A multi-technique approach to disclose the reaction mechanism of dimethyl carbonate synthesis over amino-modified SBA-15 catalysts

A series of amine-modified SBA-15 was employed as catalysts in the carbonate interchange reaction of ethylene carbonate with methanol to produce dimethyl carbonate (DMC). These materials exhibited good catalytic performances that strongly depended on the reaction temperature. A multi-technique approach was employed to disclose the role played by the different amine chains in driving the whole reaction. To this purpose, in situ FT-IR experiments were combined with theoretical calculations in order to explain the catalytic results observed in the presence of catalysts with different basic strength. A close correlation was found between the number and the nature of the alkylamine chains present in the SBA-15 pores and the capacity of the catalyst to activate the reagent molecules, as well as to stabilize the reaction intermediate. It was demonstrated that the ability of the catalyst to dissociatively adsorb methanol is the key factor for the proper choice of the catalytic system. Moreover, the capacity of the catalyst to stabilize the reaction intermediate has to be considered to allow the reaction to proceed so obtaining the desired final product (DMC)

BIOBLITZ 2013-2014 OASI DI SAN FELICE

The growing interest in emerging environmental crisis has increased the level of public attention and the willingness to take part in participatory science projects, commonly defined with the term \u201cCitizen Science\u201d. This phenomenon can be recorded globally in many national contexts, with a prevalence in anglophone and more industrialized countries. In the biodiversity sector, the growing demand for public involvement has been declined in many different ways, with solutions aimed at providing cognitive and participatory tools. Among these, one of the best known is the BioBlitz: a 24-hour event held in a specific place with the aim of listing as many living species as possible. This work presents the data collected during the first two BioBlitzes organized by the Maremma Natural History Museum in 2013 and 2014. Both were made in the area of the \u200b\u200b San Felice Oasis, near the terminal part of the San Leopoldo ditch. During the BioBlitz, data collected attested the presence of 627 different taxonomic entities, of which 527 were identified at the level of species and 12 at the level of subspecies. The rest were identified at higher taxonomic levels. Eleven alien species, one endemic species, 33 species protected by national and international laws and / or directives and 13 species at risk of extinction were identified