Eutectic Liquid Research Articles

Deep eutectic solvent based-ferrofluid ultrasonic-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction for determination of quinolones in milk samples

In the current study, vortex assisted-liquid–liquid microextraction (VA-LLME) pretreatment method was developed based on superparamagnetic nanofluid and deep eutectic solvents for the isolation and preconcentration of quinolones in milk sample. The deep eutectic solvent-ferrofluid (DES-FF) with high extraction ability was prepared by combining DL-menthol/octanoic acid deep eutectic solvent and magnetic nanoparticles, which was mainly related to the strong interactions between extractant and analytes, such as hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding attractions and electrostatic interactions. The functional group, and magnetic characteristics of the synthesized materials were characterized by using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The use of vortex instead of dispersed solvent in LLME is simple and quick, reducing the consumption of solvent and shortening the extraction time. The parameters which affected the extraction efficiency were investigated and optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Under the optimum conditions, linearity (r > 0.996) was in the range of 1.00–100 μg mL−1. Limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of two quinolones varied in 0.30–0.35 μg mL−1 and 0.80–1.0 μg mL−1, respectively. The recoveries were in the range of 84.4–95.4%, RSD of intra-day and inter-day precision were not higher than 5.0% and 7.7%, respectively. Finally, the developed method was successfully applied for the determination of quinolones in milk.

Ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvent-based liquid–liquid microextraction for simultaneous determination of Ni (II) and Zn (II) in food samples

A new approach was developed for the simultaneous pre-concentration and determination of Ni (II) and Zn (II) in food samples. This method is based on ultrasound-assisted liquid–liquid micro extraction using hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (DES) and 1,10-phenanthroline as chelating agent. The effect of several parameters, such as pH, selection and volume of DES, amount of chelating agent, time of sonication and centrifugation, was studied. Under optimized conditions, the developed procedure offered exceptional sensitivity and linearity. The limit of detection was approximately 0.029 µg/Kg and 1.5 µg/Kg for Ni (II) and Zn (II), respectively. The proposed method was applied for the pre-concentration and determination of Ni (II) and Zn (II) in hydrogenated edible oils, fishes, and milk samples. The results of this study were compared with reported methods in the literature revealing its advantages.

High‐Pressure Melting Curve of FeH: Implications for Eutectic Melting Between Fe and Non‐Magnetic FeH

AbstractWhile hydrogen could be an important light alloying element in planetary iron cores, phase relations in the Fe‐FeH system remain largely unknown at high pressures and temperatures (P‐T). A speculative Fe‐H2 phase diagram has been proposed assuming continuous solid solution between Fe and FeH and eutectic melting between FeH and H2. Recent studies revealed that stoichiometric FeH becomes non‐magnetic above ∼40 GPa, which might affect its melting behavior. Here we examined the melting curve of non‐magnetic FeH between 43 and 152 GPa by a combination of laser‐heated diamond‐anvil cell techniques and synchrotron X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The melting temperature was determined by employing the appearance of additional hazy XRD signals upon quenching temperature as a melting criterion. We also performed thermodynamic modeling, which well reproduces the change in the curvature of FeH melting curve upon the loss of magnetism and extrapolates the experimental constraints to inner core pressures. The XRD data showed that non‐magnetic FeH melts congruently at temperatures higher than the known eutectic melting curve for FeHx (x > 1). Combined with the fact that the endmembers exhibit different crystal structures, these results indicate that Fe and non‐magnetic FeH form a eutectic system. The dT/dP slope of the FeH melting curve is comparable to that for Fe, suggesting that the eutectic liquid composition of FeH0.42 (Fe + 0.75 wt% H) previously estimated at ∼40 GPa changes little with increasing pressure.

