MA(delta)Sb(2-delta) (M = Zr, Hf; A = Si, Ge): a new series of ternary antimonides and not "beta-ZrSb2"

The ternary antimonides ZrSi(delta)Sb(2-delta), HfGe(delta)Sb(2-delta), and ZrGe(delta)Sb(2-delta) were prepared by annealing of the elements in stoichiometric ratios below 800 degrees C. ZrSi(delta)Sb(2-delta) was earlier erroneously described as the binary "beta-ZrSb(2)", which does not exist as such, because the incorporation of tetrel atoms is necessary for the formation of this structure. ZrSi(delta)Sb(2-delta) has a small yet significant phase width with at least 0.066(7) < or = delta < or = 0.115(3), whereas the Ge analogues exist with larger tetrel concentration, i.e., ZrGe(0.211(5))Sb(1.789) and HfGe(0.205(6))Sb(1.795). The whole series of title compounds crystallizes in the Co(2)Si type (space group Pnma), with lattice dimensions of, e.g., for ZrGe(0.211(5))Sb(1.789), a = 730.4(1) pm, b = 395.13(6) pm, c = 957.6(2) pm, V = 0.27635(7) nm(3), Z = 4. The anionic substructure comprises infinite ribbons formed by the atom sites Q1 and Sb2, with Q1 being mixed occupied by Si or Ge and Sb atoms. These ribbons exhibit Q1-Q1 single bonds and Q1-Sb2 "half" bonds. Assuming the validity of the 8 - N rule, one can assign seven valence-electrons to Sb2 but only five to Q1, which might explain the preference of the tetrel atoms for the latter site.     

Polymerization of ethylene using a series of binuclear and a mononuclear Ni (II)‐based catalysts

A novel series of homo‐, bi‐, and mononuclear Ni(II)‐based catalysts (BNC_n n = 1–4, MNC₄) were used for ethylene polymerization. The optimum conditions for the catalyst BNC₄ (the highest catalytic activity) was obtained at [Al]/[Ni]=2000/1, T_p = 42 °C, and t_p = 20 min that was 1073 g PE/mmol Ni h. In theoretical study, steric and electronic effects of substituents and diimine backbone led to prominent influence on the catalyst behavior. The highest M_V was resulted from polymerization using BNC₄; however, the highest unsaturation content was obtained from BNC₁. GPC analysis showed a broad MWD (PDI = 17.8). BNC₁ and BNC₂ in similar structures showed broad peaks in DSC thermogram, while BNC₃ and BNC₄ with more electronic effects showed a peak along with a wide shoulder. Monomer pressure increasing showed enhancing in activity of the BNC₄, meanwhile a peak with shoulder to a single peak in DSC thermogram and uniformity in morphology of the resulted polymer were observed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 3000–3011     

A novel dicationic ionic liquid as a highly effectual and dual-functional catalyst for the synthesis of 3-methyl-4-arylmethylene-isoxazole-5(4H)-ones

Research on Chemical Intermediates - A novel dicationic ionic liquid, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-N,N′-bis(sulfo)ethane-1,2-diaminium mesylate [TMBSED][OMs]2), has been produced, and...     

Axisymmetric and three dimensional flow modeling within thermal vapor compressors

Thermal vapor compressor (TVC) is a device for compressing vapor in water–steam cycles and frequently used in desalination systems. Large amounts of useless vapor can be compressed by this device and the efficiency of a desalination unit is effectively enhanced through this process. Motive steam is injected into the TVC through a convergent–divergent nozzle and accelerated to supersonic velocities. The low pressure steam is entrained at the upstream zone and mixed with this highly compressible motive flow within the TVC. In the current study, the flow field of an experimental TVC is scrutinized in both axisymmetric and three-dimensional approaches and compared with experimental measurements. Since the steam collector at the suction surface of the TVC has a curved shape and may undermine the symmetry of the flow on either side of the central axis, the second objective of this study is to reveal the deviation of the symmetric assumption from the real non-symmetric condition of entering steam flow into the TVC. Results show that the presence of a bending at the inlet side has approximately negligible effects on the mixing phenomenon and the flow remains symmetric around the central axis. Hence, there is no need to consider the collector geometry in further simulations and the performance parameters of the TVC would be sufficiently obtained through an axisymmetric method with a substantial reduction in the computational cost and time.     

