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Abstract: An efficient methodology employing copper nanoparticles for the preparation of 2-naphthol condensed 1,3-oxazinone derivatives employing one-pot condensation reaction in the presence of K2CO3 and copper nanoparticles in PEG-400 is described which offers several advantages, viz. high yields, clean reaction, short reaction times, recyclability of the catalyst and simple workup procedure. PEG-400 was found to be the best solvent out of a range of solvents examined for this scheme. Moreover, PEG could stabilize the nanoparticles from oxidation and thus could increase the catalyst efficiency by escalating the TON (Turn over Number) and TOF (Turn over Frequency) of the catalyst, making the protocol greener, eco-friendly and environmentally benign. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nanoparticles of MgO, Al2O3, CaO and SiO2 were synthesized using aerogel route, and characterized by N2-BET, SEM, TEM, XRD, TGA and FT-IR techniques. Characterization indicated 2–75nm diameter nanoparticles with 135–887m2/g surface area and microporous–mesoporous characteristics. Prepared nanoparticles were tested for their adsorptive potential by conducting studies on kinetics of adsorption of diethylchlorophosphate under static conditions. The kinetic parameters such as equilibration constant, equilibration capacity, diffusional exponent and adsorbate–adsorbent interaction constant have been determined using linear driving force model and Fickian diffusion model. AP-MgO and AP-CaO showed the maximum (1011mg/g) and minimum (690mg/g) uptake of DEClP, respectively. All nanoparticles showed the values of diffusional exponent to be >0.5, indicating the diffusion mechanism to be anomalous. Hydrolysis reaction (identified using GC/MS technique) was found to be the route of degradation of DEClP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nanoparticles of AP-Al2O3 (aero-gel produced alumina) have been produced by an alkoxide based synthesis involving aluminum powder, methanol, toluene and water. Thus produced alumina nanoparticles were characterized and the data indicated the formation of nanoparticles of alumina in the size range of 2–30nm with high surface area (375m2/g). Thereafter, these nanoparticles were impregnated with reactive chemicals. Adsorptive removal kinetics for DEClP (diethylchlorophosphate) and GB (isopropylmethylphosphonofluoridate, sarin) was monitored by GC–FID (gas chromatograph coupled with flame ionization detector) technique and found to be following pseudo first order reaction kinetics. Among impregnated AP-Al2O3 nanoparticles based sorbent systems AP-Al2O3 impregnated with 9-molybdo-3-vanadophosphoric acid (10%, w/w) was found to be the most reactive with least half-life values of 7 and 30min for the removal of DEClP and GB, respectively, whereas unimpregnated AP-Al2O3 nanoparticles showed the best adsorption potential among all studied systems. In addition to this, hydrolysis reaction {identified using GC/MS (gas chromatograph coupled with mass spectrometer) technique} was found to be the route of degradation of DEClP and GB on impregnated alumina nanoparticles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Alumina nanoparticles in the size range of 2–30nm and surface area 375m2/g were synthesized using aerogel route and then characterized using N2–BET, SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR and TGA techniques. Thereafter, these were impregnated with reactive chemicals and tested for their potential by conducting studies on kinetics of adsorption of 2-chloroethylethylsulphide (2-CEES) under static conditions. Kinetics was studied using linear driving force and Fickian diffusion model. The kinetics parameters such as equilibration constant, equilibration capacity, diffusional exponent and adsorbate–adsorbent interaction constant were also determined. AP-Al2O3 with 10% impregnation of MoVPA (V3) and NaOH showed the maximum (574mg/g) and minimum (88mg/g) uptake of 2-CEES among impregnated systems respectively. All impregnated systems except NaOH impregnation showed the values of diffusional exponent to be <0.5, indicated the diffusion mechanism to be Fickian, whereas AP-Al2O3 with and without NaOH impregnation showed the diffusional mechanism to be anomalous. Hydrolysis and dehydrohalogenation reactions (identified using GC/MS technique) were found to be the route of degradation of 2-CEES. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: High surface area (887.3m2/g) silica nanoparticles were synthesized using aerogel route and thereafter, characterized by N2-Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET), SEM and TEM techniques. The data indicated the formation of nanoparticles of silica in the size range of 24–75nm with mesoporous characteristics. Later, these were impregnated with reactive chemicals such as N-chloro compounds, oxaziridines, polyoxometalates, etc., which have already been proven to be effective against sulphur mustard (HD). Thus, developed novel mesoporous reactive sorbents were tested for their self-decontaminating feature by conducting studies on kinetics of adsorptive removal of HD from solution. Trichloroisocyanuric acid impregnated silica nanoparticles (10%, w/w)-based system was found to be the best with least half-life value (t 1/2 =2.8min) among prepared systems to remove and detoxify HD into nontoxic degradation products. Hydrolysis, dehydrohalogenation and oxidation reactions were found to be the route of degradation of HD over prepared sorbents. The study also inferred that 10% loading of impregnants over high surface area and low density silica nanoparticles enhances the rate of reaction kinetics and seems to be useful in the field of heterogeneous reaction kinetics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nanoparticles of AP–Al2O3 (aerogel produced alumina) have been produced by an alkoxide based synthesis involving aluminum powder, methanol, toluene and water. Thus produced alumina nanoparticles were characterized by N2-BET, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infra-red spectroscopy and thermogravimetry techniques. The data indicated the formation of nanoparticles of alumina in the size range of 2–30nm with high surface area (375m2/g) and microporous–mesoporous characteristics. Thereafter, these nanoparticles were impregnated with polyoxometalates and other reactive chemicals, which have already proven to be effective against sulphur mustard (HD). Adsorptive removal kinetics for HD was monitored by GC–FID (gas chromatograph coupled with flame ionization detector) technique and found to be following pseudo first order reaction kinetics. Among polyoxometalates impregnated alumina nanoparticles based novel mesoporous reactive sorbent systems AP–Al2O3 impregnated with 9-molybdo-3-vanadophosphoric acid (10%, w/w) was found to be the most reactive with least half life value (214min). In addition to this, degradation products of sulphur mustard on prepared mesoporous reactive sorbents were identified using GC/MS technique. Hydrolysis, dehydrohalogenation and oxidation reactions were found to be the route of degradation of sulphur mustard. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Use of highly monodispersed, easily recyclable and cheap nickel nanoparticles for oxidative coupling of aliphatic, aromatic, cyclic and heteroaromatic thiols to their corresponding disulfides has been reported. Ni-nanoparticles act as a green catalyst that can selectively catalyse oxidative coupling of thiols to disulfides without producing any over-oxidized products. The catalytic reaction occurred at room temperature with excellent yield under air atmosphere and high TON and TOF value could be achieved. Effect of solvent polarity and size distribution of the Ni-nanoparticles on the catalytic efficiency have been investigated. Nickel nanoparticles could be easily recovered by mild centrifugation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In principle, the technique of gene delivery involves taking complete or parts of genes that can code specific message and delivering them to selected cells in the body. Such a transfer of plasmid DNA into mammalian cells has posed major challenges for gene therapy. This study shows the encapsulation of a plasmid DNA in cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanoparticles of size less than 100nm. This kind of encapsulation provides complete protection to the plasmid DNA from external DNase environment and generates the hope that the resulting formulation can be developed into a potential vector for effective gene delivery. In order to check this potentially, the reporter gene pSVβ-gal was encapsulated and in vitro transfection efficiency of this system was found to be nearly 80% compared to the commercially available transfection reagent PolyfectR. Further, in vivo biodistribution studies indicated that this system could be used safely for effective gene delivery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Recyclable Ni-nanoparticles provides an efficient, economic and rapid method for catalyzing Knoevenagel condensation of aldehydes with an active methylene compound at room temperature. The method offers high yield preferably in case of aromatic aldehydes and proceed well in neutral medium. This method provides a wide range of substrate applicability and simple workup procedure. The products need no further purification and the process is environmentally benign. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Biologically active quinoxalines were efficiently synthesized in excellent yields and in less reaction time using inexpensive, monodispersed and easily recyclable Ni-nanoparticles. In order to elucidate the role of the Ni-nanoparticles, a control reaction was conducted using glyoxal and o-phenylenediamine in acetonitrile in the absence of Ni-nanoparticles. Quinoxaline was formed in around 10h with a 30% yield. However, the same reaction carried out in acetonitrile using 10mol% of Ni- nanoparticles (14–18nm) at 25°C and stirred under N2 gave quinoxaline in quantitative yield in 10min. The separation of the product was facile and the catalyst could be separated and recycled by mild centrifugation. Our method is very quick, avoids the use of expensive reagents, high temperatures (our reaction takes place at room temperature) and leads to excellent yield. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cu-Nanoparticles provide an efficient catalysis for the synthesis of 2-arylbenzoxazoles by the coupling of aromatic or heteroaromatic aldehydes with 2-aminophenol though the oxidative cyclization of the Schiffs’ bases using 10mol% of the Cu-nanoparticles in the presence of K2CO3 in MeOH. This method avoids the use of metal oxide or organic oxidizing agents, namely, DDQ or strong acids such as polyphosphoric acid or boric acid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel method for reduction of aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes with ammonium formate using Ni-nanoparticles is described. The Ni-nanoparticles act as a green catalyst for selective reduction of the aldehydic group in the presence of other functional groups, viz.: –NO2, –CN and alkenes to give the corresponding alcohols in excellent yields. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Polymeric nanoparticles of AADG cross-linked with MBA encapsulating water soluble macromolecules such as FITC-Dextran have been prepared in the reverse micellar system. The particles obtained were of >85nm in diameter which were highly monodisperse. An optically clear solution was obtained on redispersing these nanoparticles in aqueous buffer. Size and morphology of the particles remains the same on re-dispersing the lyophilized powder of these nanoparticles in aqueous buffer. The size dependency of the particles on the monomer and surfactant concentration was observed. The average size of the nanoparticles as obtained from DLS studies ranges from 74 to 114nm in case 0.06M AOT and 62–104nm in case of 0.1M AOT concentration. FITC-Dextran was entrapped into nanoparticles with high efficiency (>70%). The pH dependent release of the entrapped molecules from these nanoparticles was also studied. At pH 5.0 solution, ∼43% of FITC-Dx was released and at pH 7.4 it was about 70%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel method for effecting the aza-Michael reactions of N-alkyl- and N-arylpiperazines with acrylonitrile using Cu-nanoparticles is described. The method features the use of 10mol% Cu (14–17nm) nanoparticles under mild reaction conditions to afford the addition products in good to excellent yields. The Cu-nanoparticles selectively catalysed the aza-Michael reaction of N-alkyl- and N-arylpiperazines in the presence of aromatic amino or aliphatic hydroxy groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]