Preparação de compostos de alumínio a partir da bauxita: considerações sobre alguns aspectos envolvidos em um experimento didático

Aluminum metal and aluminum compounds have many applications in several branches of the industry and in our daily lives. The most important raw material for aluminum and its manufactured compounds is bauxite, a rock constituted mainly by aluminum hydroxides minerals. In this work, a didactic experiment aiming the preparation of alumina and potassium alum starting from bauxite is proposed for undergraduate students. Both compounds are of great commercial, scientific and historical interest. The experiment involves applications of important chemical principles such as acid-base and precipitation. Some chemical properties and uses of aluminum compounds are also illustrated.

Simulação de desdobramentos complexos de espectros de RMN de ¹H

Complex ¹H NMR spectra multiplets that cannot be easily understood by simple inspection are rather frequent in the daily work of the organic chemistry analyst. The multiple and excellent new techniques available from modern instruments usually provide satisfactory solutions, but there are still many cases where a simulation is necessary, at least to obtain a final confirmation. It is extremely convincing to see that a graph, obtained by calculations with chemical-shift and coupling-constant values only, can be virtually identical to the experimental spectrum. This paper describes a computer program to make such calculations. The program is free and can be downloaded from http://artemis.ffclrp.usp.br/NMR.htm (click on SimEsp_NMR_Compil.zip). All routines are also available and may be used without any restrictions. The paper includes a fairly detailed discussion about how the calculations are made.

Aspectos estruturais relacionados ao processo de troca iônica no niobato lamelar K4Nb6O17

The niobate with formula K4Nb6O17 has a layered structure formed by stacked negative sheets and exchangeable cations in the interlayer region. In this study we discuss some structural aspects related to the ion exchange in layered hexaniobate based on X-ray diffractometry and vibrational Raman spectroscopy data. Hexaniobate has two distinct interlayer regions and the potassium ions of one interlayer in particular are preferably exchanged by other cations, leading to an interstratified material.

Reatividade em reações de Diels-Alder: uma prática computacional

A computational quantum chemistry experiment is described of Diels-Alder reactions between 2-cycloenones and cyclopentadiene. The effects of FMO-Frontier Molecular Orbitals (HOMO-LUMO) and of the withdrawing nature of substituents at the C=C bond of cycloenones were evaluated. The calculations were made using HF/STO-3G and B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) methods. The FMO based indexes are in agreement with the experimentally observed reactivity order. NBO - Natural Bond Orbitals - analysis was used to ascertain the effect of C=C substituents on the dienophile reactivity.

Nanocompósitos eletroativos de poli-o-metoxianilina e polissacarídeos naturais

In this work we take advantage of the polyelectrolyte character of some Brazilian native gums to fabricate electrically conductive, nanostructured films. The gums Sterculia urens, (caraia), Sterculia striata (chicha) or Anadenanthera macrocarpa Benth were assembled in conjunction with poly(o-methoxyaniline) (POMA) in the form of layered nanostructured films using the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. All the LbL films displayed a well-defined electroactivity, as confirmed via cyclic voltammetry. In comparison to POMA LbL films fabricated with conventional polyelectrolytes (viz. poly(vinyl sulfonic acid)-PVS), the presence of the gums in the LbL films increased remarkably the electrochemical stability of the films.

Síntese de 1-indanonas através da reação de acilação de Friedel-Crafts intramolecular utilizando NbCl5 como ácido de Lewis

The intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction of 3-arylpropanoic acids to give 1-indanones can be effected in good yields under mild conditions (room temperature) by using niobium pentachloride. Our results indicate that NbCl5 acts both as reagent (to transform carboxylic acids into acyl chlorides) and as catalyst in the Friedel-Crafts cyclization.

A síntese dos sesquiterpenos baquenolidas

The bakkenolide group of sesquiterpenes has been a focal point of synthetic efforts amongst several research laboratories all linked to our common origins at the Chemistry Institute at the State University in São Paulo. In this review we would like to present a historical perspective of this research, with unpublished background information, and a definitive retrosynthetic analysis of these molecules. This chemistry spans the time period from 1972 to 2006, and traces the initial steps with Prof. Dr. Helena Ferraz to the present day.

Hidróxidos duplos lamelares: nanopartículas inorgânicas para armazenamento e liberação de espécies de interesse biológico e terapêutico

Studies about the inorganic nanoparticles applying for non-viral release of biological and therapeutic species have been intensified nowadays. This work reviews the preparation strategies and application of layered double hydroxides (LDH) as carriers for storing, carrying and control delivery of intercalated species as drugs and DNA for gene therapy. LDH show low toxicity, biocompatibility, high anion exchange capacity, surface sites for functionalization, and a suitable equilibrium between chemical stability and biodegradability. LDH can increase the intercalated species stability and promote its sub-cellular uptake for biomedical purposes. Concerning the healthy field, LDH have been evaluated for clinical diagnosis as a biosensor component.

