Modification of palladium–copper thin film by reduced graphene oxide or platinum as catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura reactions

This study describes the synthesis of PdCu, PdCu/reduced graphene oxide and PtPdCu nanoparticle thin films via a simple reduction of organometallic precursors including [PtCl₂(cod)] and [PdCl₂(cod)] (cod = cis ,cis ‐1,5‐cyclooctadiene) complexes, in the presence of [Cu(acac)₂] (acac = acetylacetonate) complex at toluene–water interface. The structure and morphology of the thin films were characterized using energy‐dispersive analysis of X‐rays, X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Our studies show that all of these nanoparticles are suitable for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling (SMC) reaction in water. PtPdCu and PdCu thin films showed higher catalytic activity compared to Pd thin film in the SMC reaction due to the appropriate interaction among palladium, platinum and copper metals.     

A Novel Solid‐state Electrochemiluminescent Enantioselective Sensor for Ascorbic Acid and Isoascorbic Acid

A novel, stable, solid‐state and stereoselective electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor has been designed to enantioselectively discriminate ascorbic acid (AA) and isoascorbic acid (IAA) by immobilizing Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ (Ru), thiolated β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD‐SH) and gold/platinum hybrid nanoparticles supported on multiwalled carbon nanotube/silica coaxial nanocables (GP‐CSCN) on glassy carbon electrode. All chemical compounds could be immobilized on the surface of electrode stably through nafion film, and high stereoselectivity could be introduced to the sensor via the synergistic effects of the β‐CD‐SH and GP‐CSCN nanomaterials. When the developed sensor interacted with AA and IAA, obvious difference of ECL intensities was observed, and a larger intensity was obtained from AA, which indicated that this strategy could be employed to enantioselectively recognize AA and IAA. As a result, ECL technique might act as a promising method for recognition of chiral compounds.     

Electrochemical Simultaneous Sensing of Melatonin,Dopamine and Acetaminophen at Platinum Doped and Decorated Alpha Iron Oxide

Simultaneous sensing of dopamine (DA), acetaminophen (AP) and melatonin (MEL) was made by electrochemical method as the drugs melatonin and acetaminophen interact with dopamine in brain to induce neuro disorders. The glassy carbon electrode surface was modified with un‐doped α‐ Fe₂O₃, platinum doped Fe₂O₃ (dPtFe₂O₃), Pt decorated Fe₂O₃ (sPtFe₂O₃) and doped and decorated Fe₂O₃ (sdPtFe₂O₃) nano particles that are synthesized by co‐precipitation method in presence of polyethylene glycol for the first time. These particles were characterized using Ultra‐Violet Visible (UV‐Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and electrochemical techniques. The sdPtFe₂O₃ showed the highest catalytic activity than the dPtFe₂O₃, sPtFe₂O₃ and un‐doped α‐ Fe₂O₃ with well separated voltammetric peaks for DA and AP in presence of MEL. This is attributed to higher surface hydration effects of the sdPtFe₂O₃, dPtFe₂O₃ and sPtFe₂O₃ than the un‐doped Fe₂O₃ which plays a vital role in enhancing the melatonin sensing in presence of dopamine and acetaminophen. Linear ranges and lowest detection limits for all three analytes were increased by 10 times for the sdPtFe₂O₃ compared to other Fe₂O₃ modified electrodes. The sensor is validated using commercially available pharmaceutical drugs used in therapeutics.     

Palladium on magnetic Irish moss: A new nano‐biocatalyst for suzuki type cross‐coupling reactions

A novel heterogeneous magnetic palladium nano‐biocatalyst was designed by utilizing Irish moss, a family of sulfated polysaccharides extracted from algae, as a natural biopolymer. This magnetic Irish moss decorated with palladium (Pd–Fe₃O₄@IM) to form a biomagnetic catalytic system was synthesized and well characterized by FT–IR analysis, X‐ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The catalyst was stable to air and moisture and displayed high catalytic activity in ligand‐free Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions conducted under green chemistry reaction conditions. The aromatic ketones are produced by the cross‐coupling reaction between acid chlorides and aryl boronic acid derivatives in high yields.     

Nickel(II) Schiff base complex supported on nano‐titanium dioxide: A novel straightforward route for preparation of supported Schiff base complexes applying 2,4‐toluenediisocyanate

For the first time, a novel, straightforward and inexpensive route for immobilization of metals in Schiff base complex form is reported applying 2,4‐toluenediisocyanate as a precursor of primary amine group. A nickel(II) Schiff base complex supported on nano‐TiO₂ was designed and synthesized as an effective heterogeneous nanocatalyst for organic reactions, and well characterized using various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The catalytic efficiency of the complex was evaluated in selective oxidation of sulfide to sulfoxide by hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant under solvent‐free conditions at room temperature, which successfully resulted in high yield and high conversion of products. Effective factors including solvent type, oxidant and catalyst amount were also optimized. The catalyst shows outstanding reusability and could be impressively recovered for six consecutive cycles without significant change of its catalytic efficiency.