Low temperature synthesis and characterization of Mn3O4 nanoparticles

Heating hydrous manganese (II) hydroxide gel at 85 °C for 12 hours produces Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles. They were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The particle size estimated from the SEM and X-ray peak broadening is approximately 32 nm, showing them to be nanocrystalline. EPR measurements confirm a typical Mn²⁺signal with a highly resolved hyperfine structure.      

Electrospinning of the hydrophilic poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and its copolymers with 2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate

The goal was to electrospin 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate — based biocompatible polymers and prepare submicron fibres (nanofibers) for biomedicinal applications. Syntheses of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (HEMA) and its copolymer with 2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate (EOEMA), and their characterization by viscometry and molecular weight are described. Their relation to electrospinning is discussed. Electrospinning of HEMA homopolymer from water-ethanol is successful for molecular weights 6.31 × 10⁵ and 1.80 × 10⁶ g/mol. Electrospinning of HEMA/EOEMA copolymers is feasible from ethanol.      

Ionic liquid-functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous material: efficient heterogeneous catalyst in versatile organic reactions

Ionic liquid-functionalized mesoporous materials exhibited high catalytic activity in versatile organic reactions, such as cycloaddition of carbon dioxide (CO₂) with epoxide, aza-Michael addition of amines to α, β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, and the Biginelli reaction of aldehyde, ethyl acetoacetate and urea. Recycling of the catalyst in these reactions could be carried out and the catalyst used at least five times without significant loss in activity.      

Influence of complexation on the composition of equilibrium phases in the system of Ce2(SO4)3-La2(SO4)3

The cocrystallization of Ce₂(SO₄)₃ and La₂(SO₄)₃ is studied in aqueous and H₂SO₄ (150 g/dm³) solutions at 25 °C and 64 °C. The effect of the formation of inner sphere sulfate complexes of the type LnSO ₄ ⁺ in determining the composition of the equilibrium phases is revealed.      

Esterification of palmitic acid with epichlorohydrin on anion exchange resin catalyst

The esterification reaction of palmitic acid with epichlorohydrin catalyzed by an anionic macroporous resin was studied. Purolite A-500 resin proved to be a very effective catalyst in the synthesis of 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl palmitate. The effects of certain parameters such as speed of agitation, catalyst particle size, catalyst loading, temperature, initial molar ratio between reactants on the rate of reaction were studied. It was found that the overall rate is intrinsically kinetically controlled. The structure of synthesized ester was confirmed by FTIR and ¹H NMR analyses.      

Thermal synthesis and characterization of Al χ La1-χ P3O9

New binary lanthanum-aluminum triphosphates were synthesized by thermal-condensation method from H₃PO₄, La₂O₃ and Al(OH)₃. These pigments could be potentially used as special inorganic pigments; their corrosion-inhibition properties were widely studied. Synthesis conditions were determined on the basis of DTA and TG measurements. The products were also characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Physical properties — density by pycnometric method, particle size distribution, oil number and critical pigment volume concentration (CPVC), pH and specific conductivity of their aqueous extracts were also determined.      

Synthesis and isomerism of hydrazones of 2-(5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylthio)acetohydrazide

New hydrazones of 2-(5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylthio)acetohydrazide have been obtained and the percentages of anti/syn - conformers were determined. Based on the analyses of ¹H NMR spectra, it was concluded that for hydrazones obtained from the 2- hydroxybenzaldehydes and 2’-hydroxycetophenones the ratio between the anti-and syn-conformers depends on the strength of intramolecular hydrogen bond (IMHB) between the nitrogen atom of the imino group and the proton of the 2-hydroxy group. It was shown that increase in IMHB strength results in stabilization of the anti-conformer in solution.      

Synthesis and pharmacological properties of 3-(2-methyl-furan-3-yl)-4-substituted-Δ<Superscript>2</Superscript>-1,2,4-triazoline-5-thiones

By the reaction of 2-methyl-furan-3-carboxylic acid hydrazide with isothiocyanates, 1-[(2-methyl-furan-3-yl)carbonyl]-4-substituted thiosemicarbazides 1 were obtained. Further cyclization with 2% NaOH led to the formation of 3-(2-methyl-furan-3-yl)-4-substituted-Δ²-1,2,4-triazoline-5-thiones 2. The pharmacological effects of 2 on the central nervous system in mice were investigated. Strong antinociceptive properties of the investigated derivatives were observed in a wide range of doses.      

