The nucleus of Saccharomyces bayanus

The extra-vacuolar nucleus is visible in a small percentage of living cells from 72–96 hour wort cultures. The vacuoles show a luminous boundary under dark ground illumination. The details observed in living nuclei could be stained with haematoxylin after fixation in iodine-formaldehyde-acetic acid mixture. The Feulgen-negative nature of the vacuole and the limitation of the Feulgen-positive material to the area bounded by the nuclear membrane would imply that the ‘centrosome’ described by Lindegren and Rafalko (1950) is the real nucleus. The nucleus ofS. bayanus conforms in its structure to those of higher organisms.

The reaction of the nuclei of the vegetative cells and zygotes of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis to some staining techniques

Vegetative cells and zygotes of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis fixed in iodine formaldehyde acetic acid solution and stained after acid hydrolysis in hæmatoxylin, Feulgen and Giemsa show a remarkable similarity in the size and orientation of the structures in the nuclear matrix with reference to the nuclear membrane. The nucleolus described by Guilliermond may either be the chromocenter or the nucleolar equivalent.

Excited-state structures of molecules with nearby electronic states

Vibronic coupling among the nearby excited electronic states via the in-plane and the out-of-plane nuclear motions is examined in benzene, pyrazine, formaldehyde and thioformaldehyde. Results reveal that in benzene the structure distorts via the most active nuclear bending (planar) motion while in the other molecules the structures distort through an out-of-plane bending motion in their respective lowest excited states.

A kinetic study of liquid-phase catalytic oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde with Wilkinson complex

Liquid-phase homogeneous catalytic oxidation of styrene with Wilkinson complex by molecular oxygen in toluene medium gave selectively benzaldehyde and formaldehyde as the primary products. Higher temperatures and styrene conversions eventually led to acid formation due to co-oxidation of aldehyde.A reaction induction period and an initiation period, typical of free-radical reactions, characterized the oxidation process. The effects of temperature and catalyst and styrene concentrations on the conversion of styrene to benzaldehyde and acid formation have been studied. The optimum reaction parameters have been determined as a styrene-to-solvent mole ratio of 0.5, a catalyst-to-styrene mole ratio of 5.0 X lo4, and a reaction temperature of 75 "C. A reaction scheme based upon free-radical mechanism yielded a pseudo-first-order model which agreed well with the observed kinetic data in the absence of co-oxidation of aldehyde. A second-order model was found to fit the experimental data better in the case of aldehyde conversion to acid.

Ce0.78Sn0.2Pt0.02O2-delta: A new non-deactivating catalyst for hydrogen production via water-gas shift reaction

We demonstrate the activity of Ce0.78Sn0.2Pt0.02O2-delta, a new catalyst, towards water-gas shift (WGS) reaction. Over 99.5% CO conversion to H-2 is observed at 300 +/- 25 degrees C. Based on different characterization techniques we found that the present catalyst is resistant to deactivation due to carbonate formation and sintering of Pt on the surface when subjected to longer duration of reaction conditions. The catalyst does not require any pre-treatment or activation between start-up/shut-down reaction operations. Formation of side products such as methane, methanol, formaldehyde, coke etc. was not observed under the WGS reaction conditions indicating the high selectivity of the catalyst for H-2. Temperature programmed reduction of the catalyst in hydrogen (H-2-TPR) shows reversible reduction of Ce4+ to Ce3+, Sn4+ to Sn2+ and Pt4+ to Pt-0 oxidation state with oxygen storage capacity (OSC) of 3500 mu mol g(-1) at 80 degrees C. Such high value of OSC indicates the presence of highly activated lattice oxygen. CO oxidation in presence of stoichiometric O-2 shows 100% conversion to CO2 at room temperature. The catalyst also exhibits 100% selectivity for CO2 at room temperature towards preferential oxidation (PROX) of residual CO in presence of excess hydrogen in the feed. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Triacylglycerol synthesis in developing seeds of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea): Pathway and properties of enzymes of sn-Glycerol 3-phosphate formation

The enzymatic pathway for the synthesis of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate was investigated in developing groundnut seeds (Arachis hypogaea). Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was not detected in this tissue but an active glycerokinase was demonstrated in the cytosolic fraction. It showed an optimum pH at 8.6 and positive cooperative interactions with both glycerol and ATP. Triosephosphate isomerase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate phosphatase were observed mainly in the cytosolic fraction while an active glyceraldehyde reductase was found mainly in the mitochondrial and microsomal fractions. The glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate phosphatase showed specificity and positive cooperativity with respect to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. The glyceraldehyde reductase was active toward glucose and fructose but not toward formaldehyde and showed absolute specificity toward NADPH. It is concluded that in the developing groundnut seed, sn-glycerol 3-phosphate is synthesized essentially by the pathway dihydroxyacetone phosphate ? glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate ?Pi glyceraldehyde ?NADPH glycerol ?ATP glycerol 3-phosphate. All the enyzmes of this pathway showed activity profiles commensurate with their participation in triacylglycerol synthesis which is maximal during the period 15�35 days after fertilization. Glycerokinase appears to be the rate-limiting enzyme in this pathway.

