Vol 90, No 13 (2016)

The highly selective synthesis of 4-tert-butyltoluene from toluene and tert-butanol over HY zeolites was performed in liquid phase. The effect of Si/Al ratio (6.3, 7.5, 11, 12) of HY zeolites on the alkylation performance was studied. The catalysts were characterized by SEM, XRD, FT-IR, and NH₃-TPD methods. With increase of Si/Al ratio, the conversion of toluene and the selectivity towards 4-tert-butyltoluene increased gradually. HY-12 was found to be more suitable for the tert-butylation of toluene. When the alkylation reaction was conducted at 180°C for 4 h using HY-12 catalyst, the conversion and the selectivity of 4-tertbutyltoluene reached 40.74 and 70.91%, respectively.

The ultrasonic velocity and density for ternary liquid mixtures containing tetrabutylammonium bromide and some inorganic salts in water as a function of electrolyte concentration were measured in the temperature range 293–318 K. These data have been used to estimate the acoustical parameters. The observed variation of these parameters helps in understanding the nature of ion-solvent and ion-ion interactions in the liquid mixtures. The results are discussed in terms of structure-making tendency of additive inorganic salts in the mixtures.

The molar refractivity and polarizability of mixtures of L-histidine (0.01–0.11 mol L^–1)–metformin hydrochloride (0.03, 0.05, 0.07 mol L^–1)–water were calculated from density and refractive index data at 30°C. Enhancement in the polarizability has been observed with increase in L-histidine concentration as well as metformin hydrochloride content in the solution. The molar refractivity and polarizability of solutions increased appreciably after 0.09 mol L^–1 L-histidine in each aqueous solution.

The density functional theory (DFT) method has been employed to systematically investigate the geometrical structures, stabilities, IR spectrum and thermodynamic properties of small asymmetric clusters (HClBN₃)_n (n = 1–6). When n ≥ 2, the optimized results suggest that the (BN_α)_2n cyclic structures with alternating boron and α-nitrogen atoms are observed in clusters. The influences of cluster size on the structures of clusters were discussed. The second-order difference in energies show that the (HClBN₃)₃ isomer is the most stable among the asymmetric clusters (HClBN₃)_n. Four main characteristic regions are obtained and assigned for the calculated IR spectra. A study of their thermodynamic properties suggests that monomer 1 forms clusters (2–6) thermodynamically favorable by the enthalpies at 298.2 K.

The solvent influence on the reduction kinetics of methyl violet with iodide in binary mixture of aqueous isopropanol was investigated spectrophotometrically. The absorption spectra of methyl violet were recorded in water, aqueous isopropanol and absolute isopropanol. In these solvents λ_max was in the range from 580.5 to 582.5 nm. The CNIBS/R-K model was used to calculate the solvatochromic parameters in a binary mixture; polynomial equation was also applied to describe the experimental data. The transition energies (E_T) were calculated. They show bathochromic shift with the decrease in the polarity of the solvent. The temperature was varied from 298–318 K, while the pH of the reaction was maintained at 4.99 and 6.00. The reduction reaction was found to be first order by potassium iodide and zero order by methyl violet. The thermodynamic parameters were also evaluated to support the kinetic data.

Quadrupolar parameters of nuclei can be used as a tool to understand the electronic structure of compounds. Lithium alanate (LiAlH₄) is a potential hydrogen storage material because of its high capacity of 10.5 wt % H₂. However, the drawbacks of its dehydrogenation process are the relatively high temperatures and the slow dehydrogenation kinetics; furthermore, its reversibility is rather poor. Understanding the bonding nature of Al and H is essential for improving its dehydrogenation performance. In this work the charge density distribution in LiAlH₄ is studied. Thus using calculated nuclear quadrupole coupling constants of hydrogens (²H-NQCCs), the electronic structure of α-LiAlH₄ with high pressure forms of LiAlH₄, (β- and γ-LiAlH₄) were compared. The results show that easier condition for dehydrogenation is expected in β-LiAlH₄. Comparison of calculated dehydrogenation enthalpies of LiAlH₄ phases verifies this prediction. The electric field gradient (EFG) of quadrupolar nuclei were calculated to obtain NQCC parameters. All calculations performed using Gaussian 03 at B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory.

