As densidades superficiais de carga de ácidos húmicos foram determinadas por titulação potenciométrica e condutimétrica simultâneas. Também foi observada a influência do pH na conformação molecular através de espectroscopia de UV-Vis e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). A densidade de carga superficial para todas as amosftras de ácido húmico é aproximadamente zero na faixa de pH 3,5-6,0. A influência do pH na condensação molecular foi observada pela determinação do índice β na equação de Doty e Steiner. Os altos valores de β foram obtidos na região ácida, indicando uma conformação condensada, devido à fraca interação atrativa. Além disso, na região alcalina, a densidade de carga na superfície da molécula é mais negativa, o que favorece o aumento da repulsão e dispersão das partículas, levando à formação de estruturas micelares como consequência da característica anfifílica dos ácidos húmicos.

The surface charge densities for humic acids (HAs) were determined by simultaneous potentiometric and conductimetric titrations. It was also observed the pH influence on molecular conformation by UV-Vis spectroscopy measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The surface charge densities are approximately zero at the pH range 3.5 to 6.0 for all samples. The pH influence on molecular condensation level was observed by the determination of the β index from Doty and Steiner equation. High values of β were obtained at acid region indicating a condensed conformation due to weak attractive interactions whereas around the neutral region the repulsive intramolecular forces take place leading to an extended conformation of humic molecules. Moreover, at very alkaline region, the charge density on molecule surface is more negative, increasing repulsion and dispersion of the particles and also takes place formation of micelle-like structure because of the amphyphylic feature of HA samples.

In addition to the usual advantage of an ice calorimeter of being able to measure slow heat changes, the instrument described here is extremely simple to construct and operate. Specific heat of aluminum, copper, lead and tin metals were determined using the ice calorimeter made with easily accessible materials. The values obtained from specific heat are near to those found in the literature and were 0.204; 0.030; 0.086; 0.046 cal/g °C with an error of theoretical values of 6.84; 1,64; 5.49 and 8.00% for aluminum, copper, lead and tin, respectively.

O catalisador nanoestruturado SiO2/ZrO2 foi preparado pelo método sol-gel e apresentou uma área superficial de 131,50 ± 14 m² g-1. As imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura mostraram que o catalisador apresentou partículas muito homogêneas de 250 nm de diâmetro. Este material foi aplicado na transesterificação do óleo de soja para a produção de biodiesel. A conversão do óleo em biodiesel teve um rendimento de 96,2 ± 1,4 % em 3 h de reação de transesterificação catalisada pelo material SiO2/ZrO2 (SiZr). O catalisador foi recuperado e reutilizado por seis vezes, mantendo uma eficiência catalítica de 84,1%.

Nanosized SiO2/ZrO2 catalyst with high surface area (131.50 ± 14 m² g-1) was prepared by the sol-gel method. The material presented highly homogeneous particles with an average diameter of 250 nm according to SEM images. It was applied in the transesterification of soybean oil for biodiesel production. The biodiesel conversion reached a yield of 96.2 ± 1.4 % after 3 h of transesterification reaction catalised by SiO2/ZrO2 (SiZr). The catalyst was recovered and reused six times, maintaining a catalytic efficiency of about 84.1 %.

Um catalisador baseado em sílica quimicamente modificada com tetrametilguanidina (TMG) foi sintetizado pela co-condensação de tetraetilortossilicato (TEOS) com um novo agente sililante, preparado pela reação entre a molécula TMG e (3-cloropropil)trimetoxisilano. O direcionador n-dodecilamina foi utilizado para organizar a polimerização do catalisador inorgânico-orgânico. A termogravimetria mostrou que o número de sítios ativos do catalisador foi de 1,35 mmol g-1, com uma área superficial de 811 ± 75 m² g-1. A espectroscopia na região do infravermelho e de ressonância magnética nuclear no estado sólido para os núcleos 29Si e 13C confirmou a obtenção do produto desejado. Este material foi usado para catalisar a adição de nitrometano em ciclopentenona. 98% de conversão foi observada depois de 3 h de reação. O catalisador foi recuperado e reutilizado por mais catorze vezes, mantendo uma eficiência catalítica em torno de 98%.

