Round-bottomed Flask Research Articles

Activation conditions of bentonite supports over gold-based catalysts for production of lactic acid from glycerol

It was investigated the lactic acid production by glycerol oxidation using % 1 Au/bentonite catalysts in alkaline medium. The reactions were performed in a 100 mL volume three-necked and round-bottomed flask placed in an oil bath over a period of 4 h at 90 °C reaction temperature and atmospheric pressure. 1 wt% Au based bentonite catalysts were prepared by incipient to wetness method. Gold metal is chosen for catalyst active material since it is active under mild conditions and activation conditions of support material were investigated. Bentonite supports, activated under different conditions (temperature and acidic medium) were used as supports. Results of bentonite supported studies showed that the use of heterogeneous catalysts was necessary and bentonite activation improved catalytic activity, but the application of chemical activation negatively affected lactic acid selectivity. The highest glycerol conversion (76%) has been obtained with 1 wt% Au catalyst that the support was activated by thermally and chemically at 700 °C and 1 M HCl. And also the maximum lactic acid amount (18%) was obtained with this catalyst. The chemical activation of the support material at high acid concentration has caused a high conversion and lactic acid selectivity.

DBU Catalysis: An Efficient Synthetic Strategy for 5,7-disubstituted-1,2,4- triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines.

An efficient and facile DBU catalysed synthesis of highly significant motif 5,7-disubstituted-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines under solvent-free condition has been reported. To a round bottom flask, 1.0 mmol of chalcone (1), 1.5 mmol of 3-amino-1,2,4- triazole (2) and 30 mol% of DBU were added at 70 °C and stirred in solvent-free condition. After the completion of the reaction (monitored by TLC), water (10 ml) was added. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 ×10 ml). The combined organic layers were dried over anhydrous Na2SO4. The combined organic layers were evaporated under reduced pressure and the resulting crude product was purified by column chromatography by using ethyl acetate and hexane as eluent. Reaction using chalcone and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole as model substrates were carried out under different reaction conditions and it was observed that 30 mol% of DBU under the solvent-free condition at 70 °C was the optimum temperature for the proposed synthesis. Use of DBU (an organocatalyst) as a base, operational simplicity, high yield of products and short reaction time are some of the significant advantages associated with the proposed strategy.

Properties of Carboxymethylated-Cassava and Sago Starches Prepared by using Sodium Monochloroacetate

In the present study, carboxymethyl starch (CMC) were produced from different sources of starch and their physico-chemical properties were evaluated. Carboxymethylation was performed using different concentrations of sodium monochloroacetate (1.1, 1.3 and 1.5 mol/mol of anhydrous glucose units) in a three-necked round-bottom flask (250 mL) for approximately 3 h (250 rpm and 40°C) in a two-stage reaction comprising alkalization and etherification. The introduction of carboxymethyl groups was confirmed in the results by the appearance of a new peak in the FTIR spectrum in 1650.10-1649.76 cm-1 region. In addition, degree of substitution (DS) of produced CMS was ranged from 0.53-0.60. An increase in the concentration of sodium monochloroacetate (1.1, 1.3 and 1.5 mol/mol of anhydrous glucose unit) resulted in greater paste clarity, higher solubility and greater swelling than native starch. Furthermore, cassava starch (tapioca) produced a CMS exhibited greater swelling than sago starch, however by contrast, CMS-sago was more soluble and clearer than CMS-cassava.

