Facile synthesis of pseudo-peanut shaped hematite iron oxide nano-particles and their promising ethanol and formaldehyde sensing characteristics

Herein, pseudo-peanut shaped hematite iron oxide nano-particles are prepared through a facile cost effective wet chemical synthesis route.

Combination of best promoter and micellar catalyst for more than kilo-fold rate acceleration in favor of chromic acid oxidation of D-galactose to D-galactonic acid in aqueous media at room temperature

Picolinic acid, 2,2'-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline promoted Cr(VI) oxidation of D-galactose to D-galactonic acid in three representative aqueous micellar media has been studied. The anionic surfactant (SDS) accelerated the rate of reaction while the cationic surfactant (CPC) and neutral surfactant (TX-100) retarded the reaction rate. Combination of bipy and SDS is the best choice for chromic acid oxidation of D-galactose to D-galactonic acid in aqueous media although 1,10-phenanthroline is best promoter in absence of micellar catalyst.

Selection of Promoter and Micellar Catalyst for Chromic Acid Oxidation of Tartaric Acid in Aqueous Medium at Room Temperature

Chromic acid oxidation of tartaric acid in aqueous acid media produces glycolaldehyde very sluggishly at room temperature. Suitable combination of promoter (2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline) and micellar catalyst (sodium dodecyl sulphate, cetylpyridinium chloride, triton X-100) enhances the rate of reaction to almost 14-fold. Observation showed that anionic surfactant (SDS) and nonionic surfactant (TX-100) accelerates the process but cationic surfactant (CPC) retards the reaction. The efficient combination for the production of glycolaldehyde from tartaric acid is found to be 1,10-phenanthroline and SDS.

Combination of Best Promoter and Micellar Catalyst for Chromic Acid Oxidation of D-Mannitol to Mannose in Aqueous Media

Chromic acid oxidation of D-mannitol to mannose has been studied in aqueous media. The effect of promoter (PA, phen and bpy), micellar catalyst (SDS, TX-100 and CPC) and their combination is studied. All the reactions were performed under the condition [D-mannitol]T ≫ [Cr(VI)]T. All the promoters accelerate the reaction rate and the rate is highest in presence of phen. In absence of a promoter the anionic surfactant SDS increases the rate followed by Triton TX-100. The cationic surfactant CPC retards the reaction in comparison to the reaction in aqueous media. Although phen is the best promoter in absence of any surfactant the catalyst combination of bpy and SDS produce a maximum rate enhancement.

Micellar Catalysis of Chromic Acid Oxidation of Methionine to Industrially Important Methylthiol in Aqueous Media at Room Temperature

Oxidation of organic molecule by metal is very important. Selective oxidants require non aqueous media, which is toxic and hazardous. L-methionine is oxidized to industrially important methyl thiol in micellar media by chromic acid. The overall reaction follows a first order dependency on substrate and hexavalent chromium and second order dependency on hydrogen ion. Here, reverse micelle formation is observed. TX-100 increases the rate where as SDS retards the rate of oxidation.

More than a colour change: insect melanism, disease resistance and fecundity

A 'dark morph' melanic strain of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, was studied for its atypical, heightened resistance to infection with the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana. We show that these insects exhibit multiple intraspecific immunity and physiological traits that distinguish them from a non-melanic, fungus-susceptible morph. The melanic and non-melanic morphs were geographical variants that had evolved different, independent defence strategies. Melanic morphs exhibit a thickened cuticle, higher basal expression of immunity- and stress-management-related genes, higher numbers of circulating haemocytes, upregulated cuticle phenoloxidase (PO) activity concomitant with conidial invasion, and an enhanced capacity to encapsulate fungal particles. These insects prioritize specific augmentations to those frontline defences that are most likely to encounter invading pathogens or to sustain damage. Other immune responses that target late-stage infection, such as haemolymph lysozyme and PO activities, do not contribute to fungal tolerance. The net effect is increased larval survival times, retarded cuticular fungal penetration and a lower propensity to develop haemolymph infections when challenged naturally (topically) and by injection. In the absence of fungal infection, however, the heavy defence investments made by melanic insects result in a lower biomass, decreased longevity and lower fecundity in comparison with their non-melanic counterparts. Although melanism is clearly correlated with increased fungal resistance, the costly mechanisms enabling this protective trait constitute more than just a colour change.

Suitable combination of promoter and micellar catalyst for kilo fold rate acceleration on benzaldehyde to benzoic acid conversion in aqueous media at room temperature: a kinetic approach

The kinetics of oxidation of benzaldehyde by chromic acid in aqueous and aqueous surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS, alkyl phenyl polyethylene glycol, Triton X-100 and N-cetylpyridinium chloride, CPC) media have been investigated in the presence of promoter at 303 K. The pseudo-first-order rate constants (kobs) were determined from a logarithmic plot of absorbance as a function time. The rate constants were found to increase with introduction of heteroaromatic nitrogen base promoters such as Picolinic acid (PA), 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen). The product benzoic acid has been characterized by conventional melting point experiment, NMR, HRMS and FTIR spectral analysis. The mechanism of both unpromoted and promoted reaction path has been proposed for the reaction. In presence of the anionic surfactant SDS, cationic surfactant CPC and neutral surfactant TX-100 the reaction can undergo simultaneously in both aqueous and micellar phase with an enhanced rate of oxidation in the micellar phase. Both SDS and TX-100 produce normal micellar effect whereas CPC produce reverse micellar effect in the presence of benzaldehyde. The observed net enhancement of rate effects has been explained by considering the hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction between the surfactants and reactants. SDS and bipy combination is the suitable one for benzaldehyde oxidation.

