Nitro functionalization of alkenes has particular importance in the field of energetic materials due to unsaturated nature and the ability to synthesize a wide range of C-nitro aliphatic compounds. Considering the importance of these compounds, the use of nitrile iodide as a mild, inexpensive and safe reagent to nitro functionalization of HTPB as an unsaturated prepolymer was studied in this paper. In order to optimization of the effective parameters on the synthesis of Nitro-HTPB, the proportional amounts of reactant, amount of solvent, temperature and reaction time were investigated and the effect of these parameters on the efficiency of nitro functionalized products was evaluated. It was observed that the kind and amount of solvent have a significant impact on the quality of product. In this regard, 24 hours of reaction time at room temperature were considered as optimal conditions. Finally, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method was used to study the effect of the amount of nitro group on the thermal behavior of the products. It was observed that by increasing the nitro group amount of products, thermal stability decreases and heat of decomposition increases.

A simple and effective oxidative dehydrogenation of nitro derivatives of bibenzyl was developed using a mixture of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) and metal salts as catalyst under an atmospheric pressure of oxygen. The oxidation of several nitro derivatives of bibenzyl led to corresponding nitro stilbene in good yields, and the yields increased with the increase in the substituted nitro group on the bibenzyl. For example, the aerobic dehydrogenation of 2,2’,4,4’,6,6’-hexanitrobibenzyl in the presence of a catalytic amount of TEMPO with metal salts gave 2,2’,4,4’,6,6’-hexanitrostilbene in 81% yield and 4,4’-dinitrostilbene-2,2’-disulfonic acid (75%) was obtained from 4,4’-dinitrobibenzyl-2,2’-disulfonic acid.

The com armyworm (Spodoptera exigua Hub. Zimm.) is one of the most important pests of corn crop in Khuzestan province of Iran. Young corn plants are more susceptible to this insect defoliator. Microbial control of S. exigua specially by Bacillus thuringiensis Ber. is one of the most effective methods and is recommended by workers. This research was conducted to evaluate B. thuringiensis pathogenicity both in laboratory and field trials, in Khuzestan province. In prime step, different serotypes were evaluated by bioassay in the laboratory conditions. The results demonstrated that serotypes 1 and 3a3b were more virulent compare to third strain. In other bioassay, it was shown that second larval instars was more susceptible and along with larval growth and development, virulence of spores and crystal bodies lowered, significantly. Also, it was shown that in a few hours, affected larvae restrained significantly to feeding from corn leaves, compared with control. Application of surfactant agents such as triton x-100 in bacterial suspension increased virulence of the pathogen on associated host. In the field studies, virulence of B. thuringiensis was the same as the laboratory studies. Based on our results, B. thuringiensis can be accounted as an effective biological control agent for S. exigua in Khuzestan province.

: In this work, solid-phase nitro-humification process was developed to activation of lignitic nitro-humic substances (NHSs) by using the two-step sequential treatment assisted by nitrogen enrichment (using KOH and urea as a humic acid activator and a nitrogen enrichment agent, respectively) and ozone oxidation in fixed-bed reactor. The changes in main elements, spectral index of humification (E4/E6), surface functionalization, and textural properties were determined by CHNOS analysis, ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and specific surface area (SSA) analysis based on BET, BJH and t-plot models, respectively. The results revealed the increasing 2.25 and 2.94-folds on the yield of alkali and water-soluble NHSs, respectively, compared to the conventional alkaline extraction method. A 14.5% reduction in the carbon content owing to ozone oxidation and 8.15% nitrogen enrichment resulting from urea pretreatment led to an ideal humification ratio (C/N ratio=5.6) and a higher degree of oxidation (O/C ratio=0.94). Also, E4/E6 ratio up to 6.8 and salt index of 46.2% for NHSs were at an acceptable level. The decomposition of double bonds of aromatic carbons and the effective transformation of nitrogen into amide and organic nitrogen forms due to ozone oxidation were well proven by elemental analysis of CHNOS and FT-IR spectroscopy. As a result of ozone oxidation, the main pores in lignite were mainly turned into mesopores. Collectively, the results demonstrated that ozone oxidation, in addition to enhancing the yield and quality of NHSs, provide an end product with a competitive value and a lower price than other commercial nitrogenous humic fertilizers.

Nd2Sn2O7 nanoceramic was synthesized using an eco-friendly method with SnCl4•5H2O and Nd(NO3)3•6H2O. Structural analysis confirmed the formation of Nd2Sn2O7 nanoceramic with a size of 20±8 nm. Nd2Sn2O7 was thoroughly characterized using SEM, XRD, TGA, EDX, and TEM techniques. Due to its high mechanical and long-term colloidal stability, large ionic character, and thermal stability, this system is considered an ideal nanocatalyst employing the host-guest approach. This green and environmentally friendly method was tested for the reduction of nitro-aromatic compounds using the synthesized Nd2Sn2O7 nanoceramic. The catalyst demonstrated easy and effective reusability after the reaction was completed under visible light irradiation.

The chemistry of nitration reactions is a very powerful tool for the synthesis of pharmaceutical molecules and biological compounds. Carbon-nitrogen (C-N) bond formation is one of the most important reactions in organic synthesis, which plays a key role in the synthesis of biologically active and targeted molecules. Nitro compounds are very useful and have shown their importance in various medical, environmental and military fields for the synthesis of energetic and explosive compounds. Nitration reactions are conducted through various methods and employing diverse reagents, illustrating the multiplicity of their synthesis pathways. Diversifying the chemistry of nitro compounds offers a promising avenue for generating novel targeted molecules, showcasing the potential of these substances and the method itself. The objective herein is to highlight a selection of reagents and pathways for synthesizing nitro compounds that have garnered significant interest from research groups in recent years.