Edge Capping of 2D‐MXene Sheets with Polyanionic Salts To Mitigate Oxidation in Aqueous Colloidal Suspensions

MXenes have shown promise in myriad applications, such as energy storage, catalysis, EMI shielding, among many others. However, MXene oxidation in aqueous colloidal suspensions when stored in water at ambient conditions remains a challenge. It is now shown that by simply capping the edges of individual MXene flakes, Ti₃C₂T_z and V₂CT_z, by polyanions such as polyphosphates, polysilicates or polyborates, it is possible to quite significantly reduce their propensity for oxidation even when held in aerated water for weeks. This breakthrough resulted from the realization that the edges of MXene sheets are positively charged. It is thus an example of selectively functionalizing the edges differently from the MXene sheet surfaces.     

Selenadiazolopyridine: a synthon for supramolecular assembly and complexes with metallophilic interactions

The synthesis and characterization of the complexes of Cu(I), Ag(I), Cu(II), and Co(II) ions with 1,2,5-selenadiazolopyridine (psd) is reported. The following complexes have been prepared: [Cu(2)(psd)(3)(CH(3)CN)(2)](2+)2(PF(6)(-)); [(CuCl)(2)(psd)(3)]; [Cu(2)(psd)(6)](2+)2(ClO(4))(-); [Ag(2)(psd)(2)](2+)2(NO(3))(-); [Ag(2)(psd)(2)](2+)2(CF(3)COO)(-); [Cu(psd)(2)(H(2)O)(3)](2+)2(ClO(4))(-)·(psd)(2); [Cu(psd)(4)(H(2)O)](2+)2(ClO(4))(-)·(CHCl(3)); [Cu(psd)(2)(H(2)O)(3)](2+)2(NO(3))(-)·(H(2)O)·(psd)(2), and [Co(psd)(2)(H(2)O)(4)](2+)2(ClO(4))(-)·(psd)(2). The electronic structure of ligand psd, in particular the bond order of Se-N bonds, has been probed by X-ray diffraction, (77)Se NMR, and computational studies. A detailed analysis of the crystal structures of the ligand and the complexes revealed interesting supramolecular assembly. The assembly was further facilitated by the presence of neutral ligands for some complexes (Cu(II) and Co(II)). The molecular structure of the ligand showed that it was present as a dimer in the solid state where the monomers were linked by strong secondary bonding Se···N interactions. The crystal structures of Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes revealed the dinuclear nature with characteristic metallophilic interactions [M···M] (M = Cu, Ag), while the Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes were mononuclear. The presence of M···M interactions has been further probed by Atoms in Molecules (AIM) calculations. The paramagnetic Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes have been characterized by UV-vis, ESI spectroscopy, and room temperature magnetic measurements.     

Modified Pyridine-Substituted Coumarins: A New Class of Antimicrobial and Antitubercular Agents

Some new biologically potent coumarin derivatives 7a–f, 8a–f, and 9a–f bearing modified pyridine moieties (indeno[1,2-b]pyridine, 4-azaphenanthrene and benzofuro [3,2-b]pyridine) at the sixth position were designed and synthesized. All the synthesized compounds were assayed for their antimicrobial efficiency against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. Most of the compounds showed appreciable antimicrobial activity against the tested strains. Compounds 8b, 8c, 9b, 9d, and 9f emerged as most proficient members of the series. The antitubercular activity for all the synthesized compounds was performed against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37R_v. Compounds 8f, 9b, and 9f exhibited promising antitubercular activity. Consequently, synthesized derivatives were found to be worthy of further investigation.     

