Two highly unsymmetrical tetradentate (N3O) Schiff base copper(II) complexes: Template synthesis,structural characterization,magnetic and computational studies

Two new copper(II) complexes, [Cu₂(L¹)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1) and [Cu(L²)(ClO₄)] (2), of the highly unsymmetrical tetradentate (N₃O) Schiff base ligands HL¹ and HL² (where HL¹ = N-(2-hydroxyacetophenone)-bis-3-aminopropylamine and HL² = N-(salicyldehydine)-bis-3-aminopropylamine) have been synthesised using a template method. Their single crystal X-ray structures show that in complex 1 two independent copper(II) centers are doubly bridged through phenoxo-O atoms (O1A and O1B) of the two ligands and each copper atom is five-coordinated with a distorted square pyramidal geometry. The asymmetric unit of complex 2 consists of two crystallographically independent N-(salicylidene)-bis(aminopropyl)amine-copper(II) molecules, A and B, with similar square pyramidal geometries. Cryomagnetic susceptibility measurements (5–300 K) on complex 1 reveal a distinct antiferromagnetic interaction with J = ?23.6 cm^?1, which is substantiated by a DFT calculation (J = ?27.6 cm^?1) using the B3LYP functional. Complex 1, immobilized over highly ordered hexagonal mesoporous silica, shows moderate catalytic activity for the epoxidation of cyclohexene and styrene in the presence of TBHP as an oxidant.     

A standardless approach of INAA for grouping study of ancient potteries

The k ₀ based internal monostandard neutron activation analysis was used to analyze 41 ancient pottery samples from three major locations of Andhra Pradesh state, India, belonging to two different age groups namely Megalithic and Buddhist periods. Samples were irradiated with neutron flux obtained from CIRUS reactor and radioactive assay was carried out using a 40% relative efficiency HPGe detector coupled to 8?k MCA. Concentration ratios of 21 elements were calculated with respect to internal monostandard Sc. Absolute concentrations for six (three each from both Megalithic and Buddhist periods) representative samples along with a modern pottery were obtained for comparison. Elemental concentration ratios with respect to Sc were used for grouping of these archaeological samples. Preliminary grouping of these artifacts was done using La/Ce values, and the grouping was confirmed by statistical cluster analysis using eleven selected trace elements. The IAEA RM SL-3 sample was analysed for validation of the method, where in both concentration ratios and absolute concentrations were calculated.     

Synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical properties of perfluoroisopropyl substituted binuclear phthalocyanine conjugated with a butadiyne linker

Synthesis of 1,3-butadiyne-bridged perfluoroisopropyl binuclear phthalocyanine 2 has been successfully achieved from unsymmetrical A₃B-type iodo-perfluoroisopropyl phthalocyanine by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling with trimethylsilylacetylene and copper-catalyzed Glaser homo-coupling as key reactions. The dyad 2 essentially remains non-aggregated irrespective of solvent and concentration. Electrochemical analysis suggests oxidation is not possible whereas the molecule is more easily reduced. All the results are advantages for photodynamic therapy (PDT).     

Synthesis,crystal structures and magnetic behaviors of two dicyanamide bridged di- and polynuclear complexes of cobalt(II) derived from 2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)1,3,5-triazine and imidazole

Two new dicyanamido-bridged di- and polynuclear complexes of Co(II), [Co(dca)(tptz)(H₂O)]₂·2(ClO₄) (1) and [Co(dca)₂(imz)₂]_n (2) [dca, dicyanamide; tptz, 2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)1,3,5-triazine; and imz, imidazole] have been synthesized and characterized structurally, as well as magnetically. The X-ray single crystal structure determination of complex 1 shows that two symmetry related octahedral Co(II) ions are separated by dca ligand and other coordination sites are satisfied by tptz and aquo ligands. Each dinuclear unit is associated with each other by intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions, giving rise to a 1D chain structure. On the other hand complex 2 is a 1D coordination polymer having [Co(II)(imz)₂] units connected by double bridging dca ligands. These 1D chains interact through face-to-face π–π stacking interactions of the imz rings extending the dimensionality to a 2D supramolecular network. The variable temperature (300–2 K) magnetic measurements of both compounds reveal that dicyanamide exhibits a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the metal centers.     

