Rapid one-step synthesis, characterization and functionalization of silica coated gold nanoparticles

This paper describes a rapid, simple and one-step method for preparing silica coated gold (Au@SiO₂) nanoparticles with fine tunable silica shell thickness and surface functionalization of the prepared particles with different groups. Monodispersed Au nanoparticles with a mean particle size of 16 nm were prepared by citrate reduction method. Silica coating was carried out by mixing the as prepared Au solution, tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and ammonia followed by microwave (MW) irradiation. Although there are several ways of coating Au nanoparticles with silica in the literature, each of these needs pre-coating step as well as long reaction duration. The present method is especially useful for giving the opportunity to cover the colloidal Au particles with uniform silica shell within very short time and forgoes the use of a silane coupling agent or pre-coating step before silica coating. Au@SiO₂ nanoparticles with wide range of silica shell thickness (5-105 nm) were prepared within 5 min of MW irradiation by changing the concentration of TEOS only. The size uniformity and monodispersity were found to be better compared to the particles prepared by conventional methods, which were confirmed by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopic techniques. The prepared Au@SiO₂ nanoparticles were further functionalized with amino, carboxylate, alkyl groups to facilitate the rapid translation of the nanoparticles to a wide range of end applications. The functional groups were identified by XPS, and zeta potential measurements.     

Ultrafast 99% Polyethylene terephthalate depolymerization into value added monomers using sequential glycolysis-hydrolysis under microwave irradiation

Effective and efficient hybrid depolymerisation technologies are emerging as high potential sustainable routes with considerable benefits over conventional recycling methods for the achievement of circular economies for plastics. Herein, combined green and fast glycolysis-hydrolysis depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was carried out under microwave irradiation (MW) with excellent efficiencies. In MW assisted glycolysis of PET, the catalytic activity of two deep eutectic solvents (DES) based on (choline chloride-urea (DES 1)) and (choline chloride-thiourea (DES 2)) was evaluated and compared. Optimised glycolysis conditions were determined using Box Behnken Design (BBD) to attain maximum weight loss of PET, low crystallinity and increased carbonyl index of residual PET. DES volume of 4 mL, 5.5–6 mL of ethylene glycol, and 0.5 min MW irradiation time resulted in a prominent rise in PET weight loss and carbonyl index of residual PET. DES 2 showed an improved catalytic activity than that of DES 1 which is associated to its stronger interaction with EG and PET polymer chains during the course of the reaction. Residual PET obtained post glycolysis reaction was further depolymerized using MW assisted hydrolysis in the presence of weakly basic Na₂CO₃ and EG. Within 3-minute, the proposed sequential depolymerization technologies facilitated ≈99% conversion of PET to terephthalic acid (TPA), monohydroxyethyl terephthalate (MHET), and bis (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) monomers produced at a yield of 62.79–80.66%, 17.22–34.79% and 0.54–0.59% respectively. Application on post-consumer PET sample also revealed very satisfactory results with 96.77–98.25% PET conversion and 60.98–78.10% yield of TPA.     

Using microwave along with TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> for degradation of 4-chloro-2-nitrophenol in aqueous environment

In this project, microwave (MW) irradiation, photolysis, and photo catalyst were used for degradation of 4-chloro-2-nitro phenol (4-C2NP) in aqueous environment. The influence of main operating parameters such as initial pH, initial concentration of 4C2NP, power dissipation and the dosage of TiO2 on the degradation efficiency has been investigated. The optimum conditions was obtained such as initial concentration of 4C2NP at 30 mg L^?1, initial pH at 6, power dissipation at 16 W for UV irradiation, and the amount of TiO₂ at 0.2 g L^?1. The removal of 4C2NP and chemical oxygen demand (COD) after 100 min of reaction in the combined method (MW/UV/TiO₂) was obtained as 80.5% and 47.3%, respectively. Almost all processes are followed from the pseudo first order kinetics and the degradation rate of 4C2NP obeyed the following order: UV/TiO₂/MW > UV/TiO₂ > MW/UV > UV>MW.     

