Synthesis,characterization and photophysical properties of homoleptic platinum(II) complexes with 2,2′-biimidazole-based ligands

Eight pairs of cis–trans isomeric homoleptic platinum(II) complexes based on N-alkyl- or aryl-substituted 2,2′-biimidazole ligands were synthesized, and their photophysical properties were investigated. The cis and trans isomers readily interconvert at slightly elevated temperature, implying that the activation barrier for this process is low. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the complexes have an ideal square-planar geometry. Their UV–Vis spectra showed lower energy absorption bands in the range of 345–378 nm, which are assigned to the typical MLCT mixed with LC transitions. In frozen glass solution at 77 K and also in the powder state, these complexes exhibit green emission ranging from 440 to 540 nm with photoluminescence quantum yields of 3.3–24.4%. The emitting excited state is dominated by ³ππ* character with some contributions from ³MLCT according to the excitation spectra.     

Recovery of Phenolic Acid and Enzyme Production from Corn Silage Biologically Treated by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trametes versicolor</Emphasis>

Corn silage is used as high-energy forage for dairy cows and more recently for biogas production in a process of anaerobic co-digestion with cow manure. In this work, fresh corn silage after the harvest was used as a substrate in solid-state fermentations with T. versicolor with the aim of phenolic acid recovery and enzyme (laccase and manganese peroxidase) production. During 20 days of fermentation, 10.4-, 3.4-, 3.0-, and 1.8-fold increments in extraction yield of syringic acid, vanillic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and caffeic acid, respectively, were reached when compared to biologically untreated corn silage. Maximal laccase activity was gained on the 4th day of fermentation (V.A. = 180.2 U/dm³), and manganese peroxidase activity was obtained after the 3rd day of fermentation (V.A. = 30.1 U/dm³). The addition of copper(II) sulfate as inducer during solid state fermentation resulted in 8.5- and 7-fold enhancement of laccase and manganese peroxidase activities, respectively. Furthermore, the influence of pH and temperature on enzyme activities was investigated. Maximal activity of laccase was obtained at T = 50 °C and pH = 3.0, while manganese peroxidase is active at temperature range T = 45–70 °C with the maximal activity at pH = 4.5.     

Production of <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>-Mandelic Acid Using Nitrilase from Recombinant <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> Cells Immobilized with Tris(Hydroxymethyl)Phosphine

Recombinant Escherichia coli cells harboring nitrilase from Alcaligenes faecalis were immobilized using tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine (THP) as the coupling agent. The optimal pH and temperature of the THP-immobilized cells were determined at pH 8.0 and 55 °C. The half-lives of THP-immobilized cells measured at 35, 40, and 50 °C were 1800, 965, and 163 h, respectively. The concentration of R-mandelic acid (R-MA) reached 358 mM after merely 1-h conversion by the immobilized cells with 500 mM R,S-mandelonitrile (R,S-MN), affording the highest productivity of 1307 g L^?1 day^?1 and the space-time productivity of 143.2 mmol L^?1 h^?1 g^?1. The immobilized cells with granular shape were successfully recycled for 60 batches using 100 mM R,S-MN as substrate at 40 °C with 64% of relative activity, suggesting that the immobilized E. coli cells obtained in this study are promising for the production of R-MA.     

Effect of Ag addition on crystallization kinetics and thermal stability of As–Se chalcogenide glasses

Chalcogenide glasses of (As₅₀Se₅₀)_100?xAg_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 25) were prepared using the melt quenching technique under non-isothermal conditions. Differential scanning calorimetry curves measured at different heating rates (5 ≤ β ≤ 40 K min^?1) are used to characterize the as-quenched samples. The thermal stability was monitored through the calculation of the temperature difference T _c ? T _g, stability parameter S and crystallization rate factor K _p. The glass-forming ability (GFA) was investigated on the basis of Hurby parameter H _r which is a strong indicator of GFA. In addition, the activation energy of glass transition E _t, activation energy of crystallization E _c and Avrami exponent n of the studied compositions were determined. The mechanism of crystallization was found to be a combination of two- and three-dimensional crystal growth.     

