Natural and synthetic solid polymer hybrid dual network membranes as electrolytes for direct methanol fuel cells

Hybrid dual-network membranes comprising chitosan (CS)–polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) networks crosslinked with sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) and glutaraldehyde (GA) and modified with stabilized silicotungstic acid (SWA) are reported for their application in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Physico-chemical properties of these membranes are evaluated using thermo-gravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with their mechanical properties. Based on water sorption and proton conductivity measurements for the membranes, the optimum content of 10 wt.% SWA in the membrane is established. The methanol crossover for these membranes are studied by measuring the mass balance of methanol using density meter and are found to be lower compared to Nafion-117 membrane. The membrane–electrode assembly with 10 wt.% stabilized SWA–CS–PVA hybrid membrane with SSA and GA as crosslinking agent delivers a peak power density of 156 mW cm⁻² at a load current density of 400 mA cm⁻² and 88 mW cm⁻² at a load current density of 300 mA cm⁻², respectively, in DMFC at 70 °C.     

QSAR models of cytochrome P450 enzyme 1A2 inhibitors using CoMFA,CoMSIA and HQSAR

Quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) studies were conducted on an in-house database of cytochrome P450 enzyme 1A2 inhibitors using the comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), comparative molecular similarity analysis (CoMSIA) and hologram QSAR (HQSAR) approaches. The database consisted of 36 active molecules featuring varied core structures. The model based on the naphthalene substructure alignment incorporating 19 molecules yielded the best model with a CoMFA cross validation value q² of 0.667 and a Pearson correlation coefficient r² of 0.976; a CoMSIA q² value of 0.616 and r² value of 0.985; and a HQSAR q² value of 0.652 and r² value of 0.917. A second model incorporating 34 molecules aligned using the benzene substructure yielded an acceptable CoMFA model with q² value of 0.5 and r² value of 0.991. Depending on the core structure of the molecule under consideration, new CYP1A2 inhibitors will be designed based on the results from these models.     

Multi-component synthesis of 2-amino-6-(alkylthio)pyridine-3,5-dicarbonitriles using Zn(II) and Cd(II) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) under solvent-free conditions

Multi-component synthesis of 2-amino-3,5-dicarbonitrile-6-thio-pyridines has been developed by using the reaction of aldehydes, malononitrile, and thiophenols in the presence of a Zn(II) or a Cd(II) metal-organic framework (MOF) as the heterogeneous catalyst. This protocol tolerates different functional groups on the substrates and does not require the use of any organic solvent. Moreover, the Zn(II) and Cd(II) MOF catalysts can be recovered and reused for a number of runs without loss of activity.     

An efficient and simple method for synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted-2H-chromenes by condensation of a phenol with a 1,1-disubstituted propargyl alcohol using BF3·Et2O as the catalyst

An efficient and simple method for the synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted-2H-chromenes by one-step cyclocondensation of a phenol with a variety of 1,1-disubstituted propargyl alcohols using BF₃·Et₂O as the catalyst is described.     

Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of Bolaamphiphiles Based on β‐Amino Acids or an Alcohol

The synthesis of bolaamphiphiles from unusual β‐amino acids or an alcohol and C₁₂ or C₂₀ spacers is described. Unusual β‐amino acids such as a sugar amino acid, an AZT‐derived amino acid, a norbornene amino acid, and an AZT‐derived amino alcohol were coupled with spacers under standard conditions to get the novel bolaamphiphiles 5 – 8 (Scheme 1), 12 and 13 (Scheme 2), and 17 and 20 (Scheme 3). Some of these compounds, on precipitation from MeOH/H₂O, self‐assembled into organized molecular structures.     

Rapid Access for the Synthesis of 1‐N‐Methyl‐spiro[2.3′]oxindole‐spiro[3.7″] (3″‐Aryl)‐5″‐methyl‐3″,3a″,4″,5″,6″,7″‐hexahydro‐2H‐pyrazolo[4,3‐c]pyridine‐4‐aryl‐pyrrolidines Through Sequential 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition and Annulation

The 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of an azomethine ylide, generated from isatin and sarcosine by a decarboxylative route with various p‐substituted 3,5 bis(aryl methylidene)N‐methyl‐4‐piperidinones in refluxing methanol, proceeded regioselectively to give novel dispiroheterocycles. The product on subsequent annulation with hydrazine hydrate afforded 1‐N‐methyl‐spiro[2.3′]oxindole‐spiro[3.7″](3″‐aryl)‐5″‐methyl‐3″,3a″,4″,5″,6″,7″‐hexahydro‐2H‐pyrazolo[4,3‐c]pyridine‐4‐aryl‐pyrrolidines in good yield.     

Synthesis and X-Ray Crystal Structure Study of ]2-Methyl-4-(2-methylbenzoyl)-phenoxy] Acetic Acid Hydrazide

Benzophenone analog 3 has been synthesized and characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. The compound crystallizes in a monoclinic space group P2₁/c with cell parameters a = 7.701(8) Å, b = 7.151(5) Å, c= 28.323(3) Å, = 104.639(4)°, Z = 4. The structure exhibits intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding of the type N–HO, C–HO, and N–HN. The molecules are interlinked through hydrogen bonds forming an infinite chain. This polymeric-like structure may play an important role in biological activity.     

Kinetic and mechanistic studies on the formation of bis(dicarboxylato)carbonatochromate(III) complexes

The reaction of the Cr(xx)₂(H₂O)₂ ⁻ (xx = oxalate, malonate and methylmalonate) complexes with dissolved CO₂ was studied by stopped-flow spectrophotometry in the 7 < pH < 9 range and between 20 to 30°C at an ionic strength of 0.5 mol dm⁻³ (NaCl). Under the experimental conditions the aqua complex ion consists of a pH-dependent mixture of Cr(xx)₂(H₂O)₂ ⁻, Cr(xx)₂(OH) (H₂O)²⁻ and Cr(xx)₂(OH)₂ ³⁻. The monohydroxo and dihydroxo species undergo CO₂ uptake and subsequent intramolecular carbonate ligand chelation independently, at rates which are readily distinguishable and are governed by the uptake rate constants k ₁ and k ₂ and chelation rate constants k ₃ and k ₄, respectively. Only the k ₁ values for oxalato, malonato and methylmalonato complexes could be calculated; k ₁ = 1084 and 1333 and 1650 mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹, respectively. The results obtained were compared with those obtained from other systems that have either cobalt(III), iridium(III) or rhodium(III) as central atoms. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.