Synthesis and structure of nanocrystalline TiO2 with lower band gap showing high photocatalytic activity

Nanocrystalline TiO2 was synthesized by the solution combustion method using titanyl nitrate and various fuels such as glycine, hexamethylenetetramine, and oxalyldihydrazide. These catalysts are active under visible light, have optical absorption wavelengths below 600 nm, and show superior photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue and phenol under UV and solar conditions compared to commercial TiO2, Degussa P-25. The higher photocatalytic activity is attributed to the structure of the catalyst. Various studies such as X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area, thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, NMR, UV-vis spectroscopy, and surface acidity measurements were conducted. It was concluded that the primary factor for the enhanced activity of combustion-synthesized catalyst is a larger amount of surface hydroxyl groups and a lowered band gap. The lower band gap can be attributed to the carbon inclusion into the TiO2 giving TiO(2-2x)C(x) VO2**.     

Total synthesis of (-)-laulimalide

(-)-Laulimalide (1), a structurally novel macrolide isolated in trace amounts from marine sponges, promotes abnormal tubulin polymerization and apoptosis in vitro, with a similar mode of action to that of Taxol(R), but with potentially less susceptibility to multidrug resistance. Herein, a flexible and convergent asymmetric synthesis of (-)-laulimalide is described. This synthesis featured a highly diastereoselective Sakurai reaction of 2 with 3 and a regioselective macrolactonization of an unprotected vicinal diol. Laulimalide was synthesized in 25 steps (longest linear; 36 overall) in 3.5% overall yield, providing a uniquely short and efficient route to 1 and its analogues.     

Kinetic and mechanism of oxidation of thiocarbohydrazide and its metal complex by acid bromate in aqueous and partial aqueous media

The kinetics of oxidation of thiocarbohydrazide in the free and zinc(Ⅱ)-bound states byacid bromate have been studied in aqueous and water-acetic acid(1:1,V/V)media under varyingconditions,both in the absence and presence of added bromide ion.The rates of oxidations show firstorder kinetics in[bromate]in all the cases,but exhibit different kinetic behaviour in[substrate]and[H~+].Oxidation of TCH in aqueous medium shows zero order in[TCH]and nearly second order in[H~+],while oxidation in aqueous acetic acid shows two ranges in[H~+].The rate shows first and fractionalorder kinetics in[TCH]in the first and second acid ranges.Kinetics observed in the presence of Br~-are similar to those observed for oxidation of TCH in second acid range.In addition,the reactionshows fractional order in[Br~-].Oxidation of TCH in Zn(Ⅱ)-bound state exhibits first order kinetics in[substrate]and second order in[H~+].Increase in ionic strength of the medium decreases the rate in allthe cases.Increase in acetic acid composition of the solvent increases the rate.Mechanisms consistentwith the observed results have been considered and the rate laws deduced.The rate limiting steps havebeen identified and the coefficients of these steps have been calculated at different temperatures.Therelated activation parameters have also been computed.The validity of the deduced rate laws has alsobeen tested by recalculating the rate constants from them as[TCH]and[H~+]are varied.     

Natural radioactivity distribution in geological matrices around Kaiga environment

Summary The activity and absorbed dose rate of the naturally occurring radionuclides, viz. ²³⁸U, ²³² Th and ⁴⁰K were determined in soil and rock samples collected around Kaiga site. The mean activity levels (Kaiga soil) of naturally occurring ²³² Th are comparable with that in worldwide soil, while concentrations of ²³⁸U and ⁴⁰K are lower than those in worldwide soil. The absorbed dose rate in outdoor air ranged 20-58 nGy ^. h^-1 with a mean of 33.3 nGy ^. h^-1, which is below the world average of 60 nGy ^. h^-1. The total effective dose rate in outdoor air for soils ranged 25.6-74.4 mSv ^. y^-1 with a mean of 43.0 mSv ^. y^-1. The estimated dose rate at Kaiga is comparable with that estimated at Kakrapar and Rawatbhata and much less than that estimated at coastal sites of India.     

Creation of acid sites by La-ions in L zeolite

The creation of strong acid sites in alkaline K-L-zeolites on ion-exchanging with La-ions is reported. Acidity measurements have been carried out by temperature programmed desorption of adsorbed ammonia. Reaction data which confirm the creation of acid sites are also reported.

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- K-L La. - . , .

     

A New Method for the Syntiiesis of 1-Aryl Phthalazines

A simple versatile method for the conversion of 1 -aroyl-2-(substituted benzylidene)-hydrazines to 1-aryl-phthalazines using polyphosphate ester (PPE) is described.