Stable Carbon Isotope and Long-Chain Alkane Compositions of the Major Plants and Sediment Organic Matter in the Yellow River Estuarine Wetlands

Elemental(TOC,TN,C/N)and stable carbon isotopic(δ^13C)compositions and long-chain alkane(n C16-38)concentrations were measured for eight major plants and a sediment core collected from the Yellow River estuarine wetlands.Our results indicate that both C3(-25.4‰to-29.6‰)and C4(-14.2‰to-15.0‰)plants are growing in the wetlands and C3 plants are the predominant species.The biomass of the wetland plants had similar organic carbon(35.5-45.8%)but very different organic nitrogen(0.35-4.15%)contents.Both C3 and C4 plants all contained long-chain alkanes with strong odd-to-even carbon numbered chain predominance.Phragmites australis,a dominant C3 plant contained mainly n C29 and n C31 homologues.Aeluropus littoralis,an abundant C4 plant were concentrated with n C27 and n C29 homologues.Organic matter preserved in the Yellow River estuarine sediments showed strong terrestrial signals(C/N=11-16,δ^13C=-22.0‰to-24.3‰).The distribution of long-chain n-alkanes in sediments also showed strong odd-to-even carbon chain predominance with n C29 and n C31 being the most abundant homologues.These results suggest that organic matter preserved in the Yellow River estuarine sediments were influenced by the wetland-derived organic matter,mainly C3 plants.The Yellow River estuarine wetland plants could play important role affecting both the carbon and nutrient cycling in the estuary and adjacent coastal waters.

Synthesis of straight-chain C_(49)H_(100) alkane using a modular splicing strategy

Ultra-long n-alkanes are highly valuable in both scientific research and as major constituents of specialty high-melting-point waxes.Unlike conventional methods(e.g.,Fischer–Tropsch(FT),ethylene oligomerization,and polyethylene cracking)typically resulting in wide n-alkane distributions,the elaborate design strategy presented herein allows the direct synthesis of pure,long n-alkanes using a modular splicing method with acetone,furfural,and fatty acid anhydrides or acyl chlorides as bio-blocks.The herein approach is based on a simple four-step catalytic reaction scheme involving C–C chain elongation and C–O bond activation.The synthesized pure n-alkanes had a carbon chain length as high as C_(49)(total yield of 49%).The synthesis approach also allows to selectively prepare n-alkanes with even and odd carbon numbers ranging from C15 to C_(49).This process represents a great breakthrough in the synthesis of long-chain pure n-alkanes,surpassing the carbon number limitations reported in previous methodologies.

Characteristics of carbon isotopic composition of alkane gas in large gas fields in China

Exploration and development of large gas fields is an important way for a country to rapidly develop its natural gas industry.From 1991 to 2020,China discovered 68 new large gas fields,boosting its annual gas output to 1925×108m3in 2020,making it the fourth largest gas-producing country in the world.Based on 1696 molecular components and carbon isotopic composition data of alkane gas in 70 large gas fields in China,the characteristics of carbon isotopic composition of alkane gas in large gas fields in China were obtained.The lightest and average values ofδ^(13)C_(1),δ13C2,δ13C3andδ13C4become heavier with increasing carbon number,while the heaviest values ofδ^(13)C_(1),δ13C2,δ13C3andδ13C4become lighter with increasing carbon number.Theδ^(13)C_(1)values of large gas fields in China range from-71.2‰to-11.4‰(specifically,from-71.2‰to-56.4‰for bacterial gas,from-54.4‰to-21.6‰for oil-related gas,from-49.3‰to-18.9‰for coal-derived gas,and from-35.6‰to-11.4‰for abiogenic gas).Based on these data,theδ^(13)C_(1)chart of large gas fields in China was plotted.Moreover,theδ^(13)C_(1)values of natural gas in China range from-107.1‰to-8.9‰,specifically,from-1071%o to-55.1‰for bacterial gas,from-54.4‰to-21.6‰for oil-related gas,from-49.3‰to-13.3‰for coal-derived gas,and from-36.2‰to-8.9‰for abiogenic gas.Based on these data,theδ^(13)C_(1)chart of natural gas in China was plotted.

