Coordination polymers are compounds that consist of a metal atom and surrounding organic ligands. They are often more stable than pure organic substances. RUDN chemist Alexander Kirillov used a nicotinic acid derivative (H2cpna) as a building block in the synthesis, and iron atoms played the role of the metal center. Substituted nicotinic acid can act as a ligand — it contains one phenyl and one pyridine ring, which are linked by an ether functional group.
To synthesize the polymer, the reaction was performed under hydrothermal conditions between iron (II) sulfate in water and H2cpna at 160 ⁰C. The synthesis lasted three days. X-ray diffraction analysis and other methods were used to confirm the structure and characteristics of the obtained substance.
The catalytic activity of the substance for different reactions was studied. Alexander Kirillov from RUDN conducted the processes of oxidation and carboxylation of propane and cyclic alkanes (saturated hydrocarbons closed in a cycle) under mild conditions. The reaction yield was 23%. For comparison, in the industrial process of oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone (products that are used in the production of plastics), the yield is only 5-10%.
The study of the catalytic activity of the polymer obtained by RUDN chemists showed that it can be used to catalyze the processes of oxidative functionalization of saturated hydrocarbons, and provide a greater yield for the reaction under mild conditions.
Article in Crystals magazine.
RUDN soil scientists have revealed a direct correlation between the rate of soil formation of carbon dioxide, called CO2 emissions, and the content of microbial biomass in it. It is known that CO2 emission from soil is mainly conditioned by respiration of soil microorganisms and plant roots. The more CO2 soil emits, the more microbial biomass it usually contains. It was shown that CO2 emission by chernozem of different ecosystems (or different types of land use) correlates with the content of microbial biomass, and most closely with the rate of its microbial respiration. And the soil with good microbial properties has the “best quality”, is more fertile, provides the highest yield of crops and other plant biomass.
RUDN University chemists and their colleagues from the Russian Academy of Sciences have proposed new catalysts that allow to reduce the temperature of the oxidation reaction of alkanes three times — from 150 to 50 degrees. This significantly reduces the cost of synthesizing alcohols, aldehydes and other compounds needed, in particular, for the production of nylon and capron.
A chemist from RUDN University has developed a catalyst for the production of eugenol acetate, a substance that destroys the larvae of mosquitoes transmitting dangerous diseases, being a safe chemical for human health.
RUDN soil scientists have revealed a direct correlation between the rate of soil formation of carbon dioxide, called CO2 emissions, and the content of microbial biomass in it. It is known that CO2 emission from soil is mainly conditioned by respiration of soil microorganisms and plant roots. The more CO2 soil emits, the more microbial biomass it usually contains. It was shown that CO2 emission by chernozem of different ecosystems (or different types of land use) correlates with the content of microbial biomass, and most closely with the rate of its microbial respiration. And the soil with good microbial properties has the “best quality”, is more fertile, provides the highest yield of crops and other plant biomass.
RUDN University chemists and their colleagues from the Russian Academy of Sciences have proposed new catalysts that allow to reduce the temperature of the oxidation reaction of alkanes three times — from 150 to 50 degrees. This significantly reduces the cost of synthesizing alcohols, aldehydes and other compounds needed, in particular, for the production of nylon and capron.