Testing catalytic activity of ruthenium(III) acetylacetonate in the presence of trialkylphosphite or trialkylphosphine in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride

Catalytic activity of Ru(acac)₃ in the presence of different phosphorus compounds (P(OMe)₃, P(OPh)₃, PPh₃ and dppe) was investigated for the first time in the hydrolysis of NaBH₄. Phosphorus compound, usually known as poison in catalysis, is involved in the formation of a species which has higher catalytic activity in comparison with Ru(acac)₃ alone. Varying the phosphorus compound affects the catalytic activity and lifetime of the catalyst as well as the kinetics and the activation parameters of the hydrolysis of NaBH₄. For all of the phosphorus compounds, the hydrogen generation was found to be zero-order with respect to the substrate concentration and first-order regarding the catalyst concentration. The catalyst system with P(OMe)₃ shows the highest catalytic activity and provides the largest total turnover number (TTON = 20,700 over 72 h) in the hydrolysis of NaBH₄. The highest activation energy and enthalpy values were obtained for the catalyst with dppe (E_a = 59 ± 2, ΔH^# = 60 ± 2 kJ/mol) while the lowest values were found for the catalyst system with PPh₃ (E_a = 46 ± 2, ΔH^# = 43 ± 1 kJ/mol).     

Is it homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysis derived from [RhCp*Cl2]2? In operando XAFS, kinetic, and crucial kinetic poisoning evidence for subnanometer Rh4 cluster-based benzene hydrogenation catalysis

Determining the true, kinetically dominant catalytically active species, in the classic benzene hydrogenation system pioneered by Maitlis and co-workers 34 years ago starting with [RhCp*Cl(2)](2) (Cp* = [η(5)-C(5)(CH(3))(5)]), has proven to be one of the most challenging case studies in the quest to distinguish single-metal-based "homogeneous" from polymetallic, "heterogeneous" catalysis. The reason, this study will show, is the previous failure to use the proper combination of: (i) in operando spectroscopy to determine the dominant form(s) of the precatalyst's mass under catalysis (i.e., operating) conditions, and then crucially also (ii) the previous lack of the necessary kinetic studies, catalysis being a "wholly kinetic phenomenon" as J. Halpern long ago noted. An important contribution from this study will be to reveal the power of quantitiative kinetic poisoning experiments for distinguishing single-metal, or in the present case subnanometer Rh(4) cluster-based catalysis, from larger, polymetallic Rh(0)(n) nanoparticle catalysis, at least under favorable conditions. The combined in operando X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy and kinetic evidence provide a compelling case for Rh(4)-based, with average stoichiometry "Rh(4)Cp*(2.4)Cl(4)H(c)", benzene hydrogenation catalysis in 2-propanol with added Et(3)N and at 100 °C and 50 atm initial H(2) pressure. The results also reveal, however, that if even ca. 1.4% of the total soluble Rh(0)(n) had formed nanoparticles, then those Rh(0)(n) nanoparticles would have been able to account for all the observed benzene hydrogenation catalytic rate (using commercial, ca. 2 nm, polyethyleneglycol-dodecylether hydrosol stabilized Rh(0)(n) nanoparticles as a model system). The results--especially the poisoning methodology developed and employed--are of significant, broader interest since determining the nature of the true catalyst continues to be a central, often vexing issue in any and all catalytic reactions. The results are also of fundamental interest in that they add to a growing body of evidence indicating that certain, appropriately ligated, coordinatively unsaturated, subnanometer M(4) transition-metal clusters can be relatively robust catalysts. Also demonstrated herein is that Rh(4) clusters are poisoned by Hg(0), demonstrating for the first time that the classic Hg(0) poisoning test of "homogeneous" vs "heterogeneous" catalysts cannot distinguish Rh(4)-based subnanometer catalysts from Rh(0)(n) nanoparticle catalysts, at least for the present examples of these two specific, Rh-based catalysts.     

Zinc oxide films prepared by sol–gel spin coating technique

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films and micro- and nanostructures are very promising candidates for novel applications in emerging thin-film transistors, solar cells, sensors and optoelectronic devices. In this paper, a low-cost sol–gel spin coating technique was used to fabricate ZnO films on glass substrates. The sol–gel fabrication process of the ZnO films is described. The influence of precursor concentration on the material properties of the ZnO films was investigated. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffractometry were employed to examine the structural properties of the ZnO films. The optical properties of the ZnO films were characterized with ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The experimental results reveal that the precursor concentration in the sol–gel spin coating process exerts a strong influence on the properties of the ZnO films. The effects of the precursor concentration are discussed.     

Proton MR spectroscopy features of normal appearing white matter in neurofibromatosis type 1

To determine whether differences exist between neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients with or without focal lesions and healthy normal volunteers in the metabolite ratios of normal appearing white matter, 27 patients with NF1 (with parenchymal lesion, MR positive, n: 17; without parenchymal lesions, MR negative, n: 10) and 20 healthy volunteers underwent MRI and short TE (31 ms) proton MR spectroscopy (MRS). In 17 patients with parenchymal lesions, 61 focal lesions were detected by MRI. MRS was performed from normal appearing frontal and posterior parietal white matter (FWM and PWM) in NF1 and from control groups. NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and MI/Cr ratios were calculated. Significant increase in Cho/Cr and MI/Cr ratios were found in FWM and PWM in MR negative and positive groups when compared to control group. NAA/Cr ratio in MR positive group was significantly decreased in FWM compared to control group. There were no significant differences between FWM and PWM in all metabolite ratios of MR negative group. MI/Cr ratio in MR positive group was significantly elevated in PWM compared to FWM. Metabolite changes detected by MRS could indicate demyelination and gliosis in normal appearing white matter in all NF1 patients, and additionally neuroaxonal damage in the FWM of NF1 patients with focal lesions. For that reason, in the clinical evaluation and follow-up of these patients MRS features of normal appearing white matter should be considered in addition to focal lesions.     