Structural characterisation and thermo-physical properties of glasses in the Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>O–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–K<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system

This article aims to shed some light on the structure and thermo-physical properties of lithium disilicate glasses in the system Li₂O–SiO₂–Al₂O₃–K₂O. A glass with nominal composition 23Li₂O–77SiO₂ (mol%) (labelled as L₂₃S₇₇) and glasses containing Al₂O₃ and K₂O with SiO₂/Li₂O molar ratios (3.13–4.88) were produced by conventional melt-quenching technique in bulk and frit forms. The glass-ceramics (GCs) were obtained from nucleation and crystallisation of monolithic bulk glasses as well as via sintering and crystallisation of glass powder compacts. The structure of glasses as investigated by magic angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) depict the role of Al₂O₃ as glass network former with four-fold coordination, i.e., Al(IV) species while silicon exists predominantly as a mixture of Q ³ and Q ⁴ (Si) structural units. The qualitative as well as quantitative crystalline phase evolution in glasses was followed by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) adjoined with Rietveld-reference intensity ratio (R.I.R.) method, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The possible correlation amongst structural features of glasses, phase composition and thermo-physical properties of GCs has been discussed.     

Effect of sphere to rod transition on the probe microenvironment in sodium dodecyl sulphate micelles: A time resolved fluorescence anisotropy study

The effect of different hydrotropic salts on the microenvironment at the anionic head group region of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) micelle has been studied through time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurements of a solubilized probe, coumarin-153 (C153). The organic cations of the hydrotropic salts used in this study, i.e. aniline hydrochloride (AHC) and o-, m- and p-toluidine hydrochlorides (OTHC, MTHC and PTHC, respectively), differ in their charge to size ratio and hydrophobicity. Present study utilizes the sensitivity of the fluorescence technique to understand the changes in the micropolarity and microviscosity experienced by the fluorescent probe, C153, solubilized in the micellar Stern layer, on addition of different hydrotropic salts. Significant changes are observed in the rotational relaxation dynamics of the probe with increasing concentration of the salts. The changes in the rotational relaxation dynamics clearly reflect the sphere to rod transition in the SDS micelles and correspond nicely with the reported results from dynamic light scattering measurements. The growth behavior of SDS micelles is found to be sensitive to the hydrophobicity of the organic cations. The charge to size ratio of the organic cations also indicated to play a role in inducing the sphere to rod transition in the SDS micelles. The interesting observation made from this study is that the sphere to rod transition of SDS micelles is largely facilitated by the presence of the hydrotropic salts and such a transition is successfully indicated by the simple fluorescence anisotropy measurements of a probe in the micelle carried out in the presence of different hydrotropic salts.     

A Novel Synthesis and Characterization of Titanium Superoxide and its Application in Organic Oxidative Processes

A novel, exceptionally stable titanium superoxide radical ion was prepared and its structure determined by FTIR, ESR, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis and elemental analysis. This heterogeneous catalyst has been found to be effective for the selective oxidation of aromatic amines and phenols to the corresponding nitro aromatics and p-quinones, respectively. In addition, this non-toxic, inexpensive and reusable catalyst has also been used in aminobromination of olefins, which proceed to give the 1, 2-bromoaminated anti-Markovnikov product. A brief account of these results is summarized in this review.     

Self-assembled heterotrimeric collagen triple helices directed through electrostatic interactions

Collagen, a fibrous protein, is an essential structural component of all connective tissues such as cartilage, bones, ligaments, and skin. Type I collagen, the most abundant form, is a heterotrimer assembled from two identical alpha1 chains and one alpha2 chain. However, most synthetic systems have addressed homotrimeric triple helices. In this paper we examine the stability of several heterotrimeric collagen-like triple helices with an emphasis on electrostatic interactions between peptides. We synthesize seven 30 amino acid peptides with net charges ranging from -10 to +10. These peptides were mixed, and their ability to form heterotrimers was assessed. We successfully show the assembly of five different AAB heterotrimers and one ABC heterotrimer. The results from this study indicate that intermolecular electrostatic interactions can be utilized to direct heterotrimer formation. Furthermore, amino acids with poor stability in collagen triple helices can be "rescued" in heterotrimers containing amino acids with known high triple helical stability. This mechanism allows collagen triple helices to have greater chemical diversity than would otherwise be allowed.     

