Surface Modifications and Optoelectronic Characterization of TiO2‐Nanoparticles: Design of New Photo‐Electronic Materials

TiO₂ nanoparticles are of great current interest for applications in photo‐electronic materials including light‐energy conversion, artificial photosynthetic systems as well as photocatalysis. The success of these applications relies on the exciton recombination dynamics and visible‐light sensitivity of the TiO₂ nanomaterials. Thus, in order to develop the highly efficient photo‐electronic materials absorbing visible light, different low dimensional TiO₂ nanostructures such as nanodiscs, nanofibers and nanochains were synthesized, and thereafter their surfaces were modified by incorporating with Sn‐porphyrins and heteropoly acid. The optoelectronic properties of the surface‐modified nanomaterials were investigated with regard to the optical properties and the surface exciton dynamics by using both steady‐state and ultrafast time‐resolved laser spectroscopic techniques including single nanoparticle photoluminescence technique. These results were correlated with the photo‐electronic properties including photocatalytic activities and solar cell efficiencies, indicating that the electron transfer mechanism in the modified nanostructures may be similar to the “Z‐scheme” of the plant photosynthetic system so that both photocatalytic activity and solar cell efficiencies were synergistically enhanced by using two color illumination.     

A Gadolinium Complex of the 5‐(1H‐Tetrazol‐5‐yl)isophthalic Acid Ligand: [Gd(C9H3N4O4)(H2O)3·2H2O]n

The reaction of Gd(ClO₄)₃·6H₂O with 5‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)isophthalic acid affords a 3D framework gadolinium coordination polymer, [Gd(C₉H₃N₄O₄)(H₂O)₃·2H₂O]_n ( 1 ). Its crystal structure belongs to a triclinic system, space group , with a = 7.909(2) Å; b = 8.448(2) Å; c = 10.994(2) Å; α = 102.65(3)°; β = 124.32(2)°; γ = 96.28(3)°; V = 704.5(2) ų; Z = 2; R₁ = 0.0245 for 3225 reflections with I >2σ(I), wR₂ = 0.0556. Fluorescent analyses show that compound 1 exhibits purple fluorescence in the solid state at room temperature.     

Photo‐Fries Rearrangement of Carbazol‐2‐yl Sulfonates: Efficient Tool for the Introduction of Sulfonyl Groups into Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds

Systematic studies on the photo‐Fries rearrangement of different 9H‐carbazol‐2‐yl sulfonates 2 have shown that this type of conversion can be readily used for the preparative‐scale introduction of alkyl‐ or arylsulfonyl groups into polycyclic aromatic compounds under very mild conditions. A series of new 1‐sulfonyl‐ ( 3 ) or 3‐sulfonyl‐9H‐carbazoles ( 4 ) were prepared in medium‐to‐good yields, and characterized by UV/VIS, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy, as well as by elemental analysis. Effects of irradiation wavelength, solvent polarity, presence or absence of O₂, and photosensitizers were studied in detail.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Characterization of 3, 4′‐Bis‐1H‐1, 2,4‐triazolium Picrate Salt: A New High‐Energy Density Material

The environmentally friendly high‐energy density salt (TRTR)(PA) (TRTR = 3, 4′‐bis‐1, 2,4‐1H‐triazole, PA = 2, 4,6‐trinitrophenol, picric acid) was synthesized and characterized. The X‐ray single crystal diffraction results illustrate that the structure of title salt belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c. Many parallel relationships exist in the molecule, as well as a strong intramolecular π–π stacking interaction. The DSC result shows only one exothermal decomposition step at 229.1 °C. The TG‐DTG curve demonstrates a 75.9 % mass loss from 180 °C to 300 °C at a rate of 3.01 % · K^–1. Experimental data show that the combustion heat approximately equals to TNT (–15.22 MJ · kg^–1) and the enthalpy of formation is +332.2 kJ · mol^–1. Non–isothermal kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were obtained by two methods (Kissinger and Ozawa). Detonation pressure and velocity were calculated to be 23.4 GPa and 7.32 km · s^–1, respectively. Additionally, the sensitivities towards impact and friction were assessed with relevant standard methods.     

