Fixed-bed column studies of pentachlorophenol removal by use of alginate-encapsulated pillared clay microbeads

The high rate of electron/hole pair recombination reduces the quantum yield of the processes with TiO(2) and represents its major drawback. Adding a co-adsorbent increases the photocatalytic efficiency of TiO(2). In order to hybridize the photocatalytic activity of TiO(2) with the adsorptivity of carbon nanotube, a composite of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and titanium dioxide (MWCNT/TiO(2)) has been synthesized. The composite was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR), and diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of this composite material was investigated by application of the composite for the degradation of methyl orange. It was observed that the composite exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with TiO(2). The enhancement in photocatalytic performance of the MWCNT/TiO(2) composite is explained in terms of recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. In addition, MWCNT acts as a dispersing agent preventing TiO(2) from agglomerating activity during the catalytic process, providing a high catalytically active surface area. This work adds to the global discussion of how CNTs can enhance the efficiency of catalysts.     

One tool to bring them all: Au-catalyzed synthesis of B,O- and B,N-doped PAHs from boronic and borinic acids

The isoelectronic replacement of C C bonds with ⁻B N⁺ bonds in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a widely used tool to prepare novel optoelectronic materials. Far less well explored are corresponding B,O-doped PAHs, although they have a similarly high application potential. We herein report on the modular synthesis of B,N- and B,O-doped PAHs through the [Au(PPh₃)NTf₂]-catalyzed 6-endo-dig cyclization of BN–H and BO–H bonds across suitably positioned C C bonds in the key step. Readily available, easy-to-handle o-alkynylaryl boronic and borinic acids serve as starting materials, which are either cyclized directly or first converted into the corresponding aminoboranes and then cyclized. The reaction even tolerates bulky mesityl substituents on boron, which later kinetically protect the formed B,N/O-PAHs from hydrolysis or oxidation. Our approach is also applicable for the synthesis of rare doubly B,N/O-doped PAHs. Specifically, we prepared 1,2-B,E-naphthalenes and -anthracenes, 1,5-B₂-2,6-E₂-anthracenes (E = N, O) as well as B,O₂-containing and unprecedented B,N,O-containing phenalenyls. Selected examples of these compounds have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography; their optoelectronic properties have been studied by cyclic voltammetry, electron spectroscopy, and quantum-chemical calculations. Using a new unsubstituted (B,O)₂-perylene as the substrate for late-stage functionalization, we finally show that the introduction of two pinacolatoboryl (Bpin) substituents is possible in high yield and with perfect regioselectivity via an Ir-catalyzed C–H borylation approach.

Singly and doubly B,E-doped PAHs were synthesized using a protocol that starts from easy-to-handle boronic and borinic acids and offers the possibility to choose between the preparation of B,O- and B,N-PAHs in the final reaction step.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Biological Evaluation of New 3,5-Disubstituted-Pyrazoline Derivatives as Potential Anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra Compounds

A total of fourteen pyrazoline derivatives were synthesized through cyclo-condensation reactions by chalcone derivatives with different types of semicarbazide. These compounds were characterized by IR, 1D-NMR (¹H, ¹³C and Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer - DEPT-135) and 2D-NMR (COSY, HSQC and HMBC) as well as mass spectroscopy analysis (HRMS). The synthesized compounds were tested for their antituberculosis activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra in vitro. Based on this activity, compound 4a showed the most potent inhibitory activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 17 μM. In addition, six other synthesized compounds, 5a and 5c–5g, exhibited moderate activity, with MIC ranges between 60 μM to 140 μM. Compound 4a showed good bactericidal activity with a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) value of 34 μM against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra. Molecular docking studies for compound 4a on alpha-sterol demethylase was done to understand and explore ligand–receptor interactions, and to hypothesize potential refinements for the compound.     

Nonlinear evolution of thin liquid films dewetting near soft elastomeric layers

The nonlinear evolution of thin liquid films dewetting near soft elastomeric layers is examined in this work. Evolution equations are derived by applying the lubrication approximation and assuming that van der Waals forces in the liquid cause the dewetting and that the solid can be described as a linear viscoelastic material. Two cases are examined: (i) a liquid layer resting on an elastomer bounded from below by a rigid substrate, and (ii) an elastomer overlying a thin liquid film bounded from below by a rigid substrate. Linear stability analysis is carried out to obtain asymptotic relations which are then compared against solutions of the full characteristic equations. In the liquid-on-solid case, numerical solutions of the evolution equations show that van der Waals forces cause thinning of the liquid film and thickening of the elastomeric solid beneath film depressions. Inclusion of a short-range repulsive force suggests that regular patterns may form in which ridges of fluid rest on depressions in the solid. In the solid-on-liquid case, the van der Waals forces cause the solid layer to break up before the liquid film can dewet. The results presented here support the idea that the dewetting of thin liquid films might be exploited to create topographically patterned surfaces on soft polymeric solids.     

Inhibition effect of horehound (Marrubium vulgare L.) extract towards C38 steel corrosion in HCl solution

The corrosion inhibition properties of horehound (Marrubium vulgare L.) extract (HE) in 1 M hydrochloric acid medium was carried out using electrochemical methods (polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy). Experiments were performed by concentration of the inhibitor and temperature effect. The results showed variation in inhibition performance of this plant extract. The Langmuir model was tested to describe the adsorption behavior of the inhibitor on the C38 steel surface. Some thermodynamic functions of dissolution processes were also determined.     