Biology-oriented Drug Synthesis (BIODS), Structural Characterization and Bioactivities of Novel Albendazole Derivatives

Background:Albendazole is a drug, belongs to the family of benzimidazole, and used as an anthelmintic agent in both human and veterinary medicine. It is marketed as Albenza which is used for the treatment of a variety of parasitic worm infestations such as roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes. In recent past, we have reported various classes of compounds as anti-glycating agents, in continuation of Biology-oriented Drug Synthesis (BIODS), seventeen albendazole derivatives 2-18 were synthesized evaluated for yeast glucose uptake activity.Methods:In the present study, Albendazole (2 g, 7.5 mmol), potassium hydroxide (3 g) were dissolved in ethanol (50 mL) into a 250 mL round-bottomed flask and refluxed for 48 h. TLC (ethyl acetate: hexane, 6:4) was monitored in order to check the reaction progress. After completion, the reaction mixture was dried under air and washed with an excess of distilled water. Precipitates were dried and crystallized from ethanol. The product was characterized by EI-MS and 1H-NMR.Results:Our present study showed that all compounds showed a varying degree of yeast glucose uptake activity ranging between IC50 = 51.41-258.40 µM, compared with standard metronidazole (IC50 = 41.86 ± 0.09 µM). This study has identified a series of potential leads for anti-glycating agents.Conclusion:Biology-oriented drug synthesis and in vitro yeast glucose uptake activity of albendazole derivatives gave rise to a number of lead molecule such as 3 (IC50 = 59.37 ± 0.26 µM), 5 (IC50 = 59.70 ± 0.32 µM), 6 (IC50 = 60.78 ± 0.54 µM), 8 (IC50 = 54.61 ± 0.20 µM), 16 (IC50 = 56.57 ± 0.04 µM) and 14 (IC50 = 51.41 ± 1.25 µM).

PENGARUH KECEPATAN PENGADUKAN DAN SUHU REAKSI PADA ESTERIFIKASI MINYAK MENTAH DEDAK PADI BERKANDUNGAN ASAM LEMAK TINGGI

Rice bran oil (RBO) derived from rice bran (RB) which could use as an alternative raw material for biodiesel production. Rice bran (dedak) are used as feed for poultry, pigs, and some dairy cattle because they are relatively cheap and do not require processing. The utilization of these oil further cheapen the cost of biodiesel and increased the economonic value of RB. The choice of RBO as a raw material for biodiesel due to the rice bran oil’s potentials. RBO is considered to be one of the most nutritious oils due to its favorable fatty acids composition and a unique combination of naturally occurring biologically active and antioxidant compounds (oryzanol, tocopherol, tocotrienol, phytosterol, polyphenol, dan squalene). The research emphazised on esterification reaction because of the rapid increase of FFA content in RBO after the milling of rice. Storage time of RB increased the FFA content. Mixing velocity dan time reaction was the other two variables which are affecting the esterification reaction. Those two variables are studied in this experiment.
 Experiment were designed to examine the mixing velocity and temperature reaction to the conversion of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). Reaction condition 20:1 molar ratio methanol to FFA content and 5%-v/v catalyst (to the oil) was used in all experiments. Mixing velocity and time reaction was arranged as follows: 500, 750, 1000 rpm and 40, 50, 60oC, respectively. Research conducted in four parts: soxhlet extraction with n-hexane as a solvent; oil-solvent separation process; and the last step was esterification reaction. Reaction conducted on three neck round bottom flask equipped with magnetic stirrer, refluk condenser and thermometer. Crude product was separated first from unreacted methanol, glycerol, and catalyst prior to physical analyzed of biodiesel’s properties. Conversion of FAME was calculated from acid value difference, after and before reaction conducted.
 It was found that mixing velocity influenced the FAME conversion not significantly (specially in crude rice bran oil high fatty acid content esterification); increasing in temperature will increase the FAME conversion; kinetic reaction controlled by chemical reaction; and biodiesel product from this research already fullfill the requirements of Indonesian Standard of Biodiesel (FBI-SO1-03).