Efficient Fe/CuFeO2/rGO nanocomposite catalyst for electro‐Fenton degradation of organic pollutant: Preparation,characterization and optimization

The nanocomposite of zero‐valent iron and delafossite CuFeO₂ supported on reduced graphene oxide was synthesized for the first time to evaluate its performance as the heterogeneous catalyst toward electro‐Fenton (EF) removal of catechol. X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform‐infrared, scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) were used to characterize the nanocomposite. It was found that the rhombohedral structure of CuFeO₂ remained stable during the nanocomposite preparation. The BET surface area of the nanocomposite increased about 102 times in comparison with bare CuFeO₂. The influence of the operating parameters was investigated. The optimum operating conditions were pH 3, Fe/CuFeO₂/rGO: 1 g/l; catechol: 7.5 × 10^?4 mol/l; and I: 150 mA, which led to 99% and 78.4% catechol and chemical oxygen demand removal in 120 min, respectively. The stability of the catalyst by leaching measurements was studied. Only 2% and 3.1% of iron and copper, respectively, was leached in the solution. The obtained results introduced Fe/CuFeO₂/rGO as a stable and appropriate catalyst for removal of organic compounds by the EF process. It was inferred from the scavenger utilization that hydroxyl radical plays a major role in catechol elimination and EF reaction followed by the Haber–Weiss mechanism at optimum conditions. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis was performed to detect the intermediate products, and an acceptable degradation pathway was proposed. The EF degradation of catechol follows a pseudo‐first‐order kinetics model with a rate constant of 3.69 × 10^?2 min^?1 for the optimum operating conditions. The reusability of Fe/CuFeO₂/rGO was investigated for six cycles, and the catalytic efficiency almost remained.     

DPPH (= 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) Radical‐Scavenging Reaction of Protocatechuic Acid (= 3,4‐Dihydroxybenzoic Acid): Difference in Reactivity between Acids and Their Esters

Protocatechuic acid (= 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid; 1 ) exhibits a significantly slow DPPH (= 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) radical‐scavenging reaction compared to its esters in alcoholic solvents. The present study is aimed at the elucidation of the difference between the radical‐scavenging mechanisms of protocatechuic acid and its esters in alcohol. Both protocatechuic acid ( 1 ) and its methyl ester 2 rapidly scavenged 2 equiv. of radical and were converted to the corresponding o‐quinone structures 1a and 2a , respectively (Scheme). Then, a regeneration of catechol (= benzene‐1,2‐diol) structures occurred via a nucleophilic addition of a MeOH molecule to the o‐quinones to yield alcohol adducts 1f and 2c , respectively, which can scavenge additional 2 equiv. of radical. However, the reaction of protocatechuic acid ( 1 ) beyond the formation of the o‐quinone was much slower than that of its methyl ester 2 . The results suggest that the slower radical‐scavenging reaction of 1 compared to its esters is due to a dissociation of the electron‐withdrawing carboxylic acid function to the electron‐donating carboxylate ion, which decreases the electrophilicity of the o‐quinone, leading to a lower susceptibility towards a nucleophilic attack by an alcohol molecule.     

1‐[(E)‐2‐Arylethenyl]‐2,2‐diphenylcyclopropanes: Kinetics and Mechanism of Rearrangement to Cyclopentenes

Kinetic measurements for the thermal rearrangement of 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐[(E)‐styryl]cyclopropane ( 22a ) to 3,4,4‐triphenylcyclopent‐1‐ene ( 23a ) in decalin furnished ΔH =31.0±1.2 kcal mol^?1 and ΔS =?6.0±2.6 e.u. The lowering of ΔH^≠ by 20 kcal mol^?1, compared with the rearrangement of the vinylcyclopropane parent, is ascribed to the stabilization of a transition structure (TS) with allylic diradical character. The racemization of (+)‐(S)‐ 22a proceeds with ΔH =28.2±0.8 kcal mol^?1 and ΔS =?5±2 e.u., and is at 150° 106 times faster than the rearrangement. Seven further 1‐(2‐arylethenyl)‐2,2‐diphenylcyclopropanes 22 , (E)‐ and (Z)‐isomers, were synthesized and characterized. The (E)‐compounds showed only modest substituent influence in their k_rac (at 119.4°) and k_isom (at 159.3°) values. The lack of solvent dependence of rate opposes charge separation in the TS, but a linear relation of log k_rac with log p.r.f., i.e., partial rate factors of radical phenylations of ArH, agrees with a diradical TS. The ring‐opening of the preponderant s‐trans‐conformation of 22 gives rise to the 1‐exo‐phenylallyl radical 26 that bears the diphenylethyl radical in 3‐exo‐position, and is responsible for racemization. The 1‐exo‐3‐endo‐substituted allylic diradical 27 arises from the minor s‐gauche‐conformation of 22 and is capable of closing the three‐ or the five‐membered ring, 22 or 23 , respectively. The discussion centers on the question whether the allylic diradical is an intermediate or merely a TS. Quantum‐chemical calculations by Houk et al. (1997) for the parent vinylcyclopropane reveal the lack of an intermediate. Can the conjugation of the allylic diradical with three Ph groups carve the well of an intermediate?     

