Singlet Oxygen in Microporous Silica Xerogel:Quantum Yield and Oxidation at the Gas–Solid Interface

The quantum yields of singlet oxygen production and lifetimes at the gas–solid interface in silica gel material are determined. Different photosensitizers (PS) are encapsulated in parallelepipedic xerogel monoliths (PS-SG). PS were chosen according to their known photooxidation properties: 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA), 9,10-anthraquinone (ANT), and a benzophenone derivative, 4-benzoyl benzoic acid (4BB). These experiments are mainly based on time-resolved 1O2 phosphorescence detection, and the obtained FD and tD values are compared with those of a reference sensitizer for production, 1H-phenalen-1- one (PN), included in the same xerogel. The trend between their ability to oxidize organic pollutants in the gas phase and their efficiency for production is investigated through photooxidation experiments of a test pollutant dimethylsulfide (DMS). The FD value is high for DCA-SG relative to the PN reference, whereas it is slightly lower for 4BB-SG and for ANT-SG. FD is related to the production of sulfoxide and sulfone as the main oxidation products for DMS photosensitized oxidation. Additional mechanisms, leading to C!S bond cleaveage, appear to mainly occur for the less efficient singlet oxygen sensitizers 4BB-SG and ANTSG.

Effect of the Vulcanization Time and Storage on the Stability and Physical Properties of Sulfur-Prevulcanized Natural Rubber Latex

Prevulcanized natural rubber latex was prepared by the heating of the latex compound at 55°C for different periods of time (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 h). The changes in the colloidal stability and physical properties were evaluated during the course of prevulcanization. The prevulcanized latex compounds were stored for 300 days, and the properties were monitored at different storage intervals (0, 20, 40, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 days). During prevulcanization, the mechanical stability time increased, and the viscosity remained almost constant. The tensile strength increased during storage for a period of 20 days. The degree of crosslinking, modulus, elongation at break, and chloroform number were varied with the time of storage.

Zeolite-encapsulated Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes as catalysts for partial oxidation of benzyl alcohol and ethylbenzene

Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of dimethylglyoxime and N,N-ethylenebis(7-methylsalicylideneamine) have been synthesized in situ in Y zeolite by the reaction of ion-exchanged metal ions with the flexible ligand molecules that had diffused into the cavities. The hybrid materials obtained have been characterized by elemental analysis, SEM, XRD, surface area, pore volume, magnetic moment, FTIR, UV-Vis and EPR techniques. Analysis of data indicates the formation of complexes in the pores without affecting the zeolite framework structure, the absence of any extraneous species and the geometry of encapsulated complexes. The catalytic activities for hydrogen peroxide decomposition and oxidation of benzyl alcohol and ethylbenzene of zeolite complexes are reported. Zeolite Cu(II) complexes were found to be more active than the corresponding Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes for oxidation reactions. The catalytic properties of the complexes are influenced by their geometry and by the steric environment of the active sites. Zeolite complexes are stable enough to be reused and are suitable to be utilized as partial oxidation catalysts.

Oxidation kinetics of nickel nano crystallites obtained by controlled thermolysis of diaquabis(ethylenediamine) nickel(II) nitrate

The metal complex, [Ni(en)2(H2O)2](NO3)2 (en = ethylenediamine), was decomposed in a static furnace at 200 C by autogenous decomposition to obtain phase pure metallic nickel nanocrystallites. The nickel metal thus obtained was studied by XRD, IR spectra, SEM and CHN analysis. The nickel crystallites are in the nanometer range as indicated by XRD studies. The IR spectral studies and CHN analyses show that the surface is covered with a nitrogen containing species. Thermogravimetric mass gain shows that the product purity is high (93%). The formed nickel is stable and resistant to oxidation up to 350 C probably due to the coverage of nitrogen containing species. Activation energy for the oxidation of the prepared nickel nanocrystallites was determined by non-isothermal methods and was found to depend on the conversion ratio. The oxidation kinetics of the nickel crystallites obeyed a Johnson–Mehl–Avrami mechanism probably due to the special morphology and crystallite strain present on the metal.

