Euphorbia polygonifolia extract assisted biosynthesis of Fe3O4@CuO nanoparticles: Applications in the removal of metronidazole,ciprofloxacin and cephalexin antibiotics from aqueous solutions under UV irradiation

In this study, a new, economical and green method was reported for synthesizing Fe₃O₄@CuO nanoparticles without adding any surfactants using Euphorbia polygonifolia extract as a renewable, mild and safe reducing agent and effective stabilizer. The green synthesized NPs were analyzed by various methods such as XRD, FESEM, FT-IR, EDS, VSM, UV–visible, DRS, BET and TGA-DTA. Based on the BET analysis, the Fe₃O₄@CuO NP had a surface area of 69.20 m²/g. The FTIR analysis verified the existence of different functional groups of phytochemicals from Euphorbia polygonifolia extract which were accountable for the NPs formation. The catalytic performance of the catalyst for the degradation of metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and cephalexin antibiotics was examined in aqueous mediums at room temperature. The results showed an extraordinary catalytic performance, easy reusability and long-term stability of the composite for reducing antibiotic pollution. In this process, the effects of environmental conditions such as initial pH of the environment, initial concentration of antibiotics, the concentration of modified photocatalyst and reaction time were studied. According to the results, at the optimal conditions, the highest removal efficiency for metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and cephalexin antibiotics using Fe₃O₄@CuO nanoparticles, were 89%, 94%, and 96%, respectively. Also, it was observed that even after recycling, the NPs presents good nanocatalytic stability for the degradation of antibiotics. Using the NPs for five cycles did not significantly alter the photocatalyst efficiency, showing that the photocatalytic stability of the NPs was excellent.     

Novel marine-based gold nanocatalyst in solvent-free synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives: Green and sustainable protocol

We report an ecofriendly synthetic approach for the fabrication of biogenic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using electron-rich sea cucumber extract as a bio-reductant and stabilizing agent in reducing gold cations into AuNPs at the optimal conditions. The produced AuNPs are spherical in shape with an average particle size of 11 ± 1.5 nm in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and exhibited a crystal structure of face-centered cubic in X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Our results indicated that bioinspired AuNPs demonstrate superior catalytic activity in the safe and facile one-pot synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives under solvent-free reaction conditions. This green route encompasses multiple benefits including highly recyclable bioinspired catalyst (5 cycles), short reaction times, convenient workout, high to excellent product yields (82%–97%), and nonhazardous conditions.     

C‐S cross‐coupling reaction using novel and green synthesized CuO nanoparticles assisted by Euphorbia maculata extract

In the present study, biosynthesis of CuO nanoparticles using a rapid, eco‐friendly, cost‐effective and efficient method has been reported employing aqueous Euphorbia maculata extract as mild, renewable and non‐toxic reducing and capping agents without adding any surfactants. The biogenic and green method has some benefits compared to conventional physical and chemical methods. It is simple, cheap and environmentally friendly. The biosynthesized CuO NP displayed a color change pattern (from sky blue to black) on preparation and presented its respective broad peak at 365 nm, which was analyzed by UV–Vis spectroscopy. Using the FT‐IR analysis, biomolecules in E. maculata extract which are responsible for bioreduction activity and synthesize of CuO NP, were identified. The XRD, EDX and FESEM results confirmed the successful synthesis of CuO nanoparticles of 18 nm sizes, with spherical and sponge crystal structure. The catalytic activity of biosynthesized CuO NPs was studied in C‐S cross‐coupling reaction. This method has the advantages of high yields, easy work‐up, and simple reusability. The recovered CuO NP can be reused four times without any considerable loss of its catalytic activity.     

Green synthesis of Fe3O4/ZnO magnetic core-shell nanoparticles by Petasites hybridus rhizome water extract and their application for the synthesis of pyran derivatives: Investigation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity

In this research, Fe₃O₄/ZnO magnetic core-shell nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄/ZnO MCNPs) were synthesized through a green method using Petasites hybridus rhizome water extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The morphology and size of the Fe₃O₄/ZnO MCNPs was identified by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. The catalytic activity of the Fe₃O₄/ZnO MCNPs was evaluated in the efficient and green preparation of pyran derivatives in excellent yield using three-component reactions of dimedone, aldehydes, and malononitrile in ethanol at room temperature. The ability of some synthesized compounds to scavenge the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical was measured and the results proved this observation. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of some synthesized compounds was proved by employing the disk diffusion test on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The results for the disk diffusion test showed that compounds ( 4c, 4d, 4f and 4g ) prevented bacterial growth.     

Synthesis and In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity of Novel Triazole‐Isoxazole Derivatives

New derivatives of triazole‐isoxazole were synthesized through a four‐step reaction starting from various ethyl 4‐aryl‐2,4‐dioxobutanoate derivatives. Finally, all compounds were examined by MTT assays for cytotoxic activity in two human breast cancer cell lines (MCF‐7 and T‐47D).     

Ammonium chloride-catalyzed green multicomponent synthesis of dihydropyrazine and tetrahydrodiazepine derivatives “on water”

Molecular Diversity - This research describes a simple and efficient one-pot synthetic approach for the preparation of tetrahydrodiazepine and dihydropyrazine (or dihydroquinoxaline) derivatives in...     

Design,preparation and characterization of Cu/GA/Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles as a catalyst for the synthesis of benzodiazepines and imidazoles

The synthesis and characterization of an efficient and reusable nanocatalyst, Cu/GA/Fe₃O₄@SiO₂, obtained by ultrasonic‐assisted grafting of guanidineacetic acid on modified Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ core–shell nanocomposite spheres and subsequent immobilization of Cu(II), are described. The catalyst was characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The prepared nanocatalyst facilitated an efficient and straightforward friendly procedure for the synthesis of benzodiazepines and imidazoles in ethanol and under solvent‐free conditions, respectively. The nanocatalyst can be easily recovered using a magnet and reused several times without any significant loss of activity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An efficient method for the oxathioacetalization of carbonyl compounds using N-bromosaccharin as a catalyst

A mild and highly chemoselective method for the preparation of oxathiolane from aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes and ketones with 2-mercaptoethanol in the presence of catalytic amount of N-bromosaccharin at room temperature is reported.     

Catalyst-free one-pot synthesis of 1,4,5-trisubstituted pyrazoles in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol

A simple, efficient and three component one-pot synthesis of 1,4,5-trisubstituted pyrazoles by condensation of β-dicarbonyls, N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (DMFDMA) and hydrazine derivatives in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol without using any catalyst and activation, is described.     

Efficient,Rapid, and Regioselective Bromination of Phenols and Anilines with N-Bromosaccharin Using Tungstophosphoric Acid as a Heterogeneous Recyclable Catalyst

A simple, efficient, and rapid method for high-yielding regioselective mono bromination of phenols and anilines has been achieved by treatment with N-bromasaccharin in the presence of a catalytic amount of tungstophosphoric acid.