Preparation of Hexamethyldisilazanomethacryloxyphenyl ketone (HDMK) and its copolymerization in the presence of acrylates

PurposeThis paper aims to improve some properties of poly (methyl methacrylate) by copolymerization with butyl acrylate (BA) monomer along with the incorporation of the stable and economical synthesized silicone-containing monomer hexamethyldisilazanomethacryloxyphenyl ketone (HDMK) into the copolymer matrix.Design/methodology/approachFor this target solution copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), BA and HDMK were carried out using a 250 mL four-necked round-bottom flask. Before solution polymerization start-up, the reaction vessel was first charged with 34.8 mL toluene and heated to 170 °C with stirring and reflux cooling. A monomer mixture of 25.86 g (260 mmol) MMA, 26.40 g (200 mmol) BA, 3.00 g (8.60 mmol) HDMK and 0.45 g (2.00 mmol) dibenzoyl peroxide was added continuously from the dropping funnel over a period of 4 h.FindingsThe HDMK was successfully synthesized and the water resistance of acrylic resins was improved because of the existence of HDMK.Research limitations/implicationsThe materials that were used in this research paper had a reasonably low cost. Also, the procedures for synthesis of monomers and polymers were extremely easy because there was no need for high pressure or temperature and no dangerous solvents were used.Practical implicationsThe acrylic resin that contained HDMK was used to synthesis a white architectural paint for exterior coating. Examining the paint characteristics has shown acceptable washing and abrasion resistance, good brushing, excellent storage stability and great surface coating.Originality/valueHDMK was synthesized for the first time.

Infrared-assisted extraction followed by high performance liquid chromatography to determine angoroside C, cinnamic acid, and harpagoside content in Scrophularia ningpoensis

BackgroundAngoroside C, cinnamic acid, and harpagoside are bioactive constituents in Scrophularia ningpoensis. Currently, an infrared-assisted extraction (IRAE) method coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) for the analysis of bioactive constituents in this plant is lacking.MethodsA method based on HPLC following IRAE has been developed for quantifying angoroside C, cinnamic acid, and harpagoside in Scrophularia ningpoensis. Four main factors, namely, extraction solvent, solid/liquid ratio, illumination time, and distance between the infrared lamp and the round-bottom flask, were optimized for extraction. Furthermore, conventional ultrasonic extraction (USE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) were also investigated to validate the developed method.ResultsThe optimal extraction conditions were as follows: ethanol concentration, 37.5%; solid/liquid ratio, 1:25; illumination time, 10 min; and distance between infrared lamp and round-bottom flask, 3 cm. The results of method validation demonstrated that the developed method meets the requirement of analysis.ConclusionThe results show that the IRAE-HPLC is a simple, accurate, and green analytical preparatory method for the potential extraction and quantification of angoroside C, cinnamic acid, and harpagoside in Scrophularia ningpoensis.

