Tea polyphenol-assisted green synthesis of Ag-nanodiamond hybrid and its catalytic activity towards 4-nitrophenol reduction

Herein, we describe an environmentally friendly strategy to synthesize Ag nanoparticles on Nanodiamond (ND) by utilizing natural adhering and reduction properties of tea polyphenols (TPs). Firstly, the surface of ND was modified by TPs through their natural adhering ability. Then, the modified TPs functioned as reducing agents for reducing Ag precursor in situ. The synthesis process, structure and its physicochemical properties of the nanohybrid were tracked and characterized by UV-Vis, FTIR, TGA, HRTEM, XRD and XPS. It has been shown that Ag nanoparticles with uniform size and distribution were anchored successfully on the surface of ND. The ND supported Ag nanoparticles displayed highly water dispersibility due to the hydrophilicity of TPs, as is very important in heterogeneous catalysis. The catalytic performance of this nanohybrid was evaluated comprehensively by catalyzing 4-nitrophenol reduction by sodium borohydride, which is often used as a model reaction, showing excellent catalytic activity and recycling stability.     

Catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol by means of nanostructured polymeric Schiff base complexes

Polymeric Schiff base ligands were synthesized using 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (L²), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (L⁴), and 5-aminoisophthalic acid. The nanostructured complexes were then synthesized using Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Mn³⁺. The ligands and complexes thus synthesized were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The thermal stability of the complexes was confirmed using TGA. The synthesized complexes were used as catalysts in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol in an aqueous phase in the presence of sodium borohydride. In this work, the catalytic reactivity of nanostructured complexes was compared using the rate constant (k) of the reaction. The reaction time for the reduction of 4-NP was 5–14 min for different complexes. The catalytic system based on Ni²⁺/2-hydroxybenzaldehyde was the most active and displayed reusability in the reduction of 4-NP.     

Hollow N-ZIFs@NiCo-LDH as highly efficient catalysts for 4-nitrophenol and dyes

N-ZIF-(1:0)@NiCo-LDH, N-ZIF-(1:3.5)@NiCo-LDH and N-ZIF-(0:1)@NiCo-LDH were prepared by mixing solvents in various volume ratios (V_methanol:V_water = 1:0, 1:3.5 and 0:1) when synthesizing precursors. These composite materials were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopies, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements, and investigated as catalysts for reduction of 4-nitrophenol, methyl orange and methylene blue. The NaBH₄ concentration as an important factor that may affect catalytic activity for reduction of 4-nitrophenol was examined. Under optimal experimental conditions, the excellent catalytic activity of the N-ZIF-(0:1)@NiCo-LDH composite, compared to that of N-ZIF-(1:0)@NiCo-LDH and N-ZIF-(1:3.5)@NiCo-LDH composites, could be attributed to the presence of graphitic nitrogen. In addition, compared with previously reported catalysts, all catalysts prepared show excellent catalytic activity owing to the unique structure exposing more active sites.     

Ag@硅氧倍半聚合物的合成及其对对硝基苯酚的催化还原性能

以氨丙基三乙氧基硅烷和草酰氯为原料,合成得到链上含亚氨基和羰基官能团的硅氧倍半聚合物。以此聚合物为载体,通过配位吸附和还原得到银纳米粒子（平均粒径约为15 nm）高度分散于硅氧烷聚合物表面的复合物。研究结果表明,复合物中银负载量（质量分数）约为13.66%,在水溶液中25℃、6 min内可将对硝基苯酚（4-NP）完全催化还原为对氨基苯酚（4-AP）,且7次循环使用后依然保持95%以上的催化活性。在常温常压条件下,催化剂的最高活性达到33.0 g_4-AP·g_Ag^-1,表现出优异的催化还原性能。     

One-pot synthesis of CuO/TiO2 nanocomposites for improved photocatalytic hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol under direct sunlight

