Au NPs fabricated on biguanidine-modified Zr-UiO-66 MOFs: a competent reusable heterogeneous nanocatalyst in the green synthesis of propargylamines

In this study, we utilized functionalized metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as a host matrix to embed gold (Au) nanoparticles.

Bioleaching for environmental remediation of toxic metals and metalloids: A review on soils, sediments, and mine tailings

Owing to industrial evolution, a huge mass of toxic metals, including Co, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn, and metalloids, such as As and Sb, has inevitably been released into the natural environment and accumulated in soils or sediments. Along with modern industrialization, many mineral mines have been explored and exploited to provide materials for industries. Mining industries also generate a vast amount of waste, such as mine tailings, which contain a high concentration of toxic metals and metalloids. Due to the low economic status, a majority of mine tailings are simply disposed into the surrounding environments, without any treatment. The mobilization and migration of toxic metals and metalloids from soils, sediments, and mining wastes to water systems via natural weathering processes put both the ecological system and human health at high risk. Considering both economic and environmental aspects, bioleaching is a preferable option for removing the toxic metals and metalloids because of its low cost and environmental safety. This chapter reviews the recent approaches of bioleaching for removing toxic metals and metalloids from soils, sediments, and mining wastes. The comparison between bioleaching and chemical leaching of various waste sources is also discussed in terms of efficiency and environmental safety. Additionally, the advanced perspectives of bioleaching for environmental remediation with consideration of other influencing factors are reviewed for future studies and applications.

Sulfoxide and Sulfone Synthesis via Electrochemical Oxidation of Sulfides

The oxidation of diaryl sulfides and aryl alkyl sulfides to the corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones under electrochemical conditions is reported. Sulfoxides are selectively obtained in good yield under a constant current of 5 mA for 10 h in DMF, while sulfones are formed as the major product under a constant current of 10 or 20 mA for 10 h in MeOH. The oxygen of both the sulfoxide and sulfone function is derived from water.

Ionic-liquid-modified CMK-3 as a support for the immobilization of molybdate ions (MoO42-): Heterogeneous nanocatalyst for selective oxidation of sulfides and benzylic alcohols

A nanometric carbon CMK-3 modified with octylimidazolium ionic liquid and MoO₄^2- as a new hybrid catalyst was synthesized. The study is the first to report a successful immobilization of MoO₄⁼ on the CMK-3/OctIm as a hybrid nanocatalyst. A variety of analytical methods were utilized to determine the properties of the structure and morphology of the synthesized nanocatalyst [CMK-3/Im/MoO₄^2-]. The analytical techniques were transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ isotherms (BET), IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). CMK-3/OctIm/MoO₄^2- hybrid catalyst demonstrated a considerable catalytic activity. It is a recyclable nanocatalyst that is utilized to chemoselectively oxidize different types of sulfides to the corresponding sulfoxides and benzylic alcohols to aldehydes using the green oxidant, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in high-yields. With a little leaching and variation in activity, it is possible to recover and reuse the catalyst frequently. A combination of molybdate anion and the CMK-3 order mesoporous carbon resulted in an improvement in the performance of catalysis and ease of separation for the reaction procedure.

Needle ball-like nanostructured mixed Cu-Ni-Co oxides: Synthesis, characterization and application to the selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides

A mixed nano-metal oxides of Cu-Ni-Co has been synthesized. Several characterization techniques (EDS, XRD, TEM, and SEM) have been used to provide insight into the nature and structure of the catalyst. The size of this mixed metal oxide is 22 nm. The SEM images indicate that the sample with spherical particles, of which spherical assembly is comprised of elongated rod/needle-like subunits pointing radially outward, creates a needle ball-like structure. To efficiently catalyze the selective oxidation of sulfide towards sulfoxide, this heterogeneous catalyst uses an oxidizing agent (hydrogen peroxide- H₂O₂) and a solvent (acetonitrile) in mild conditions. The influence of reaction temperature and sulfide/oxidant molar ratio was evaluated with respect to sulfide conversion and chemoselectivity towards the sulfoxide product. Under optimized conditions, product yields in the range from 70 to 97% were obtained.

Transition-metal- and oxidant-free directed anodic C-H sulfonylation of N,N-disubstituted anilines with sulfinates

A new, practical directed anodic C-H sulfonylation of N,N-disubstituted anilines with sodium sulfinates for producing o- or p-amino arylsulfones and diarylsulfones is described. Employing the anodic strategy, the reaction proceeds efficiently under mild (room temperature) and transition-metal- and chemical oxidant-free conditions, and enables the formation of C-S bonds via directed activation of ortho- or para-C-H bond to the amino group with broad substrate scope and excellent site selectivity.

Synthesis and nano-Pd catalyzed chemoselective oxidation of symmetrical and unsymmetrical sulfides

A highly chemoselective, efficient and nano-Pd catalyzed protocol for the rapid construction of sulfoxides and sulfones via the oxidation of symmetrical and unsymmetrical sulfides using H2O2 as an oxidant has been developed, respectively. The ready availability of starting materials, easy recovery and reutilization of the catalyst, wide substrate scope, and high yields make this protocol an attractive alternative. The process also involves the metal-free and microwave-promoted synthesis of symmetrical diarylsulfides, and FeCl3-mediated preparation of symmetrical diaryldisulfides through the reaction of arenediazonium tetrafluoroborates with Na2S·9H2O as a sulfur source. In addition, unsymmetrical sulfides were generated via the K2CO3-mediated reaction of arenediazonium tetrafluoroborates with symmetrical disulfides.

One-pot sequential synthesis and antifungal activity of 2-(benzylsulfonyl)benzothiazole derivatives

New antifungal agrochemicals, derived from 2-(benzylsulfonyl)benzothiazole were synthesized by an environmentally friendly method, using water as reaction medium.

An efficient heterogeneous copper fluorapatite (CuFAP)-catalysed oxidative synthesis of diaryl sulfone under mild ligand- and base-free conditions

We report an efficient method for the synthesis of diaryl sulfones using heterogeneous CuFAP-catalysed coupling of sodium salt of aryl sulfonic acid with phenyl boronic acid.

Fe3O4/PEG-SO3H as a heterogeneous and magnetically-recyclable nanocatalyst for the oxidation of sulfides to sulfones or sulfoxides

We present below a sulfonated-polyethylene glycol-coated Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite (Fe₃O₄/PEG-SO₃H) as a greatly effective and ecological nanocatalyst for the selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides or sulfones with brilliant yields under solvent-free conditions by employing 30% hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant.