Rapid analysis of 2,4-D in soil samples by modified Soxhlet apparatus using HPLC with UV detection

The 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) is used as a systemic herbicide to control broadleaf weeds in wheat, corn, range land/pasture land, sorghum, and barley. In this study, a fast and efficient method is developed by selection of modified extraction apparatus and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV conditions for the determination of 2,4-D in soil samples. The method is applied to the study of soil samples collected from the agricultural field. The herbicide is extracted from soil samples by acetonitrile in a modified Soxhlet apparatus. The advantages of the apparatus are that it uses small volume of organic solvent, reduced time of extraction, and better recovery of the analyte. The extract is filtered using a very fine microfiber paper. The total extract is concentrated in a rotatory evaporator, dried under ultrahigh pure N2, and finally reconstituted in 1 mL of acetonitrile. HPLC-UV at 228 nm is used for analysis. The herbicide is identified and quantitated using the HPLC system. The method is validated by the analysis of spiked soil samples. Recoveries obtained varied from 85% to 100% for spiked soil samples. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) and the limit of detection (LOD) are 0.010 and 0.005 parts per million (ppm), respectively, for spiked soil samples. The LOQ and LOD are 0.006 and 0.003 ppm for unspiked soil samples. The measured concentrations of 2,4-D in spiked soil samples are between 0.010 and 0.020 ppm with an average of 0.016 +/- 0.003 ppm. For unspiked soil samples it is between 0.006 ppm and 0.012 ppm with an average of 0.009 +/- 0.002 ppm. The measured concentrations of 2,4-D in soil samples are generally low and do not exceed the regulatory agencies guidelines.     

Silver Selective Electrode Based on Hybrid Mesoporous Silica (MCM‐41) Modified Material

A silver selective electrode based on TEPQA‐MCM‐41 material was developed and used for the selective determination of Ag⁺ ion in various samples. The effect of various plasticizers i. e. dimethyl phthalate (DMP), Tris(ethylhexyl)phosphate (TEP), bis‐(2‐ethylhexyl)sebacate (BEHS), bis‐(2‐ethylhexyl)adipate (BEHA) was investigated. The electrode of the composition of 2 : 1 : 77 : 12 : 8 (w/w, %) of TEPQA‐MCM‐41 : NaTPB : Graphite powder : paraffin oil : DMP respectively, works satisfactorily in a wide concentration range of 1.3×10^?9 M–1.0×10^?1 M for Ag⁺ ion with a lower detection limit (LOD) of 1.0×10^?9 M and has Nernstian slope of 63.4 1 mV/decay. The electrode can be used in a pH range of 2.3 to 6.7 for a period of 3 months without any divergence in potential response. The selectivity coefficient calculated by fixed interference method indicates the high selectivity of the electrode towards Ag⁺ ion over other tested cations.     

UVB-induced photodamage to phycobilisomes of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942

The effect of UVB irradiation on the phycobilisomes (PBSs) of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 cells was studied. The sucrose density-gradient-isolated PBSs from in vivo UVB-treated (280–320 nm) cells showed a strong decrease in β-phycocyanin (βPC) and -phycocyanin (PC) polypeptides. In addition to a decrease in the linker polypeptides LCM 75 (linker connecting the core to the thylakoid membranes), LR 33 (linker in the rod structure), LRC 31.5 (linker connecting the rod to the core) and LRC 29. In vitro UVB treatment of gradient-isolated intact PBSs for 1 h had no effect on any of the constituent polypeptides, and only after 2 h was a degradation of LCM 75 and LR 33 and a decrease in βPC evident. Further investigation of phycobiliproteins (4 h of UVB irradiation) using polyclonal antibody directed against purified whole PBSs revealed that, in vivo, there was a gradual decline in the levels of LCM 75, LR 33, LRC 31.5, LRC 29, βPC and PC.     

Nanostructured ZrO2 and Zr‐C‐N Coatings from Chemical Vapor Deposition of Metal‐Organic Precursors