In My Element: Magnesium

The In My Element series celebrates the personal accounts from Chemistry – A European Journal Editorial Board members for the 2019 International Year of the Periodic Table. In this contribution, Burkhard König gives his story on magnesium. As a passionate organic chemist, carbon is the element of interest. The reason for this fascination is the endless reaction variation. However, carbon–carbon bond formation is more challenging than an oxidation. Therefore, another element has caught my eye. It is magnesium, would you like to know why? On organomagnesium compounds you can rely, because their reactivity is very high. You may have to be patient to form a Grignard reagent. However, you will be filled with anticipation, if you see turbid solution formation. Please read on with enthusiasm and pleasure, to learn how magnesium can be a treasure. It is hard to forget your first time preparing a Grignard reagent. You are eager to get started because you will be producing an important reagent that can be used in organometallic reactions. Even still, you become slightly flustered as you are trying to remember all the different tricks told by the teacher for activating magnesium, the key player in this reaction. As you fill your well-dried round bottom flask with magnesium turnings, you notice how lightweight it is. You add just enough ether to cover the grey–white metal. With the stirrer bar buried by the shiny turnings, you slowly open the tap of the dropping funnel, allowing the first milliliters of the alkyl halide solution to drop into the ether. Now density comes into play. You notice the higher density solution sink from the surface of the ether and watch it approach the magnesium. You hold your breath. Is the reaction going to start? Is it getting slightly turbid close to the magnesium surface? Did you just see a gas bubble? Or maybe it is just your imagination! Seconds feel like minutes, and after some time you decide to take action to help start the reaction. You add a few drops of the alkyl halide as a neat liquid, and then a small crystal of iodine. A small violet cloud immediately begins to develop around a few magnesium turnings, but it is still not starting. Where is the heat gun? Let's try some heat. The ether quickly starts to boil, but it is still not working! You are running out of tricks to start the reaction. What else can you do? While contemplating all possible actions, you notice a subtle change at the surface of some magnesium turnings. Finally, small bubbles begin to evolve, and the solution becomes turbid. Now things are happening fast. More and more of the magnesium turnings start to react. You add more alkyl halide solution, start the magnetic stirrer and bring the reaction to reflux. You have your emergency ice bath in close proximity in case the reaction becomes too violent. With gentle cooling you keep the reaction running, and the last drops of the alkyl halide solution go into the reaction. At this point, most of the metal has reacted and dissolved. The mixture is grey and turbid. Done! Now you have made your Grignard solution. Position Professor of organic chemistry at the University of Regensburg, Germany E-mail [email protected] Homepage http://www-oc.chemie.uni-regensburg.de/koenig/index.html Education M.Sc. (Hauptdiplom), University of Hamburg, Germany (1988) Ph.D. (Dr. rer. nat), University of Hamburg, Germany (1991) Visiting research fellow with Prof. Dr. M. A. Bennett at the Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia (1991/92) Postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Dr. B. M. Trost at Stanford University, U.S.A. (1992/93) Awards Reinhard-Koselleck grant of the German Science Foundation (2017), ERC adv. grant 2016, UN-Decade Award on Sustainability 2011/2012, Literature award of the Fonds of the German Chemical Industry 2007 Research interests Physical-organic chemistry, photocatalysis, photochromic compounds, supramolecular interactions Hobbies Gardening, spending time in nature I thank Mrs. Ranit Lahmy for her valuable input to this text.

Alternative Technologies That Facilitate Access to Discrete Metal Complexes.

Organometallic complexes: these two words jump to the mind of the chemist and are directly associated with their utility in catalysis or as a pharmaceutical. Nevertheless, to be able to use them, it is necessary to synthesize them, and it is not always a small matter. Typically, synthesis is via solution chemistry, using a round-bottom flask and a magnetic or mechanical stirrer. This review takes stock of alternative technologies currently available in laboratories that facilitate the synthesis of such complexes. We highlight five such technologies: mechanochemistry, also known as solvent-free chemistry, uses a mortar and pestle or a ball mill; microwave activation can drastically reduce reaction times; ultrasonic activation promotes chemical reactions because of cavitation phenomena; photochemistry, which uses light radiation to initiate reactions; and continuous flow chemistry, which is increasingly used to simplify scale-up. While facilitating the synthesis of organometallic compounds, these enabling technologies also allow access to compounds that cannot be obtained in any other way. This shows how the paradigm is changing and evolving toward new technologies, without necessarily abandoning the round-bottom flask. A bright future is ahead of the organometallic chemist, thanks to these novel technologies.

3-D Quality Assurance in CyberKnife Radiotherapy Using a Novel N-(3-methoxypropyl) Acrylamide Polymer Gel Dosimeter and Optical CT