Influence of microwave irradiation on enzyme kinetics

The in vitro effect of 2.45 GHz microwave irradiation on porcine pepsin activity under controlled temperature and absorbed microwave power via kinetic parameters was evaluated. Kinetic study with respect of time of irradiation demonstrated the existence of an inactivation effect of microwaves at pH 2 on pepsin molecule. Bovine serum albumin (BSA)-bromphenol blue (BPB) complex was used as substrate for the assay of pepsin by kinetic method. Depending on absorbed microwave dose, the degree of caused inactivation varies from 39.11 to 45.91% for 5 and 20 min of pepsin MW irradiation, respectively. The V _maxapp and K _mapp were calculated for low (5 min of MW irradiation) and higher specific absorbed dose (20 min of MW irradiation), as well as for untreated enzyme, from double reciprocal Lineweaver-Burk plot. The effect of microwaves on substrate (BSA-BPB complex) was also investigated. For reaction performed with MW irradiated substrate for 5 min the reaction rate was decreased for 15.15%, while for 20 min of substrate irradiation reaction rate was decreased for 25.52% compared to the control reaction. The article is published in the original.     

[Bmim]NO2/H3BO3 as an effective nitrosonium source for electrophilic aromatic nitrosation under MW-promoted solvent-free conditions

[Bmim]NO₂/H₃BO₃ was used as a nitrosonium source for the efficient synthesis of nitrosoarenes. The reaction was accomplished under MW irradiation at 60 W in a solventless system. Side processes such as oxidation or dealkylation were not observed during the nitrosation of alkyl phenyl ethers in the presence of this new reagent. The satisfactory results were obtained with very short reaction time, simplicity in the experimental procedure and good to excellent yields.     

A modified,economical and efficient synthesis of variably substituted pyrazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐7‐ones

1‐Methyl‐3‐propyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐5‐carboxylic acid ( 3 ) was exclusively brominated at the 4‐position by bromine in the dark. Brominated product 8 was then converted into 1‐methyl‐3‐propyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐5‐car‐boxamide 9 by successive treatment with thionyl chloride and ammonium hydroxide. Carboxamide 9 was treated with various aroyl amides under microwave (MW) irradiation to afford 4‐aroylamino‐1‐methyl‐3‐propyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐5‐carboxamides 10‐22 and 5‐aryl‐1‐methyl‐3‐propyl‐1,6‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐7‐ones 23‐35. The 1H‐pyrazole‐5‐carboxamides 10‐22 were also converted to pyrimidinones 23‐35 either by conventional heating or by MW irradiation. However, MW irradiation method gives excellent yields in very short time.     

Microwave‐assisted synthesis and characterization of biodegradable block copolyesters based on poly(3‐hydroxyalkanoate)s and poly(D,L‐lactide)

Microwave (MW)‐assisted ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) provides a rapid and straightforward method for engineering a wide array of well‐defined poly(3‐hydroxyalkanoate)‐b‐poly(D,L ‐lactide) (PHA‐b‐PLA) diblock copolymers. On MW irradiation, the bulk ROP of D,L ‐lactide (LA) could be efficiently triggered by a series of monohydroxylated PHA‐based macroinitiators previously produced via acid‐catalyzed methanolysis of corresponding native PHAs, thus affording diblock copolyesters with tunable compositions. The dependence of LA polymerization on temperature, macroinitiator structure, irradiation time, and [LA]₀/[PHA]₀ molar ratio was carefully investigated. It turned out that initiator efficiency values close to 1 associated with conversions ranging from 50 to 85% were obtained only after 5 min at 115 °C. A kinetic investigation of the MW‐assisted ROP of LA gave evidence of its “living”/controlled character under the experimental conditions selected. Structural analyses and thermal properties of biodegradable diblock copolyesters were also performed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Experimental and MCNP calculations of neutron flux parameters in irradiation channel at Es-Salam reactor

The Algerian research reactor (Es-Salam) is a 15 MW heavy water reactor type, operating since 1992. It became essential to characterize the neutron field in the most useful irradiation positions, in order to guarantee the accuracy in the application of k ₀-neutron activation analysis (k ₀-NAA). Experimental value of the thermal to epithermal neutron flux ratio (f) and of the deviation of the epithermal neutron spectrum from 1/E shape (α) were determined using different methods. This work focuses the verification of Monte Carlo neutron flux calculation in typical irradiation channel. Comparison of the results for parameter f obtained experimentally and by Monte Carlo simulations shows good agreement in the irradiation channel studied. The difference between both results is about 2.08%.     

