Synthesis of new dyes containing double tetrazole groups for sensitization of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles in dye-sensitized solar cells

Di(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methane is employed as a new electron acceptor group in the synthesis of two metal-free organic dyes containing triphenylamine donor group. Dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO₂ solar cell (DSSC) applying these novel dyes is constructed for consideration of their photovoltaic properties. The electronic properties of the dyes are also considered with the aid of theoretical calculations. The DSSC constructed from 4-(2,2-di(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)vinyl)-N,N-diphenylaniline (T1) shows a short-circuit photocurrent density of 13.38 mA cm^?2, an open circuit voltage of 578 mV, and a fill factor of 0.54, with a resulted solar energy-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 4.18% under simulated 1 sun irradiation (100 mW cm^?2). This result reveals that the dye with the di(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methane anchoring group injects more electrons to the conduction band of TiO₂ in comparison with its analogs with single tetrazole ring in their anchoring group. It is found that in spite of a red-shift of the absorption spectrum resulted from the lengthening of the molecule, the dye with two di(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methane groups gives lower performance than the dye with a single electron acceptor.     

The effect of the chemical composition and the volume of coated carbonate calcium on epoxy paint properties

Russian Journal of Applied Chemistry - Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is widely used in the paint industry as a white pigment. To reduce the high cost of TiO2, mineral fillers such as different calcites...     

Microwave‐Assisted Catalyst Free Three Component Synthesis of Mono and Bis Spiro Pyrazolopyridines in Solvent Free Reaction

Multicomponent synthesis of mono and bis‐spiro pyrazolopyridines from isatin derivatives, indanedione, and 3‐methyl‐5‐aminopyrazole under microwave irradiation in the absence of any catalyst or solvent with high yield and short reaction time is reported.     

Phenethyl Ester of Gallic Acid Ameliorates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Gallic acid is a phenolic acid present in various plants, nuts, and fruits. It is well known for its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. The phenethyl ester of gallic acid (PEGA) was synthesized with the aim of increasing the bioavailability of gallic acid, and thus its pharmacological potential. Here, the effects of PEGA on encephalitogenic cells were examined, and PEGA was found to modulate the inflammatory activities of T cells and macrophages/microglia. Specifically, PEGA reduced the release of interleukin (IL)-17 and interferon (IFN)-γ from T cells, as well as NO, and IL-6 from macrophages/microglia. Importantly, PEGA ameliorated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS)—multiple sclerosis. Thus, PEGA is a potent anti-inflammatory compound with a perspective to be further explored in the context of CNS autoimmunity and other chronic inflammatory disorders.     

Predictive QSAR modeling for the antioxidant activity of natural compounds derivatives based on Monte Carlo method

Molecular Diversity - In this research, QSAR modeling was carried out through SMILES of compounds and on the basis of the Monte Carlo method to predict the antioxidant activity of 79 derivatives of...     

Extraction of antidepressant drugs in biological samples using alkanol‐based nano structured supramolecular solvent microextraction followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric analysis

In the present study, a supramolecular solvent was formed from reverse micelle aggregates of octanol. The proposed supramolecular solvent was used for rapid extraction of some antidepressants drugs including amitriptyline, imipramine, desipramine, maprotiline, sertraline, and doxepin from biological samples. Alkanol‐based supramolecular solvents have a unique array of physicochemical properties, making them a very attractive alternative to replace organic solvents in analytical extractions. The parameters affecting the extraction of target analytes (i.e., the volume of tetrahydrofuran and octanol as the major components comprising the supramolecular solvent, chain length of alkanols, sample solution pH, salt addition, and ultrasonic time) were investigated and optimized by factor by factor optimization method. Under the optimum conditions, preconcentration factors of 470, 490, 460, 385, 370, and 430 were obtained for amitriptyline, doxepin, imipramine, desipramine, maprotiline, and sertraline, respectively. The linear ranges and coefficients of determination (R²) were obtained in the range of 0.01–100 μg/L and 0.9974–0.9991, respectively. Also the limits of detection (S/N = 3) of 0.003–0.03 μg/L, and precisions (n = 5) of 4.9–8.9% were calculated. Finally, the method was successfully applied for the extraction of antidepressant drugs in biological samples, and relative recoveries in the range of 91–102% were obtained.     

Substitute Effect on the Structure,Stability of Valence Isomers and Aromaticity of 1‐H‐Boratabenzene

Density functional theory (B3LYP) calculations were performed on the Me and F substituted valence isomeric forms of 1‐H‐boratabenzene. The calculations revealed that the planar benzene analog is the lowest energy isomer. Its aromaticity is analyzed in the light of the nucleus‐independent chemical shift (NICS) and shows that aromaticity increases in F substituted, but decreases in Me substituted. These calculations indicate substitution of BH with BMe and BF doesn't cause significant variation in bond length.     

Characterization of interactions in aqueous solutions of hydroxyethylcellulose and its hydrophobically modified analogue in the presence of a cyclodextrin derivative

The formation of associative networks in semidilute aqueous solutions of hydrophobically modified hydroxyethylcellulose (HM-HEC) is dependent on intermolecular hydrophobic interactions. Addition of hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) monomers to the system provides decoupling of these associations via inclusion complex formation with the polymer hydrophobic tails. Results from viscosity, polymer NMR self-diffusion, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements show that the hydrophobic interactions in HM-HEC solutions are effectively suppressed when the level of HP-beta-CD addition increases. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) results reveal that the large-scale association complexes in HM-HEC solutions are strongly diminished when the concentration of HP-beta-CD rises. The time correlation data obtained from the DLS experiments unveiled the existence of two relaxation modes: one single exponential at short times followed by a stretched exponential at longer times. The fast mode is always diffusive, whereas the slow mode exhibits progressively stronger wavevector dependence as the intensity of the hydrophobic interactions increases. This feature, as well as the accompanying drop of the stretched exponential beta as the HP-beta-CD concentration decreases, is attributed to enhanced hydrophobic interactions and can be well rationalized in the framework of the coupling model of Ngai.     

Extraction and separation of zirconium from hafnium by using nano-structured supramolecular solvent microextraction method

In the present study, a simple versatile extraction method based on supramolecular solvent microextraction followed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry was developed for the extraction, separation and determination of zirconium (Zr) from hafnium (Hf). Zr and Hf were complexed with bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinic acid, to obtain hydrophobic complex, and extracted into supramolecular solvent phase. The effective parameters on the supramolecular solvent microextraction efficiency were studied and optimized by using two different optimization methods: one variable at a time and central composite design. Under the optimum conditions, the linear range of 0.3–200.0 and 2.0–200.0 µg L^?1, detection limits (S/N = 3) of 0.1 and 0.6 µg L^?1, and precisions (n = 5) of 3.2–4.9% and 3.0–5.1% were obtained for Zr and Hf, respectively. Finally, the proposed method has been successfully applied for the extraction and separation of these cations in zirconium ore sample.