10.1002/jlcr.3504
The study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of specific deuterated derivatives of long-chain ceramides [EOS] and [EOP] found in the stratum corneum lipids, which are essential components of the skin's barrier function. The researchers replaced linoleic acid with a palmitic acid branched with a methyl group and introduced deuteration in the branched and terminal methyl groups to create these derivatives. The synthesized ceramides were then prepared for neutron scattering investigations. The chemicals used in the study included various fatty acids, deuterated compounds, and ceramide precursors, such as 6-bromohexanoic acid ethyl ester, malonic acid ethyl ester, and lithium aluminum deuteride. These chemicals served the purpose of creating the branched and deuterated fatty acids, which were then used to synthesize the ceramides [EOS] and [EOP]. The synthesized deuterated ceramides are valuable tools for investigating the influence of these long-chain ceramide species on the nanostructure of stratum corneum lipid model membranes, as they can be detected in the lipid model membranes and help to understand their structural role in the skin's barrier.
10.1002/cssc.201500053
The research focuses on the development and evaluation of a Pd/Nb2O5/SiO2 catalyst for the direct hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of biomass-derived compounds into liquid alkanes under mild conditions. The study involves the conversion of model compounds such as 4-(2-furyl)-3-buten-2-one (derived from furfural and acetone), palmitic acid, tristearin, and diphenyl ether, which represent microalgae oils, vegetable oils, and lignin, respectively. The experiments utilize a Pd-loaded Nb2O5/SiO2 catalyst prepared via a sol-gel method, aiming to achieve high yields of alkanes with minimal C-C bond cleavage. The catalyst's performance is assessed through batch reactions in a stainless-steel autoclave under controlled temperature (170°C) and pressure (2.5 MPa H2), with product analysis conducted using GC-MS to quantify the liquid products against an internal standard. The research also includes characterization of the catalyst using techniques like XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, TEM, and EDAX atomic mapping to understand its structure and active sites. The study demonstrates that the Pd/10%Nb2O5/SiO2 catalyst is highly effective, achieving over 94% yield of alkanes under the specified mild conditions, and exhibits excellent stability and activity, making it a promising candidate for biomass conversion to liquid alkanes.
Xi