High-intensity ultrasound and microwave, alone or combined, promote Pd/C-catalyzed aryl-aryl couplings

Pd-catalyzed homo- and cross-couplings of boronic acids and aryl halides were successfully carried out both in aqueous media under high-intensity ultrasound (US) and in DME under microwave (MW). Heterogeneous catalysis with Pd/C was employed, avoiding phosphine ligands and phase-transfer catalysts. In a trial series involving 15 different iodo- and bromoaryls and 7 boronic acids, both energy sources drastically reduced reaction times affording biaryls in acceptable to good yields. With palladium(II) acetate as catalyst, electron-deficient aryl chlorides also reacted, affording a few biaryls in acceptable yields. Ullmann-type zinc-mediated homocoupling of iodo- and bromoaryls in the presence of Pd/C under CO₂ atmosphere was achieved in aqueous media under US, though not under MW. Suzuki homo- and cross-couplings were also carried out in a new reactor developed in our laboratory, featuring combined US and MW irradiation, further improving a green synthetic method.     

Microwave assisted hydroaminomethylation of alkenes

Hydroaminomethylation of terminal alkenes can be regioselectively carried out in less than 30 min with secondary amines in EtOH under MW irradiation using (PPh₃)₃RhCO(H) and Xantphos or Biphephos as ligands. When primary amines were employed, the corresponding enamines were obtained in good yields. Tris-benzyl allylglycine was transformed into different (basic) benzylated α-amino acids. Moreover, the benzyl protection was removed in few minutes under MW irradiation with Pd(OH)₂ under H₂ atmosphere.     

Dechlorination of poly(vinyl chloride) by microwave irradiation I: A simple examination using a commercial microwave oven

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was decomposed by microwave (MW) irradiation (2.45 GHz) using a commercial MW oven. The efficiency of dielectric absorption was evaluated quantitatively from the rate of temperature increase on MW irradiation. The efficiency of dielectric heating increased at temperatures above the glass transition temperature (T_g). The decomposition on MW irradiation, monitored using the weight, depended on the initial (preheating) temperature of the sample before irradiation. The degradation time profile with various initial temperatures was shifted along the time axis and was successfully superimposed on a single curve. A pure PVC film was subjected to heating at a constant temperature from 230 °C to 310 °C, and the rate of weight decrease on heating was measured. The apparent activation energy was 84.4 kJ/mol for a single monomer unit.     

Synthesis of a Metal–Organic Framework Material,Iron Terephthalate,by Ultrasound,Microwave, and Conventional Electric Heating: A Kinetic Study

A metal–organic framework material named MIL‐53(Fe), iron terephthalate, has been synthesized sovothermally at a relatively low temperature by not only conventional electric (CE) heating, but also by irradiation under ultrasound (US) and microwave (MW) conditions to gain an understanding of the accelerated syntheses induced by US and MW. The kinetics for nucleation and crystal growth were analyzed by measuring the crystallinity of MIL‐53(Fe) under various conditions. The nucleation and crystal growth rates were estimated from crystallization curves of the change in crystallinity with reaction time. The activation energies and pre‐exponential factors were calculated from Arrhenius plots. It was confirmed that the rate of crystallization (both nucleation and crystal growth) decreases in the order US>MW?CE, and that the accelerated syntheses under US and MW conditions are due to increased pre‐exponential factors rather than decreased activation energies. It is suggested that physical effects such as hot spots are more important than chemical effects in the accelerated syntheses induced by US and MW irradiation. The syntheses were also conducted in two steps to understand quantitatively the acceleration induced by MW and it was found that the acceleration in crystal growth is more important than the acceleration in nucleation, even though both processes are accelerated by MW irradiation.     

