Sol-gel synthesis of ZnO/Zn<Subscript>2-x</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>x</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>4</Subscript> powders: structural properties,electrical conductivity and dielectric behavior

The aim of this work was an investigation of structural and electrical properties of ZnO/Zn_2-xFe_xTiO₄ (x?=?0.7, 1, 1.4) powders. The compounds obtained by sol-gel method are characterized by several techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrical and dielectrical measurements. The XRD, SEM and XPS analysis confirmed the formation of ZnFeTiO₄ inverse spinel structure. The electrical and dielectrical properties of ZnO/Zn_2-xFe_xTiO₄ (x?=?0.7, 1, 1.4) were measured by impedance spectroscopy, revealing a decrease in the electrical conductivity and the dielectric constant with Fe content.

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Some Theoretical and Experimental Evidence for Particularities of the Siloxane Bond

The specific features of the siloxane bond unify the compounds based on it into a class with its own chemistry and unique combinations of chemical and physical properties. An illustration of their chemical peculiarity is the behavior of 1,3-bis(2-aminoethylaminomethyl)tetramethyldisiloxane (AEAMDS) in the reaction with carbonyl compounds and metal salts, by which we obtain the metal complexes of the corresponding Schiff bases formed in situ. Depending on the reaction conditions, the fragmentation of this compound takes place at the siloxane bond, but, in most cases, it is in the organic moieties in the β position with respect to the silicon atom. The main compounds that were formed based on the moieties resulting from the splitting of this diamine were isolated and characterized from a structural point of view. Depending on the presence or not of the metal salt in the reaction mixture, these are metal complexes with organic ligands (either dangling or not dangling silanol tails), or organic compounds. Through theoretical calculations, electrons that appear in the structure of the siloxane bond in different contexts and that lead to such fragmentations have been assessed.     

Permethylated dinuclear Mn(III) coordination nanostructure with stripe-ordered magnetic domains

A di-manganese(III) complex structure was built by an original approach consisting of a two-step procedure. First, the mononuclear complex of the manganese(III) with the Schiff base of the salen-type ligand (H₂L) derived from 1,3-bis(3-aminopropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane and 3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde was prepared. The main feature of note is the 12-membered chelate ring formed upon coordination of the Schiff base to central atom, which adopts a distorted N₂O₄ octahedron environment. In the second step, the acetato co-ligand in this complex is replaced by the carboxylate anion of a dicarboxilic acid, namely adipic acid. This metathesis reaction leads to the formation of dinuclear structure by connecting two manganese centers. The structure, as was determined by X-ray single crystal diffractometry, elemental and spectral analysis, is permethylated dinuclear complex with long aliphatic bridge. Thermal and magnetic properties were studied. In addition, the formation of magnetically induced stripe-ordered domains was highlighted by the magnetic force microscopy (MFM) on films born from diluted solution.     

Three Reactions,One Catalyst: A Multi-Purpose Platinum(IV) Complex and its Silica-Supported Homologue for Environmentally Friendly Processes

Although platinum nanoparticles and complexes -especially of Pt(0) and Pt(II)- are well known catalysts, siloxane-based platinum complexes are rarely reported. Herein, a Platinum(IV) complex of 4-aminopyridinium-modified disiloxane was prepared and characterized by medium and far infrared spectroscopy, NMR and EDX. The formation of the complex was monitored by UV–Vis spectroscopy, which showed the high affinity and selectivity of this ligand for Pt, with a stability constant of 7.53·10³ M⁻¹. The catalytic activity of the siloxane-based complex was tested in three types of reactions: reduction of p-nitrophenol, oxidation of glucose and starch, and hydrosilylation. The hydrophobic behavior of the permethylated disiloxane moiety ensures good hydrolytic stability, while the N-donor ligand stabilizes the in-situ formed Pt nanoparticles. The generation of Pt nanoparticles during p-nitrophenol reduction was confirmed by TEM and SEM. Contrary to most reports, the aerobic oxidation of mono- and polysaccharides occurred without oxidation agents or mediators added, in mild conditions, at room temperature and pH ~9. The same metal complex was found active in hydrosilylation of vinyl-siloxanes with temperature-modulated rate, thus being useful in silicone cross-linking systems without the need of inhibitors. The method was adapted to one-pot synthesis of silica-supported Pt(IV) complex, which acted as efficient and reusable heterogeneous hydrosilylation catalyst, limiting the contamination of the product with Pt. This approach is promising for superior valorization of scarcely available and expensive platinum metal. By the same method, multifunctional soluble complexes and mesoporous silica may be obtained, with tunable catalytic performance.     

Solvent extraction of dopamine by heptakis (2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl)-��-cyclodextrin

The possibility of modified cyclodextrin, heptakis (2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl)-??-cyclodextrin (TA-??-CD) to act as extracting agent for dopamine from aqueous phase into the organic phase has been investigated. Thus, by means of an ion-pairing mechanism, dopamine was extracted by modified cyclodextrin in the presence of counter ions such as picrate and tropaeolin 00. The results showed that the modified cyclodextrin can be used as extractant for dopamine. Some aspects of dopamine extractability concerning the pH and the nature of anion used as counter ion have been studied.     

Supersaturation-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Strategy for Bioavailability Enhancement of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs

At present, the majority of APIs synthesized today remain challenging tasks for formulation development. Many technologies are being utilized or explored for enhancing solubility, such as chemical modification, novel drug delivery systems (microemulsions, nanoparticles, liposomes, etc.), salt formation, and many more. One promising avenue attaining attention presently is supersaturated drug delivery systems. When exposed to gastrointestinal fluids, drug concentration exceeds equilibrium solubility and a supersaturation state is maintained long enough to be absorbed, enhancing bioavailability. In this review, the latest developments in supersaturated drug delivery systems are addressed in depth.