The excellent photocatalytic hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) with NaBH₄ in the aqueous medium is still a big challenge. Herein, we report a facile one-pot evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) method to synthesize a series of CuO/TiO₂ nanocomposites. The as-synthesized CuO/TiO₂ photocatalysts exhibit remarkable catalytic activity under direct sunlight in selective hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) due to the synergistic interaction of guest copper nanoparticles with host titanium dioxide (TiO₂) species. Especially, 5 wt% CuO/TiO₂ nanocomposite revealed superior reaction rate constant (k) value (0.306 min⁻¹) when compared to 3 wt% CuO/TiO₂ (0.192 min⁻¹) and 7 wt% CuO/TiO₂ (0.240 min⁻¹). Moreover, several characterization techniques (XRD, TEM, N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherm, DRS, and XPS) were executed to deeply investigate the effect of copper content on the bulk and interfacial properties of the catalysts. The characterization results proved that the superior photocatalytic hydrogenation over 5 wt% CuO/TiO₂ catalyst can be ascribed to moderate CuO loading as well as even dispersion of CuO species on the surface of active TiO₂ host, which can largely improve the light absorption ability within visible light region. Besides, the 5 wt% CuO/TiO₂ catalyst exhibits remarkable recyclability and durability, retaining its superior activity (above 95%) up to several repeating cycles, proving its practical applicability for hydrogenation reactions at domestic and industrial levels.     

Heterocyclic derivatives of 2-amino-4-nitrophenol

Summary A new pathway for the synthesis of cyclic derivatives of 2-amino-4-nitrophenol by application of dibromoalkanes is described. This general method was used for the preparation of several heterocycles (partially saturated 1,4-benzoxazines, 1,5-benzoxazepines, 1,6-benzoxazocines). Two rotamers are present in solution of theN-formyl derivatives, the relative amounts depending on the solvent used.

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Heterozyklische Derivate von 2-Amino-4-nitrophenol

Zusammenfassung Eine neue Methode zur Herstellung heterozyklischer Derivate von 2-Amino-4-nitrophenol wird vorgestellt. Dieses allgemeine Verfahren kann zur Synthese von verschiedenen Ringsystemen (partielle gesättigte 1,4-Benzoxazine, 1,5-Benzoxazepine, 1,6-Benzoxazocine) benutzt werden. In den Lösungen derN-Formyl-Derivate können zwei Rotamere identifiziert werden. Ihre relative Menge hängt vom Lösungsmittel ab.

     

Nonenzymatic glucose sensor based on CuO microfibers composed of CuO nanoparticles

Fluorine tin oxide (FTO) electrode modified by copper oxide microfibers (CuO-MFs) composed of numerous interconnected CuO nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) for nonenzymatic glucose sensor was prepared by electrospinning precursor containing high percentage content of copper nitrate with subsequent calcination. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed the size of CuO particles composing CuO-MFs depended on the percentage content of copper nitrate in precursor solution. With increasing the percentage content of copper nitrate, the interconnected CuO-NPs would gradually replace the large-size CuO particles to accumulate the CuO-MFs, which have the potential to provide larger surface area and more reaction sites for electrocatalytic activity toward glucose. As a glucose sensor, the CuO-MFs modified FTO electrode prepared by 40 wt.% of copper nitrate exhibited a high sensitivity of 2321 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² with a low detection limit of 2.2 nM (signal/noise ratio (S/N) = 3). Additionally, the application of the CuO-MFs modified FTO electrode as a glucose sensor for biological samples was demonstrated with satisfactory results.     

Electrospun copper oxide nanoparticles as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for N-arylation of indole

The N-arylation of indoles with a variety of aryl bromides is reported using copper oxide nanoparticles as a heterogeneous catalyst. These copper oxide nanoparticles, which were produced in a novel, facile, and scalable fashion via an electrospinning technique, resulted in an excellent product yield under mild conditions. Moreover, the catalyst was easily recovered and reused several times without significant loss of activity.     

One-pot green synthesis of Prussian blue nanocubes decorated reduced graphene oxide using mushroom extract for efficient 4-nitrophenol reduction

One-pot green approach to the synthesis of Prussian blue nanocubes/reduced graphene oxide (PBNCs/RGO) nanocomposite had been attempted. It was based on the extract of mushroom with K₃[Fe(CN)₆] and graphene oxide (GO) as precursors, where the reduction of GO and the deposition of PBNCs occurred simultaneously. The obtained nanocomposite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques. With the introduction of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), the β-CD/PBNCs/RGO system showed linear behavior in the range from 0.01 to 700 μM for 4-nitrophenol with a low detection limit of 2.34 nM (S/N = 3).     

