Switching the inside and the outside of aggregates of water-soluble block copolymers with double thermoresponsivity

Water-soluble block copolymers were prepared from the nonionic monomer N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) and the zwitterionic monomer 3-[N-(3-methacrylamidopropyl)-N,N-dimethyl]ammoniopropane sulfonate (SPP) by sequential free radical polymerization via the RAFT process. Such block copolymers with two hydrophilic blocks exhibit double thermoresponsive behavior in water: the poly-NIPA block shows a lower critical solution temperature, whereas the poly-SPP block exhibits an upper critical solution temperature. Appropriate design of the block lengths leads to block copolymers which stay in solution in the full temperature range between 0 and 100 degrees C. Both blocks of these polymers dissolve in water at intermediate temperatures, whereas at high temperatures, the poly-NIPA block forms colloidal hydrophobic associates that are kept in solution by the poly-SPP block, and at low temperatures, the poly-SPP block forms colloidal polar aggregates that are kept in solution by the poly-NIPA block. In this way, colloidal aggregates which switch reversibly can be prepared in water, and without any additive, their "inside" to the "outside", and vice versa. The aggregates provide microdomains and surfaces of different character, which can be controlled by a simple thermal stimulus.     

Tetracyclic triterpenoids from the leaves of Azadirachta indica and their insecticidal activities

A new tetranortriterpenoid, meliatetraolenone [24,25,26,27-tetranor-apotirucalla-(apoeupha)-6alpha-O-methyl, 7alpha-senecioyl(7-deacetyl)-11alpha,12alpha,21,23-tetrahydroxy-21,23-epoxy-2,14,20(22)-trien-1,16-dione] (1) was isolated from the methanolic extract of fresh leaves of Azadirachta indica along with the known compound odoratone (3) which was hitherto unreported from this source. Their structures have been elucidated by spectral studies including 2D NMR. The insecticidal activities of 1 as well as those of odoratone (3) are reported. 1 and odoratone both showed mortality on fourth instar larvae of mosquitoes (Anopheles stephensi) with LC(50) values of 16 and 154 ppm, respectively.     

Properties and analytical applications of the heteropolymolybdates of phosphorus, arsenic, silicon and germanium-III Examination of two- and three-component systems without separation

By taking advantage of the possible variations in acid and molybdenum concentration, wavelength of measurement, alpha- and beta-modifications, and media, P, As, Si and Ge can be determined spectrophotometrically as the heteropolymolybdates without separation. Rapid procedures are proposed for the analysis of two- and three-component mixtures of these elements.     

Ferrite Nanocomposite Based Electrochemical Sensor: Characterization,Voltammetric and Amperometric Studies for Electrocatalytic Detection of Formaldehyde in Aqueous Media

Development of nanocomposite based electrochemical sensors for detection of toxic chemicals describes an environmentally benign strategy for monitoring the health of ecosystem. Herein, we reported in situ preparation of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) decorated Ag₂S/NiFe₂O₄ nanocomposite sensor by facile precipitation method. The electrochemical studies demonstrated efficient electrocatalytic activity of ternary nanocomposite pasted glassy carbon electrode (g-C₃N₄@Ag₂S/NiFe₂O₄/GCE) for selective detection of formaldehyde. Moreover, fabricated sensor exhibit rapid amperometric response with excellent selectivity, remarkable sensitivity (1681 μA mmol L⁻¹ cm⁻²) and lower detection limit (LOD: 1.63 μmol L⁻¹). It is noteworthy to mention that sensor exhibits good operational and long-term storage stability.     

A Sandmeyer type reaction for bromination of 2-mercapto-1-methyl-imidazoline (N2C4H6S) into 2-bromo-1-methyl-imidazole (N2C4H5Br) in presence of copper(I) bromide

2-Mercapto-1-methyl-imidazoline (N(2)C(4)H(6)S) is converted at room temperature into 2-bromo-1-methyl-imidazole (N(2)C(4)H(5)Br) in presence of copper(I) bromide in acetonitrile-chloroform mixture via extrusion of sulfur as sulfate and oxidation of Cu(I) into Cu(II). 2-Bromo-1-methyl-imidazole was isolated as its self assembled tetranuclear Cu(II) cluster, [Cu(4)(η(1)-N-(N(2)C(4)H(5)Br)(4)(μ(4)-O)(μ-Br)(6)] 1 {η(1)-N-(N(2)C(4)H(5)Br) = 2-bromo-1-methyl-imidazole}.     

Tunneling of Charged Massive Particles from Taub-NUT-Reissner-Nordström-AdS Black Holes

We apply the null-geodesic method to investigate tunneling radiation of charged and magnetized massive particles from Taub-NUT-Reissner-Nordström black holes endowed with electric as well as magnetic charges in Anti-de Sitter (AdS) spaces. The geodesics of charged massive particle tunneling from the black hole is not lightlike, but can be determined by the phase velocity. We find that the tunneling rate is related to the difference of Bekenstein-Hawking entropies of the black hole before and after the emission of particles. The entropy differs from just a quarter area at the horizon of black holes with NUT parameter. The emission spectrum is not precisely thermal anymore and the deviation from the precisely thermal spectrum can bring some information out, which can be treated as an explanation to the information loss paradox. The result can also be treated as a quantum-corrected radiation temperature, which is dependent on the black hole background and the radiation particle’s energy and charges.     

