Mono- and dinuclear Pd(II) complexes of different salicylaldimine ligands as catalysts of transfer hydrogenation of nitrobenzene with cyclohexene and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions

In this study, the synthesis, spectroscopic, catalytic, and electrochemical properties of salicylaldimine Schiff-base ligands (L_n) and their dinuclear Pd(II) complexes for L₁ and L₂ ligands with mononuclear Pd(II) complexes for L₃ and L₄ ligands were investigated. The ligands and their mono- or dinuclear Pd(II) complexes were characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR and elemental analysis, as well as through magnetic susceptibility and spectroelectrochemical techniques. The catalytic studies showed that the introduction of tert butyl groups on the salicyl ring of the molecules increased the catalytic activity towards hydrogenation of nitrobenzene and cyclohexene in DMF at 25 and 45 °C. It was also observed that the steric hindered mono- and dinuclear Pd(II) complexes were thermally stable complexes and were not sensitive to air or the moisture. The complexes were easily prepared from cheap materials that could be used as versatile and efficient catalysts for different C-C coupling reactions (Suzuki-Miyaura reactions).     

Two-dimensional supramolecular networks generated from weak AgCpy interactions: Synthesis, structural, thermal and fluorescence studies of silver(I) complexes of 5,5-diethylbarbiturato with pyridine-2-ylmethanol and 2,6-dimethoxypyridine

Two new silver(I) complexes [Ag(barb)(pym)]·H₂O (1) and [Ag(barb)(dmpy)]·1.5H₂O (2) (barb = 5,5-diethylbarbiturate, pym = pyridine-2-ylmethanol and dmpy = 2,6-dimethoxypyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In both complexes, the silver(I) ions are linearly coordinated by the N atoms of a barb anion and a pym or a dmpy ligand, forming mononuclear species. The molecules of 1 and 2 are doubly bridged by N–HO hydrogen bonds involving the barb moieties and these hydrogen-bonded dimers are assembled into two-dimensional layered networks through weak AgC_py (η¹) interactions of ca. 3.3 Å. Additionally, the thermal and fluorescent properties of these complexes are also investigated.     

An approach for analysing transportation costs and a case study

One of the important parameters in the determination of optimal transportation system is economy. Therefore, a realistic method based on the technical, economical and operational parameters of various transportation modes, namely, road, railway, and sea routes is required in the analysis of costs. This method will take into consideration the probable price escalations during the lifetime of a certain transportation system. The cost of a unit of cargo or passenger per route length should be considered since it is an indicator of economics. In this paper, an approach for transportation cost analysis based on the economic analysis of the alternative modes of cargo or passenger transportation, is presented.     

An approach for prediction of the elasto-plastic behavior of particulate reinforced composites

A numerical approach is presented in this paper for the calculation of the elasto-plastic deformation behavior of particulate reinforced composites. The effect of shape and arrangement of particulate on the elastic modulus and tensile deformation behavior were estimated. The approach presented can consider the shape and arrangement effect of reinforcement particulate via a simple parameter called the geometrical factor (Gf). Elastic moduli and tensile deformation estimations for the particulate reinforced composites were studied. The results of proposed approach were in very good agreement with the results of finite element analysis.     

Proton T1 and T2 relaxivities of serum proteins

In the present study, T(1) and T(2) of phantoms containing serum sets with varying amounts of proteins, serum samples with certain amounts of proteins, serum diluted by distilled water, and serum treated with iron were measured. In addition, T(1) and T(2) of phantoms containing normal serum, diluted serum, and albumin-doped serum were also measured. Relaxation rates were plotted versus protein concentrations. The slope of relation was taken as relaxivity. The T(1) relaxivities of proteins were ranged from 0.035 to 0.080 s(-1)(g/dl)(-1), whereas T(2) relaxivities were ranged from 0.24 to 0.68 s(-1)(g/dl)(-1). The T(1) and T(2) relaxivities of transferrin iron were 2.40 and 2.60 mM(-1)s(-1), respectively. The contributions of diamagnetic proteins and transferrin iron to the relaxation rate of serum were also calculated for each of diluted serum, normal and albumin-doped serum. The contributions and the average TP relaxivities(calculated by using individual relaxivities and the ratios of protein fractions in TP) were used for TP calculations. The agreement between the calculated TP and TP by autoanalyzer and also the agreement between average TP relaxivities and the TP relaxivities determined from dilution experiments show that the data of relaxivities are reliable. The results suggest that individual protein relaxivities explain the influence of serum TP composition on T(1) and T(2) relaxation times.     

Nanofusion: mesoporous zeolites made easy

A new path to zeolites: Nanofusion is a template-free, one-step process that gives mesoporous zeolite beta with tunable mesopore diameters in very short reaction times. The hierarchical materials are built from zeolite beta nanocrystals in concentrated gels. The nanocrystals can either be retrieved as individual particles in a colloidal suspension or are directly fused into mesoporous zeolitic materials (see scheme).     

