Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)‐Coated MWCNTs Tethered to Conducting Substrates: Facile Electrochemistry and Enhanced Coloring Efficiency

Composite films of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)‐coated over functionalized multiwalled coiled and linear carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been fabricated by a simple oxidative electropolymerization route. The nanotubular morphology of the polymer–CNT composite is responsible for the lower charge transfer impedance, lower internal resistance, and superior capacitive response in comparison to that shown by the control PEDOT film doped by trifluoromethanesulfonate ions. This facile electrochemistry exhibited by the PEDOT–CNT composite film ensues in a remarkably high coloration efficiency of 367 cm² · C⁻¹ at 550 nm, hitherto unrealized for PEDOT; thus demonstrating the huge potential the PEDOT–CNT composite film has as cathode for the entire spectrum of electrochromic devices.

     

Conductometric and fluorometric investigations on the mixed micellar systems of cationic surfactants in aqueous media

Micellar properties of binary mixtures of hexadecyldiethylethanolammonium bromide surfactant with tetradecyldimethylammonium, trimethylammonium, triphenylphosphonium, diethylethanolammonium, and pyridinium bromide surfactants have been characterized employing conductometric and fluorescence techniques. The critical micelle concentration (cmc*) and the degree of counter-ion binding values (delta) of the binary systems were determined from the conductivity measurements. The results were analyzed in light of various existing theories to calculate micellar composition, activity coefficients, and the interaction parameter (beta). Partial contribution of each surfactant, cmc1*, cmc2*, to the overall cmc* value was also evaluated. Aggregation numbers and micropolarity of the mixed micelles were determined from fluorescence measurements. The results were discussed in terms of synergetic interactions in these systems on the basis of the head group/head group and tail/tail interactions and the counter-ion binding.     

Mixed alkali effect and optical properties of Ni2+ doped 20ZnO+xLi2O+(30-x)Na2O+50B2O3 glasses

Optical and physical properties of Ni2+ doped 20ZnO+xLi2O+(30-x)Na2O+50B2O3 (5≤x≤25) glasses are carried out at room temperature. Powder XRD pattern of all the glass samples confirms the amorphous nature. Several physical parameters are evaluated for all the glasses with respect to the composition. The optical absorption spectra confirm the site symmetry of the Ni2+ doped glasses are near octahedral. Crystal field and inter-electronic repulsion parameters are also evaluated. It is interesting to observe that the optical band gap and Urbach energies exhibit the mixed alkali effect. The FT-IR spectral investigations of Ni2+ doped glasses exhibit characteristic vibrations of BO3 and BO4 units.     

A new three-component reaction: green synthesis of novel isoindolo[2,1-a]quinazoline derivatives as potent inhibitors of TNF-α

Concurrent construction of five and six membered fused N-heretocyclic ring was achieved via a conceptually new three-component reaction affording 6,6a-dihydroisoindolo[2,1-a]quinazoline-5,11-diones as novel inhibitors of TNF-αin vitro. This represents one of the few examples of direct TNF-α inhibition by small molecules.     

Synthesis of New 2,4‐Diaryl‐6‐methyl‐5‐nitropyrimidines as Antibacterial and Antioxidant Agents

A new series of 2,4‐diaryl‐6‐methyl‐5‐nitropyrimidines ( 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g , 5h , 5i ) were synthesized in good yields by Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of 2,4‐dichloro‐6‐methyl‐5‐nitropyrimidine ( 3 ) with various aryl boronic esters ( 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i ) in the presence of 1,1′‐ bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene dichloropalladium(II) (Pd(dppf)₂Cl₂). Further, antibacterial and antioxidant properties were screened for the title compounds 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g , 5h , 5i . Most of the compounds possessed significant activity against Gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The antioxidant activity of the title compounds showed significant antioxidant activity when compared with vitamin C.     

Quantitative estimation of constituents in fly ash by lithium tetraborate fusion

Silica is removed from fly ash sample by hydroflourination for its effective determination gravimetrically and the remaining residue is subjected to lithium tetraborate (Li₂B₄O₇) fusion followed by dissolution in dilute nitric acid to obtain a clear solution in which elements including aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), have been determined by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS). Two fly ash samples analyzed by the proposed method have been received from the National Council of Cement and Building Materials (NCCBM), India (proposed CRM in future) and fly ash CRM 1633 (b) from NIST, USA. The validity of the method has been established by analyzing fly ash CRM 1633 (b) as reference standard. The standard deviation has been calculated for each measurement.     

Synthesis and Structure of Environmentally Relevant Perfluorinated Sulfonamides

Alkylated perfluorooctanesulfonamides are compounds of environmental concern. To make these compounds available for environmental and toxicological studies, a series of N-alkylated perfluorooctanesulfonamides and structurally related compounds were synthesized by reaction of the corresponding perfluoroalkanesulfonyl fluoride with a suitable primary or secondary amine. Perfluoroalkanesulfonamidoethanols were obtained from the N-alkyl perfluoroalkanesulfonamides either by direct alkylation with bromoethanol or alkylation with acetic acid 2-bromo-ethyl ester followed by hydrolysis of the acetate. N-Alkyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetates were synthesized in an analogous way by alkylation of N-alkyl perfluoroalkanesulfonamides with a bromo acetic acid ester, followed by basic ester hydrolysis. Alternatively, N-alkyl perfluoroalkanesulfonamides can be alkylated with an appropriate alcohol using the Mitsunobu reaction. Perfluorooctanesulfonamide was synthesized from the perfluorooctanesulfonyl fluoride via the azide by reduction with Zn/HCl. All perfluorooctanesulfonamides contained linear as well as branched C₈F₁₇ isomers, typically in a 10:1 to 30:1 ratio. The crystal structures of N-ethyl and N,N-diethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamide show that the S-N bond has considerable double bond character. This double bond character results in a significant rotational barrier around the S-N bond (ΔG^≠ = 62-71 kJ mol⁻¹) and a preferred solid state and solution conformation in which the N-alkyl groups are oriented opposite to the perfluorooctyl group to minimize steric crowding around the S-N bond.     

Regioselective synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles via three-component coupling of secondary alcohols, TMSN3 and alkynes

1,4-Disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles are obtained in excellent yields via a three-component coupling of secondary alcohols, alkynes and trimethylsilyl azide (TMSN₃). This one-pot reaction occurs through in situ generation of an azide from the alcohol and TMSN₃, followed by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the terminal alkyne to afford the corresponding disubstituted triazoles.     

Effect of sodium metasilicate on natural flotability of coal

The effect of the quantity of sodium metasilicate and conditioning time in one set of experiments, and the effect of the solution concentration of sodium metasilicate, added at the same dosage and conditioning time to coal slurry, on flotability of a typical Indian coal in another set of experiments are studied. Two sets of 3² full factorial experiments are carried out to assess the effects of the aforementioned variables. The generated data are analyzed quantitatively and explained qualitatively. At 0.1% (w/v) solution concentration of solution added (0.02 g/kg) and 8 min conditioning time, sodium metasilicate acted as activator for kaolinite, whereas at 1.0% (w/v) solution concentration (0.2 g/kg), it acted as dispersant. The best observed condition of depressant is obtained at an added concentration of 10.0% (w/v, 0.2 g/kg) and 8 min conditioning time. The desired effect of the sodium metasilicate can be achieved by controlling its quantity, solution concentration added, and conditioning time.