Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Schiff Base for Enhanced Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Photo-Response Mechanism

The efficient photo-response mechanism is one of the key factors in the commercialization of dye-sensitized solar cells in a bid to satisfy renewable energy demands. Progress in green technology has put solar energy on the front burner as a provider of clean and affordable energy for a sustainable society. We report the synthesis of a novel Schiff base with optical transparency in the visible and near IR region of the solar spectrum that can find application in the DSSCs photo-response mechanism. The synthesized crystal exhibited features that could handle some of the shortcomings of dye-sensitized solar cells which include wide band solar spectrum absorption and capability for swift charge transfer within the photoelectrodes. The synthesized Schiff base was characterized using x-ray diffractometer, UV/Visible spectrometer, Frontier transmission infrared spectrometer and conductometer. XRD data revealed the grown crystal to have an average crystallite size of 2.08 nm with average microstrain value of about 269.43. The FT-IR recorded transmission wave ѵ (CO) at 1207.7 cm−1 while dominant wave occurred at ѵ1654.9 and ѵ1592.3 cm−1 relating to ѵ (CN) stretching and ѵ (NH) bending respectively were observed. The IR spectrum revealed the bonding species and a probable molecular structure of 2,6-bis(benzyloxy)pyridine. The UV/Visible spectra convoluted to maximum peak within the near IR region suggesting that 2,6-bis(benzyloxy)pyridine can absorb both the visible and near IR region while its electrical conductivity was determined to be 4.58 µS/cm. The obtained result of the present study revealed promising characteristics of a photosensitizer that can find application in the photo-response mechanism of DSSCs.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Ammonium cis-Dioxo Dibenzilato Tungstate (VI) Dihydrate

A mononuclear tungsten-benzilate, (NH4)2[WO2(Ph2COCOO)2]?H2O was ob- tained by the reaction of ammonium tungstate(VI) with excess benzilic acid in ethanol solution at pH 5~6. The title compound crystallizes in monoclinic system, space group P21/n with a = 8.1078(5), b = 25.797(2), c = 13.6815(8) ? b = 91.001(1)? V = 2861.1(3) 3, Dc = 1.719 g/cm3, F(000) = 1472, C28H32N2O10W, Mr = 740.41, m(MoKa) = 4.097 mm-1 and Z = 4. The full-matrix least-squares refinement resulted in R = 0.033 and Rw = 0.068 for 3974 observed reflections with I >2s(I). The tungsten atom is six-coordinated by two cis-oxo groups and two bidentate benzilate ligands through deprotonated a-alkoxyl and a-carboxyl groups, forming a stable five-membered chelate ring. The compound has a distorted octahedral geometry, which is mainly attributable to the bulky ligand-ligand repulsions.

PEG-400 as an efficient reaction medium for the synthesis of 2,4,5-triaryl-1H-imidazoles and 1,2,4,5-tetraaryl-1H-imidazoles

An efficient protocol for the one-pot multicomponent synthesis of various 2,4,5 -triaryl- 1H-imidazoles and 1,2,4,5 -tetraaryl- 1H- imidazoles using PEG-400 as reaction medium is described. This method has the advantages of good yields, less pollution and simple reaction conditions.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a Hexameric Organooxotin Cluster from Benzilic Acid

The title complex [^n BuSn（O）O2C（OH）CPh2]6.2H2O has been synthesized by the reaction of n-BuSn（O）OH with benzilic acid in 1：1 molar radio and characterized by IR, ^1H NMR spectra and elemental analysis. The crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in triclinic, space group PI with a = 1.3543（2）, b = 1.4593（2）, c = 1.5293（2） nm, α = 102.075 （2）,β = 115.571 （2）, γ = 93.308（3）°, Z = 1, V = 2.6282（7） nm^3, Mr = 2550.21, Dc = 1.611 g/cm^3,μ = 1.477 mm^-1, F（000） = 1280, R = 0.0309 and wR = 0.0729. The structure shows a distorted octahedral configuration with six-coordination for the central tin atom.