Microwave‐assisted derivatization of cellulose in an ionic liquid: An efficient,expedient synthesis of simple and mixed carboxylic esters

Microwave (MW)‐assisted cellulose dissolution in ionic liquids (ILs) has routinely led either to incomplete biopolymer solubilization, or its degradation. We show that these problems can be avoided by use of low‐energy MW heating, coupled with efficient stirring. Dissolution of microcrystalline cellulose in the IL 1‐allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride has been achieved without changing its degree of polymerization; regenerated cellulose showed pronounced changes in its index of crystallinity, surface area, and morphology. MW‐assisted functionalization of MCC by ethanoic, propanoic, butanoic, pentanoic, and hexanoic anhydrides has been studied. Compared with conventional heating, MW irradiation has resulted in considerable decrease in dissolution and reaction times. The value of the degree of substitution (DS) was found to be DS_ethanoate > DS_propanoate > DS_butanoate. The values of DS_pentanoate and DS_hexanoate were found to be slightly higher than DS_ethanoate. This surprising dependence on the chain length of the acylating agent has been reported before, but not rationalized. On the basis of the rate constants and activation parameters of the hydrolysis of ethanoic, butanoic, and hexanoic anhydrides in aqueous acetonitrile (a model acyl transfer reaction), we suggest that this result may be attributed to the balance between two opposing effects, namely, steric crowding and (cooperative) hydrophobic interactions between the anhydride and the cellulosic surface, whose lipophilicity has increased, due to its partial acylation. Four ethanoate‐based mixed esters were synthesized by the reaction with a mixture of the two anhydrides; the ethanoate moiety predominated in all products. The DS is reproducible and the IL is easily recycled. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 48: 134–143, 2010     

Microwave-assisted rapid and efficient deprotection and direct esterification and silylation of MOM and EOM ethers catalyzed by [Hmim][HSO4] as a Br?nsted acidic ionic liquid

Abstract  

1-Methylimidazolium hydrogensulfate, [Hmim][HSO₄], a Br?nsted acidic room temperature ionic liquid, is used as a catalyst and reaction medium for facile and eco-friendly deprotection of methoxymethyl (MOM) and ethoxymethyl (EOM) ethers to their corresponding alcohols under thermal conditions (Δ) and microwave irradiation (MW). Furthermore, one-pot interconversion to the respective acetates and trimethylsilyl (TMS) ethers was also achieved.     

Facile Synthesis of new 3,5‐Dispiro Substituted Piperidine Analogs via Microwave‐Assisted One Pot Multicomponent Reaction

An eco‐efficient one‐pot three component reaction for the synthesis of 3,5‐dispirosubstituted piperidines is reported by condensing of 2‐thiobarbituric acid, formaldehyde, and aromatic amines in the presence of a catalytic amount of p‐toluenesulfonic acid (1.0 equivalent) in dimethyl sulfoxide. The reactions were examined by two special methods such as classical heating and microwave (MW) irradiation. In general, improvements in rates and yields were observed when reactions were carried out under MW irradiation compared to the conventional method.     

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of HKUST‐1 and Functionalized HKUST‐1‐@H3PW12O40: Selective Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions in Water Analyzed with Synchrotron Radiation

