My research is dedicated to the study of chirality and chiral induction in naturally chiral inorganic crystals, the study is performed by a unique and novel method of measuring chirality in solid materials that was developed in our lab with the help of Prof Sharon Ruthstein , crystallization of chiral crystals with doped with a paramagnetic prob and measuring the anisotropy of the prob in different chiral environments using EPR spectroscopy.
In one work, I studied the crystallization of ε-Zn(OH)2 (Wulfingite, space group P 21 21 21) chiral crystals, The crystals were grown in the presence of a chiral inducer (L and D arginine), chiral induction of the crystals was proved by displaying the selective chiral adsorption of the crystals by circular dichroism (CD) /chiral chromatography and polarimetry measurements; all of the measurements clearly showed chiral discrimination during the crystallization of ε-Zn(OH)2 caused by the chiral induction. In addition, the crystals were also doped with paramagnetic CuII ions and measured with EPR spectroscopy and it was found that the CuII ions showed different anisotropic properties in the L-induced and the D-induced crystals and were inserted in the ε-Zn(OH)2 crystals in different geometries, proving once more the chiral induction to the crystals.
The formation of hierarchical structures of organic crystals has great potential for many chemical and medical applications in various areas such as pharmaceuticals, food, pigments and organic catalysis. Our aim is to crystallize organic hierarchical superstructures using several different methods and to study their crystallization. The effect of experimental parameters such as temperature, solvent composition and initial concentrations on the crystallization are thoroughly studied.
GSH (L=glutathione) microspheres crystallized using water/ethanol mixtures
Gil Otis- Ph.D. Student
My research is dedicated to the study of chirality and chiral induction in naturally chiral inorganic crystals, the study is performed by a unique and novel method of measuring chirality in solid materials that was developed in our lab with the help of Prof Sharon Ruthstein , crystallization of chiral crystals with doped with a paramagnetic prob and measuring the anisotropy of the prob in different chiral environments using EPR spectroscopy. In one work, I studied the crystallization of ε-Zn(OH)2 (Wulfingite, space group P 21 21 21) chiral crystals, The crystals were grown in the presence of a chiral inducer (L and D arginine), chiral induction of the crystals was proved by displaying the selective chiral adsorption of the crystals by circular dichroism (CD) /chiral chromatography and polarimetry measurements; all of the measurements clearly showed chiral discrimination during the crystallization of ε-Zn(OH)2 caused by the chiral induction. In addition, the crystals were also doped with paramagnetic CuII ions and measured with EPR spectroscopy and it was found that the CuII ions showed different anisotropic properties in the L-induced and the D-induced crystals and were inserted in the ε-Zn(OH)2 crystals in different geometries, proving once more the chiral induction to the crystals.
Geometry around Cu(II) ions inserted into e-Zn(OH)2 crystals – I. R values and geometry of the most abundant Cu(II) species in each sample R ±0.5%, II. Models of the three most prominent geometries of copper hexahydrate, with the 𝑔𝑧𝑧 anisotropy displayed on the y axis.
Scheme : A model of the atomic structure of -Zn(OH)2 implementing the twisted ribbon like chiralit
Selective adsorption onto e-Zn(OH)2 crystal surface – Uptake curves of L-Arg (I) and of D-Arg (II) onto L-(solid line) and D- (dashed line) induced crystals, data is presented as mg of adsorbed L-Arg divided by mg of crystal powder used for adsorption, the adsorption was measured for 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL concentration of suspended e-Zn(OH)2 crystals.
Matan Sheikh Oliel - Ph.D. Student
The aim of the research focused on developing an innovative method for measuring chemical reactions by using the Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) instrument. The high sensitivity of the ITC device (resolution of 0.01uCal/sec) allows to measuring chemical reactions with a small heat change such chiral reactions that including racemization heat, and chiral adsorption on chiral proteinoids, chiral carbons, and chiral crystals. Moreover the ITC instrument can extract the other thermodynamic parameters and from this opens up new and interesting research possibilities.
