(2)OH

The conformational stability and the three rotor internal rotations in 3-fluoro-1-propanol were investigated by the DFT-B3LYP/6-311+G** and the ab initio MP2/6-311+G** levels of theory. The calculated potential energy curves of the molecule at both levels of theory were consistent with complex conformational equilibria of about 12 minima, all of which were predicted to have real frequencies at both the B3LYP and the MP2 levels. The lowest energy minimum in the potential curves of 3-fluoro-1-propanol was predicted to correspond to the Gauche-gauche-trans (Ggt) conformer in excellent agreement with microwave and electron diffraction results. The equilibrium constants for the conformational interconversion of the molecule were calculated and found to correspond to an equilibrium mixture of about 33% Ggt, 14% Ggg1 and 13% Gg1g and about 43% Ggt, 12% Ggg1 and 10% Gg1g distribution by the B3LYP/6-311+G** and the MP2/6-311+G** calculations, respectively, at 298.15K. The vibrational frequencies of each molecule in its three stable forms were computed at B3LYP level and complete vibrational assignments were made based on normal coordinate calculations and comparison with experimental data of the molecule.