Chemoselective thioacetalization and transthioacetalization of carbonyl compounds catalyzed by immobilized scandium(III) triflate in ionic liquids

Immobilized scandium triflate [Sc(OTf)₃] in ionic liquids has been found to be an extremely efficient and recyclable catalyst for the thioacetalization and transthioacetalization of both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes. Significant rate acceleration and chemoselectivity was achieved by employing this catalytic system.     

Preparation of cyclopentadienes and diazocyclopentadienesvia cyclopentenolones and cyclopentenones

The structure and stereochemistry of the cyclopentenolones obtained by condensation of dialkyl ketones with benzil have been studied by NMR spectroscopy. These enolones were converted into cyclopentenones and cyclopentadienes. Alkyl-substituted cyclopentadienes required phenyllithium to effect their conversion by toluenesulphonyl azide into diazo-cyclopentadienes; otherwise piperidine sufficed as base catalyst.2,3,4-Triphenyldiazocyclopentadiene was simply procured by reaction of the condensation product of benzil and phenylacetone with toluenesulphonylhydrazone followed by alkali. Cyclohexyl- and methoxy-triphenylcyclopentadienes were prepared by photolytic decomposition of diazotriphenylcyclopentadiene in cyclohexane or methanol respectively.     

Pinacol Formation and Reduction of Aromatic Carbonyls with Magnesium–Methanol at Ambient Temperature

A simple and inexpensive procedure for the pinacol formation of aromatic aldehydes and reduction of aromatic ketones to the corresponding alcohols with magnesium in dry methanol at ambient temperature is reported. The pinacol formation and reduction are proposed to be proceeding by SET from magnesium.     

Synthesis of nanoplate bismuth oxychloride—a visible light active material

We have synthesized bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) by wet chemical route. Characterization of the synthesized samples has been carried out using XRD, SEM with EDAX, HRTEM, FT-IR, Raman Spectroscopy, PL and UV. XRD and SEM analysis confirms crystallite size varying from 20–40 nm. FTIR spectrum indicates that the prepared material is highly pure and there is no water molecule present. Raman and photoluminescence spectrum of the bismuth oxychloridenanoplate demonstrated strong blue light emission which brings them in a special class of materials which work under visible light exposure. UV-Vis spectroscopy shows very less charge carriers transit time under visible light thus confirming excellent photocatalytic properties of material.     

Recent Advancements on Immunomodulatory Mechanisms of Resveratrol in Tumor Microenvironment

Immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment is emerging as an important area of research for the treatment of cancer patients. Several synthetic and natural agents are being investigated for their ability to enhance the immunogenic responses of immune cells present in the tumor microenvironment to impede tumor cell growth and dissemination. Among them, resveratrol, a stilbenoid found in red grapes and many other natural sources, has been studied extensively. Importantly, resveratrol has been shown to possess activity against various human diseases, including cancer. Mechanistically, resveratrol has been shown to regulate an array of signaling pathways and processes involving oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and several anticancer effects. Furthermore, recent research suggests that resveratrol can regulate various cellular signaling events including immune cell regulation, cytokines/chemokines secretion, and the expression of several other immune-related genes. In this review, we have summarized recent findings on resveratrol’s effects on immune regulatory cells and associated signaling in various cancer types. Numerous immunomodulatory effects of resveratrol suggest it may be useful in combination with other cancer therapies including immunotherapy for effective cancer management.     

Study of size dependent features of swift heavy ion irradiation in nanosized zinc ferrite

In the present work zinc ferrite nanoparticles of different crystallite size were irradiated with 200 MeV Ag¹⁵⁺ ion beam. The structural and magnetic characterization performed for these samples indicate the presence of size dependent irradiation induced changes in the nanoparticles. The superparamgnetic nanoparticles do not alter their behavior after irradiation; however paramagnetic samples exhibit weak ferrimagnetism in the irradiated specimen. Results obtained from these measurements are in agreement with results obtained from the electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.     

Observation of the giant stark effect in boron-nitride nanotubes

Bias dependent scanning tunneling microscopy and scanning tunneling spectroscopy have been used to characterize the influence of transverse electric fields on the electronic properties of boron-nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). We find experimental evidence for the theoretically predicted giant Stark effect. The observed giant Stark effect significantly reduces the band gap of BNNTs and thus greatly enhances the utility of BNNTs for nanoscale electronic, electromechanical, and optoelectronic applications.     

Curing and thermal behaviour of DGEBA using mixture of biuret and 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone

Curing behaviour of DGEBA was investigated in the presence of varying molar ratio of biuret and 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) by means of Differential scanning calorimetery. The multiple heating rate method (5, 10, 15 and 20 °C min⁻¹) was used to study the curing behaviour of epoxy resins. The peak exotherm temperature was found to be dependent on the heating rates, structure of biuret as well as on the ratios of biuret:DDS used. Ozawa method was used for calculating the activation energy of curing reaction. The thermal stability of the isothermally cured resins was evaluated by recording the thermogravimetric traces in nitrogen atmosphere. All the samples were stable up to 330 °C.