Copper removal by carbon nanomaterials bearing cyclam-functionalized silica

The synthesis of metal (Fe, Co, Ni)-encapsulated carbon nanomaterials coated with cyclam-bonded silica has been described. The organic layer was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The functionalized magnetic nanomaterials were employed to extract the divalent cations: copper, calcium, cobalt, manganese and nickel from aqueous solutions. Their adsorption capacities were studied by the batch procedure. The concentration of cations extracted was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Influence of different parameters viz. pH, amount of the compound studied, contact time, on the cation extraction was investigated. Under optimum conditions copper extraction was significantly more efficient when compared with other coexisting ions.      

Removal of cadmium and copper ions by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichosporon cutaneum</Emphasis> R57 cells immobilized onto polyvinyl alcohol/tetraethoxysilane hybrid matrices

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) hybrid materials were prepared by sol-gel methods and tested as matrices for immobilization of Trichosporon cutaneum R57, capable of removing cadmium and copper ions from aqueous solutions. A kinetic model was applied and the effects of matrix TEOS content on the copper and cadmium uptake equilibria and rate constants were investigated.      

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of prochiral ketones catalyzed by aminosulfonamide-ruthenium complexes in ionic liquid

Chiral aminosulfonamides containing imidazolium group were used as ligands for the ruthenium(II)-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of prochiral ketones in ionic liquid, affording good to excellent conversions and enantiomeric excesses. The catalytic system could be easily recovered and reused several times.      

Preparation and examination of multilayer graphene nanosheets by exfoliation of graphite in high efficient attritor mill

Graphene multilayers have been prepared by mechanical method based on milling graphite in high efficient attritor mill. The results showed that the best dispersion media is ethanol, and 10 hours of intensive milling proved to be the most efficient way to separate the graphite layers as it was shown by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements.      

Efficient Lewis acid-assisted Br?nsted acid (LBA) catalysis in the iron-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction of indoles

Lewis acid-assisted Br?nsted acid (LBA) catalysis was proposed for the iron-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with chalcones. This proposal was supported by the ESI-MS and cyclic voltammetry. The addition of acac to the iron-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with chalcones created a powerful catalytic system, which makes the alkylation reactions occur easily under mild conditions.      

Modified silica surface by phenylboronic acid derivatives as effective sugar sensor

Silica surface was modified with phenylboronic acid derivatives. The structures of the functionalized supports were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectrometry, elemental and thermogravimetric analysis. The solid supports were effectively applied as artificial receptors for sugars in aqueous solutions. Alizarin Red S. (ARS) was used to detect colour change upon carbohydrate (sugar) binding. The association constants of the supports studied-ARS complex and the functionalized silica-sugar (glucose) complex were calculated. The parameters obtained were comparable with those for the phenylboronic acids used for the silica gel modification. The competitive binding of the functionalized silica surface with ARS and sugar were studied by UV/VIS measurements.      

Kinetics and thermodynamics of adsorption of congo red on cellulose

Thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption of congo red (CR) on cellulose are studied at 308–328 K. In the used concentration range of CR, interaction of CR with cellulose is exothermic and CR molecules adsorb chemically on cellulose surface. The effects of contact time, temperature and initial concentration of CR on kinetics of its adsorption on cellulose were investigated. The process proceeds according to the pseudo-second-order equation. Initial adsorption rate of adsorption is first-order in CR and the intraparticle diffusion of CR molecules within cellulose is identified as the main rate-limiting step.      

Efficient and solvent-free synthesis of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols using <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N,N’,N’</Emphasis>-tetrabromobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide

N,N,N,’N’-Tetrabromobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide [TBBDA] is found to be a reusable catalyst for efficient synthesis of various amidoalkyl naphthols from β-naphthol, aromatic aldehydes and urea in good to high yields under solvent-free conditions.      

Fluorescent chemosensors for metal ions based on 3-(2-benzoxazol-5-yl)alanine skeleton

The ability of new chelate ligands, benzoxazol-5-yl-alanine derivatives substituted in position 2 by heteroaromatic substituent, to form complexes with selected metal ions in acetonitrile are studied by means of absorption and steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Among the ligands studied, only azaaromatic derivatives form stable complexes with transition metal ions in the ground state. Their absorption bands are bathochromically shifted enabling to use those ligands as ratiometric sensors. The fluorescence of each ligand is quenched by metal ions, however, in the presence of Cd(II) and Zn(II) ions a new red shifted emission band is observed.      