Study of reverse micelles of di-isobutyl-phenoxy-ethoxy-ethyl-dimethyl-benzyl ammonium methacrylate in benzene by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

(1)H NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate the aggregation of the surfactant di-isobutyl-phenoxy-ethoxy-ethyl-dimethyl-benzyl ammonium methacrylate (Hyamine-M) in benzene. Adding water makes swollen reverse micelles (microemulsion droplets). The droplets also contain cadmium ions and the sodium salt of the methacrylic acid. The critical micelle concentration of Hyamine-M was determined by NMR to be 3.95 mM under the current conditions. Two-dimensional NMR NOESY spectra were used to study the conformation of the surfactant in the micelle and the spatial localization of water and counterions. We found that the surfactant molecules are folded with both phenyl fragments oriented toward the micelle exterior and the oxyethylene and NCH(3) groups in the micelle core. The water molecules and counterions are distributed around the surfactant polar groups in the micelle interior and penetrate up to both aromatic rings. The investigated system can be further utilized as a microemulsion matrix for the synthesis of cadmium-containing semiconductor nanocrystals, eventually capped with a polymer shell, or of polymer nanoparticles.     

Growth kinetics of CdSe nanoparticles synthesized in reverse micelles using bis(trimethylsilyl) selenium precursor

We first focus on the kinetics of nanoparticle growth in a microemulsion synthesis of CdSe semiconductor nanocrystals. The process consists of a fast initial stage of typical time constant of the order of 10³ s followed by a slow stage of time constant of the order of 10⁴s. Growth proceeds similarly to that described for the hot-matrix synthesis of CdSe, underlining the generality of the two-stage growth mechanism, irrespective of the matrix type and synthesis conditions. However, the time constant of each stage in the microemulsion synthesis is much larger than in the hot-matrix one. Also, the ratio between the fast and slow time constant is appreciably bigger. We also prove that larger size reverse micelles, obtained by increasing the water:surfactant ratio, generally lead to larger CdSe nanoparticles. Bis(trimethylsilyl) selenium is the crucial precursor for the CdSe nanoparticle synthesis. An intermediate stage of the chemical reaction limiting the bis(trimethylsilyl) selenium production is described theoretically.      

Natural Product-Based Potential Therapeutic Interventions of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a disease-refractive lung condition with an increased rate of mortality. The potential factors causing PF include viral infections, radiation exposure, and toxic airborne chemicals. Idiopathic PF (IPF) is related to pneumonia affecting the elderly and is characterized by recurring scar formation in the lungs. An impaired wound healing process, defined by the dysregulated aggregation of extracellular matrix components, triggers fibrotic scar formation in the lungs. The potential pathogenesis includes oxidative stress, altered cell signaling, inflammation, etc. Nintedanib and pirfenidone have been approved with a conditional endorsement for the management of IPF. In addition, natural product-based treatment strategies have shown promising results in treating PF. In this study, we reviewed the recently published literature and discussed the potential uses of natural products, classified into three types—isolated active compounds, crude extracts of plants, and traditional medicine, consisting of mixtures of different plant products—in treating PF. These natural products are promising in the treatment of PF via inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial mesenchymal transition, as well as affecting TGF-β-mediated cell signaling, etc. Based on the current review, we have revealed the signaling mechanisms of PF pathogenesis and the potential opportunities offered by natural product-based medicine in treating PF.     

Oxidation of o‐phenylenediamine to 2,3‐diaminophenazine in the presence of cubic ferrites MFe2O4 (M = Mn,Co, Ni,Zn) and the application in colorimetric detection of H2O2

Metal ferrites nanocrystallites, MFe₂O₄ (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Zn) were prepared by coprecipitation method and characterized by a combination of physico‐chemical and spectroscopic techniques. MFe₂O₄ nanoparticles having particle size in the range 10–35 nm were tested as catalysts in the oxidation of o‐phenylenediamine (OPD) to 2,3–diaminophenazine (DAP) using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant at room temperature. Kinetic data was collected for the catalytic oxidation of OPD to DAP by monitoring the UV–vis absorbance at 415 nm and fit well to the Michaelis–Menten model yielding kinetic parameters K_m (Michaelis–Menten constant) and V_max (maximum rate of reaction). MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles provide the highest catalytic activity in the oxidation of OPD to DAP at room temperature. A colorimetric method was developed based on the MnFe₂O₄/OPD system for the detection of H₂O₂ in reaction solution. The method has a detection limit of 30 μM for H₂O₂ and wide linear range.     

Rapid Hyperbranched Polythioether Synthesis Through Thiol-Michael Addition Reaction

In this study, two types of hyperbranched (HB) polythioether could readily be achieved in a short time at ambient temperature through a thiol-Michael addition reaction. Dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMADC) or methyl propiolate (A₂) and trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate) (B₃) monomers were reacted using an organobase 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) as a catalyst in chloroform at room temperature to provide subsequent HB polythioethers. The effect of TBD concentration on the polymerization was studied for the DMDAC case monitoring the molecular weight evolution against time. HB polythioethers were characterized using spectroscopic (nuclear magnetic resonance) and chromatographic (gel permeation chromatography with refractive index and light-scattering detectors) techniques. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 58, 824–830