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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / A new approach to describe the crystal field interaction in compounds that contains trivalent lanthanide ions is presented. It is considered the electrostatic balance of the optically active site, the effective charge of the central ion and the sign of crystal field parameters (CCP) as determinant factors in the crystal field interaction. The method of the first equivalent neighbours (MENN) was reformulated, and improvements in predicting the CCP and energy levels 7FJ of Eu3+ could be realized. Moreover, it was possible to predict the lanthanide-nearest neighbour interaction of load factors (Ln-NN), the maximum coverage of the wave functions of the interacting ions and energy levels levels structure of the 7FJ of Eu3+. The physically acceptable limits are designed to load factors and the maximum overlap of the wave functions of the interacting ions. The compounds studied have high symmetry and exhibit a first neighbourhood consisting of oxygen ions, fluorine or chlorine. The use of secular determinants solutions of the energy matrices served as an excellent theoretical framework for the development of the method, which is applied based on the simple overlap model (SOM). This allowed the description of the interaction of the crystalline field by a nonparametric method and simple application. In addition, it was predicted the wave functions overlap factor of the interacting ions, the total effective bonding charge of Eu3+, and the relationships and trends of the crystal field interaction with the chemical species of the NN and the type of Ln that makes up the main host matrix. Finally, it was possible to remodulate the MENN at a more theoretical method by using theoretical data. The results served to confirm the efficiency and accuracy of MENN in describing the interaction of the crystal field on systems containing trivalent lanthanide ions. / Uma nova abordagem na descrição da interação do campo cristalino em compostos contendo íons lantanídeos trivalentes é apresentada. São considerados o equilíbrio eletrostático do sítio opticamente ativo, a carga efetiva do íon central e o sinal dos parâmetros de campo cristalino (PCC) como fatores determinantes na descrição da interação de campo cristalino. O método dos primeiros vizinhos equivalentes (MENN) foi reformulado, e assim melhorias na previsão dos PCC e dos níveis de energia 7FJ do Eu3+ puderam ser realizadas. Além disso, foi possível prever fatores de carga de interação lantanídeo-primeiro vizinho (Ln-PV), o recobrimento máximo das funções de onda dos íons interagentes e estrutura dos níveis níveis de energia 7FJ do Eu3+. Foram estabelecidos limites fisicamente aceitáveis para os fatores de carga e para o recobrimento máximo das funções de onda dos íons interagentes. Os compostos estudados possuem alta simetria e apresentam uma primeira vizinhança composta por íons de oxigênio, flúor ou cloro. A utilização das soluções dos determinantes seculares das matrizes energéticas serviram como um excelente aporte teórico para o desenvolvimento do método, o qual é aplicado tendo por base o modelo de recobrimento simples (SOM). Isto permitiu a descrição da interação do campo cristalino por um método não paramétrico e de simples aplicação. Além disso, foi realizada a previsão do fator de recobrimento das funções de onda dos íons interagentes, carga efetiva total de ligação do Eu3+, e as relações e tendências da interação do campo cristalino com a espécie química dos PV, e o tipo de Ln que compõe a matriz hospedeira principal. Por fim, foi possível tornar o MENN um método mais teórico através da utilização de dados teóricos. Os resultados obtidos serviram para confirmar a eficiência e precisão do MENN na descrição da interação do campo cristalino em sistemas contendo íons lantanídeos trivalentes.

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Ph. D. (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / Driven by the need of sustainably sourced catalysts and the use of reaction systems that generate environmentally benign by-products, the present study aimed to deposit stable, dispersed palladium (Pd) nanoparticles on the modified surfaces of granular macadamia nutshell (MNS) biomass for catalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] to trivalent chromium [Cr(III)]. Through wet impregnation with Pd(II) ions and subsequent hydrazine-mediated reduction to Pd(0), Pd nanoparticles were embedded in a scaffold of polyethyleneimine grafted on bleached MNS previously coated with a chemically bound layer of polyglycidyl methacrylate. Visualization and imagery from scanning electron microscopy showed the formation of different layers of the polymeric coating and dispersed palladium resulting from surface modification and palladium nanoparticle synthesis, respectively. X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis confirmed the formation of Pd on the modified MNS surface. An estimate of 5.0 nm for crystallite size was calculated by application of the Scherrer equation. The composite material, denoted Pd@PEI-MNS, exhibited catalytic activity in formic acid-mediated Cr(VI) reduction. Through a one-factor-at-a-time experimental design, the activity of the Pd@PEI-MNS was illustrated to be dependent on solution pH; initial Cr(VI) concentration, initial formic acid concentration, and presence of competing anions; Pd@PEI-MNS dose; and temperature. Subsequent modeling of the Cr(VI) removal process by response surface methodology revealed that the most influential factor was Pd@PEI-MNS dose followed by temperature and formic acid concentration. The influence of initial Cr(VI) concentration, was surpassed by the dose-temperature and dose-formic acid concentration interactive effects. Elucidation of the Cr(VI) removal mechanism by XPS and FTIR demonstrated the active participation of surface -CH2OH functional groups, the bulk of which originated from the reduction of esters of the grafted ligands. Replacement of formic acid to carbon dioxide, the -CH2OH groups were converted to -COO- groups.