In radiotherapy, dosimetry tools are needed to record and verify complex 3-D dose distributions. A novel composition of polymer gel dosimeter based on radiation-induced polymerization of N-(3-methoxypropyl) acrylamide (NMPA) is presented and studied as a 3-D dose verification quality assurance tool (QA) in radiotherapy treatment planning. A 160 mm diameter crystal glass round bottom flask (CrystalBall) containing NMPA gel was used as a phantom. The gel was irradiated by a CyberKnife robotic radiotherapy system and scanned optically with a red light source using an optical computed tomography OCT scanner with sub-millimeter spatial resolution. Additionally, a commercial polymer gel dosimeter of BANG-GEL-QA™ was irradiated and scanned to compare its performance with that of the novel gel dosimeter. The dose distributions of a CyberKnife robotic SRS/SBRT treatment planning system (TPS) for a patient with brain metastasis were compared to the measurements of both polymers using 2-D and 3-D gamma analysis with a criteria of 5% dose difference and 2 mm distance-to-agreement. A gamma pass rate of 95% was calculated within a diameter of at least 32 mm for the 2-D and 3-D gamma analysis of both polymer gels. This suggests that the novel NMPA polymer dosimeter can provide an accurate 3-D verification of complex dose distribution in SRS/SBRT radiotherapy treatments. This study demonstrates that the newly developed CrystalBall NMPA phantom can provide a promising 3-D quality assurance tool for radiation therapy.

Pengaruh Waktu Ekstraksi Daun Jeruk Nipis (Citrus aurantifolia) Menggunakan Pelarut n-Heksana terhadap Rendemen Minyak

Indonesia has natural resources that are rich in essential oils. One potential natural resource is lime which can be used as flavor in food. The extraction of lime leaf essential oil using volatile solvent extraction method. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of extraction time on yield, refractive index, and density of essential oils produced. Extraction of lime leaf oil with n-hexane solvent using soxhlet extractors. The old lime leaves that have been cleaned, cut into small pieces and wrapped in filter paper and put in soxhlet. 200 ml n-hexane solvent is inserted in an extractor round bottom flask equipped with coolant. Extraction is carried out at a certain temperature and time depending on the type of solvent used, until the solvent color is returned as before. Then the filtrate was distilled to be purified, so that lime leaf oil was obtained separately from the solvent. Essential oils are then tested for yield, refractive index, and density contained in essential oils. The results of the study were extraction of lime leaves with n-hexane solvent, the highest yield obtained at a sample weightof 200 grams with an extraction time of 180 minutes which was 3.11%. The highest oil refractive index was also obtained at a sample weight of 200 grams with an extraction time of 180 minutes which was 1.47, while the density of essential oil from lime leaves was 0.79gr/ml.Keywords: essential oil, lime leaf, extraction, n-heksana

The Effects of Different Catalysts, Substituted Aromatic Aldehydes on One-Pot Three-Component Biginelli Reaction.

The Biginelli reaction, first reported in 1893, is one great example of the important multicomponent reactions reported from 1893. Under the same conditions, the influence of the common catalysts on the yield of the Biginelli reaction was investigated. To a round-bottom flask equipped with a spherical condenser were added 1,3- dicarbonyl compound (1.0 eq), urea (1.45 eq), aromatic aldehyde (1.0 eq), catalyst and methanol. The mixture was heated at reflux for 16 h. After cooling off, the mixture was filtered and washed with cold methanol to give DHPMs. Reaction solution was further purified by recrystallization with petroleum ether and ethyl acetate. Six catalytic systems, different 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and different substituted aromatic aldehydes with varied substitutions are described for the Biginelli reaction. An analysis was also performed to study the factors that affect the yield of the reaction. When 1,3-dicarbonyl compound was ethyl acetoacetate, the CuCl/ conc.H2SO4 system gave the highest yield (90.5%). While when acetoacetamide was used, the yields of DHPMs in presence of PTSA/conc. HCl, conc. HCl or FeCl3•6H2O were all over 90%. Nine DHPMs with different substituents were obtained. The Lewis acid or mixed catalyst had no significant advantage over a single protonic acid as catalyst. Conc. HCl as the catalyst was found to be the most effective condition for the preparation of DHPMs. The aromatic aldehyde with weak electron-withdrawing substituent such as Br resulted in the best yield.

Benzotriazole as an Efficient Ligand in Cu-Catalyzed Glaser Reaction.

Benzotriazole has been established as an efficient ligand in Cu-catalyzed cross-coupling of terminal alkynes to form 1,3-dialkynes using CuI as the catalyst and K2CO3 as the base at room temperature in an open round-bottom flask. The established protocol has the following notable advantages: simple to handle, easy work-up, mild reaction condition, high substrate scope, requirement of less quantity of ligand and also Cu-catalyst, less expensive, and high reaction yield.

