Ligand-free C–N bond formation in aqueous medium using a reusable Cu–Mn bimetallic catalyst

A general ligand-free protocol has been described for the recyclable and reusable Cu–Mn catalyzed C–N bond forming cross coupling reaction of arylboronic acids with various amines to form N-arylated amine products in aqueous medium affording excellent yields under ambient conditions, in 3–4 h.     

Bulk magnetic properties of tetravalent ion substituted Cu-ferrite

The lattice parameter,a, increases with the increase of Ti⁴⁺ substitution while it decreases with the increase of Ge⁴⁺ substitution in Cu_1+x A _x Fe_2–2x O₄ compounds [A=Ti⁴⁺, Ge⁴⁺Sn⁴⁺]. On substitution of Sn⁴⁺,a does not vary. CuFe₂O₄ exhibits single domain (SD) behaviour that changes to multi domain (MD) type on Ti⁴⁺ substitution. On Ge⁴⁺ substitution initially all the compositions exhibit SD behaviour while forx>0.2 they show MD behaviour. All Sn⁴⁺ substituted compositions exhibit SD behaviour. The Curie temperature decreases on addition of Ti⁴⁺, Sn⁴⁺ and Ge⁴⁺. The magnetic momentn _B (77 K) initially increases and then decreases with the substitution of Ti⁴⁺, Ge⁴⁺, and Sn⁴⁺. This is explained by cation distribution and reduction of Fe³⁺ ions.The authors wish to thank Prof. R. N. Patil for encouragment and useful discussion. One of the authors (B.L.P.) is grateful to UGC (New Delhi) for granting Teacher Fellowship for Ph.D. course.     

Studies on grain boundary effects in spray deposited BICOVOX 0.1 films on platinum-coated stainless steel substrate

Thin film of Bi₂Co_0.1V_0.9O_5.35 is deposited by using spray pyrolysis technique on platinum-coated stainless steel substrate. Impedance measurements done in the frequency range 1 to 10 MHz and in the temperature range 502 to 720 K revealed two relaxation processes with distinguishable time constants. The first corresponds to the grain interior charge transfer while the second could be due to grain boundary. The change in polarization seems to be associated with hopping of charge carriers showing Arrhenius behavior with increase in temperature. The relaxation frequency of grain interior transport for the thin film ranges from 96 kHz to 2.59 MHz. The blocking factor was found to be increasing with increase in temperature at low temperature region from 502 to 640 K. At higher temperature above 640 K, diffusive nature of grain boundaries is inferred with the decrease in blocking factor. The same inference is derived by specific grain boundary conductivity calculations since specific grain boundary conductivity decreases in low temperature region while it increases rapidly at higher temperature. These observations prove the grain boundaries to be blocking in lower temperatures while at higher temperatures above 640 K they turn diffusive. These changes are attributed to structural phase transition, or ordering of vacancies in Bi₂Co_0.1V_0.9O_5.35 films.     

A validated Quantitative HPTLC Method for Analysis of Biomarkers in Enicostemma littorale Blume

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - Enicostemma littorale (Chota-Chirayata or Mamejava) is a glabrous perennial herb belonging to the family Gentianaceae. This plant...     

FeCl3/PPh3-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes

Conditions for a FeCl₃/PPh₃-catalyzed and palladium-, copper-, amine free-Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl halides with terminal alkynes are reported. The protocol was applicable to a wide variety of substituted aryl iodides and alkynes with different steric and electronic properties and gave excellent yields of the desired coupling products.     

Manganese(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes with 2-phenyl-3-(benzylamino)-1,2-dihydroquinazolin-4(3H)-one,pseudohalides and some bidentate N-donor ligands

Some mixed ligand complexes of the type [M(L)(en or phen)(X)₂]; where M = Mn(II), Co(II) or Ni(II); L = 2-phenyl-3-(benzylamino)-1,2-dihydroquinazolin-4(3H)-one; en = ethylenediamine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; X = N₃ ⁻ or NCS⁻ have been prepared. All the complexes were characterized by physico-chemical, spectroscopic and thermal studies. On the basis of electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements, an octahedral geometry has been proposed for all the complexes. The phen complexes are thermally more stable than the en complexes. The electrochemical behavior of the Ni(II) complexes showed that the complexes of phen are reduced at more positive potential compared to the corresponding en complexes.     

A critical review on the stability constants of the fluoride complexes of actinides in aqueous solution and their correlation with fundamental properties of the ions

Literature data on the stability constants of the fluoride complexes of the actinides in different oxidation states have been compiled. In order to have a reasonable inter-comparison, the stability constant (β₁) values obtained in diverse ionic strength media are converted to so called thermodynamic stability constants, β ₁ ⁰ using the DAVIES equation (a modification of Debye-Huckel equation). A correlation of the β ₁ ⁰ values with the fundamental properties of the actinide ions using various models available in the literature has been attempted. Using the values of inonic radii and best available values of the stability constants of a large number of metal ions from recent compilations a comparative study of the various models or relations available in the literature has been tried. For metal ions in general, the semi-empirical relation recently developed by BROWN, SYLVA and ELLIS (BSE equation)_gives the best correlation. In an attempt to accommodate the unusual trend in the stability constants of the tetravalent actinides a modification in a parameter of the BSE equation has been proposed. Good agreement between the theoretically calculated and experimentally determined values for actinides in different oxidation states is obtained in most of the cases. Further improvements in theoretical relation as well as experimental data are required for better correlation.     

Physico-Chemical and Antimicrobial Efficacy of Encapsulated Dhavana Oil: Evaluation of Release and Stability Profile from Base Matrices

Essential oils (EOs) are naturally occurring volatile aromatic compounds extracted from different parts of plants. They are made up of components like terpenes, phenols, etc., and are chemically unstable and susceptible to oxidative deterioration, leading to reduced shelf-life and overall degradation of the product. Encapsulation of EOs in a matrix can prevent degradation of the active ingredient and improve the shelf-life. In this paper, we report encapsulation of Dhavana oil (Artemisia pellen) in a modified starch matrix using a spray-drying technique. Physico-chemical properties of neat and encapsulated Dhavana oil were studied. We selected two powder bases: CaCO₃ and TALC and, loaded neat and encapsulated Dhavana oil in it, studied their stability and interaction with the base matrices at 3 °C, 22 °C and 45 °C up to 2 months under closed conditions and one week at 22 °C and 45 °C under open condition. Thermal degradation pattern was studied for neat and encapsulated Dhavana oil and modified starch. Release of primary active component of neat and encapsulated Dhavana oil from the base matrices was evaluated with GCMS. Stability study and release mechanism were elucidated to understand the release pattern in different base powders under similar conditions. Retention of hydroxydhavanone was found to be better in TALC than CaCO₃, and therefore, the former can be considered a suitable base matrix for developing a stable powder formulation with an optimum release of the oil. Dhavana oil is known for its anti-microbial activity, and hence, neat and encapsulated Dhavana oil was tested on different bacterial and fungal strains. The encapsulated oil depicted good anti-microbial efficacy against various bacterial and fungal strains, which is a step forward for developing anti-microbial formulations. Thus, the reported work will provide helpful information on cosmetic formulation and, therefore, be useful for perfumery, food, and cosmetic industries.