Salicylaldiminato chromium complex supported on chemically modified silica as highly active catalysts for the oxidation of cyclohexene

Immobilization of chromium complexes on modified silica support was achieved via two different synthetic routes using 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTS) as a linking group. The FTIR spectra, elemental and solid-state NMR analyses demonstrated incorporation of amine functional groups on the surface of the APTS-functionalized silica support, which was further confirmed by 29 Si solid-state CP MAS NMR spectroscopy. Oxidation of cyclohexene was carried out over the chromium complex supported on organically modified silica using H2 O2 as an oxidant under various conditions and different atmospheres viz. oxygen, nitrogen and air. The supported catalysts exhibited excellent activity (>94%) after 6 h reaction time under O2 atmosphere using THF as solvent. The catalysts showed high chemoselectivity towards formation 2-cyclohexen-1-ol and 2-cyclohexen-1-one. Activity of the immobilized catalysts remains nearly the same after three consecutive cycles, suggesting the true heterogeneous nature of the catalyst.Web of Scienc

Few-layer binder free graphene modified mercury film electrode for trace metal analysis by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry

A binding agent free graphene modified glassy carbon electrode in combination with an in situ plated mercury film electrode (Gr-GC-HgFE) was used as a highly sensitive electrochemical platform for the determination of Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ in 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 4.6) by square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). Instrumental parameters such as deposition potential, deposition time and electrode rotation speed were optimized. The Gr-GC-HgFE sensing platform exhibited improved sensitivity for metal ion detection, in addition to well defined, reproducible and sharp stripping signals. Two linear calibration curves ranging from 0 –10 μg L−1 and 0 – 60 μg L−1 were identified yielding detection limits of 0.08 μg L−1, 0.05 μg L−1 and 0.14 μg L−1 for Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+, respectively, for simultaneous analysis and 0.04 μg L−1, 0.11 μg L−1 and 0.14 μg L−1 for Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+, respectively, for individual analysis when using a deposition time of 120 s. For practical applications recovery studies using tap water samples spiked with target metal ions gave recoveries within 10% of the spiked amount. Much better recoveries were obtained for the individual analysis in comparison with simultaneous analysis.Web of Scienc

Microwave-assisted synthesis of pyrrolidinone derivatives using 1,1’-butylenebis(3-sulfo-3H-imidazol-1-ium) chloride in ethylene glycol

The energy efficiency of the microwave-assisted synthesis of pyrrolidinones was demonstrated using catalytic loading of 1,1'-butylene-bis(3-sulfo-3H-imidazol-1-ium) chloride as a sulfonic acid functionalized ionic liquid in ethylene glycol as green solvent. The effect of electron donating and electron withdrawing groups on aniline derivatives was studied under conventional heating and microwave irradiation. Furthermore, the cation effect of ionic liquids containing sulfonic groups on the catalytic efficiency for the synthesis of ethyl-1-phenyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-5-oxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyr-role-3-carboxylate was investigated under conventional heat. The experimental results exhibited that there is a relationship between catalytic efficiency and the number of sulfonic groups and imidazolium moieties linked by carbon spacer. © 2019 N.G. Khaligh et al., published by De Gruyter

Biopiracy of natural products and good bioprospecting practice

Background: Biopiracy mainly focuses on the use of biological resources and/or knowledge of indigenous tribes or communities without allowing them to share the revenues generated out of economic exploitation or other non-monetary incentives associated with the resource/knowledge. Methods: Based on collaborations of scientists from five continents, we have created a communication platform to discuss not only scientific topics, but also more general issues with social relevance. This platform was termed ‘PhytCancer -Phytotherapy to Fight Cancer’ (www.phyt-cancer.uni-mainz.de). As a starting point, we have chosen the topic “biopiracy”, since we feel this is of pragmatic significance for scientists working with medicinal plants. Results: It was argued that the patenting of herbs or natural products by pharmaceutical corporations disregarded the ownership of the knowledge possessed by the indigenous communities on how these substances worked. Despite numerous court decisions in U.S.A. and Europe, several international treaties, (e.g. from United Nations, World Health Organization, World Trade Organization, the African Unity and others), sharing of a rational set of benefits amongst producers (mainly pharmaceutical companies) and indigenous communities is yet a distant reality. In this paper, we present an overview of the legal frameworks, discuss some exemplary cases of biopiracy and bioprospecting as excellent forms of utilization of natural resources. Conclusions: We suggest certain perspectives, by which we as scientists, may contribute towards prevention of biopiracy and also to foster the fair utilization of natural resources. We discuss ways, in which the interests of indigenous people especially from developing countries can be securedDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/[GRK2015/1]//AlemaniaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET