Synthesis,characterisation and supramolecular interaction of Rh-biphenylic-imidazole-phenanthroline with antibiotics

A novel rhodium biphenylic imidazole phenanthroline metal-organic complex (BIP-MC) has been synthesised and characterised as a stable supramolecule. The structure of compound was established on the basis ESI, ¹H NMR and UV–vis spectroscopic data. The selectivity of BIP-MC as a new fluorescent chemosensor for various antibiotics has been explored. The supramolecular interaction of amoxicillin with BIP-MC enhanced the fluorescence activity of BIP-MC. A linear response of the sensor was observed in the measuring ranges of excitation 240–298 nm and emission 290–360 nm with detection limits of up to 10 μg/ml at an optimum pH 8.0. Based on the observations made here, a new quantitative method for the determination of this drug in synthetic samples without the use of separation of matrix is developed. It is also inferred that the possible fluorescence enhancement is due to the formation of exciplex between the BIP-MC and amoxicillin. These finding will thus help in pharmacokinetics studies of drugs. The sensor was used for the direct assay of amoxicillin antibiotic in commercial pharmaceutical preparations.     

Solanopubamine,a rare steroidal alkaloid from Solanum schimperianum: Synthesis of some new alkyl and acyl derivatives,their anticancer and antimicrobial evaluation

Solanopubamine (3β-amino-5α, 22αH, 25βH-solanidan-23β-ol), a steroidal alkaloid was isolated from the alkaloidal fraction of Solanum schimperianum in significant yield. Its structure was established by IR, positive ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR. The presence of -3β-NH₂ and -23β-OH groups was achieved through methylation, acetylation or coupling with octadecanoic and undec-11-enoic acids to produce six derivatives (2–7). Their structures were confirmed by spectroscopic analyses. Solanopubamine and semi-synthetic analogs are investigated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against a panel of human cancer cell lines and anti-microbial activity. Solanopubamine showed good antifungal activity only against Candida albicans and C. tenuis with MIC of 12.5 μg/mL. Semi-synthesized compounds (2–7) have failed to show anti-tumor and anti-microbial activities.     

Preparation of activated carbon filled epoxy nanocomposites

Activated carbon derived from oil palm empty fruit bunch (AC-EFB), bamboo stem (AC-BS), and coconut shells (AC-CNS) were obtained by pyrolysis of agricultural wastes using two chemical reagents (H₃PO₄ or KOH). The AC-EFB, AC-BS and AC-CNS were used as filler in preparation of epoxy nanocomposites. Epoxy nanocomposites prepared at 1, 5 and 10 % activated carbons filler loading using KOH and H₃PO₄ chemical agents. Transmission electron microscopy confirms better dispersion of the nano-activated carbons in the epoxy matrix at 5 % activated carbon. The presence of 5 % AC-CNS in the epoxy matrix using H₃PO₄ chemical reagent resulted in an improvement of the thermal stability of epoxy matrix. KOH treated AC filled epoxy nanocomposites were slightly better in thermal stability as compared to H₃PO₄ treated AC filled epoxy nanocomposites, may be due to better interaction of filler with epoxy matrix. Thermal analysis results showed that thermal stability of the activated carbon filled epoxy nanocomposites improved as compared to the neat epoxy matrix. The degree of crystallinity of epoxy matrix was improved by adding the activated carbon due to interfacial interaction between AC and epoxy matrix rather than loading of AC alone. Developed nanocomposites from biomass (agricultural wastes) materials will help to reduce the overall cost of the materials for its demanding applications as insulating material.     

Flame Retardancy and Kinetic Behavior of Ammonium Polyphosphate–Treated Unsaturated Polyester/Phenolic Interpenetrating Polymer Network

In this study, the flammability and kinetic behavior of flame retardant unsaturated polyester (UP)/phenolic resin were investigated. The flame retardant ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was used in this research to improve the flame resistance of a UP/phenolic resin interpenetrating polymer network (IPN). The flame resistance of UP improved from none to V-0 classification by adding phenolic resin and APP. Kinetic behavior study of UP, UP/phenolic, and APP-filled UP/phenolic IPN was carried out by the Borchardt and Daniels method. The results indicated that modification of flammable UP resin markedly improved the total heat release volume of UP and the flame retardancy of the IPN network structure was also enhanced.     

pTSA-catalyzed condensation of xylenols and aldehydes under solvent-free conditions: One-pot synthesis of 9H-xanthene or bisphenol derivatives

A simple and efficient procedure for the synthesis of 9H-xanthene or bisphenol derivatives has been developed by one-pot condensation of xylenols with aromatic aldehydes in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid (pTSA) as a catalyst under solvent-free conditions at 100 °C. It is noteworthy that the condensation reaction of 3,5-xylenol with aldehydes produces 9H-xanthene derivatives, while the reaction with other xylenols leads to the corresponding bisphenol derivatives. Different types of aromatic aldehydes are used in the reaction and in every case the products were obtained in good to excellent yields. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and CHN data.     