Solid catalysts for the dehydrogenation of long-chain alkanes:lessons from the dehydrogenation of light alkanes and homogeneous molecular catalysis

Long-chain alkanes are abundant feedstocks supplied by natural resources and chemical industry. Specially, normal long-chain alkanes are primary products from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis(FTS) process, which is an important route for the utilization of coal in China. Facing a shift of energy nexus towards sustainable society, the conversion of long-chain alkanes derived from coal into value-added products(such as alkenes and oxygenates) is of great importance for securing China’s energy supply and the role transition of the commercial FTS plants from fuel makers to chemical suppliers. Among the potential transformation routes,the direct dehydrogenation of long-chain alkanes into alkenes is an attractive and practical route, due to the broad applications of long-chain alkenes(especially the linear α-olefins). In this review, we will summary the key insights obtained from the literature on the dehydrogenation of light alkanes based on supported metal catalysts and the dehydrogenation of alkanes with homogeneous molecular catalysts and then discuss how to translate these lessons into the development of efficient catalysts and processes for the dehydrogenation of long-chain alkanes into long-chain alkenes.

Long-chain alkanes in the atmosphere:A review

As a representative species of intermediate volatile organic compounds(IVOCs),long-chain alkanes are considered to be important precursors of secondary organic aerosols(SOA)in the atmosphere.This work reviews the previous studies on long-chain alkanes in the atmosphere:(1)the detection methods and filed observations of long-chain alkanes in both gas and particle phases are summarized briefly;(2)the laboratory studies of long chain alkanes are reviewed,the kinetic data,reaction mechanism,SOA yields,and physicochemical properties of SOA are included in detail;(3)the research progress related to model simulations of long-chain alkanes are also discussed.In addition,based on available research results,several perspective contents are proposed that can be used as a guideline for future research plans.

Paleoenvironmental implications of Holocene long-chain n-alkanes on the northern Bering Sea Slope

The records of high-resolution terrestrial biological markers （biomarkers） from Core B2-9 from the northern Bering Sea Slope over the last 9.6 ka BP were presented in the study. Variations in input of terrestrial long-chain n-alkanes （referred to as n-alkanes） and vegetation structure in their source regions were investigated. The results show that the nCz7 is the main carbon peak and has the greatest contribution rate of the total n-alkane content; this might be related to the abundance of woody plants and their spatial distribution in the source region, nC23 is another n-alkane having a relatively high content; this was mainly derived from submerged plants widespread along the coastal areas in the northern hemisphere. Total n-alkane content dropped quickly at ca. 7.8 ka BP, ca. 6.7 ka BP and ca. 5.4 ka BP, and was followed by four relatively stable stages mostly controlled by sea-level rise, climate change and vegetation distribution in the source region. Variation in carbon preference index （CPI） indicates that the n-alkanes primarily originated from higher land plants, and the average chain length （ACL） and nCa1/nC27 ratio reveal the relatively stable presence of woody/herbaceous plants during the Holocene, and dominate woody plants in most of the time. Simultaneous variation in total n-alkane content, nC27 content and its contribution, CPI, ACL and nC31/nC27 ratio over several short periods suggest that the growth rate of the woody plant n-alkane contribution was lower than that of herbaceous plants and fossil n-alkanes under the particular climatic conditions of the source region.

Challenges and opportunities in plasma-activated reactions of CO_(2) with light alkanes

Mitigation of the deleterious environmental impacts associated with CO_(2) emissions requires the development of more sustainable processes for synthesizing fuels and chemicals.Selective conversion of abundant yet difficult to activate molecules such as CO_(2) and surplus light alkanes from shale gas to desirable products can potentially reduce reliance upon conventional fossil-based feedstocks.Therefore,co-conversion of CO_(2) with abundant light alkanes such as methane and ethane using atmospheric-pressure.

