Heterogeneous Dendrimer-Based Catalysts

Synthesis of a bistriazolyl-phenanthroline-Cu(ii) complex immobilized on nanomagnetic iron oxide as a novel green catalyst for synthesis of imidazoles via annulation reactions

We designed and prepared a novel N-heterocycle-based nanocatalyst by a post synthetic method, namely the [Fe3O4@DAA-BTrzPhen-Cu(ii)] composite. In this method, bistriazolyl-phenanthroline groups were stepwise synthesized on an Fe3O4 substrate and used as a tetradentate nitrogenous ligand for coordinating to copper ions. The obtained nanocomposite was well characterized using FT-IR, PXRD, TGA, EDAX, ICP-OES, EDX-mapping, SEM, TEM, VSM and BET analyses, which confirm the formation of a thermostable crystalline spherical particle morphology with the particle size in the range of 17 nm to 25 nm and a magnetization value of 42 emu g-1. Also, the catalytic activity of [Fe3O4@DAA-BTrzPhen-Cu(ii)] as a novel and magnetically separable heterogeneous nanocatalyst was evaluated in preparing various tetrasubstituted imidazole derivatives from one-pot four-component condensation of anilines, aldehydes, 1,2-diketones and ammonium acetate, and favorable products were produced with excellent yields. The stability, low Cu leaching, and heterogenous nature of the nanocatalyst were confirmed by hot-filtration and leaching tests. The copper based nanocatalyst could be easily recovered by magnetic field separation and recycled at least 8 times in a row without noticeable loss in its catalytic activity.

Carbonylative Self-Coupling of Aryl Boronic Acids Using a Confined Pd Catalyst within Melamine Dendron and Fibrous Nano-Silica: A CO Surrogate Approach

Development of heterogeneous catalysts with tunable activity and selectivity has posed a persistent challenge. This study addresses this challenge by fabricating a hybrid environment through the combination of mesoporous silica and N-rich melamine dendron via covalent grafting, allowing for controllable growth and encapsulation of Pd NPs. This catalyst presented an excellent catalytic activity for the oxidative carbonylative self-coupling of aryl boronic acids to afford symmetric biaryl ketones using N-formyl saccharin as a sustainable solid CO source and Cu as a co-catalyst.

Investigation of Soft Matter Nanomechanics by Atomic Force Microscopy and Optical Tweezers: A Comprehensive Review

Soft matter exhibits a multitude of intrinsic physico-chemical attributes. Their mechanical properties are crucial characteristics to define their performance. In this context, the rigidity of these systems under exerted load forces is covered by the field of biomechanics. Moreover, cellular transduction processes which are involved in health and disease conditions are significantly affected by exogenous biomechanical actions. In this framework, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical tweezers (OT) can play an important role to determine the biomechanical parameters of the investigated systems at the single-molecule level. This review aims to fully comprehend the interplay between mechanical forces and soft matter systems. In particular, we outline the capabilities of AFM and OT compared to other classical bulk techniques to determine nanomechanical parameters such as Young's modulus. We also provide some recent examples of nanomechanical measurements performed using AFM and OT in hydrogels, biopolymers and cellular systems, among others. We expect the present manuscript will aid potential readers and stakeholders to fully understand the potential applications of AFM and OT to soft matter systems.