Electrocatalytic oxidative cleavage of electron-deficient substituted stilbenes in acetonitrile-water employing a new high oxidation potential electrocatalyst. An electrochemical equivalent of ozonolysis

A series of symmetrical and unsymmetrical stilbenes bearing two or more strong electron-withdrawing groups were oxidatively cleaved to the corresponding aldehydes in high yield by electrocatalytic anodic oxidation in aqueous acetonitrile employing a new high oxidation potential triphenylamine electrocatalyst. The oxidations apparently involve the corresponding 1,2-diols, which are also converted to aldehydes in high yield under the same conditions.     

A facile synthesis and characterization of Ag, Au and Pt nanoparticles using a natural hydrocolloid gum kondagogu (Cochlospermum gossypium)

An environmentally benign method for the synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles has been reported using aqueous solution of gum kondagogu (Cochlospermum gossypium). Both the synthesis, as well as stabilization of colloidal Ag, Au and Pt nanoparticles has been accomplished in an aqueous medium containing gum kondagogu. The colloidal suspensions so obtained were found to be highly stable for prolonged period, without undergoing any oxidation. SEM-EDXA, UV-vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR and TEM techniques were used to characterize the Ag, Au and Pt nanoparticles. FTIR analysis indicates that -OH groups present in the gum matrix were responsible for the reduction of metal cations into nanoparticles. UV-vis studies showed a distinct surface plasmon resonance at 412 and 525 nm due to the formation of Au and Ag nanoparticles, respectively, within the gum network. XRD studies indicated that the nanoparticles were crystalline in nature with face centered cubic geometry. The noble metal nanoparticles prepared in the present study appears to be homogeneous with the particle size ranging between 2 and 10 nm, as evidenced by TEM analysis. The Ag and Au nanoparticles formed were in the average size range of 5.5±2.5 nm and 7.8±2.3 nm; while Pt nanoparticles were in the size range of 2.4±0.7 nm, which were considerably smaller than Ag and Au nanoparticles. The present approach exemplifies a totally green synthesis using the plant derived natural product (gum kondagogu) for the production of noble metal nanoparticles and the process can also be extended to the synthesis of other metal oxide nanoparticles.     

Comparison of metallic electrodes for constant-potential amperometric detection of carbohydrates,amino acids and related compounds in flow systems

Constant-potential amperometric detection of carbohydrates, amino acids, and other aliphatic organic compounds is possible by means of their oxidation in alkaline solution at a variety of metal/metal oxide electrodes including Pt, Au, Cu, Ni, Ag and Co. The experimental conditions required for optimum detection and the analytical performance obtainable vary widely for different electrode materials and analytes. In this work, the cyclic voltammetric behavior exhibited by selected analytes (glucose, glycine, lactic acid, ethylamine and ethanol) at each of these electrodes was used to determine the optimum potentials suitable for flow detection so that the capabilities of the different metal electrodes could be evaluated and systematically compared. In general, the Cu electrode was found to provide superior detection capabilities in terms of its range of response, detection limits and especially stability. Despite the fact that Pt and Au are typically used only with a pulsed applied potential, both can provide long-lived constant-potential detection of carbohydrates and other analytes at low concentrations if the potentials ere carefully chosen and the electrodes are allowed to undergo an initial stabilization period.     

An efficient and practical system for the catalytic oxidation of alcohols, aldehydes, and alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids

Upon exposure to commercial bleach (approximately 5% aqueous sodium hypochlorite), nickel(II) chloride or nickel(II) acetate is transformed quantitatively into an insoluble nickel species, nickel oxide hydroxide. This material consists of high surface area nanoparticles (ca. 4 nm) and is a useful heterogeneous catalyst for the oxidation of many organic compounds. The oxidation of primary alcohols to carboxylic acids, secondary alcohols to ketones, aldehydes to carboxylic acids, and alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids to epoxy acids is demonstrated using 2.5 mol % of nickel catalyst and commercial bleach as the terminal oxidant. We demonstrate the controlled and selective oxidation of several organic substrates using this system affording 70-95% isolated yields and 90-100% purity. In most cases, the oxidations can be performed without an organic solvent, making this approach attractive as a "greener" alternative to conventional oxidations.     

