Vanadium dodecylamino phosphate: A novel efficient catalyst for synthesis of polyhydroquinolines

A novel vanadium dodecylamino phosphate was synthesised by an instant reaction between phosphoric acid and vanadyl acetylacetonoate using dodecylamine as the structure-directing agent at ambient temperature. The physicochemical characteristics of the material were investigated by a variety of analytical techniques. XRD studies revealed the presence of vanadium phosphate and hydrated vanadium phosphate phases in the framework of the material. The catalytic application of this material toward in the synthesis of polyhydroquinolines via Hantzsch condensation was investigated at ambient temperature. This method affords high yields within short reaction times. The influence of various reaction parameters such as different solvents, catalyst dosage, effect of aldehydes, and reusability was studied and a plausible mechanism proposed.     

Rapid breakdown anodization technique for the synthesis of high aspect ratio and high surface area anatase TiO2 nanotube powders

Clusters of high aspect ratio, high surface area anatase-TiO₂ nanotubes with a typical nanotube outer diameter of about 18 nm, wall thickness of approximately 5 nm and length of 5-10 μm were synthesized, in powder form, by breakdown anodization of Ti foils in 0.1 M perchloric acid, at 10 V (299 K) and 20 V (∼275 and 299 K). The surface area, morphology, structure and band gap were determined from Brunauer Emmet Teller method, field emmission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman, photoluminescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopic studies. The tubular morphology and anatase phase were found to be stable up to 773 K and above 773 K anatase phase gradually transformed to rutile phase with disintegration of tubular morphology. At 973 K, complete transformation to rutile phase and disintegration of tubular morphology were observed. The band gap of the as prepared and the annealed samples varied from 3.07 to 2.95 eV with increase in annealing temperature as inferred from photoluminescence and diffuse reflectance studies.     

Effect of sunlight on the preparation and properties of cellulose/silver nanoparticle composite films by in situ method using Ocimum sanctum leaf extract as a reducing agent

Cellulose/silver nanoparticle composite films with in situ-generated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared using Ocimum sanctum leaf extract as a reducing agent in the absence and presence of sunlight and were characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, and antibacterial tests. Sunlight hastened up the preparation of these composite films. The average size of the in situ-generated AgNPs was reduced by the sunlight. The antibacterial activity and other properties of the composites were enhanced by the sunlight. The cellulose/AgNP composite films with improved properties by sunlight can be considered for medical purpose as antibacterial dressing materials.     

The V-ATPase as a target for antifungal drugs

The ubiquitous and essential V-ATPase is a worthy chemotherapeutic target in the escalating battle against invasive fungal infections. Pathogenic fungi require optimum V-ATPase function for secretion of virulence factors, induction of stress response pathways, hyphal morphology and homeostasis of pH and other cations in order to successfully survive within and colonize the host. This review discusses why impairment of V-ATPase activity confers multidrug sensitivity and loss of virulence. Recent evidence points to the V-ATPase as a novel downstream target of the azole class of antifungals that inhibit the biogenesis of ergosterol. Depletion of ergosterol from vacuolar membranes led to progressive alkalization of yeast vacuoles, loss of V-ATPase activity and growth inhibition that could be rescued by exogenous ergosterol feeding. Other studies point to a critical role for sphingolipids, phospholipids and cardiolipin in V-ATPase function. Thus, drugs that inhibit the V-ATPase directly, or indirectly by modulating the membrane milieu, can profoundly affect fungal viability and virulence. These findings justify a systematic screen for fungal specific V-ATPase inhibitors or membrane active compounds that can be used in antifungal chemotherapy.     

The effect of pulp type on the performance of microfibrillar lignocellulosic bismuth-based active packaging material

Cellulose - The study aims to investigate the effect of the different lignocellulosic pulp on the composite properties for active packaging application. Microfibrillated cellulose from bleached and...     

