Synthesis,electrochemical and e.p.r. spectral studies of binuclear copper(II) complexes with new pentadentate L-proline-based binucleating ligands

The synthesis, reduction, optical and e.p.r. spectral properties of a series of new binuclear copper(II) complexes, containing bridging moieties (OH^–, MeCO₂ ^–, NO₂ ^–, and N₃ ^–), with new proline-based binuclear pentadentate Mannich base ligands is described. The ligands are: 2,6-bis[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]4-bromophenol [H₃L¹], 2,6-bis[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]4-t-butylphenol [H₃L²] and 2,6-bis[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]4-methoxyphenol [H₃L³]. The exogenous bridging complexes thus prepared were hydroxo: [Cu₂L¹(OH)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (1a), [Cu₂L²(OH)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (1b), [Cu₂L³(OH)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (1c), acetato [Cu₂L¹(OAc)] · H₂O (2a), [Cu₂L²(OAc)] · H₂O (2b), [Cu₂L³(OAc)] · H₂O (2c), nitrito [Cu₂L¹(NO₂)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (3a), [Cu₂L²(NO₂)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (3b), [Cu₂L³(NO₂)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (3c) and azido [Cu₂L¹(N₃)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (4a), [Cu₂L²(N₃)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (4b) and [Cu₂L³(N₃)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (4c). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and by spectroscopy. They exhibit resolved copper hyperfine e.p.r. spectra at room temperature, indicating the presence of weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the copper atoms. The strength of the antiferromagnetic coupling lies in the order: NO₂ N₃ OH OAc. Cyclic voltammetry revealed the presence of two redox couples Cu^IICu^II Cu^IICu^I Cu^ICu^I. The conproportionality constant K _con for the mixed valent Cu^IICu^I species for all the complexes have been determined electrochemically.     

Removal of cesium and strontium from acid solution using a composite of zirconium molybdate and zirconium tungstate

A composite mixture of zirconium molybdate and zirconium tungstate was prepared and studied for the sorption of cesium and strontium as a function of nitric acid, metal ion concentration, time and temperature. The distribution coefficient (K_d) of 7000 ml/g (~90% sorption) and 70 ml/g (~20% sorption) was obtained for the sorption of cesium and strontium in 0.1M nitric acid, respectively. Experimental sorption capacity, b for cesium was found to be 50 mg/g from 0.1M HNO₃ and 30 mg/g for strontium from 0.001M nitric acid. The sorption of strontium on the sorbent was accompanied by the absorption of heat but the sorption of Cs⁺ results in the liberation of heat. Column studies were conducted by following a breakthrough (BT) curve of cesium and strontium up to C/C₀=1 and the results are reported.     

Si6C18: A bispentalene derivative with two planar tetracoordinate carbons

Here we show that substituting the ten protons in the dianion of a bispentalene derivative (C₁₈H₁₀²⁻) by six Si²⁺ dications produces a minimum energy structure with two planar tetracoordinate carbons (ptC). In Si₆C₁₈, the ptCs are embedded in the terminal C₅ pentagonal rings and participate in a three-center, two-electron (3c-2e) Si-ptC-Si σ-bond. Our exploration of the potential energy surface identifies a triphenylene derivative as the putative global minimum. Nevertheless, robustness to Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD) simulations at 900 and 1500 K supports bispentalene derivative kinetic stability. Chemical bonding analysis reveals ten delocalized π-bonds, which, according to Hückel's 4n + 2 π-electron rule, would classify it as an aromatic system. Magnetically induced current density analysis reveals the presence of intense local paratropic currents and a weakly global diatropic current, the latter agreeing with the possible global aromatic character of this specie.     

Batch and dynamic extraction of uranium(VI) from nitric acid medium by commercial phosphinic acid resin,Tulsion CH-96

Batch and dynamic extractions of uranium(VI) in 10⁻³–10⁻²M concentrations in 3–4M nitric acid medium have been investigated using a commercially available phosphinic acid resin (Tulsion CH-96). The extraction of uranium(VI) has been studied as a function of time, batch factor (V/m), concentrations of nitric acid and uranium(VI) ion. Dual extraction mechanism unique to phosphinic acid resin has been established for the extraction of uranium(VI). Distribution coefficient (K _d ) of uranium(VI) initially decreases with increasing concentration of nitric acid, reaches a minimum value at 1.3M, followed by increases in K _d . A maximum K _d value of ∼2000 ml/g was obtained at 5.0M nitric acid. Batch extraction data has been fitted into the linearized Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The performance of the resin under dynamic extraction conditions was assessed by following the breakthrough behavior of the system. Effect of flow rate, concentrations of nitric acid and uranium ion in the feed on the breakthrough behavior of the system was studied and the data was fitted using Thomas model.     