Due to their outstanding properties, poly(arylene ethers) are useful as toughness modifiers in epoxy resins (EP). Furthermore, these polymers show rather low intrinsic fire risks. According to recent research it has been incorporated that poly(arylene ether phosphine oxides) [PAEPO’s] can further improve the fire behavior. Increasing phosphorous content of the PAEPO can influence the fire behavior too. Fire retardants containing phosphorus – regardless of whether an additive or reactive approach is used – show different mechanisms in the condensed and gas phase. In the present study PSU Control (BPA based polysulfone) with four different PAEPO’s and their corresponding blends with an EP were investigated. All poly(arylene ether phosphine oxides) were synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic polycondensation. The polymers obtained covered a wide range of weight average molar masses (6,000 – 150,000 g/mol) as determined by size exclusion chromatography with multi-angle light scattering detection (MALLS). FTIR, NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF revealed formation of the desired polymer structure of the linear poly(arylene ethers). All polymers were easily soluble in common organic solvents, thus enabling processing from solution.The pyrolysis and the fire retardancy mechanisms of the polymers and blends with epoxy resin (EP) were tackled by means of a comprehensive thermal analysis (thermogravimetry (TG), TG-evolved gas analysis) and fire tests [PCFC, limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94, cone calorimeter]. The Mitsunobu reaction of Dimethyl-5-hydroxyisophthalate and a long chain semifluorinated alcohol requires triphenyl phosphine as a reactant. Identical, in some case higher yield was obtained in the usual conditions, with triphenyl phosphine and with trivalent phosphorus containing polymers, which was prepared in solvent free bulk (melt) polymerization technique from trivalent phosphorus monomer and a silylated diphenol in presence of CsF. Purification and the recovery of the final product which is always a big challenge in case of Mitsunobu reaction, was far more easier using polymer compared to triphenyl phosphine. During polymerization there was a possibility to have polymer having repeating unit containing both trivalent phosphorus and phosphine oxide. The trivalent phosphorus content of the polymer can be varied using different molar concentration of CsF.

To study the functions of glycoconjugates in biological systems reliable and efficient protocols for glycoconjugate synthesis are needed. To reach this goal we have developed methods for solid-phase synthesis of glycoconjugates that can be monitored with gel-phase 19F spectroscopy using fluorinated linkers, building blocks, and protecting groups. We have developed a new fluorine containing linker suitable for solid-phase synthesis of glycoconjugates. The linker was more acid-labile than similar linkers in order to enable cleavage under mild conditions of the target compound from the linker resin.  A carbamate-based strategy has been applied to attach a spacer carrying an amino group to a fluorinated Wang linker for synthesis of amino-functionalized glycoconjugates using thioglycoside donors with fluorinated protective groups. Cleavage from the solid support was performed with trifluoroacetic acid and subsequent protecting group removal gave the target compound. The terminal amine was conjugated with didecyl squarate and this derivative can be attached to various proteins and solid surfaces carrying primary or secondary amines. To evaluate this methodology we have immobilized glycoconjugates in amino-functionalized microtiter plates and successfully probed them with lectin. In addition, a novel fluorine containing protecting group has been designed, synthesized and evaluated. The protecting group was used for protection of the unreactive 4-OH in a galactose building block that was applied in the synthesis of 6-aminohexyl galabioside and was removed with TBAF in THF. Adenovirus serotype 8 (Ad8), Ad19, and Ad37 cause the severe ocular infection, epidemic keratoconjunctivities (EKC). During infection, the adenoviruses interact with sialic acid containing glycoconjugates on the epithelial cells via fiber structures extending from the viral particles. The virus particle most likely binds to the host cell in a multivalent way by simultaneously using multiple fiber proteins and binding sites. Multivalent sialic acid containing conjugates could efficiently inhibit Ad37 cell attachment and subsequent infection of human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells. Three compact tri- and tetravalent sialic acid conjugates were prepared and evaluated as inhibitors of adenoviral host cell attachment and subsequent infection and all conjugates were potent as anti-adenoviral agents. The conjugates can readily be synthesized from accessible starting materials. A crystal structure of the Ad37 fiber knob protein and the trivalent sialic acid conjugate showed that the three binding sites were all occupied by one sialic acid residue each.