Structural characterization and mass spectrometry fragmentation signatures of macrocyclic alkanes isolated from a Sydney Basin torbanite,Australia

Individual hydrocarbons identified to be macrocyclic alkanes in a torbanite from the Sydney Basin(Australia)were successfully isolated from its extracts using preparative gas chromatography and analyzed by NMR.Saturated cyclic structures were confirmed by single peaks in the NMR~1H and~(13)C spectra indicating single forms of H and C atoms exist in these biomarker molecules.This is consistent with the methylene unit in a ring system assignment of the macrocyclic alkanes and accounts for a formula of(CH2)n.The unusual molecular structures of these compounds are consistent with those that were identified from previous GC retention index data and co-injection with a standard supports the previous research.The mass spectral fragmentation behaviors of representative cyclic alkanes were further investigated by comparing them with the mass spectra of isolated individual macrocyclic alkanes.The characteristic fragment ions in the macrocyclic alkanes of(M–28)+and base peaks of m/z 97,111,125,etc.,can be assigned as being generated by simple a-/i-cleavage and hydrogen rearrangement.These fragmentation pathways combined with retention indices should assist in differentiating these compounds from monounsaturated alkenes and alkylated monocyclics having similar mass spectral characteristics in other geological samples.

Low molecular weight alkane-fed solid oxide fuel cells for power and chemicals cogeneration

This paper presents a review of low molecular weight alkane-fed solid oxide fuel cells(SOFCs),which,unlikely the conventional use of SOFCs for only power production,are utilized to cogenerate produce useful chemicals at the same time.The cogeneration processes in SOFC have been classified according to the different types of fuel.C_(2)and C_(3)alkenes and synthesis gas are the main cogenerated chemicals together with electricity.The chemicals and energy cogeneration in a fuel cell reactor seems to be an effective alternative to conventional reactors for only chemicals production and conventional fuel cells for only power production.Although,the use of SOFCs for chemicals and energy cogeneration has proved successful in the industrial setting,the development of new catalysts aimed at obtaining the desired chemicals together with the production of a high amount of energy,and optimizing SOFC operation conditions is still a challenge to enhance system performance and make commercial applications workable.

Analysis of the Alkane Hydroxylase Gene and Long-Chain Cyclic Alkane Degradation in <i>Rhodococcus</i>

To characterize the long-chain cyclic alkane (c-alkane) degradation of bacteria in Rhodococcus, we analyzed the relationship between the alkane hydroxylase gene (alkB) and long-chain c-alkane degradation in 19 species. Eleven strains which were isolated from nature using long-chain c-alkane as a substrate were identified as R. erythropolisc, and all were shown to carry the alkB [alkB R2 type]. This gene type was also carried by two other species, R. rhodochrous and R. baikonurensis. In total, 17 species of the genus Rhodococcus carried alkB, but the gene types differed from each other. The two species R. rhodnii and R. coprophilus did not carry alkB, and their long-chain c-alkane degradation levels were low.

Protective effect of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on hepatorenal syndrome in rats

BACKGROUND Hepatorenal syndrome(HRS)is the most prevalent form of acute kidney injury in cirrhotic patients.It is characterized by reduced renal blood flow and represents the most severe complication in cirrhotic patients with advanced disease.Previous research has indicated that antioxidants can delay the onset of a hyperdynamic circulatory state in cirrhosis and improve renal function in HRS patients.Regular omega-3 supplementation has significantly reduced the risk of liver disease.This supplementation could represent an additional therapy for individuals with HRS.AIM To evaluated the antioxidant effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on the kidneys of cirrhotic rats.METHODS Secondary biliary cirrhosis was induced in rats by biliary duct ligation(BDL)for 28 d.We used 24 male Wistar rats divided into the following groups:I(control);II(treated with omega-3,1 g/kg of body weight);III(BDL treated with omega-3,1 g/kg of body weight);and IV(BDL without treatment).The animals were killed by overdose of anesthetic;the kidneys were dissected,removed,frozen in liquid nitrogen,and stored in a freezer at-80℃for later analysis.We evaluated oxidative stress,nitric oxide(NO)metabolites,DNA damage by the comet assay,cell viability test,and apoptosis in the kidneys.Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance,and means were compared using the Tukey test,with P≤0.05.RESULTS Omega-3 significantly decreased the production of reactive oxygen species(P<0.001)and lipoperoxidation in the kidneys of cirrhotic rats treated with omega-3(P<0.001).The activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase increased in the BDL+omega-3 group compared to the BDL group(P<0.01).NO production,DNA damage,and caspase-9 cleavage decreased significantly in the omega-3-treated BDL group.There was an increase in mitochondrial electrochemical potential(P<0.001)in BDL treated with omega-3 compared to BDL.No changes in the cell survival index in HRS with omega-3 compared to the control group(P>0.05)were observed.CONCLUSION The study demonstrates that omega-3 can protect cellular integrity and function by increasing antioxidant enzymes,inhibiting the formation of free radicals,and reducing apoptosis.

