ZnO Nanoparticles as an Efficient,Heterogeneous, Reusable,and Ecofriendly Catalyst for One-Pot,Three-Component Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-(thio)one Derivatives in Water

An extremely efficient heterogeneous protocol is reported for the one-pot, three-component synthesis of a series of dihydropyrimidinones (DHPMs) in the presence of ZnO nanoparticles in water as a green solvent. The ZnO nanoparticles exhibited excellent catalytic activity and the proposed methodology is capable of providing the desired products in good yields (65–94%) within short reaction times. After the reaction course, ZnO nanoparticles can be recycled and reused without any apparent loss of activity, which makes this ecofriendly process cost-effective.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Herbicidal Activities of New 1,3,4‐Oxadiazoles, 1,3,4‐Thiadiazoles,and 1,2,4‐Triazoles Derivatives Bearing (R)‐5‐Chloro‐3‐fluoro‐2‐phenoxypyridine

Synthesis of some novel 1,2,4‐triazoles, 1,3,4‐oxadiazoles and 1,3,4‐thiadiazoles bearing a (R) 5‐(1‐(4‐(5‐chloro‐3‐fluoropyridin‐2‐yloxy)phenoxy)ethyl) unit, as a moiety of commercial herbicide, using their thiosemicarbazides in an alkaline, iodine and acidic media is reported, respectively. The structure of the synthesized compounds was characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopic data, and elemental analyses. The herbicidal activities of synthesized compounds were evaluated against Echinochloa cruss‐galli, Avena fatua, and Sorgum halepense weeds. Compounds 7 and 12a showed potential herbicidal activity against gramineous weeds. Our results may provide some guidance for synthesis development of some novel oxa or thiadiazole and triazole‐based herbicidal lead structures.     

Solid phase extraction of Cd(II) and Pb(II) using a magnetic metal-organic framework, and their determination by FAAS

We describe a novel magnetic metal-organic framework (MOF) for the preconcentration of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions. The MOF was prepared from the Fe₃O₄-pyridine conjugate and the copper(II) complex of trimesic acid. The MOF was characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, SEM and XRD. A Box-Behnken design through response surface methodology and experimental design was used to identify the optimal parameters for preconcentration. Extraction time, amount of magnetic MOF and pH value were found to be critical factors for uptake, while type, volume, concentration of eluent, and elution time are critical in the elution step. The ions were then determined by FAAS. The limits of detection are 0.2 and 1.1 μg?L^?1 for Cd(II), and Pb(II) ions, respectively, relative standard deviations are <4.5% (for five replicates at 50 μg?L^?1 of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions), and the enrichment capacity of the MOF is at around 190 mg?g^?1 for both ions which is higher than the conventional Fe3O4-pyridine material. The magnetic MOF was successfully applied to the rapid extraction of trace quantities of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions in fish, sediment, and water samples.

Simple and Efficient Procedure for the Synthesis of Novel 1,3-Diphenyl-2-azaphenalene Derivatives via One-Pot Multicomponent Reactions

A new, one-pot multicomponent reaction of two molecules of aromatic aldehydes with 2,7-naphthalenediol and ammonium hydrogen phosphate is described as an efficient and direct procedure for the preparation of novel 1,3-diphenyl-2-azaphenalene derivatives in a mixture of EtOH-H₂O (3:1) under reflux conditions.     

Structure and properties of NR/BR blend/clay nanocomposites prepared by the latex method

Rubber blend/clay nanocomposites based on the 50/50 (wt %) natural rubber/butadiene rubber was prepared by the latex method via mixing the latex of 50/50 NR/BR blend with different amounts of the aqueous sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) dispersion and co-coagulating the mixture. XRD and TEM were used to characterize structure of the nanocomposites. It was found that fully exfoliated structure could be obtained by this method only when the low loading of layered silicate (up to 5 phr) is used. With increasing the clay content, both non-exfoliated (stacked layers) and exfoliated structures can be observed simultaneously in the nanocomposites. Nanocomposites showed mechanical properties better than the clay-free volcanizate. Moreover, modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break and tear strength increased significantly by increasing the clay amount up to 5 phr and then remained almost constant by further increasing the clay content. Improvement in the mechanical properties by increasing the clay loading up to 5 phr was attributed to the nano-reinforcement effect of Na-MMT. TGA results indicated an improvement in the main decomposition temperature by increasing the clay amount.     

Stable aqueous dispersion of magnetic iron oxide core–shell nanoparticles prepared by biocompatible maleate polymers

A new method is applied to prepare stable aqueous dispersion of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) by biocompatible maleate polymers. Fe₃O₄ magnetic core–shell nanoparticles are obtained via forming an inclusion complex between carboxylic acid groups of maleated biocompatible polymers shell and Fe₃O₄ MNPs core surface. Maleate polymers are synthesized via esterification of poly(ethylene glycol), poly(vinyl alcohol) and starch with maleic anhydride (MA). The Fe₃O₄ magnetic core–shell nanoparticles are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. The obtained magnetic core–shell nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetic property and reveal long‐term aqueous stability. This work represents a valid methodology to produce highly stable aqueous dispersion of Fe₃O₄ MNPs ferrofluids which can be expected to have great potential as contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, the shell composition of biocompatible maleate polymers with double bond of MA as crosslinker agent allows the polymerization with other monomers to design preferred drug delivery systems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of europium(III) in environmental samples using a flow injection analysis system with on-line preconcentration and spectrophotometric detection

