Platinum–tin complexes as catalysts for the anodic oxidation of borohydride

Platinum–tin complexes were prepared by the reduction of Pt(IV) with Sn(II) in HCl media and studied by light absorption spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electron microscopy. The formation of three complexes, H₃[Pt(SnCl₃)₅], H₂[Pt(SnCl₃)₂Cl₂], and H₂[Pt₃(SnCl₃)₈], depending on HCl and SnCl₂ concentrations, has been shown. The glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified in the complexes solutions was found to be an electrocatalyst for borohydride oxidation in a 1.0-M NaOH solution. Comparison of BH₄ ⁻ electrooxidation on Pt and on GC modified with platinum–tin complexes has shown that catalytic hydrolysis of BH₄ ⁻ did not proceed in the latter case in contrast to its oxidation on the Pt electrode, and only direct BH₄ ⁻ oxidation has been observed in the positive potentials scan. The activity of Pt–Sn complexes for BH₄ ⁻ oxidation changes with time and eventually decreases due to Sn(II), bound in the complex with Pt(II), oxidation by atmospheric oxygen. The complexes may be renewed by addition of missing amounts of SnCl₂ and HCl.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of the Trimeric Furoxan (= Furazan 2-Oxide) System,a New Potent Vasodilating Moiety

The synthesis, structural characterization, and NO donor properties of a series of terfuroxan (= terfurazan trioxide) derivatives 1a–h and 2a–j are reported (Schemes 1 and 2). Structural assignments were confirmed principally by mass and ¹³C- and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The extent and the initial rate of NO release in the presence of thiol cofactor was evaluated for each derivative. Vasodilator effects of all the terfuroxan derivatives were evaluated on endothelium-denuded strips of rat aorta precontracted with noradrenaline. Concentration-response curves were also evaluated in the presence of 10 m?M oxyhemoglobin (HbO₂), a well known NO scavenger. The whole series displays high vasodilating potency; the most active terfuroxans ( 1a, b, g and 2i ) are 5–10 times as potent as glyceryl trinitrate taken as reference (see Table 3). The potency decrease observed in the presence of HbO₂ agrees with the involvement of NO in the vasorelaxing action. The 4,3′:4′,4″ connection (series 1 ; furoxan numbering) gives rise to the most potent compounds. The conformational factors seem to play important roles in the activity. No clear relationship between physico-chemical properties of the substituents and potencies of derivative emerges.     

Fluorescent Nitric Oxide Photodonors Based on BODIPY and Rhodamine Antennae

Two novel NO photodonors (NOPDs) based on BODIPY and Rhodamine antennae activatable with the highly biocompatible green light are reported. Both NOPDs exhibit considerable fluorescence emission and release NO with remarkable quantum efficiencies. The combination of the photoreleasing and emissive performance for both compounds is superior to those exhibited by other NOPDs based on similar light-harvesting centres, making them very intriguing for image-guided phototherapeutic applications. Preliminary biological data prove their easy visualization in cell environment due to the intense green and orange-red fluorescence and their photodynamic action on cancer cells due to the NO photo-liberated.     

Connected generalised Sierpiński carpets

Generalised Sierpiński carpets are planar sets that generalise the well-known Sierpiński carpet and are defined by means of sequences of patterns. We present necessary and sufficient conditions, under which generalised Sierpiński carpets are connected, with respect to Euclidean topology.     

The effect of acid treatment on the pyrolysis behavior of sewage sludges

One sewage sludge (SLA) from Ávila region (Spain) was selected and used as raw material in order to study the influence of acid treatment on the pyrolysis behavior of sewage sludges. SLA was heat treated with acid solutions at pH 1 and pH 2 leading to SLA-1 and SLA-2, respectively. Characterization of samples has showed that acid treatment leads to metals removal and modifications in the organic matter composition of sewage sludge. Pyrolysis of three samples showed that SLA and SLA-1 have a similar pyrolysis behavior whereas SLA-2 shows a slightly extended temperature interval for pyrolysis, beginning at lower temperature and finishing at higher temperatures.     

Unsymmetrically substituted furoxans. Part 11. Methylfuroxancarbaldehydes

The two isomeric 3-methyl-4-furoxancarbaldehydes ( 2a ) and 4-methyl-3-furoxancarbaldehyde ( 2b ) have been prepared. Discussion of their structures, thermal equilibration and kinetic of thermal conversion from the 3-methyl to the 4-methyl isomer are also reported. (Phenylsulfonyl)hydrazones 3a and 3b have been prepared as derivatives in view of their potential antitumoral properties.     

Unsymmetrically substituted furoxans. IIII. Methylnitrofuroxan: Its structure and behavior toward nucleophilie substitution

A series of unsymmetrically substituted furoxans have been prepared from methyinitro-furoxan and a variety of nucleophilic reagents. The nmr study of these compounds and of their parent furazans suggested the structure of 3-methyl derivatives for all the furoxans synthesized: on this ground the 3-methyl structure for methylnitrofuroxan was proposed. On heating some 3-methylfuroxan derivatives, a partial isomerization into the corresponding 4-methyl isomers occurred.     

Studies in the chemistry of 1,2,5-oxadiazole (II). Synthesis and properties of furazanodiazepines

This paper describes the synthesis and the properties of some furazanodiazepine derivatives obtained by condensing the appropriate β-diketones with 3,4-diaminofurazan. On the basis of U.V., I.R. and N.M.R. evidence a mono-imino structure is suggested for the compounds obtained. Low temperature N.M.R. spectra suggest a rapid tautomensm for the dimethyl derivative.     

Unsymmetrically substituted furoxans. VIII. Chloromethylfuroxans

The two isomeric chloromethylfuroxans have been prepared. Their structures, thermal equilibration and reaction toward thiophenoxide ion are discussed. Kinetics of the 4-methyl — 3-methyl isomer thermal conversion are also reported.