Platinum nanostructures were synthesized by reduction of the PtCl₂(SMe₂)₂ complex at the interface between water and toluene at room temperature. Platinum nanosheets were obtained by using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a stabilizer. Dendritic tree-like nanostructures of platinum were synthesized by using aminoclay. In the absence of stabilizer, the resulting thin film contained connected chains of platinum nanoparticles. Catalytic activities of platinum nanostructures were investigated in the reduction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol and on the basis of comparative kinetic studies, the following trend was obtained for the effect of the related thin film catalyst on the rate of reaction: Pt/aminoclay > Pt/PVP > Pt/no stabilizer.

An efficient and environmentally adapted synthesis of xanthene derivatives by condensation of a wide range of aryl aldehydes and 1,3-cyclohexanediones in water using a catalytic amount of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles is explained. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and FT-IR spectroscopy.