A catalyst based on silica chemically modified with tetramethylguanidine (TMG) was synthesized by the co-condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) with a new silylant agent derived from the reaction between the TMG molecule and (3-chloropropyl)trimethoxysilane. A neutral n-dodecylamine template was used to organize the polymerization of the inorganic-organic catalyst. Thermogravimetry showed that the number of active pendant groups in the catalyst was 1.35 mmol g-1, with a surface area of 811 ± 75 m² g-1. Infrared spectroscopy and 13C and 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance data are in agreement with the proposed structure. This material has been used to catalyse the addition of nitromethane to cyclopentenone. The catalytic efficiency was followed and the nitromethylcyclopentanone conversion presented a yield of 98% at 3 h of reaction. The catalyst was recovered and reused 14 times, maintaining about 98% of its catalytic efficiency.

The trans-dichlorobis(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) chloride was synthesized in an undergraduate laboratory and its aquation reaction was carried out at different temperatures. This reaction follows pseudo-first-order kinetics and the rate constants, determined at 25, 35, 45, 55 and 70 º C, are 1.44 x 10-3; 5.14 x 10-3; 1.48 x 10-2; 4.21 x 10-2 and 2.21 x 10-1 s-1, respectively. The activation energy is 93.99 ± 2.88 kJ mol-1.

The silica gel was obtained from sand and its surface was modified with POCl3 to produce Si-Cl bonds on the silica surface. Ethylenediamine was covalently bonded onto the chlorinated silica surface. The adsorption of the chlorides of divalent cobalt, nickel and copper was qualitatively studied to show that the bonding of ethylenediamine onto the silica gel surface produces a solid base capable of chelating metal ions from solution. The experiments illustrate the extraction of silica gel, its reactivity, the development of modified surfaces and its application in removing metal ions from water and are deigned for undergraduate inorganic chemistry laboratories.

The fundamental concepts of the green chemistry are highlighted in order to present the enormous number of challenges to develop a new chemistry in research, industry and education. The practice of an environmental friendly chemistry are presented to improve the economics of chemical manufacturing and to enhance the much-tarnished image of chemistry and to present the opportunities to discover and apply this new chemistry. The challenges and opportunities of green chemistry in the world and Brazil are introduced and discussed in this report.

Os pesticidas têm sido usados para eliminar formas indesejáveis de vida nocivas à agricultura ou em áreas urbanas. O êxodo rural e, conseqüentemente, o aumento de preço da mão-de-obra remanescente nas áreas agrícolas levaram a um aumento do uso de herbicidas nas lavouras, principalmente do 2,4-D. Através de processos de adsorção-dessorção a mobilidade do herbicida 2,4-D pode ser avaliada. A contribuição da matéria orgânica do solo foi avaliada no processo de sorção do referido herbicida, constatando-se que a mesma contribui para o aumento de sua adsorção. A concentração ideal de 2,4-D a ser aplicada em um solo tipo latossolo roxo foi determinada através de experimentos de adsorção-dessorção.

Agrochemicals have been used to eliminate different undesirable forms of life both in agriculture and in urban areas. The rural exodus and the increase of labor costs in the agricultural areas have induced a greater use of herbicides in crops, mainly of 2,4-D. Through adsorption-desorption processes the mobility of this herbicide can be evaluated. The effect of organic matter on sorption of 2,4-D in soil has been studied. Organic matter contributed to the increase of 2,4-D adsorption. The ideal concentrations of 2,4-D in yellow-red Latosol soils were determined based on adsorption-desorption experiments.

The acidity determinations method of humic acids (HA) content was developed by Schnitzer and Gupta and is a very well known procedure. Nevertheless, care is necessary to prevent measure errors due to non-controlled BaCO3 production, during the filtration and titration of HA total acidity. To overcome this problem, we developed in our laboratory a simple filtration and titration system for the determination of HA acidity under inert atmosphere. This system enables a better reproducibility and accuracy of total, carboxylic and phenolic acidity measures than those by Schnitzer and Gupta method.