Electrophilic Organobismuth Dication Catalyzes Carbonyl Hydrosilylation

Bismuth compounds are gaining importance as potential alternatives to transition-metal complexes and electron deficient lighter p-block compounds in homogeneous catalysis. Computational analysis on the two-coordinate [(Me₂NC₆H₄)Bi]²⁺ possessing three electrophilic sites is experimentally evidenced by the isolation of [{Me₂NC₆H₄}Bi{OP(NMe₂)₃}₃][B(3,5-C₆H₃Cl₂)₄]₂. These observations led us to generate dicationic organobismuth catalyst, [(Me₂NC₆H₄)Bi(L)₃]²⁺ (L=aldehyde/ketone), evidenced by NMR spectroscopy in solution and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the solid state. It efficiently catalyzes hydrosilylation of aldehydes and ketones resulting in silyl ethers as the only products in high yields. Our investigations support a carbonyl activation mechanism at the bismuth center followed by Si−H addition.     

Novel photosensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cell based on ionic liquid–doped blend polymer electrolyte

The existing energy situation demands not only the huge energy in a short time but also clean energy. In this regard, an integrated photo-supercapacitor device has been fabricated in which photoelectric conversion and energy storage are achieved simultaneously. A novel carbazole-based dye is synthesized and characterized for photosensitizer. The silver-doped titanium dioxide (Ag-TiO₂) is synthesized, and it is used as photoanode material. Different concentrations of tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI)-doped polyvinyl alcohol–polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVA-PVP) blend polymer electrolytes are prepared, and their conductivity and dielectric properties were studied. Reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) is synthesized by a one-pot synthesis method and confirmed using Raman spectroscopy for counter electrode material in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) and supercapacitor electrodes. The DSSC having 4% Ag-TiO₂–based photoanode showed the highest efficiency of 1.06% (among r-GO counter electrodes) and 2.37% (among platinum counter electrodes). The supercapacitor before integration and after integration exhibits specific capacitance of 1.72 Fg⁻¹ and 1.327 Fg⁻¹, respectively.

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Influence of contact resistance and natural convection effects on non-dimensional effective thermal conductivity estimation of two-phase materials

In this article, the development of geometry dependent resistance model by considering contact resistance and natural convection effects are used to estimate the effective thermal conductivity of two-phase materials based on the unit cell approach. The algebraic equations have been derived based on isotherm approach for 2-D and 3-D spatially periodic medium. Comparison study has been made between developed models and experimental data. The result agrees well with experimental values.     

Chitosan-based nanocomposites for medical applications

Chitosan as a biobased polymer is gaining increasing attention due to its extraordinary physico-chemical characteristics and properties. While a primary use of chitosan has been in horticultural and agricultural applications for plant defense and to increase crop yield, recent research reports display various new utilizations in the field of advanced biomedical devices, targeted drug delivery, and as bioimaging sensors. Chitosan possesses multiple characteristics such as antimicrobial properties, stimuli-responsiveness, tunable mechanical strength, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and water-solubility. Further, chitosan can be processed into nanoparticles, nano-vehicles, nanocapsules, scaffolds, fiber meshes, and 3D printed scaffolds for a variety of applications. In recent times, nanoparticles incorporated in chitosan matrices have been identified to show superior biological activity, as cells tend to proliferate/differentiate faster when they interact with nanocomposites rather than bulk or micron size substrates/scaffolds. The present article intents to cover chitosan-based nanocomposites used for regenerative medicine, wound dressings, drug delivery, and biosensing applications.     

Solid-state kinetics and gas-phase prediction of 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)benzene

The solid-state kinetics and gas-phase predictions of the 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)benzene (TMSB) are visualized by utilizing thermogravimetric and mass spectral data. The statistical analyses and reduced time plots of zero order (F0) and Avrami-Erofeev (A2) nucleation and growth models provides the best fit to experimental data for isothermal evaporation process for TMSB. The activation energy for non-isothermal evaporation processes of TMSB is calculated using isoconversional methods. The molecular structure and energetics of the predicted gas phase molecules and species in chemical vapor deposition process are investigated using semi-empirical quantum chemical calculations.     

Enantioselective Alkylation of N‐Arylhydrazones Derived from α‐Keto Esters and Isatin Derivatives through Asymmetric Phase‐Transfer Catalysis

The phase‐transfer‐catalyzed asymmetric alkylation reactions of N‐arylhydrazones derived from α‐keto‐esters and isatin derivatives afford enantioenriched azo compounds that bear a tetra‐substituted carbon stereocenter in good yields with high chemo‐ and enantioselectivity. The alkylation products can be readily converted into chiral amino esters, hydrazine derivatives, and aza‐β‐lactams without loss of enantiopurity.