Green synthesis and antibacterial effects of aqueous colloidal solutions of silver nanoparticles using clove eugenol

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using clove extract (CE). Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) revealed the morphology of the metallic Ag nanoparticles obtained via the clove extract synthesis (Ag NPs‐CE), which had a uniform distribution and average sizes varying from 10 nm to 100 nm. Fourier transform infra‐red (FTIR) spectroscopy showed that clove eugenol acts as a capping and reducing agent being adsorbed on the surface of Ag NPs‐CE, enabling their reduction from Ag⁺ and preventing their agglomeration. Formation of the Ag⁰ structure is also confirmed in the FTIR spectrum by the presence in the Ag NPs‐CE sample of the –C=O and –C=C vibrations at wavenumbers 1600 and 2915 cm^‐1, respectively. Antibacterial and antifungal tests using three strains of bacteria and one fungi strain showed that the Ag NPs‐CE performed better compared to pure clove extract (CE) sample.     

Photoluminescence of green nanophosphors Sr2MgSi2O7 doped with Tb3+ under 374-nm excitation

A series of Sr₂MgSi₂O₇:Tb³⁺ nanophosphors is prepared using a high-temperature solid-state reaction. The x-ray diffraction patterns show that the crystal structure of the sample is not significantly affected by Tb³⁺ ions. However, the images of the scanning electron microscope illustrate that the average size of nanoparticles becomes larger with the increase of Tb³⁺ concentration. Unlike earlier investigations on down-conversion emission of Tb³⁺ ion excited by deep ultraviolet light, in this work, the photoluminescence characteristics of Sr₂MgSi₂O₇ nanophosphors doped with different Tb³⁺ concentrations are analyzed under 374-nm excitations. The intense green emission at 545 nm is observed at an optimal doping concentration of 1.6 mol%. The main reason for the concentration quenching is due to the electric dipole-electric dipole interaction among Tb³⁺ ions.     

Advances in the Synthesis of Ring-Fused Benzimidazoles and Imidazobenzimidazoles

This review article provides a perspective on the synthesis of alicyclic and heterocyclic ring-fused benzimidazoles, imidazo[4,5-f]benzimidazoles, and imidazo[5,4-f]benzimidazoles. These heterocycles have a plethora of biological activities with the iminoquinone and quinone derivatives displaying potent bioreductive antitumor activity. Synthesis is categorized according to the cyclization reaction and mechanisms are detailed. Nitrobenzene reduction, cyclization of aryl amidines, lactams and isothiocyanates are described. Protocols include condensation, cross-dehydrogenative coupling with transition metal catalysis, annulation onto benzimidazole, often using CuI-catalysis, and radical cyclization with homolytic aromatic substitution. Many oxidative transformations are under metal-free conditions, including using thermal, photochemical, and electrochemical methods. Syntheses of diazole analogues of mitomycin C derivatives are described. Traditional oxidations of o-(cycloamino)anilines using peroxides in acid via the t-amino effect remain popular.     

Green Synthesis of new Trizole Based Heterocyclic Amino Acids Ligands and their Transition Metal Complexes. Characterization,Kinetics, Antimicrobial and Docking Studies

Two novel amino acids imine ligands (H₂L₁ and H₂L₂) have been synthesized using green condensation reaction from 2‐[3‐Amino‐5‐(2‐hydroxy‐phenyl)‐5‐methyl‐1,5‐dihydro‐[1, 2, 4]triazol‐4‐yl]‐3‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐propionic acid with benzaldehyde/p‐flouro benzaldehyde (1:1 molar ratio) in the presence of lemon juice as a natural acidic catalyst in aqueous medium. Their transition metal complexes have been prepared in a molar ratio (1:1). Characterization of the ligands and complexes using elemental analysis, spectroscopic studies, ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR, and thermal analysis has been reported. E*, ΔH*, ΔS* and ΔG* thermodynamic parameters, were calculated to throw more light on the nature of changes accompanying the thermal decomposition process of these complexes. The molar conductance measurement of metal complexes showed nonelectrolyte behavior. The metal complexes of the two ligands have tetrahedral geometry with a general molecular structure [M(H₂L)X_n], where [(M = Mn (II), Co (II), Cu (II) and Zn (II), X = Cl, n = 2]; M = VO (II), X = SO₄, n = 1] for H₂L₁. [M = Co (II), Cu (II), Zn (II)] for H₂L₂. Antibacterial activity of the complexes against (Bacillis subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli), also antifungal activity against (Aspergillus niger, Candida Glabarta, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) have been screened. The results showed that all complexes have antimicrobial activity higher than free ligands. Molecular docking studies results showed that, all the synthesized compounds having minimum binding energy and have good affinity toward the active pocket, thus, they may be considered as good inhibitor of targeting PDB code: 1SC7 (Human DNA Topo‐isomerase I).     

