Abstract  The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of different co-surfactants on the phase behaviour of the pseudoternary system water:ethyl oleate:nonionic surfactant blend (sorbitan monolaurate/polyoxyethylene 20 sorbitan mono-oleate). Four aliphatic alcohols (1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-hexanol and 1-octanol) and four 1,2-alkanediols (1,2-propanediol. 1,2-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol and 1,2-octanediol) were used. The co-surfactant-free system forms two different colloidal structures, a water-in-oil microemulsion (w/o ME) and lamellar liquid crystals (LC) and two coarse dispersions, water-in-oil (w/o EM) and oil-in-water (o/w EM) emulsions. Microemulsion region area (%ME), liquid crystalline region area (%LC), amount of amphiphile blend required to produce a balanced microemulsion (%AMPH) and amount of water solubilised (%W)were used as assessment criteria to evaluate the co-surfactants. Seven calculated physico-chemical descriptors were used to represent the different co-surfactants. 1-butanol, 1,2-hexanediol and 1,2-octanediol produced balanced MEs capable of solubilising a high percentage of both oil and water. A similarity was observed between the descriptors attributed to I-butanol and 1,2-hexanediol. The requirements of a co-surfactant molecule to produce a balanced microemulsion were: HLB Value 7.0-8.0, a carbon backbone of 4-6 atoms, percentage carbon of 60-65%, percentage oxygen of 20-30%, log P value 0.2-0.9 and log 1/S (S: aqueous solubility) close to zero. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract  Summary At present, there is an increasing demand for trace gas analytical information, especially in several fields of environmental protection, such as protection of workers from exposure to hazardous substances in work place atmospheres, ambient and indoor air pollution, or gaseous exhalations from polluted soils, waters, or waste deposits. Though the existing powerful trace analytical tools are in principle capable of answering the questions related to these problems, they cannot satisfy the information demand. This is mainly due to the fact that most of these analytical tools are to be used in the course of rather sophisticated multistep procedures which are time consuming and claim high personnel qualification and, thus, are too expensive for large scale application. This difficulty can be overcome by the development of simple one-step procedures based on low price ready-for-use sampling units which can be processed with a minimum of manpower input and, in addition, provide information of the required reliability. One possible way to this goal may be based on the measurement of caloric effects associated with the decomposition of the products resulting during the sampling step from a gas-solid reaction between the traces to be analyzed and suitable solid state reagents. Starting from properly prepared text gas mixtures, the gas-solid reactions of numerous amines, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons with several metal complexes and with reagents capable of forming clathrates have been investigated by means of thermoanalytical methods, mainly by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results show that in many cases the very simple thermoanalytical evaluation enables both qualitative identification and quantification of the gas traces under concern with satisfying selectivity. These reaction may serve, therefore, as a promising basis for further development of fast, simple and reliable trace gas analysis using thermoanalytical methods.

Abstract  The gemini surfactant N-N'bis(dimethyldodecyl)-1,4-butanediammonium dibromide (12-4-12) was synthesized and its critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) and degree of counterion dissociation (alpha) in aqueous solutions in the presence of alkanols viz ethanol, isomeric butyl alcohols, 1-hexanol and alkanediols (ethanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 2,5-hexanediol 1,6-hexanediol, and 1,8-octanediol) determined from electrical conductivity are reported. While ethanol, ethanediol, 1,4-butanediol showed an increase in CMC, a decrease was seen for isomeric butyl alcohols, 1-hexanol, isomeric hexanediols and 1,8-octanediol. For butyl alcohols the CMC decrease showed the trend 1 degrees>2 degrees>3 degrees in C(6) diols, 1,2-hexanediol exerted more decrease as compared to 2,5-hexanediol and 1,6-hexanediol.The results are explained on the basis of the structure and hydrophobicity of alcohols that determine their effect as cosolvent or cosurfactant (partitioning in micelles). Two-dimensional nuclear overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (2D-NOESY) was used to examine the location for 1-butanol and 1,4-butanediol in micellar systems as representative additives from alkanols and alkanediols showing CMC decreasing and increasing effect respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract  The thermodynamic parameters of mixed micelle formation (Lambda(mic)G degrees, Lambda(mic)H degrees, Lambda(mic)S degrees) have been determined for a series of mixed micelles consisting of two isomeric hexanediols (1,2-hexanediol and 1,6-hexanediol) in sodium dodecylsulfate micellar solutions. The enthalpies of micellization were determined directly from isoperibol solution calorimetry. Gibbs energies and entropies of micelle formation were obtained from the application of the charged pseudo-phase model of micelle formation to the calorimetric critical micelle concentration values. The location of the alcohols in the micellar palisade layer has been determined from two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (NOESY) experiments. The calorimetric titration data indicates that the placement of the hydroxyl groups on the six carbon backbone greatly affects the energetics of the micelle formation process. From the NMR data, the location of the cosurfactant in the micelle has been determined. These results indicate that the locus of solubilization affects the subtle balance of forces responsible for the formation of the mixed aggregates.

