Resumo Este artigo compara as características estruturais das substâncias húmicas aquáticas (SHA) com substâncias húmicas de turfa (SHT) usando diferentes técnicas analíticas, incluindo análise elementar, espectro de polarização cruzada de estado sólido 13C/ espectroscopia de ressonância magnética nuclear (13C CP-MAS RMN), espectroscopia no ultravioleta/visível e infravermelho com transformada de Fourier e carbono orgânico total (COT). As SHA foram extraídas de água coletada em um afluente do rio Itapanhaú (Bertioga/SP), utilizando resina XAD 8 e as SHT foram extraídas de turfa coletadas na margem do rio Mogi-Guaçu (Luis Antonio/SP) com uma solução de KOH. Após a diálise, ambos extratos de SHA e SHT foram filtrados em membrana com 0,45 m de tamanho de poro (Fração F1: < 0,45 m) e após fracionados através de ultrafiltração em diferentes tamanhos moleculares aparentes (F2: 100 kDa-0,45 m; F3: 30 - 100 kDa e F4: < 30 kDa). Os extratos de menor tamanho (F3 e F4) apresentaram um maior número de átomos de carbono alifáticos do que de carbonos aromáticos, uma maior concentração de grupos contendo oxigênio e uma percentagem mais elevada de ácidos fúlvicos do que os ácidos húmicos para ambas as frações de SHA e de SHT. No entanto, as SHA apresentaram maior quantidade de ácidos fúlvicos que ácidos húmicos em relação às SHT e propriedades estruturais distintas.

Abstract This paper compares the structural characteristics of aquatic humic substances (AHS) with humic substances from peat (HSP) through different analytical techniques, including elemental analysis, solid state 13C cross polarization/magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C CP-MAS NMR), ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and total organic carbon (TOC). The AHS were extracted from water collected in a tributary of the Itapanhaú River (Bertioga/SP) using XAD 8 resin, and the HSP were extracted from peat collected in the Mogi Guaçu River bank (Luis Antonio/SP) with a KOH solution. After dialysis, both AHS and HSP extracts were filtered in membrane of 0.45 µm pore size (Fraction F1: < 0.45 µm) and fractioned by ultrafiltration in different apparent molecular sizes (AMS) (F2: 100 kDa-0.45 μm; F3: 30 kDa-100 kDa and F4: < 30 kDa). The extracts with the lowest AMS (F3 and F4) showed a higher number of aliphatic carbons than aromatic carbons, a higher concentration of groups containing oxygen and a higher percentage of fulvic acids (FA) than humic acids (HA) for both AHS and HSP. However, the AHS presented higher FA than HA content in relation to the HSP and distinct structural properties.

This article presents a discussion on light diffraction by slits and grids as well as the development of an experimental apparatus which provides quantitative observation of the phenomenon. We conducted a brief historical survey on the evolution of the wave theory of light and the role of diffraction in the context of optical spectroscopy. We also reviewed the use of Huygens’ principle to calculate the intensity pattern obtained when light is diffracted by slits and compared the predictions with experimental results obtained using the apparatus developed. Finally, the use of the apparatus in an optical spectroscopy experiment was demonstrated.

This article describes the use of a projection spectrograph based on an overhead projector for use in classroom demonstrations on light polarization and optical activity. A simple adaptation on a previously developed apparatus allows illustrating several aspects of optical activity, such as circular and linear birefringence, including their wavelength dependence. Specifically, we use the projection spectrograph to demonstrate the optical activity of an aqueous solution of sugar (circular birefringence), of a quartz plate and of an overhead projector transparence film (linear birefringence). A historical survey about the optical activity discovery and the main principles involved is also presented.

The [RuCl(bipy)(dppb)(4-pic)]PF6 complex was prepared and fully characterized. The X-ray crystal structure of this complex was determined in order to make an unambiguous distinction between the two possible positions of the 4-methylpyridine ligand (4-pic) in the compound: trans to phosphorus atom or trans to nitrogen atom. The [RuCl(bipy)(dppb)(4-pic)]PF6 complex exhibits an unusual temperature-dependent accidental degeneracy of the 31P chemical shifts in its solution NMR spectrum.

This article describes a projection spectrograph for use in optical spectroscopy classrooms demonstrations. The apparatus is based on an overhead projector and permits the visualization of several phenomena such as, light dispersion by diffraction gratings, diffraction order, optical fluorescence, continuous and discrete optical emission spectra, and light absorption by liquids and solids. A historical survey about the optical spectroscopy development is also presented.

After the huge development occurred during the last 30 years, including the proposition of methods such as magic-angle spinning, multiple-resonance experiments (cross-polarization, high-power decoupling, etc.), multiple-pulses techniques, multiple quantum experiments, and multidimensional spectroscopy, pulsed Solid-State NMR became one of the most important experimental tools for studying physical and chemical properties of new materials in the solid-state. In this article we will review some of the NMR methods employed for studying an important class of solid materials: organic materials, particularly polymers and derivatives, which allow the application of a large number of different techniques for understanding their molecular dynamics and local conformation.