Effects of lutetium doping on the X-ray-excited luminescence properties of the tungstate Zn<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Lu<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Polycrystalline samples in the lutetium-doped zinc tungstate system Zn_1?x Lu _x WO₄ with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08 were synthesized using the coprecipitation method followed by thermal treatment at 1000 °C during 4 h. The polycrystalline samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy, and luminescence analysis under X-ray excitation. Rietveld analyses were performed. The variation of the wolframite structure cell parameters in the range 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05 were congruent with substitution of Zn²⁺ by Lu³⁺. SEM micrographs of the obtained samples presented improved crystallization with morphology depending on the lutetium fraction. The luminescence spectra obtained under X-ray excitation (E < 40 keV) were in the blue–green region, and their intensity increased with x up to x = 0.05. The differences in the intensities of the X-ray luminescence spectra could be related to additional cation vacancies resulting from substitution of Zn²⁺ by Lu³⁺.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-Dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes of sterically encumbered phenol-based tetradentate N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> ligands: Structural,spectroscopic, and electrochemical studies

Two cis-dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes [MoO₂L] (L: L ¹, 2 and L: L ², 3) in a phenol-based sterically encumbered N₂O₂ ligand environment have been synthesized, and their crystallographic characterizations are reported. The orange crystals of 2 are monoclinic, space group P2₁/a with unit cell dimensions as a=16.2407(17) Å, b=7.2857(8) Å, c=18.400(2) Å, β=98.002(9)°, Z=4, and d _cal=1.486 g cm^?3. The light orange crystals of 3, however, are orthorhombic, space group, Pbcn, with unit cell dimensions a=8.3110(12) Å, b=12.637(3) Å, c=34.673(5) Å, Z=4, and d _cal=1.187 g cm^?3. The structures were refined by a full-matrix least-squares procedure on F ² to a final R=0.046 (0.055 for 3) using 4944 (3677) all independent data. In both the cases, the Mo atom exists in a distorted octahedral geometry defined by a N₂O₄ donor set, which features a cis-Mo(–O)₂ and a trans-Mo(OPh)₂ arrangement. Compound 2 undergoes a quasireversible one-electron reduction at ?1.3 V vs Ag/AgCl reference due to Mo^VIO₂/Mo^VO₂ electron transfer and thus providing a rare example of steric solution to the comproportionation–dimerization problem encountered frequently in the development of valid biomimetic models for the active sites of oxomolybdenum enzymes.     

Saw-sedge <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cladium mariscus</Emphasis> as a functional low-cost adsorbent for effective removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid from aqueous systems

For the first time in the published literature, a study is described concerning the use of the saw-sedge Cladium mariscus (C. mariscus) for adsorption of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) from aqueous systems. Among the experiments carried out, the elemental composition of C. mariscus was determined (C = 48.0 %, H = 7.1 %, N = 0.95 %, S = 0.4 %), FTIR spectroscopic analysis was performed to confirm the chemical structure of the adsorbent, and porous structure parameters were measured: BET surface area (A _BET  = 0.6 m²/g), total pore volume (V _p  = 0.001 cm³/g) and average pore size (S _p  = 6.6 nm). It was shown that the effectiveness of removal of 2,4-D from aqueous systems using C. mariscus depends on parameters of the process: contact time, system pH, mass of sorbent, and temperature. Maximum adsorption was attained for a solution at pH = 3. Further increase in the alkalinity of the tested systems led to a reduction in the effectiveness of the process. The kinetic of adsorption of 2,4-D by C. mariscus was also determined, and thermodynamic aspects were investigated. The experimental data obtained correspond to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model of type 1. Additionally the negative values obtained for ΔHº indicate that the process is exothermic, and the negative values of ΔGº show it to be spontaneous. As the temperature of the system increases the spontaneity of adsorption is reduced, in accordance with the exothermic nature of the process.     

Structure and dynamics of a free aquaporin (AQP1) by a coarse-grained Monte Carlo simulation

Structure and dynamics of a free aquaporin (AQP1) are studied by a coarse-grained Monte Carlo simulation as a function of temperature using a phenomenological potential with the input of a knowledge-based residue–residue interaction. Response of the radius of gyration (R _g) of the protein to the temperature (T) is found to be nonlinear: Decay of R _g at T ≤ T _c is followed by a continuous increase at T ≥ T _c before reaching its saturation. In thermo-responsive regime, the protein exhibits segmental globularization with the persistence of three regions along its sequence involving residues ¹M–²⁵V and ²⁵⁰V–²⁶⁹K toward the beginning and end segments with a narrow intermediate region around ¹⁵⁵A–¹⁶³D. A detail analysis of the structure factor S(q) shows a global random coil conformation at high temperatures with an effective dimension D _e ~ 1.74 and a globular structure (D _e ~ 3) at low temperatures. In thermo-responsive regime, the variation of S(q) with the wave vector q reveals a systematic redistribution of self-organizing residues (in globular and fibrous sections) that depends on the length scale and the temperature.     