Synthesis, Characterization and Crystal Structure of [Na2(APZC)2(μ-H2O)2(μ3-H2O)]n

The synthesis and spectroscopic properties of a Na^＋ complex with ligand 3-aminopyrazine-2-carboxylic acid were described. The resulting complex was characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction method. The title compound crystallizes in the triclinic system with space group . The crystalline structure of this compound consists of supramolecular architectures involving strong intramolecular N—H…O in pyrazine molecules and intermolecular O—H…N, O—H…O, and N—H…N hydrogen bonds between substituted pyrazine and water molecules.     

In vitro Photo‐Oxidation of Pyruvate to Acetyl: A Main Source for the Formation of Acetyl Coenzyme A in the Citric Acid Cycle to Perform Biochemical Reactions

The kinetics of photooxidation of pyruvate was investigated in presence of zinc oxide catalyst under illumination of visible light. The influence of different parameters such as concentrations of reactants, amount of catalyst and irradiation time was studied on the redox reaction under pseudo‐first order conditions. The results indicated that amount of catalyst, presence of electron accepter in solution and irradiation time was the key factors influencing the efficiency of photo‐oxidation of pyruvate to acetyl.     

Reduction of 3‐Aminoquinoline‐2,4(1H,3H)‐diones and Deamination of the Reaction Products

3‐Aminoquinoline‐2,4‐diones were stereoselectively reduced with NaBH₄ to give cis‐3‐amino‐3,4‐dihydro‐4‐hydroxyquinolin‐2(1H)‐ones. Using triphosgene (=bis(trichloromethyl) carbonate), these compounds were converted to 3,3a‐dihydrooxazolo[4,5‐c]quinoline‐2,4(5H,9bH)‐diones. The deamination of the reduction products using HNO₂ afforded mixtures of several compounds, from which 3‐alkyl/aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indol‐2‐ones and their 3‐hydroxy and 3‐nitro derivatives were isolated as the products of the molecular rearrangement.     

Oxidative Rearrangement of Isatins with Arylamines Using H2O2 as Oxidant: A Facile Synthesis of Quinazoline‐2,4‐diones and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial Activity

A green and highly efficient synthetic method for the synthesis of quinazoline‐2,4‐diones with hydrogen peroxide as the terminal oxidant has been developed. The reaction features the mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, metal‐free catalysts, and sole byproduct water. A plausible mechanism for this process was proposed. Moreover, an antibacterial activity study was performed to evaluate the antimicrobial activities towards two Gram‐negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli , and Klebsiella pneumonia ) and two Gram‐positive bacterial strains (Staphylococcus epidermidis , and Staphylococcus aureus ) using the Broth microdilution method.     

One‐pot,Green and Efficient Synthesis of 3,4‐Dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones or Thiones Catalyzed by Citric Acid

One‐pot three‐component condensation of ethyl acetoacetate, aldehyde and urea or thiourea in refluxing ethanol in the presence of catalytic amounts of citric acid afforded the corresponding 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones/thiones in high yields. The catalyst is reusable and can be applied several times without any decrease in product yield.     

Reactivity of 3‐Methylbenzenediazonium Ions with Gallic Acid. Kinetics and Mechanism of the Reaction

We investigated the kinetics and mechanism of the reaction between the 3‐methylbenzenediazonium ions (3MBD), and gallic acids (=3,4,5‐trihydroxybenzoic acid; GA) in aqueous buffer solution under acidic conditions by employing spectrometric, electrochemical, and chromatographic techniques and computational methods. To discern which of the three OH groups of GA is the first one undergoing deprotonation, the geometries of the resulting dianions were optimized by using B3LYP hybrid density‐functional theory (DFT) and a 6‐31G(++d,p) basis set, and the results suggest that the OH group at the 4‐position is the first one which is deprotonated. The variation of the observed rate constant, k_obs, with the acidity at a given [GA] follows an upward curve suggesting that the reaction takes place with the dianionic form of gallic acid, GA^2?, and rate enhancements of ca. 23000 fold are obtained on going from pH 3.5 up to pH 7.5. At relatively high acidities, the variation of k_obs with [GA] is linear with an intercept very close to the value for the thermal decomposition of 3MBD; however, a decrease in the acidity leads to saturation‐kinetics profiles with nonzero, pH‐dependent intercepts. The saturation‐kinetics patterns found suggest the formation of an intermediate in a rapid pre‐equilibrium step, but the nonzero, pH‐dependent intercepts cause the double reciprocal plots of 1/k_obs vs. 1/[GA] to curve. This prompts us to propose an alternative reaction mechanism comprising consecutive equilibrium processes involving the bimolecular, reversible formation of a highly unstable (Z)‐diazo ether which undergoes isomerization to the (E)‐isomer through a unimolecular step. The results obtained indicate the complexity of reactions of arenediazonium ions with nucleophilic arenes containing three or more OH groups.