Abstract  The study reports pig-skin permeation and skin accumulation of miconazole nitrate (MCZ) from positively charged microemulsions containing water, 1-decanol/1-dodecanol (2:1, w/w), lecithin and/or decyl polyglucoside at different weight ratios, propylene glycol, 1,2 hexanediol and a cationic charge-inducing agent (stearylamine (ST), L-alanine benzyl ester (ALAB) or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)). Zeta-potential values of the positively charged microemulsions ranged from 14.2 to 37.5 mV and mean droplet size from 6.0 to 16.8 nm. In vitro pig-skin permeation of MCZ after a single 24 h application was negligible for all microemulsions; accumulation from positively charged microemulsions was nearly twice that from their negatively charged counterparts. The increased accumulation might be ascribed to the interaction between positive microemulsive systems and negatively charged skin sites; no significant difference was observed among the various cationic charge-inducing agents. Skin accumulation from the microemulsion containing most lecithin was lower than those of other microemulsions; this was ascribed to the phase transformation from microemulsion to a liquid crystal system after skin contact. These results suggest that positively charged microemulsions could be used to optimize drug targeting without a concomitant increase in systemic absorption; ALAB, an ester of a natural aminoacid, is an appropriate cationic charge-inducing agent. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract  Aliphatic, linear dicarboxylic acids and branched dicarboxylic acids are the subject of this article. These dibasic acids are referred to by their trivial names, IUPAC system or by adding the suffix “dicarboxylic acid“ to the name of the hydrocarbon skeleton. For example a 10‐carbon atom dibasic acid is designated sebacic acid, decanoic or 1,8‐octane‐dicarboxylic acid. Physical and chemical properties of the most common dibasic acids are discussed. Manufacture and uses for glutaric acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, dodecanoic acid, brassylic acid and C‐19, C‐20, and C‐22 dicarboxylic acids are given. These diacids are intermediates for the manufacture of diesters, polyesters, and polyamides. These derivatives have many applications ,eg, as plasticizing agents, lubricants, heat‐transfer fuids, inks and coatings, insecticides. Azaleic acid is used in acne preparations. Toxicities and environmental concerns are also discussed.

Abstract  Liquid-liquid equilibria for hexafluorophosphate ionic liquids with 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium family of cations: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, [bmim](+), 1-hexy1-3-methylimidazolium, [hmim](+), 1-octyl-3methylimidazolium, [omim](+) with polyhydric alcohols: 1,2-ethanediol, 1.2-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol have been measured using the cloud point method. The influence of different characteristics of alcohols and ILs, including cation alkyl chain length, alcohol chain length, and relative position of the both OH groups in alcohol were studied. In general, the same type of the phase behavior is observed in all cases showing upper critical solution temperature but the impact of the above-mentioned factors is highly diversified. (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract  Nickel supported on a variety of supports was evaluated in the batchwise hydrogenolysis of high-crystalline cellulose under hydrothermal conditions. The supports examined included Al2O3, kieselguhr, TiO2, SiO2, activated carbon (AC), ZnO, ZrO2 and MgO. All tested catalysts can effectively convert cellulose while the choice of supports plays a critical role in the product distribution and selectivity. The Ni catalysts favour the formation of industrially attractive 1,2-alkanediols such as 1,2-propanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol and 1,2-hexanediol. It was found that the bifunctional ZnO-supported Ni catalysts displayed superior activities and the best result was obtained on 20% Ni/ZnO which exhibited complete conversion of cellulose with up to 70.4% total glycol yields. The mechanism of the reaction involved was tentatively proposed by identifying the products formed.

Abstract  A straight-chain alcohol or diol additive in the mobile phase was used to modify and improve the HPLC separation of organic acids and bases. Incorporation of 2% 1-butanol, 1% 1,2-hexanediol, or 0.25% 1,2-octanediol into an aqueous mobile phase greatly improved the separation of alkane carboxylic acids on a silica C18 column, both in terms of separation time and peak shape. When 1.5% 1-hexanol, 0.09% 1-decanol or 0.01% 1-dodecanol was added to an acetonitrile-water (30:70) mobile phase, much sharper peaks and better resolution were obtained for aromatic bases separated on an underivatized polystyrene-divinylbenzene column. The mobile phase additive is believed to coat the stationary phase surface by a dynamic equilibrium. The coated surface is more hydrophilic and facilitates the efficient partitioning of analytes between the mobile and stationary phases.

Abstract  Droplet evaporation of multicomponent droplets is essential for various physiochemical applications, e.g., in inkjet printing, spray cooling, and microfabrication. In this work, we observe and study the phase segregation of an evaporating sessile binary droplet, consisting of a miscible mixture of water and a surfactantlike liquid (1,2-hexanediol). The phase segregation (i.e., demixing) leads to a reduced water evaporation rate of the droplet, and eventually the evaporation process ceases due to shielding of the water by the nonvolatile 1,2-hexanediol. Visualizations of the flow field by particle image velocimetry and numerical simulations reveal that the timescale of water evaporation at the droplet rim is faster than that of the Marangoni flow, which originates from the surface tension difference between water and 1,2-hexanediol, eventually leading to segregation.

Abstract  Some polyols show micellar behavior in aqueous solutions at concentrations greater than the critical micellar concentration (cmc). The 1,2-alkanediols (C(n)H(2n+2)O2 with n=5,6,7), the 1,2,3-alkanetriols (C(n)H(2n+2)O3 with n=7,8,9), and the geminated alkanetriols (C(n)H(2n+2)O3 with n=8 and 9) are investigated by microcalorimetric techniques. Only the 1,2-hexanediol (n=6), the 1,2,3-octanetriol (n=8), and the 2,2-dihydroxymethyl 1-heptanol (n=9) possess, in aqueous solutions, an organized structure above the critical micellar concentration (cmc). The 1,2-pentanediol (n=5) and the 1,2,3-heptanetriol (n=7) would form weak associations, whereas the 2,2-dihydroxymethyl 1-hexanol (n=8) does not form any associations even at large concentration. The 1,2-heptanediol (n=7), being only very slightly soluble even at a temperature of 30 degrees C, could not be studied. The 1,2,3-nonanetriol (n=9) is not soluble at temperatures between 20 and 35 degrees C. The critical micellar concentrations are determined by specific heat capacity methods. The passage from the dispersed environment to the organized environment gives a constant quantity of specific heat capacities (about 50 JK(-1)mol(-1)) only for the 1,2-hexanediol (n=6), the 1,2,3-octanetriol (n=8) and the 2,2-dihydroxymethyl 1-heptanol (n=9), which form true micelles. Structural effects of these systems are discussed.

Abstract  Legumes such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), barrel medic (Medicago truncatula), white sweet clover (Melilotus alba) and fenugreek (Trigonella graecum), normally accumulate (-)-medicarpin and its malonated glucose conjugate as natural inhibitors of fungal pathogens. These plants also accumulate the biosynthetic precursor formononetin as well as the malonated glycoside. We were interested in developing a robust high-throughput method to quantitate the levels of these two isoflavonoids, both free and conjugated, in legume root extracts, for use in screening for mutant plants accumulating altered levels of these compounds. Capillary electrophoresis was examined as an alternative to current high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods to generate isoflavonoid profiles. The developed assay used micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) to provide the required selectivity in complex root extracts. The addition of 1,2-hexanediol to the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) electrolyte provided improved resolution of adjacent isoflavonoids. We examined the role of several factors including sample preparation, buffer composition, buffer pH, and organic component in the injected sample. The use of capillaries with longer path lengths were also examined to increase sensitivity. A comparison of results obtained using MEKC and HPLC showed good correlation in the relative amounts of the isoflavonoids studied.