Catalysis by metal nanoparticles embedded on metal-organic frameworks

The present review describes the use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as porous matrices to embed metal nanoparticles (MNPs) and occasionally metal oxide clusters, which are subsequently used as heterogeneous catalysts. The review is organized according to the embedded metal including Pd, Au, Ru, Cu, Pt, Ni and Ag. Emphasis is also given in the various methodologies reported for the formation of the NPs and the characterization techniques. The reactions described with this type of solid catalysts include condensation, hydrogenations, carbon-carbon coupling, alcohol oxidations and methanol synthesis among others. Remaining issues in this field have also been indicated.     

Influence of Metal Nanoparticles on the Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Glucose by Poly(NiIIteta) Modified Electrodes

Conductive polymeric [Ni^II(teta)]²⁺ (teta=C‐meso‐5,5,7,12,12,14‐hexamethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetra‐azacyclotetradecane) films (poly(Ni)) have been deposited on the surface of glassy carbon (GC), Nafion (Nf) modified GC (GC/Nf) and Nf stabilized Ag and Au nanoparticles (NPs) modified GC (GC/Ag‐Nf and GC/Au‐Nf) electrodes. The cyclic voltammogram of the resulting electrodes, show a well defined redox peak due to oxidation and reduction of poly(Ni) system in 0.1 M NaOH. They show electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of glucose. AFM studies reveal the formation of poly(Ni) film on the modified electrodes. Presence of metal NPs increases electron transfer rate and electrocatalytic oxidation current by improving the communication within the Nf and poly(Ni) films. In the presence of metal NPs, 4 fold increase in current for glucose oxidation was observed.     

Electrochemical oxidation of glucose at Hg adatom-modified Au electrode in alkaline aqueous solution

Electrochemical oxidation of glucose at Hg adatom-modified Au polycrystalline electrode was examined in alkaline aqueous solutions using cyclic voltammetry. Two oxidation current peaks for glucose were observed on Hg adatom-modified Au electrode at almost the same potentials as those observed on a bare Au electrode. The oxidation peak currents were much larger than those on a bare Au electrode in the concentration range from 0.5 to 20 mM. The observed enhancement of the glucose oxidation was considered to be due to the increase in the amount of the adsorbed OH⁻ on the Hg adatom-modified Au electrode. The reaction was catalyzed through the pairing of glucose and the intermediate in the oxidation to the large amount of the adsorbed OH⁻ on the Hg adatom-modified Au electrode.     

Acetonitrile as Adsorbate or Solvent to Probe the Crystal Face Specificity of Metal–Water Interaction at Silver Electrode/Solution Interfaces

The crystal face specificity of metal–water interaction at Ag electrode/solution interfaces is investigated by using acetonitrile (ACN) as a probe molecule of the water interfacial structure or as a solvent in which water is a solute. Capacitance and voltammetric curves suggest that ACN is weakly adsorbed from aqueous solution on Ag in the order (111) > (100) > (110). Apparent inconsistencies of adsorption parameters are explained by the occurrence of two ACN adsorption modes: (i) directly on the metal surface and (ii) on the water layer adsorbed on the metal surface. Ag surface oxidation in ACN in the presence of variable amounts of water suggests that water has an inhibiting effect on Ag oxidation, the diminution of the water content in ACN leading to free anodic dissolution of the metal surface.     

Water soluble molecular switches of fluorescence based on the Ni(III)/Ni(II) redox change

The water soluble Ni(II) complexes of the cyclam derivatives with 1,3-benzodioxole and 1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene display the fluorescent emission typical of the covalently linked fluorophores, which results from a charge transfer excited state. On oxidation to Ni(III), the fluorescence is completely quenched due to the occurrence of an electron transfer (eT) process from the excited fluorogenic fragment Fl to the oxidized metal. Thus, fluorescence can be switched off/on at will, for several cycles, by consecutively oxidizing and reducing the metal center, in controlled potential electrolysis experiments both in acetonitrile and in aqueous 0.1 M HClO4. Occurrence of an eT process from Fl to Ni(III) ultimately depends upon the easy oxidation of Fl to Fl+, whereas failure of the occurrence of an eT process from Ni(II) to Fl has to be ascribed to the particular resistance of Fl fragments to the reduction.     