Synthesis and Characterisation of New Transition Metal Complexes of Schiff Bases Derived from 3-hydroxyquinoxaline-2- carboxaldehyde and Application of Some ofthese Complexes as Hydrogenation and Oxidation Catalysts

The thesis deals with studies on the synthesis, characterisation and catalytic applications of some new transition metal complexes of the Schiff bases derived from 3-hydroxyquinoxaline 2-carboxaldehyde.. Schiff bases which are considered as ‘privileged ligands’ have the ability to stabilize different metals in different oxidation states and thus regulate the performance of metals in a large variety of catalytic transformations. The catalytic activity of the Schiff base complexes is highly dependant on the environment about the metal center and their conformational flexibility. Therefore it is to be expected that the introduction of bulky substituents near the coordination sites might lead to low symmetry complexes with enhanced catalytic properties. With this view new transition metal complexes of Schiff bases derived from 3-hydroxyquinoxaline-2-carboxaldehyde have been synthesised. These Schiff bases have more basic donor nitrogen atoms and the presence of the quinoxaline ring may be presumed to build a favourable topography and electronic environment in the immediate coordination sphere of the metal. The aldehyde was condensed with amines 1,8-diaminonaphthalene, 2,3-diaminomaleonitrile, 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, 2-aminophenol and 4-aminoantipyrine to give the respective Schiff bases. The oxovanadium(IV), copper(II) and ruthenium(II)complexes of these Schiff bases were synthesised and characterised. All the oxovanadium(IV) complexes have binuclear structure with a square pyramidal geometry. Ruthenium and copper form mononuclear complexes with the Schiff base derived from 4- aminoantipyrine while binuclear square planar complexes are formed with the other Schiff bases. The catalytic activity of the copper complexes was evaluated in the hydroxylation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. Catechol and hydroquinone are the major products. Catalytic properties of the oxovanadium(IV) complexes were evaluated in the oxidation of cyclohexene with hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. Here allylic oxidation products rather than epoxides are formed as the major products. The ruthenium(II) complexes are found to be effective catalysts for the hydrogenation of benzene and toluene. The kinetics of hydrogenation was studied and a suitable mechanism has been proposed.

Characterization and Catalytic Activity of Polymer Supported Ruthenium Schiff Base Complexes Towards Catechol Oxidation

Ruthenium(III) complexes of the Schiff bases formed by the condensation of polymer bound aldehyde and the amines, such as 1,2-phenylenediamine (PS-opd), 2-aminophenol (PS-ap), and 2-aminobenzimidazole (PS-ab) have been prepared. The magnetic moment, EPR and electronic spectra suggest an octahedral structure for the complexes. The complexes of PS-opd, PS-ap, and PS-ab have been assigned the formula [PS-opdRuCl3(H2O)], [PS-apRuCl2(H2O)2], [PS-ab- RuCl3(H2O)2], respectively. These complexes catalyze oxidation of catechol using H2O2 selectively to o-benzoquinone. The catalytic activity of the complexes is in the order [PS-ab- RuCl3(H2O)2] . [PS-opdRuCl3(H2O)] [PS-apRuCl2(H2O)2]. Mechanism of the catalytic oxidation of catechol by ruthenium( III) complex is suggested to take place through the formation of a ruthenium(II) complex and its subsequent oxidation by H2O2 to the ruthenium(III) complex.