Voltammetric and potentiometric studies of some sulpha drug-Schiff base compounds and their metal complexes

The electrochemical behavior of some sulpha drug-Schiff bases at a mercury electrode was examined in the Britton-Robinson universal buffer of various pH values (2.5–11.7) containing 20% v/v) of ethanol using DC-polarography, cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential electrolysis. The DC-polarograms and cyclic voltammograms of the examined compounds exhibited a single, 2-electron, irreversible, diffusion-controlled cathodic step within the entire pH range which is attributed to the reduction of the azomethine group-CH=N- to -CH₂-NH-. The symmetry transfer coefficient (α) of the electrode reaction and the diffusion coefficient (D ₀) of the reactant species were determined. The electrode reaction pathway of the compounds at the mercury electrode was suggested to follow the sequence: H⁺, e⁻, e⁻, H⁺. The dissociation constant of the sulpha drug-Schiff bases, the stability constant and stoichiometry of their complexes with various divalent transition metal ions (Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺) were determined potentiometrically at room temperature.      

Differential pulse voltammetric determination of dopamine with the coexistence of ascorbic acid on boron-doped diamond surface

Electrochemical determination of dopamine (DA) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA) was achieved on boron-doped diamond (BDD) film electrode by differential pulse voltammetry. The experimental results indicated that the oxidative peaks of DA and AA could be separated completely on anodically-treated (BDD) electrode without further modification, although these two peaks can not be separated on glassy carbon electrode. The peak separation of DA and AA was developed to be 0.44 V. High sensitivity was obtained to determine DA selectively with the coexisting of a large excess of AA in acidic media by DPV. The detection limit of DA was achieved to be 1.1 × 10^-6 M in the presence of AA with the concentration of 200 times more than DA. This technique was also applied to the determination of DA in real samples.      

Anomalously large kinetic isotope effect

Activated diffusion of water between macromolecules in swollen cellulose is accompanied by anomalously high kinetic isotope effects of oxygen. The separation factor of heavy-oxygen water (H₂ ¹⁸O /H₂ ¹⁶O) is thousands of permilles instead of tens of permilles according to modern Absolute Rate Theory. This anomalous separation under usual conditions is disguised by the opposing process of very fast equalization to equilibrium through water-filled cellulose pores. This process is quicker by approximately 3 orders of magnitude than diffusion through the cellulose body. As a consequence, this opposition-directed equalization virtually eliminates the results of isotope separation. To reveal this anomaly it is necessary to suppress equalization, which was the primary problem for both discovery of this anomaly and its investigation. The method of investigating the anomalous separation in cellulose was developed with suppression of this negative influence. Discussion of the theoretical nature of the anomalous kinetic isotope effect is presented. This theoretical study would probably permit the discovery and use for isotope separation of the anomalously high isotope effect for other chemical elements, in particular, for those heavier than oxygen.      

Determination of diclofenac in pharmaceuticals and urine samples using a membrane sensor based on the ion associate of diclofenac with Rhodamine B

The potentiometric response characteristics of a diclofenac selective electrode, based on ion association in different plasticizers, were compared. The sensitivity, working range, detection limit and selectivity of membrane sensors demonstrated significant dependence on the type of plasticizers. The potentiometric unit presented a linear response toward diclofenac concentrations between 1 × 10⁻⁵ − 5 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹, with slopes of approximately 60 mV dec⁻¹, and exhibited a response time of 3 s. The potentiometric analysis of sodium diclofenac in pharmaceutical formulations was perfomed by the membrane electrode proposed and compared with the results of potentiometric titration given by the Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine.      

Indirect determination of lutetium by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry at a hanging mercury drop electrode

Lutetium has been determined by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry in an acidic solution containing Zn-EDTA. Lutetium (III) ions liberated zinc (II), which was preconcentrated on a hanging mercury drop electrode and stripped anodically, resulting in peak current linearly dependent on lutetium (III) concentration. Less than 0.4 ng mL⁻¹ lutetium could be detected after a 2 min deposition.      

Pyrrole thin films deposited on paper by pulsed RF plasma

Attempts were made to plasma deposit an oriented π-conjugated polymer of pyrrole (Py) on paper surfaces in order to produce electrically conductive layers. The N/C atomic ratio of 0.13–0.24 was observed for all treatment conditions. This implies the nature of the deposition formed on the paper surface via pulsed plasma is different from that of pyrrole monomer. An increase in conductivity of all pyrrole-plasma treated papers was observed. The 50 W RF-power with 5 min plasma exposed paper sample shows 8.15 × 10⁻⁹ S·cm⁻¹ conductivity. The conductivity measurements indicated a plasma-enhanced ring-opening reaction mechanism of pyrrole.      