Zinc-modified Pt/SAPO-11 for improving the isomerization selectivity to dibranched alkanes

Zinc-modified Pt/SAPO-11 catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and assessed in the hydroisomerization of n-octane.Their physicochemical properties were investigated using powder X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,nitrogen adsorption-desorption,pyridine-adsorbed infrared spectroscopy,temperature-programmed desorption of NH3,temperature-programmed reduction of hydrogen,temperature-programmed desorption of hydrogen,transmission electron microscopy,and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.The addition of zinc resulted in high dispersion of platinum.Zinc acted as a competitive adsorbent,changed the location of platinum.The catalyst with a zinc loading of 0.5%gave the highest selectivity to dimethylhexanes,but the conversion was lower than those achieved with the other catalysts.Dimethylhexanes have large molecular diameters,and therefore their diffusion may be difficult.This weakens the catalytic activity of the zinc-modified catalysts and lowers the n-octane conversion.

Ni-based catalysts derived from a metal-organic framework for selective oxidation of alkanes

Ni nanoparticles embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon（Ni@C-N） materials were prepared by ther-molysis of a Ni-containing metal-organic framework （Ni-MOF） under inert atmosphere. The as-synthesized Ni@C-N materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, N_2 adsorp-tion-desorption analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The MOF-derived Ni-based mate-rials were then examined as heterogeneous catalysts for the oxidation of alkanes under mild reac-tion conditions. The Ni@C-N composites displayed high activity and selectivity toward the oxidation of a variety of saturated C–H bonds, affording the corresponding oxidation products in good-to-excellent yields. Furthermore, the catalysts could be recycled and reused for at least four times without any significant loss in activity and selectivity under the investigated conditions.

湛江湾柱状沉积物n-alkanes和PAHs组合分子特征及其环境指示作用

本文对湛江湾湾内、湾口和湾外柱状沉积物n-alkanes和PAHs的空间分布、成分谱特征和排放源进行调查分析。结果表明：（1）n-alkanes和PAHs的空间分布一致,浓度水平由高到低依次为：湾内、湾口、湾外,垂直变化不明显;（2）n-alkanes和PAHs的成分谱和L/H、CPI、Ant/（Ant＋Phe）、Flu/（Flu＋Pyr）、BaA/（BaA＋Chry）、IP/（IP＋BghiP）等特征参数比值以及主成分分析结果表明C25～C35高碳数n-alkanes的高等植物贡献具有绝对优势,C14～C24中低碳数的n-alkanes和PAHs则有共同的石油、化石燃料燃烧和生物质燃烧等人为源;（3）C14～C24中低碳n-alkanes与PAHs的源解析结果相同,其线性相关系数在0.67以上,表明两者具有较好的相关性,但两者之间的定量关系还需进一步的研究。本研究表明n-alkanes和PAHs对人为源的指示具有一致性,两者具有良好的相关性,能够较好地反映城市的社会经济状况,在进一步的研究中可以建立两者之间的定量关系并形成新的参数,提高人为源解析结果的准确性,深入反映人类活动对海洋环境的影响。

Computer-aided ionic liquid design for alkane/cycloalkane extractive distillation process

A computer-aided ionic liquid design(CAILD) study is presented for the frequently encountered alkane/cycloalkane separations in petrochemical industry. Exhaustive experimental data are first collected to extend the UNIFAC-IL model for this system, where the proximity effect in alkanes and cycloalkanes is considered specifically by defining distinct groups. The thermodynamic performances of a large number of ILs for 4 different alkane/cycloalkane systems are then compared to select a representative example of such separations. By applying n-heptane/methylcyclohexane extractive distillation as a case study, the CAILD task is cast as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming(MINLP) problem based on the obtained task-specific UNIFAC-IL model and two semi-empirical models for IL physical properties. The top 5 IL candidates determined by solving the MINLP problem are subsequently introduced into Aspen Plus for process simulation and economic analysis, which finally identify 1-hexadecyl-methylpiperidinium tricyanomethane([C_(16)MPip][C(CN)_3]) as the best entrainer for this separation.