DC‐driven ultrafast transient liquid phase bonding of 3YSZ and GH3128 superalloy using Ni interlayer

AbstractA direct current (DC)‐driven transient liquid phase bonding strategy was proposed for joining 3 mol% Y2O3‐stabilized ZrO2 (3YSZ) and GH3128 superalloy with a Ni interlayer. The DC application triggered the rapid formation and diffusion of metallic Zr in 3YSZ and chemical reactions at the 3YSZ/Ni interface. The formed Ni–Zr eutectic liquid well wetted 3YSZ and hence completely filled the bonding gap in seconds. Eutectic structures in the joints were eventually transformed into Ni–Zr intermetallic compounds or a Ni‐based solid solution. The remaining Ni interlayer effectively alleviated residual stress through plastic deformation during cooling stage, and thereby contributed substantially to the high joint strength. Under the joining conditions of a current density of 30 mA/mm2, an energization time of 30 s, and a joining temperature of 1100°C, the obtained joints exhibited a maximum shear strength of 188 ± 8 MPa. This paper proposes an economical and reliable method for the rapid preparation of YSZ/metal joints for high‐temperature applications.

Magnetic deep eutectic solvent-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for enantioselectively determining chiral mefentrifluconazole in cereal samples via ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple, rapid, and efficient pretreatment method of mefentrifluconazole enantiomers in cereal samples was established by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (UHPLC-DAD). In this study, a novel ternary magnetic deep eutectic solvent (MDES) [octyltrimethylammonium bromide][cobalt chloride][acetic acid] was synthesized as the extractant. Acetic acid was used as the dispersant to promote the in situ dispersion of binary MDES [octyltrimethylammonium bromide][cobalt chloride]. The microdroplets of binary MDES containing mefentrifluconazole were separated by an external magnet. Device-assisted dispersion and time-consuming centrifugation steps were eliminated to ensure simplicity and rapidity of the pretreatment. Good linearity ranging from 0.01 μg g−1 to 2 μg g−1 was obtained. The extraction recovery varied from 82.9 to 95.0%. The limit of detection was 0.003 μg g−1. Finally, this established approach has been applied for the enantioselective detection of chiral mefentrifluconazole in corn, rice, wheat, millet, and sorghum samples.

A mixed deep eutectic solvents-based air-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction of surfactants from exhaled breath condensate samples prior to HPLC-MS/MS analysis

A ternary solvent system-based air-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction procedure was developed for the extraction of three surfactants from exhaled breath condensate samples prior to their determination by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In this approach, different deep eutectic solvents were synthesized based on phosphocholine chloride and fatty acids and their mixtures were used as the extraction solvents to effective extraction of the analytes. To obtain the optimum composition of the extraction solvents, a simplex centroid design approach was used. Then the effective parameters were studied by response surface methodology using central composite design. The obtained data after optimization showed that 6 times was the best extraction time for the developed procedure. When the sample solution pH was adjusted at 3.7, the method reached to higher extraction efficiency which can be related to the fact that the analytes were in the protonated forms. Increasing the sample solution temperature up to 50 °C enhanced the migration rate of the analytes into the extraction solvent and the method efficacy was increased. Also addition of sodium chloride at 2.8% (w/v) had a positive effect on the method efficiency which can be related to decreasing the analytes solubility in the sample solution. Under optimal conditions, the method showed satisfactory coefficient of determination (≥0.9979), low limit of detection (0.12–0.23 ng mL−1) and quantification (0.39–0.76 ng mL−1), acceptable repeatability in deionized water (relative standard deviation ≤ 8.2%) and in exhaled breath condensate (relative standard deviation ≤ 7.2%), and acceptable extraction recovery (75–86%) and enrichment factor (71–86). Considering these results, the developed method provided a quick and efficient way to determine surfactants in the exhaled breath condensate collected from expiratory circuit of the mechanical ventilator. It can be used in drug monitoring and clinical studies.

On-site sample pretreatment: Natural deep eutectic solvent-based multiple air-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction

Chemical protection is one of the most important methods to control forest pests. Since pesticides used in chemical protection might have significant adverse effects on aquatic organisms, it is essential to monitor and detect trace pesticides in environmental water. In this study, an on-site natural deep eutectic solvent-based multiple air-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-electron capture detection was developed for determining triadimefon, bifenthrin, bromopropylate, and permethrin in water samples in the forest. A series of menthol-based deep eutectic solvents were synthesized for the first time to find green and efficient extractants. Moreover, a deep eutectic solvent with a 1:2 molar ratio of DL-menthol to citric acid was selected as the extractant due to its high stability and extraction performance. A portable modular array device based on air-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction was designed and manufactured to enable the simultaneous pretreatment of several samples. Although no electric equipment is required throughout the process, up to six samples were pretreated on-site within 20 min. Moreover, the average sample pretreatment time was less than 3.5 min, and the process was substantially simplified and enhanced. In addition, the parameters affecting the extraction performance were optimized. The extraction recoveries were in the range of 92–95% by using the optimized conditions, and the relative standard deviations of the intra-device, inter-device, intra-day, and inter-day factors were all less than 4.9%. The detection limits of the method ranged from 0.34 to 3.3 µg L−1. Good linearities (R2>0.999) were shown in the linear range of 1.13 to 2500 µg L−1 for the studied pesticides. Moreover, the proposed method was proved to be highly environmentally friendly by the Analytical Eco-Scale and Green Analytical Procedure Index. In summary, the proposed method is green, efficient, and flexible for on-site water sample pretreatment. The fact that tedious operations can be converted into standard operations provides a new perspective for on-site sample processing.

Development of a deep eutectic solvent-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method followed by back-extraction and diazotization coupled to spectrophotometry for determination of total primary aromatic amines from food simulants

Development of a deep eutectic solvent-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method followed by back-extraction and diazotization coupled to spectrophotometry for determination of total primary aromatic amines from food simulants

DES-based vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction procedure developed for the determination of paraben preservatives in mouthwashes

A green deep eutectic solvent-based vortex-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction (DES-VALLME) procedure for the determination of parabens in mouthwashes was developed. Deep eutectic solvents formed by combining DL-menthol and decanoic acid in different mol ratios were prepared, the highest extraction recovery was obtained with DES consisting of 4:1 M ratio, and this DES was used as an extraction solvent for paraben determination in mouthwashes. The effect of parameters such as solution pH, mol ratio of DES composition, DES volume, vortex and centrifugation time and sample volume were examined. Optimum working conditions of the study; 400 µL DES, 3 min. vortex time, 5 min. centrifugation time, 5 mL sample volume were determined. The detection limit was in the range of 4.6–6.1 µg L−1, while the RSDs values were in the range of 0.70–1.41% in intraday and 1.27–2.41% in interday. The method in the study was successfully applied for the determination of methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl paraben in 10 different mouthwashes obtained from cosmetic stores..

A hot tearing criterion based on solidification microstructure in cast alloys

A criterion based on solidification microstructure was proposed to precisely predict the hot tearing behavior of cast alloys, which takes into account the effects of both mechanical and nonmechanical factors. This criterion focuses on the events occurring at the grain boundary, which are determined by the thermal contraction, solidification shrinkage, grain growing and liquid feeding. This criterion responds to a series of factors that affect hot tearing, such as alloy composition, mold design, casting process and microstructure. Its credibility has been validated by studying the hot tearing behavior of Mg-Ce alloys. In conformity with the experimental results, this criterion predicted decrease in the number of rods occurring hot tearing with increasing cerium content. A simplified criterion was derived and validated by Mg-Ce (equiaxed grain) and Mg-Al (columnar grain) alloy systems, which is suitable for the case where the eutectic liquid fraction is low and the liquid feeding can be ignored. In addition, a hot tearing index for equiaxed grains was proposed, that is,|dT/d(fs1/3)|near(fs)1/3=1, and its prediction results were consistent with the hot tearing susceptibility calculated from the experimental results.

Chemometric approach for the spectrophotometric determination of chloramphenicol in various food matrices: Using natural deep eutectic solvents

A novel, simple and green temperature controlled-natural deep eutectic solvent emulsification liquid–liquid microextraction (TC-NADES-LLME) coupled with UV–vis spectrophotometry was optimized for preconcentration and measurement of chloramphenicol (CAP) in eggs, milks honeys and chicken meat. Four different NADES were prepared and investigated for the efficient extraction of CAP. The important parameters (pH, NADES-3 vol, Fe(III) amount and extraction temperature) affecting the extraction efficiency of the TC-NADES-LLME procedure were investigated and optimized using a chemometric approach. In this study, Fe(III), NADES-3 and extraction temperature were used as complexing agent, extraction solvent and emulator accelerator, respectively. Using optimized values, the linear range of the TC-NADES-LLME procedure was in the range of 0.1–300 µg L−1 with a coefficient of determination of 0.9991. The detection limit and enhancement factor were 0.03 µg L−1 and 285, respectively. The precision of the method has been confirmed in repeatability and reproducibility studies. Relative standard deviation of these studieswas<4.2 %. The matrix effect was investigated by adding three different CAP concentrations to the selected samples, and the results indicated the low matrix effect of the method. The TC-NADES-LLME procedure was successfully applied to determine and extract CAP in the selected samples.