Resonance Raman spectroscopic study for radial vibrational modes in ultra‐thin walled TiO2 nanotubes

The study reports the observation of radial vibrational modes in ultra‐thin walled anatase TiO₂ nanotube powders grown by rapid breakdown anodization technique using resonant Raman spectroscopic study. The as‐grown tubes in the anatase phase are around 2–5 nm in wall thickness, 15–18 nm in diameter and few microns in length. The E_{g(ν1,ν5,ν6)} phonon modes with molecular vibrations in the radial direction are predominant in the resonance Raman spectroscopy using 325 nm He–Cd excitation. Multi‐phonons including overtones and combinational modes of E_{g(ν1,ν5,ν6)} are abundantly observed. Fröhlich interaction owing to electron–phonon coupling in the resonance Raman spectroscopy of ultra‐thin wall nanotubes is responsible for the observation of radial vibrational modes. Finite size with large surface energy in these nanotubes energetically favor only one mode, B_1g(ν4) with unidirectional molecular vibrations in the parallel configuration out of the three Raman modes with molecular vibration normal to the radial modes. Enhanced specific heat with increasing temperatures in these nanotubes as compared to that reported for nanoparticles of similar diameter may possibly be related to the presence of the prominent radial mode along with other energetic phonon mode. The findings elucidate the understanding of total energy landscape for TiO₂ nanotubes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A LC Separation and Quantification of o‐Toluene Sulphonamide and its Related Positional Isomers Using a Cellulose tris(3,5‐dimethyl phenylcarbamate)

A simple, rapid, selective and sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the separation and quantification of o‐Toluene Sulphonamide and its positional isomers which is an intermediate of Zafirlukast drug substance using a chiral column. Elution time was below 10 min in normal phase mode and ultra violet detection was carried out at 220 nm. Efficient separation was achieved on a Chiralcel OD‐H column using of n‐Hexane and 2‐Propanol mixture (50:50 v/v) as isocratic at 1.0 mL min⁻¹ flow rate. Resolutions between m‐Toluene Sulphonamide and p‐Toluene Sulphonamide isomers of o‐Toluene Sulphonamide were found to be >; 2.5. The calibration graphs for m‐Toluene Sulphonamide and p‐Toluene Sulphonamide isomers of o‐Toluene Sulphonamide were linear (R² > 0.999) when ranging from the limit of quantitation to 0.5%. The method is found to be selective, precise, linear, accurate and also robust. It was used for not only Quality assurance but also monitoring the synthetic reactions involved in the process development of Zafirlukast. The liquid chromatographic method is found to be specific and reliable for the determination of unreacted levels of positional isomers in reaction mass. This method was successfully validated according to the International Conference Harmonization (ICH) guidelines (Validation of Analytical Procedures: Test and Methodology Q2).     

Application of [3 + 2]-Cycloaddition in the Synthesis of Valdecoxib

A large scale synthesis of valdecoxib 1 is described. Our work features potential application of [3 + 2]-dipolar cycloaddition involving enamine and in situ–generated nitrile oxide derivatives.     

Optical and IR studies on r.f. magnetron sputtered ultra-thin MoO3 films

Ultra-thin MoO₃ films were deposited onto glass and Si substrates by r.f. magnetron sputtering. The optical and IR properties of the films were studied in the range of 250 to 1000 nm and 400 to 1500 cm⁻¹, respectively. The optical transmission spectra show a significant shift in absorption edge. The energy gap of the films deposited at 373 K and 0.1 mbar was found to be 3.93 eV, and it decreases with increasing substrate temperature and decreasing sputtering pressure. The IR transmittance spectra shows strong modes of vibrations of Mo=O and Mo–O–Mo units of MoO₃ molecule. A significant change in energy gap and a shift in frequency of IR modes were observed in ultra-thin MoO₃ films.     

Titanium aminophosphates as efficient,economical, and recyclable catalysts for the synthesis of xanthenediones

Titanium aminophospates have been used as catalysts in the synthesis of xanthenediones at room temperature. Among the three catalysts tested, titanium n-propyl aminophosphate (TNPAP) was found to be more efficient catalyst for the synthesis of xanthenediones. The solvent-screening studies for this catalytic reaction reveals that MeOH: H₂O was the most suitable solvent system, yielding higher amounts (89%) of products. The TNPAP catalyst was found to be reusable for five successive cycles. The optimized reaction conditions are 1.0?mmol of benzaldehyde, 2.0?mmol of dimedone, methanol/water (5.0?mL) as solvent, rt, and 100?mg of TNPAP. A plausible mechanism for the catalytic reactions has been proposed.