One-pot synthesis of tri- and tetra-substituted imidazoles using sodium dihydrogen phosphate under solvent-free conditions

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate （NaH2PO4） efficiently catalyzes the condensation reaction of benzil, aldehydes, amines and ammonium acetate in a four-component reaction under solvent-free conditions. The reaction proceeds rapidly and affords the corresponding tetra-substituted imidazoles in high yields. Also an efficient route was developed for the synthesis of tri-substituted imidazoles from condensation of benzil, aldehydes and ammonium acetate using NaH2PO4.

ZrOCl_2·8H_2O catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 2,4,5-triaryl-1H-imidazoles and substituted 1,4-di(4,5-diphenylimidazolyl)benzene

A simple one-pot synthetic method for the preparation of 2,4,5-triaryl-lH-imidazoles from benzoin or benzil, ammonium acetate, aromatic aldehydes, and ZrOCl2-8H2O catalyst is described. The ZrOCl2-8H2O catalyst was found to be equally effective for aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes and also for the preparation of substituted 1,4-di（4,5-diphenylimidazol-yl） benzene.

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 2,4,5-triaryl-1H-imidazoles

A simple and efficient method has been developed;benzil/benzoin undergoes smooth condensation with various substituted aldehyde and ammonium acetate in the presence of potassium dihydrogen phosphate（KH;PO;） under mild reaction conditions to afford the corresponding trisubstituted imidazole in excellent yields.The method for synthesis of product,the reaction mixture was reflux in ethanol for 40-90 min.The present method is simple,efficient,and cost-effective.

PVC Membrane Selective Electrode for Determination of Cadmium(Ⅱ) Ion in Chocolate Samples

Benzil bis(carbohydrazone)(BBC) is prepared and explored as new N N Schiff's base, which plays the role of an excellent ion carrier in the construction of a Cd(II) ion membrane sensor. The tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate best performance corresponds to a membrane composition of 30% poly(vinyl chloride), 65%(TEHP), 3.5% BBC and 1.5% tetradodecyl-ammoniumtetrakis(4-chlorophenyl) borate(ETH 500). This sensor shows very good selectivity and sensitivity towards cadmium ion over a wide variety of cations, including alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The effect of membrane composition, selectivity, pH and influence of additive on the response properties of electrode were investigated. The response mechanism was discussed in the view of UV-spectroscopy. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian behavior(with slope of 29.7 mV per decade) over a very wide concentration range from 1.0×10?1 to 1.0×10?8 mol·L?1 with a detection limit of 3.2×10?8 mol·L?1. It shows rela-tively fast response time in whole concentration range(<8 s) and can be used for at least 10 weeks in the pH range of 2.0-9.0. The proposed sensor is successfully used for the determination of cadmium in different chocolate sam-ples and as indicator electrode in titration with ethylene diamine tetraacetate(EDTA).

Excellent electrocatalytic activity of benzil for direct reduction of CO2 as well as indirect reduction of pyridine:A kinetic view of the electrocarboxylation process

Benzil,1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-dione, was used as an excellent electrocatalyst for reduction of carbon dioxide, CO. The reduction overpotential of COwas reduced about 900 m V in the presence of a benzil mediator. The chemical reaction of the product of the electrocatalytic reduction of CO,(activated CO,CO) with pyridine at a glassy carbon electrode, GCE, surface and in an acetonitrile-ButNClOsolution was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and controlled potential coulometry.By chronoamperometry, the catalytic rate constant, k, for the electron transfer between benzil and COwas obtained as 8.1 ± 0.4 Ms. The results indicate that pyridine has a strong interaction with the activated CO. The coulometry method was used to obtain the product of the pyridine chemical reaction with CO. The spectral characterizations of FTIR,H andC NMR of the coulometry experiment product proved that the pyridine anion radical, Py, was carboxylated by CO, and isonicotinic acid is the final major product.

