Synthesis of β-ketophosphonates with electron rich β-aryl groups as useful organophosphorus reagents in lignans synthesis

Investigation of the oxidation reaction of electron rich alkoxy substituted β-aryl β-hydroxyphosphonates to corresponding β-ketophosphonates, which may be utilized in syntheses of lignans with various oxidizing agents (PCC, PDC, SIBX, CAN, Oxone^®, KMNO₄/SiO₂, KMnO₄/MS 4 Å, KMnO₄/CuSO₄, KMnO₄/CuSO₄/Al₂O₃, MnO₂, CrO₃/SiO₂, H₂O₂/salen) is described. The effect of oxidants and reaction conditions on the reaction efficiency and yield was also investigated.     

Chromogenic amides of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid as anion receptors

The synthesis of simple, chromogenic pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid amides, derivatives of isomeric nitroanilines and aminonitrophenols, and their ion binding properties are described. The ligands' response to ionic species was examined by naked eye and was studied with the use of UV–vis spectroscopy in DMSO and its mixture with water. The effect of the localisation and the type of the substituents in aromatic rings were discussed. ¹H NMR experiments were carried out to probe the mechanism of anion recognition, i.e. complexation via hydrogen bond formation versus ligand deprotonation. A selective response of N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (L5) towards dihydrogen phosphate was found in both DMSO and DMSO–water (95:5) solvent mixture. The structure of N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (L4) was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.     

Powerful connection of laccase and carbon nanotubes: Material for mediator-free electron transport on the enzymatic cathode of the biobattery

We describe the preparation of laccase/single-walled carbon nanotube bioconjugates, their application for the modification of electrodes and application of the electrodes as cathodes for the catalytic reduction of oxygen in a hybrid biofuel cell with Zn anode. Carbon nanotubes functionalized with aminoethyl residues, activated and reacted with laccase show high bioelectrocatalytic activity and are promising for the biofuel cell applications. The power density of the cell was 1 mW cm^− 2 at working voltage of 0.8 V. The open circuit voltage of this hybrid cell was as high as 1.5 V.     

Influence of the chelate ligand structure on the amide methanolysis reactivity of mononuclear zinc complexes

Zinc complexes of three new amide-appended ligands have been prepared and isolated. These complexes, [(dpppa)Zn](ClO4)2 (4(ClO4)2; dpppa = N-((N,N-diethylamino)ethyl)-N-((6-pivaloylamido-2-pyridyl)methyl)-N-((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine), [(bdppa)Zn](ClO4)2 (6(ClO4)2; bdppa = N,N-bis((N,N-diethylamino)ethyl)-N-((6-pivaloylamido-2-pyridyl)methyl)amine), and [(epppa)Zn](ClO4)2 (8(ClO4)2; epppa = N-((2-ethylthio)ethyl)-N-((6-pivaloylamido-2-pyridyl)methyl)-N-((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine), have been characterized by X-ray crystallography (4(ClO4)2 and 8(ClO4)2), 1H and 13C NMR, IR, and elemental analysis. Treatment of 4(ClO4)2 or 8(ClO4)2 with 1 equiv of Me4NOH.5H2O in methanol-acetonitrile (5:3) results in amide methanolysis, as determined by the recovery of primary amine-appended forms of the chelate ligand following removal of the zinc ion. These reactions proceed via the initial formation of a deprotonated amide intermediate ([(dpppa-)Zn]ClO4 (5) and [(epppa-)Zn]ClO4 (9)) which in each case has been isolated and characterized (1H and 13C NMR, IR, elemental analysis). Treatment of 6(ClO4)2 with Me4NOH.5H2O in methanol-acetonitrile results in the formation of a deprotonated amide complex, [(bdppa-)Zn]ClO4 (7), which was isolated and characterized. This complex does not undergo amide methanolysis after prolonged heating in a methanol-acetonitrile mixture. Kinetic studies and construction of Eyring plots for the amide methanolysis reactions of 4(ClO4)2 and 8(ClO4)2 yielded thermodynamic parameters that provide a rationale for the relative rates of the amide methanolysis reactions. Overall, we propose that the mechanistic pathway for these amide methanolysis reactions involves reaction of the deprotonated amide complex with methanol to produce a zinc methoxide species, the reactivity of which depends, at least in part, on the steric hindrance imparted by the supporting chelate ligand. Amide methanolysis involving a zinc complex supported by a N2S2 donor chelate ligand (3(ClO4)2) is more complicated, as in addition to the formation of a deprotonated amide intermediate free chelate ligand is present in the reaction mixture.     

