Biochar as heterogeneous support for immobilization of Pd as efficient and reusable biocatalyst in C–C coupling reactions

Biochar is a stable and carbon‐rich solid which has a high density of carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxylic acid functional groups on its surface. In this work, the surface of biochar nanoparticles (BNPs) was modified with 3‐choloropropyltrimtoxysilane and further 2‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole was anchored on its surface. Then, palladium nanoparticles were fabricated on the surface of the modified BNPs and further the catalytic application was studied as recyclable biocatalyst in carbon–carbon coupling reactions such as Suzuki–Miyaura and Heck–Mizoroki cross‐coupling reactions. The structure of the catalyst was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The catalyst can be reused several times without a decrease in its catalytic efficiency. In addition to the several advantages reported, application of biochar as catalyst support for the first time is a major novelty of the present work.     

Development of air‐assisted dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction‐based supramolecular solvent‐mediated Fe3O4@Cu–Fe–LDH for the determination of tramadol in biological samples

A simple method, air‐assisted dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction‐based supramolecular solvent was developed for the preconcentration of tramadol in biological samples prior to gas chromatography–flame ionization detection. A new type of carrier liquid, supramolecular solvent based on a mixture of 1‐dodecanol and tetrahydrofuran was combined with layered double hydroxide coated on a magnetic nanoparticle (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Cu–Fe–LDH). The supramolecular solvent was injected into the solution containing Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Cu–Fe–LDH in order to provide high stability and dispersion of the sorbent without any stabilizer agent. Air assisted was applied to enhance the dispersion of the sorbent and solvent. A number of analytical techniques such as Fourier transform‐infrared spectrometry, field emission scanning electron microscope, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction measurements were applied to assess the surface chemical characteristics of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Cu–Fe–LDH nanoparticles. The effects of important parameters on the extraction recovery were also investigated. Under optimized conditions, the limits of detection and quantification were obtained in the range of 0.9–2.4 and 2.7–7.5 μg L^?1 with preconcentration factors in the range of 450–472 in biological samples. This method was used for the determination of tramadol in biological samples (plasma, urine and saliva samples) with good recoveries.     

Graphite oxide: an efficient reagent for oxidation of alcohols under sonication

Graphite oxide (GO) was used as an effective oxidizing agent for the synthesis of aldehydes and ketones from various alcohols under ultrasonic irradiation. Under optimized conditions, quantitative yields of the products were obtained. Compared to other reagents used for the same chemical transformation, GO displays several advantages, including low cost, ease of synthesis, and high stability to ambient conditions.     

Chemically Deposited Sol–Gel Film on Porous TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanotube Arrays as an Efficient and Unbreakable Solid-Phase Microextraction Fiber

In the present study, a novel technique was proposed to improve the performance of solid-phase microextraction fibers through the chemical deposition of polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene film on modified TiO₂ nanotube arrays substrate. Two different techniques, including the self-assembled monolayer of 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane and NaOH treatment, were examined to modify the surface of TiO₂ nanotube arrays. The morphology of the prepared fibers was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The applicability of the novel fiber was evaluated through the headspace solid-phase microextraction of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as the model compounds followed by GC–MS determination. Influencing parameters on the extraction efficiency such as extraction time, temperature and salt content were studied and optimized. The thermal stability experiments demonstrated that the novel fiber was stable at 280 °C and reusable for more than 80 times without an obvious decrease in the extraction performance. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of PAHs in river water samples with good relative recoveries from 75.8 to 104.5% and the relative standard deviation values for all analytes were below 12%. Finally, the extraction performance of the prepared fiber was compared with those of commercially available fibers and similar previously reported fibers.     

Application of 2‐(benzyliminomethyl)‐6‐methoxy‐4‐(4‐methoxyphenyl‐azo)phenol in construction of ion‐selective PVC membrane electrode for determination of copper (II) in mineral water sample

The potentiometric characteristics of a new Cu²⁺‐selective electrode based on 2‐(benzyliminomethyl)‐6‐methoxy‐4‐(4‐methoxyphenyl‐azo) phenol as an efficient ionophore has been evaluated. The effects of influential parameters on the potentiometric responses such as the amount of plasticizer, the amount of ionophore, pH of the sample solution, and the effect of coexisting ions on the electrode signal were subsequently investigated . The selectivity of the electrode was assessed by calculating the selectivity coefficients using the matched potential method. The optimum ratio of the amount of materials required for the preparation of the electrode was found to be 1.7: 32.1: 64.2: 2.0 corresponding to carboxylated PVC, dimethyl sebacate as solvent mediators, potassium tetrakis (p‐chlorophenyl) borate as the anion localizing agent, and ionophore, respectively. The electrode had a fast response (7s) as well as a satisfactory Nernstian slope (29.26±0.91 mV/decade) to Cu²⁺ over a wide concentration range of 2.0×10^?6‐ 5.0×10^?2 M with a low detection limit of 5.9×10^?7 M. The developed sensor was successfully used for the potentiometric titration of Cu²⁺ ion with EDTA and subsequently, efficient determination of this metal ion in a mineral water sample was performed.     

Photophysical and optoelectronic properties of a platinum(II) complex and its derivatives,designed as a highly efficient OLED emitter: A theoretical study

New platinum(II) complex with picolinate (pic) and 2-phenyl naphtothiazole (pntl) ligand as the guest material has been designed and its capability for OLED applications have been examined. Also, we have studied the effects of different substitutions (ie, electron-withdrawing and electron donating groups) on naphtothiazole moiety on optovoltaic characters. We have employed density functional theoretical (B3LYP/DFT) methods to reveal the photophysical and structure properties relationships with the typical host material. The valence MO energies, vertical and adiabatic triplet energy, reorganization energy, and triplet exciton generation fraction (χ _T) have been extensively studied to exploring high phosphorescence efficiency in OLEDs. It has been predicted that substituted systems are good candidates for OLED applications as well as their parent system.     

Sodium ascorbate as an expedient catalyst for green synthesis of polysubstituted 5-aminopyrazole-4-carbonitriles and 6-amino-1,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbonitriles

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Sodium ascorbate (SA) was used as a safe catalyst for the synthesis of 5-aminopyrazole-4-carbonitriles from the one-pot three-component cyclocondensation (3-CC)...