Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / A viabilidade econÃmica da produÃÃo do biodiesel depende do uso do glicerol, subproduto com estrutura multifuncional, considerado matÃriaâprima bio-renovÃvel, de grande potencial para ser transformado a combustÃveis ou produtos quÃmicos de maior valor agregado. Com o intuito de contribuir para o desenvolvimento dessa linha de pesquisa, foi realizado estudo do potencial catalÃtico da γ-Al2O3 modificada com Ãxido de molibdÃnio e promotores (Cu, Ni ou Co), na reaÃÃo de desidrataÃÃo do glicerol a intermediÃrios quÃmicos com aplicaÃÃo industrial. A estratÃgia foi sintetizar esferas de Al2O3 por mÃtodo hÃbrido, as quais apresentam interessantes propriedades estruturais, texturais e quÃmicas para em seguida impregnar com precursores dos metais via mÃtodo nÃo-convencional (Pechini). A composiÃÃo dos materiais foi escolhida com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito bifuncional causado pela combinaÃÃo das propriedades Ãcido/bÃsicas e redox de catalisadores de molibdÃnio suportado em alumina. Para fins comparativos foi testado catalisador comercial Ni-Mo/Al2O3 com elevada acidez e porosidade. Os catalisadores foram caracterizados por: ICP-OES, FRX, TGA/DTA, DRX, MEV, IV, TPR-H2, TPD-CO2, isotermas de adsorÃÃo/dessorÃÃo de N2, e acidez atravÃs de adsorÃÃo de piridina. O desempenho dos catalisadores foi avaliado na desidrataÃÃo do glicerol, sob fluxo de N2 ou H2, a 1atm e 250ÂC. As mudanÃas na atividade e seletividade devido à troca do gÃs de arraste estÃo associadas a alteraÃÃes nas propriedades Ãcido/redox dos catalisadores, como sugerido pelas medidas de acidez e TPR-H2. AcroleÃna foi o principal produto observado para todos os catalisadores, porÃm a amostra contendo cobre (CuMoAl), mostrou maior atividade catalÃtica e superior seletividade a Ãlcool alÃlico, bem como produÃÃo do 1-propanol; o que està associado a transferÃncia de hidrogÃnio. Essa seletividade concorda com resultados de TPR-H2, que mostram maior influÃncia do cobre sobre a reduÃÃo do Ãxido de molibdÃnio, quando comparado aos promotores (Co ou Ni). Ao final sÃo propostos passos reacionais envolvidos na conversÃo do glicerol a Ãlcool alÃlico. / The economic viability of biodiesel production depends of the use of glycerol, by-product with multifunctional structure, considered a bio-renewable feedstock of great potential to be transformed to fuel or higher value-added chemicals products. In order to contribute to the development of this research area, study was carried out in order to explore the catalytic potential γ-Al2O3 modified with molybdenum oxide and promoter (Cu, Ni or Co) in the glycerol dehydration reaction to chemical intermediates with industrial application was performed. The strategy was to synthesize Al2O3 spheres by hybrid method with interesting structural, textural and chemical properties for then impregnating with precursors of metals via unconventional method (Pechini). The material composition was chosen with the aim of evaluating the bifunctional effect caused by the combination of acid-base and redox properties of molybdenum catalysts supported on alumina. For comparison was evaluated commercial Ni-Mo/Al2O3 catalyst with high acidity and porosidade. The catalysts were characterized for: ICP-OES, XRF, TGA/DTA, XRD, SEM, IR, H2-TPR, TPD-CO2, N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, and acidity measurements through pyridine adsorption. The catalytic performance was evaluated in the glycerol dehydration under N2 or H2 flow at atmospheric pressure and 250ÂC. The modification in the activity and selectivity due to the change of carrier gas are attributed to the changes of acid/redox properties of the catalyst, as suggested by acidity measurements and TPR-H2. Acrolein was the main product observed for all catalysts, but the cupper containing catalyst (CuMoAl) showed higher catalytic activity and, and superior selectivity to allyl alcohol, as well as the production of 1-propanol, which is due to the hydrogen transfer. This selectivity agrees with H2-TPR results, which show stronger effect of the copper over the molybdenum oxide reduction, if compared to the others promoter (Co or Ni). At the end it is proposed the reaction steps mechanism for the glycerol conversion to allyl alcohol.

Extended periods of oxygen deprivation cause brain death in mammals but the western painted turtle overwinters in anoxic mud for months without damage. Neural protection is achieved through decreases in the whole cell currents of N-methyl-D-aspartate and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (NMDAR and AMPAR) that are dependent on a mild increase in intracellular calcium from the mitochondria. The goal of this research was to determine if natural anoxic decreases in reactive oxidative species (ROS) serve as the signal to bring about these changes. Reductions in cellular ROS levels were demonstrated to have no effect on AMPAR currents or intracellular calcium and produced massive increases in NMDAR currents, indicating that ROS depression does not directly mediate anoxic alterations. Interestingly, mammalian neural tissue also experiences a similar increase in NMDAR whole cell current in response to reducing agents suggesting a possible conserved mechanism for normoxic receptor control.

Extended periods of oxygen deprivation cause brain death in mammals but the western painted turtle overwinters in anoxic mud for months without damage. Neural protection is achieved through decreases in the whole cell currents of N-methyl-D-aspartate and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (NMDAR and AMPAR) that are dependent on a mild increase in intracellular calcium from the mitochondria. The goal of this research was to determine if natural anoxic decreases in reactive oxidative species (ROS) serve as the signal to bring about these changes. Reductions in cellular ROS levels were demonstrated to have no effect on AMPAR currents or intracellular calcium and produced massive increases in NMDAR currents, indicating that ROS depression does not directly mediate anoxic alterations. Interestingly, mammalian neural tissue also experiences a similar increase in NMDAR whole cell current in response to reducing agents suggesting a possible conserved mechanism for normoxic receptor control.