Adsorption of lignite-derived humic acids on coal-based mesoporous activated carbons

The adsorption by a coal-based mesoporous activated carbon of humic acids (HAs) isolated from two Polish lignites was studied. For comparison, a commercial Aldrich humic acid was also included into this study. The differences in chemical structure and functional groups of HAs were determined by elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy DRIFT. Two activated carbons used differed in terms of mesopore volume, mesopore size distribution, and chemical properties of the surface. The kinetics of adsorption of HAs have been discussed using three kinetic models, i.e., the first-order Lagergren model, the pseudo-second-order model, and the intraparticle diffusion model. It was found that the adsorption of HAs from alkaline solution on mesoporous activated carbon proceeds according to the pseudo-second-order model. The correlation coefficients were close to 1. The intraparticle diffusion of HA molecules within the carbon particle was identified to be the rate-limiting step. Comparing the two activated carbons, the carbon with a higher volume of pores with widths of 10-50 nm showed a greater removal efficiency of HA. An increase in the Freundlich adsorption capacity with decreasing carbon content of HA was observed. Among the HAs studied, S-HA shows characteristics indicating the highest contribution of small-size fraction. The S-HA was removed by both activated carbons to the highest extent. The effect of pH solution on the adsorption of HA was examined over the range pH 5.4-12.2. It was found that the extent of adsorption decreased with decreasing pH of the solution.     

Preparation of a new Cd(II)-imprinted polymer and its application to determination of cadmium(II) via flow-injection-flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A new cadmium(II)-imprinted polymer based on cadmium(II) 2,2′-{ethane-1,2-diylbis[nitrilo(E)methylylidene]} diphenolate-4-vinylpyridine complex was obtained via suspension polymerization. The beads were used as a minicolumn packing for flow-injection-flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-FAAS) determination of cadmium(II) in water samples. Sorption effectiveness was optimal within pH range of 6.6-7.7. Nitric acid, 0.5% (v/v) was used as eluent. Fast cadmium(II) sorption by the proposed material enabled to apply sample flow rates up to 10 mL min⁻¹ without loss in sorption effectiveness. Enrichment factor (EF), concentration efficiency (CE) and limit of detection (LOD, 3σ) found for 120-s sorption time were 117, 39.1 min⁻¹ and 0.11 μg L⁻¹, respectively. Sorbent stability was proved for at least 100 preconcentration cycles (RSD = 2.9%). When compared to non-imprinted polymer the new Cd(II)-imprinted polymer exhibited improved selectivity towards cadmium(II) against other heavy metal ions, especially Cu(II) and Pb(II), as well as light metal ions. Accuracy of the method was tested for ground water and waste water certified reference materials and fortified water. The method was applied to Cd(II) determination in natural water samples.     

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      

Nanosized carbon black as synergist in PP/POE-MA/IFR system for simultaneously improving thermal,electrical and mechanical properties

Nanosized carbon black (CB) was introduced into polypropylene/maleic anhydride-grafted polyolefin elastomer/intumescent flame retardant (PP/POE-MA/IFR) system to investigate the effect of nanofiller as synergist on thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of polymer composites. With 5 mass% CB into PP/POE-MA/IFR system (POFC5), the T_max (corresponded to the temperature at the maximum mass loss rate) under air was increased by 122.4 °C; its limited oxygen index was as high as 31.4%; its vertical burning rating (UL-94) reached V0, and the peak value of heat release rate was decreased to only 19% of neat PP in cone calorimeter testing. Moreover, PP composites exhibited good electrical conductivity with more than 1.6 mass% CB, which is a low loading level to reach the critical percolation concentration. In addition, a good balance on stiffness and toughness of PP composites was achieved; especially, Young’s moduli and impact strength of POFC5 were increased to 1.26 and 2.5 times in comparison with that of neat PP, respectively. These results indicated that CB was an effective synergist in multi-component PP composites to simultaneously improve thermal, electrical and mechanical properties.

     

Effects of a Constant Magnetic Field on the Electrochemical Reactions of Quercetin

The paper presents a study of the effect of a constant magnetic field (CMF) on the basic processes of quercetin electrochemical reactions. According to the observation made in previous studies, the presence of a double bond in the C-ring of quercetin enhances the antioxidant properties of that compound, whereas the presence of −OH groups also affects the antioxidant properties. Using cyclic voltammetry it was found that the constant magnetic field improves the efficiency of quercetin electrooxidation, especially of the third stage of the process, i. e. the stage in which the oxidation of the OH groups in the A-ring is the most difficult. The use of HPLC confirmed the electrochemical measurements and the results of cyclic voltammetry studies. The beneficial effect of the magnetic field on the efficiency of quercetin oxidation was confirmed by the results of impedance spectroscopy measurements.