Efficient extraction of nickel from chloride system using a cleaner extractant: Taking the example of processing nickel-aluminum slag remaining from spent hydroprocessing catalysts

The efficient recovery of nickel from chloride systems has long presented a challenge in the field. While solvent extraction is a viable approach, conventional extractants have been associated with drawbacks such as a high requirement for chloride ions and substantial consumption of acids and alkalis. In response to these challenges, this investigation developed and synthesized a novel thiazole-based extractant, N, N-Bis(4-thiazolylmethyl)octylamine (NNBT), tailored for the selective extraction of nickel from chloride systems. Findings from the study indicate that the nitrogen atom situated on the benzylamine framework within NNBT can interact synergistically with the chelating thiazole ring, facilitating effective nickel extraction and notably reducing the need for chloride ions. Furthermore, the extractant can be regenerated using deionized water, thereby obviating the necessity for additional consumption of acids and alkalis. Following the validation of NNBT as an environmentally sustainable and efficient nickel extractant within the chloride ion system, it was successfully employed to selectively and effectively extract nickel from the nickel-aluminum slag of spent HDP catalyst. The extracted nickel and aluminum were subsequently processed into electroplated nickel chloride and polyaluminum chloride, respectively, meeting the national standards of China. These outcomes underscore the eco-friendliness and promise of NNBT for nickel extraction from chloride systems.

5-N-Arylaminothiazoles with pyridyl groups and their first-row transition metal complexes: synthesis, photophysical properties, and Zn sensing

A series of 5-N-arylaminothiazoles were synthesized with facile diversity-oriented synthesis from readily available starting materials via the reaction of thioamide dianions and thioformamides. The introduction of various substituents at the 2-position of a thiazole ring (i.e., 2-pyridyl, 4-methylpyridyl, and phenyl groups) and on the nitrogen atom (i.e., p-tolyl and phenyl groups) significantly influenced the absorption and emission spectra of the isolated compounds. X-ray analysis confirmed that the substituents at the amino site were twisted from a thiazole ring, while the formation of its nickel complex showed dinuclear metal complexes bridged with chlorine atoms. Moreover, the formation of zinc-thiazole complexes showed enhanced emission properties in solution and noticeable emission in a solid state. In addition, thiazole-bridged dypyrromethene type ligands showed high selectivity toward Zn+2, which make them good candidates for zinc sensing.

Thiolate Coordination vs C-S Bond Cleavage of Thiolates in Dinickel(II) Complexes

A detailed study for the synthesis of dinickel(II)-thiolate and dinickel(II)-hydrosulfide complexes and the complete characterization of the relevant intermediates involved in the C-S bond cleavage of thiolates are presented. Hydrated Ni(II) salts mediate the hydrolytic C-S bond cleavage of thiolates (NaSR/RSH; R = Me, Et, ⁿBu, ^tBu), albeit inefficiently, to yield a mixture of a dinickel(II)-hydrosulfide complex, [Ni₂(BPMP)(μ-SH)(DMF)₂]²⁺ (1), and the corresponding dinickel(II)-thiolate complexes, such as [Ni₂(BPMP)(μ-SEt)(ClO₄)]¹⁺ (2) (HBPMP is 2,6-bis[[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]methyl]-4-methylphenol). A systematic study for the reactivity of thiolates with Ni(II) was therefore pursued which finally yielded 1 as a pure product which has been characterized in comparison with the dinickel(II)-dichloride complex, [Ni₂(BPMP)(Cl)₂(MeOH)₂]¹⁺ (3). While the reaction of thiolates with anhydrous Ni(OTf)₂ in dry conditions could only yield [Ni₂(BPMP)(OTf)₂]¹⁺ (5) instead of the expected dinickel(II)-thiolate compound, the C-S bond cleavage could be suppressed by the use of a chelating thiol, such as PhCOSH, to yield [Ni₂(BPMP)(SCOPh)₂]¹⁺ (6). Finally, with the suitable choice of a monodentate thiol, a dinickel(II)-monothiolate complex, [Ni₂(BPMP)(SPh)(DMF)(MeOH)(H₂O)]²⁺ (7), was isolated as a pure product within 1 h of reaction, which after a longer time of reaction yielded 1 and PhOH. Complex 7 may thus be regarded as the intermediate that precedes the C-S bond cleavage and is generated by the reaction of a thiolate with an initially formed dinickel(II)-solvento complex, [Ni₂(BPMP)(MeOH)₂(H₂O)₂]³⁺(4). Selected dinickel(II) complexes were explored further for the scope of substitution reactions, and the results include the isolation of a dinickel(II)-bis(thiolate) complex, [Ni₂(BPMP)(μ-SPh)₂]¹⁺ (8).