Magnetic GO‐PANI decorated with Au NPs: A highly efficient and reusable catalyst for reduction of dyes and nitro aromatic compounds

Due to the high activity of Au nanoparticles (NPs) for various reactions, many researchers have tried to develop heterogeneous catalysts in order to prevent irreversible agglomeration of Au NPs. Herein, magnetic graphene oxide modified with polyaniline (PANI) was used as a support for Au NPs that brings together advantages including: uniform dispersal of the catalyst in water,alarge surface area related to the graphene oxide; easy electron transfer in chemical reactions and good attachment of Au NPs to the support associated with PANI; and finally facile recovery in the presence of a magnetic field. Catalytic reduction of different analytes (Congo red, methylene blue, rhodamine B and 4‐nitro phenol) was evaluated in the presence of NaBH₄ and the results show high catalytic activity of the catalyst. The catalyst was thoroughly characterized using various methods including FTIR, XRD, XPS, FE‐SEM and HRTEM analyses while its catalytic activity was evaluated via reduction of different analytes.     

Sensitive and selective determination of 4-nitrophenol in water and food using modified polyethyleneimine-capped carbon dots

Hazardous 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) has created serious threats to humans and the environment; therefore, it is highly desirable to develop a facile and practical method for the monitoring of 4-NP in environment and food. Here, a fluorescence method based on modified polyethyleneimine-capped carbon dots (mPEI-CDs) was developed for sensitive and selective determination of 4-NP in water, fruit, and vegetable samples. First, highly fluorescent mPEI-CDs (quantum yield about 40.3%) were easily synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method by using novel acetic anhydride modified polyethyleneimine (mPEI) and citric acid as precursors. Compared to the unmodified PEI-CDs, the acetic anhydride mPEI-CDs exhibited excellent fluorescent stability in a wider pH range of 4.0–9.0. Under pH 8.0, a selective determination of 4-NP was achieved based on the inner filter effect (IFE) mechanism. After optimization, good linear relationships between fluorescence intensity function (F₀-F)/F₀ and the concentration of 4-NP were obtained in ranges of 0.5–10 and 10–100 μM, respectively, while efficiently avoiding the interferences from two other nitrophenol isomers, possible coexisting metal cations and anions in samples. Finally, the proposed approach was successfully applied for the determination of 4-NP in water, honey, strawberry, and tomato samples.     

Palladium oxide nanoparticles supported on graphene oxide: A convenient heterogeneous catalyst for reduction of various carbonyl compounds using triethylsilane

Palladium oxide nanoparticles supported on graphene oxide ‐ triethylsilane was found to be an effective reductive system for a broad range of reduction processes, including the reduction of various carbonyl compounds such as aromatic aldehydes to their corresponding alcohols or methyl arene compounds, aromatic ketones to their respective alcohols or saturated compounds, aromatic acyl chlorides to their reduced compounds. The desired products were obtained in good to excellent yields under mild conditions. The heterogeneous environmentally friendly catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixture through a simple filtration, facilitating purification of the prepared compounds.     

Synthesis and reactivity of homogeneous and heterogeneous ruthenium-based metathesis catalysts containing electron-withdrawing ligands

