Synthesis of novel tridentate pyrazole–bipyridine ligands for Co-complexes as redox-couples in dye-sensitized solar cells

New In Situ Catalysts Based on Nitro Functional Pyrazole Derivatives and Copper (II) Salts for Promoting Oxidation of Catechol to o-Quinone

Herein, new substituted ligands based on pyrazole (L1–L4) were synthesized via a one-step by condensing (1H-pyrazole-1-yl) methanol with different primary amine compounds. The present work utilized the catalytic properties of the in situ complexes formed by these ligands with various copper (II) salts viz. Cu(CH3COO)2, CuSO4, CuCl2, and Cu(NO3)2 for the oxidation of catechol to o-quinone. The studies showed that the catalytic activities depend on the nature and concentration of the ligand, the nature of the counterion, and the solvent. It was observed that the complex formed by L2 and Cu(CH3COO)2 exhibited good catalytic activity in methanol with Vmax of 41.67 µmol L−1 min−1 and Km of 0.02 mol L−1.

Highly Selective Removal of Pb(II) by a Pyridylpyrazole-β-ketoenol Receptor Covalently Bonded onto the Silica Surface

Efficient materials capable of capturing toxic metals from water are widely needed. Herein, a new pyridylpyrazole-β-ketoenol receptor, X-ray diffraction analyzed, was covalently incorporated into the silica surface to produce solid and recyclable adsorbent particles. The new material, fully characterized, revealed extremely efficient removal of toxic metals from water, with a selectivity order of Pb(II) > Zn(II) > Cu(II) > Cd(II). The adsorption was exceptionally rapid at optimum pH and concentrations, showing Pb(II) removal of 93 mg g-1 within 5 min and maximum Pb(II) adsorption of 110 mg g-1 after only 20 min. Sorption isotherms agreed well with the Langmuir model suggesting a monolayer adsorption, whereas kinetics agreed with the pseudo-second-order model suggesting a chemisorption binding mechanism. Thermodynamics of adsorption were fitted with an endothermic and spontaneous process. The material, recyclable for at least five cycles, is therefore promising for the cleanup of water polluted by toxic metals, especially lead.

Lab-scale production of anhydrous diazomethane using membrane separation technology

Diazomethane is among the most versatile and useful reagents for introducing methyl or methylene groups in organic synthesis. However, because of its explosive nature, its generation and purification by distillation are accompanied by a certain safety risk. This protocol describes how to construct a configurationally simple tube-in-flask reactor for the in situ on-demand generation of anhydrous diazomethane using membrane separation technology and thus avoiding distillation methods. The described reactor can be prepared from commercially available parts within ∼1 h. In this system, solutions of Diazald and aqueous potassium hydroxide are continuously pumped into a spiral of membrane tubing, and diazomethane is generated upon mixing of the two streams. Pure diazomethane gas diffuses out of the reaction mixture through the membrane tubing (made of gas-permeable Teflon AF-2400). As the membrane tubing is immersed in a flask filled with the substrate solution, diazomethane is instantly consumed, which minimizes the risk of diazomethane accumulation. For this protocol, the reaction of diazomethane with benzoic acid on a 5-mmol scale has been selected as a model reaction and is described in detail. Methyl benzoate was isolated in an 88-90% yield (597-611 mg) within ∼3 h.