Dissolved air flotation for treating wastewater of the nuclear industry: preliminary results

Preliminary testing of dissolved air flotation (DAF) for wastewater treatment is presented. A combined coagulation-flocculation/DAF column system is used to remove oil and ⁶⁰Co from nuclear industry wastewater. In this work, operational conditions and coagulant/flocculant concentrations are optimized by varying pH. Determinations of air-solids ratio (G/S), retention time (θ), pressure (P), volume of depressurized air–water mixture (V), turbidity and ⁶⁰Co concentrations are reported. The effect of the treatment on the efficiency of separation of oily residues is also discussed. The results establish that the coagulant/flocculant system, formed by a modified polyamine (25 mgL^?1) and a slightly cationic polyacrylamide (1.5 mgL^?1), under specific operational conditions (pH = 7, mixing intensity Im₁ = 300 s^?1 and Im₂ = 30 s^?1), allowed the destabilization of colloidal matter, resulting in resistant flocs. It was concluded that by using G/S = 0.3, θ = 15 min, P = 620 kPa and V = 0.0012 m³, the greatest percentage removals of oil, turbidity, total cobalt and ⁶⁰Co were obtained. These preliminary results then show that dissolved air flotation represents a good alternative for treatment of nuclear industry wastewater contaminated with radionuclides.     

Thermodynamics of Viscous Flow of <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-Butanol with Butylamines: UNIFAC–VISCO,Grunberg–Nissan and McAllister Three Body Interaction Models for Viscosity Prediction and Quantum Chemical (DFT) Calculations

Thermodynamic activation parameters, enthalpies (ΔH ^?), entropies (ΔS ^?) and Gibbs energies (ΔG ^?) for viscous flow of the systems tert-butanol (TB)+n-butylamine (NBA), TB+di-n-butylamine (DBA) and TB+tri-n-butylamine (TBA) have been calculated from measured density and viscosity data at temperatures ranging from 303.l5 to 323.15 K over the composition range 0 ≤ x ₂ ≤ 1, where x ₂ is the mole fraction of TB. For all systems, the corresponding excess properties ΔH ^?E, ΔS ^?E and ΔG ^?E have been determined, which are negative in the whole range of composition. The observed negative excess activation properties have been accounted for in terms of dispersive forces and H-bonding. The derived properties are well represented by fourth degree polynomial equations whereas the excess properties could be fitted to third degree Redlich–Kister polynomial equations. Furthermore, the viscosities have been predicted by using the UNIFAC–VISCO model, Grunberg–Nissan model and McAllister three-body interaction model. The UNIFAC–VISCO model and Grunberg–Nissan model do not show good agreement with the experimental data, whereas the McAllister three-body interaction model shows excellent agreement for all three systems, with small average absolute percent deviations (AAD% = 0.6–2.3). The DFT-B3LYP method with the 6-311 G (d, p) basis set has been employed for the optimization of the geometry and calculation of the total energies of the pure compounds and their binary complexes.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic characterization,crystal structures,and theoretical studies of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-2-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)thiosemicarbazone and (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-2-(2,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)thiosemicarbazone