Four tetraphenylsilane-carbazole derivatives with wide bandgaps (3.38–3.55 eV) were synthesized. The effects of the substitution position and of the presence of naphthalene groups on the photophysical, electrochemical and thermal properties were investigated. The derivatives exhibited maximum absorption peaks ranging from 293 to 304 nm and maximum emission peaks ranging from 347 to 386 nm. Changing the carbazole substitution position on the tetraphenylsilane did not significantly change the photophysical and electrochemical properties. However, p-substituted compounds exhibited higher glass transition temperatures than m-substituted compounds. Naphthalene groups with bulky structures had extended the conjugation lengths that red-shifted both the absorption and emission spectra. The LUMO level was decreased, which reduced the optical bandgap and triplet energy level. However, the naphthalene groups significantly improved the thermal stability by increasing the glass transition temperature of the compounds.

Copolymer microgels based on N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and methacrylic acid (MAA) have been synthesized by free radical emulsion polymerization using N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) as a cross-linker. Synthesized microgels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Then silver nanoparticles were fabricated in the synthesized microgels by in-situ reduction of AgNO₃ with NaBH₄. The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by UV–Vis spectroscopy. The pH sensitivity of the copolymer microgels was investigated using dynamic light scattering technique (DLS). Hydrodynamic radius of P (NIPAM–MAA) microgels increases with increase in pH of the medium at 25°C. Surface plasmon resonance wavelength (λ_SPR) of silver nanoparticles increases with increase in hydrodynamic radius due to change in pH of the medium. The catalytic activity for the reduction of nitrobenzene (NB), an environmental pollutant, into aniline was investigated by UV–Vis spectroscopy in excess of NaBH₄ using hybrid microgels as catalyst. The value of apparent rate constant (k_app) of the reaction was calculated using pseudo first order kinetic model and it was found to be linearly related to the amount of catalyst. The results were compared with literature data. The system was found to be an effective catalyst for conversion of NB into aniline.

Platinum clusters were supported on/in HLaNb₂O₇ nanosheets by topochemical reaction strategy for the first time. The as-prepared samples were analyzed using ICP OES and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that HLaNb₂O₇ nanosheets were modified with platinum clusters with good monodispersity. The product was a mesoporous solid with broad pore size distribution and large surface area. The oxidation state of platinum was zero and the size of Pt clusters was only about 1–2 nm. This study provides a novel approach to support metal clusters on layered compounds.

This study deals with the synthesis and physicochemical investigation of gold nanoparticles using an aqueous extract of Monotheca buxifolia (Flac.). On the treatment of aqueous solution of tetrachloroauric acid with the plant extract, gold nanoparticles were rapidly fabricated. The synthesized particles were characterized by UV–Vis spectrophotometry (UV), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The formation of AuNPs was confirmed by noting the change in color through visual observations as well as via UV–Vis spectroscopy. UV‒Vis spectrum of the aqueous medium containing gold nanoparticles showed an absorption peak at around 540 nm. FTIR was used to identify the chemical composition of gold nanoparticles and Au-capped plant extract. The presence of elemental gold was also confirmed through EDX analysis. SEM analysis of the gold nanoparticles showed that they have a uniform spherical shape with an average size in the range of 70–78 nm. This green system showed to be better capping and stabilizing agent for the fine particles. Further, the antioxidant activity of Monotheca buxifolia (Flac.) extract and Au-capped with the plant extract was also evaluated using FeCl₃/K₃[Fe(CN)]₆ in vitro assay.

Manganese dioxide loaded activated carbon adsorbents (MnO₂/AC) were prepared and characterized by N₂ adsorption-desorption, BET method, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Effects of preparation conditions and adsorption conditions on desulfurization performance of the adsorbents were studied in a fixed-bed adsorption apparatus. Experimental results show that the surface area and pore volume of MnO₂/AC decreased compared with the unmodified activated carbon, but the adsorption capacity to H₂S was improved greatly. A suitable H₂S removal activity was obtained with manganese dioxide to activated carbon ratio of 1.1: 1 and the calcination temperature of 250°C. At the adsorption temperature of 40°C and gas flow rate of 20 mL/min, the H₂S saturation capacity and H₂S removal rate reached up to 713.25 mg/g and 89.9%, respectively.

