Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) are disclosed. The tetrapyrole ring in formula (I) can be substituted with a metal cation (M); R1, R2, R3 and R4 separately represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl or alkyloxy radical, or a phenyl radical optionally substituted by vinyl, hydroxy, nitro, amino, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, benzyloxy, or hydroxymethyl radicals; R5, R6, R7 and R8 separately represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-4 alkyl radical; Ra, Rb and Rc separately represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl or alkyloxy radical optionally substituted by a halogen, or a phenyl radical optionally substituted by vinyl, hydroxy, nitro, amino, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, benzyloxy, or hydroxymethyl radicals, wherein at least one of Ra, Rb, and Rc is a phenyl radical. Compounds of formula (I) bound to a silica, a sol-gel material or a mesoporous silica are useful for selective trapping of carbon monoxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of molecular tweezers as sensitive materials in chemical sensors intended to detect or assay organic compounds in the vapour state, and in particular nitro compounds. These molecular tweezers correspond to the general formula (I): in which: MC1 and MC2 represent macrocycles; p and q are equal to 0 or 1; X and Y are optionally substituted C1 to C10 alkylene groups; while E represents an optionally substituted cyclic or heterocyclic spacer group; and in which MC1 and MC2 are positioned facing each other. Fields of application: detection of explosives, control and monitoring of atmospheric pollution and of the quality of ambient air in relatively confined spaces, and monitoring of industrial sites.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of molecular tweezers as sensitive materials in chemical sensors intended to detect or assay organic compounds in the vapour state, and in particular nitro compounds. These molecular tweezers correspond to the general formula (I): in which: MC1 and MC2 represent macrocycles; p and q are equal to 0 or 1; X and Y are optionally substituted C1 to C10 alkylene groups; while E represents an optionally substituted cyclic or heterocyclic spacer group; and in which MC1 and MC2 are positioned facing each other. Fields of application: detection of explosives, control and monitoring of atmospheric pollution and of the quality of ambient air in relatively confined spaces, and monitoring of industrial sites.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating pulp fibres, that have already been curled which method comprises: subjecting the pulp to a heat treatment while the pulp is at a high consistency, thereby to render the curl permanent to subsequent mechanical action. This permanent curl has advantages for papermachine runnability and for increasing the toughness of the finished product.