Two thiosemicarbazones, (E)-2-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)thiosemicarbazone (24-MBTSC (1)) and (E)-2-(2,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)thiosemicarbazone (25-MBTSC (2)), derived from 2,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde and 2,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, respectively, with thiosemicarbazide have been synthesized and their structures were characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. Molecular orbital calculations have been carried out for 1 and 2 by using an ab initio method (HF) and also density functional method (B3LYP) at 6-31G basis set. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c, with a = 8.1342(5) Å, b = 18.1406(10) Å, c = 8.2847(6) Å, β = 109.7258(17)°, V = 1150.75(12) Å³, and Z = 4, whereas compound 2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pbca, with a = 11.0868(6) Å, b = 13.1332(6) Å, c = 15.9006(8) Å, V = 2315.2(2) Å³, and Z = 8. The compounds 1 and 2 displays a trans-configuration about the C=N double bond.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new monophosphate (C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>16</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript>)(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Chemical preparation, crystal structure, and NMR spectroscopy of a new trans-2,5-dimethylpiperazinium monophosphate are given. This new compound crystallizes in the triclinic system, with the space group P-1 and the following parameters: a = 6.5033(3), b = 7.6942(4), c = 8.1473(5) Å, α = 114.997(3), β = 92.341(3), γ = 113.136(3), V = 329.14(3) ų, Z = 1, and D_x = 1.565 g cm^?3. The crystal structure has been determined and refined to R = 0.030 and R _w(F ²) = 0.032 using 1558 independent reflections. The structure can be described as infinite [H₂PO₄] _n ^n? chains with (C₆H₁₆N₂)²⁺ organic cations anchored between adjacent polyanions to form columns of anions and cations running along the b axis. This compound has also been investigated by IR, thermal, and solid-state, ¹³C and ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopies and Ab initio calculations.     

Study on the Interaction of Nicotinic Acid with <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-Phenylalanine in Buffer Solution by Heat Capacity Measurements at Various Temperatures

The interaction between nicotinic acid (NA) and l-phenylalanine (Phe) was studied in aqueous phosphate buffer solutions (pH = 7.35) by differential scanning calorimetry. Heat capacities of nicotinic acid–buffer, l-phenylalanine–buffer, and nicotinic acid–l-phenylalanine–buffer mixtures were determined at (283.15, 288.15, 293.15, 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, 313.15, 318.15 and 323.15) K using the microdifferential scanning calorimeter SCAL-1 (Pushchino, Russia). The apparent molar heat capacities, ^? C _p , of nicotinic acid in buffer solution and in buffer 0.0216 mol·kg^?1 amino acid solutions were evaluated. The concentration of NA was varied from (0.0106–0.0701) mol·kg^?1. The interaction of NA with Phe is accompanied by complex formation. The partial molar heat capacities of transfer of nicotinic acid from buffer to buffer amino acid solutions are positive. The results are discussed in terms of various interactions operating in this system.     

An efficient method for selective oxidation of (oxime)Pt(II) to (oxime)Pt(IV) species using <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-dichlorotosylamide

The oxidation of (oxime)Pt^II species using the electrophilic chlorine-based oxidant N,N-dichlorotosylamide (4-CH₃C₆H₄SO₂NCl₂) was studied. The reactions of trans-[PtCl₂(oxime)₂] (where oxime = acetoxime, cyclopentanone oxime, or acetaldoxime) with this oxidant led to trans-[PtCl₄(oxime)₂] products. The oxidation of trans-[Pt(o-OC₆H₄CH = NOH)₂] at room temperature gave trans-[PtCl₂(o-OC₆H₄CH = NOH)₂], whereas the same reaction upon heating was accompanied by electrophilic substitution of the benzene rings.     

Production and Biotechnological Application of Extracellular Alkalophilic Lipase from Marine Macroalga-Associated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Shewanella algae</Emphasis> to Produce Enriched C<Subscript>20-22</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Concentrate

An extracellular alkalophilic lipase was partially purified from heterotrophic Shewanella algae (KX 272637) associated with marine macroalgae Padina gymnospora. The enzyme possessed a molecular mass of 20 kD, and was purified 60-fold with a specific activity of 36.33 U/mg. The enzyme exhibited V_max and K_m of 1000 mM/mg/min and 157 mM, respectively, with an optimum activity at 55 °C and pH 10.0. The catalytic activity of the enzyme was improved by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions, and the enzyme showed a good tolerance towards organic solvents, such as methanol, isopropanol, and ethanol. The purified lipase hydrolyzed the refined liver oil from leafscale gulper shark Centrophorus squamosus, yielding a total C_20-22 n-3 PUFA concentration of 34.99% with EPA + DHA accounting the major share (34% TFA), after 3 h of hydrolysis. This study recognized the industrial applicability of the thermostable and alkalophilic lipase from marine macroalga-associated bacterium Shewanella algae to produce enriched C_20-22 n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrate.     