Determination of the nature of the diperiodatocuprate(III) species in aqueous alkaline medium through a kinetic and mechanistic study on the oxidation of iodide ion

The nature of the diperiodatocuprate(III) (DPC) species present in aqueous alkaline medium has been investigated by a kinetic and mechanistic study on the oxidation of iodide by DPC. The reaction kinetics were studied over the 1.0 ´ 10)3±0.1 mol dm)3 alkali range. The reaction order with respect to DPC, as well as iodide, was found to be unity when [DPC] [I)]. In the 1.0 ´ 10)3±1.0 ´ 10)2 mol dm)3 alkali region, the rate decreased with increase in the alkali concentration and a plot of the pseudo-®rst order rate constant, k versus 1/[OH)] was linear. Above 5.0 ´ 10)2 mol dm)3, a plot of k versus [OH)] was also linear with a non-zero intercept. An increase in ionic strength of the reaction mixtures showed no e ect on k at low alkali concentrations, whereas at high concentrations an increase in ionic strength leads to an increase in k. A plot of 1/k versus [periodate] was linear with an intercept in both alkali ranges. Iodine was found to accelerate the reaction at the three di erent alkali concentrations employed. The observed results indicated the following equilibria for DPC.

New supported transition metal complexes: synthesis, characterization and application as catalysts for oxidation/hydrodesulphurization reactions

This thesis deals with the synthesis and charcterisation of some supported transition metal complexes and their catalytic properties. Two industrially important reactions were carried out: i) cyclohexanol oxidation and ii) hydrodesulphurization of diesel. Thesis is divided into nine chapters. An overview of the heterogenised homogeneous systems is given in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 deals with the materials and methods used for the preparation and characterisation. Details regarding the synthesis and characterisation of zeolite encapsulated transition metal complexes are given in Chapter 3 to Chapter 7. In Chapter 8, the results of catalytic activity studies of the cyclohexanol oxidation using the zeolite encapsulated complexes are presented. Details of preparation of hydrodesulphurization catalysts through the molecular designed dispersion method, their characterization and catalytic activity studies are presented in Chapter 9. References are given at the end of the thesis.

Studies on some supported transition metal complex and metal oxide catalysts for oxidation reactions

Zeolite encapsulated transition metal complexes have received wide attention as an effective heterogenized system that combines the tremendous activity of the metal complexes and the attractive features of the zeolite structure. Zeolite encapsulated complexes offer a bright future for attempts to replace homogeneous systems retaining its catalytic activity and minimizing the technical problems. especially for the partial oxidation of organic compounds. Studies on some zeolite encapsulated transition metal complexes are presented in this thesis. The ligands selected are technically important in a bio-mimetic or structural perspective. Attempts have been made in this study to investigate the composition, structure and stability of encapsulated complexes using available techniques. The catalytic activity of encapsulated complexes was evaluated for the oxidation of some organic compounds. The recycling ability of the catalyst as a result of the encapsulation was also studied.Our studies on Cu-Cr/Al2O3, a typical metal oxide catalyst. illustrate the use of design techniques to modify the properties of such conventional catalysts. The catalytic activity of this catalyst for the oxidation of carbon monoxide was measured. The effect of additives like Ce02 or Ti02 on the activity and stability of this system was also investigated. The additive is potent to improve the activity and stability ofthe catalyst so as to be more effective in commercial usage.

Photoinduced oxidation of benzhydrol over lanthana modified sol-gel titania

Lanthana modified sol-gel titania is prepared through particulate sol-gel route and the physico-chemical characterizations of the prepared systems were done using X-Ray diffration, EDX, BET surface area-pore volume measurements and TG-DTG analysis. Benzophenone was observed to be the sole product in the TiO2 photocatalyzed oxidation of benzhydrol in oxygen purged acetonitrile. The influence of various parameters, like irradiation time, amount of catalyst, concentration of the catalyst and other factors on the photocatalytic oxidation has been investigated. The proposed mechanism envisages the involvement of a superoxide radical anion.

Wet peroxide oxidation of phenol over mixed pillared montmorillonites

Wet peroxide oxidation (WPO) of phenol is an effective means for the production of diphenols, which are of great industrial importance. An added advantage of this method is the removal of phenol from wastewater effluents. Hydroxylation of phenol occurs efficiently over mixed iron aluminium pillared montmorillonites. An initial induction period is noticed in all cases. A thorough study on the reaction variables suggests free radical mechanism for the reaction.

Catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane over Cu-Zn-Cr ternary spinel systems

Spinel systems with the composition of Cu 1−x Zn x Cr 2 O 4 [x = 0 CCr, x = 0.25 CZCr-1, x = 0.5 CZCr-2, x = 0.75 CZCr-3 and x = 1 ZCr] were prepared by homogeneous co-precipitation method and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FT-IR spectroscopy. Elemental analysis was done by EDX, and surface area measurements by the BET method. The redox behavior of these catalysts in cyclohexane oxidation at 243 K using TBHP as oxidant was examined. Cyclohexanone was the major product over all catalysts with some cyclohexanol. 69.2% selectivity to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone at 23% conversion of cyclohexane was realized over zinc chromite spinels in 10 h.

Vanadia supported on ceria: Characterization and activity in liquid-phase oxidation of ethylbenzene

Vanadia/ceria catalysts (2–10 wt% of V2O5) were prepared by wet impregnation of ammonium metavanadate in oxalic acid solution. Structural characterization was done with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface area measurements, FT-IR spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic spectral analysis (51V MASNMR). XRD and 51V MASNMR results show highly dispersed vanadia species at lower loadings and the formation of CeVO4 phase at higher V2O5 loading. The catalytic activity of catalysts was conducted in liquid phase oxidation of ethylbenzene with H2O2 as oxidant. The oxidation activity is increased with loading up to 8 wt% V2O5 and then decreased with further increase in V2O5 content to 10 wt%. Different vanadia species evidenced by various techniques were found to be selective towards ethylbenzene oxidation. The CeVO4 formation associated with increased concentration of vanadia on ceria results the production of acetophenone along with 2-hydroxyacetophenone.

Catalysis By Ferrites And Cobaltites For The Alkylation And Oxidation Of Organic Compounds

Catalysis is a very important process from an industrial point of view since the production of most industrially important chemicals involves catalysis.Solid acid catalysts are appealing since the nature of acid sites is known and their chemical behavior in acid catalyzed reactions can be rationalized by means of existing theories and models. Mixed oxides crystallizing in spinel structure are of special interest because the spinel lattice imparts extra stability to the catalyst under various reaction conditions so that theses systems have sustained activities for longer periods. The thesis entitled" Catalysis By Ferrites And Cobaltites For The Alkylation And Oxidation Of Organic Compounds " presents the preparation ,characterization ,and activity studies of the prepared spinels were modified by incorporating other ions and by changing the stoichiometry.The prepared spinels exhibiting better catalytic activity towards the studied reactions with good product selectivity.Acid-base properties and cation distribution of the spinels were found to control the catalytic activity.

Development of nitrifying and photosynthetic sulfur bacteria based bioaugmentation systems for the bioremediation of ammonia and hydrogen sulphide in shrimp culture

This thesis entitled Development of nitrifying ans photosynthetic sulfur bacteria based bioaugmentation systems for the bioremediation of ammonia and hydregen sulphide in shrimp culture. the thesis is to propose a sustainable, low cost option for the mitigation of toxic ammonia and hydrogen sulphide in shrimp culture systems. Use of ‘bioaugmentors’ as pond additives is an emerging field in aquaculture. Understanding the role of organisms involved in the ‘bioaugmentor’ will obviously help to optimize conditions for their activity.The thesis describes the use of wood powder immobilization of nitrifying consortia.Shrimp grow out systems are specialized and highly dynamic aquaculture production units which when operated under zero exchange mode require bioremediation of ammonia, nitrite nitrogen and hydrogen sulphide to protect the crop. The research conducted here is to develop an economically viable and user friendly technology for addressing the above problem. The nitrifying bacterial consortia (NBC) generated earlier (Achuthan et al., 2006) were used for developing the technology.Clear demonstration of better quality of immobilized nitrifiers generated in this study for field application.