Adsorption of transition metal atoms on the NiO(100) surface and on NiO/Ag(100) thin films

We have studied the adsorption of Au, Pd, and Pt atoms on the NiO(100) surface and on NiO/Ag(100) thin films using plane wave DFT+U calculations. The scope of this work is to compare the adsorption properties of NiO, a reducible transition metal oxide, with those of MgO, a simple binary oxide with the same crystal structure and similar lattice parameter. At the same time, we are interested in the adsorption characteristics of NiO ultra-thin films (three atomic layers) deposited on Ag(100) single crystals. Also in this case the scope is to compare NiO/Ag(100) with the corresponding MgO/Ag(100) films which show unusual properties for the case of Au adsorption. The results show that the transition metal atoms bind in a similar way on NiO(100) and NiO/Ag(100) films, with Pt, Pd, and Au forming bonds of decreasing strength in this order. No charging effects occur for Au adsorbed on NiO/Ag(100) films, at variance with MgO/Ag(100). The reasons are analyzed in terms of work function of the metal/oxide interface. Possible ways to modify this property by growing alternate layers of MgO and NiO are discussed.     

Realization of monolayer levels of surface oxidation of nickel by anodization at low temperatures

In order to examine whether monolayer or sub-monolayer extents of surface oxidation can be realized experimentally at Ni prior to onset of bulk-phase oxide formation (as they can for example at Pt, Ru or Au already at room temperature), cyclic voltammetric experiments down to low temperature (−90° C) have been conducted on Ni in solutions of NaOH in 80 mol% methanol with water. The cyclic voltammograms for the first stage of Ni oxidation to α-Ni(OH)₂, and its reduction, show that extents of surface oxidation down to an equivalent monolayer, or less, of Ni(OH)₂ can be realized at sufficiently low temperatures. However, even at these low levels of oxidation of the metal, irreversibility between the processes of Ni oxide formation and reduction is maintained in a way characteristic of the behavior of three-dimensional oxide films. It therefore appears that even at low levels of surface oxidation of Ni which are attainable at low temperature, the oxidation mechanism involves nucleation and growth of the oxide in islands rather than an initial surface-chemical process of OH or O array formation, as at Pt or Au. However, no indications of a dissolution-and precipitation type of oxide formation process, which would involve mass-transport in solution, are given by the present results obtained from experiments in dilute alkali at low temperatures, and at the rotating Ni disc electrode.     

Electrooxidation mechanisms and discharge characteristics of borohydride on different catalytic metal surfaces

The electrooxidation behavior of BH4(-) on electrocatalytic Pt, hydrolytically active Ni, and noncatalytic Au electrodes were comparatively reexamined and a more generalized reaction mechanism was proposed to explain the very different anodic properties of BH4(-) on the different metal electrodes. In this mechanism, the anodic reaction behavior of BH4(-) are determined by a pair of conjugated reactions: electrochemical oxidation and chemical hydrolysis of BH4(-), the relative rates of which depend on the anodic materials, applied potentials, and chemical states of the anodic surfaces. At Pt surface, the electron number of BH4(-) oxidation increases with the increased potential polarization, while the actual electron number of BH4(-) oxidation on Ni electrode is 4 at most due to the poor electrocatalytic activity of the oxidized Ni surface and the strong catalytic activity of metallic Ni for chemical recombination of the adsorbed H intermediate. On the hydrolytic-inactive Au surface, the anodic reaction of BH4(-) can proceed predominately through direct electrochemical oxidation, delivering a near 8e discharge capacity.     

Enhanced Oxidation of Aldohexose and Aldopentose on Hg Adatom‐Modified Au Electrode in Alkaline Aqueous Solution

The electrochemical behavior of aldohexose and aldopentose monosaccharides was examined on Hg adatom‐modified and bare Au electrodes in alkaline aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetry. For the bare Au electrode, the oxidation peak currents are dependent on hydroxyl group configuration on the monosaccharides. On the other hand, for the Hg adatom‐modified Au electrode, the actual oxidation peak currents were similar for all monosaccharides other than glucose. Dispersion of Hg adatoms on the Au surface led to diminishment of configurational differences between monosaccharides as well as enhancement of oxidation peak current.     