Clear directions for a robotic platform

Chemistry The chemistry literature contains more than a century's worth of instructions for making molecules, all written by and for humans. Steiner et al. developed an autonomous compiler and robotic laboratory platform to synthesize organic compounds on the basis of standardized methods descriptions (see the Perspective by Milo). The platform comprises conventional equipment such as round-bottom flasks, separatory funnels, and a rotary evaporator to maximize its compatibility with extant literature. The authors showcase the system with short syntheses of three common pharmaceuticals that proceeded comparably to manual synthesis. Science , this issue p. [eaav2211][1]; see also p. [122][2] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aav2211 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aav8816

THE ANTIOXIDANT STUDIES OF TWO MEDICINAL PLANTS, SPHAERANTHUS INDICUS AND PSOPHOCARPUS TETRAGONOLOBUS

Objective: The present study deals with the antioxidant assays of the different leaf extracts of two medicinal plants, Sphaeranthus indicus and Psophocarpus tetragonolobus. Methods: Dried leaves of S. indicus and P. tetragonolobus were packed in separate round bottom flasks for sample extraction using ethanol, methanol, hexane, and distilled water as solvents for 72 h, and the extracts were collected after evaporating the solvents. Antioxidant studies of the various extracts were performed by 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma assays.Results: Among the two plants studied, S. indicus showed better 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), scavenging activity than P. tetragonolobus with IC50 values of 174.380 and 262.313, respectively, as compared to that of the standard, ascorbic acid, IC50 value of which being 111.16. The FRAP assay results for both the plants indicated that the methanol fractions showed closer results when compared with standards, ascorbic acid and quercetin. The IC50 value of S. indicus, P tetragonolobus, ascorbic acid, and quercetin was 70.065, 151.953, 85.162, and 79.647, respectively. These results clearly indicate that S. indicus methanol fraction had better antioxidant activity when compared to both standards.Conclusion: It is concluded that S. indicus and P. tetragonolobus have excellent antioxidant activities which could be the major contributing factors for their medicinal roles. Further studies in this direction are being carried on.

THE ANTIOXIDANT STUDIES OF TWO MEDICINAL PLANTS, SPHAERANTHUS INDICUS AND PSOPHOCARPUS TETRAGONOLOBUS

Objective: The present study deals with the antioxidant assays of the different leaf extracts of two medicinal plants, Sphaeranthus indicus and Psophocarpus tetragonolobus. Methods: Dried leaves of S. indicus and P. tetragonolobus were packed in separate round bottom flasks for sample extraction using ethanol, methanol, hexane, and distilled water as solvents for 72 h, and the extracts were collected after evaporating the solvents. Antioxidant studies of the various extracts were performed by 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma assays.Results: Among the two plants studied, S. indicus showed better 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), scavenging activity than P. tetragonolobus with IC50 values of 174.380 and 262.313, respectively, as compared to that of the standard, ascorbic acid, IC50 value of which being 111.16. The FRAP assay results for both the plants indicated that the methanol fractions showed closer results when compared with standards, ascorbic acid and quercetin. The IC50 value of S. indicus, P tetragonolobus, ascorbic acid, and quercetin was 70.065, 151.953, 85.162, and 79.647, respectively. These results clearly indicate that S. indicus methanol fraction had better antioxidant activity when compared to both standards.Conclusion: It is concluded that S. indicus and P. tetragonolobus have excellent antioxidant activities which could be the major contributing factors for their medicinal roles. Further studies in this direction are being carried on.

Antiadherence and antimicrobial property of herbal extracts (Glycyrrhiza glabra and Terminalia chebula) on Streptococcus mutans: An in vitro experimental study.