Critical Phenomena in the Clouding Behavior of Nonionic Surfactants Induced by Additives

Effects of anionic surfactants, hydrotropes, and electrolytes on the cloud point of Triton X-100 have been studied over six decades of additives concentrations. A comprehensive look at all the data reveals significant new learnings. While anionic surfactants and hydrotropes affect the cloud point of non-ionics at ultra low (monomeric) concentrations, electrolytes exhibit a minimum critical concentration above which they cast their effect. This suggests that the former work by modifying the surface charge of non-ionic micelles (i.e., by affecting the solute), whereas the latter work by modifying the properties of the bulk medium. Above their respective critical concentrations, salting-out electrolytes decrease the cloud point while salting-in electrolytes increase it, the trends being linear with additive concentration in either case. The magnitude of the effect of anionic surfactants and hydrotropes increases gradually with increasing concentration till their respective cmc's are reached and then there is a sharp rise in the cloud point. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.     

A Catalyst and Solvent Free Route for the Synthesis of N-Substituted Pyrrolidones from Levulinic Acid

An efficient, metal-free, catalyst-free and solvent-free methodology for the reductive amination of levulinic acid with different anilines has been developed using HBpin as the reducing reagent. This protocol offers an excellent method to avoid solvents and added catalysts on the synthesis of different kinds of N-substituted pyrrolidones under metal free conditions. It is also the first report for the synthesis of different pyrrolidones by solvent-free as well as catalyst-free methods. The proposed mechanism for the formation of pyrrolidone has been supported by DFT calculations and control experiments.     

IR and thermal studies on lithium oxomolybdenum(VI) oxalate

A new molybdenum(VI) complex, Li₂[Mo₂O₆(C₂O₄)] · 2 H₂O (LMO), was prepared and characterized by chemical analysis and IR spectral studies. Its thermal decomposition was studied by using TG and DTA techniques. LMO loses its two moles of water between 75 and 170° to give the anhydrous product, which decomposes in three stages between 240 and 380°. The first two stages occur in the temperature ranges 240–280° and 280–305°, to give intermediates with the tentative compositions Li₆[Mo₆O₁₉(C₂O₄)₂] and Li₆[Mo₆O₂₀(C₂O₄)], respectively. In the third stage, which extends up to 380°, Li₆[Mo₆O₂₀(C₂O₄)] decomposes to give the end-product, Li₂Mo₂O₇.

---

Zusammenfassung Ein neuer Molybdän(VI)-Komplex der Formel Li₂[Mo₂O₆(C₂O₄)] · 2 H₂O (LMO) wurde dargestellt und durch chemische Analyse und IR-spektroskopisch charakterisiert. Die thermische Zersetzung dieses Komplexes wurde mittels TG und DTA untersucht. LMO verliert die zwei Wassermoleküle zwischen 75 und 170° unter Bildung des wasserfreien Produktes, das zwischen 240 und 380° in drei Stufen zersetzt wird. Die in den Temperaturbereich von 240–280° und 280–305° verlaufenden ersten zwei Reaktionsschritte ergeben Intermediäre der tentativen Zusammensetzung Li₆[Mo₆O₁₉(C₂O₄)₂] bzw. Li₆[Mo₆O₂₀(C₂O₄)]. In dem sich bis 380° erstreckenden dritten Reaktionsschritt wird Li₆[Mo₆O₂₀(C₂O₄)] unter Bildung des Endproduktes Li₂Mo₂O₇ zersetzt.

---

Li₂[MO₂O₆(C₂O₄] · 2 ₂ . . - 70–170° , , 240–380°. 240–280° 280–305° - Li₆[Mo₆O₁₉(C₂O₄)₂] Li₆[Mo₆O₂₀(C₂O₄)]. - 380° Li₂Mo₂O₇.

---

---

The authors are grateful to Prof. S. N. Tandon, Head of the Chemistry Department, for providing the research facilities.