Abstract  The slow, non-mediated transmembrane movement of the lipid probes lysophosphatidylcholine, NBD-phosphatidylcholine and NBD-phosphatidylserine in human erythrocytes becomes highly enhanced in the presence of 1-alkanols (C2-C8) and 1,2-alkane diols (C4-C8). Above a threshold concentration characteristic for each alcohol, flip rates increase exponentially with the alcohol concentration. The equieffective concentrations of the alcohols decrease about 3-fold per methylene added. All 1-alkanols studied are equieffective at comparable calculated membrane concentrations. This is also observed or the 1,2-alkane diols, albeit at a 5-fold lower membrane concentration. At low alcohol concentrations, flip enhancement is reversible to a major extent upon removal of the alcohol. In contrast, a residual irreversible flip acceleration is observed following removal of the alcohol after a treatment at higher concentrations. The threshold concentrations to produce irreversible flip acceleration by 1-alkanols and 1,2-alkane diols are 1.5- and 3-fold higher than those for flip acceleration in the presence of the corresponding alcohols. A causal role in reversible flip-acceleration of a global increase of membrane fluidity or membrane polarity seems to be unlikely. Alcohols may act by increasing the probability of formation of transient structural defects in the hydrophobic barrier that already occur in the native membrane. Membrane defects responsible for irreversible flip-acceleration may result from alterations of membrane skeletal proteins by alcohols.

Abstract  Acetic acid bacteria are used in biotechnology due to their ability to incompletely oxidize a great variety of carbohydrates, alcohols, and related compounds in a regio- and stereo-selective manner. These reactions are catalyzed by membrane-bound dehydrogenases (mDHs), often with a broad substrate spectrum. In this study, the promoters of six mDHs of Gluconobacter oxydans 621H were characterized. The constitutive promoter of the alcohol dehydrogenase and the glucose-repressed promoter of the inositol dehydrogenase were used to construct a shuttle vector system for the fully functional expression of mDHs in the multi-deletion strain G. oxydans BP.9 that lacks its mDHs. This system was used to express each mDH of G. oxydans 621H, in order to individually characterize the substrates, they oxidize. From 55 tested compounds, the alcohol dehydrogenase oxidized 30 substrates and the polyol dehydrogenase 25. The substrate spectrum of alcohol dehydrogenase overlapped largely with the aldehyde dehydrogenase and partially with polyol dehydrogenase. Thus, we were able to resolve the overlapping substrate spectra of the main mDHs of G. oxydans 621H. The described approach could also be used for the expression and detailed characterization of substrates used by mDHs from other acetic acid bacteria or a metagenome.

Abstract  Microemulsions (mu E) were prepared with palm fatty acid esters (PFAME) as solvents stabilised by fatty alcohol ethoxylates (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, HLB value similar to 12.8), and 1,2 hexanediol as a co-surfactant. The effects of co-surfactant on the ternary phase systems were studied only at 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30% (w/w) of surfactant concentrations. The ratio of PFAME/water was chosen at 30:70 only. The mixtures were mixed vigorously and then kept at ambient temperature (25 degrees C) for few days. The emulsions (two-phase), mu E and liquid crystalline phases were observed using the polarised light. In addition, the physical stability (accelerated test/month at 45 degrees C),conductivity and viscosity for mu E solutions were measured. The effects of co-surfactant on the ternary phase systems for PFAME/non-ionic surfactant/water were constructed at 25 and 45 degrees C. The result showed that larger mu E region was formed with PFAME 1 than the PFAME 2 at 30:70 ratio of oil to water. The minimum concentration of surfactant for producing clear, low viscosity and thermodynamically stable mu E solutions was 10% (w/w) for both PFAME 1 and PFAME 2 at 25C. However, the concentration of co-surfactant used to produce mu E solutions was 12.5% for PFAME 1 but was 30% (w/w) for PFAME 2. Furthermore, the conductivity and viscosity measurements indicated types of mu E, that is, O/W or W/O formed.

