Silver nanoparticle‐decorated multiwalled carbon nanotube/pramipexole nanocomposite: Synthesis,characterization and application as an antibacterial agent

This work reports the preparation of multiwalled carbon nanotube/pramipexole/Ag (CNT/pra/Ag) as a novel antibacterial agent, in which pramipexole groups are utilized as linkers to secure Ag nanoparticles to carbon nanotube surfaces without agglomeration. The resulting CNT/pra/Ag sample was characterized by performing transmission and scanning electron microscopy, wavelength‐ and energy‐dispersive X‐ray, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, inductively coupled plasma and Raman measurements. Using this approach, monodisperse spherical Ag nanoparticles in CNT/pra/Ag have narrow size distributions with average diameters of ca 3–8 nm. The antibacterial activity of CNT/pra/Ag was investigated against bacterial species Staphylococcus aureus , methicillin‐resistant S. aureus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli using the paper‐disc diffusion method and by determining the minimal inhibitory concentration. CNT/pra/Ag showed better inhibitory activity towards Gram‐positive bacteria than Gram‐negative bacteria in this study, which indicates its potential as an antibacterial material for laboratory and medical purposes.     

Application of the Fe3O4@1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐diol@Mn nano‐catalyst for the green synthesis of tetrazoles and its biological performance

The Fe₃O₄ magnetic particles were modified with 1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐diol (Phen) and the related Mn complex (Fe₃O₄@Phen@Mn) synthesized as a heterogeneous catalyst to be used for the one‐pot three‐component synthesis of various tetrazoles. The catalysts were characterized by several methods, such as the elemental analysis, FT‐IR, X‐ray powder diffraction, dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetric‐differential thermal analysis, vibrating sample magnetometer and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In addition, the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the catalyst and its Phen ligand were in vitro screened with 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl by free radical scavenging methods. Results showed that the synthesized compounds possess strong antioxidant activity (IC50; 0.172  ±  0.005 mg ml^?1) as well as a good antibacterial potential in comparison to standards.     

Synthesis,characterization and biological properties of mixed ligand complexes of cobalt(II/III) valproate with 2,9‐dimethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline and 1,10‐phenanthroline

The synthesis of mononuclear cobalt(II/III) complexes with two different ligands (complex 2: [Co(valp)₂(2,9‐dmp)] and complex 3: [Co(valp)₂(H₂O)(1,10‐phen)]) was investigated and the characterization of both complexes was achieved using IR, UV–Vis, and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Using single crystal X‐ray diffraction, the crystal structure of each of the complexes was determined. Additionally, the biological activity of these complexes was studied in five gram‐positive and four gram‐negative bacterial strains. Whereas in all gram‐negative bacteria tested, cobalt valproate complexes did not show any anti‐bacterial activity, both complexes had effects on gram positive bacteria. Complex 2 demonstrated good anti‐bacterial activity against all gram‐positive bacteria with inhibition zone diameter (IZD) ranging between 15–28 mm. Complex 3 exhibited low inhibition activity against all gram‐positive bacteria except E. faecalis with IZD ranging between 11.3–13.7 mm. Moreover, as an indication of its uses as industrial catalyst, the rate of bis(p‐nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) hydrolysis when catalyzed by these complexes was measured at different temperatures, concentrations and pH. Complex 2 proved to be a better catalyst to induce the hydrolysis of BNPP.     

Solid‐Solution Alloy Nanoparticles of the Immiscible Iridium–Copper System with a Wide Composition Range for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Applications

For the first time, we synthesize solid‐solution alloy nanoparticles of Ir and Cu with a size of ca. 2 nm, despite Ir and Cu being immiscible in the bulk up to their melting over the whole composition range. We performed a systematic characterization on the nature of the Ir_xCu_1?x solid‐solution alloys using powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that the Ir_xCu_1?x alloys had a face‐centered‐cubic structure; charge transfer from Cu to Ir occurred in the alloy nanoparticles, as the core‐level Ir 4f peaks shifted to lower energy region with the increase in Cu content. Furthermore, we observed that the alloying of Ir with Cu enhanced both the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction reactions. The enhanced activities could be attributed to the electronic interaction between Ir and Cu arising from the alloying effect at atomic‐level.     

Mn‐[4‐Chlorophenyl‐Salicylaldimine‐Methylpyranopyrazole]Cl2 as a Novel Nanostructured Schiff Base Complex and Catalyst

Mn‐[4‐chlorophenyl‐salicylaldimine‐methylpyranopyrazole]Cl₂ ([Mn‐4CSMP ]Cl₂) as nano‐Schiff base complex was prepared and fully characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, derivative thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis, and UV–vis spectroscopy. The reactivity of nano‐[Mn‐4CSMP ]Cl₂ as a catalyst was tested on the tandem cyclocondensation–Knoevenagel condensation–Michael reaction between phenylhydrazine and ethyl acetoacetate with various aromatic aldehydes to give 4,4′‐(arylmethylene)‐bis‐(3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H ‐pyrazol‐5‐ol)s derivatives.     