Nanocrystalline zirconium carbonitride (Zr‐C‐N) and zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) films were deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of zirconium‐tetrakis‐diethylamide (Zr(NEt₂)₄) and ‐tert‐butyloxide (Zr(OBu^t)₄), respectively. The films were deposited on iron substrates and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The Zr‐C‐N films show blue, golden brown or bronze colours, with colour stability depending upon the precursor composition (pure metal amide or mixed with Et₂NH). The deposition temperature showed no pronounced effect on the granular morphology of the Zr‐C‐N films. The XRD data of the films correspond to the formation of carbonitride phase whereas the XPS analyses revealed a strong surface oxidation and incorporation of oxygen in the film. The films deposited using a mixture of Zr(NEt₂)₄ and Et₂NH showed higher N content, better adhesion and scratch resistance when compared to films obtained from the CVD of pure Zr(NEt₂)₄. Subject to the precursor composition and deposition temperature (550‐750 °C), the microhardness values of Zr‐C‐N films were found to be in the range 2.11‐5.65 GPa. For ZrO₂ films, morphology and phase composition strongly depend on the deposition temperature. The CVD deposits obtained at 350 °C show tetragonal ZrO₂ to be the only crystalline phase. Upon increasing the deposition temperature to 450 °C, a mixture of tetragonal and monoclinic modifications was formed with morphology made up of interwoven elongated grains. At higher temperatures (550 and 650 °C), pure monoclinic phase was obtained with facetted grains and developed texture.     

Ru(II) complexes imparting N2O2 donor bis chelating ligand N,N-bis(salicylidine)-hydrazine in unusual coordination mode

The synthesis and characterization of binuclear ruthenium complexes [{(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru}₂(μ-bsh)₂] (1), [{(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)Ru}₂(μ-bsh)₂] (2), [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru}₂(μ-bsh)₂] (3), and rhodium complex [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl}₂(μ-bsh)] (4) (bsh=N,N^′-bis(salicylidine)-hydrazine dianion) are reported. The complexes have been fully characterized by analytical and spectral techniques and unusual coordination mode of the ligand H₂bsh has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis of the complex 2. Structural data revealed extensive inter- and intra-molecular C-H?O and C-H?π interactions and involvement of methyl and isopropyl hydrogen from the p-cymene in hydrogen bonding.     

Hydroarylation of alkynes and alkenes through alumina-sulfuric acid catalyzed regioselective CC bond formation

A highly atom-efficient synthetic protocol for hydroarylation of terminal-aryl alkynes and styrene through the regioselective CC bond formation via the electrophilic addition of naphthols and substituted phenols has been developed using alumina-sulfuric acid as a heterogeneous supported solid acid catalyst. This methodology shows excellent regioselectivity and affords the desired product in good to excellent yield. The heterogeneous catalyst can also be recycled efficiently without much loss of activity.     

Electrocatalytic treatment of waste: studies on discoloration of an industrial azo dye effluent

A textile dye effluent containing chiefly reactive azo dyes has been treated electrochemically for discoloration and COD (chemical oxygen demand) reduction at different current densities, flow rates and dilution. Experiments have been carried out in a thin electrochemical reactor under single pass conditions using a dimensionally stable catalytic anode (DSA) and a stainless steel cathode.     

Barbier coupling in water: SnCl2-mediated and Co(acac)2-catalyzed allylation of carbonyls

Co(acac)₂·2H₂O efficiently catalyzes SnCl₂-mediated Barbier coupling in water between carbonyls, including aromatic, aliphatic and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, ketones, sugars and allyl bromide to afford the corresponding homoallylic alcohols in high yields. The catalyst was reused for several cycles with consistent activity.     

A new class of organometallic compound

Summary Organometallic compounds of general formula (SCN)₂M(NCSeHgR)₂ (M=Co^II, Ni^II, R=n-C₅H₁₁,i-C₅H₁₁) have been prepared. They behave as Lewis acids, forming complexes with pyridine and 2,2-bipyridyl, characterized by elemental analysis, molecular weight, molar conductance, i.r. spectral (4000–200 cm^–1), electronic spectral and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The Lewis acids are monomeric with bridging thiocyanate, or selenocyanate between M²⁺ and Hg²⁺. Cobalt and nickel acquire tetrahedral and octahedral configurations respectively through axial bridging, whereas mercury retains its linearity. Pyridine links to the metal in the Lewis acid and forms L₂(SCN)₂M(NCSeHgR)₂ complexes. Bipyridyl ruptures the NCX bridge and forms cationic-anionic [M(bipy)₃][(NCS)(NCSe)HgR]₂ complexes.     

Bis-amino methylation for the synthesis of spiro-fused piperidines using iron(III) trifluroacetate in aqueous micellar medium

An environmentally benign, multicomponent integrated chemical process has been developed for the synthesis of 3,5-dispirosubstituted piperidines by cyclo-condensation reaction of amines, formaldehyde, and dimedone using iron(III) trifluroacetate [Fe(F₃CCO₂)₃] Lewis acid in aqueous micellar medium at ambient temperature (25–30 °C). The heterogeneous solid acid catalyst conveniently promotes this double amino methylation reaction in which six molecules condense in one pot to form six new covalent bonds. The synthesized 3,5-dispirosubstituted piperidines have been screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity using agar well method. Many of these compounds showed satisfactory antibacterial activity as compared to standard drugs against all the bacteria tested.