Abstract  Microemulsions formed with water, isopropyl myristate, PHS-PEO-PHS polymeric surfactant, and alkanediol have been investigated using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and conductivity at 25 degreesC. Isopropyl myristate has a low solubility in water; however, this molecule has some polar character because of its ester group. The conductivities of samples with some added NaCl (used here to increase the conductivity sensitivity) are low, but compared to the conductivity of water/alkanediol mixtures, the values are high for most of the samples. The X-ray scattering curves show a correlation peak if the water content is high enough. A two-phase model for the invariant calculation fits the experimental results reasonably well provided that the partition of the oil between the polar and nonpolar phases is taken into account. This partition can be obtained from the ternary water/isopropyl myristate/alkanediol system, which has some mutual-solubility regions. A hard-sphere model can be fitted to the SAXS scattering data. The volume fractions fitted from this model deviate from the volume fractions of the low-polarity phase, indicating that the structure of most of the samples is of the bicontinuous type.

Abstract  Acetic acid bacteria are well-known for their membrane-bound dehydrogenases rapidly oxidizing a variety of substrates in the periplasm. Since many acetic acid bacteria have not been successfully cultured in the laboratory yet, studying membrane-bound dehydrogenases directly from a metagenome of vinegar microbiota seems to be a promising way to identify novel variants of these enzymes. To this end, DNA from a mother of vinegar was isolated, sequenced, and screened for membrane-bound dehydrogenases using an in silico approach. Six metagenomic dehydrogenases were successfully expressed using an expression vector with native promoters in the acetic acid bacterium strain Gluconobacter oxydans BP.9, which is devoid of its major native membrane-bound dehydrogenases. Determining the substrates converted by these enzymes, using a whole-cell DCPIP assay, revealed one glucose dehydrogenase with an enlarged substrate spectrum additionally oxidizing aldoheptoses, D-ribose and aldotetroses, one polyol dehydrogenase with an extreme diminished spectrum but distinguishing cis and trans-1,2-cyclohexandiol and a completely new secondary alcohol dehydrogenase, which oxidizes secondary alcohols with a hydroxyl group at position 2, as long as no primary hydroxyl group is present. Three further dehydrogenases were found with substrate spectra similar to known dehydrogenases of G. oxydans 621H.

Abstract    The low-density lipoprotein receptor mediates cholesterol homeostasis through endocytosis of lipoproteins. It discharges its ligand in the endosome at pH < 6. In the crystal structure at pH = 5.3, the ligand-binding domain (modules R2 to R7) folds back as an arc over the epidermal growth factor precursor homology domain (the modules A, B, beta propeller, and C). The modules R4 and R5, which are critical for lipoprotein binding, associate with the beta propeller via their calcium-binding loop. We propose a mechanism for lipoprotein release in the endosome whereby the beta propeller functions as an alternate substrate for the ligand-binding domain, binding in a calcium-dependent way and promoting lipoprotein release.   The low-density lipoprotein receptor mediates cholesterol homeostasis through endocytosis of lipoproteins. It discharges its ligand in the endosome at pH < 6. In the crystal structure at pH = 5.3, the ligand-binding domain (modules R2 to R7) folds back as an arc over the epidermal growth factor precursor homology domain (the modules A, B, beta propeller, and C). The modules R4 and R5, which are critical for lipoprotein binding, associate with the beta propeller via their calcium-binding loop. We propose a mechanism for lipoprotein release in the endosome whereby the beta propeller functions as an alternate substrate for the ligand-binding domain, binding in a calcium-dependent way and promoting lipoprotein release.

Abstract  Biodegradation is an important mechanism determining the fate of chemicals in the aquatic environment. In this paper, experimental data, determined from electrolytic respirometry, for 27 compounds were analyzed using first order and Monod kinetics. Additional data from the literature were also used in our analysis. A method based on group contribution to predict first-order and Monod kinetic rate constants was developed and validated. The group contribution approach gave reasonable results for a variety of compounds. More kinetic data are required to extend the group contribution approach.