One-pot, three-component condensation of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde derivatives, primary amines with alkyl isocyanides to N-alkyl-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-imino-acetamides

One-pot, three-component condensation of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde derivatives, primary amines with alkyl isocyanides is reported. N-alkyl-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-iminoacetamide derivatives are generated presumably via the preliminary formation of N, N′-disubstituted benzo[b]furan-2,3-diamines and subsequent oxidation with molecular oxygen.      

Kinetics of base hydrolysis of α-amino acid esters catalyzed by palladium(II) piperazine complex

The kinetics of base hydrolysis of glycine, histidine, and methionine methyl esters in the presence of [Pd(pip)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ complex, where pip is piperazine, is studied in aqueous solutions, at T = 25°C, and I = 0.1 mol dm⁻³. The rate of ester hydrolysis for glycine methyl ester is studied at different temperature and dioxane/water solutions of different compositions. The kinetic data are fit under the assumption that the hydrolysis proceeds in one step. The activation parameters for the base hydrolysis of the complexes are evaluated      

Methylcellulose/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> hybrids: sol-gel preparation and characterization by XRD,FTIR and AFM

Methylcellulose (MC) / SiO₂ organic / inorganic hybrid materials have been prepared from MC and methyltriethoxysilane or ethyltrimethoxysilane, and characterized by XRD, FTIR and AFM. XRD showed peak shifts. FTIR shows intermolecular hydrogen bonding between MC and SiO₂. AFM depicts surface roughness which depends on the silica precursor and MC content.      

Fabrication and magnetic properties of hierarchical nickel microwires with nanothorns

Hierarchical nickel microwires with nanothorns were fabricated through a reduction of nickelous salt with hydrazine in diethanolamine. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The growth mechanism of the nickel microwires with nanothorns is proposed, based on the evolution of the structures and morphologies, which could be ascribed to the cooperative effect of the complexant of diethanolamine and inherent magnetic interactions. Magnetic properties of the product were measured at room temperature and compared with other shaped counterparts.      

Nano-hydroxyapatite preparation from biogenic raw materials

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) was successfully produced from recycled eggshell, seashell and phosphoric acid. The phases obtained depended on the ratio of calcined eggshell/ seashell to phosphoric acid, the calcination temperature and the mechanochemical activation method (ball milling or attrition milling). The HAp structures were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microsopy and infrared spectroscopy. Attrition milling was more effective than ball milling, yielding nanosize, homogenous and pure Hap.      

Synthesis of Xenbucin using Suzuki reaction catalyzed by Pd/C in water

Xenbucin 1, an analgesic drug, was synthesized in 4 steps using two different routes. The biaryl fragment could successfully be produced via a Pd/C catalysed Suzuki coupling in water using sodium tetraphenylborate as a phenylation reagent. Overall yields of the routes were 36% and 59%, respectively.      

Adsorption of triton X-100 on silica gel: effects of temperature and alcohols

Adsorption of Triton X-100 (TX-100) on silica gel has been studied as a function of temperature (308–328 K) and composition for mixtures of water with ethanol or t-butanol. The adsorption capacity of silica gel for TX-100 decreases with increase in alcohol content. Adsorption isotherms of TX-100 on silica gel are four-region and were analyzed using the ARIAN (adsorption isotherm regional analysis) model. Data in regions 2, 3 and 4 were fitted to the Temkin, bilayer and reverse desorption isotherms, respectively. The results show that adsorption of TX-100 on silica gel in water and alcohol-water binary mixtures occurs mainly through formation of monolayer surface aggregates or low bilayer coverage.      

Equilibrium and kinetic study of the proton transfer reactions between nitroalkanes and strong organic bases — phosphazenes in tetrahydrofuran solvent

Proton transfer reactions rates between carbon acids 1-nitro-1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethane (NPNE), 2-methyl-1-nitro-1-(4-nitrophenyl)propane (MNPNP)) and phosphazenes (BEMP, BTPP, P₁-t-Oct) in tetrahydrofuran have been measured, and the activation parameters were determined. The results are compared with those previously obtained for P₁-t-Bu phosphazene, guanidines and amidines.      

Stability-indicating derivative spectrophotometry method for the determination of biapenem in the presence of its degradation products

A first-derivative UV spectrophotometric method, with or without the subtraction technique, was developed for the determination of biapenem in pharmaceutical dosage form in the presence of its degradation products. The method was based on the measurement of first-derivative amplitudes at zero crossing point (λ = 312 nm) and the peak-to-zero technique and validated with regard to linearity, limits of detection and quantitation, selectivity and precision. The observed rate constants for the degradation of biapenem were comparable to those obtained in the stability-indicating HPLC method.