Non-aqueous synthesis of nano-sized aluminium(III) isopropoxide derivatives with 8-hydroxyquinoline and their sol–gel transformation to nano-sized δ-alumina

Non-aqueous reactions of aluminum isopropoxide with 8-hydroxyquinoline (Hq = HONH₆C₉) in 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 molar ratios in anhydrous benzene yield complexes of the type [q_nAl(OPrⁱ)_3?n] {where n = 1 (1), n = 2 (2), n = 3 (3)}. Progress of the reactions were monitored by estimating liberated 2-propanol in benzene-2-propanol azeotrope by oxidimetric method. All the products were fluorescent green powders, sparingly soluble in CHCl₃. They were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and (¹H, ¹³C and ²⁷Al) NMR studies. The ESI mass spectral studies indicate dimeric nature for (1) and (2) and monomeric nature for the compound (3). The XRD spectra of (1–3) showed crystalline nature with the average particle size of 45, 32 and 27 nm respectively, as evaluated from Debye–Scherrer equation. The XRD spectrum of (3) also suggests the formation of β-crystalline polymorphs of Alq₃. The SEM images appear to indicate granular morphology for (1) and formation of cylindrical shaped rods for (2) and (3). Sol–gel hydrolysis of (1), (2) or (3) in presence of a strong acid as well as of the precursor, Al(OPrⁱ)₃,without acid or base catalyst, followed by sintering at 950 °C yielded tetragonal primitive phase of nano-sized δ-alumina in all the cases, as reflected by their powder X-ray diffraction pattern. The IR, SEM and EDX studies also support the formation of transition alumina.     

Synthesis and Antioxidant Properties of Novel 1,3,2-Oxazaphospholanes Incorporating 1,2-Dihydropyridines

Novel chiral 1,3,2-oxazaphospholane-2-sulfides incorporating a dihydropyridine ring have been synthesized via phosphorylation of 2-aminopyridinium salts, followed by in situ oxidation and cyclocondensation with 2-(alkylamino)ethanol. Cyclic organothiophosphates thus obtained have been screened for their antioxidant properties.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

Shoot organogenesis from root-derived callus of Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz. and assessment of clonal fidelity of micropropagted plants using RAPD analysis

An efficient regeneration system was established for an ethnomedicinal shrub Rhinacanthus nasutus from root-derived callus organogenesis. The root segments were cultured on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of Kn (1.0–4.0 μM) alone or in combination with IBA (0.2–0.6 μM) or 2, 4-D (0.5–1.5 μM). The optimum frequency (94 %) of callus induction was recorded on MS medium supplemented with 3.0 μM Kn and 0.4 μM IBA. For shoot regeneration from callus, MS medium supplemented with different concentrations (1.0–7.0 μM) of BA or TDZ alone or in combination with NAA (0.2–1.0 μm) was employed. The highest frequency of shoot regeneration (91 %) and mean number of shoots (28.3) were observed on MS medium supplemented with 5.0 μM BA and 0.7 μM NAA. The shoots were excised and cultured on MS medium with 4.0 μM IBA produced 3.4 roots per shoot in 88 % cultures. Of the 65 plants transferred to soil 54 survived (83 %). The plants were transferred to field after successful hardening. RAPD analysis of the regenerated plants showed high similarity with the mother plant.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of kC/Xylan/PVP-based blend hydrogel materials: physicochemical and rheological studies

Hydrogel systems composed of kC/Xylan (kC/OSX or kC/BX) blends and linear polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were prepared in the presence of water soluble initiator sodium persulphate (KPS) with microwave irradiation. The hydrogel materials were investigated by measuring their syneresis, swelling, gel fraction, and rheological properties. Physicochemical and rheological properties of the natural polysaccharide (kC/Xylans) blends were modified significantly after blending with PVP. The introduction of PVP and the formation of semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) structure improved the gelling properties of the resulting hydrogels. It has been proven, that a high incorporation of PVP could only be obtained if the hydrogels were prepared using KPS initiator and microwave irradiation in combination. FTIR, CP-MAS ¹³C NMR, and elemental analysis confirmed the presence of PVP in the blends but no direct evidence for covalent bonds could be obtained.     

Mathematical modelling of enzyme kinetics reaction mechanisms and analytical solutions of non-linear reaction equations

The boundary value problem in basic enzyme reactions is formulated and approximate expressions for substrate and product concentrations are presented. He’s variational iteration method is used to give approximate and analytical solutions of non-linear reaction equations containing a non-linear term related to enzymatic reaction. The relevant analytical solutions for the substrate, enzyme, substrate-enzyme and product concentration profiles are discussed in terms of dimensionless reaction diffusion parameters K, λ and e{\varepsilon}.     

Development of Broad Band VCO at Ka-Band

A broad band VCO has been developed at Ka-band for FMCW Radar applications. To achieve a wide range of frequency variation, VCO has been designed in series configuration. Design steps have been presented. VCO exhibits a tuning range of 600 MHz with the power output of 50 mw, when the controlled varactor voltage varies from 7.5 volts to 15 volts. Frequency drift with temperature has been contained within 30 MHz using a proportionally controlled DC heater module over the temperature range of 0°C to +55°C. Phase Noise of the oscillator measured at the mid and extreme frequencies is about -70 dBc/kHz at 10 kHz away from the carrier. The experimental circuit and measured performance is also presented.     

Growth and electrical characterization of L‐arginine added KDP and ADP single crystals

Potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (KDP) and ammonium dihydrogen orthophosphate (ADP) single crystals added with L‐arginine have been grown by the solution methods. DC and AC electrical measurements were carried out at various temperatures along both a‐ and c‐ directions. Results indicate an increase of the electrical parameters with the increase of temperature which can be attributed mainly to the increase of thermally generated hydrogen bond vacancies (L. defects). Also, the present study indicates that L‐arginine addition leads to reduction of electrical parameters of KDP and ADP single crystals which can be attributed mainly to the decrease of L‐defects due to creation of additional hydrogen bonds by the impurity in random directions. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

On Lie nilpotent modular group algebras

Let K be a field of characteristic p>0 and let KG be the group algebra of an arbitrary group G over K. It is known that if KG is Lie nilpotent, then its lower as well as upper Lie nilpotency index is at least p+1. The group algebras KG for which these indices are p+1 or 2p or 3p?1 or 4p?2 have already been determined. In this paper, we classify the group algebras KG for which the upper Lie nilpotency index is 5p?3, 6p?4 or 7p?5.     

T/D isotope selectivity in CO2 laser induced multiple-frequency multiphoton dissociation of trifluoromethane-T

Isotope-selective multiphoton dissociation of CTF₃ in the presence of CDF₃ by TEA CO₂ laser is studied. The highest T/D selectivity of 58 was observed at a sample pressure of 2 Torr in the presence of 20 Torr of argon on excitation by the 9P(24) CO₂ laser line. The effect of multiple-frequency irradiation on selectivity is studied in the P and Q branches of the v ₂ absorption band of CTF₃. No improvement in the selectivity is noticed on going from single- to multiple-frequency irradiation. These results are compared with previous multiple-frequency work on the CTF₃/CHF₃ system, and explained in terms of strong spectroscopic interference from ¹³CDF₃ in the present case.