Heterotermetallic indium lithium halostannates: low-temperature single-source precursors for tin-rich indium tin oxides and their application for thin-film transistors

The syntheses and structural elucidation of dimeric [Sn(OCyHex)(2)] (1), its corresponding (cyclohexoxy)alkalistannates(II) [{M(OCyHex)(3)Sn}(2)] (M = Li (2), Na (3), K (4)), and of the first heteroleptic heterotermetallic Li/In/Sn-haloalkoxide clusters [X(2)In{LiSn(2)(OCyHex)(6)}] (X = Br (5), Cl (6)) with a double seco-norcubane core are reported. They represent suitable precursors for new amorphous indium tin oxide (ITO) materials as transparent conducting oxides with drastically reduced concentrations of expensive indium, while maintaining their high electrical performance. In fact, compounds 5 and 6 were successfully degraded under dry synthetic air at relatively low temperature, resulting in new semiconducting tin-rich ITOs homogeneously dispersed in a tin oxide/lithium oxide matrix. The obtained particles were investigated and characterised by different analytical techniques, such as powder XRD, IR spectroscopy, SEM, TEM and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The analytical data confirm that the final materials consist of tin-containing indium oxide embedded in an amorphous tin oxide matrix. The typical broadening and shift of the observed indium oxide reflections to higher 2θ values in the powder XRD pattern clearly indicated that tin centres were successfully incorporated into the In(2)O(3) lattice and partially occupied In(3+) sites. Investigations by EDX mapping proved that Sn was homogeneously distributed in the final materials. Thin-film field-effect transistors (FETs) were fabricated by spin-coating of silicon wafers with solutions of 5 in toluene and subsequent calcination under dry air (25-700?°C). The FETs prepared with precursor 5 exhibited excellent performances, as shown by a charge-carrier mobility of 6.36×10(-1) cm(2) V(-1) s (calcination at 250?°C) and an on/off current ratio of 10(6).     

Heterotermetallic Indium Lithium Halostannates: Low‐Temperature Single‐Source Precursors for Tin‐Rich Indium Tin Oxides and Their Application for Thin‐Film Transistors

The syntheses and structural elucidation of dimeric [Sn(OCyHex)₂] ( 1 ), its corresponding (cyclohexoxy)alkalistannates(II) [{M(OCyHex)₃Sn}₂] (M=Li ( 2 ), Na ( 3 ), K ( 4 )), and of the first heteroleptic heterotermetallic Li/In/Sn–haloalkoxide clusters [X₂In{LiSn₂(OCyHex)₆}] (X=Br ( 5 ), Cl ( 6 )) with a double seco‐norcubane core are reported. They represent suitable precursors for new amorphous indium tin oxide (ITO) materials as transparent conducting oxides with drastically reduced concentrations of expensive indium, while maintaining their high electrical performance. In fact, compounds 5 and 6 were successfully degraded under dry synthetic air at relatively low temperature, resulting in new semiconducting tin‐rich ITOs homogeneously dispersed in a tin oxide/lithium oxide matrix. The obtained particles were investigated and characterised by different analytical techniques, such as powder XRD, IR spectroscopy, SEM, TEM and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). The analytical data confirm that the final materials consist of tin‐containing indium oxide embedded in an amorphous tin oxide matrix. The typical broadening and shift of the observed indium oxide reflections to higher 2θ values in the powder XRD pattern clearly indicated that tin centres were successfully incorporated into the In₂O₃ lattice and partially occupied In³⁺ sites. Investigations by EDX mapping proved that Sn was homogeneously distributed in the final materials. Thin‐film field‐effect transistors (FETs) were fabricated by spin‐coating of silicon wafers with solutions of 5 in toluene and subsequent calcination under dry air (25–700 °C). The FETs prepared with precursor 5 exhibited excellent performances, as shown by a charge‐carrier mobility of 6.36×10^?1 cm² V^?1 s (calcination at 250 °C) and an on/off current ratio of 10⁶.     

Immobilization of novel the semicarbazone derivatives of calix[4]arene onto magnetite nanoparticles for removal of Cr(VI) ion

A series of novel the semicarbazone derivatives of calix[4]arene have been synthesized and then immobilized onto amino functionalized magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were prepared by the chemical co-precipitation of Fe(III) and Fe(II) ions and the nanoparticles were modified directly by 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (APTES) to introduce reactive amine groups onto the particles’ surface. The characterization of the prepared compounds was made by FT-IR, elemental analysis, TGA/DTG and NMR techniques. The sorption properties of the new calix[4]arene based magnetic sorbents toward Cr(VI) ion were also studied. The results showed that the prepared magnetic nanoparticles were effective sorbents for the removal of Cr(VI) ion. Also, Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied for Cr(VI) ion sorption by using MN-C2 and it was found that the experimental data confirmed to Langmiur isotherm model.     

Synthesis of new water-soluble phosphonate calixazacrowns and their use as drug solubilizing agents

This study presents the selective chloromethylation of calix[4](aza)crown ethers 2a–c, using chloromethyl n-octyl ether and SnCl₄ in chloroform at room temperature in good yield for the first time. Chloromethylated products 2a–c are used as key intermediates to synthesize new water-soluble p-phosphonato calix[4](aza)crown ethers 5a–c. Liquid–liquid phase extraction and phase solubility studies with poor water soluble drug molecules such as nifedipine, niclosamide and furosemide are performed to evaluate their binding properties. Among the studied drugs, furosemide was the most effectively dissolved drug by p-phosphonato calix[4](aza)crown ethers 5a–c in water.