Androgynous porphyrins. Silver(II) quinoxalinoporphyrins act as both good electron donors and acceptors

The metal-centered and macrocycle-centered electron-transfer oxidations and reductions of silver(II) porphyrins were characterized in nonaqueous media by electrochemistry, UV-vis spectroelectrochemistry, EPR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. The investigated compounds are {5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrinato}silver(II), {5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)quinoxalino[2,3-b']porphyrinato}silver(II), {5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)bisquinoxalino[2,3-b':7,8-b']porphyrinato}silver(II), and {5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)bisquinoxalino[2,3-b':12,13-b']porphyrinato}silver(II). The first one-electron oxidation and first one-electron reduction both occur at the metal center to produce stable compounds with Ag(III) or Ag(I) metal oxidation states, irrespective of the type of porphyrin ligand. The electrochemical HOMO-LUMO gap, determined by the difference in the first oxidation and first reduction potentials, decreases by introduction of quinoxaline groups fused to the Ag(II) porphyrin macrocycle. This provides a unique androgynous character to Ag(II) quinoxalinoporphyrins that enables them to act as both good electron donors and good electron acceptors, something not previously observed in other metalloporphyrin complexes. The second one-electron oxidation and second one-electron reduction of the compounds both occur at the porphyrin macrocycle to produce Ag(III) porphyrin pi-radical cations and Ag(I) porphyrin pi-radical anions, respectively. The macrocycle-centered oxidation potentials of each quinoxalinoporphyrin are shifted in a negative direction, while the macrocycle-centered reduction potentials are shifted in a positive direction as compared to the same electrode reactions of the porphyrin without the fused quinoxaline ring(s). Both potential shifts are due to a stabilization of the radical cations and radical anions by pi-extension of the porphyrin macrocycle after fusion of one or two quinoxaline moieties at the beta-pyrrolic positions of the macrocycle. Introduction of quinoxaline groups fused to the Ag(II) porphyrin macrocycle provides a unique androgynous character to Ag(II) quinoxalinoporphyrins that enables them to act as both good electron donors and good electron acceptors.     

Chromatographic separation by a new chelating resin containing β-hydroxydithiocinnamic acid

Summary The distribution coefficients of Ag(I), Au(III), Cd(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Hg(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Pt(IV), and Zn(II) on a new chelating resin containing -hydroxydithiocinnamic acid at various acidity were studied. In the strongly acidic region, the resin shows high affinity for Ag(I), Hg(II), Au(III) and Pt(IV) and high resistance against air oxidation. The effect of diverse foreign ligands on the sorption of metal ions and the possibility of application to speciation studies with this resin were also considered. Some quantitative separations of Cd-Cu-Pb, Cu-Au and Au-Pt with this resin column were described. Detection of the chromatography system was carried out via post column derivatisation of the column effluent with PAR at 520 nm or direct UV detection of the chloride complexes at 215 nm.     

Synthesis and characterization of silica gel microspheres encapsulated by salicyclic acid functionalized polystyrene and its adsorption of transition metal ions from aqueous solutions

The present study was undertaken to develop a novel adsorbent for heavy metal ions, and this paper presents the synthesis and characterization of a composite material-silica gel microspheres encapsulated by salicyclic acid functionalized polystyrene (SG-PS-azo-SA) with a core-shell structure. SG-PS-azo-SA was used to investigate the adsorption of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Fe(III), Hg(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Cr(VI), Pd(II), Cu(II), Ag(I), and Au(III) from aqueous solutions. The results revealed that SG-PS-azo-SA has better adsorption capacity for Cu(II), Ag(I) and Au(III). Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to analyze the experimental data, the best interpretation for the experimental data was given by the Langmuir isotherm equation with the maximum adsorption capacity for Cu(II), Ag(I), and Au(III) at 1.288 mmol g⁻¹, 1.850 mmol g⁻¹ and 1.613 mmol g^t-1, respectively. Thus, silica gel encapsulated by salicyclic acid functionalized polystyrene (SG-PS-azo-SA) is favorable and useful for the removal of Cu(II), Ag(I) and Au(III) metal ions.     