Synthesis of novel di-Se-containing thymidine and Se-DNAs for structure and function studies

The selenium derivatization of nucleic acids and nucleic acid-protein complexes has provided a powerful tool to solve phase problem in X-ray crystallography.Selenium atoms in the nucleotides can serve as fine scattering centers in crystal diffraction.Towards the synthesis of multiple selenium atom-containing nucleotides,which offers strong phasing power to facilitate crystal structure determination,we report here the synthesis of the thymidine analogue containing two Se atoms in one nucleobase.The novel Se-containing nucleoside and oligonucleotide DNAs were synthesized and found with the red-shifted UV spectrum and yellow color.Their unique properties are useful in phase determination,nucleic acid-based detection as well as spectroscopic studies of nucleic acids and nucleic acid-protein complexes.     

A new scaled crossover parametric equation of state for water

In the present work, the asymmetric nature of water coexistence curve has been studied by investigating a new scaled crossover parametric equation of state. To do so, the concept of complete scaling [Fisher and Orkoulas, Phys Rev Lett 696, 85 (2000)] has been applied and the critical amplitudes near and far from the critical point have been derived. Also two mixing parameters $ a_{3} $ and $ b_{2} $ in the definition of scaling fields in terms of physical fields have been obtained for water. We have shown that mixing of the complete scaling theory and parametric equation of state can explain this nature quite carefully.     

In vitro surface biocompatibility of high-content silicon-substituted calcium phosphate ceramics

The present work investigates surface biocompatibility of silicon-substituted calcium phosphate ceramics. Different silicon-substituted calcium phosphate ceramic bodies were prepared from co-precipitated powders by sintering at 1300°C. The in vitro bioactivity of the ceramics was assessed in simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37°C for periods up to 4 weeks. The changes in the surface morphology and composition were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with electron probe microanalysis and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDX). Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was used to observe the change in ionic concentration of SBF after removal of the samples. The bioactivity of the ceramics increased with an increasing silicate ion substitution in a systematic way. The surface of ceramics with 2.23% silicon substitution was partially covered with apatite layer after one week, while ceramics with 8.1% silicon substitution were completely covered with apatite in the first week. The porous microstructure of high-concentration Si-substituted ceramics helps the dissolution of surface ions and the leaching process. This allows SBF to reach supersaturation in a short time and accelerate the deposition of apatite layer.      

Determination of nicotinamide by stopped-flow injection method in pharmaceutical formulations

A simple stopped-flow injection system with spectrophotometric detection was proposed for the determination of nicotinamide (NAM) in pharmaceutical formulations. In this system cyanogen chloride formed from the combination of an acidic KSCN with the NaClO streams reacts with injected NAM to form glutaconic aldehyde. Then the product of these three components was coupled with another buffered (pH 3.5) stream of barbituric acid and directed towards the detector. A 45 s after sample injection the pump was stopped for 130 s. During this time the reactants in the flow cell were provided with the required temperature (40 °C) by placing the cell in a home made cell jacket to increase the yield of the polymethine dye product. Eventually, the absorbance of the formed pink color dye was monitored spectrophotometrically at 560 nm and NAM in the concentration range of 1.0–25.0 μg/mL (R = 0.9974 and D.L = 0.5 μg/mL) was determined. The results obtained by this method were compared statistically and agree with those obtained by the method described in the British Pharmacopoeia.     

Optical metal-organic framework sensor for selective discrimination of some toxic metal ions in water

This paper reports the development of a facile and effective approach, based on the use of Zr-based metal-organic frameworks (UiO-66) sensor with micropores geometry, shape and particle morphology for the visual detection and removal of ultra-traces of some toxic metal ions such as Bi(III), Zn(II), Pb(II), Hg(II) and Cd(II). UiO-66 was used as selective carriers for accommodating hydrophobic chromophore probes such as dithizone (DZ) without coupling agent for sensitive and selective discrimination of trace level of toxic analytes. The developed UiO-66 sensor was utilized for the detection of ultra-traces of some toxic metal ions with the naked eye. The new sensor displays high sensitivity and selectivity of a wide range of detectable metals analytes up to 10⁻¹⁰ mol dm⁻³ in solution, in a rapid analyte uptake response (seconds). The developed sensor is stable, cost effective, easy to prepare, and would be useful for rapid detection and removal of ultra-traces of toxic metal ions in water samples.