This manuscript contains an insight into the mechanisms of inorganic carbene chemistry; synthesis of imidazolium salts from its precursors to using computational chemistry to calculate their quantum mechanical properties. As well as an attempt to deprotonate the iPr imidazolium salt and coordinating the carbene to a standard but labile Ni(0) precursor. The yield of iPr was optimised following the analysis of experimental data of iMes, iXy and Cy salts. The HOMO and LUMO energies of carbene...
ABSTRACT: In this study, the oil extracts from fresh and dried peels of Cleopatra mandarin were isolated and characterized via GC-MS technique. Also the study established both quantitative and qualitative variation in chemical constituents of the essential oils of Cleopatra mandarin (L) cultivated in the North central of Nigeria. Fresh and dried pulverized peels of Cleopatra mandarin (500g) were separately hydro distilled and afforded oil in the range 0.2- 0.8%(w/w) respectively. GC/MS...
The rate of reaction defines as the concentration of reactant or product, consumed or produced within a given time frame. Changing one of the variables could lead to a differing rates of reaction speeds.
The aim of the study was to investigate thermal activation of clays from selected regions of Mwea using rice husks (RH), as the only source of energy, to produce low cost pozzolanalime cement. The clays were sampled from Gikiiro and Ugweri regions and coded 2060 and 2062 respectively. The clays were calcined at temperatures between 500 and 800 oC for one and two hours. Further, the raw clays were blended with rice husks at different ratios and fired in a fixed bed kiln (FBK). The resultant as...
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is the third most important food source around the world especially in sub - Sahara Africa. It is preferred due to its agronomical attribute such as ability to grow in poor soils and drought resistance. The consumption of its tubers and leaves has dual antagonistic contribution to mankind. On one hand, this perennial tropical crop contains carbohydrates, vitamins, calcium and iron which are of nutritional benefit while on the other hand, they contain cyanoge...
Ilesi market in Kakamega County has been known for pottery for more than five decades in spite of the fact that the clays used have not been scientifically characterized. The potters register significant losses in their production due to swelling during molding, breakages during drying and firing. The objective of this study was to characterize the clays with a view to determining their suitability for pottery. Clay soils from Ilesi deposits in Kakamega County have been physically and chemica...
The emergence of bacterial resistance to existing antibiotics and other drugs is a worldwide problem. New classes of antimicrobial compounds with complete new mode of action are therefore urgently needed to control the rise of the multidrug resistant pathogens. The objective of this study was to prepare, and characterize halfsandwich organometallic compounds of iron containing amine ligands with similar backbones as drug molecules used in the treatment of TB and to test their biological activ...
Density functional theory has been used to study mechanisms of the reactions involving [1,7]-sigmatropic hydrogen shift in Z,Z-1,3,5-heptatriene systems, esterification of acetyl chloride with methanol and acid-catalyzed esterification of carboxylic acids with methanol. The calculations employed the B3LYP functional, with 6-31+G(d) basis sets. Mechanism routes were computed, with complete optimization of all intermediates and transition states. The effect of electron-donating and electron...
The present study was undertaken with the aim of producing Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) using air as a source of nitrogen and bones a source of phosphoric acid. Oxygen was removed from air by passing air over heated copper granules in the temperature range of 300oC – 500oC. Copper granules were heated using charcoal packed in a ceramic charcoal stove. The nitrogen was reacted with lithium to form lithium nitride which was hydrolysed to produce ammonia. The phosphoric acid extracted by boiling...
Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is an important African staple food crop in the tropics. The crop contains cyanogenic glycosides which can be readily converted to thiocyanate by glycosidases and sulfur transferase enzymes present in the plant or in the animal tissues. Thiocyanate inhibits the uptake of iodine by the iodide pump of the thyroid gland thus acting as a goitrogen which suppresses thyroid function leading to goiter. Goiter increases the risk of thyroid irradiation in the event o...
Crude plant products have been widely used by different communities in Africa for pest control. Synthetic insecticides have a number of drawbacks, such as development of genetic resistance, eco-toxicity, negative health effects to users and high cost of application. However, not enough scientific research has been conducted on the efficacy of traditional methods in weevil control, the chemical profiles of plant products and their safety to the users. The bioactivities of the powedered pr...
The search for materials for purification of polluted water is growing daily with the advent of nanoparticles. This is particularly important because many populations of people in the developing countries lack clean water due to water pollution. Water pollutants such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known to have adverse effects on humans and environment. This work investigated the potential of synthesized magnetoresponsive CNT-polysulfone infused polymeric nano...
About two billion people around the world have no access to modern energy. More than 84% of Kenya population use kerosene for cooking and lighting therefore it is necessary to search for suitable alternatives to liquid and cooking fuels. In this study, oil extracted from Telfairia pedata Hook (Oyster nut) was transesterified in methanol using sodium hydroxide catalyst. Methyl ester obtained was characterized by GC-MS and further tested for fuel properties relative to conventional diesel ...
Herbal medicine has been widely used and forms an integral part of primary health care in most countries. Of late, despite emphasis being put in research of synthetic drugs; interest in medicinal plants has been reborn. This is due to the rapidly growing population, the failure of modern medicine to provide effective treatment, increase in chronic diseases and the emergence of the multi-drug resistant pathogens. It is of importance to establish a scientific basis for the use and validati...
ABSTRACT Population increase in Matungulu Sub-County in Kenya has led to pressure on arable land where agriculture is the main economic activity. This has caused a gradual shift in land use practices over the years from extensive to intensive agriculture. There has been a decrease in maize yields over the years despite the use of phosphate (P) and nitrogenous (N) fertilizers, which may suggest that the levels of potassium (K) in the soil may be low. Fertilizer application for maize farming ...