Aproveitamento sustentável de biomassa e de recursos naturais na inovação química

Increased production of biomass is currently the only immediately accessible alternative for large-scale carbon sequestration and it can produce large amounts of food, fuel and raw materials for the chemical industry that can in turn growingly replace oil as a source of organic building blocks and also of hydrogen and sulfur. Development of processes for biomass and abundant minerals transformation into chemical raw materials should now benefit from large inputs from nanotechnologies, biotechnologies, information and micro-reactor technologies. Success in R&D&Innovation along this line can yield new products and processes needed to perform desirable functions within a sustainable development paradigm.

Potencialidades e oportunidades na química da sacarose e outros açúcares

Non-renewable biomass, such as coal, oil and natural gas are not only energy sources but also important starting materials for the production of a variety of chemicals ranging from gasoline, diesel oil and fine chemicals. In this regard, carbohydrates, the most abundant class of enantiopure organic compounds, are very suitable for generation of chemicals of great practical value. Their bulk-scale availability associated with low cost make them unique starting materials for organic preparative purpose. They are a most attractive alternative for construction of enantiopure target molecules by asymmetric synthesis. This review addresses, in addition to the use of low molecular weight carbohydrates, issues related to renewable biomass from photosynthesis and alternatives for the production of bulk and fine chemicals.

Aplicações de fibras lignocelulósicas na química de polímeros e em compósitos

The use of lignocellulosic fibers and their constituents, as raw materials in the production of polymeric and composite materials, represent an exceptional opportunity of sustainable technological development. In the present report works that discuss promising alternatives of obtaining and use of materials such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, cellulose nanocrystals and biocomposites were revised. The advance in the use of biomass can be, in a near future, capable of going beyond the application difficulties of these vast materials, especially in relation to the economical unviability, by the production of high performance polymeric and composite materials. This advance would represent a higher profitability to some areas of agrobusiness, especially the sector of biofuels, which produces elevated amounts of biomass waste.

Modificação química de argilas: desafios científicos e tecnológicos para obtenção de novos produtos com maior valor agregado

Chemical modification of clays is possible due to their ion-exchange and adsorption capacities, which allows the adjustment of the physicochemical properties of the surfaces of their layers. This modification makes possible the use of clays to produce a great number of new materials, which range from coarse applications such as oil based drilling fluids to refined applications such as pharmaceutical products. This article intends to expose where there is still space for research and investment aiming at the performance improvement of clay-based materials.

Interesterificação química de óleo de soja e óleo de soja totalmente hidrogenado: influência do tempo de reação

Chemical interesterification is an important alternative to produce zero trans fats. In practice, however, excessive reaction times are used to ensure complete randomization. This work evaluated the influence of the reaction time on the interesterification of soybean oil/fully hydrogenated soybean oil blend, carried out in the following conditions: 100 ºC, 500 rpm stirring speed, 0.4% (w/w) sodium methoxide catalyst. The triacylglycerol composition, solid fat content and melting point analysis showed that the reaction was very fast, reaching the equilibrium within 5 min. This result suggests the interesterification can be performed in substantially lower times, with reduction in process costs.

Biofouling e biodeterioração química de argamassa de cimento portland em reservatório de usina hidroelétrica

Last decade Brazilian rivers experimented progressive biofouling of Limnoperna fortunei communities and Cordylophora caspia hydroids. The microhabitat is so favorable that in around 1.5 years L. fortunei increased from 0.39 to nearby 149,000 units/m². Ten Portland cement mortar samples were produced with 1: 3.5: 0.4 dosages and installed for 1 year at Salto Caxias Brazilian Power Plant reservoir in 0.5 m and 1.0 m deep to investigate the biofouling influence on hydraulic civil structures. SEM, EDS, visual investigation and XRF results indicate none direct chemical interrelationships between L. fortunei and the mortar samples. However C. caspia diminished the mortar surface resistance and caused cement paste leaching.

Preparação do (+)-±-terpineol a partir do (+)-limoneno: monoterpenos de odor agradável em um projeto para química orgânica experimental

A synthesis of (+)-±-terpineol from (+)-limonene was proposed as a project for undergraduate organic laboratory course. Terpineol is a useful flavor and fragrance compound, and several aspects of this preparation are suited for experimental organic classes, including basic techniques for extraction and analyses of essential oils, different reaction types and the possibility of a high degree of student interest.