Zn3(BTC)2 as a Highly Efficient Reusable Catalyst for the Synthesis of 2‐Aryl‐1H‐Benzimidazole

Zn₃(BTC)₂ metal‐organic frameworks as recyclable and heterogeneous catalysts were effectively used to catalyze the synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives from o‐phenylendiamine and aldehydes in ethanol. This method provides 2‐aryl‐1H‐benzimidazoles in good to excellent yields with little catalyst loading. The catalyst was characterized using different techniques such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy.     

Electrochemical Fabrication and Properties of Highly Ordered Fe‐Doped TiO2 Nanotubes

Highly‐ordered Fe‐doped TiO₂ nanotubes (TiO₂nts) were fabricated by anodization of co‐sputtered Ti–Fe thin films in a glycerol electrolyte containing NH₄F. The as‐sputtered Ti–Fe thin films correspond to a solid solution of Ti and Fe according to X‐ray diffraction. The Fe‐doped TiO₂nts were studied in terms of composition, morphology and structure. The characterization included scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, UV/Vis spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Mott–Schottky analysis. As a result of the Fe doping, an indirect bandgap of 3.0 eV was estimated using Tauc’s plot, and this substantial red‐shift extends its photoresponse to visible light. From the Mott–Schottky analysis, the flat‐band potential (E_fb) and the charge carrier concentration (N_D) were determined to be ?0.95 V vs Ag/AgCl and 5.0 ×10¹⁹ cm^?3 respectively for the Fe‐doped TiO₂nts, whilst for the undoped TiO₂nts, E_fb of ?0.85 V vs Ag/AgCl and N_D of 6.5×10¹⁹ cm^?3 were obtained.     

CoFe2O4@SiO2‐CPTES‐Guanidine‐Cu(II): A novel and reusable nanocatalyst for the synthesis of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones and polyhydroquinolines and oxidation of sulfides

CoFe₂O₄@SiO₂‐CPTES‐Guanidine‐Cu(II) magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and used as a new, inexpensive and efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of polyhydroquinolines and 2,3‐dihydroquinazoline‐4(1H)‐ones and for the oxidation of sulfides. The structure of this nanocatalyst was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Simple preparation, high catalytic activity, simple operation, high yields, use of green solvents, easy magnetic separation and reusability of the catalyst are some of the advantages of this protocol.     

Synthesis of (−)‐3‐Carene‐2,5‐dione via Allylic Oxidation of (+)‐3‐Carene

Activated carbon‐supported CuCl₂ (CuCl₂/AC) is a heterogeneous catalyst for the liquid‐phase selective allylic oxidation of (+)‐3‐carene with tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and O₂ to produce (?)‐3‐carene‐2,5‐dione. The possible reaction mechanism and the effects of different factors on the allylic oxidation were investigated. The optimal conditions are as follows: reaction temperature, 45 °C; molar ratio of CuCl₂ to (+)‐3‐carene, 1%; volume ratio of (+)‐3‐carene to TBHP, 1:3; and reaction time, 12 h. Under the optimal conditions, the conversion of (+)‐3‐carene reached 100%, whereas the selectivity for (?)‐3‐carene‐2,5‐dione reached 78%. The CuCl₂/AC catalyst was characterized via X‐ray diffraction, and the chemical structure of the target compound was identified via infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and optical analysis.     

Novel structures of Zn(II) biometal cation with the biologically active substituted acetic acid and nitrogen donor ligands: Synthesis,spectral, phosphate diester catalytic hydrolysis and anti‐microbial studies

The complexes [Zn(methoxyacetate)₂1,10‐phenanthroline] 1 and [Zn₂(phenylacetate)₄(quinoline)₂] 2 , were prepared and characterized by IR‐spectroscopy, UV–Visible spectroscopy, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, single crystal X‐ray diffraction. BNPP hydrolysis of the complexes and their parent nitrogen ligands were scanned, the results indicated that the hydrolysis rates of BNPP were 4.5 × 10⁴ and 6.2 × 10⁵ for ( 1 ) and ( 2 ), respectively. In addition, anti‐bacterial activities were scanned to investigate the effect of complexation on their activity against Gram‐positive (S. epidermidis , S. aureus , E. faecalis , M. luteus and B. Subtilis ) and Gram‐negative (K. pneumonia , E. coli , P. Mirabilis and P. Aeruginosa ) bacteria using agar well‐diffusion method. Complex 1 showed high activity against G⁻and G ⁺ bacteria except against E. faecalis and P. Aeruginosa . Complex 2 did not show any activity against G⁻ or G ⁺ bacteria.     

