Ruthenium(II) complexes with 2-(benzylimino-methyl)-4-R-phenol containing the trans(PPh3),cis(CO,Cl)-{Ru(PPh3)2(CO)Cl} unit

Reactions of [Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂] with 2-(benzylimino-methyl)-4-R-phenol (H^RL, R = H, Cl, Br and OMe) in boiling methanol in presence of triethylamine afford ruthenium(II) complexes of general formula [Ru(^RL)(PPh₃)₂(CO)Cl] in 57-64% yield. Microanalysis, spectroscopic (infrared, electronic and NMR) and cyclic voltammetric measurements have been used for the characterization of the complexes. Crystal structures of two representative complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The carbonyl, the chloride, the N,O-donor ^RL⁻ and the two mutually trans PPh₃ molecules assemble a distorted octahedral CClNOP₂ coordination sphere around the metal centre in each complex. The complexes display the Ru(II) → Ru(III) oxidation in the potential range 0.62-1.16 V (vs. Ag/AgCl).     

Raman spectroscopic evidence for cooperative C-H...O interactions in the acetaldehyde-CO2 complex

In carbonyl compounds having a hydrogen atom attached to the alpha-carbon or directly to the carbonyl carbon, our recent ab initio and solvation studies have predicted the presence of a weak C-H...O interaction with CO2. This intermolecular interaction acts cooperatively with the Lewis acid-Lewis base interaction that exists between CO2 and the carbonyl group. This communication provides the first experimental evidence for this cooperative interaction in the acetaldehyde-CO2 complex using Raman spectroscopy at 25.0 degrees C in the gas phase. The implications of these interactions in the solvation of carbonyl-based CO2-philes are also discussed.     

Self-assembly of beta-D glucose-stabilized Pt nanocrystals into nanowire-like structures

In this work we demonstrate the self-assembly of beta-D glucose-protected Pt nanocrystals (average particle size = 4.1 nm) into nanowire-like assemblies under ambient conditions.     

Selective oxidation of benzene to phenol over FeAlPO catalysts using nitrous oxide as oxidant

A tetrahedrally coordinated iron in framework substituted microporous AlPO-5 catalysts are shown to be active and selective for the hydroxylation of benzene to phenol, using nitrous oxide as the oxidant.     

Calamenenes--aromatic bicyclic sesquiterpenes--from the Indian gorgonian Subergorgia reticulata (Ellis and Solander, 1786)

Three aromatic sesquiterpene derivatives, (+)-(7R, 10S)-2-methoxy calamenene (1), (+)-(7R, 10S)-2,5-dimethoxy calamenene (2) and (+)-(7R, 10S)-2-methoxy-5-acetoxy calamenene (3) were isolated from the methanol extract of the Indian gorgonian Subergorgia reticulata. Compound 2 has not been previously described in the literature. Compound 3 has not been isolated previously from a natural source. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 showed settlement inhibition activity against cyprids of Balanus amphitrite with EC(50) values of 4.4, 7.8 and 0.03 μg mL(-1), respectively. These compounds also exhibited considerable activity against Artemia nauplii at 50 μg mL(-1), indicative of their potential use as cytotoxic agents.     

Ecofriendly Route for the Synthesis of Highly Conductive Graphene Using Extremophiles for Green Electronics and Bioscience

Highly conductive biocompatible graphene is synthesized using ecofriendly reduction of graphene oxide (GO). Two strains of non‐pathogenic extremophilic bacteria are used for reducing GO under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Degree of reduction and quality of bacterially reduced graphene oxide (BRGO) are monitored using UV–vis spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Structural morphology and variation in thickness are characterized using electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. Electrical measurements by three‐probe method reveal that the conductivity has increased by 10⁴–10⁵ fold from GO to BRGO. Biocompatibility assay using mouse fibroblast cell line shows that BRGO is non‐cytotoxic and has a tendency to support as well as enhance the cell growth under laboratory conditions. Hereby, a cost effective, non‐toxic bulk reduction of GO to biocompatible graphene for green electronics and bioscience application is achieved using halophilic extremophiles for the first time.