Chemoselective O-tert-butoxycarbonylation of hydroxy compounds using NaLaTiO4 as a heterogeneous and reusable catalyst

A facile, efficient and chemoselective protocol for O-tert-butoxycarbonylation of various hydroxy compounds has been developed using NaLaTiO₄ (layered perovskite) as a novel catalyst. The catalyst showed remarkable activity and reusability affording high yields of the desired products under mild reaction conditions.     

Behavioural dynamics in the biological control of pests: role of silicon complexes

The complexes of silicon (IV) with Schiff base ligands (L₁H and L₂H of isatin derivatives) having a sulfur and oxygen donor system were prepared by the reactions in methanol environment. These were isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, molecular weight determinations and conductance measurements. On the basis of electronic, infrared, ¹H, ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR spectral studies, trigonal bipyramidal geometry was suggested for the resulting complexes. These data support preferential binding of sulfur and oxygen atom to the silicon atom. The disease resistance activities of the ligands and their corresponding complexes were examined successfully in in vitro and in vivo experiments, against pathogenic fungi and bacteria. Results were quite encouraging and these were compared with the standard pesticides Bavistin and Streptomycin. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mathematical modeling and performance analysis of combed yarn production system: Based on few data

The paper describes the availability of combed sliver production system, a part of yarn production plant. The units under study are specialized single purpose machines. Performance analysis of the system is carried out to identify the key factors. The optimum value of ‘r’, where ‘r’ represent the number of repairman to repair the twelve carding machines (r ? 12), is calculated to maximizing the steady state availability of the system. The problem is formulated using probability consideration and supplementary variable technique. Probability considerations at various stages give differential-difference equations, which are solved using Lagrange method to obtain the state probabilities. The numerical analysis carried out helps in increasing the production rate by controlling the factors affecting the system i.e. availability optimization.     

Synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridine esters using low-melting sugar mixtures as green solvents

Several low-melting sugar mixtures (LMMs) were synthesized and used for preparation of 1,4-dihydropyridines with aldehydes, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, and a nitrogen source as starting materials. Good yields, low reaction times, recyclability of LMMs, and catalyst-free methodology are some of the highlights of this new protocol.     

Purification and characterization of zinc alpha2-glycoprotein-prolactin inducible protein complex from human seminal plasma

Zinc alpha2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is present at high concentration in human seminal plasma, and considered as soluble homologue of MHC-I. ZAG is a well-known biomarker for prostate and breast carcinomas. We have purified a naturally occurring complex of ZAG with Prolactin inducible protein (PIP), which is also a well-known biomarker for the same. The ZAG-PIP complex has been isolated and purified by simple chromatographic techniques in a reproducible two-step process, using ion exchange and gel-permeation chromatography and subsequently identified by MS. The complex between ZAG and PIP is formed by non-covalent interactions. The purity and molecular mass was determined by SDS-PAGE, which shows the bands corresponding to 40 kDa and 14 kDa, which were also confirmed by MALDI-TOF. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments also showed hydrodynamic radii corresponding to 54, 40 and 14 kDa for ZAG-PIP complex, ZAG and PIP respectively. The concentration dependent aggregation of this complex has also been observed. Fluorescence analysis reveals that complexes have similar binding affinities as native ZAG, for their proposed ligands like arachidonic acid, polyethylene glycol and synthetic peptide. This is the first report on purification and characterization of a naturally occurring complex of ZAG-PIP in human seminal fluid.     

A facile and efficient multicomponent ultrasound-assisted “on water” synthesis of benzodiazepine ring

Molecular Diversity - A facile and efficient multicomponent synthesis of benzodiazepine ring in water under ultrasound irradiation is reported first time. The current procedure escapes traditional...     

