Rapid and accurate amperometric determination of acetaminophen in pharmaceutical preparations and spiked human blood serum samples at cadmium pentacyanonitrosylferrate modified glassy carbon electrode

The present work describes a rapid and accurate amperometric technique for the determination of acetaminophen (ACT) in pharmaceutical preparations and human blood serum, based on electrocatalytic oxidation of ACT at a glassy carbon electrode modified by cadmium pentacyanonitrosylferrate (CdPCNF) film. The electrocatalytic response of the modified GC electrode was linear over the concentration of 1.64-52.90 μM. The limit of detection was found to be 2.04 μM by amperometric technique. The method was successfully utilized for the determination of ACT in various pharmaceutical preparations and the results have been statistically compared with those obtained by the official method. The interference of some pharmaceutical and biological compounds was investigated. The results of interference study showed that the Nafion-coated CdPCNF|GC electrode can be utilized as a selective amperometric sensor for acetaminophen determination in human blood serum. The mean value of rate constant k for catalytic reaction, and the diffusion coefficient of ACT (D) in the phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.2 were found to be 4.27 × 10² M?¹ s?¹, and (4.25 ± 0.33) × 10^?6 cm² s^?1, respectively.     

Determination of percolation threshold electroactivity and phase behavior study on conducting blends of thermotropic polyesters and polyaniline

The new thermotropic polyester/polyaniline (PIn/PAni) blends have been prepared by solution blend of synthesized liquid crystalline poly[4,4′‐bis (ω‐alkoxy) biphenylisophthalate]s having four and six methylene units in spacer (PI4 and PI6) with PAni doped with camphorsolfonic acid (CSA). The percolation threshold electroactivity of prepared blend films has been determined by cyclic voltammetry. The effect of the PAni concentration, solvent nature and polyester structure on the electroactivity of the blends has been investigated. The extremely low percolation threshold of prepared PIn/PAni‐CSA blends from dimethylformamide (DMF) and m‐cresol solution was 3% weight of PAni‐CSA. The amount of conducting polymer necessary to retard the formation of the liquid crystalline (LC) phase is up to 45% by weight. Phase behavior studies by differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing microscopy show that blends with 45% of conducting polymer are both liquid crystal and conductive. The morphology of the blends has been investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Formation of PdNiZn thin film at oil‐water interface: XPS study and application as Suzuki‐Miyaura catalyst

Nanosheet of PdNiZn and nanosphere of PdNiZn/reduced‐graphene oxide (RGO) with sub‐3 nm spheres have been successfully synthesized through a facile oil‐water interfacial strategy. The morphology and composition of the films were determined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis of X‐ray (EDAX) and elemental mapping. In the present study, we have developed a method to minimize the usage of precious Pd element. Due to the special structure and intermetallic synergies, the PdNiZn and PdNiZn/RGO nanoalloys exhibited enhanced catalytic activity and durability relative to Pd nanoparticles in Suzuki‐Miyaura C‐C cross‐coupling reaction. Compared to classical cross‐coupling reactions, this method has the advantages of a green solvent, short reaction times, low catalyst loading, high yields and reusability of the catalysts.     

Simultaneous formation of platinum‐based nanocatalysts and degradation of dyes at oil/water interface: Comparative morphological and kinetic studies

To decrease the water pollution of textile industries with a large amount of toxic and non‐biodegradable colored dye effluents, an efficient technique is required to safely remove harmful pollutants. In this paper, the reaction between azo dyes and NaBH₄ catalyzed by nanoparticles (NPs) thin films has been studied. We report insitu degradation of methyl orange (MO) and methyl red (MR) by using Pt‐based thin films monitored by UV–Vis spectroscopy. We have synthesized different thin films such as Pt, PtPd, PtFeFe₂O₃, PtNi and PtAu films from Pt organometallic precursor in the MO and MR medium (dye degradation and NPs formation is happened simultaneously) and activity of these films were compared in the complete degradation of MO and MR dyes. Rate constants for the catalyzed reactions have been determined. PtPd NPs thin film has shown the highest rate constant for the degradation of MO and MR within only a few seconds due to its well‐ordered structure. Furthermore, the effect of presence of MO on the morphology of NPs was investigated.     

Copper(I) complex covalently anchored on graphene oxide as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for Sonogashira reaction

In this study, the organosilane‐functionalized graphene oxide as a stabilizer was prepared by a facile one‐step silylation approach. [Cu(PPh₃)₃Cl] complex was successfully immobilized onto the graphene oxide surface through coordination interaction with organosilane ligand spacers. The supported catalyst showed enhanced catalytic performance toward Sonogashira reaction of aryl halides with phenylacetylene in water solvent compared with the homogeneous analogues, and it could be readily recycled and reused several times without discernible loss of its activity.     

1-Methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [Hmim][BF4]: an efficient acidic ionic liquid catalyst for insertion of α-diazo compounds into the N–H bonds of amines

The reusable acidic ionic liquid, 1-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [Hmim][BF₄], was found to be an effective catalyst for the insertion of α-diazoacetate into the N–H bonds of amines. The corresponding products were obtained in good yields and short reaction times via a simple procedure. The catalyst could be recycled and reused without any noticeable decrease in its activity.