Reversible Thermochromism of Nickel(II) Complexes and Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Transformation

A molecular Ni(II)-NNN pincer complex (1) exhibited unprecedented reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation and color change upon heating and cooling due to a subtle change in the N-Ni(II) bond length and ligand conformation. UV-vis, thermogravimetric, differential scanning calorimetry, single-crystal structural data, temperature-dependent powder X-ray diffraction, and Raman and computational studies supported the structural change of the Ni(II) complex with temperature.

Electrochemical studies of DNA interaction and antimicrobial activities of MnII, FeIII, CoII and NiII Schiff base tetraazamacrocyclic complexes

Tetraazamacrocyclic complexes of Mn^II, Fe^III, Co^II and Ni^II have been synthesized by template method. These tetraazamacrocycles have been analyzed with various techniques like molar conductance, IR, UV-vis, mass spectral and cyclic voltammetric studies. On the basis of all these studies, octahedral geometry has been assigned to these tetraazamacrocyclic complexes. The DNA binding properties of these macrocyclic complexes have been investigated by electronic absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, cyclic voltammetric and differential pulse voltammetric studies. The cyclic voltammetric data showed that i_pc and i_pa were effectively decreased in the presence of calf thymus DNA, which is a strong evidence for the interaction of these macrocyclic complexes with the calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA). The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant found in the order: K_Co^II>K_Ni^II>K_Mn^II which indicates that Co^II macrocyclic complex has formed a strong intercalated intermediate. The Stern-Volmer quenching constant (K_SV) and voltammetric binding constant were found in the order K_SV(Co^II)>K_SV(Ni^II)>K_SV(Mn^II) and K⁺(Co^II)>K⁺(Ni^II)>K⁺(Mn^II) which shows that Co^II macrocyclic complex exhibits the high interaction affinity towards ct-DNA by the intercalation binding. Biological studies of the macrocyclic complexes compared with the standard drug like Gentamycin, have shown antibacterial activities against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. cereus, S. aureus and antifungal activity against C. albicans.

Antibacterial, DNA interaction and cytotoxic activities of pendant-armed polyamine macrocyclic dinuclear nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes

A series of dinuclear nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes (1-6) of hexaaza macrocycles of 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol with three different benzoyl pendant-arms, 2,2'-benzoyliminodi(ethylamine) trihydrochloride (L), 2,2'-4-nitrobenzoyliminodi(ethylamine) trihydrochloride (L') and 2,2'-3,5-dinitrobenzoyliminodi(ethylamine) trihydrochloride (L″) have been synthesized and characterized by spectral methods. The electrochemical studies of these complexes depict two irreversible one electron reduction processes around E(1)pc=-0.62 to -0.76 V and E(2)pc=-1.21 to -1.31, and nickel(II) complexes (1-3) exhibit two irreversible one electron oxidation processes around E(1)pa=1.08 to 1.14 V and E(2)pa=1.71 to 1.74 V. The room temperature magnetic moment values (μeff, 1.52-1.54 BM) indicate the presence of an antiferromagnetic interaction in the binuclear copper(II) complexes (4-6) which is also observed from the broad ESR spectra with a g value of 2.14-2.15. The synthesized complexes (1-6) were screened for their antibacterial activity. The results of DNA interaction studies indicate that the dinuclear complexes can bind to calf thymus DNA by intercalative mode and display efficient cleavage of plasmid DNA. Further, the cytotoxic activity of complexes 2, 5 and 6 on human liver adenocarcinoma (HepG2) cell line has been examined. Nuclear-chromatin cleavage has also been observed with PI staining and comet assays.

A new 3,5-bisporphyrinylpyridine derivative as a fluorescent ratiometric probe for zinc ions

A new 3,5-disubstituted pyridine with two porphyrin moieties was prepared through an efficient synthetic approach involving 2-formyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (1), piperidine, and catalytic amounts of [La(OTf)3]. 3,5-Bis(5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin-2-ylmethyl)pyridine (2) was fully characterized and its sensing ability towards Zn(2+), Cu(2+), Hg(2+), Cd(2+), and Ag(+) was evaluated in solution by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and in gas phase by using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-TOF mass spectrometry. Strong changes in the ground and excited state were detected in the case of the soft metal ions Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+), and Cu(2+). A three-metal-per-ligand molar ratio was obtained in all cases and a significant ratiometric behavior was observed in the presence of Zn(2+) with the appearance of a new band at 608 nm, which can be assigned to a metal-to-ligand charge transfer. The system was able to quantify 79 ppb of Zn(2+) and the theoretical calculations are in accordance with the stoichiometry observed in solution. The gas-phase sensorial ability of compound 2 towards all metal ions was confirmed by using MALDI-TOF MS and in solid state by using polymeric films of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) doped with ligand 2. The results showed that compound 2 can be analytically used to develop new colorimetric molecular devices that are able to discriminate between Hg(2+) and Zn(2+) in solid phase. The crystal structure of Zn(II) complex of 3,5-bisporphyrinylpyridine was unequivocally elucidated by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.