Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disease that affects approximately 6.1 million people and is primarily caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Naphthoquinones have several biological activities explored in the literature, including neuroprotective effects. Therefore, this review shows an overview of naphthoquinones with neuroprotective effects, such as shikonin, plumbagin and vitamin K, that prevented oxidative stress, in addition to multiple mechanisms. Synthetic naphthoquinones with inhibitory activity on the P2X7 receptor were also found, leading to a neuroprotective effect on Neuro-2a cells. It was found that naphthazarin can act as inhibitors of the MAO-B enzyme. Vitamin K and synthetic naphthoquinones hybrids with tryptophan or dopamine showed inhibition of the aggregation of α-synuclein. Synthetic derivatives of juglone and naphthazarin were able to protect Neuro-2a cells against neurodegenerative effects of neurotoxins. In addition, routes for producing synthetic derivatives were also discussed. With the data presented, 1,4-naphthoquinones can be considered as a promising class in the treatment of PD and this review aims to assist the scientific community in the application of these compounds. The derivatives presented can also support further research that explores their structures as synthetic platforms, in addition to helping to understand the interaction of naphthoquinones with biological targets related to PD.

For the separation of the close-boiling 1,2-propanediol and ethylene glycol mixture, several process intensification (PI) schemes have been proposed for the two-column configurations. However, no PI technology has yet been investigated for the challenging single-column design operating at atmospheric pressure (SCD). The previously published improvements include the economically modified single-column design (MSCD) as well as high-pressure configurations with (HPDHI) and without (HPD) feed-preheating heat integration. Therefore, this study proposes a partial vapor recompression (SCD-PVR) configuration to intensify this separation using UniSim Design software. Economic and environmental performances were evaluated through total annualized cost (TAC) and CO₂ emissions. When directly compared with the SCD, MSCD, HPD, and HPDHI schemes, the SCD-PVR achieved CO₂ emission reductions of 67.9%, 68.6%, 61.2%, and 56.0%, respectively. Considering a 5-year payback period, SCD-PVR outperformed the SCD and MSCD schemes, decreasing TAC by 9.7% and 11.2%. For a 10-year payback period, the benefits became more significant, with TAC reductions of 31.4%, 32.7%, 17.2%, and 9.3% relative to SCD, MSCD, HPD, and HPDHI. These findings demonstrate that SCD-PVR provides a more energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable, and economically attractive alternative for retrofitting existing plants.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative disease that affects approximately 6.1 million and is primarily caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Naphthoquinones have several biological activities explored in the literature, including neuroprotective effects. Therefore, this review shows an overview of natural and synthetic naphthoquinones with neuroprotective effects and with potential for the development of molecules for the treatment of PD. Many examples of natural naphthoquinones, such as shikonin, plumbagin and vitamin K, exerted a neuroprotective effect by preventing oxidative stress, in addition to multiple mechanisms. Synthetic naphthoquinones with inhibitory activity on the P2X7 receptor were also found, leading to a neuroprotective effect on Neuro-2a cells. It was found that naphthazarin can act as inhibitors of the MAO-B enzyme. Vitamin K and synthetic naphthoquinones hybrids with tryptophan or dopamine showed inhibition of the aggregation of α-synuclein. A library of synthetic derivatives of juglone and naphthazarin were able to protect Neuro-2a cells against neurodegenerative effects of neurotoxins. We report many examples of naphthoquinones that act in therapeutic pathways for the treatment of PD. In addition, routes for producing synthetic derivatives were also discussed. With the data presented, 1,4-naphthoquinones can be considered a promising class in the treatment of PD.

Isobutane is a key feedstock for alkylate production. For separating an equimolar isobutane/n-butane mixture with 2 mol% ethane, two conventional designs are reported in the literature: a single water-cooled condenser (SC) and a dual condenser system with refrigeration (DC). This study proposes two vapor recompression retrofit configurations, SC-VR and SC-PHVR (with preheating), to improve energy efficiency and enable electrification. Economic and environmental performance were evaluated using total annualized cost (TAC) and CO₂ emissions. Compared with SC and DC schemes, SC-VR reduces CO₂ emissions by 49 and 52%, while SC-PHVR delivers higher reductions of 64 and 66%. A sensitivity analysis of electricity prices across 3-, 5-, and 10-year payback periods indicates the most favorable performance at 10 years. At 16.67 USD/GJ, SC-PHVR lowers TAC by 22 and 25%; in contrast, SC-VR provides marginal savings. At 24.03 USD/GJ, SC-VR is not economically competitive, whereas SC-PHVR continues to outperform the conventional cases, with TAC reductions of 8% and 4%. Both retrofit options significantly reduce emissions, with SC-PHVR offering the best economic performance. Finally, the proposed configurations enable the complete electrification of the de-isobutanizer system, eliminating reliance on fossil-based thermal utilities, which allows the use of renewable sources in line with the decarbonization efforts.