Microwave-assisted aldol condensation of benzil with ketones

Under microwave irradiation, the corresponding hydroxycyclopentenones were prepared in high yields by the cross-aldol reactions of benzil with various ketones. When the reactions were performed in various solvents under classical heating for a long time, they produced the products in relatively low yields.

PHOTOINITIATED CROSSLINKING OF EPDM/INORGANIC FILLER BLENDS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF RELATED PROPERTIES

Photoinitiated crosslinking of ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer （EPDM） blends filled with calcium carbonate, talc and calcined kaolin （CK） in the presence of benzil dimethyl ketal as photoinitiator and trimethylolpropane triacrylate as crosslinker and their related properties have been studied by different analytical methods, The results from gel content and heat extension determination show that the efficiency ofphotocrosslinking of EPDM increases with increasing the content of diene and its molecular weight. The EPDM blends with 100 phr different inorganic fillers can be photocrosslinked to gel content of above 60% by 5 s UV-irradiation under optimum conditions. Under the same conditions of irradiation, the orders of photocrosslinking rate and final gel content are EPDM/CaCO3 〉 EPDM/talc 〉 EPDM/CK. The data from thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, electrical properties, mechanical tests and scanning electron microscopy show that UV irradiation crosslinking apparently enhances the thermal stability, mechanical properties and electrical properties of the photocrosslinked EPDM/inorganic filler samples. Although the attenuated total-reflection FTIR data show that inorganic fillers can promote the surface photo-oxidation of EPDM/inorganic filler samples with increasing the irradiation time, the above related properties of the photocrosslinked EPDM blends irradiated within 5 s are enough to satisfy many applications in the cable industry.

Catalyst-free and solvent-free method for the synthesis of quinoxalines under microwave irradiation

A facile procedure for the synthesis, of quinoxalines is being reported starting from benzil and 1,2-diaminobenzene. The reactions were carried out catalyst-free, solvent-free and under microwave irradiation conditions in high yield （84-98%） with short time （3-6 min） and environmental benign, as well as convenient operation. The structures of all the compounds have been confirmed on the basis of their IR, 1H NMR, and/or 13C NMR, mass spectral data.

Solvent-free and catalyst-free method for the synthesis of 2,4,5-triarylimidazoles under microwave irradiation

A facile procedure for the synthesis of 2,4,5-lriarylimidazoles is being reported starting from benzil, aromatic aldehyde and ammonium acetate. The reactions were carried out with catalyst-free, solvent-free and under microwave irradiation conditions in high yield （80-99%） with short time （3-5 min） and environmental benign, as well as convenient operation. The structures of the compounds have been confirmed on the basis of their IR, 1H NMR, and/or 13C NMR, MS, and elemental analyzer.

Molecular Properties of 9,10-Phenanthrenequinone and Benzil

9,10-Phenanthrenequinone（PQ） and benzil are important a-diketones. This manuscript explains the first comparison of PQ and benzil molecular properties. We have used 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 1H-IH COSY, HMBC, HMQC, UV-Vis absorption and emission, CV and TGA experiments to study PQ and benzil that provided the following novel results. （1） The 1H NMR（CDC13） of PQ show δ 8.19（H1）, 8.02（H4）, 7.72（H3）, 7.47（H2） instead of an earlier reported 8.25（H4）, 8.08（H1）, 7.80（H2）, 7.55（H3）; （2） in the 13C NMR（CDCl3）, the C9/C10（C=O） signal of PQ appears upfield（6 180.3） compared to C9/Cl0（C=O） signal of benzil（6 194.5）, which shows higher electrophilic character（more attractive for nucleophiles） of C9/C10（C=O） of benzil; （3） the first 2max for the UV-Vis absorption and emission of PQ are blue-shifted compared to benzil despite increased conjugation attributed to the different symmetries（C2v for PQ and C2h for Benzil） of the two molecules; （4） the emission spectrum of benzil is broader compared to that of PQ due to slower relaxation of the excited state; （5） The CV study shows that PQ and benzil are good electron acceptors and PQ shows a better reduction process than benzil due to an extra ring that provides stability for the reduced species（mono or diradical anions）; （6） TGA shows the higher thermal stability of PQ than benzil attributed to the presence of phenanthrene unit in PQ.