The synthesis and heterogenization of new Grubbs-Hoveyda type metathesis catalysts by chlorine exchange is described. Substitution of one or two chlorine ligands with trifluoroacetate and trifluoromethanesulfonate was accomplished by reaction of [RuCl(2)([double bond]CH-o-iPr-O-C(6)H(4))(IMesH(2))] (IMesH(2) = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene) with the silver salts CF(3)COOAg and CF(3)SO(3)Ag, respectively. The resulting compounds, [Ru(CF(3)SO(3))(2)([double bond]CH-o-iPr-O-C(6)H(4))(IMesH(2))] (1), [RuCl(CF(3)SO(3))([double bond]CH-o-iPr-O-C(6)H(4))(IMesH(2))] (2), and [Ru(CF(3)CO(2))(2)([double bond]CH-o-iPr-O-C(6)H(4))(IMesH(2))] (3) were found to be highly active catalysts for ring-closing metathesis (RCM) at elevated temperature (45 degrees C), exceeding known ruthenium-based catalysts in catalytic activity. Turn-over numbers (TONs) up to 1800 were achieved in RCM. Excellent yields were also achieved in enyne metathesis and ring-opening cross metathesis using norborn-5-ene and 7-oxanorborn-5-ene-derivatives. Even more important, 3 was found to be highly active in RCM at room temperature (20 degrees C), allowing TONs up to 1400. Heterogeneous catalysts were synthesized by immobilizing [RuCl(2)([double bond]CH-o-iPr-O-C(6)H(4))(IMesH(2))] on a perfluoroglutaric acid derivatized polystyrene-divinylbenzene (PS-DVB) support (silver form). The resulting supported catalyst [RuCl(polymer-CH(2)-O- CO-CF(2)-CF(2)-CF(2)-COO)([double bond]CH-o-iPr-O-C(6)H(4))(IMesH(2))] (5) showed significantly reduced activities in RCM (TONs = 380) compared with the heterogeneous analogue of 3. The immobilized catalyst, [Ru(polymer-CH(2)-O-CO-CF(2)-CF(2)-CF(2)-COO)(CF(3)CO(2))([double bond]CH-o-iPr-O-C(6)H(4))(IMesH(2))] (4) was obtained by substitution of both Cl ligands of the parent Grubbs-Hoveyda catalyst by addition of CF(3)COOAg to 5. Compound 4 can be prepared in high loadings (160 mg catalyst g(-1) PS-DVB) and possesses excellent activity in RCM with TONs up to 1100 in stirred-batch RCM experiments. Leaching of ruthenium into the reaction mixture was unprecedentedly low, resulting in a ruthenium content <70 ppb (ng g(-1)) in the final RCM-derived products.     

Silsesquioxane-based homogeneous and heterogeneous epoxidation catalysts developed by using high-speed experimentation

A set of new titanium-silsesquioxane epoxidation catalysts was discovered by exploring the hydrolytic condensation of a series of trichlorosilanes in highly polar solvents by means of high-speed experimentation techniques. The most promising silsesquioxane leads were prepared on a conventional laboratory scale and fully characterised. The lead generated by the hydrolytic condensation of tBuSiCl(3) in DMSO consisted of a set of incompletely condensed silsesquioxane structures, whereas that obtained from the hydrolytic condensation of tBuSiCl(3) in water consisted of a single silsesquioxane structure, tBu(2)Si(2)O(OH)(4). This is the first reported example of the use of this silsesquioxane as a precursor for active Ti catalysts. The Ti complexes prepared with tBu(2)Si(2)O(OH)(4) were supported on silica to produce active heterogeneous epoxidation catalysts.     

A comparison of homogeneous and heterogeneous copper catalyzed arylation of amines

Comparison of the homogeneous and heterogeneous copper-catalyzed arylation of model primary amines with (hetero)-aryl iodides in DMSO revealed a comparable efficiency of CuI and commercially available unsupported copper nanoparticles (25 nm size) in the presence of 2-isobutyryl-cyclohexanone or L-proline.     

AgPt nanoparticles supported on magnetic graphene oxide nanosheets for catalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol: Studies of kinetics and mechanism

Ag_x Pt_100−x (x  = 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100) nanoparticles were grown on the surface of magnetic graphene oxide nanosheets (Fe₃O₄@GO) for the first time. The as‐prepared nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry and thermogravimetric analysis. The Fe₃O₄@GO‐Ag_x Pt_100−x catalysts were applied in the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) to 4‐aminophenol using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄). The synthesized nanocomposites exhibited excellent catalytic performance in the reduction of 4‐NP with high recyclability for five consecutive runs. The Fe₃O₄@GO‐Ag₇₅Pt₂₅ nanocomposite exhibited the best catalytic activity with a rate constant as high as 140.6 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹. The obtained kinetic data were modelled with the Langmuir–Hinshelwood equation. The energy of activation and thermodynamic parameters including enthalpy, entropy of activation and activation Gibbs free energy were calculated.     

