Dielectric properties of CaCu3Ti4O12–silicone resin composites

CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (CCTO)–silicone resin composites with various CCTO volume fractions were prepared. Relatively high dielectric constant (ε=119) and low loss (tanδ=0.35) of the composites with CCTO volume fraction of 0.9 were observed. Two theoretical models were employed to predict the dielectric constant of these composites; the dielectric constant obtained via the Maxwell–Garnett model was in close agreement with the experimental data. The dielectric constant of CCTO–silicone resin composites showed a weak frequency dependence at the measuring frequency range and the loss tangent apparently decreases with increase in frequency.     

Synthesis and characterization of 4,4′‐dihydroxy‐α‐methylstilbene crystal

4,4′‐dihydroxy‐α‐methylstilbene (DHAMS) was synthesized by condensation reaction with chloroacetone and phenol in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid, and has been successfully grown by solution growth technique. This is the first report in the literature on the crystallization of DHAMS and exhibited the birefringent melt (liquid crystal property) of the optical properties. FTIR and FTNMR studies are in accordance with the structure. Good quality crystals were grown by slow evaporation technique by acetone as solvent. A transmission spectrum of the crystal was obtained in the region of 285 nm. The structural and optical properties were studied. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal Engineering of Stable Temozolomide Cocrystals

The antitumor prodrug temozolomide (TMZ) decomposes in aqueous medium of pH≥7 but is relatively stable under acidic conditions. Pure TMZ is obtained as a white powder but turns pink and then brown, which is indicative of chemical degradation. Pharmaceutical cocrystals of TMZ were engineered with safe coformers such as oxalic acid, succinic acid, salicylic acid, d,l ‐malic acid, and d,l ‐tartaric acid, to stabilize the drug as a cocrystal. All cocrystals were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), single crystal X‐ray diffraction, and FT‐IR as well as FT‐Raman spectroscopy. Temozolomide cocrystals with organic acids (pK_a 2–6) were found to be more stable than the reference drug under physiological conditions. The half‐life (T_1/2) of TMZ–oxalic and TMZ–salicylic acid measured by UV/Vis spectroscopy in pH 7 buffer is two times longer than that of TMZ (3.5 h and 3.6 h vs. 1.7 h); TMZ–succinic acid, TMZ–tartaric acid, and TMZ–malic acid also exhibited a longer half‐life (2.3, 2.5, and 2.8 h, respectively). Stability studies at 40 °C and 75 % relative humidity (ICH conditions) showed that hydrolytic degradation of temozolomide in the solid state started after one week, as determined by PXRD, whereas its cocrystals with succinic acid and oxalic acid were intact at 28 weeks, thus confirming the greater stability of cocrystals compared to the reference drug. The intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) profile of TMZ–oxalic acid and TMZ–succinic acid cocrystals in buffer of pH 7 is comparable to that of temozolomide. Among the temozolomide cocrystals examined, those with succinic acid and oxalic acid exhibited both an improved stability and a comparable dissolution rate to the reference drug.     

Imino-phenolic-pyridyl conjugates of calix[4]arene (L1 and L2) as primary fluorescence switch-on sensors for Zn2+ in solution and in HeLa cells and the recognition of pyrophosphate and ATP by [ZnL2

Pyridyl-based triazole-linked calix[4]arene conjugates, viz. L(1) and L(2), were synthesized and characterized. These two conjugates were shown to be selective and sensitive for Zn(2+) among the 12 metal ions studied in HEPES buffer medium by fluorescence, absorption, and visual color change with the detection limit of ~31 and ~112 ppb, respectively, by L(1) and L(2). Moreover, the utility of the conjugates L(1) and L(2) in showing the zinc recognition in live cells has also been demonstrated using HeLa cells as monitored by fluorescence imaging. The zinc complexes of L(1) and L(2) were isolated, and the structure of [ZnL(1)] has been established by single-crystal XRD and that of [ZnL(2)] by DFT calculations. TDDFT calculations were performed in order to demonstrate the electronic properties of receptors and their zinc complexes. The isolated zinc complexes, viz. [ZnL(1)] and [ZnL(2)], have been used as molecular tools for the recognition of anions on the basis of their binding affinities toward Zn(2+). [ZnL(2)] was found to be sensitive and selective toward phosphate-bearing ions and molecules and in particular to pyrophosphate (PPi) and ATP among the other 18 anions studied; however, [ZnL(1)] was not sensitive toward any of the anions studied. The selectivity has been shown on the basis of the changes observed in the emission and absorption spectral studies through the removal of Zn(2+) from [ZnL(2)] by PPi. Thus, [ZnL(2)] has been shown to detect PPi up to 278 ± 10 ppb at pH 7.4 in aqueous methanolic (1/2 v/v) HEPES buffer.     