Constant Volume Spray Auto-ignition Study of Alkanes

Spray auto-ignition experiments were carried out in a constant volume combustion chamber for some pure alkanes(n-paraffins with different chain length, cyclohexane, n-butyl cyclohexane, and isooctane) and blends of n-decane with Standard Blended Fuel(isooctane/n-heptane) and product gasoline. Test results showed that the reaction activity of n-paraffins was relatively high. Meanwhile, the auto-ignition characteristics differed significantly with the molecular structures of alkanes. Adding different volume fractions of n-decane to Standard Blended Fuel and product gasoline could improve the fuel reaction activity at varying degree. Finally, functional groups effects were used to simulate the relationship between the molecular topology and the auto-ignition quality.

Predicting hydrate forming pressure of pure alkanes in the presence of inhibitors

An inherent problem with natural gas production or transmission is the formation of gas hydrates, which can lead to safety hazards for production/transportation systems, and substantial economic risks. Hydrate inhibition with different inhibitors such as, methanol, ethylene glycol （EG）, triethylene glycol （TEG）, and sodium chloride solution continues to play a critical role in many operations. An understanding of when the hydrates form in the presence of these hydrate inhibitors, is therefore necessary to overcome hydrate problems. Several thermodynamic models have been proposed for predicting the hydrate formation conditions in aqueous solutions containing methanol/glycols and electrolytes. However, available models have limitations that include the types of liquid, compositions of fluids, and inhibitors used. The aim of this study is to develop a simple-to-use correlation for accurate prediction of hydrate-forming pressures of pure alkanes in the presence of different hydrate inhibitors, where the obtained results illustrate good agreement with the reported experimental data.

Recent Results on Fast Flow Gas-Phase Partial Oxidation of Lower Alkanes

Recent experimental results and kinetic modeling of fast flow gas-phase oxidation of methane and other lower alkanes to methanol and other oxygenates are discussed, alongside with prospects and possible areas for applications of the processes.

Electrospinning synthesis of porous boron-doped silica nanofibers for oxidative dehydrogenation of light alkanes

The discovery of the high activity and selectivity of boron-based catalysts for oxidative dehydrogenation(ODH)of alkanes to olefins has attracted significant attention in the exploration of a new method for the synthesis of highly active and selective catalysts.Herein,we describe the synthesis of porous boron-doped silica nanofibers(PBSNs)100-150 nm in diameter by electrospinning and the study of their catalytic performance.The electrospinning synthesis of the catalyst ensures the uniform dispersion and stability of the boron species on the open silica fiber framework.The one-dimensional nanofibers with open pore structures not only prevented diffusion limitation but also guaranteed high catalytic activity at high weight hourly space velocity(WHSV)in the ODH of alkanes.Compared to other supported boron oxide catalysts,PBSN catalysts showed higher olefin selectivity and stability.The presence of Si-OH groups in silica-supported boron catalysts may cause low propylene selectivity during the ODH of propane.When the ODH conversion of ethane reached 44.3%,the selectivity and productivity of ethylene were 84%and 44.2%g_(cat)^(-1)s^(-1),respectively.In the case of propane ODH,the conversion,selectivity of olefins,and productivity of propylene are 19.2%,90%,and 76.6 jimol g_(cat)^(-1)s^(-1),respectively.No significant variations in the conversion and product selectivity occurred during 20 h of operation at a high WHSV of 84.6 h^(-1).Transient analysis and kinetic experiments indicated that the activation of O2 was influenced by alkanes during the ODH reaction.

SbCl_3 Catalyzed Solventless Synthesis of Bis(indolyl)alkanes under Grinding

A clean and efficient method for the synthesis of bis（indolyl）alkanes with antimony trichloride（SbCl3） as the catalyst under solvent-free grinding conditions is described. This method provides several advantages, such as simple work-up procedure, neutral conditions and high yields.