Direct Catalytic Conversion of Ethanol to C5+ Ketones: Role of Pd–Zn Alloy on Catalytic Activity and Stability

Ethanol can be used as a platform molecule for synthesizing valuable chemicals and fuel precursors. Direct synthesis of C₅₊ ketones, building blocks for lubricants and hydrocarbon fuels, from ethanol was achieved over a stable Pd-promoted ZnO-ZrO₂ catalyst. The sequence of reaction steps involved in the C₅₊ ketone formation from ethanol was determined. The key reaction steps were found to be the in situ generation of the acetone intermediate and the cross-aldol condensation between the reaction intermediates acetaldehyde and acetone. The formation of a Pd–Zn alloy in situ was identified to be the critical factor in maintaining high yield to the C₅₊ ketones and the stability of the catalyst. A yield of >70 % to C₅₊ ketones was achieved over a 0.1 % Pd-ZnO-ZrO₂ mixed oxide catalyst, and the catalyst was demonstrated to be stable beyond 2000 hours on stream without any catalyst deactivation.     

Vibrational analysis of 4-amino pyrazolo (3,4-d) pyrimidine A joint FTIR, Laser Raman and scaled quantum mechanical studies

The FTIR and Laser Raman spectra of 4-amino pyrazolo (3,4-d) pyrimidine have been measured in the regions 4000–400 cm⁻¹ and 3500–100 cm⁻¹, respectively. Utilizing the observed FTIR and Laser Raman data, a complete vibrational assignment and analysis of the fundamental modes of the title compound were carried out. The vibrational frequency which were determined experimentally are compared with those theoretically from force field calculation based on ab initio HF/6−311+G**(d,p) and standard B3LYP/6−311+G**(d,p) methods and basis set combinations for optimized geometries. The observed FTIR and Laser Raman vibrational frequencies were analysed and compared with the theoretically predicted vibrational frequencies. The assignments of bands to various normal modes of the molecules were also carried out. A detailed interpretation of the infrared and Raman spectra of 4-amino pyrazolo (3,4-d) pyrimidine [4AP(3,4-D)P] is also reported based on total energy distribution (TED). The calculated HOMO and LUMO energies shows that charge transfer occur within the molecule. The theoretical FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra for the title molecule have also been constructed.     

Growth and characterization of organic material 2-methylamino-5-chlorobenzophenone single crystal by modified vertical Bridgman technique

The organic material 2-methylamino-5-chlorobenzophenone single crystal has been grown by modified vertical Bridgman technique using the single wall ampoule with nano translation. The grown crystal was confirmed by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analyses. Fourier transform infrared analysis was used to identify the functional groups present in the grown crystal. High resolution X-ray diffraction studies show the crystalline perfection of the grown crystal. The optical property of the grown crystal was analyzed by UV-vis-NIR and photoluminescence spectral studies. The thermal behavior of the grown crystal was analyzed by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses. The dielectric measurements of the grown crystal were carried out with different frequencies and temperatures and the results indicate an increase in dielectric and conductivity parameters with the increase of temperature at all frequencies. The microhardness measurements were performed to analyze the mechanical property of the grown crystal.     

Effect of tetrabutylammonium iodide content on PVDF-PMMA polymer blend electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells

The influence of tetrabutylammonium iodide on the polyvinylidene fluoride-poly(methyl methacrylate)-ethylene carbonate (PVDF-PMMA-EC)-I₂ polymer blend electrolytes was investigated and optimized for use in a dye-sensitized solar cell. The different weight ratios (50, 60, 70, and 80 %) of tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI)-added PVDF-PMMA-EC-I₂ polymer electrolytes were prepared. The prepared solid polymer blend electrolytes were characterized by using various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The FT-IR spectra revealed the interaction among all composition of polymer electrolytes. The influence of TBAI salt on the ionic conductivity of polymer electrolytes was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The polymer electrolyte containing 60 % of TBAI in PVDF-PMMA-EC-I₂ showed the highest room temperature conductivity of 5.10?×?10^?3 S cm^?1. The fabricated DSSC using PVDF-PMMA-EC-I₂ polymer electrolytes with 60 % of TBAI showed the best performance with a short-circuit current density of 8.0 mA cm^?2, open-circuit voltage of 0.66 V, fill factor of 0.65, and the overall power conversion efficiency of 3.45 % under an illumination of 100 mW cm^?2. Hence, the weight content of organic iodide salt in polymer electrolytes influences the overall performance of dye-sensitized solar cells.     

Convenient Electrochemical Method for the Synthesis of α-Bromo Alkyl Aryl Ketones

An electrochemical procedure for the effective α-bromination of alkyl aryl ketones in excellent yield has been reported. The simple experimental procedure, catalyst-free conversion, and excellent yield of monobrominated products are the advantages of this method.     

One-Pot Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydropyridin-2-one via Michael Addition of in situ–Generated Enaminones

Herein we have reported a facile solvent-, catalyst-, and aldehyde-free, one-pot synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyridin-2-one from 1,3-diones using simple and mild reaction conditions. The substrate scope has been also extended to β-ketoesters.

[Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Synthetic Communications® for the following free supplemental resource: Full experimental and spectral details.]     

Effect of N(4)-phenyl substitution in 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde semicarbazones on the structure, DNA/protein interaction, and antioxidative and cytotoxic activity of Cu(II) complexes

A new ligand, 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde semicarbazone (OQsc-H) (1);, its N(4)-phenyl derivative (OQsc-Ph) (2); and their corresponding copper(II) complexes [CuCl(2)(OQsc-H)]·H(2)O·CH(3)OH (3), [CuCl(2)(OQsc-Ph)(H(2)O)]·CH(3)OH (4), and [CuNO(3)(OQsc-Ph)(H(2)O)]NO(3)·H(2)O·C(2)H(5)OH (5) have been synthesized and characterized by structural, analytical, and spectral methods, in order to investigate the influence of N(4)-phenyl substitution on structure and pharmacological properties. In all of the complexes, the ligands coordinated to the Cu(II) ion in a neutral fashion via ONO donor atoms. The single-crystal X-ray structures of neutral complex (3) and cationic complex (5) exhibit a slightly distorted square-pyramidal structure, while neutral complex (4) revealed an octahedral structure. The interaction of the compounds with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been explored by absorption and emission titration methods, which revealed that compounds 1-5 could interact with CT-DNA through intercalation. A gel electrophoresis pictogram demonstrated the ability of the complexes (3-5) to cleave the pBR322 plasmid DNA through a hydrolytic process. The interactions of the compounds with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were also investigated using UV-visible, fluorescence, and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopic methods. The results indicated that all of the compounds could quench the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA in a static quenching process. Investigations of antioxidative properties showed that all of the compounds have strong radical scavenging potencies against hydroxyl radicals, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals, nitric oxide, and superoxide anion radicals. Further, the cytotoxic effect of the compounds examined on cancerous cell lines such as human cervical cancer cells (HeLa), human laryngeal epithelial carcinoma cells (HEp-2), human liver carcinoma cells (Hep G2), human skin cancer cells (A431), and noncancerous NIH 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts cell lines showed that all three complexes exhibited substantial cytotoxic activity. Further, all of the pharmacological investigations support the fact that there exists a strong influence of N(4)-phenyl substitution in semicarbazone.