Transesterification Reaction of Palm Kernel Oil (PKO) on a Bed of Crushed Cashew Nut Shell (CCNS)

Biodiesel (GA1) was produced by the transesterification reaction of palm kernel oil (PKO) and methanol catalysed by crushed cashew nut shaft. Biodiesel samples GA2 – GA4 were also produced from the palm kernel oil using conventional base catalysis by NaOH and crushed cashew nut shaft combined with NaOH. The physico-chemical properties and spectroscopic data of the four samples were found to be similar and compared favourably to those of standard biodiesel. Keywords: Transesterification, palm kernel oil, cashew nut shell, methanolysis, biodiesel

Adsorption of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and Hg ions on Formaldehyde and Pyridine Modified Bean Husks

Adsorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Cu(II) and Hg(II) ions on formaldehyde and Pyridine modified bean husks were determined. The adsorption capacity of formaldehyde modified bean husks (mg/g) was: Pb2+, 5.01; Cd2+, 3.63; Zn2+, 2.18; Hg2+, 1.82; Cu2+, 1.58 and that of pyridine modified bean husk was: Hg2+, 6.92; Cd2+, 3.63; Pb2+, 2.64; Zn2+, 2.48; Cu2+, 1.91. The Freundlich equation parameter 1/n for the metal ions were found to be less than unity which indicates that adsorption of metals on bean husks have increased as a result of modification. The calculated value from Freundlich adsorption parameter (KF) and Langmuir adsorption parameter (qmax) showed that the adsorption capacities of the metal ions are in order of Pb2+ > Cd2+ > Zn2+ > Hg2+ > Cu2+ for formaldehyde modified bean husks and Hg2+ > Cd2+ > Pb2+ > Zn2+ > Cu2+ for pyridine modified bean husks. The binding capacity study showed that the formaldehyde modified bean husks could be employed in the removal of Pb2+ and Zn2+ from industrial effluent especially in the battery manufacturing, paints and dyes industries. This study also indicates that the pyridine modified bean husk could remove Hg2+ better than the formaldehyde modified bean husk in the printing and minting industrial effluent

TOXICITY EVALUATION OF CRANKCASE OIL IN RATS

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of crankcase oil on the cellular and func-tional integrity of rat skin. Thirty (30) rats were randomly grouped into six viz groups A–F. Group A (base-line control) received 2 ml of distilled water. 2.5 %, 5.0 %, 7.5 %, and 10.0 % v/v of the crankcase oil were prepared using unused oil as solvent and 2 ml of the concentra-tions were topically administered to groups C–F respectively for seven consecutive days. Group B served as positive control and received 2 ml of the unused oil. The rats were sacri-ficed 24 hours after the last administration, and blood and part of the skin were collected. Al-kaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde level in the blood and skin samples collected were evaluated. Elemental analysis of the crankcase oil was also carried out. The result revealed high lead, iron and chromium levels. Blood lead concentration of rats was significantly (P<0.05) high after seven days of administration. ALP level in skin and serum increased significantly (P<0.05) with the concentration of crankcase oil. There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in skin ACP activity while it increased significantly (P<0.05) in the serum. Similar results were observed in the SOD levels of the serum and the skin. The level increased significantly (P<0.05) in groups D–F when compared with controls. The MDA concentration of both serum and skin were signif-icantly (P<0.05) elevated. This suggests toxic potential of used lubricating oil and its potential predisposition to cance

Comparison of Solid-state and Solution-based Synthetic Reactions of Copper Complexes of two Anti-inflammatory Drugs with their Antibacterial Activity Studies

Comparative study of the synthesis of copper complexes [Cu(IBU)2(H2O)2]Cl2 (1), and [Cu(ASP)2(CH3COO)2] (2) using solvent-free and solvent-based techniques was carried out. Complexes 1 and 2 obtained were characterized using Fourier Transform –Infrared, Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopies and powder X-ray Diffractometry analyses. Analysis of spectral data revealed that Ibuprofen and Aspirin coordinated with copper ion through both oxygen atoms of the hydroxyl and carbonyl groups, with both ligands acting as bidentate. Two molecules of water coordinated with the copper ion forming an octahedral geometry in 1, with a chloride ion outside the coordination sphere. Two acetate molecules coordinated with copper ion forming an octahedral geometry in 2. In-vitro antibacterial activity of the complexes was found to be higher than those of the starting materials. Comparative study of the two methods used to synthesize these complexes showed that the solvent free-synthetic technique presented higher efficiency in terms of energy and time than the conventional solvent-based, as there was no need for the application of heat and also the reaction was completed within a short time. Thus, the solvent-free technique appears to be more effective for the synthesis of the Cu (II) complexes of Ibuprofen and Aspirin

Facile synthesis and vapochromic studies of Co(II) complexes bearing NO and OO donor ligands

AbstractTwo Co(II) complexes containing malonic and isonicotinic acids have been prepared by manual grinding of stoichiometric amounts of the starting materials. Elemental analysis (CHN), IR, UV-vis spectroscopic techniques, TGA-DTG investigation and X-ray powder diffraction analysis were used to characterize the two compounds. Isonicotinic acid coordinated to the metal via the pyridine ring nitrogen and one oxygen atom of the carboxylic group while malonic acid coordinated via both oxygen atoms of the carboxylate groups indicating bidentate coordination mode in the two compounds. The compounds were exposed to some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) containing nitrogen or oxygen donor atoms in the solid state and their vapochromic behaviours studied using colour changes, FT-IR and solid state UV-vis spectroscopies. Heating the samples exposed to the VOCs for a few minutes at 100 °C regenerates the original material without degradation, even after several heating cycles

Adsorption of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and Hg ions on Formaldehyde and Pyridine Modified Bean Husks

Adsorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Cu(II) and Hg(II) ions on formaldehyde and Pyridine modified bean husks were determined. The adsorption capacity of formaldehyde modified bean husks (mg/g) was: Pb2+, 5.01; Cd2+, 3.63; Zn2+, 2.18; Hg2+, 1.82; Cu2+, 1.58 and that of pyridine modified bean husk was: Hg2+, 6.92; Cd2+, 3.63; Pb2+, 2.64; Zn2+, 2.48; Cu2+, 1.91. The Freundlich equation parameter 1/n for the metal ions were found to be less than unity which indicates that adsorption of metals on bean husks have increased as a result of modification. The calculated value from Freundlich adsorption parameter (KF) and Langmuir adsorption parameter (qmax) showed that the adsorption capacities of the metal ions are in order of Pb2+ > Cd2+ > Zn2+ > Hg2+ > Cu2+ for formaldehyde modified bean husks and Hg2+ > Cd2+ > Pb2+ > Zn2+ > Cu2+ for pyridine modified bean husks. The binding capacity study showed that the formaldehyde modified bean husks could be employed in the removal of Pb2+ and Zn2+ from industrial effluent especially in the battery manufacturing, paints and dyes industries. This study also indicates that the pyridine modified bean husk could remove Hg2+ better than the formaldehyde modified bean husk in the printing and minting industrial effluent

Synthesis of copper–isonicotinate metal– organic frameworks simply by mixing solid reactants and investigation of their adsorptive properties for the removal of the fluorescein dye

The formation of [Cu(INA)2] (INA = isonicotinate) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) by a highly efficient and environmentally benign method simply by mixing and heating solid reactants without milling has been investigated. The materials were characterized using elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Comparison of PXRD patterns of the materials with patterns simulated from single crystal X-ray diffraction data allowed identification of the products. The adsorption properties of [Cu(INA)2] were studied using the fluorescein dye (FS). The adsorption data followed both Langmuir and Freundlich equations but was best suited to the Langmuir model. The adsorption data were also correlated with the Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich adsorption model and the results showed that the adsorption process is physical. These results indicate that the adsorption of FS on [Cu(INA)2] is partly due to electrostatic interaction between fluorescein and the adsorbent. Compared with the traditional synthetic techniques, this method for the synthesis of MOFs was found to be highly efficient, environmentally benign and useful for the large-scale production

Dual Functional Copper (II) Isophthalate Coordination Polymer for Selective Sensing of Fe3+ Ions and Methanol

Fluorescent chemosensors are becoming attractive due to their unique features of sensitivity and selective detection of analytes in the aqueous and vapour phases. Inorganic and organic pollutants are of major concern because of their adverse health effects. In this work, a coordination compound [Cu(ISO)2(H2O)2]·DMF 1 (where H2ISO = 2,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid) was synthesized by oven-heating at 100 °C. Compound 1 was characterized using elemental analysis, UV/Visible and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The compound is thermally stable up to 356 °C. Compound 1 showed excellent fluorescent properties with emission centred at 435 nm. This is attributed to ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT) arising from the π-electron rich backbone of the free ligand. The compound was further studied for detection of metal cation and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Results show selective recognition of Fe3+ ions and methanol by drastic quenching of fluorescent intensity. High Stern Volmer constants and low limits of detection makes the compound a viable material for ion and vapour detection

Mechanically-induced solvent-less synthesis of cobalt and nickel complexes of cimetidine

Solvent-less synthesis of [Co(CIM)2](SO4) and [Ni(CIM)2](OAC)2 by grinding of CoSO4 and Ni(CH3COO)2.4H2O with cimetidine without any solvent is described. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, melting point, AAS, conductivity measurements, TLC, infrared and UV-Vis spectroscopies as well as X-ray powder diffraction. Cimetidine was found to be bidentate or tridentate ligand. Cobalt ion coordinate with cimetidine through the sulphur atom in the thiol group, nitrogen atom of imidazole ring and the nitrogen atom of the secondary amine to give an octahedral geometry with ligand acting as tridentate whereas nickel ion coordinates through the sulphur atom in the thiol group, nitrogen atom of imidazole ring to give tetrahedral structure with ligand acting as bidentate. X-Ray diffraction patterns of the complex were different from that of the ligand suggesting formation of coordination compounds. The method is quick and gives a quantatively yield, without the need for solvents or external heating. Clearly, it can present higher efficiency in terms of materials, energy and time compared to classical solution phase synthesis

TOXICITY EVALUATION OF CRANKCASE OIL IN RATS

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of crankcase oil on the cellular and func-tional integrity of rat skin. Thirty (30) rats were randomly grouped into six viz groups A–F. Group A (base-line control) received 2 ml of distilled water. 2.5 %, 5.0 %, 7.5 %, and 10.0 % v/v of the crankcase oil were prepared using unused oil as solvent and 2 ml of the concentra-tions were topically administered to groups C–F respectively for seven consecutive days. Group B served as positive control and received 2 ml of the unused oil. The rats were sacri-ficed 24 hours after the last administration, and blood and part of the skin were collected. Al-kaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde level in the blood and skin samples collected were evaluated. Elemental analysis of the crankcase oil was also carried out. The result revealed high lead, iron and chromium levels. Blood lead concentration of rats was significantly (P<0.05) high after seven days of administration. ALP level in skin and serum increased significantly (P<0.05) with the concentration of crankcase oil. There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in skin ACP activity while it increased significantly (P<0.05) in the serum. Similar results were observed in the SOD levels of the serum and the skin. The level increased significantly (P<0.05) in groups D–F when compared with controls. The MDA concentration of both serum and skin were signif-icantly (P<0.05) elevated. This suggests toxic potential of used lubricating oil and its potential predisposition to cance