Spectroscopic characterization of schiff base-copper complexes immobilized in smectite clays

Herein, the immobilization of some Schiff base-copper(II) complexes in smectite clays is described as a strategy for the heterogenization of homogeneous catalysts. The obtained materials were characterized by spectroscopic techniques, mostly UV/Vis, EPR, XANES and luminescence spectroscopy. SWy-2 and synthetic Laponite clays were used for the immobilization of two different complexes that have previously shown catalytic activity in the dismutation of superoxide radicals, and disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide. The obtained results indicated the occurrence of an intriguing intramolecular redox process involving copper and the imine ligand at the surface of the clays. These studies are supported by computational calculations.

Complete ¹H and 13C NMR structural assignments for a group of four goyazensolide-type furanoheliangolides

Four goyazensolide-type sesquiterpene lactones - lychnofolide, centratherin, goyazensolide and goyazensolide acetate - were thoroughly studied by NMR experimental techniques. ¹H NMR, 13C NMR {¹H}, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, J-res. and NOE experiments were performed to provide the needed structural information. Complete and unequivocal assignment, including the determination of all multiplicities, was obtained for each structure and the data collections are presented in tables.

Análise do teor e da qualidade dos lipídeos presentes em sementes de oleaginosas por rmn de baixo campo

To choose among the variety of oleaginous plants for biodiesel production, the oil content of several matrices was determined through different low-field ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments with varied pulse sequences, namely single-pulse, spin-echo, CPMG, and CWFP. The experiments that involved the first three sequences showed high correlation with each other and with the solvent extraction method. The quality of the vegetable oils was also evaluated on the basis of the existing correlation between the T2 values of the oils and their properties, such as viscosity, iodine index, and cetane index. These analyses were performed using HCA and PCA chemometric tools. The results were sufficiently significant to allow separation of the oleaginous matrices according to their quality. Thus, the low-field ¹H NMR technique was confirmed as an important tool to aid in the selection of oleaginous matrices for biodiesel production.

A «transgressão do universal»: o intelectual e o poder em Michel Foucault

A partir da correlação, postulada pelo pensamento de Michel Foucault, entre o exercício do poder e a manifestação da verdade, o presente artigo pretende retraçar as exigências políticas de sua filosofia, relacionando-as com a figura de um tipo intelectual que tem por função não mais a defesa da universalidade, mas sim sua transgressão política e teórica - quer dizer: "política" porque "teórica".

Efeito da aplicação de silicato de cálcio e de cinza de casca de arroz sobre a incidência de fungos associados a manchas em sementes de arroz irrigado

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de silicato de cálcio e de cinza de casca de arroz (CCA) na incidência de fungos associados a manchas em sementes de arroz irrigado. Plantas de arroz foram submetidas à aplicação de silicato de cálcio ou CCA nas doses de 0, 51, 153, 256 e 357 kg ha-1de silício (Si). Dois experimentos foram conduzidos, sendo um na safra 2007/2008 e outro na safra 2008/2009 e, posteriormente, amostras de sementes foram analisadas em laboratório. Foram realizadas avaliações do Índice de Escurecimento de Sementes (IES), da concentração de Si no pericarpo das sementes e a determinação da diversidade dos fungos presentes nas sementes. Não houve efeito das duas fontes de Si empregadas, nas doses utilizadas nos dois experimentos no IES e na concentração de Si. Os fungos fitopatogênicos encontrados em ambos experimentos foram Alternaria padwickiii, Bipolarisoryzae, Botrytis cinerea, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium semitectum, F. solani, Microdochium oryzae, Nigrospora oryzae, Phoma sorghina e Pyriculariaoryzae. A incidência destes fungos não foi afetada pela aplicação das fontes de Si nas doses utilizadas.

Teaching project: a low-cost swine model for chest tube insertion training

Objective: to describe and evaluate the acceptance of a low-cost chest tube insertion porcine model in a medical education project in the southwest of Paraná, Brazil. Methods: we developed a low-cost and low technology porcine model for teaching chest tube insertion and used it in a teaching project. Medical trainees - students and residents - received theoretical instructions about the procedure and performed thoracic drainage in this porcine model. After performing the procedure, the participants filled a feedback questionnaire about the proposed experimental model. This study presents the model and analyzes the questionnaire responses. Results: seventy-nine medical trainees used and evaluated the model. The anatomical correlation between the porcine model and human anatomy was considered high and averaged 8.1±1.0 among trainees. All study participants approved the low-cost porcine model for chest tube insertion. Conclusion: the presented low-cost porcine model for chest tube insertion training was feasible and had good acceptability among trainees. This model has potential use as a teaching tool in medical education.