Dr. Maya Radune - Group Member
The aim of the current research is to study the effect of nano silica on the properties of concrete. The essential problem is the hard agglomeration of the nanoparticles.
To prevent agglomeration, we deposit silica nanoparticles onto silica sand micron-sized particles.
Publication
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M. Radune, D. Ophir, A. Lugovskoy, M. Zinigrad, D. Eliezer. A Sulfur Diffusion Investigation in Metal and Oxide Phases. Defect and Diffusion Forum, Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland, Vols. 258-260, 2006, pp. 433-440.
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M. Radune, A. Radune, F. Assous, M. Zinigrad, D. Eliezer. Investigation of Sulfur Transition through Metal-Slag Phase Boundary in Natural Moving Conditions. Defect and Diffusion Forum, Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland, Vols. 273-276, 2008, pp. 752-756.
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M. Radune, A. Radune, F. Assous, M. Zinigrad. Modeling and Computer Simulation of Reagents Diffusion in High Temperature Diffusion Controlled Heterogeneous Reactions. Int. J. Comput. Mater. Sc. & Surf. Eng., Vol. 1(4), 2009, pp. 225-331.
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M. Radune, A. Radune, F. Assous, M. Zinigrad. Investigation of a Mathematical Model of High-Temperature Diffusion Controlled Heterogeneous Reaction between Metal and Oxide Melts. Defect and Diffusion Forum, Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland, Vols. 297 – 301, 2010, pp. 1475-1480.
Meir Abuaf -Ph.D. Student
Chiral polymeric particles have emerged as a new and exciting field of research and in the last years due to their possible use for many applications in chiral chemistry. Chiral polymeric particles with a variety of different chiral groups are synthesized by using chiral amino acids either by miniemulsion or precipitation technique and used for enantioselective discrimination.
Publication
Synthesis of Multi Amino Acid Chiral Polymeric Microparticles for Enantioselective Chemistry
Meytal Shalit - M.Sc Student
My research deals with the chemistry of building materials.
The objective of the study is to improve the properties of concrete by adding nanomaterials to its content. Nanomaterials have unique properties that may make the building materials stronger and lighter and thus achieve improved properties for the building materials that exist today.
In our lab, we synthesize nanometer-sized silica particles on which various modifications are made. Silica nanoparticles significantly improve the density of the concrete and the distribution of the pore sizes in it. The uniqueness of the particles has the potential for many applications in the field of construction.
Dr. Subhomoy Das - Group Member
My research activities in the group aim to develop asymmetric catalytic organic transformations via chiral nanocrystals and nano-polymers. The main focus of this research is based on synthesizing nano and/or, micro-sized inorganic crystals and organic polymers first. We adopt diversified crystallization and synthetic techniques to produce desired nanoparticles with chiral phase and enantioenriched polymers which provide necessary environment as well as chiral surface for chiral recognition, discrimination, adsorption, and to carry out various stereoselective organic transformations through catalytic, autocatalytic protocols etc at the nanoscale. In parallel, I am also dealing with a particular project that explores the development of PV cells based on HaP single crystals and films.
Publication
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Recent Advances in Ring-Opening of Donor Acceptor Cyclopropanes using C-Nucleophiles. Org. Biomol. Chem., 2021, 19, 965-982.
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Facile Synthesis of Oxime Amino Ethers via Lewis Acid Catalyzed SN2-Type Ring Opening of Activated Aziridines with Aryl Aldehyde Oximes. Synlett, 2020, 31, 708-712.
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Stereoselective Syntheses of Highly Functionalized Imidazolidines and Oxazolidines via Ring-Opening Cyclization of Activated Aziridines and Epoxides with Amines and Aldehydes. J. Org. Chem., 2020, 85, 367–379.
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NHC stabilized Pd Nanoclusters in the Mizoroki–Heck Reaction Within Microemulsion: Exploring the Role of Imidazolium Salt in Rate Enhancement. New J. Chem., 2019, 43, 1993-2001.