Comparação entre métodos de quantificação em cromatografia gasosa: um experimento para cursos de química

This article describes an experiment designed to teach quantitative determination in gas chromatography (GC) in Organic and Analytical Chemistry practical classes. The experiment consisted of extracting and analyzing eugenol from clove seeds to perform a quantitative approach aimed at comparing results obtained by external and internal calibration procedures. Therefore, this experiment proved to be very effective tool to enhance students awareness on the need to understand different types of calibration in GC and on how to avoid common experimental errors, and to find the best ways to eliminate their interference during the quantitative analysis phase.

Validação de metodologia para a caracterização química de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar

In this work, a methodology for the characterization of sugar cane bagasse was validated. Bagasse pre-treated with steam in a 5000 L reactor at a pressure of 15.3 kgf/cm², during 7 min, was used to test the methodology. The methodology consisted of the hydrolysis of the material with H2SO4 at 72% v/v, for the quantification of carbohydrates, organic acid, furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural by HPLC; insoluble lignin and ash by gravimetry; and soluble lignin by spectrophotometry. Linearity, repeatability, reproducibility and accuracy of the results obtained in two Research Laboratories were determined, and were considered to be suitable for the validation of the methodology.

Extração e purificação de clorofila a, da alga Spirulina maxima: um experimento para os cursos de química

This work describes a simple and economical experiment for the extraction and purification of chlorophyll a from Spirulina maxima. Extraction and purification of natural compounds can be considered one of the most illustrative experiments that can be performed in Organic Chemistry courses. Particularly, the chromatography of dyes and pigments allows students to have a better comprehension of the chromatography separations. These compounds represent an important class of organic pigments applied in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, detergent compositions, and various other fields and can be extracted from plants and algae. To extract, separate and purify chlorophyll a from associated pigments such as xanthophylls, carotenes, and pheophytins, very costly processes are reported. The present approach is perfectly adequate for use in Chemistry experiments for undergraduate students.

A fórmula barométrica como instrumento de ensino em Química

The barometric equation is revisited. Restrictions imposed for its derivation are investigated. Results are discussed and related to simple themes of ordinary life. The theoretical models fit to experimental data. Correction for temperature effect improves the fitting in comparison to the barometric formula. The scope for application of the model is discussed.

Alameda Glette, 463, sede do Curso de Química da Universidade de São Paulo no período 1939-1965

As the foundation of the University of São Paulo completes 75 years, this article describes the history of a mansion at 463 Glette Boulevard, in São Paulo city, where several undergraduate courses of the University's Philosophy, Sciences and Letters Faculty operated until 1969. The first building of the school of Chemistry was erected there, 70 years ago. A brief retrospective of the Department of Chemistry at that place is given. The mansion was torn down by the middle of the 1970s, but it remained as a symbol of the school identity in the memory of all those who studied there.

Implantação das diretrizes curriculares nacionais para formação de professores de química em uma instituição federal de ensino superior: desafios e perspectivas

The Curricular Proposals for Chemistry Teaching Courses aim at producing a reflexive-researcher teacher, who will be able to deal with cross-disciplinary subjects. The challenge faced by the majority of the federal universities, in implementing these guidelines, is to attain these objectives inside their departmental structure. We present here the formulation of the Chemistry Teaching Course Pedagogic Project from Federal University of Pelotas concerning on the CNE/CP 1/2002 and 2/2002 Resolutions. We discuss the impact of these Proposals, the difficulties faced and the new perspectives of organization inside of these institutions, which resulted in new spaces with cross-disciplinary and cross-departmental orientation.

O Instituto de Química da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, da pós-graduação à incorporação dos cursos de graduação: uma perspectiva histórica

This work intends to present the history of top-level Chemistry education in Rio de Janeiro. It's important to rescue the history of Chemistry Institute of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro since 1959. It's also important to understand the incorporation of two undergraduate courses: Chemistry and Chemistry bachelor's degree. It covers historical background of Chemistry education in old National Faculty of Philosophy, considering power disputes between Industrial Chemistry Course and Chemical Engineering; when and in which circumstances the Institute was created; political context and its relation with postgraduate. Finally, discuss the incorporation of undergraduate courses and curriculum modifications since 1968.