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.      

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.      

Characterization of sorption gels used for determination of mercury in aquatic environment by diffusive gradients in thin films technique

The influence of pH, ionic strength and selected natural ligands on the measurement of mercury by the diffusive gradients in thin films technique (DGT) using recently introduced sorption gels was determined. Sorption gels containing Chelex 100, Spheron-Thiol, Duolite GT73 and modified Iontosorb AV resins were investigated, with the sorption capacity determined for all used sorption gels. The minimum DGT measurable concentrations were calculated from 3 times the standard deviation of mercury amount in unexposed sorption gels.      

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.      

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.      

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.      

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.      

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.      

Preparation of a series of N-alkyl-3-boronopyridinium halides and study of their stability in the presence of hydrogen peroxide

A simple and efficient protocol for the preparation of a series of N-alkyl-3-boronopyridinium salts is described which requires exposure of 3-pyridineboronic acid neopentylglycol ester and corresponding alkyle halide to microwave irradiation followed by boronic ester hydrolysis. The technique employed drastically reduces the reaction time and prevents thermal degradation and the formation of side products. Water solutions of the obtained boronopyridinium salts are shown to be stable at room temperature in wide pH range as well as in the presence of hydrogen peroxide at pH 10.0 for 72 h.      

Conductometric studies on the stability of copper complexes with different oligosaccharides

Bioactive copper complexes with pullulan or dextran oligosaccharides are the subject of intensive research mainly because of their possible application in veterinary and human medicine. The thermal stability and stability under oxidative conditions of the Cu(II) complexes with reduced low-molar pullulan or dextran were investigated in this paper, using a conductometric method. The influence of ligand constitutions on the stability of the complexes was examined on the basis of ligand property. Forced degradation studies were performed on bulk sample of complexes by using heat (25, 40 and 60°C) and an oxidation agent (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 10.0% v/v hydrogen peroxide). It can be concluded, according to the results obtained (by examining conductivity during the forced degradation studies), that Cu(II) complexes show a large pharmaceutical stability for both tests.      

Meldola’s Blue — doped titania sol-gel sensor for NADH determination

Titania layers obtained by a sol-gel technique doped with redox mediator, Meldola’s Blue, were employed for construction of a new NADH senor. Optimization of preparation process as well as experimental conditions affecting the response of the sensor were examined. Under optimal conditions NADH could be determined in the wide linear range from 90 to 2300 μM with detection limit 12 μM and a high sensitivity 12.5 nA μM⁻¹. The usefulness of developed sensor was preliminarily checked in determination of NADH forming during enzymatic oxidation of ethanol catalyzed by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH).      

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.      

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.      

Ionic liquids - deanol derivatives as the Diels-Alder reaction solvents

The Diels-Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and dienophiles in deanol derivatives containing bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion as media have been studied. The effect of the substituents attached to the cation on the endo:exo selectivity as well as the reaction yield have been evaluated in the absence and presence of Lewis acid catalyst - Y(OTf)₃. Catalytic activity of metal triflates and the recycling of chosen catalytic systems have also been investigated      

ZnO-beta zeolite mediated simple and efficient method for the one-pot synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives at room temperature

A rapid and an efficient one-pot method for the synthesis of quinoxalines catalysed by ZnO-beta zeolite at room temperature is described. This environmentally benign method provides several advantages over methods that are currently employed such as a simple work-up, mild reaction conditions, good to excellent yields, and a process to recover and reuse the catalyst for several cycles with consistent activity.      

Use of multivariate statistical techniques to optimize the separation of isoflavones by liquid chromatography

The aim of this paper is to optimize and validate a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for separation and quantification of five isoflavones. A statistical central composite design was used to separate all peaks. These multivariate procedures were efficient in determining the optimal separation condition using resolution, capacity factor, asymmetry and number of theoretical plates.      

The bifunctionality of silica gel modified with Congo red

Silica gel was chemically modified with Congo red and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental and thermogravimetric analysis. The pH-sensitive immobilized Congo red retains the same properties as its solution counterpart and could be applied as solid indicator. The functionalized silica gel was also employed to extract different cations from water solutions. The concentration of cations extracted was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The solid support is able to selectively extract silver and copper from water solutions and retains its properties after treatment with different organic and inorganic solvents.      

Silver nanoparticles: synthesis through chemical methods in solution and biomedical applications

Chemical methods provide an easy way to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in solution. These metal nanoparticles have a great potential for biomedical applications as an antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent or in wound healing. The adjustment of the parameters involved in these reactions permits a precise control over the size, shape, monodispersity, and the surfaces of the nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are being used in the design of new hybrid organic-inorganic or inorganic nanomaterials for biomedical applications.