We developed a project during an undergraduate course (advanced experimental chemistry) on the microwave-assisted synthesis of biodiesel (BD), via base-catalyzed transesterification of coconut fat (CF) and soybean oil (SO) by ethanol, followed by product analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Our goals were to introduce a problem with relevant socio-economic impact (production of BD); to discuss and compare methods for biofuel analysis, and to gain insight into transesterification mechanism as an important example of acyl-transfer reactions. Comparison of both BFs showed clear difference in fatty acid composition; that from CF contains shorter, saturated chains (mainly ethyl dodecanoate- and tetradecanoate), whereas biodiesel from SO is essentially composed of longer unsaturated chains (e.g., ethyl oleate and linoleate). The project takes eight hours to complete, is conceptually simple, being suitable for inclusion in the undergraduate science curriculum.

ABSTRACT An overview is provided of the status of research at the frontiers of investigation of the chemistry and photochemistry of two classes of natural plant pigments, the anthocyanins and the betalains, as well as of the pyranoanthocyanin pigments formed from anthocyanins during the maturation of red wine. Together, anthocyanins and betalains are responsible for almost all of the red, purple and blue colors of fruits and flowers and anthocyanins and pyranoanthocyanins are major contributors to the color of red wines. All three types of pigments are cationic below about pH 3, highly colored, non-toxic, reasonably soluble in water or alcohol and fairly stable to light. They exhibit good antioxidant or antiradical activity and, as part of our diet, confer a number of important health benefits. Systematic studies of model compounds containing the basic chromophoric groups of these three types of pigments are providing a deeper understanding of the often complex chemistry and photochemistry of these pigments and their relationship to the roles in vivo of these pigments in plants. These natural pigments are currently being exploited as starting materials for the preparation of novel semi-synthetic dyes, pigments and fluorescence probes.

Peróxidos cíclicos de quatro membros são intermediários de alta energia importantes em diversas transformações quimi e bioluminescentes. Especificamente, α-peroxilactonas (1,2-dioxetanonas) têm sido consideradas sistemas modelo para a eficiente bioluminescência do vaga-lume. Contudo, a preparação deste tipo de compostos altamente instáveis é extremamente difícil e, por isso, apenas alguns poucos grupos de pesquisa puderam estudar as propriedades dessas substâncias. Neste trabalho, a síntese, purificação e caracterização de três 1,2-dioxetanonas são relatadas e é apresentado um procedimento detalhado para a preparação do peróxido de difenoíla, outro importante composto-modelo para a geração química de estados eletronicamente excitados. Para a maioria destes peróxidos, a caracterização espectroscópica completa é relatada pela primeira vez.

Cyclic four-membered ring peroxides are important high-energy intermediates in a variety of chemi and bioluminescence transformations. Specifically, α-peroxylactones (1,2-dioxetanones) have been considered as model systems for efficient firefly bioluminescence. However, the preparation of such highly unstable compounds is extremely difficult and, therefore, only few research groups have been able to study the properties of these substances. In this study, the synthesis, purification and characterization of three 1,2-dioxetanones are reported and a detailed procedure for the known synthesis of diphenoyl peroxide, another important model compound for the chemical generation of electronically excited states, is provided. For most of these peroxides, the complete spectroscopic characterization is reported here for the first time.

Usando-se a reação de Barton-Kellogg, foram sintetizados um alceno e dois enóis-éteres fenchyl-substituídos, contendo grupos 3-oxifenila como substituintes. O fenchil-alceno aromático tri-substituído 1a foi preparado com rendimento de 53% a partir de tiofenchona e um diazoanisol. A abordagem inversa, baseada no acoplamento entre diazofenchona e tionoésteres aromáticos, foi utilizada para produzir os enóis-éteres 1b e 1c (rendimentos 95 e 75%, respectivamente). Em todos os casos foi obtida uma mistura dos isômeros E e Z; a atribuição e quantificação destes isômeros foram realizadas pela análise dos dados de espectroscopia de RMN assistida por cálculos teóricos (relação E/Z 1a = 0,72, 1b = 2,2, 1c = 1,8). A reação ocorre com baixa estereosseletividade, levando à formação preferencial dos diastereoisômeros das olefinas e enóis-éteres, nos quais o substituinte aromático está localizado ao lado dos dois grupos metila da porção fenchila.

The synthesis of one fenchyl-substituted alkene and two enol-ethers, containing 3-oxyphenyl substituents by the Barton-Kellogg reaction is described. The tri-substituted aromatic fenchyl-alkene 1a was prepared in 53% yield from thiofenchone and a diazoanisole; whereas enol-ethers 1b and 1c were obtained (95 and 75% yield, respectively) using an inverse approach based on diazofenchone and aromatic thionoesters. A mixture of Z and E isomers was obtained in all cases; isomer attribution and quantification has been carried out by analysis of NMR spectroscopic data assisted by theoretical calculations (E/Z ratio: 1a = 0.72, 1b = 2.2, 1c = 1.8). Reaction proceeds with low stereoselectivity leading to the preferential formation of diastereoisomeric olefins and enol-ethers where the aromatic substituent resides at the side of the two fenchyl methyl groups.

The generation of "cold light", visible to the human eye, by chemical reactions has attracted the attention of the scientific community since the beginning of this century. Besides the academic interest in the elucidation of the mechanisms of excited state formations, many chemiluminescence reactions have found widespread analytical applications. Moreover, the phenomenon of chemiluminescence can also be used as a tool in undergraduate and college teaching. In this article, we describe several known chemiluminescence demonstrations, which are suitable for school teaching. The main objective of this work is to produce didactic material in Portuguese to stimulate Brazilian secondary and high school teachers to use these experiments in the classroom. The demonstrations include singlet oxygen emission, the luminol reaction, oscillating chemiluminescence and the peroxyoxalate reaction.