Mechanism study of the conversion of esters to high‐octane‐number aromatics over HZSM‐5

A study of the mechanism of the catalytic transformation of mixed ethyl acetate (EA) + methyl acetate (MA) (50:50 v/v) to hydrocarbons over HZSM‐5 (Si/Al ratio of 9) catalyst was conducted. The reaction was carried out in a continuous fixed‐bed reactor under atmospheric pressure and in the temperature range 250–390°C and with weight hourly space velocity of 3.2 and 4.6 h^?1. The distribution of products including monoaromatics, fused ring aromatics and oxygenates was determined using GC‐MS. The product distribution was controlled by temperature. The oxygenate components (kinetically controlled products) were transformed into aromatics (thermodynamically controlled products) with an increase in temperature. The effluents were benzene‐free or with low content of benzene and toluene. Two intermediates were proposed for this conversion to hydrocarbons over HZSM‐5: cyclobutane‐1,3‐dione and/or acetic acid (AA) as ketene source. Furthermore, AA and mesityl oxide (MO) were selected as potential intermediates in the transformation of mixed EA + MA into hydrocarbons over HZSM‐5. It is suggested that ketene dimerization, the phenolic pool and the condensation reaction between ketene and MO are the probable mechanism routes for AA conversion. Aldol condensation, Michael addition, cracking, isomerization and ketene formation are the presumable pathways for MO conversion over HZSM‐5.     

Design and Synthesis of Some Novel Oxiconazole‐Like Carboacyclic Nucleoside Analogues,as Potential Chemotherapeutic Agents

The syntheses of some novel carboacyclic nucleosides, 17a – 17o , containing oxiconazole‐like scaffolds, are described (Schemes 1–3). In this series of carboacyclic nucleosides, pyrimidine as well as purine and other imidazole derivatives were employed as an imidazole successor in oxiconazole. These compounds could be prepared in good yields by using two different strategies (Schemes 1 and 2). Due to Scheme 1, the N‐coupling of nucleobases with 2‐bromoacetophenones was attained for 18a – 18e , and their subsequent oximation affording 19a – 19e and finally O‐alkylation with diverse alkylating sources resulted in the products 17a – 17g, 17n , and 17o . In Scheme 2, use of 2‐bromoacetophenone oximes 20 , followed by N‐coupling of nucleobases, provided 19f – 19j whose final O‐alkylation produced 17h – 17m (Scheme 2). For the rational interpretation of the dominant formation of (E)‐oxime ethers rather than (Z)‐oxime isomers, PM3 semiempirical quantum‐mechanic calculations were discussed and the calculations indicated a lower heat of formation for (E)‐isomers.     

Ammonium Acetate-Basic Alumina Catalyzed Knoevenagel Condensation Under Microwave Irradiation Under Solvent-Free Condition

Ammonium acetate and basic alumina catalyzed efficiently the Knoevenagel condensation of aldehydes and ketones with active methylene compounds under solvent-free condition where olefinic products were obtained in high yields.     

A convenient protocol for the synthesis of axially chiral Brønsted acids

Partially hydrogenated binaphthol monophosphoric acids were prepared via an improved four-step sequence. It is demonstrated that typical protection and deprotection of the phenolic groups are dispensable. The vinyl-substituted derivative has been polymerized to give a novel polymerized organocatalyst.     

Effect of Gold Nanosphere Surface Chemistry on Protein Adsorption and Cell Uptake In Vitro

Gold nanoparticles exhibit unique spectral properties that make them ideal for biosensing, imaging, drug delivery, and other therapeutic applications. Interaction of gold nanoparticles within biological environments is dependent on surface characteristics, which may rely on particular capping agents. In this study, gold nanospheres (GNS) synthesized with different capping agents??specifically citric acid (CA) and tannic acid (TA)??were compared for serum protein adsorption and cellular uptake into a lung epithelial cell line (A549). Both GNS samples exhibited noticeable protein adsorption based on surface charge data after exposure to serum proteins. Light scattering measurements revealed that GNS-CA-protein composites were smaller and less dense compared to GNS-TA-protein composites. The cell uptake characteristics of these nanoparticles were also different. GNS-CA formed large clusters and elicited high uptake, while GNS-TA were taken up as discrete particles, possibly through nonendosomal mechanisms. These results indicate that the capping agents used for GNS synthesis result in unique biological interactions.