Background:Herbal agents are used for treating different forms of diseases since decades. In the current study, the antiadhesive property of herbal extracts has been evaluated using Glycyrrhiza glabra (GG) and Terminalia chebula (TC) herbal extracts on Streptococcus mutans.Materials and Methods:The plant extracts (GG and TC) were powdered in mechanical grinder. Ten gram of each plant extract in powder form was placed in porous bag or thimble. The extract was placed in a round-bottom flask and was transferred into clean preweighed universal tubes. The yield strength of the extract was calculated. The antiadherence property of the herbal extract was evaluated using glass surface adherence test.Statistical Analysis:The statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance followed by post hoc Tukey's test.Results:Both herbal extracts have significant antiadhesive and antimicrobial activity against S. mutans, however, high antiadherence property was seen with TC than GG.Conclusion:Both the plant extracts exhibit inhibitory activity against S. mutans. However, TC had more clinically significant results than GG, but it was found statistically insignificant.

The Use of Co-solvent for Insitu Transesterification of Microalgae with Base Catalyst under Microwave Irradiation

The utilization of co-solvent was considered as one of several methods to improve yield of methyl ester on in situ transesterification of microalgae. The research aims to study the effect of co-solvent in the in situ transesterification of Chlorella Sp using base catalyst under microwave irradiation. The in situ transesterification reaction carried out in a microwave reactor using 1% of base catalyst with an addition 30 ml of n-hexane as a co-solvent. The microwave was equipped with a reflux condenser and the reactor was a round bottom flask equipped with magnetic stirrer. The reaction study was performed by varying the reaction time (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) min at 450 W of microwave power. Based on the experiment result obtained that the optimal yield of methyl ester was 30.08% at 40 min. The analysis result obtained that the component of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester(FAME) from Chlorella Sp was a medium chain methyl ester (C12-C20) with Saturated Fatty Acid (SAFA)s as the dominant component.

Organic synthesis in a modular robotic system driven by a chemical programming language

The synthesis of complex organic compounds is largely a manual process that is often incompletely documented. To address these shortcomings, we developed an abstraction that maps commonly reported methodological instructions into discrete steps amenable to automation. These unit operations were implemented in a modular robotic platform by using a chemical programming language that formalizes and controls the assembly of the molecules. We validated the concept by directing the automated system to synthesize three pharmaceutical compounds, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, rufinamide, and sildenafil, without any human intervention. Yields and purities of products and intermediates were comparable to or better than those achieved manually. The syntheses are captured as digital code that can be published, versioned, and transferred flexibly between platforms with no modification, thereby greatly enhancing reproducibility and reliable access to complex molecules.

Water movement on the convex surfaces of porous media under microgravity

A plant growth system for crop production under microgravity is part of a life supporting system designed for long-duration space missions. A plant growth in soil in space requires the understanding of water movement in soil void spaces under microgravity. Under 1G-force condition, on earth, water movement in porous media is driven by gradients of matric and gravitational potentials. Under microgravity condition, water movement in porous media is supposed to be driven only by a matric potential gradient, but it is still not well understood. We hypothesized that under microgravity water in void spaces of porous media hardly moved comparing in void spaces without obstacles because the concave surfaces of the porous media hindered water movement. The objective of this study was to investigate water movement on the convex surfaces of porous media under microgravity. We conducted parabolic flight experiments that provided 20–25 s of microgravity at the top of a parabolic flight. We observed water movement in void spaces in soil-like porous media made by glass beads and glass spheres (round-bottomed glass flasks) in the different conditions of water injection under microgravity. Without water injection, water did not move much in neither glass beads nor glass spheres. When water was injected during microgravity, water accumulated in contacts between the particles, and the water made thick fluid films on the particles surface. When the water injection was stopped under microgravity, water was held in the contacts between the particles. This study showed that water did not move upward in the void spaces with or without the water injection. In addition, our results suggested that the difficulty of water movement on the convex (i.e. particle surfaces) might result in slower water move in porous media under microgravity than at 1G-force.