Pd nanoparticle concentration dependent self-assembly of Pd@SiO2 nanoparticles into leaching resistant microcubes.

Pd NP concentration guided the self-assembly of core-shell Pd@SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) into microcubes. The Pd NPs were stacked by molten dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) to create the SiO2 envelope. The microcubes demonstrated improved leaching resistance in heterogeneous catalysis over a conventional porous support.

Abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complex: living catalyst for activation of aryl chlorides in Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling.

Palladium complexes bearing abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene were used as catalysts in Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling of aryl chlorides at 25 °C. The catalyst remained active for 10 successive catalytic runs and can activate 4-chlorotoluene at 25 °C with 0.01 mol% catalyst loading resulting in a TON of 9500 within 6 h.

Singlet oxygen mediated DNA degradation by copper nanoparticles: potential towards cytotoxic effect on cancer cells.

The DNA degradation potential and anti-cancer activities of copper nanoparticles of 4-5 nm size are reported. A dose dependent degradation of isolated DNA molecules by copper nanoparticles through generation of singlet oxygen was observed. Singlet oxygen scavengers such as sodium azide and Tris [hydroxyl methyl] amino methane were able to prevent the DNA degradation action of copper nanoparticles confirming the involvement of activated oxygen species in the degradation process. Additionally, it was observed that the copper nanoparticles are able to exert cytotoxic effect towards U937 and Hela cells of human histiocytic lymphoma and human cervical cancer origins, respectively by inducing apoptosis. The growth characteristics of U937 and Hela cells were studied applying various concentrations of the copper nanoparticles.