Syntheses,characterization, powder X‐ray diffraction analysis and antibacterial and antioxidant activities of triphenylantimony(V) heteroleptic derivatives containing substituted oximes and morpholine dithiocarbamate

Triphenylantimony(V) heteroleptic derivatives containing substituted oximes and morpholine dithiocarbamate of the type Ph₃Sb[R(R′)C:NO]₂[S₂CN(CH₂CH₂)₂O] (where R = ─C₆H₅, R′ = ─CH₃ (I); R = ─C₆H₄CH₃, R′ = ─CH₃ (II); R = ─C₆H₄Cl, R′ = ─CH₃ (III); R = ─C₆H₄Br, R′ = ─CH₃ (IV); R = ─C₆H₄OH, R′ = ─H (V); R(R′)C = CCH₂(CH₂)₃CH₂ (VI)) were synthesized by successive substitution reactions of triphenylantimony(V) dibromide with the sodium salt of substituted oximes and morpholine dithiocarbamate in unimolar ratio. All these newly synthesized derivatives were characterized using physicochemical and elemental analyses and tentative structures have been proposed on the basis of infrared, (¹H, ¹³C) NMR and liquid chromatography–mass spectra. Spectral data revealed that the oxime behaves in a monodentate manner whereas morpholine dithiocarbamate behaves in an anisobidentate manner and thus distorted octahedral geometry has been proposed for these derivatives. Nanometric particle size (ca 25 nm) and monoclinic crystal system have been determined using power X‐ray diffraction data of two representative derivatives. Furthermore, these newly synthesized derivatives were screened against two bacteria, Bacillus subtilis (Gram‐positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram‐negative), to evaluate their antibacterial potential. Derivative VI exhibited maximum zone of inhibition (30 mm) against E. coli. Additionally two derivatives (I and II) were tested for their antioxidant potential, with derivative II exhibiting higher antioxidant potential (233 μM g^?1). Structure–activity relationships were also investigated.     

Calculation of radon diffusion coefficient and diffusion length for different building construction materials

The diffusion of radon in dwellings is a process determined by the radon concentration gradient across the building material structure between the radon source and the surrounding air, and can be a significant contributor to indoor radon inflow. Radon can originate from the deeply buried deposit beneath homes and can migrate to the surface of earth. Radon emanates to the surfaces mainly by diffusion processes from the point of origin following α-decay of ²²⁶Ra in underground soil and building materials used, in the construction of floors, walls, and ceilings. In the present study radon diffusion through some building materials viz. coarse sand and stone dust of different grain size has been carried out using LR-115 type II solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs). The radon diffusion coefficients and diffusion lengths through these building construction materials have been calculated. The effect of grain size on radon diffusion through these building materials shows the decrease in radon diffusion with decrease in grain size.     

Understanding the role of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide in the preparation of selenium nanoparticles: a spectroscopic approach

In this work, we report the size tunable synthesis of selenium (Se) nanoparticles with an average particle size ~16 nm by using hydrazine hydrate as the reducing agent. The solution of selenium dioxide was taken as the precursor and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) a cationic surfactant, which helps in providing sufficient stabilization to the Se nanoparticles. The synthesized Se nanoparticles were characterized by the UV–vis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopic techniques, which demonstrated high stability of Se nanoparticles in aqueous media. The particle sizes estimated from the band gap values using effective mass approximation (EMA) agreed fairly well with those calculated from the XRD measurements. The concentration effects of Se and CTAB on the particle size have also been examined. The capping ability of the CTAB has been quantitatively evaluated from FTIR studies.     

Syntheses and structures of two new lithium-heptamolybdates

The synthesis, crystal structures, IR, UV–vis, ⁷Li NMR spectra, electrochemical investigations, and conductivity studies of two new lithium-heptamolybdates, (NH₄)₄[Li₂(H₂O)₇][Mo₇O₂₄]·H₂O (1) and (NH₄)₃[Li₃(H₂O)₄(μ₆-Mo₇O₂₄)]·2H₂O (2), are reported. In 1 the (NH₄)⁺ and [Li₂(H₂O)₇]²⁺, cations are charge balanced by the heptamolybdate anion. In 2, the [Mo₇O₂₄]^6? anion is coordinated to three unique Li⁺ ions via a μ₆-hexadentate-binding mode resulting in the formation of a two-dimensional (2-D) [Li₃(H₂O)₄(μ₆-Mo₇O₂₄)]^3? anionic complex, charge neutralized by three (NH₄)⁺ ions. The cations, anions, and the lattice water molecules in 1 and 2 are linked by weak H-bonding interactions.