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T18:08:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Neiva Martin.pdf: 2565426 bytes, checksum: 9ed40e36b9798ff30f3a52b416d705e9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-10-08 / In this work, the chromium ions bioaccumulation experiment was carried out using three species of aquatic macrophytes: Salvinia auriculata, Pistia stratiotes and Eicchornia crassipes, in order to confirm the hexavalent chromium detoxification during the biosorption process. Previously, a chromium speciation test based on chemical extraction of trivalent chromium from hexavalent chromium-doped hydroponic solutions was also performed at different pH, in order to verify if the nutritive solution pH could be responsible by the natural reduction of oxidation state on chromium before the biosorption process by the plants. No reduction from Cr(VI) to Cr(III) was observed at all solution pH. Based on the peculiar characteristics of High Resolution X-ray Fluorescence technique (HR-XRF), which allows to measure the X-ray Kß spectral line energy with good energy resolution (around 2,0 eV) for the transition metal region, the change on oxidation state of hexavalent chromium was possible to study through the Kß1,3, Kß2,5 and Kß spectral lines, which bring up information on chromium oxidation state and chemical environment. The HR-XRF measurements were performed at the XRD1 vacuum chamber available in the National Laboratory of Synchrotron Light, located near Campinas city. After collection, dry roots and chromium compound standard were prepared in compact disk by pressing. Each sample disk, spherical curved analyzer, and radiation detector were placed in a circle of Rowland within an arrangement of Johann. Another radiation detector was also used to monitoring of monochromatic X-ray beam intensity during the measurements. All the samples were irradiated by a 6.1 keV monochromatic X-ray beam. All the emission spectra were normalized to the monitor counts, and subtracted the organic matrix contribution and chromium absorption edge. Based on the spectral Kß2,5 peak intensity of roots and standard samples, the total chromium uptake concentration in plant was calculated, indicating that there is approximately 1.0 % of chromium per dry biomass after 27 days of experiment. When both Cr-Kß spectra of macrophytes roots with Cr(III) and Cr(VI) treatment were compared, their spectral Kß2,5 peak were identical in energy and width for the three aquatic plants, suggesting that the chromium reduction from hexavalent to trivalent form have occurred in all cases studied. The peak width at half maximum for Kß2,5 in all root samples were slightly larger than the chromium compound samples, which can be explained by the fact that there is the possibility to have different ligands to chromium ions inside the biological structure of roots. Based on these results, the chromium detoxification from hexavalent to trivalent form have actually happened during the biosorption of chromium into the macrophytes roots. Finally, these aquatic macrophytes have a great potential to detoxificate and accumulate of chromium ions that can be very useful to the metal removal from industrial effluents. / Neste trabalho foi feito o experimento de bioacumulação do cromo trivalente e hexavalente por três espécies de macrófitas aquáticas: Salvinia auriculata, Pistia stratiotes e Eicchornia crassipes, visando verificar a ocorrência do processo de redução do Cr(VI) durante a biossorção. Previamente, um teste de especiação de cromo baseado em extração química do cromo trivalente a partir de uma solução hidropônica dopada com cromo hexavalente, foi realizado em diferentes pHs, para verificar se o pH da solução nutritiva pode ser o responsável pela redução natural do estado de oxidação do cromo antes do processo de biossorção pelas plantas. Não foi observada a redução do Cr(VI) para Cr(III) no pH da solução de cultivo. Pelas características da técnica de Fluorescência de Raios-X de Alta Resolução em Energia (HR-XRF), que permite medir a energia das linhas