Electrical,structural, and optical characterization of coal ash–PEO/PMMA blend composites

In the present work, indigenous coal ash taken from Sharigh, Balochistan, Pakistan was used to prepare polymer electrolyte films with PEO/PMMA/LiClO₄. Coal ash was first characterized by various techniques like Surface and Porosity Analysis, SEM/energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and XRD. Chemical composition of ash was confirmed by EDX. Then, the utility of coal ash towards fabricating PEO/PMMA/LiClO₄/coal ash composites was studied in order to explore its use as an additive for polymeric blend composites. The ash incorporation into the polymeric blend composites was studied by X-ray diffraction and UV/Visible spectroscopy, while ionic conductivity measurements were undertaken by Impedance spectroscopy. Room temperature conductivity of polymeric blend composites was found to increase sharply with ash content and reached maximum at 3.3 wt.% of ash. Both direct and indirect band gap energies of polymeric blend decreased with coal ash incorporation. The decrease was at peak at 3.3 wt.% of ash. Coal ash has found to improve the performance of polymeric blends.     

Comparison and correlation of in vitro, in vivo and in silico evaluations of alpha, beta and gamma cyclodextrin complexes of curcumin

In the present study investigated the effect of curcumin (CUR) alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ) cyclodextrin (CD) complexes on its solubility and bioavailability. CUR the active principle of turmeric is a natural antioxidant agent with potent anti-inflammatory activity along with chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive properties. Poor solubility and poor oral bioavailability are the main reasons which preclude CUR use in therapy. Extent of complexation was β-CD complex (82 %) > γ-CD (71 %) > α-CD (65 %). Pulverization method resulted in significant enhancement of CUR (0.002 mg/ml) solubility with CUR α-CD complex (0.364 mg/ml) > CUR β-CD complex (0.186 mg/ml) > CUR γ-CD complex (0.068 mg/ml). Gibbs-free energy and in silico molecular docking studies favour formation of α-CD complex > β-CD complex > γ-CD complex. With reference to CUR, relative bioavailability of CUR α-CD, CUR β-CD and CUR γ-CD complexes were 460, 365 and 99 % respectively. CUR–CD complexes exhibited increased bioavailability with an increase in t_½, tmax, Cmax, AUC, Ka, and MRT; and a decrease in Ke, clearance and Vd values. AUC increase was CUR α-CD complex > CUR β-CD complex > CUR γ-CD complex. Significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between CUR α-CD complex and CUR γ-CD complex by one-way ANOVA and Dunnett’s post hoc test for multiple comparison analysis. Correlation observed between in vitro, in vivo and in silico methods indicates potential of in silico and in vitro methods in CD selection.     

Metal Derivatives of 1,3‐Imidazolidine‐2‐thione with Divalent d10 Metal Ions (Zn–Hg) : Synthesis and Structures

Reactions of divalent Zn‐Hg metal ions with 1,3‐imidazolidine‐2‐thione (imdtH₂) in 1 : 2 molar ratio have formed monomeric complexes, [Zn(η¹‐S‐imdtH₂)₂(OAc)₂] ( 1 ), [Cd((η¹‐SimdtH₂)₂I₂] ( 2 ), [Cd(η¹‐S‐imdtH₂)₂Br₂] ( 3 ), and [Hg(η¹‐S‐imdtH₂)₂I₂] ( 4 ). Complexes 1 – 4 , have been characterized by elemental analysis (C, H, N), spectroscopy (IR, ¹H, NMR) and x‐ray crystallography ( 1 ‐ 4 ). Hydrogen bonding between oxygen of acetate and imino hydrogen of ligand, {N(2)–H(2C)···O(2)^#} in 1 , ring CH and imino hydrogen, {C(2A)–H(2A)···Br(2)^#} in 3 have formed H‐bonded dimers. Similarly, the interactions between molecular units of complexes 2 and 4 have yielded 2D polymers. The polymerization occurs via intermolecular interactions between thione sulfur and imino hydrogen, {N(2)–H(2)···S(1)^#}, imino hydrogen and the iodine atom, {NH(1)···I(2)^#} in 2 and imino hydrogen – iodine atom {N(2A)–H(2A)···I(2)} and I···I interaction in 4 . Crystal data: [Zn(η¹‐S‐imdtH₂)₂(OAc)₂] ( 1 ), C₁₀H₁₈N₄O₄S₂Zn, orthorhombic, Pbcn, a = 9.3854(7) Å, b = 12.4647(10) Å, c = 13.2263(11) Å; V = 1547.3(2) ų, Z = 4, R = 0.0280 [Cd((η¹‐S‐imdtH₂)₂I₂] ( 2 ), C₆H₁₂CdI₂N₄S₂, orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 13.8487(10) Å, b = 14.4232(11) Å, c = 7.0659(5) Å; Z = 4, V = 1411.36(18) ų, R = 0.0186.