Effect of Storage Temperatures on the Mechanical Properties of the Composite Solid Propellants

Accelerated ageing studies for three composite propellant formulations, namely polystyrene (PS)/ ammonium perchlorate (AP), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/AP and poly phenol formaldehyde (PPF)/AP have been carried out in the temperature range of 55-125°C. Measurements of the ultimate compression strength (Uc) and isothermal decomposition rate (TD rate) were monitored as a function of storage time and temperature. The change in Uc was found to be linearly dependent on the change in TD rate irrespective of the propellant systems. Analysis of the results further revealed that the cause of ageing for both Uc and burning rate (r) is the thermal decomposition of the propellant. The safe-life for the change in mechanical properties was found to be higher compared to the change in r for PS and PMMA based propellants.

Oxidation of Quinolinols - Synthesis of Spirodienones Containing Nitrogen

Reaction of 6-quinolinol with formaldehyde and sodium sulphite gives the bisquinolinol (1b). Similar reaction of 6-quinolinol with sodium 2-hydroxy1-naphthylmethanesulphonate gives 1c. Oxidation of 1b with K3Fe(CN)6 or KOBr gives the spiroquinolinone 2b, while oxidation of 1c with K3Fe(CN)6 results in the formation of spirodienones 2c and 2d, and the dispiroketones 7b and 7c. Oxidation of 1c with DDQ, however, results in only the spirodienones 2c and 2d. The spirodienone 2d and the bromospiroquinolinone 2e are formed in the reaction of 1c with KOBr.

Role of neutral metabolites in microbial conversion of 3beta-acetoxy-19-hydroxycholest-5-ene into estrone

Biotransformation of 3 beta-acetoxy-19-hydroxycholest-5-ene (19-HCA, 6 g) by Moraxella sp. was studied. Estrone (712 mg) was the major metabolite formed. Minor metabolites identified were 5 alpha-androst-1-en-19-ol-3,17-dione (33 mg), androst-4-en-19-ol-3,17-dione (58 mg), androst-4-en-9 alpha,19-diol-3,17-dione (12 mg), and androstan-19-ol-3,17-dione (1 mg). Acidic metabolites were not formed. Time course experiments on the fermentation of 19-HCA indicated that androst-4-en-19-ol-3,17-dione was the major metabolite formed during the early stages of incubation. However with continuing fermentation its level dropped, with a concomitant increase in estrone. Fermentation of 19-HCA in the presence of specific inhibitors or performing the fermentation for a shorter period (48 h) did not result in the formation of acidic metabolites. Resting-cell experiments carried out with 19-HCA (200 mg) in the presence of alpha,alpha'-bipyridyl led to the isolation of three additional metabolites, viz., cholestan-19-ol-3-one (2 mg), cholest-4-en-19-ol-3-one (10 mg), and cholest-5-en-3 beta,19-diol (12 mg). Similar results were also obtained when n-propanol was used instead of alpha,alpha'-bipyridyl. Resting cells grown on 19-HCA readily converted both 5 alpha-androst-1-en-19-ol-3,17-dione and androst-4-en-19-ol-3,17-dione into estrone. Partially purified 1,2-dehydrogenase from steroid-induced Moraxella cells transformed androst-4-en-19-ol-3,17-dione into estrone and formaldehyde in the presence of phenazine methosulfate, an artificial electron acceptor. These results suggest that the degradation of the hydrocarbon side chain of 19-HCA does not proceed via C-22 phenolic acid intermediates and complete removal of the C-17 side chain takes place prior to the aromatization of the A ring in estrone. The mode of degradation of the sterol side chain appears to be through the fission of the C-17-C-20 bond. On the basis of these observations, a new pathway for the formation of estrone from 19-HCA in Moraxella sp. has been proposed.

A novel (main chain) (side chain) polymeric peroxide: Synthesis and initiating characteristics of poly(alpha-(tert-butylperoxymethyl)styrene peroxide)

A novel (main chain)-(side chain) vinyl polyperoxide, poly(alpha-(tert-butylperoxymethyl)styrene peroxide) (MCSCPP), an alternating copolymer of alpha-(tert-butylperoxymethyl)styrene (TPMS) and oxygen, has been synthesized by the oxidative polymerization of TPMS. The MCSCPP was characterized by H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, IR, DSC, EI-MS, and GC-MS studies. The overall activation energy (E(a)) for the degradation of MCSCPP was found to be 27 kcal/mol. Formaldehyde and alpha-(tert-butylperoxy)acetophenone (TPAP) were identified as the primary degradation products of MCSCPP; TPAP was found to undergo further degradation. The side chain peroxy groups were found to be thermally more stable than those in the main chain. Polymerization of styrene in the presence of MCSCPP as initiator, at 80 degrees C, follows classical kinetics. The presence of peroxy segments in the polystyrene chain was confirmed by both H-1 NMR and thermal decomposition studies. Interestingly, unlike other vinyl polyperoxides, the MCSCPP initiator shows an increase in molecular weight with conversion.