A study on the extraction of copper(II), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) from solutions containing ions of both metals with N-salicylideneaniline(SAN) in chloroform has been realized. Distribution of the metal ions in wide range of pH has been studied. Extraction of copper(II) was always favored over that of cobalt(II). Extraction of copper(II) from binary metal solution is selective and it can be quantitatively separated from cobalt(II). The equilibrium constant of the extraction of cobalt and nickel from an aqueous solution containing both metals using SAN were evaluated. The separation factors for cobalt and nickel were expressed as a function of the distribution of nickel and cobalt. From these results, salicylideneaniline is an adequate extractant for extractive separation of such mixtures.

Complexation of the Cd²⁺ ion with N,N′-dipyridoxylidene(1,4-butanediamine) Schiff base was studied in pure solvents including acetonitrile (AN), ethanol (EtOH), methanol (MeOH), tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethylformamide (DMF), water (H₂O), and various binary solvent mixtures of acetonitrile–ethanol (AN–EtOH), acetonitrile–methanol (AN–MeOH), acetonitrile–tetrahydrofuran (AN–THF), acetonitrile–dimethylformamide (AN–DMF), and acetonitrile–water (AN–H₂O) systems at different temperatures using the conductometric method. The conductance data show that the stoichiometry of complex is 1: 1 [ML] in all solvent systems. A non-linear behavior was observed for changes of log K_f of [Cd(N,N′-dipyridoxylidene(1,4-butanediamine)] complex versus the composition of the binary mixed solvents, which was explained in terms of solvent–solvent interactions. The results show that the thermodynamics of complexation reaction is affected by the nature and composition of the mixed solvents.

In this work, the Er³⁺: YAlO₃/Co- and Fe-doped ZnO coated composites were prepared by the sol-gel method. Then, they were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Photo-degradation of azo fuchsine (AF) as a model dye under solar light irradiation was studied to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the Er³⁺: YAlO₃/Co- and Fe-doped ZnO coated composites. It was found that the photocatalytic activity of Co- and Fe-doped ZnO composites can be obviously enhanced by upconversion luminescence agent (Er³⁺: YAlO₃). Besides, the photocatalytic activity of Er³⁺: YAlO₃/Fe-doped ZnO is better than that of Er³⁺: YAlO₃/Co-doped ZnO. The influence of experiment conditions, such as the concentration of Er³⁺: YAlO₃, heat-treatment temperature and time on the photocatalytic activity of the Er³⁺: YAlO₃/Co- and Fe-doped ZnO coated composites was studied. In addition, the effects of solar light irradiation time, dye initial concentration, Er³⁺: YAlO₃/Co- and Fe-doped ZnO amount on the photocatalytic degradation of azo fuchsine in aqueous solution were investigated in detail. Simultaneously, some other organic dyes, such as Methyl Orange (MO), Rhodamine B (RM-B), Acid Red B (AR-B), Congo Red (CR), and Methyl Blue (MB) were also studied. The possible excitation principle of Er³⁺: YAlO₃/Co- and Fe-doped ZnO coated composites under solar light irradiation and the photocatalytic degradation mechanism of organic dyes were discussed.

Novel C,N-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared by a solid phase reaction. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The results showed that crystallite size of synthesized C,N-doped TiO₂ particles were in nanoscale. UV light photocatalytic studies were carried out using sodium naphthalenesulfonate formaldehyde condensate (SNF) as a model pollutant. The effects of initial concentration of surfactant, catalyst amount, pH, addition of oxidant on the reaction rate were ascertained and optimum conditions for maximum degradation was determined. The results indicated that for a solution of 20 mg/L of SNF, almost 98.7% of the substance were removed at pH ~ 4.0 and 0.44 g/L photocatalyst load, with addition of 1 mM K₂S₂O₈ and irradiation time of 90 min. The kinetics of the process was studied, and the photodegradation rate of SNF was found to obey pseudo-first-order kinetics equation represented by the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model.