Synthesis,structure, optical and magnetic properties of [CrL(X)3], {L = 4′-(2-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine; X = Cl,N3, NCS}

Three complexes of composition [CrL(X)₃], where L = 4′-(2-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine and X = Cl⁻, N₃⁻, NCS⁻ are synthesized. They are characterized by IR, UV–Vis, fluorescence, EPR spectroscopic, and X-ray crystallographic studies. Structural studies reveal that the Cr(III) ion is coordinated by three N atoms of L in a meridional fashion. The three anions occupy the other three coordination sites completing the mer-N₃Cl₃ (1) and mer-N₃N₃ (2 and 3), distorted octahedral geometry. The Cr–N2 has a shorter length than the Cr–N1 and Cr–N3 distances and the order Cr–N(NCS⁻) < Cr–N(N₃⁻) < Cr–Cl is observed. They exhibit some of the d–d transitions in the visible and intra-ligand transitions in the UV regions. The lowest energy d–d transition follows the trend [CrLCl₃] < [CrL(N₃)₃] < [CrL(NCS)₃] consistent with the spectrochemical series. In DMF, they exhibit fluorescence having π → π^∗ character. All the complexes show a rhombic splitting as well as zero-field splitting (zfs) in X-band EPR spectra at 77 K.     

Proton-induced dynamic equilibrium between cyclometalated ruthenium rNHC (remote N-heterocyclic carbene) tautomers with an NAD+/NADH function

Cyclometalated ruthenium(II) complexes having acridine moieties have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. Protonation of the acridine nitrogen of the ruthenium(II) complexes not only causes dynamic equilibrium with remote N-heterocyclic carbene Ru═C complexes but also generates the NAD(+)/NADH redox function driven by a proton-coupled two-electron transfer accompanying a reversible C-H bond formation in the pyridinium ring.     

Multiple periodic solutions for system of first-order differential equation

Sufficient conditions have been obtained for the existence of at least two non-negative periodic solutions to a system of first-order nonlinear functional differential equations. Applications to some ecological models are given.     

Studies on the valence electronic structure of Fe and Ni in Fe x Ni1−x alloys

K _β-to-K _α X-ray intensity ratios of Fe and Ni in pure metals and in Fe _x Ni_1−x alloys (x=0.20, 0.50, 0.58) exhibiting similar crystalline structure have been measured following excitation by 59.54 keV γ-rays from a ²⁴¹Am point source, to understand as to why the properties of permalloy Fe_0.2Ni_0.8 is distinct from other alloy compositions. It is observed that the valence electronic structure of Fe_0.2Ni_0.8 alloy is totally different from other alloys which may be attributed to its special magnetic properties.     

Cu(NO3)2.3H2O-mediated synthesis of 4'-(2-pyridyl)-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine (L2) from N-(2-pyridylmethyl)pyridine-2-methylketimine (L1). A C-C bond-forming reaction and the structure of {[Cu(L2)(OH)(NO3)][Cu(L2)(NO3)2]}.2H2O

N-(2-Pyridylmethyl)pyridine-2-methylketimine (L1) was synthesized from equimolar quantities of (2-pyridyl)methylamine and 2-acetylpyridine. Methanolic solution of L1 reacted readily with Cu(NO3)2.3H2O in air, affording green solid of composition {[Cu(L2)(OH)(NO3)][Cu(L2)(NO3)2]}.2H2O, where L2 is 4'-(2-pyridyl)-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine. Oxidation of the active methylene group of L1 to an imide and then condensation with 2-acetylpyridine involving a C-C bond-forming reaction, mediated by a Cu2+ ion, are the essential steps involved in the conversion of L1 to L2. L2 is isolated by extrusion of Cu2+ with EDTA(2-). The copper center in [Cu(L2)(OH)(NO3)] has a mer-N3O3 environment, and that in [Cu(L2)(NO3)2] has a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry. Two H2O molecules held by C-H...O interactions are present in the predominantly hydrophobic channels of approximate cavity dimension 7.60 x 6.50 A created by aromatic rings through pi-pi interactions.     

Microwave‐assisted extraction and rapid isolation of ursolic acid from the leaves of Eucalyptus × hybrida Maiden and its quantification using HPLC‐diode array technique

Ursolic acid (UA) is the most important bioactive phytoconstituent of Eucalyptus × hybrida Maiden leaves and exhibits anticancer, antimutagenic, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidative, and antiprotozoal activities. In this study, microwave‐assisted extraction technique was employed for rapid isolation of UA from the leaves of Eucalyptus × hybrida and simultaneously HPLC‐diode array method was developed for the quantification of UA. Effects of several experimental parameters on the extraction efficiencies of UA, such as type and volume of extraction solvents, microwave power and extraction time, were evaluated. The optimal extraction conditions were found to be 20 mL of a mixture of chloroform/methanol, 60:40; liquid‐to‐material ratio, 4:1; preleaching time, 10 min; microwave power, 600 W; temperature, 50°C; and microwave irradiation time, 5 min. Under the optimum conditions, the yield of UA was found to be 1.95 ± 0.08% in the dry leaves of Eucalyptus × hybrida. The results showed that microwave‐assisted extraction is a more rapid extraction method with higher yield and lower solvent consumptions than the conventional method. It is a faster, convenient, and appropriate method and it may be used for rapid isolation and quantification of UA and other important phytoconstituents present in the leaves of Eucalyptus × hybrida.     

Photo- and electrochemical redox behavior of cyclometalated Ru(II) complexes having a 3-phenylbenzo[b][1,6]naphthyridine ligand

Cyclometalated Ru(II) complexes having a 3-phenylbenzo[b][1,6]naphthyridine (phbn) ligand have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The photo- and electrochemical redox behavior of the complexes are demonstrated. Complex [Ru(phbn)(bpy)(2)]PF(6) ([1]PF(6)) readily undergoes proton coupled two electron reduction by chemical, electrochemical, and photochemical methods to generate [Ru(phbnHH)(bpy)(2)]PF(6) ([1HH]PF(6)). The photochemical oxidation of [1HH]PF(6) was also observed in presence of p-chloranil.     

Antimicrobial Activity of MgB2 Powders Produced via Reactive Liquid Infiltration Method

We report for the first time on the antimicrobial activity of MgB₂ powders produced via the Reactive Liquid Infiltration (RLI) process. Samples with MgB₂ wt.% ranging from 2% to 99% were obtained and characterized, observing different levels of grain aggregation and of impurity phases. Their antimicrobial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC BAA 1026, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. A general correlation is observed between the antibacterial activity and the MgB₂ wt.%, but the sample microstructure also appears to be very important. RLI-MgB₂ powders show better performances compared to commercial powders against microbial strains in the planktonic form, and their activity against biofilms is also very similar.