No abstract

A simple model for the separation of atropisomers of binaphthol and its monoderivatives by means of cyclodextrin-modified capillary zone electrophoresis (CD-CZE) was used to describe the migration behavior of poly charged enantiomers in a chiral separation system. This mathematical approach allowed for the determination of the optimal cyclodextrin concentrations for the enantioseparation of binaphthols by taking into account the influence of the formed complex mobilities. Moreover, using this theoretical approach, the reversal of the enantiomers' migration order as a function of cyclodextrin concentration was predicated. The apparent complexation constants between the cyclodextrins and the binaphthol and its monoderivatives could be calculated using a non-linear curve fitting method and three linear plotting methods (x-reciprocal, y-reciprocal and double reciprocal). Good agreements between the theoretical and experimental cyclodextrin concentrations were obtained.

A facile and eco-friendly method was developed to prepare a microporous CuO@Ag0 core-shell with high catalytic and antibacterial activities. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed a preponderance of nearly spherical 50 nm particles with slight structure compaction. Comparison of the hysteresis loops confirmed the structure compaction after AgNP incorporation, and a significant decrease of the specific surface area from 55.31 m2 g-1 for CuO to 8.03 m2 g-1 for CuO@Ag0 was noticed. A kinetic study of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction into 4-aminophenol (4-AP) with sodium borohydride revealed a first order reaction that produces total conversion in less than 18 minutes. CuO@Ag0 also exhibited appreciable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial effects were found to strongly depend on the size, contact surface, morphology and chemical composition of the catalyst particles. The addition of Ag0-NPs produced more reactive oxygen species in the bacteria medium. These results open promising prospects for its potential applications as a low cost catalyst in wastewater treatment and antibacterial agent in cosmetics.