Abstract  Epoxides are versatile building blocks for organic synthesis. However, terminal epoxides are arguably the most important subclass of these compounds, and no general and practical method exists for their production in enantiomerically pure form. Terminal epoxides are available very inexpensively as racemic mixtures, and kinetic resolution is an attractive strategy for the production of optically active epoxides, given an economical and operationally simple method. Readily accessible synthetic catalysts (chiral cobalt-based salen complexes) have been used for the efficient asymmetric hydrolysis of terminal epoxides. This process uses water as the only reagent, no added solvent, and low loadings of a recyclable catalyst (<0.5 mole percent), and it affords highly valuable terminal epoxides and 1, 2-diols in high yield with high enantiomeric enrichment.

Abstract  Gluconobacter oxydans, like all acetic acid bacteria, has several membrane-bound dehydrogenases, which oxidize a multitude of alcohols and polyols in a stereo- and regio-selective manner. Many membrane-bound dehydrogenases have been purified from various acetic acid bacteria, but in most cases without reporting associated sequence information. We constructed clean deletions of all membrane-bound dehydrogenases in G. oxydans 621H and investigated the resulting changes in carbon utilization and physiology of the organism during growth on fructose, mannitol, and glucose. Furthermore, we studied the substrate oxidation spectra of a set of strains where the membrane-bound dehydrogenases were consecutively deleted using a newly developed whole-cell 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP) activity assay in microtiter plates. This allowed a detailed and comprehensive in vivo characterization of each membrane-bound dehydrogenase in terms of substrate specificity. The assays revealed that general rules can be established for some of the enzymes and extended the known substrate spectra of some enzymes. It was also possible to assign proteins whose purification and characterization had been reported previously, to their corresponding genes. Our data demonstrate that there are less membrane-bound dehydrogenases in G. oxydans 621H than expected and that the deletion of all of them is not lethal for the organism.

Abstract  Microemulsions (mu E) were prepared with palm fatty acid methyl esters (PFAME) as solvents, and stabilised by ethoxylated non-ionic surfactants, i.e., Dehydol LS 7 and Dehydol LS 2 as S-A and S-B with the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) values at similar to 12.8 and similar to 7.3, respectively. The co-surfactants chosen were 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,2-ethanediol and glycerol. The effects of the co-surfactants on the partial ternary phase diagrams were studied at 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% and 40% (w/w) concentrations. The ratio of PFAME to water was either 25:75 or 50:50. The mixtures were agitated vigorously, and then kept at ambient temperature (25 degrees C) for one to two days. The emulsions (two-phase), the mu E and liquid crystalline phases were observed using polarised light. In addition, the physical stability of the mu E solutions was determined at 45 degrees C over a period of one month. The effects of the co-surfactants on the ternary phase systems for PFAME/non-ionic surfactants/water were studied and mapped out at 25 degrees C and 45 degrees C, respectively.

Abstract  Atmospheric aerosol particles are often partially or completely composed of inorganic salts, such as ammonium sulfate and sodium chloride, and therefore exhibit hygroscopic properties. Many inorganic salts have well-defined deliquescence and efflorescence points at which they take up and lose water, respectively. Field measurements have shown that atmospheric aerosols are not typically pure inorganic salt, instead, they often also contain organic species. There is ample evidence from laboratory studies that suggests that mixed particles exist in a phase-separated state, with an aqueous inorganic core and organic shell. Although phase separation has not been measured in situ, there is no reason it would not also take place in the atmosphere. Here, we investigate the deliquescence and efflorescence points, phase separation and ability to exchange gas-phase components of mixed organic and inorganic aerosol using a flow tube coupled with FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy. Ammonium sulfate aerosol mixed with organic polyols with different O : C ratios, including 1,4-butanediol, glycerol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 1,2-hexanediol, and 1,5-pentanediol have been investigated. Those constituents correspond to materials found in the atmosphere in great abundance and, therefore, particles prepared in this study should mimic atmospheric mixed-phase aerosol particles. Some results of this study tend to be in agreement with previous microscopy experiments, but others, such as phase separation properties of 1,2,6-hexanetriol, do not agree with previous work. Because the particles studied in this experiment are of a smaller size than those used in microscopy studies, the discrepancies found could be a size-related effect.