Preparation and shape control of β-Ni(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript> nano-particle

A simple and convenient method for the preparation of needle-shape nanoparticles of β-Ni(OH)₂ has been developed. Results show that a needle-shaped β-Ni(OH)₂ can be easily obtained in the presence of ethylenediamine and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate within a size from 100 to 200 nm. The shape and structure of the product were characterized by XRD, TEM and FT-IR. It is noteworthy that the formation of needle-shape β-Ni(OH)₂ benefits from the addition of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate. The optimum preparation conditions and the possible mechanism are also discussed.      

Heterobimetallic complexes containing iron (II) and hexa-coordinated organosilicon

Heterobimetallic complexes of the type R₂Si(HL)Cl₂ and R₂SiL₂ (where R = Me, Et, Ph; L = ferrocenyl aroylhydrazone) have been synthesized at 40 °C to 50 °C and at room temperature (25 °C), respectively, and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, infrared and NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ²⁹Si) spectral data. The ligands behave as bidentate, coordinating through the azomethine nitrogen and the oxygen in the amidic and the imidic acid forms of the ligand at low temperature and at room temperature, respectively. The ligands and their organosilicon complexes have been evaluated for the antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani, as well as antibacterial activity against gram negative, Escherichia coli and gram positive, Bacillus subtilis, at 28 °C. Organosilicon complexes of ferrocenyl aroylhydrazone were found to be more potent than the parent ligands.      

ICP slurry introduction for simple and rapid determination of Pb, Mg and Ca in plant roots

Pb, Mg and Ca were simultaneously determined in plant roots by slurry introduction into inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (SS-ICP-OES). Slurries were prepared in 0.5% or 5% (v/v) HNO₃ with 0.5, or 5% (v/v) Triton X-100. Omission of the Triton X-100 improved results. Compared with wet ashing of the root sample followed by ICP-OES, ICP-MS and FAAS, the method offers: comparable results, simplification of sample preparation, less sample contamination, and reduction in the use of dangerous and corrosive reagents. The precisions varied: 1.7% for Mg, 2.8% for Ca and 4.3% for Pb, and were not significantly different (95% confidence level) from those of conventional analysis.      

Synthesis and magnetic properties of octahedral ferrite Ni χ Co1−χ Fe2O4 nanocrystals

A series of Ni doped cobalt ferrite compounds with the formula Ni _χ Co_1−χ Fe₂O₄ where x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 were prepared using a hydrothermal method and subsequently sintered/annealed at 600 °C for 3 h. The influence of the Ni content on the lattice parameter, a, stretching vibration and the magnetization of specimens were subsequently studied. XRD and FTIR were used to investigate structure and composition variations. All samples were found to have a cubic spinel structure. SEM was used to study morphological variations. The results indicate that the average particle sizes are between 30–35 nm with a narrow size distribution along with nanocrystals forming of regular octahedrons. A decrease in the peak to peak line width and increase in resonance field with increasing Ni content were observed from ESR measurements. Based on ESR results, a core-shell type of formation was proposed where the core is made up of undoped CoFe₂O₄ and the shell is Ni²⁺ doped CoFe₂O₄.      

Computational design of novel cyclic urea as HIV-1 protease inhibitor

A series of novel cyclic urea molecules 5,6-dihydroxy-1,3-diazepane-2,4,7-trione as HIV-1 protease inhibitors were designed using computational techniques. The designed molecules were compared with the known cyclic urea molecules by performing docking studies, calculating their ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion) properties and protein ligand interaction energy. These novel molecules were designed by substituting the P ₁/P′ ₁ positions (4 ^th and 7 ^th position of 1, 3-diazepan-2-one) with double bonded oxygens. This reduces the molecular weight and increases the bioavailability, indicating better ADME properties. The docking studies showed good binding affinity towards HIV-1 protease. The biological activity of these inhibitors were predicted by a model equation generated by the regression analysis between biological activity (log 1/K ⁱ ) of known inhibitors and their protein ligand interaction energy. The synthetic studies are in progress.      

Polyaniline-polypyrrole coating for solid phase microextraction

A procedure for direct electrochemical deposition of polyaniline-polypyrrole blend coating on the surface of stainless steel wire was suggested. Incorporation of polyaniline and polypyrrole into the blend coating was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. Key parameters (pyrrole, aniline, dopant and sulphuric acid concentrations and deposition potential) influencing the coating’s mechanical stability and surface homogeneity were optimised and thermostability of the coating was investigated. A possibility to apply the coating as a new fibre for solid phase microextraction was demonstrated. The coating showed better selectivity toward aromatic, hydrophobic compounds.