H14[NaP5W30O110] as a heterogeneous recyclable catalyst for the air oxidation of thiols under solvent free conditions

The catalytic oxidation of thiols to the corresponding disulfides using Preyssler's catalyst H(14)[NaP(5)W(30)O(110)] has been studied. These highly selective oxidations gave good yields of the target disulfides.     

One-pot synthesis of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols catalyzed by nano-BF3·SiO2

1-Amidoalkyl-2-naphthols were prepared via one-pot multi-component reaction of 2-naphthol, aldehydes, and amides in the presence of nano-silica supported boron trifluoride (nano-BF₃·SiO₂) in ethyl acetate at 80 °C. Short reaction times, high yields, scaleup and easy work-up are the advantages of this protocol.     

Methylene blue removal from aqueous solution by magnetic clinoptilolite/chitosan/EDTA nanocomposite

In this study, clinoptilolite as a natural zeolite which was magnetized using precipitation of maghemite nanoparticles was coated by chitosan and then modified by thylenediamine tetra-acetic acid to add functional groups and its performance in the removal of toxic methylene blue from aqueous solution was investigated. Synthesized magnetic nanocomposite was characterized by VSM, XRD, SEM, and FTIR analyses. The saturation magnetization of the final nanocomposite was obtained as 22.2 emu/g. In addition, the factors affecting adsorption process and its optimization were investigated using response surface methodology and central composite design. Data obtained by different isotherm, adsorption kinetic and thermodynamic models were also studied. The results showed good agreement of these data with the Freundlich isotherm model (R ² = 0.99), and it was found that adsorption follows the second-order kinetics model (R ² = 1). Negative values of ΔG and positive values of ΔH obtained from this adsorption thermodynamic study revealed that the methylene blue adsorption process is exothermic and spontaneous. The optimum conditions to ensure maximum adsorption efficiency were determined, and included pH = 5.54, adsorbent amount of 0.03 g, temperature of 31.18 °C, and initial solution concentration of 16.21 mg/l which resulted in a removal efficiency of 99.44%. The results indicated that this nanocomposite can be used as a proper adsorbent for adsorbing methylene blue and other dye contaminants.     

Application of spinel-structured MgFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles for simultaneous electrochemical determination diclofenac and morphine

The paper describes a sensitive method for simultaneous sensing of morphine (MOR) and diclofenac (DCF). The surface of a MgFe₂O₄/graphite paste electrode was modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and the resulting sensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrode showed an efficient synergistic effect in term of oxidation of DCF and MOR, with sharp oxidation peaks occurring at +0.370 and 0.540 V (vs Ag/AgCl) at pH 7.0. The calibration plot for MOR is linear in the 50 nM to 920 μM concentration range, and the detection limit is 10 nM (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3). The respective data for DCF are 100 nM to 580 μM, with a 60 nM LOD. The sensor was applied to the determination of MOR and DCF in spiked serum and urine samples, with recoveries ranging between 91.4 and 100.7 %.

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Graphical abstract A sensitive method for simultaneous sensing of morphine (MOR) and diclofenac (DCF) is described. The surface of MgFe₂O₄/graphite paste electrode was modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and the resulting sensor showed an efficient synergistic effect in terms of oxidation of DCF and MOR. The calibration plot for MOR is linear in the 50 nM to 920 μM concentration range, and the detection limit is 10 nM. The respective data for DCF are 100 nM to 580 μM, with a 60 nM LOD.

     

An efficient enzymatic method for the separation of stereoisomeric cis and trans-glycidic esters synthesised via Darzen's condensation reactions

Pig's liver esterase (PLE) was used efficiently in phosphate buffer for the separation of stereoisomeric mixtures of cis/trans-ethyl arylglycidates, produced via Darzen's condensation reactions.     

Application of a new water-soluble polyethylenimine polymer sorbent for simultaneous separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of copper and manganese and their determination by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

In this work, a water-soluble polymer, polyethylenimine (PEI) was used for the simultaneous separation and preconcentration of trace Cu and Mn prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. For this purpose, the sample and the PEI solution were mixed and the metal-bound polymer was precipitated by adding acetone. The precipitate was separated and dissolved in a minimum amounts of water and aspirated into a flame AAS. By increasing the ratio of the volumes of sample to water used in dissolving the precipitate, the analyte elements were concentrated as needed. The sorption is quantitative in the pH ≥6. Detection limits were 5.2 μg/L for Cu and 5.4 μg/L for Mn. This method is simple, fast and precise.     

Theoretical modelling of encapsulation of the Altretamine drug into BN(9,9-5) and AlN(9,9-5) nano rings: a DFT study

The aim of this paper is a better comprehension of the encapsulation and interaction an anticancer drug Altretamine into BN nano ring [BNNR(9,9-5)] and AlN nano ring [AlNNR(9,9-5)]. The electronic and adsorption properties of the molecule Altretamine over the BNNR and AlNNR were theoretically studied in the solvent phase at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory for the first time. With the non-bonded interaction of Altretamine, the electronic properties of the BN and AlN nano-cages can be significantly changed. The electronic spectra of the Altretamine drug, complex BNNR/Altretamine and AlNNR/Altretamine in solvent water were calculated by Time Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) for the investigation of adsorption effect. According to the natural bond orbital (NBO) results, the molecule Altretamine, BNNR and AlNNR play as both electron donor and acceptor at the complexes BNNR/Altretamine and AlNNR/Altretamine. On the other hand, the charge transfer is occurred between the bonding, antibonding or nonbonding orbitals in the molecule drug, BNNR and AlNNR. As a consequence, BNNR(9,9-5) and AlNNR(9,9-5) can be considered as a drug delivery system for the transportation of Altretamine as anticancer drug within the biological systems.     

Chitosan/Gamma-Alumina/Fe3O4@5-FU Nanostructures as Promising Nanocarriers: Physiochemical Characterization and Toxicity Activity

Today, cancer treatment is an important issue in the medical world due to the challenges and side effects of ongoing treatment procedures. Current methods can be replaced with targeted nano-drug delivery systems to overcome such side effects. In the present work, an intelligent nano-system consisting of Chitosan (Ch)/Gamma alumina (γAl)/Fe₃O₄ and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was synthesized and designed for the first time in order to influence the Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cell line in the treatment of breast cancer. Physico-chemical characterization of the nanocarriers was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM analysis revealed smooth and homogeneous spherical nanoparticles. The high stability of the nanoparticles and their narrow size distribution was confirmed by DLS. The results of the loading study demonstrated that these nano-systems cause controlled, stable, and pH-sensitive release in cancerous environments with an inactive targeting mechanism. Finally, the results of MTT and flow cytometry tests indicated that this nano-system increased the rate of apoptosis induction on cancerous masses and could be an effective alternative to current treatments.