A simple and accurate flow injection analysis system coupled with spectrophotometric detector was developed for preconcentration and determination of europium(III) in aqueous samples. The developed flow system includes a europium preconcentration step in a column packed with Amberlite XAD-4 resin impregnated with nalidixic acid at pH 7.0. The europium complex was desorbed from the resin by 0.1 mol L^?1 HCl and mixed with arsenazo-III solution (0.05 % solution in 0.1 mol L^?1 HCl) and taken to the flow through cell of spectrophotometer where its absorbance was measured at 661 nm. The optimum preconcentration system, chemical and FIA variables were investigated. The preconcentration factors obtained were 115 and 500, detection limits of 0.43 and 0.1 μg L^?1, sample throughputs of 40 and 10 were obtained for preconcentration time of 60 and 300 s respectively. The proposed system showed good precision and accuracy with relative standard deviation of 1.5 %. The method has been applied to the determination of europium(III) in real water samples and certified reference material IAEA-SL-1 (Lake sediment).     

Solid‐based disperser liquid–liquid microextraction for the preconcentration of phthalate esters and di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) adipate followed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection or mass spectrometry

A new approach for the development of a dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by GC with flame ionization detection was proposed for the determination of phthalate esters and di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) adipate in aqueous samples. In the proposed method, solid and liquid phases were used as the disperser and extractant, respectively, providing a simple and fast mode for the extraction of the analytes into a small volume of an organic solvent. In this method, microliter levels of an extraction solvent was added onto a sugar cube and it was transferred into the aqueous phase containing the analytes. By manual shaking, the sugar was dissolved and the extractant was released into the aqueous phase as very tiny droplets to provide a cloudy solution. Under optimized conditions, the proposed method showed good precision (RSD less than 5.2%), high enrichment factors (266–556), and low LODs (0.09–0.25 μg/L). The method was successfully applied for the determination of the target analytes in different samples, and good recoveries (71–103%) were achieved for the spiked samples. No need for a disperser solvent and higher enrichment factors compared with conventional dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and low cost and short sample preparation time are other advantages of the method.     

Electron transfer reactions associated with ethyl viologen-β-cyclodextrin complexation: equilibrium and kinetic aspects

Formation of the complex of ethyl viologen in its cationic (Ev^+?) and neutral (Ev^°) forms with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was investigated by means of voltammetric technique in buffer solution of pH 7.00. The number of βCD (n or m) per viologen species (Ev^+?) or (Ev^°), bonding equilibrium constants as well as bonding rate constants was calculated. The calculated values of $K_{\text{eq}}^{(1)}$ and $K_{\text{eq}}^{ ( 2)}$ (pertaining to the bonding of Ev^+? and Ev^° with βCD) are 13.6 M^–n and 2.1 × 10³ M^?m , respectively, whereas the calculated values of n and m are 0.54 and 1.25, respectively. The bimolecular rate constant for the Ev^°?βCD inclusion complex formation is 3.03 × 10³ M^?1s^?1. These results are supported by the simulation of the experimental cyclic voltammograms. This study also highlights the significance of the proposed electrochemical method as compared to earlier studies on viologen-Cyclodextrin systems.     

Selenium Alleviates the Adverse Effect of Drought in Oilseed Crops Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) and Canola (Brassica napus L.)

Drought poses a serious threat to oilseed crops by lowering yield and crop failures under prolonged spells. A multi-year field investigation was conducted to enhance the drought tolerance in four genotypes of Camelina and canola by selenium (Se) application. The principal aim of the research was to optimize the crop yield by eliciting the physio-biochemical attributes by alleviating the adverse effects of drought stress. Both crops were cultivated under control (normal irrigation) and drought stress (skipping irrigation at stages i.e., vegetative and reproductive) conditions. Four different treatments of Se viz., seed priming with Se (75 μM), foliar application of Se (7.06 μM), foliar application of Se + Seed priming with Se (7.06 μM and 75 μM, respectively) and control (without Se), were implemented at the vegetative and reproductive stages of both crops. Sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃), an inorganic compound was used as Se sources for both seed priming and foliar application. Data regarding physiochemical, antioxidants, and yield components were recorded as response variables at crop maturity. Results indicated that WP, OP, TP, proline, TSS, TFAA, TPr, TS, total chlorophyll contents, osmoprotectant (GB, anthocyanin, TPC, and flavonoids), antioxidants (APX, SOD, POD, and CAT), and yield components (number of branches per plant, thousand seed weight, seed, and biological yields were significantly improved by foliar Se + priming Se in both crops under drought stress. Moreover, this treatment was also helpful in boosting yield attributes under irrigated (non-stress) conditions. Camelina genotypes responded better to Se application as seed priming and foliar spray than canola for both years. It has concluded that Se application (either foliar or priming) can potentially alleviate adverse effects of drought stress in camelina and canola by eliciting various physio-biochemicals attributes under drought stress. Furthermore, Se application was also helpful for crop health under irrigated condition.