Effect of magnesium in breaking the correlation between reaction speed and intensity in the fabrication of TiAl3 intermetallics

When TiAl3 intermetallics were fabricated by the reactive synthesis of titanium and aluminum powder, the correlation between the speed and intensity of the reaction was stable. The magnesium-addition method with the addition of trace magnesium broke this correlation for the first time. Magnesium controlled the reaction in three stages in different ways: the initial melting and reaction area, the dynamic equilibrium formed by the diffusion rate consistent with the liquidus, and the high flowability eutectic liquid phase. The diffusion state of magnesium in each stage and the eutectic liquid phase formed with aluminum were the critical factors.

High speed imaging and numerical simulations of cavitation characteristic during the spreading of GaIn melt under ultrasonication

Cavitation is widely used in many fields, but the nature of cavitation, especially in metallic liquids, remains unclear. In this work, the cavitation bubble characteristics during the spreading of eutectic GaIn liquid droplet subjected to ultrasonication were studied in-situ by high-speed photography. The types, diameters, variations, and life cycles of cavitation bubbles were identified. Results show that the bubble density gradually decreases during the droplet spreading process because of the decreased acoustic pressure inside the thinned liquid. The cavitation presents strong/weak change characteristics with a period of dozens of acoustic periods (T, 50 µs). Cavitation clouds with large sizes and long lifetimes are observed at the early-spreading stage. Tiny cavitation bubbles emerging and collapsing within 1 T dominate the cavitation field in the late-spreading stage. Stable cavitation bubble showing continuous nucleation and collapse but minimal changes in its position is also observed. A non-cavitation region consistently appears at the spreading front because the acoustic pressure is below the cavitation threshold. The width of the non-cavitation region gradually increased as the size of the spreading area increased. A cavitation threshold measuring method is proposed based on the cavitation observation and simulation and the cavitation threshold of eutectic GaIn alloy is identified to be approximately 0.65 MPa. The cavitation bubble dynamics result shows that the cavitation bubbles with different nucleation diameters have different life periods the same growth velocity.

The effects of bulk composition on planetesimal core sulfur content and size

This study explores the compositions and sizes of metallic cores that result from planetesimals forming from a range of chondritic bulk compositions. Our models examine the influence of starting bulk composition on core size and composition, how oxygen fugacity (fO2), temperature, pressure, and bulk composition affect sulfur partitioning between the core and silicate mantle of planetesimals, and the formation and fate of immiscible sulfur-rich liquid during core solidification. We apply experimentally-derived equations for the sulfur distribution coefficient to the bulk compositions of ordinary chondrites (H,L,LL) and carbonaceous chondrites (CM, CI, CO, CK, CV) under conditions appropriate for melting planetesimals.The sulfur content of all modeled cores is above 6 wt% S, which is greater than the amount of sulfur needed to form an immiscible sulfide liquid in the presence of other light elements (e.g., C, Si, and/or P). We concluded that early planetesimal cores likely formed either an immiscible sulfide liquid, a eutectic sulfide liquid, or most surprisingly, were composed of mostly monosulfide solid solution, [(Fe, Ni)1-xS].

Effect of Gd content on hot-tearing susceptibility of Mg-6Zn-xGd casting alloys

The hot-tearing susceptibility (HTS) of Mg-6Zn-xGd (x=0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6) alloys was evaluated using a constrained rod casting (CRC) method. The results show that the HTS curve follows a typical “Λ” shape with the increase of Gd content. The Mg-6Zn-2Gd alloy has the highest while Mg-6Zn-6Gd alloy has the lowest HTS value. The hot-tearing behavior characteristics of Mg-6Zn-xGd alloys were further studied through a multifunctional hot-tearing test device. According to the dendrite contact point inferred from the stress curve, the Clyne-Davies criterion was modified and found to be accurate in predicting the HTS of Mg-6Zn-xGd alloys. Microstructure observation reveals that the grain size and the volume of eutectic liquid are the two key factors affecting HTS of Mg-6Zn-xGd alloys. The large grain with columnar structure can easily promote initiation and propagation of hot-tearing due to the poor feeding and coordinating deformation capability, which have a harmful effect on HTS. A higher volume fraction of eutectic phase can refill the cracking and provide continuous feeding channels by dendrite bridge and thicker liquid film, thus increase the hot-tearing resistance.

