Effect of the substrate and catalyst chirality on the diastereoselective epoxidation of limonene using Jacobsen-type catalysts.

Chiral and achiral Jacobsen's catalysts in their homogeneous form or immobilized on Al-MCM-41 exhibit similar catalytic activity during diastereoselective epoxidation of limonene when in situ generated dimethyldioxirane is used as oxidizing agent. Experimental observations suggest that not only the catalyst chiral center but also the substrate chiral center participates in the preferential formation of most diastereomers. Remarkable turnover numbers (TON), up to 288, was achieved over the heterogeneous catalysts in comparison to their homogeneous counterparts (TON up to 46). Catalyst leaching rather than catalyst oxidative degradation was identified as the main source of catalyst deactivation during reutilization tests.

Characterization of fly ash from a hazardous waste incinerator in Medellin, Colombia.

Bag filter (BF) fly ash from a hazardous waste incinerator located in Medellín, Colombia was characterized. Particle size distribution, chemical composition, metal loading, surface area, morphology, and chemical environment were assessed before and after fly ash extraction with toluene. Fly ash consists of low surface area platelets of SiO(2) smaller than 0.5 microm agglomerated in spheres between 20 and 100 microm. High concentration of sodium chloride, carbon, and heavy metals such as Cu, Fe, Pb, Hg, Cd, Co and Mn are deposited over the fly ash surface. The carbon is oxidized and forms different structures such as amorphous carbon black, nano balls and more crystalline fullerenes like nano onions. The high concentration of dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs (superior to 185 ng WHO-TEQ/g) is favored by oxidized carbon, chlorine and metals such as Cu and Fe on the shell of the particles. Before and after toluene extraction, fly ash samples presented similar morphology. However, after extraction their particle size increased while their surface area decreased by 35% and the carbon and metal contents decreased by 35% and 50%, respectively.

The effect of NaOH on the liquid-phase hydrodechlorination of dioxins over Pd/gamma-Al2O3.

The effect of sodium hydroxide on the-liquid phase hydrodechlorination (LPHDC) of polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) over 2% Pd/gamma-Al 2O 3 was evaluated. Reactions were carried out using 2-propanol both as a hydrogen donor and as a solvent. Fresh and used catalyst samples were characterized by BET, hydrogen chemisorption, TEM/EDS, XPS, and TPR. When the reaction mixture contained no NaOH, active-phase leaching and Pd-C formation were observed even after 10 min of reaction. Therefore, sodium hydroxide appears to be required to maintain surface metal clusters on the support and avoid binding of carbon species to the active metal. On the other hand, excess NaOH in the reaction mixture led to deposition of organic and inorganic solid residues on the catalyst surface, blocking the active sites. Under the conditions of this study, the addition of 30 mg of NaOH maintained the basicity of the system and diminished deposition of solid residues on the catalyst samples, and almost 100% detoxification was reached after a 3 h reaction.

Synthesis of nopol over MCM-41 catalysts.

MCM-41 was found to be an active heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of nopol by the Prins condensation of beta-pinene and paraformaldehyde, but Sn-MCM-41 in which Sn has been grafted on MCM-41 by chemical vapor deposition is far more active and combines high efficiency and recyclability.