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Stereoselective Construction of Pyrazinoindoles and Oxazinoindoles via Ring-Opening/Pictet-Spengler Reaction of Aziridines and Epoxides with 3-Methylindoles and Carbonyls. J. Org. Chem., 2018, 83, 14553–14567.
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Synthesis of 3,3-Diaryl/Heteroarylpropylamines via Nucleophilic Ring Opening of Activated Azetidines with Arenes and Heteroarenes: New Synthetic Route to (±)Tolterodine. ACS Omega, 2018, 3, 17562–17572.
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Ring Expansions of Activated Aziridines and Azetidines in Synthesis of 4- to 7-membered Heterocycles by Ring Expansion. Top. Heterocycl. Chem., 2016, 31, 49–142.
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Domino Michael-Michael and Aldol-Aldol Reactions: Diastereoselective Synthesis of Functionalized Cyclohexanone Derivatives Containing Quaternary Carbon Center. J. Org. Chem., 2015, 80, 9700–9712.
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Stereoselective Synthesis of Activated 2-Arylazetidines via Imino-Aldol Reaction. Org. Biomol. Chem., 2015, 13, 9042–9049.
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Synthesis of Poly Ether Ether Ketone Membrane with Pendent Phosphonic Acid Group and Determination of Proton Conductivity and Thermal Stability. High Perform. Polym., 2015, 27, 402–411.
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Organocatalytic Domino Approaches for Enantioselective Formation of Six Membered Carbacycles. Curr. Org. Chem., 2014, 18, 2842–2856.
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Synthesis of 3,5-Disubstituted Cyclohex-2-en-1-one via a Secondary Amine Catalysed Five Steps Domino Reaction: Formation of (E)-α,β-Unsaturated Methyl Ketones. Asian J. Org. Chem., 2013, 2, 1026–1030.
Yarden Ben Moshe - Ph.D. Student
The aims of the research are to develop chiral polymeric Janus particles and to pursue a fundamental understanding of their enantioselective chemistry. their use for chiral applications is extremely novel and addresses critical needs in the field of chiral chemistry. Janus particles are micro or nano or size particles whose surface has two distinct chemical and physical properties. Those unique properties of Janus particles are applied for many applications such as: bio-medical devices, microelectronic, emulsions, water repellents and stationary phase for chromatography. In our project we are developing effective methods to synthesis polymeric chiral Janus particles. For the synthesis we are using Masking technique and microfluidic system.
Natali Frenkin - M.Sc Student
My project focused on the study and the preparation and characterization of a colloidosomic system of sulfuric acid solution coated with hydrophobic silica nanoparticles, with the purpose of creating a controlled or delayed release system of sulfuric acid into the polymer matrix to achieve a more efficient chemical recycling of polymers.
Muhammad Jabaly – M.Sc Student
My research aims to find new chemical methods for the synthesis of polymers that can absorb heavy metals and radioactive materials such as uranium atoms. Those polymers may absorb radioactive atoms resulting from nuclear explosions or radioactive reactions to reduce the human and environmental damage caused by nuclear reactor explosion disasters.
M.Sc Bandana Bera
My current research is focused on the development of perovskite based solar cell technology.
When not in the lab, I enjoy reading novels, watching movies and traveling
B.Sc Afik Mashraki
My current research is focused on the development of Chemical Solution Deposition and CBD, method using an aqueous precursor solution for the control crystallization of calcium oxalate (CaOx).
Dr. Said Abu-Ghosh
Microalgae Biotechnology and Nanotechnology
Optimizing condition for increasing valuable bioactive molecules in microalgae by means of the most advanced and recently developed technologies including nanotechnology, starting with strain selection, genetic optimization, culture systems, growth conditions, nutrient limitations, harvesting, drying, and extraction techniques, along with the qualification and quantification methods such as GC, GC-MS, HPLC, MS-HPLC, fluorescence spectrophotometer, HT multimode plate reader, FT-IR and other analytical instruments.