Antibacterial Activities and Nuclease Properties of Two New Ternary Copper(II) Complexes with 2‐(4′‐Thiazolyl)‐benzimidazole and 2,2′‐Bipyridine/1,10‐phenanthroline

Two new complexes: [Cu(TBZ)(bipy)Cl]Cl·H₂O ( 1 ) and [Cu(TBZ)(phen)Cl]Cl·H₂O ( 2 ) [TBZ=2‐(4′‐thiazolyl)‐ benzimidazole, phen=1,10‐phenanthroline and bipy=2,2′‐bipyridine] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, IR, and UV‐vis methods. Complex 2 , structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c in a unit cell of a=0.85257(12) nm, b=2.5358(4) nm, c=1.15151(13) nm, β=118.721(8)°, V=2.183.2(5) nm³, Z=4, D_c=1.624 g·cm⁻³, µ=1.367 mm⁻¹. The complexes, free ligands and chloride copper(II) salt were each tested for their ability to inhibit the growth of two gram‐positive (B. subtilis and S. aureus) and two gram‐negative (Salmonella and E. coli) bacteria. The complexes showed good antibacterial activities against the microorganisms. The interaction between the complexes and calf thymus DNA in aqueous solution was investigated adopting electronic absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurements and cyclic voltammetry. Results suggest that the two complexes can bind to DNA by intercalative mode. In addition, the result of agarose gel electrophoresis suggested that the complexes can cleave the plasmid DNA at physiological pH and room temperature. Mechanistic studies with different inhibiting reagents reveal that hydroxyl radicals, and a singlet oxygen‐like copper‐oxo species are all involved in the DNA scission process mediated by the complexes.     

Preparation and characterization of nanostructured thin films of Au and Ag nanoparticles synthesized by ascorbic acid on modified glass surface

Immobilization of Ag and Au nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by ascorbic acid on chemically modified glass surface has been studied. 3‐[2‐(2‐Aminoethylamino)ethylamino]propyl‐trimethoxysilane (AMPTS), N‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilan, and 3‐trimethoxysilyl‐1‐propanethiol (MSPT) were used as surface modifying agents. To improve immobilization efficiency, the ammonia solution has been used along with the silane reagents, which assisted to adsorb the metal NPs on glass surface. It was found that AMPTS and MSPT have considerable effect on deposition of Ag and AuNPs on glass substrate. The fabricated thin films were characterized by using UV‐Vis spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and subjected to antimicrobial resistance test. The UV–Vis spectra show a distinctive plasmon resonance absorbance peak for thin films of Au and AgNPs prepared with MSPT and AMPTS, respectively. Atomic force microscopy images indicate that formation of Au and AgNPs with spherical morphology after immobilization on the glass substrate and also the dimensions of NPs on the surface appear larger than those observed in the parent colloidal solution. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy measurements confirmed the presence of silver and gold on the modified glass surface, and elemental composition was measured. The Au and AgNPs thin films show antibacterial activity against gram negative (Escherichia coli) and gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria in comparison with a blank sample. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A three‐component process for the synthesis of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐one derivatives using nanosized nickel aluminate spinel crystals as highly efficient catalysts

NiAl₂O₄ spinel nanocrystals were synthesized as mesoporous catalysts and were fully characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction patterns (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS). These nanocrystals catalyzed the synthesis of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐one derivatives via a one‐pot, three‐component condensation reaction of aromatic aldehydes, isatoic anhydride, and ammonium acetate or primary aromatic amine under microwave irradiation. By far, the most obvious advantages of the offered process are efficiency and recyclability of the catalyst as well as a significantly shorter reaction time.     

Fe3O4‐supported Schiff‐base copper (II) complex: A valuable heterogeneous nanocatalyst for one‐pot synthesis of new pyrano[2,3‐b]pyridine‐3‐carboxamide derivatives

A novel Cu (II) Schiff‐base complex immobilized on core‐shell magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@SPNC) was successfully designed and synthesized. The structural features of these nanoparticles were studied and confirmed by using various techniques including FT‐IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X‐Ray diffraction (XRD), wavelength dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (WDX), and inductively coupled plasma (ICP). These newly synthesized nanoparticles have been used as efficient heterogeneous catalytic system for one‐pot multicomponent synthesis of new pyrano[2,3‐b]pyridine‐3‐carboxamide derivatives. Notably, the catalyst could be easily separated from the reaction mixture by using an external magnet and reused for several successive reaction runs with no significant loss of activity or copper leaching. The present protocol benefits from a hitherto unreported MNPs‐immobilized Cu (II) Schiff‐base complex as an efficient nanocatalyst for the synthesis of newly reported derivatives of pyrano[2,3‐b]pyridine‐3‐carboxamide from one‐pot multicomponent reactions.     