Surface-enhanced raman scattering (SERS) of adsorbed molecules on smooth surfaces of metals and a metal oxide

Surface-enhanced Raman spectra were observed for pyridine adsorbed on Ni, Pd and Pt (vacuum evaporated films) as well as on Ag and Au. The υ_o dependence varied remarkably from metal to metal. SERS of pyridine adsorbed on nickel oxide (cleaved single crystal) was also observed. Langmuir films of stearic acid on Ag showed no feature of SERS.     

Study on Chemisorption, Catalytic Behavior, and Stability of Supported Au Catalyst for the Propylene Epoxidation Reaction

The supported Au/TiO2 and Au/TiO2-SiO2 catalysts were prepared by deposition precipitation method. The TPD study reveals that propylene oxide competes with propylene to be adsorbed on the same adsorptive center-Tin site on the surface of the catalyst and that the adsorbing capacity of the catalyst for propylene oxide is larger than that for propylene. Catalytic behavior for propylene epoxidation with H2 and O2 was tested in a micro-reactor. Under typical conditions, the selectivity for propylene oxide is over 87%. The TG curves show that PO successive oxidation cause carbon deposition on the active center and deactivation of the Au catalysts. Because the amounts of Tin site decrease significantly, and consequently the separation between Tin sites increases, the Au/TiO2-SiO2 catalyst is more stable than Au/TiO2.     

Structural Evolution of Pt,Au and Cu Anodes by Electrolysis up to Contact Glow Discharge Electrolysis in Alkaline Electrolytes**

Applying a voltage to metal electrodes in contact with aqueous electrolytes results in the electrolysis of water at voltages above the decomposition voltage and plasma formation in the electrolyte at much higher voltages referred to as contact glow discharge electrolysis (CGDE). While several studies explore parameters that lead to changes in the I–U characteristics in this voltage range, little is known about the evolution of the structural properties of the electrodes. Here we study this aspect on materials essential to electrocatalysis, namely Pt, Au, and Cu. The stationary I–U characteristics are almost identical for all electrodes. Detailed structural characterization by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical approaches reveal that Pt is stable during electrolysis and CGDE, while Au and Cu exhibit a voltage-dependent oxide formation. More importantly, oxides are reduced when the Au and Cu electrodes are kept in the electrolysis solution after electrolysis. We suspect that H₂O₂ (formed during electrolysis) is responsible for the oxide reduction. The reduced oxides (which are also accessible via electrochemical reduction) form a porous film, representing a possible new class of materials in energy storage and conversion studies.     

Surfactant enhanced lipase containing films characterized by confocal laser scanning microscopy

An environmentally benign method for the synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles has been reported using aqueous solution of gum kondagogu (Cochlospermum gossypium). Both the synthesis, as well as stabilization of colloidal Ag, Au and Pt nanoparticles has been accomplished in an aqueous medium containing gum kondagogu. The colloidal suspensions so obtained were found to be highly stable for prolonged period, without undergoing any oxidation. SEM–EDXA, UV–vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR and TEM techniques were used to characterize the Ag, Au and Pt nanoparticles. FTIR analysis indicates that –OH groups present in the gum matrix were responsible for the reduction of metal cations into nanoparticles. UV–vis studies showed a distinct surface plasmon resonance at 412 and 525 nm due to the formation of Au and Ag nanoparticles, respectively, within the gum network. XRD studies indicated that the nanoparticles were crystalline in nature with face centered cubic geometry. The noble metal nanoparticles prepared in the present study appears to be homogeneous with the particle size ranging between 2 and 10 nm, as evidenced by TEM analysis. The Ag and Au nanoparticles formed were in the average size range of 5.5 ± 2.5 nm and 7.8 ± 2.3 nm; while Pt nanoparticles were in the size range of 2.4 ± 0.7 nm, which were considerably smaller than Ag and Au nanoparticles. The present approach exemplifies a totally green synthesis using the plant derived natural product (gum kondagogu) for the production of noble metal nanoparticles and the process can also be extended to the synthesis of other metal oxide nanoparticles.