espectrais de raios X Kß com alta resolução em energia (em torno de 2,0 eV) para a região dos metais de transição, foi possível estudar a mudança do estado de oxidação do cromo hexavalente através das linhas espectrais Kß1,3, Kß2,5 e Kß , que traz informação sobre o estado de oxidação do metal e seu ambiente químico. As medidas de HR-XRF foram realizadas na câmara de vácuo XRD1, no Laboratório Nacional de Luz Síncrotron, em Campinas. Após a coleta, discos compactados de raízes secas e padrões de compostos de cromo foram preparados. Cada disco de amostra, o analisador esférico, e o detector de radiação foram acomodados em um círculo de Rowland com arranjo de Johann. Durante as medidas, um detector foi usado para monitorar a intensidade do feixe de raios X monocromáticos incidentes. Todas as amostras foram irradiadas com feixe monocromático de 6,1 keV. Os espectros de emissão foram normalizados pelas contagens do monitor, e subtraída as contribuições da matriz orgânica e da borda de absorção do cromo. Baseado na intensidade da linha espectral Kβ2,5 das amostras de raízes e padrões, a concentração de cromo total nas plantas foi calculada, indicando que esta é de aproximadamente 1,0% por biomassa seca após 27 dias de experimento. Os espectros de emissão Cr-Kß das raízes das macrófitas tratadas com Cr(III) ou Cr(VI) foram comparados, e as suas linhas espectrais Kβ2,5 mostraram-se idênticas em energia e largura para as três plantas aquáticas, sugerindo que a redução do cromo, de hexavalente para trivalente, ocorreu em todos os casos estudados. A largura do pico para a linha espectral Kß2,5 em todas as amostras de raízes mostrou-se maior que nas amostras de compostos de cromo, o que pode ser explicado pelo fato de que é possível haver diferentes ligantes para o íon cromo na estrutura orgânica das raízes. Baseado nesses resultados, a redução do Cr(VI) para Cr(III) ocorreu durante o processo de biossorção do cromo pelas raízes das macrófitas aquáticas. Desta forma, verifica-se que estas macrófitas têm um grande potencial para detoxificar e acumular íons cromo, podendo ser utilizada com eficiência na remoção de metais em efluentes industriais.

Due to their outstanding properties, poly(arylene ethers) are useful as toughness modifiers in epoxy resins (EP). Furthermore, these polymers show rather low intrinsic fire risks. According to recent research it has been incorporated that poly(arylene ether phosphine oxides) [PAEPO’s] can further improve the fire behavior. Increasing phosphorous content of the PAEPO can influence the fire behavior too. Fire retardants containing phosphorus – regardless of whether an additive or reactive approach is used – show different mechanisms in the condensed and gas phase. In the present study PSU Control (BPA based polysulfone) with four different PAEPO’s and their corresponding blends with an EP were investigated. All poly(arylene ether phosphine oxides) were synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic polycondensation. The polymers obtained covered a wide range of weight average molar masses (6,000 – 150,000 g/mol) as determined by size exclusion chromatography with multi-angle light scattering detection (MALLS). FTIR, NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF revealed formation of the desired polymer structure of the linear poly(arylene ethers). All polymers were easily soluble in common organic solvents, thus enabling processing from solution.The pyrolysis and the fire retardancy mechanisms of the polymers and blends with epoxy resin (EP) were tackled by means of a comprehensive thermal analysis (thermogravimetry (TG), TG-evolved gas analysis) and fire tests [PCFC, limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94, cone calorimeter]. The Mitsunobu reaction of Dimethyl-5-hydroxyisophthalate and a long chain semifluorinated alcohol requires triphenyl phosphine as a reactant. Identical, in some case higher yield was obtained in the usual conditions, with triphenyl phosphine and with trivalent phosphorus containing polymers, which was prepared in solvent free bulk (melt) polymerization technique from trivalent phosphorus monomer and a silylated diphenol in presence of CsF. Purification and the recovery of the final product which is always a big challenge in case of Mitsunobu reaction, was far more easier using polymer compared to triphenyl phosphine. During polymerization there was a possibility to have polymer having repeating unit containing both trivalent phosphorus and phosphine oxide. The trivalent phosphorus content of the polymer can be varied using different molar concentration of CsF.