DFT Study of the Molecular Structure,Conformational Preference,HOMO, LUMO,and Vibrational Analysis of 2-, and 3-Furoyl Chloride

Molecular structure, conformational stability and vibrational wave numbers for the rotational isomers of 2-furoyl chloride and 3-furoyl chloride have been computed using the B3LYP method with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. From computations, 2-furoyl chloride was predicated to exist predominantly in cis conformation with cis–trans rotational barrier 40.40 kJ·mol^?1, and 3-furoyl chloride was predicated to exist predominantly in the trans conformation with cis–trans rotational barrier 30.17 kJ·mol^?1. The effects of solvents on the conformational stability of all the molecules in nine different solvents (heptane, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, dichloroethane, acetone, ethanol, methanol, dimethylsulfoxide and water) were investigated. The integral equation formalism of the polarizable continuum model was used for all solution phase computations. The vibrational wave numbers and the corresponding vibrational assignments of the molecules in C₁ symmetry were examined and the simulated infrared spectra of the molecules are reported. The geometrical parameters, highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals, Infrared intensities, and molecular electrostatic potentials results are reported.     

Structure,bioactivity and theoretical study of 1-cyano-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-p-tolylcyclo-propanecarboxamide

A novel cyclopropane derivative, 1-cyano-N-p-tolylcyclopropanecarboxamide (C₁₂H₁₂N₂O, Mr = 200.24) was synthesized and its structure was studied by X-ray diffraction, FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectrum and MS. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2_1/c with a = 7.109 (4), b = 13.758 (7), c = 11.505 (6) Å, α = 90.00, β = 102.731 (8), γ = 90.00 °, V = 1097.6 (9) ų, Z = 4, F(000) = 312, D _c  = 1.212 g/cm³, μ = 0.0800 mm^?1, the final R = 0.0490 and wR = 0.1480 for 1,375 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I). A total of 6,109 reflections were collected, of which 2,290 were independent (R _int = 0.0290). Theoretical calculation of the title compound was carried out with HF/6-31G (d,p), B3LYP/6-31G (d,p), MP2/6-31G (d,p). The full geometry optimization was carried out using 6-31G(d,p) basis set, and the frontier orbital energy. Atomic net charges were discussed, and the structure-activity relationship was also studied. The preliminary biological test showed that the synthesized compound is bioactive against the KARI of Escherichia coli.     

Study of the Interaction between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trans</Emphasis>-resveratrol and BSA by the Multi-spectroscopic Method

The interaction of trans-resveratrol and BSA was investigated by means of fluorescence quenching, resonance light scattering, ultraviolet spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Binding of trans-resveratrol to BSA quenches the BSA fluorescence and both static and dynamic quenching occur with complex formation. The apparent binding constants of trans-resveratrol and BSA at 20, 30 and 40?°C are 1.95×10⁶, 1.70×10⁶ and 1.65×10⁶ L?mol^?1, respectively. The binding site values are (1.25±0.02). According to the Förster theory of non-radiation energy transfer, the binding distances between trans-resveratrol and BSA are 3.47, 3.73 and 3.99 nm at 20, 30 and 40?°C, respectively. The negative enthalpy change and positive entropy change indicated that the interaction of trans-resveratrol and BSA was driven mainly by electrostatic forces. The process of binding was spontaneous whereby the Gibbs energy change was negative.     

Overproduction,Purification and Characterization of Adenylate Deaminase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus oryzae</Emphasis>

Adenylate deaminase (AMPD, EC 3.5.4.6) is an aminohydrolase that widely used in the food and medicine industries. In this study, the gene encoding Aspergillus oryzae AMPD was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Induction with 0.75 mM isopropyl β-d-l-thiogalactopyranoside resulted in an enzyme activity of 1773.9 U/mL. Recombinant AMPD was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity using nickel affinity chromatography, and its molecular weight was calculated as 78.6 kDa. Purified AMPD exhibited maximal activity at 35 °C, pH 6.0 and 30 mM K⁺, with apparent K _m and V _max values of 2.7 × 10^?4 M and 77.5 μmol/mg/min under these conditions. HPLC revealed that recombinant AMPD could effectively catalyse the synthesis of inosine-5′-monophosphate (IMP) with minimal by-products, indicating high specificity and suggesting that it could prove useful for IMP production.