A simple, rapid and efficient synthesis of the metal‐organic framework (MOF) HKUST‐1 [Cu₃(1,3,5‐benzene‐tri‐carboxilic‐acid)₂] by microwave irradiation is described, which afforded a homogeneous and highly selective material. The unusually short time to complete the synthesis by microwave irradiation is mainly attributable to rapid nucleation rather than to crystal growth rate. Using this method, HKUST‐1‐MW (MW=microwave) could be prepared within 20 min, whereas by hydrothermal synthesis, involving conventional heating, the preparation time is 8 h. Work efficiency was improved by the good performance of the obtained HKUST‐1‐MW which exhibited good selective adsorption of heavy metal ions, as well as a remarkably high adsorption affinity and adsorption capacity, but no adsorption of Hg²⁺ under the same experimental conditions. Of particular importance is the preservation of the structure after metal‐ion adsorption, which remained virtually intact, with only a few changes in X‐ray diffraction intensity and a moderate decline in surface area. Synthesis of the polyoxometalate‐containing HKUST‐1‐MW@H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ afforded a MOF with enhanced stability in water, due to the introduced Keggin‐type phosphotungstate, which systematically occluded in the cavities constituting the walls between the mesopores. Different Cu/W ratios were investigated according to the extrusion rate of cooper ions concentration, without significant structural changes after adsorption. The MOFs obtained feature particle sizes between 10–20 μm and their structures were determined using synchrotron‐based X‐ray diffraction. The results of this study can be considered important for potentially wider future applications of MOFs, especially to attend environmental issues.     

An efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of dihydropyrazinones and bis-benzoylketones

Microwave-assisted modified Sandmeyer reactions of oximinoacetanilides, themselves obtained from substituted primary aromatic amines, in concentrated H₂SO₄ give isatins. N-Acetylisatins undergo ring cleavage and subsequent ring closing with alkanediamines in the presence of ethanol under MW irradiation to give the corresponding dihydropyrazinones in excellent yields. Modification of the reaction conditions affords bis-benzoylketones under MW irradiation.     

Microwave-Assisted Ionic Liquid-Catalyzed Selective Monoesterification of Alkylphosphonic Acids—An Experimental and a Theoretical Study

It is well-known that the P-acids including phosphonic acids resist undergoing direct esterification. However, it was found that a series of alkylphoshonic acids could be involved in monoesterification with C₂–C₄ alcohols under microwave (MW) irradiation in the presence of [bmim][BF₄] as an additive. The selectivity amounted to 80–98%, while the isolated yields fell in the range of 61–79%. The method developed is a green method for P-acid esterification. DFT calculations at the M062X/6–311+G (d,p) level of theory (performed considering the solvent effect of the corresponding alcohol) explored the three-step mechanism, and justified a higher enthalpy of activation (160.6–194.1 kJ·mol⁻¹) that may be overcome only by MW irradiation. The major role of the [bmim][BF₄] additive is to increase the absorption of MW energy. The specific chemical role of the [BF₄] anion of the ionic liquid in an alternative mechanism was also raised by the computations.     

Solid–liquid phase alkylation of P=O–functionalized CH acidic compounds utilizing phase transfer catalysis and microwave irradiation

Optimum conditions for the solid–liquid phase alkylation of methylenebis(diphenylphosphine oxide) (MBDPPO) and ethyl cyanomethylphosphonate (ECMP) were explored studying the role of phase transfer catalysis and microwave (MW) irradiation, as well as the effect of the cation of the alkali carbonate. It was found that the alkylation of MBDPPO may be best accomplished in acetonitrile, in the presence of a quaternary ammonium salt and Cs₂CO₃, while that of ECMP in the absence of catalyst and solvent using K₂CO₃. MW irradiation was beneficial in both cases. During the alkylation of ECMP, by‐products coming from the alcoholysis of the diethyl ester were also identified. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:174–179, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.20673     

Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic separation of diastereomers of β-amino alcohols and microwave assisted synthesis of Marfey's reagent,its chiral variants and diastereomers

Ten chiral derivatizing reagents (CDRs) were synthesized by replacing the l-Ala–NH₂ moiety in Marfey's reagent (MR) by seven l-amino acid amides and three l-amino acids employing microwave irradiation (MW) and were characterized. Ten racemic amino alcohols were derivatized with these CDRs under MW. The diastereomers were separated on a reversed-phase C₁₈ column using binary mixtures of acetonitrile with aqueous trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and triethylammonium phosphate buffer (TEAP). In general, amino acid variants of MR provided better separation of diastereomers in comparison to amino acid amide variants. The method was also found successful for the separation of 20 diastereomers from a mixture.