Micellar Catalysis on 1,10-Phenanthroline Promoted Chromic Acid Oxidation of Glycerol in Aqueous Media

On pseudo-first order conditions, the monomeric species of Cr(VI) was found to be kinetically active in the absence of phenanthroline (phen) whereas in the phen-promoted path, the Cr(VI)-phen complex undergoes a nucleophilic attack by glycerol to form a ternary complex which subsequently experience a redox decomposition leading to glyceraldehydes and Cr(III)-phen complex. The effect of the cationic surfactant, cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC); anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and nonionic surfactant, triton X-100 (TX-100) on the unpromoted and phen-promoted path have been studied. Micellar effects have been explained by considering the preferential partitioning of reactants between the micellar and aqueous phase.

Micellar Catalysis on Pentavalent Vanadium Ion Oxidation of Ethanol in Aqueous Acid Media

Vanadium(V) oxidation of ethanol follows a first order dependency on the concentration of ethanol, vanadium(V), H+ and HSO4 –. These observations remain unaltered in the presence of externally added surfactants. The effect of the cationic surfactant (i.e., N-cetylpyridinium chloride [CPC]), anionic surfactant (i.e., sodium dodecyl sulphate [SDS]) and neutral surfactant (i.e., Triton X-100 [TX-100]) has been studied. CPC inhibits the reactions, whereas SDS and TX-100 accelerate the reaction to different extents. Observed effects have been justified by considering the hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction between the surfactants and reactants. SDS and TX-100 can be used as catalysts in the production of acetaldehyde from ethanol.

Kinetic Studies of Glutamic Acid Oxidation by Hexavalent Chromium in Presence of Surfactants

Hexavalent chromium is a widespread environmental contaminant and a known human carcinogen. It is a very important to remove toxic Cr(VI) from industrial waste water. In human body Cr(VI) is reduced to Cr(III). Effective bio-molecule present in body contains a number of different functional groups. Kinetics of reduction of Cr(VI) by an important amino acid, glutamic acid in micellar media have been studied spectrophotometrically. Micellar media is a testing enviroment to establish the mechanistic paths of reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). The catalyst and suitable surfactants enhance the reduction of Cr(VI).

A foe incognito: an interesting case of pleurisy

Though pleuritis and pleural effusion are common in lupus patients they are distinctly rare as the initial manifestation of lupus. Diagnosis of lupus pleuritis is also a difficult task and often costly and lengthy immunological panels are employed to diagnose it. We report one case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting with lupus pleuritis as the first manifestation. We propose that demonstration LE cells have a very prominent role in differentiating lupus pleuritis from other causes of pleural effusions in SLE patients. We believe that our case is the first report from India which shows pleuritis may be a first manifestation of lupus.

Efficient combination of promoter and catalyst for chromic acid oxidation of propan-2-ol to acetone in aqueous acid media at room temperature

Oxidation of propan-2-ol to acetone was carried out in aqueous media at room temperature. The effect of promoter (PA, bpy, phen), micellar catalyst (SDS, CPC, TX-100) and their combination has been studied. The reactions were performed under the condition [Propan-2-ol]T≫[Cr(VI)]T at 30°C. Then kobs and half life of all the reaction were determined to identify which promoter and which combination are the most effective for this oxidation. Among the promoters phen accelerates the reaction most in aqueous media. In absence of promoters anionic surfactant SDS increases the rate more effectively than neutral surfactant TX-100. CPC retards the rate in comparison to aqueous media. The rate of the oxidation is highest in presence of the combination of bpy and SDS.

Efficient combination of promoter and catalyst for chromic acid oxidation of propan-2-ol to acetone in aqueous acid media at room temperature

Oxidation of propan-2-ol to acetone was carried out in aqueous media at room temperature. The effect of promoter (PA, bpy, phen), micellar catalyst (SDS, CPC, TX-100) and their combination has been studied. The reactions were performed under the condition [Propan-2-ol]T≫[Cr(VI)]T at 30°C. Then kobs and half life of all the reaction were determined to identify which promoter and which combination are the most effective for this oxidation. Among the promoters phen accelerates the reaction most in aqueous media. In absence of promoters anionic surfactant SDS increases the rate more effectively than neutral surfactant TX-100. CPC retards the rate in comparison to aqueous media. The rate of the oxidation is highest in presence of the combination of bpy and SDS.

Enteric fever in an HIV/AIDS patient: Atypical manifestations

Bloodstream infections with Salmonella typhi, is uncommon in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons. The symptoms in such patients are often non-specific and have a rather insidious onset and progression. We report a patient with sepsis and lower limb gangrene due to Salmonella typhi infection in an HIV-infected patient.