Palladium nanoparticles supported on mesoporous natural phosphate: An efficient recyclable catalyst for nitroarene reduction

We report the preparation of palladium nanoparticles supported on mesoporous natural phosphate (Pd@NP) using a wetness impregnation method. The prepared catalyst was characterized using various techniques. Furthermore, the reduction and preparation of the palladium nanoparticles was followed using UV–visible spectra. Based on the Scherrer equation, the crystallite size of the as‐synthesized palladium nanoparticles was 10.88 nm. The performance of the synthesized catalyst was investigated in the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol as a model substrate to 4‐aminophenol using NaBH₄ as a hydrogen source. Moreover, catalytic reduction of various nitroarenes was studied and monitored using UV–visible spectroscopy and gas chromatography. The Pd@NP catalyst showed a high activity for the selected reaction and could be recycled.     

Novel Ag2S nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide sheets as a super-efficient catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Here,Ag_2S nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide(Ag_2S NPs/RGO) nanocomposites with relatively good distribution are synthesized for the first time by conversing Ag NPs/RGO to Ag_2S NPs/RGO via a facile hydrothermal sulfurization method.As an noval catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol(4-NP),it only takes 5 min for Ag_2S NPs/RGO to reduce 98% of 4-NP,and the rate constant of the composites is almost 13 times higher than that of Ag NPs/RGO composites.The high catalytic activity of Ag_2S NPs/RGO can be attributed to the following three reasons:(1) Like metal complex catalysts,the Ag_2S NPs is also rich with metal center Ag(δ~+),with pendant base S(δ) close to it,and thus the Ag and basic S function as the electron-acceptor and proton-acceptor centers,respectively,which facilitates the catalyst reaction;(2)RGO features the high adsorption ability toward 4-NP which provides a high concentration of 4-NP near the Ag_2S NPs;and(3) electron transfer from RGO to Ag_2S NPs,facilitating the uptake of electrons by 4-NP molecules.     

Cu-alanine complex-derived CuO electrocatalysts with hierarchical nanostructures for efficient oxygen evolution

Nowadays,Cu-based materials have attracted extensive attention as electrocatalysts,while the inherent reason of the filling of high anti-bonding state of Cu d band(3 d~(10)4 s~1) makes it difficult to hybridize with O2 p band of oxygen intermediates during the adsorption process of oxygen evolution reaction(OER).To increase the efficiency of Cu-based electrocatalysts,efforts have been made to optimize the electronic structures and to create surface defects and hierarchical nanostructures with more exposed accessible active sites.Herein,we report a facile method for preparing CuO electrocatalysts with hierarchical nanostructures using the Cu-alanine complex as a precursor through room-temperature chemical precipitation and subsequent calcination in air.Investigations of products obtained at different calcination temperatures reveal the relationship between OER activities and the material characteristics such as specific surface areas,crystal growth orientations,and element components.The product obtained at 500℃ exhibits the smallest overpotential of 290 mV in 1.0 mol/L KOH for electrocatalyzing OER.Combining with various characterizations of CuO electrocatalysts after OER activities,the possible catalytic mechanism and the influence factors of their OER performance are also discussed.     

Radiation synthesis of copper sulphide/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites films: an efficient and reusable catalyst for p-nitrophenol reduction

ABSTRACT

Copper sulphide nanoparticles (CuS NPs) were in situ synthesised via irradiation process, using Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as host polymeric matrices. The as-prepared CuS/PVA nanocomposite films were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both UV-VIS spectra and X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the formation of CuS nanoparticles. The FTIR spectrum indicates the coordination between CuS nanoparticles and the OH groups of the PVA chains. The TEM image showed that the obtained CuS nanoparticles have spherical shape, monodispersed and uniform particle size distribution. The CuS/PVA nanocomposite film was successfully applied in the reduction of p-nitrophenol into p-aminophenol as a catalyst using NaBH₄ as reducing agent. The catalytic test indicates that CuS/PVA nanocomposite film has high activity for the conversion of P-NP into P-AP and effectively recycled and reused for several times.