Cu–S‐(propyl)‐2‐aminobenzothioate on magnetic nanoparticles: highly efficient and reusable catalyst for synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives and oxidation of sulfides

Cu–S‐(propyl)‐2‐aminobenzothioate supported on functionalized Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles is reported as a reusable and highly efficient nanocatalyst for the one‐pot synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives and also for selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission and scanning electron microscopies, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The nanocatalyst was easily recovered using an external magnet and reused several times without significant loss of its catalytic efficiency. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetic‐based picolinaldehyde–melamine copper complex for the one‐pot synthesis of hexahydroquinolines via Hantzsch four‐component reactions

A picolinaldehyde–melamine copper complex was loaded on a magnetic Fe₃O₄ core, so that it contained 0.33 mmol of Cu per gram, and was used as an efficient catalyst. The as‐synthesized catalyst was characterized using various techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry and thermogravimetric analysis. The catalyst was used to activate the raw materials in the synthesis of hexahydroquinoline derivatives in one‐pot four‐component reactions. Low reaction time (minutes versus half an hour), solvent‐free condition and magnetically separable catalyst are some salient features of the developed catalyst. Also, the optimum amount of catalyst and temperature were determined as 0.07 g and 87.6 °C, respectively, which were obtained using response surface methodology and optimization techniques.     

Physiochemical properties and novel biological applications of Callistemon viminalis‐mediated α‐Cr2O3 nanoparticles

We report an eco‐friendly synthesis of α‐Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) using Callistemon viminalis (Bottle Brush) flower extracts as an efficient reducing and capping agent. NPs of sizes 15 nm and 17 nm were synthesized by annealing them at 400°C and 500°C, respectively, which were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, UV–Vis, Fourier transform‐infrared, high‐resolution‐transmission electron microscopy/scanning electron microscopy, SAED, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and SQUID. Microplate‐based assay was used for examining antibacterial potential against 12 pathogenic bacterial strains, and their minimum inhibitory concentrations were calculated. MTT cytotoxic assay was accomplished on Leishmania tropica amastigotes and promastigotes, which revealed IC₅₀ values of 44 μg/ml and 10.56 μg/ml, respectively. An IC₅₀ value of 46.32 μg/ml was obtained for HepG2 cancer cells. Enzyme inhibition studies indicated good acetylcholinesterase, moderate butyrylcholinesterase and low alpha‐glucosidase inhibition. Hemolytic assay indicated hemocompatibility at low concentration. In addition, good DPPH radical scavenging and moderate reducing power and total antioxidant potential was revealed by α‐Cr₂O₃ NPs.     

Diethyldisulfoammonium chlorometallates as heterogeneous Brønsted–Lewis acidic catalysts for one‐pot synthesis of 14‐aryl‐7‐(N‐phenyl)‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]acridines

A new series of Brønsted–Lewis acidic diethyldisulfoammonium chlorometallates, [DEDSA][FeCl₄] and [DEDSA]₂[Zn₂Cl₆], were synthesized as solid materials from the reaction of [(Et)₂N(SO₃H)₂][Cl] ionic liquid with transition metal chlorides (FeCl₃ and ZnCl₂) at 80 °C in neat condition for 2 h. The chlorometallates were fully characterized using various spectroscopic and analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible and Raman spectroscopies, powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray and thermogravimetric analyses, Hammett acidity and elemental analyses. Their catalytic activity was studied as reusable heterogeneous catalysts for the three‐component synthesis of novel 14‐aryl‐7‐(N‐phenyl)‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]acridines under solvent‐free conditions at 100 °C.     

Engineering a Cu‐MOF Nano‐Catalyst by using Post‐Synthetic Modification for the Preparation of 5‐Substituted 1H‐Tetrazoles

A new nano scale Cu‐MOF has been obtained via post‐synthetic metalation by immersing a Zn‐MOF as a template in DMF solutions of copper(II) salts. The Cu‐MOF serves as recyclable nano‐catalyst for the preparation of 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles via [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of various nitriles and sodium azide in a green medium (PEG). The post‐synthetic metalated MOF were characterized by FT‐IR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. The morphology and size of the nano‐catalyst were determined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM).     

Synthesis,characterization and application of 3‐methyl‐1‐sulfonic acid imidazolium tetrachloroferrate as nanostructured catalyst for the tandem reaction of β‐naphthol with aromatic aldehydes and amide derivatives

3‐methyl‐1‐sulfonic acid imidazolium tetrachloroferrate {[Msim]FeCl₄} was prepared and fully characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal gravimetric (DTG), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and used, as an efficient catalyst, for the tandem reaction of β‐naphthol with aromatic aldehydes and benzamide at 110 °C under solvent‐free conditions to give 1‐amidoalkyl‐2‐naphthols in high yields and very short reaction times.