Copolymerization of 2-Hydtoxypropyl Methacrylate with Alkyl Methacrylates

2-Hydroxypropyl methacrylate (2 HPMA) has been copolym-erized with ethyl methacrylate (EMA), n-butyl methacrylate (BMA), and 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (EHMA) in bulk at 60°C using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The copolymer composition has been determined from the hydroxyl content. The reactivity ratios have been calculated by the YBR method. For copolymerization of 2-HPMA (M₁) with EMA (M₂), the reactivity ratios are: r₁=1.807 ± 0.032, r₂=0.245 ± 0.021; with BMA (M₂) they are r₁=2.378 ± 0.001, r₂=0.19 ± 0.01; and with EHMA the values are r₁=4.370 ± 0.048, r₂=0.103 ± 0.006. Since the reactivity ratios are the measure of distribution of monomer units in a copolymer chain, the values obtained are compared and discussed. This enables us to choose a suitable copolymer for synthesizing thermoset acrylic polymers, which are obtained from cross-linking of hydroxy functional groups of HPMA units, for specific end uses.     

Influence of pH and microwave calcination on the morphology of KGd(WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> particles derived by Pechini Sol–Gel method

KGd(WO₄)₂ (KGW) particles were synthesized at 3.5, 5.5 and 7.5 pH values by Pechini polymeric complex sol–gel method using potassium nitrate, gadolinium nitrate, ammonium paratungstate, citric acid and ethylene glycol as starting materials. Deionized water was used as solvent. Polymeric precursor gel was formed with citric acid as complexing agent and ethylene glycol as binder. Synthesized gel was analyzed by FT-IR spectroscopy. Prepared precursor gels were further annealed using resistive and microwave processes at 550 and 700 °C, respectively. The properties of heat treated samples were characterized by powder XRD, FT-IR, Raman and SEM analysis to understand the crystallinity, organic liberation, tungstate ribbon formation and surface morphology, respectively. The phase formation and different phases of intermediate oxides in pre-fired samples were investigated by powder XRD. Organic liberation in the samples in relation to temperature, and the carbon content in the pre-fired powder was analyzed using FT-IR spectrum. Raman spectrum reveals the formation of tungsten ribbons as well as the quality of the samples. The morphological changes at different synthesis conditions were observed with SEM micrographs.     

Green chemical multicomponent approach for the synthesis of C3-pyranopyrazole-substituted coumarins

An efficient and rapid method was developed for the synthesis of C3-pyranopyrazole-substituted coumarins from one-pot five-component reaction of β-keto ester, hydrazine, O-hydroxy aromatic aldehydes, 6-methyl, 4-hydroxy pyranone and aromatic aldehyde in the presence of tri-ethylamine in solvent-free conditions. The microwave-assisted method reported herein offers advantageous shorter reaction times, higher yields and cleaner reaction compared with conventional heating methods.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and optical properties of quasi-one-dimensional lead (II) iodide: C14H18N2Pb2I6

Quasi-one-dimensional lead (II) iodide compound, C₁₄H₁₈N₂Pb₂I₆, with unique crystal structure was synthesized and solved for the crystal structure. These novel inorganic-organic hybrids have high thermal stability of upto 300 °C and show excitonic and charge-transfer features in their optical properties. An attempt has been made to understand the structural and optical mechanisms between inorganic one-dimensional polymeric PbI nano ribbons and the guest organic moiety for future applications in nanoscaled electronic devices.     

Multi-level scheduling decisions in a class of FMS using simulation based metamodels

This paper pertains to a detailed simulation study conducted on a typical Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS). Initially, the configurations of the FMS under study have been established. Two types of FMSs have been evolved: one is failure free and the other is failure prone. For each of these cases, simulation models have been developed using SLAMSYSTEM. Orders arriving randomly at the FMS are subjected to three levels of scheduling decisions namely, launching of parts into the system, routing of parts through machines and sequencing of parts on AGVs at a central buffer. The simulation results have been used to develop metamodels for the two types of FMSs. These metamodels have been subjected to statistical analysis to ascertain their adequacy to represent the simulation models. These metamodels have been found to be useful for simulating the FMSs under study so as to evaluate various multi-level scheduling decisions in the FMS.