Optimization of a prompt gamma setup for analysis of environmental samples

A thermal neutron capture-based Prompt Gamma ray Activation Analysis setup has been designed to analyze the elemental concentration of environmental bulk samples using a D(d,n) reaction-based portable neutron generator. The performance of the setup was tested through mercury concentration measurements in Hg-contaminated water samples using a large volume cylindrical bismuth germinate (BGO) gamma ray detector. Excellent agreement of experimental count rate of 2.64, 3.19 + 3.29 and 4.67–5.05 MeV Hg prompt gamma rays with theoretical count rate obtained through Monte Carlo simulations, indicates excellent performance of the newly designed portable neutron generator-based PGNAA setup.     

Neutron moderation effects in phc contaiminated soil samples

Prompt gamma ray analysis of soil samples contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons(PHC) like benzene was carried out using 14 MeV neutron beams. Intensities of silicon, carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen gamma rays were measured for soil samples containing 2.20–10.4 wt% benzene. With increasing benzene concentration, the intensity of the C gamma rays increased while those of Si, H, and O gamma rays decreased. The reduction in Si, H, and O gamma ray intensities may be due to increasing neutron moderation effect in benzene-contaminated soil samples. The experimental intensities of gamma rays are in good agreement with the calculated intensities.The neutron moderation effects in benzene contaminated soil samples are about 26% weaker than those reported for soil samples containing moisture. From the slopes of silicon gamma ray intensity as a function of benzene concentration as well as moisture concentration, a simple scheme has been suggested to correct for the loss in carbon counts caused by neutron moderation from PHC and moisture in the soil samples.     

The Application of Vinamidinium Salts to the Synthesis of 2‐Amino‐5‐aryl or Formylpyridine‐3‐carbonitriles

The symmetrical vinamidinium salts were allowed to react with malononitrile in refluxing ethanol in the presence of ammonium acetate for 12 h to afford the 2‐amino‐5‐aryl or formylpyridine‐3‐carbonitriles.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of 3,5‐Disubstituted Pyridin‐2‐ones by Annulation of β‐Keto‐amides with 2‐Dimethylaminomethylene‐1,3‐bis(dimethylimonio)propane Diperchlorate

β‐Keto‐amides react with 2‐dimethylaminomethylene‐1,3‐bis(dimethylimonio)propane diperchlorate salt to give the corresponding 3‐acetyl‐5‐formylpyridin‐2‐ones. The annulation reactions proceed with excellent yields.     

Convenient synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-3-ones and pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5-carbaldehyde using vinamidinium salts

An expedient method for the synthesis of 2-phenyl-5-aryl-2,3-dihydropyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-3-ones and 2-phenyl-3-oxo-2,3-dihydropyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5-carbaldehyde in a single-step via condensation of vinamidinium salts with 3-amino-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one is described.     

Reaction of 5-aminotetrazole with vinamidinium salts: Formation of 2-(N, N-dimethylamino)-5-substituted pyrimidines

The cyclocondensation of vinamidinium salts with 5-aminotetrazole in basic media affords regiospecifically good yields of 2-(N, N-dimethylamino)-5- aryl-, arylsulfonyl- and 2-(N, N-dimethylamino)-5-formyl-pyrimidines, respectively.     

Study of Pt-Re/alumina reforming catalysts by neutron activation analysis

The elemental analysis of Pt-Re/alumina catalysts was carried out by nondestructive and bulk neutron activation analysis. Samples were irradiated with a²⁴¹Am-Be source-based as well as accelerator-based thermal neutrons and induced activities were measured by a HPGe detector with a PC-based data acquisition and analysis system. An appropriate calibration technique was established for the determination of the respective ratios of each element present in the catalysts. The technique proved to be useful for the determination of low concentrations of Pt and Re in the catalyst samples.