Solids Turn into Liquids-Liquid Eutectic Systems of Pharmaceutics to Improve Drug Solubility.

The low solubility of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is a problem in pharmaceutical development. Several methodologies can be used to improve API solubility, including the use of eutectic systems in which one of the constituents is the API. This class of compounds is commonly called Therapeutic Deep Eutectic Systems (THEDES). THEDES has been gaining attention due to their properties such as non-toxicity, biodegradability, and being non-expensive and easy to prepare. Since the knowledge of the solid liquid diagram of the mixture and the ideal eutectic point is necessary to ascertain if a mixture is a deep eutectic or just a eutectic mixture that is liquid at ambient temperature, the systems studied in this work are called Therapeutic Liquid Eutectic Systems (THELES). Therefore, the strategy proposed in this work is to improve the solubility of chlorpropamide and tolbutamide by preparing THELES. Both APIs are sulfonylurea compounds used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and have low solubility in water. To prepare the THELES, several coformers were tested, namely, tromethamine, L(+)-arginine, L-tryptophan, citric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, and p-aminobenzoic acid, in molar ratios of 1:1 and 1:2. To improve viscosity, water was added in different molar ratios to all systems. THELES were characterized by mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR), and differential scanning calorimetry. Their viscosity, solubility, and permeability were also determined. Their stability at room temperature and 40 °C was accessed by MIR. Cytocompatibility was performed by metabolic activity and cell lysis evaluation, according to ISO10993-5:2009, and compared with the crystalline APIs. THELES with TRIS were successfully synthesized for both APIs. Results showed an increased solubility without a decrease in the permeability of the APIs in the THELES when compared with the pure APIs. The THELES were also considered stable for 8 weeks at ambient temperature. The cells studied showed that the THELES were not toxic for the cell lines used.

The influence of Pb content on the interfacial free energy of solid Sn in eutectic Pb–Sn liquid mixtures using molecular dynamics simulations

ABSTRACT The solid–liquid interfacial free energy (γ) for binary Pb–Sn systems at different concentrations and crystal orientations is calculated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation that employs a modified-embedded atom method interatomic potential. First, the solid–liquid interface is constructed in MD simulations according to its calculated phase diagram. Then, the capillary fluctuation method (CFM) is employed for the calculation of the solid–liquid interfacial stiffness. A novel systematic approach is proposed that eliminates the error in the linear approximation of the CFM. The results show that orientation of the solid Sn crystal does not have a significant influence on the value of the stiffness, which explains the experimentally observed spherical shape of Sn particles in eutectic liquid Pb–Sn mixtures. The calculated γ for pure Sn is in good agreement with experimental counterparts. In addition, this study finds that γ slightly increases with increasing the concentration of Pb in the eutectic liquid Pb–Sn mixture, which agrees with available experimental data.

Low-temperature processing of LiZn-based ferrite ceramics by co-doping of V2O5 and Sb2O3: Composition, microstructure and magnetic properties

Low-temperature fired ferrites or ceramics are usually processed by using low-melting materials (e.g., glasses, oxides, and eutectics) as sintering aids to obtain compact and uniform microstructures. Herein, a dual-strategy of co-doping with V2O5 and Sb2O3 oxides and forming a eutectic liquid phase has been employed to reduce the melting point of LiZn ferrite ceramics in an effective way. The results indicate that miniscule amounts of V2O5 and Sb2O3 co-doping contribute in producing dense and uniform microstructures with enhanced magnetic performance by low-temperature firing. The phase structural and microstructural evolutions have been studied in detail. Thereafter their correlations with magnetic properties have been revealed. Enhanced magnetic performance (Bs = 475.4 mT, Ms = 82.51 emu/g, Br/Bs = 0.85, Hc = 2.2 Oe, ΔH = 153.8 Oe) of the LiZn-based ferrite ceramics is achieved by optimized composition and microstructure, which shows great potential for microwave applications including phase shifters and radars. More importantly, such a co-doping strategy can be also extended to other material systems, like dielectric ceramics, hexagonal ferrites or piezoelectric ceramics.