Direct Electrochemical Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a New Mononuclear Copper(Ⅱ) Complex: [(bipy)_2Cu(PhCOO)]ClO_4·(benzil) (benzil = 1,2-Diphenyl-ethane-1,2-dione)

A new mononuclear copper（Ⅱ） complex [（bipy）2Cu（PhCOO）]ClO4·（benzil） （bipy = 2,2＇-bipyridine, benzil = 1,2-diphenyl-ethane-1,2-dione） was synthesized by direct electrochemical oxidation of Cu electrode in an acetonitrile solution with benzoic acid, 2,2＇-bipyridine and benzoin. As soon as the current flowed in the cell, benzoin was oxidized to benzil quickly. The crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction. It belongs to monoclinic system, space group P21/c with a = 14.860（2）, b = 20.784（3）, c = 11.9150（17）A, β = 101.401（3）°, V= 3607.3（9）/k^3, Z = 4, M, = 806.69, D, = 1.485 g/cm^3, F（000） = 1660, μ = 0.742 mm^-1, R = 0.0788 and wR = 0.1519 for 6254 observed reflections （I 〉 2σ（I）. The complex contains a mononuclear [（bipy）2Cu（PhCOO）] cation, a solvate benzil molecule and a ClO4^- anion which locates around the cation outside acting as the counter ion. The Cu（ll） ion is coordinated by two 2,2＇-bipyridines and one benzoato ligand to form a distorted square-pyramid.

SOLVENTLESS CYCLOCONDENSATIONS BETWEEN 1-NAPHTHOL AND BENZILS

In the absence of organic solvents,the Lewis acid catalyzed cyclocondensation reactions between 1-naphthol and benzils gave 3-aryl-3-aryl'naphtho[1,2-b]furan-2(3H)-ones(NFs) in good yields(62%～70%)An electrophilic substitution mechanism involving formation of n-EPD/v- EPA complexes and rearrangement of aryl group was proposed.

STEREOCHEMISTRY OF THE BENZILIC ACID-TYPE REARRANGEMENT IN BASE-CATALYZED AUTOXIDATION OF 3α,5-CYCLO-5α-CHOLESTANE-6-ONE

The configuration of the hydroxy acid 2, a product from base-catalyzed autoxidation of 3α,5-cyclo-5α-cholestane-6-one,was established on the basis of NMR techniques and the mechanism of the formation of 2 was discussed.

Solid State Synthesis and Crystal Structure of 3-Methyl-1-phenyl-4-phenylbenzoylmethylene-5-pyrazolone

The solid state thermal reaction of benzil with 3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-pyrazolone gave the title compound 1 (C_24H_18N_2O_2) and its isomer 2. The crystal structure of the title compound has been determined by X-ray analysis. The crystal belongs to monoclinic system, space group P2_1/n, with cell parameters a = 7. 479 ( 1 ), b =16. 992(1), c=15. 165(1) A , β= 100. 99(1)°, V= 1891. 9 A￣3, M_r=366. 42, Z=4, D_c= 1. 286 g/cm￣3, μ= 6. 236 cm￣-1, F(000) = 768. In the molecule of 1, benzoyl group and CO group of five-member ring are in cis-positions, the interaction of oxygen atoms leads to the noncoplanarity.

Crystallization-induced phosphorescence of benzils at room temperature

Efficient room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) is rarely observed in pure organic luminogens. However, we have newly observed that benzil and its derivatives are nonluminescent in solvents and thin layer chromatography (TLC) plates, but become highly phosphorescent in crystal state at room temperature, exhibiting typical crystallization-induced phosphorescence (CIP) characteristics. The CIP phenomenon is ascribed to the restriction of intramolecular rotations in crystals owing to effective intermolecular interactions. Such intermolecular interactions greatly rigidify the molecular conformation and significantly decrease the nonradiative deactivation channels of the triplet excitons, thus giving boosted phosphorescent emission at room temperature.