A study in Crystal engineering: Solid-state photodimerization of chloro- and methyl-coumarins

Use of chloro and methyl substitution in crystal engineering and their interchangeability in terms of mode of packing have been examined in a series of substituted coumarins. Photoreactivity in the solid state lists been correlated with the crystallograhic structures of these coumarins. The packing of chloro-substituted aromatic compounds has been investigated by analysing the arrangement of 132 compounds. Results substantiate the use of the chloro group as a steering agent and show that the chloro and methyl groups are not always interchangeable.     

Direct observation of fluorescence narrower than the natural linewidth

Forty-MHz-wide fluorescence has been seen using the 80-MHz-wide 2852 Å transition of ²⁴Mg atoms in an atomic beam irradiated by a doubled cw dye laser.     

Single Step Fabrication of Chitosan Nanocrystals Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penaeus semisulcatus</Emphasis>: Potential as New Insecticides,Antimicrobials and Plant Growth Promoters

In this study, chitosan nanoparticles (CH-NPs) were synthesized using Penaeus semisulcatus shrimp shells and characterized using UV–Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy, as well as XRD and HR-TEM analyses. CH-NPs were investigated for growth inhibition properties against selected species of bacterial and fungal pathogens, showing performances higher or comparable over positive controls, respectively. Furthermore, CH-NPs were tested on three important mosquito vectors, achieving LC₅₀ from 12.27 to 14.62 µg/ml. In addition, CH-NPs were evaluated using in vitro plant tissue culture by rooting gel method, to enhance the vegetative growth of the medicinal plant species Sphaeranthus indicus. With the simple technique presented here, large-scale industrial production of CH-NPs is possible. They can be used to develop pesticides highly effective against mosquito vectors of high medical and veterinary importance, as well as for plant tissue culture and food packaging applications.     

Removal of complexed mercury by dithiocarbamate grafted on mesoporous silica

Mesoporous silica (MCM-41) with d ₍₁₀₀₎ interplanar distance of 38 Å was prepared by a room temperature process through low surfactant templation technique. The surface of MCM-41 was functionalized with dithiocarbamate (dtc) ligand, named as MCM-41-dtc and this was characterized by X-ray diffraction, BET surface area, particle size analysis, ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectra and sulphur analysis. The sorption of mercury from 0.1M HCl solution by MCM-41-dtc was studied as a function of pH, [Hg²⁺], time and temperature. The sorption data obtained at various initial concentrations of mercury were fitted into Langmuir adsorption model. Mercury speciation in solution and the sorption capacity measurements indicated possible formation of a 1 : 1 square planar complex in the solid phase. A very rapid sorption of mercury was observed in the initial stages of equilibration, which can be attributed to the large surface area, wide porosity and fine particle size of MCM-41-dtc, facilitating facile accessibility of mercury into the inner pores of the sorbent. The enthalpy change accompanied by the sorption of mercury was found to decrease from 83.7 to 6.2 kJ/mol, when the initial concentration of mercury was increased from 5^.10^-4M to 1.5^.10^-3M.     

Hydrogen bonding due to regioisomerism and its effect on the supramolecular architecture of diethyl 2‐[(2/4‐hydroxyanilino)methylidene]malonates

Diethyl 2‐[(2‐hydroxyanilino)methylidene]malonate, (I), and diethyl 2‐[(4‐hydroxyanilino)methylidene]malonate, (II), both C₁₄H₁₇NO₅, crystallize in centrosymmetric orthorhombic and monoclinic crystal systems, respectively. Compound (I) resides on a crystallographic mirror plane and displays bifurcated intramolecular hydrogen bonding, as well as intermolecular hydrogen bonding due to the position of the hydroxy group. Compound (II) has a single intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond. Infinite one‐dimensional head‐to‐tail chains formed by O—H...O hydrogen bonding are present in both structures. The molecular packing is mainly influenced by the intermolecular O—H...O interactions. Additionally, C—H...O interactions crosslinking the chains are found in (II).     

Thermochemical properties of some bis(trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)imide based room temperature ionic liquids

Cartilage thermoforming is an emerging surgical technology which uses heat to accelerate stress relaxation in mechanically deformed tissue specimens. Heat induced shape change in cartilage is associated with complex thermo-mechanical behavior of which the mechanisms are still a subject of debate. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to characterize the threshold temperatures and enthalpies in cartilage as a function of water content. The DSC identified two enthalpic events in porcine nasal septal cartilage, which depend on the water content. The change in the water content of cartilage impacts the interactions between matrix macromolecules and water molecules, which may be associated with a bound-free water transformation (reversible process) and a denaturation of cartilage (irreversible process).