Synthesis of some new pyrimidine derivatives and evaluation of their anticancer and antibacterial activities

Starting from the reaction of ethyl cyanoacetate with thiourea and the appropriate aldehydes, a series of new pyrimidine derivatives were prepared. Ten selected pyrimidine derivatives were subjected to a screening system for the investigation of their antitumor potency against liver (HEPG2) cell line. The antitumor activity results indicated that most of the selected pyrimidine derivatives showed moderate growth inhibition activity against the tested cell line, but with varying intensities in comparison to the known anticancer drugs: 5-fluorouracil and doxorubicin. Some of the synthesized compounds were also tested for their antimicrobial activity against bacteria as well as fungal isolates.     

Three‐Dimensional Architectures Incorporating Stereoregular Donor–Acceptor Stacks

We report the synthesis of two [2]catenane‐containing struts that are composed of a tetracationic cyclophane (TC⁴⁺) encircling a 1,5‐dioxynaphthalene (DNP)‐based crown ether, which bears two terphenylene arms. The TC⁴⁺ rings comprise either 1) two bipyridinium (BIPY²⁺) units or 2) a BIPY²⁺ and a diazapyrenium (DAP²⁺) unit. These degenerate and nondegenerate catenanes were reacted in the presence of Cu(NO₃)₂?2.5 H₂O to yield Cu‐paddlewheel‐based MOF‐1050 and MOF‐1051. The solid‐state structures of these MOFs reveal that the metal clusters serve to join the heptaphenylene struts into grid‐like 2D networks. These 2D sheets are then held together by infinite donor–acceptor stacks involving the [2]catenanes to produce interpenetrated 3D architectures. As a consequence of the planar chirality associated with both the DNP and hydroquinone (HQ) units present in the crown ether, each catenane can exist as four stereoisomers. In the case of the nondegenerate (bistable) catenane, the situation is further complicated by the presence of translational isomers. Upon crystallization, however, only two of the four possible stereoisomers—namely, the enantiomeric RR and SS forms—are observed in the crystals. An additional element of co‐conformational selectivity is present in MOF‐1051 as a consequence of the substitution of one of the BIPY²⁺ units by a DAP²⁺ unit: only the translational isomer in which the DAP²⁺ unit is encircled by the crown ether is observed. The overall topologies of MOF‐1050 and MOF‐1051, and the selective formation of stereoisomers and translational isomers during the kinetically driven crystallization, provide evidence that weak noncovalent bonding interactions play a significant role in the assembly of these extended (super)structures.     

Expanding Linker Dimensionality in Metal-organic Frameworks for sub-Ångstrom Pore Control for Separation Applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials with high surface areas, which are acquiring rapid attention on an exponential basis. A significant characteristic of MOFs is their ability to act as adsorbents to selectively separate component mixtures of similar size, thereby addressing the technological need for an alternative approach to conventional distillation methods. Recently, MOFs comprising a 3-Dimensional (3D) linker have shown outstanding capabilities for difficult separations compared to the parent 2-Dimensional (2D) analogue. 3D-linkers with a polycyclic core are underrepresented in the MOF database due to the widespread preferred use of 2D-linkers and the misconceived high-cost of 3D linkers. We summarize the recent research of 3D-linker MOFs and highlight their beneficial employment for selective gas and hydrocarbon adsorption and separation. Furthermore, we outline forecasts in this area to create a platform for widespread adoption of 3D-linkers in MOF synthesis.     

Ortho-Alkoxy-benzamide Directed Formation of a Single Crystalline Hydrogen-bonded Crosslinked Organic Framework and Its Boron Trifluoride Uptake and Catalysis

Boron trifluoride (BF₃) is a highly corrosive gas widely used in industry. Confining BF₃ in porous materials ensures safe and convenient handling and prevents its degradation. Hence, it is highly desired to develop porous materials with high adsorption capacity, high stability, and resistance to BF₃ corrosion. Herein, we designed and synthesized a Lewis basic single-crystalline hydrogen-bond crosslinked organic framework (H_COF-50) for BF₃ storage and its application in catalysis. Specifically, we introduced self-complementary ortho-alkoxy-benzamide hydrogen-bonding moieties to direct the formation of highly organized hydrogen-bonded networks, which were subsequently photo-crosslinked to generate H_COFs. The H_COF-50 features Lewis basic thioether linkages and electron-rich pore surfaces for BF₃ uptake. As a result, H_COF-50 shows a record-high 14.2 mmol/g BF₃ uptake capacity. The BF₃ uptake in H_COF-50 is reversible, leading to the slow release of BF₃. We leveraged this property to reduce the undesirable chain transfer and termination in the cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers. Polymers with higher molecular weights and lower polydispersity were generated compared to those synthesized using BF₃ ⋅ Et₂O. The elucidation of the structure–property relationship, as provided by the single-crystal X-ray structures, combined with the high BF₃ uptake capacity and controlled sorption, highlights the molecular understanding of framework-guest interactions in addressing contemporary challenges.     

Utility of certain pi-acceptors for the spectrophotometric determination of some penicillins

Two simple and sensitive spectrophotometric methods are described for the determination of six penicillin derivatives. The methods are based on the reaction of these drugs as n-electron donors with either 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ) or 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) as pi-acceptors, to give a highly coloured radical anion. The coloured products are quantified spectrophotometrically at 460 and 842 nm for DDQ and TCNQ, respectively. The optimization of the different experimental conditions is described. The interference from streptomycin sulphate and common degradation products was also studied. The proposed methods were applied successfully to the determination of the different penicillins investigated, either in pure or dosage forms, with good accuracy and precision. The results were compared with those given by the official United States Pharmacopeial XXI method.