Synthesis and characterization of tetrapolymers of styrene, methyl methacrylate, alpha-methylstyrene, and oxygen

This paper presents the first report on a terpolyperoxide (TPPE) synthesized by the oxidative terpolymerization of styrene, methyl methacrylate, and a-methylstyrene. TPPEs of different compositions were synthesized by varying the vinyl monomers feed, and they were then characterized by spectroscopic and thermal studies. The conventional terpolymer equation has been used to predict the composition of TPPEs. The H-1 NMR chemical shift values of TPPEs were found to vary with the composition. The shape of the backbone methylene protons (4.00-4.50 ppm) was found to be sensitive to the sequence distribution of vinyl monomers in the polymer chain. Formaldehyde, benzaldehyde, acetophenone, and methyl pyruvate were identified as the primary degradation products. The overall thermal stability and the average enthalpy of degradation (Delta H-d), as obtained by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively, do not vary much with the composition of TPPEs.

Some observations on the ignition of composite solid propellants

Heat-up times derived from studies on the ignition characteristics of a few model composite solid propellants, containing polystyrene, carboxy-terminated polybutadiene, plasticised polyvinyl chloride and polyphenol formaldehyde as binders, show that they are directly proportional to the mass of the sample and inversely proportional to the hear flux. Propellant weight-loss prior to ignition and high pressure ignition temperature data on the propellants, ammonium per chlorate, and binders show that the ignition is governed by the gasification of the binder pyrolysis products. The activation energy for the gasification of the pyrolysed polymer products corresponds to their ignition behaviour suggesting that propellant ignition is controlled by the binder.

Mechanism of “Autoacceleration” in the Thermal Oxidative Polymerization of R-Methylstyrene

Thermal oxidative polymerization of alpha-methylstyrene (AMS) has been studied at various temperatures(45-70 degrees C) and pressures (50-400 psi). Due to its high electron dense double bond, it undergoes thermal oxidative polymerization even at low temperatures fairly easily. The major products are poly(alpha-methylstyrene peroxide) (PMSP), and its decomposition products are acetophenone and formaldehyde. Above 45 degrees C the rate of polymerization increases sharply at a particular instant showing an ''autoacceleration'' with the formation of a knee point. The ''autoacceleration'' is supported from the fact that the plot, of R-p vs T shows a rapid rise, and the plot of ln R-p vs 1/T is non-Arrhenius. The occurrence of autoacceleration is explained on the basis of acetophenone-induced cleavage of PMSP during polymerization, generating more initiating alkoxy radicals, which subsequently leads to the rapid rise in the rate of polymerization. The mechanism of autoacceleration is supported by the change in. order, activation energy, and activation volume before and after the knee point.

Nature and strength of C-H center dot center dot center dot O interactions involving formyl hydrogen atoms: computational and experimental studies of small aldehydes

Structural and electronic properties of C-H center dot center dot center dot O contacts in compounds containing a formyl group are investigated from the perspective of both hydrogen bonding and dipole-dipole interactions, in a systematic and graded approach. The effects of a-substitution and self-association on the nature of the formyl H-atom are studied with the NBO and AIM methodologies. The relative dipole-dipole contributions in formyl C-H center dot center dot center dot O interactions are obtained for aldehyde dimers. The stabilities and energies of aldehyde clusters (dimer through octamer) have been examined computationally. Such studies have an implication in crystallization mechanisms. Experimental X-ray crystal structures of formaldehyde, acrolein and N-methylformamide have been determined in order to ascertain the role of C-H center dot center dot center dot O interactions in the crystal packing of formyl compounds.

Alkylation of toluene by methanol over alkali exchanged zeolite-X: side chain versus ring alkylation

The ring versus side-chain alkylation of toluene with methanol over alkali-exchanged zeolite-X of differing basicity has been investigated by in situ infrared spectroscopy and TPD measurements. Over the basic Cs-exchanged zeolite the product of alkylation is styrene/ethylbenzene while over the acidic Li-exchanged zeolite ring alkylation occurs to give mainly xylene as the product. FTIR and TPD investigations reveal that, the key difference in the two types of alkylation processes lies in the state of the adsorbed methanol present at higher temperatures in the zeolite. In basic zeolites, methanol decomposes to formaldehyde and formates. The former is the key ‘side-chain’ alkylating species that leads to the formation of styrene. In the acidic zeolites it is shown that methanol bound to the acid sites plays an active role in the ‘ring alkylation’ of toluene to xylene.