Synthesis and characterization of some α-naphthyl selenium/tellurium derivatives: X-ray crystal structure of benzyl-1-naphthyl selenide and diphenylmethyl-1-naphthyl selenide

A large number of α-naphthyl selenium and tellurium compounds (1-14) have been prepared through two different methods. The first method involves the alkylation of sodium 1-naphthylselenolate/tellurolate, generated in situ using hydrazine hydrate as reducing agent while the second method involves the reaction of in situ generated α-naphthylseleno/telluromagnesium bromide with an appropriate electrophile. The synthesized alkyl-1-naphthyl selenides/tellurides and some α,ω-bis(1-naphthylseleno)alkanes have been characterized with the help of elemental analysis and using various spectroscopic techniques viz., NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ⁷⁷Se and ¹²⁵Te), IR, UV/vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (only in few representative cases). Interpretation of ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectra and assignment of individual resonances for tris(1-naphthylseleno)methane have been done with the help of [¹H-¹H] and [¹H-¹³C] correlation spectroscopy (COSY). X-ray crystallographic results and molecular geometry of benzyl-1-naphthyl selenide, 2 and diphenylmethyl-1-naphthyl selenide, 3 have also been illustrated.     

Microwave-Assisted Graft Copolymerization of Cellulosic Fibers for Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Aqueous Solution

Functional materials obtained from cellulosic biofibers have gained attention due to the growing demand for them in the field of wastewater remediation. In view of the technological significance of functionalized cellulosic biofibers in wastewater treatment, the present study is a green approach to functionalized cellulosic fibers through graft copolymerization under microwave irradiation. The grafted cellulosic polymers were subsequently subjected to heavy metal ion adsorption studies in order to assess their application in wastewater remediation. The effects of pH, contact time, temperature, and metal ion concentration were studied in batchwise adsorption experiments. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Tempkin models were used to show the adsorption isotherms. The maximum monolayer capacities, q _m. calculated using the Langmuir isotherm for Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ were found to be 37.79, 69.68, and 96.81 mg/g respectively. The thermodynamic parameter ΔH° and ΔG° values for metal ion adsorption on functionalized cellulosic fibers showed that adsorption process was spontaneous as well as exothermic in nature.     

Tunable Surface Wrinkling by a Bio-Inspired Polyamine Anion Coacervation Process that Mediates the Assembly of Polyoxometalate Nanoclusters

A bio-inspired method is used to render controlled wrinkling surface patterns on supramolecular architectures assembled from polyoxometalate (POM) clusters. It involves a polyamine-multivalent anion interaction generating positively charged coacervates, which while dictating the assembly of POM into spherical structures further facilitate an interesting surface morphogenesis with wrinkling patterns. This spontaneous surface wrinkling depends on the type of multivalent anion and the pH. As the polyamine-anion interaction becomes stronger, the wrinkles turn denser with lesser depth, which eventually undergoes post-buckling to engender a complex surface pattern. Interestingly, the order of influence exerted by different anions on the morphology follows the Hofmeister series. Moreover, the mild synthesis conditions keep the functional POM units dispersed in the sphere with a structural transformability to their lacunary form.     

An Efficient Halogen‐Free Electrolyte for Use in Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries

Unlocking the full potential of rechargeable magnesium batteries has been partially hindered by the reliance on chloride‐based complex systems. Despite the high anodic stability of these electrolytes, they are corrosive toward metallic battery components, which reduce their practical electrochemical window. Following on our new design concept involving boron cluster anions, monocarborane CB₁₁H₁₂^? produced the first halogen‐free, simple‐type Mg salt that is compatible with Mg metal and displays an oxidative stability surpassing that of ether solvents. Owing to its inertness and non‐corrosive nature, the Mg(CB₁₁H₁₂)₂/tetraglyme (MMC/G4) electrolyte system permits standardized methods of high‐voltage cathode testing that uses a typical coin cell. This achievement is a turning point in the research and development of Mg electrolytes that has deep implications on realizing practical rechargeable Mg batteries.     

A naked-eye selective detection of cyanide ion: studies on the effect of chromophores and spacers on ditopic receptors

A series of novel thiourea based receptors (1-12) with different signaling units and spacers have been synthesized for the detection of cyanide ion. Among these receptors, 4,4'-bis-[3-(4-cyanophenyl)thiourea]diphenyl sulfide 6 and 4,4'-bis-[3-(3-cyanophenyl)thiourea]diphenyl sulfide 9 exhibited selective detection of cyanide by the naked-eye as well as by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Furthermore, the chemosensor is insensitive to the presence of other environmentally relevant anions. The chromogenic transformation permits the detection of cyanide (TBA(+) and K(+) salts) in the natural environment.     

Comparison of Planar and 3‐D Interdigitated Electrodes as Electrochemical Impedance Biosensors

It has been reported that the introduction of a dielectric barrier between adjacent digits of an interdigitated electrode array can improve the sensitivity of the array as an electrochemical impedance biosensor. Here we present an in‐depth analysis of the impedance in planar interdigitated electrodes and 3‐D interdigitated electrodes (with dielectric barriers). The analysis indicates that the planar geometry not only provides lower impedance but also a higher change impedance as a result of molecular immobilization on the electrode array surface.     

Synthesis of succinimidyl-(S)-naproxen ester and its application for indirect enantioresolution of penicillamine by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Synthesis of N-succinimidyl-(S)-2-(6-methoxynaphth-2-yl) propionate was carried out by the reaction of (S)-naproxen with N-hydroxysuccinimide in the presence of dicyclohexyl carbodiimide. It was characterized and was used as a chiral derivatizing reagent, under mild conditions, to form diastereomers of dl-penicillamine which were resolved by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using triethyl ammonium phosphate buffer (pH 4.0, 5mM)-acetonitrile (linear gradient (30min) of acetonitrile from 30 to 70%). Excellent separation was achieved with gradient mobile phase. The detection limit was at pmol level.     

Enantioselective enolate protonation in sulfa-Michael addition to α-substituted N-acryloyloxazolidin-2-ones with bifunctional organocatalyst

Organocatalytic conjugate addition of thiols to α-substituted N-acryloyloxazolidin-2-ones followed by asymmetric protonation has been studied in the presence of cinchona alkaloid derived thioureas. Both of the enantiomers are accessible with the same level of enantioselectivity using pseudoenantiomeric quinine/quinidine derived catalysts. The addition/protonation products have been converted to useful biologically active molecules.     

Structure and magnetic properties of the Al1−xGaxFeO3 family of oxides: A combined experimental and theoretical study

Magnetic properties of the Al_1−xGa_xFeO₃ family of oxides crystallizing in a non-centrosymmetric space group have been investigated in detail along with structural aspects by employing X-ray and neutron diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy and other techniques. The study has revealed the occurrence of several interesting features related to unit cell parameters, site disorder and ionic size. Using first-principles density functional theory based calculations, we have attempted to understand how magnetic ordering and related properties in these oxides depend sensitively on disorder at the cation site. The origin and tendency of cations to disorder and the associated properties are traced to the local structure and ionic sizes.