Vegetable oil-based flame retardant epoxy/clay nanocomposites

Flammability of epoxy appears to be one of the greatest threats and hence limits its advanced applications. The present investigation, therefore, reports on vegetable oil-based self-extinguishing epoxy/clay nanocomposites for the first time. These nanocomposites were prepared by the ex-situ technique using mechanical shearing and ultrasonication at different loadings (1, 2.5 and 5 wt%) of nano-clay. Monoglyceride of Mesua ferrea L. seed oil, bisphenol-A and tetrabromobisphenol-A based epoxy resin was used as the matrix. XRD, TEM, SEM, FTIR and rheological studies confirmed partially exfoliated nanocomposites formation. The study demonstrates two fold improvements of tensile strength and scratch hardness, three-fold increase in adhesive strength and 20 units increase in gloss value without any change in impact resistance through nanocomposite formation. TG studied confirmed the enhancement of thermal stability of the nanocomposite by 25 °C. The limiting oxygen index values and UL 94 test indicated the self-extinguishing characteristic of the nanocomposites.     

Synthesis Characterization and Viscosity Studies of Homopolymer of Methyl Methacrylate and Copolymer of Methyl Methacrylate and Styrene

A homopolymer of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and its copolymer with styrene at different compositions were synthesized and characterized. Viscosity measurements of the synthesized homopolymer and the copolymers in toluene solutions were performed at 313 K. Different equations were used to calculate the intrinsic viscosity, viscometric constants values, and molecular weight of the synthesized polymers. The values of intrinsic viscosity and viscosity average molecular weight obtained by the two methods (single point determination and graphical extrapolation) were compared in order to verify the validity of the single point determination for the polymers. Viscometric properties derived included the specific viscosity (it determines the contribution of the solute to the viscosity of the solution), the reduced viscosity (that provides a measure of the polymer capacity for increasing the solution viscosity), and the intrinsic viscosity.     

Ion Interactions with a New Ditopic Naphthalimide‐Based Receptor: A Photophysical,NMR and Theoretical (DFT) Study

A new multi‐component chemosensor system comprising a naphthalimide moiety as fluorophore is designed and developed to investigate receptor–analyte binding interactions in the presence of metal and non‐metal ions. A dimethylamino moiety is utilized as receptor for metal ions and a thiourea receptor, having acidic protons, for binding anions. The system is characterized by conventional analytical methods. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of the system consist of a broad band typical for an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). The effects of various metal‐ion additives on the spectral behavior of the present sensor system are examined in acetonitrile. It is found that among the metal ions studied, alkali/alkaline earth‐metal ions and transition‐metal ions modulate the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the system. As an additional feature, the anion signaling behavior of the system in acetonitrile is studied. A decrease in fluorescence efficiency of the system is observed upon addition of fluoride and acetate anions. Fluorescence quenching is most effective in the case of fluoride ions. This is attributed to the enhancement of the photoinduced electron transfer from the anion receptor to the fluorophore moiety. Hydrogen‐bond interactions between the acidic NH protons of the thiourea moiety and the F^? anions are primarily attributed to the fluoride‐selective signaling behavior. Interestingly, a negative cooperativity for the binding event is observed when the interactions of the system are studied in the presence of both Zn²⁺ and F^? ions. NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations are also carried out to better understand the receptor–analyte binding.     

New Chemodosimetric Reagents as Ratiometric Probes for Cysteine and Homocysteine and Possible Detection in Living Cells and in Blood Plasma

In this work, we have rationally designed and synthesized two new reagents ( L₁ and L₂ ), each bearing a pendant aldehyde functionality. This aldehyde group can take part in cyclization reactions with β‐ or γ‐amino thiols to yield the corresponding thiazolidine and thiazinane derivatives, respectively. The intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) bands of these thiazolidine and thiazinane derivatives are distinctly different from those of the molecular probes ( L₁ and L₂ ). Such changes could serve as a potential platform for using L₁ and L₂ as new colorimetric/fluorogenic as well as ratiometric sensors for cysteine (Cys) and homocysteine (Hcy) under physiological conditions. Both reagents proved to be specific towards Cys and Hcy even in the presence of various amino acids, glucose, and DNA. Importantly, these two chemodosimetric reagents could be used for the quantitative detection of Cys present in blood plasma by using a pre‐column HPLC technique. Such examples are not common in contemporary literature. MTT assay studies have revealed that these probes have low cytotoxicity. Confocal laser scanning micrographs of cells demonstrated that these probes could penetrate cell membranes and could be used to detect intracellular Cys/Hcy present within living cells. Thus, the results presented in this article not only demonstrate the efficiency and specificity of two ratiometric chemodosimeter molecules for the quantitative detection of Cys and Hcy, but also provide a strategy for developing reagents for analysis of these vital amino acids in biological samples.