Mesomorphic, electro-optic and dielectric behavior of self-assembled nanocomposite materials: Nematic mixture doped with carbon coated cobalt nanoparticles

In the present study, different concentrations of carbon coated cobalt nanoparticles (0.25 wt% & 0.5 wt%) into eutectic nematic liquid crystal mixture (E7) have been dispersed and studied their mesomorphic, electro-optic and dielectric properties in planar as well as homeotropic aligned cells. Optical transmission method has been employed in planar aligned cell to study the electro-optic responses while dielectric spectroscopy in the frequency span 20 Hz-10 MHz has been performed in planar and homeotropic cells. Nearly 10°C increase in nematic-isotropic transition temperature is noticed at higher doping concentration. Dispersion of cobalt nanoparticles induces changes in dielectric permittivity, dielectric loss and relaxation frequency. Suppression of free ion concentration (in case of 0.5 wt% Co) suggests large dielectric anisotropy values. Entropy of the system is more or less affected with the nano inclusions but the free energy of the doped samples has been decreased. An improvement in threshold voltage, birefringence and order parameter by ∼ 10%, 15% & 5% respectively have been observed at low doping concentration. However, contrast ratio is reduced with the doping of cobalt nanoparticles. The present study shows that the doped systems have improved response than pure E7 and find potential applications in phase shifters as well as display devices.

Formation of Esseneite and Kushiroite in Tschermakite-Bearing Calc-Silicate Xenoliths Ejected in Alkali Basalt

Skarnoid calc-silicate xenoliths composed of anorthite, clinopyroxene and Mg-Al spinel occur in alkali basalts of the Pliocene-Pleistocene intra-plate magmatic province in the northern part of the Pannonian Basin. Randomly oriented and elongated pseudomorphs are tschermakite crystals replaced by olivine, spinel and plagioclase. The relict amphibole within the pseudomorphs is characterized by high VIAl, between 1.95 and 2.1, and very low occupancy of the A-site (&lt;0.1 apfu)—these features are rarely found in nature and are thought to be diagnostic of high-pressure metamorphic rocks. Pyroxene compositions plot along continuous mixing line extending from nearly pure diopside-augite towards a Ca(Fe3+Al)AlSiO6 endmember with an equal proportion of VIAl3+ and Fe3+. Concentrations of kushiroite CaAlAlSiO6 endmember, up to 47.5 mol%, are the highest recorded in terrestrial samples. The AlFe3+-rich pyroxenes originated at the expense of diopside-augite during the interaction with carbonate-aluminosilicate melt. Forsterite (Fo72–83) and hemoilmenite with up to 32 mol% geikielite (9.3 wt% MgO) also crystallized from the melt, leaving behind the residual calcic carbonate with minor MgO (1–3 wt%). Columnar habit of neoformed olivine growing across diopside-augite layers indicates rapid crystallization from eutectic liquid. Euhedral aragonite and apatite embedded in fine-grained calcite or aragonite groundmass indicate slow crystallization of the residual carbonatite around the calcite-aragonite stability boundary. Corundum exsolutions in rock-forming anorthite are products of superimposed low-pressure pyrometamorphic reworking during transport in alkali basalt. Concomitant alkali metasomatism produced neoformed interstitial sodalite, nepheline, sanidine, albite, biotite, Mg-poor ilmenite (10–18 mol% MgTiO3), Ti-magnetite and fluorapatite. Olivine-ilmenite-aragonite-calcite thermobarometry returned temperatures of 770–860 °C and pressures of 1.8–2.1 GPa, whereas plagioclase-amphibole thermobarometer yielded 781 ± 13 °C and 2.05 ± 0.03 GPa. The calculated pressures correspond to depths of 60–70 km. The calc-silicate xenoliths are most likely metamorphosed marbles; however, a magmatic protolith (metagabbro, metaanorthosite) cannot be ruled out owing to high Cr contents in spinels (up to 30 mol% chromite) and abundant Cu-sulfides.