Euphorbia polygonifolia extract assisted biosynthesis of Fe3O4@CuO nanoparticles: Applications in the removal of metronidazole,ciprofloxacin and cephalexin antibiotics from aqueous solutions under UV irradiation

In this study, a new, economical and green method was reported for synthesizing Fe₃O₄@CuO nanoparticles without adding any surfactants using Euphorbia polygonifolia extract as a renewable, mild and safe reducing agent and effective stabilizer. The green synthesized NPs were analyzed by various methods such as XRD, FESEM, FT-IR, EDS, VSM, UV–visible, DRS, BET and TGA-DTA. Based on the BET analysis, the Fe₃O₄@CuO NP had a surface area of 69.20 m²/g. The FTIR analysis verified the existence of different functional groups of phytochemicals from Euphorbia polygonifolia extract which were accountable for the NPs formation. The catalytic performance of the catalyst for the degradation of metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and cephalexin antibiotics was examined in aqueous mediums at room temperature. The results showed an extraordinary catalytic performance, easy reusability and long-term stability of the composite for reducing antibiotic pollution. In this process, the effects of environmental conditions such as initial pH of the environment, initial concentration of antibiotics, the concentration of modified photocatalyst and reaction time were studied. According to the results, at the optimal conditions, the highest removal efficiency for metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and cephalexin antibiotics using Fe₃O₄@CuO nanoparticles, were 89%, 94%, and 96%, respectively. Also, it was observed that even after recycling, the NPs presents good nanocatalytic stability for the degradation of antibiotics. Using the NPs for five cycles did not significantly alter the photocatalyst efficiency, showing that the photocatalytic stability of the NPs was excellent.     

Biosynthesis and characterization of Dillenia indica-mediated silver nanoparticles and their biological activity

Dillenia indica L. is a traditional medicinal plant well known for its ability to cure various human diseases. In the current study, silver nanoparticles have been synthesized by simple and eco-friendly method using Dillenia indica extract. The green synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV–visible spectroscopy, Atomic force microscopy (AFM), High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Zeta Potential and Size Distribution. UV–visible and FTIR spectra, AFM, HR-TEM and Zeta Potential readings and size distribution conformed that the synthesized silver particles were in the size of nano. The green synthesized silver nanoparticles were subjected for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria Enterococcus faecalis and Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli by agar well diffusion method. The synthesized AgNPs exhibited significant inhibition of 27 and 16 mm against the test bacteria at 0.25 mg/ml. Further the antibacterial activity was confirmed by live and dead cell assay by fluorescence microscopy and morphological changes of bacteria were studied by Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The study recommends that the synthesized silver nanoparticles using Dillenia indica extract have potential application in inhibition of bacteria owing to their potent antibacterial activity.     

One‐pot green synthesis of Cu/bone nanocomposite and its catalytic activity in the synthesis of 1‐substituted 1H‐1,2,3,4‐tetrazoles and reduction of hazardous pollutants

In this work, a simple and green method is reported for the biosynthesis of Cu/bone nanocomposite using Cordyline fruticosa extract as a stabilizer and reductant. Animal bone was used as a natural support to prevent the accumulation of Cu nanoparticles. The catalytic activity of Cu/bone nanocomposite was assessed in the synthesis of 1‐substituted 1H‐1,2,3,4‐tetrazoles and reduction of various organic dyes, including 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP), nigrosin (NS), congo red (CR) and methylene blue (MB). The best catalytic performance in the synthesis of 1‐substituted tetrazoles was achieved using 0.05 g of Cu/bone nanocomposite at 120°C. In addition, under optimal conditions, the absorption bands corresponding to 4‐NP, CR, NS and MB completely disappeared after about 6 min, 3 min, 50 s and 7 s, respectively. The biosynthesis protocol used in the preparation of Cu/bone nanocomposite offers a very attractive area for further research.     

In situ green synthesis of Cu‐Ni bimetallic nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide as an effective and recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of N‐benzyl‐N‐aryl‐5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazoles

In the present work, for the first time we have designed a novel approach for the synthesis of N‐benzyl‐N‐aryl‐5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazoles using reduced graphene oxide (rGO) decorated with Cu‐Ni bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs). In situ synthesis of Cu/Ni/rGO nanocomposite was performed by a cost efficient, surfactant‐free and environmentally benign method using Crataegus azarolus var. aronia L. leaf extract as a stabilizing and reducing agent. Phytochemicals present in the extract can be used to reduce Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions and GO to Cu NPs, Ni NPs and rGO, respectively. Analyses by means of FT‐IR, UV–Vis, EDS, TEM, FESEM, XRD and elemental mapping confirmed the Cu/Ni/rGO formation and also FT‐IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopy as well as elemental analysis were used to characterize the tetrazoles. The Cu/Ni/rGO nanocomposite showed the superior catalytic activity for the synthesis of N‐benzyl‐N‐aryl‐5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazoles within a short reaction time and high yields. Furthermore, this protocol eliminates the need to handle HN₃.     

Nanomagnetically modified vitamin B3 (Fe3O4@Niacin): An efficient and reusable green biocatalyst for microwave‐assisted rapid synthesis of 2‐amino‐3‐cyanopyridines in aqueous medium

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles of modified vitamin B₃ (Fe₃O₄@Niacin) represent a new, efficient and green biocatalyst for the one‐pot synthesis of 2‐amino‐3‐cyanopyridine derivatives via four‐component condensation reaction between aldehydes, ketones, malononitrile, and ammonium acetate under microwave irradiation in water. This new magnetic organocatalyst was easily isolated from the reaction mixture by magnetic decantation using an external magnet and reused at least six times without significant degradation in the activity. The catalyst was fully characterized by FT‐IR, XRD, SEM, VSM, UV–Vis, DLS and EDS. Excellent yield, very short reaction time (7–10 min), operational simplicity, easy work‐up procedure, avoidance of hazardous or toxic catalysts and organic solvents are the main advantages of this green methodology which makes it more economic than the other conventional methods.