The influence of chemical structure on thermal properties and surface morphology of polyurethane materials

The surface morphology and thermal properties of polyurethanes can be correlated to their chemical composition. The hydrophilicity, surface morphology, and thermal properties of polyurethanes (differed in soft segments and in linear/cross-linked structure) were investigated. The influence of poly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate) presence in soft segments and blending of polyurethane with polylactide on surface topography were also estimated. The linear polyurethanes (partially crystalline) had the granular surface, whereas the surface of cross-linked polyurethanes (almost amorphous) was smooth. Round aggregates of polylactide un-uniformly distributed in matrix of polyurethane were clearly visible. It was concluded that some modification of soft segment (by mixing of poly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate) with different polydiols and polytriol) and blending of polyurethanes with small amount of polylactide influence on crystallinity and surface topography of obtained polyurethanes.     

Characterization of organosulfates from the photooxidation of isoprene and unsaturated fatty acids in ambient aerosol using liquid chromatography/(-) electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

In the present study, we have characterized in detail the MS(2) and MS(3) fragmentation behaviors, using electrospray ionization (ESI) in the negative ion mode, of previously identified sulfated isoprene secondary organic aerosol compounds, including 2-methyltetrols, 2-methylglyceric acid, 2-methyltetrol mononitrate derivatives, glyoxal and methylglyoxal. A major fragmentation pathway for the deprotonated molecules of the sulfate esters of 2-methyltetrols and 2-methylglyceric acid and of the sulfate derivatives of glyoxal and methylglyoxal is the formation of the bisulfate [HSO(4)](-) anion, while the deprotonated sulfate esters of 2-methyltetrol mononitrate derivatives preferentially fragment through loss of nitric acid. Rational interpretation of MS(2), MS(3) and accurate mass data led to the structural characterization of unknown polar compounds in K-puszta fine aerosol as organosulfate derivatives of photooxidation products of unsaturated fatty acids, i.e. 2-hydroxy-1,4-butanedialdehyde, 4,5- and 2,3-dihydroxypentanoic acids, and 2-hydroxyglutaric acid, and of alpha-pinene, i.e. 3-hydroxyglutaric acid. The deprotonated molecules of the sulfated hydroxyacids, 2-methylglyceric acid, 4,5- and 2,3-dihydroxypentanoic acid, and 2- and 3-hydroxyglutaric acids, showed in addition to the [HSO(4)](-) ion (m/z 97) neutral losses of water, CO(2) and/or SO(3), features that are characteristic of humic-like substances. The polar organosulfates characterized in the present work are of climatic relevance because they may contribute to the hydrophilic properties of fine ambient aerosol. In addition, these compounds probably serve as ambient tracer compounds for the occurrence of secondary organic aerosol formation under acidic conditions.     

Synthesis and intramolecular and interionic structural characterization of half-sandwich (arene)ruthenium(II) derivatives of bis(pyrazolyl)alkanes

Arene ruthenium(II) complexes containing bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands have been prepared by reacting the ligands L' (L' in general; specifically L(1) = H(2)C(pz)(2), L(2) = H(2)C(pz(Me2))(2), L(3) = H(2)C(pz(4Me))(2), L(4) = Me(2)C(pz)(2) and L(5) = Et(2)C(pz)(2) where pz = pyrazole) with [(arene)RuCl(mu-Cl)](2) dimers (arene = p-cymene or benzene). When the reaction was carried out in methanol solution, complexes of the type [(arene)Ru(L')Cl]Cl were obtained. When L(1), L(2), L(3), and L(5) ligands reacted with excess [(arene)RuCl(mu-Cl)](2), [(arene)Ru(L')Cl][(arene)RuCl(3)] species have been obtained, whereas by using the L(4) ligand under the same reaction conditions the unexpected [(p-cymene)Ru(pzH)(2)Cl]Cl complex was recovered. The reaction of 1 equiv of [(p-cymene)Ru(L')Cl]Cl and of [(p-cymene)Ru(pzH)(2)Cl]Cl with 1 equiv of AgX (X = O(3)SCF(3) or BF(4)) in methanol afforded the complexes [(p-cymene)Ru(L')Cl](O(3)SCF(3)) (L' = L(1) or L(2)) and [(p-cymene)Ru(pzH)(2)Cl]BF(4), respectively. [(p-cymene)Ru(L(1))(H(2)O)][PF(6)](2) formed when [(p-cymene)Ru(L(1))Cl]Cl reacts with an excess of AgPF(6). The solid-state structures of the three complexes, [(p-cymene)Ru{H(2)C(pz)(2)}Cl]Cl, [(p-cymene)Ru{H(2)Cpz(4Me))(2)}Cl]Cl, and [(p-cymene)Ru{H(2)C(pz)(2)}Cl](O(3)SCF(3)), were determined by X-ray crystallographic studies. The interionic structure of [(p-cymene)Ru(L(1))Cl](O(3)SCF(3)) and [(p-cymene)Ru(L')Cl][(p-cymene)RuCl(3)] (L' = L(1) or L(2)) was investigated through an integrated experimental approach based on NOE and pulsed field gradient spin-echo (PGSE) NMR experiments in CD(2)Cl(2) as a function of the concentration. PGSE NMR measurements indicate the predominance of ion pairs in solution. NOE measurements suggest that (O(3)SCF(3))(-) approaches the cation orienting itself toward the CH(2) moiety of the L(1) (H(2)C(pz)(2)) ligand as found in the solid state. Selected Ru species have been preliminarily investigated as catalysts toward styrene oxidation by dihydrogen peroxide, [(p-cymene)Ru(L(1))(H(2)O)][PF(6)](2) being the most active species.     

Dual Retention Mechanism in Two-Dimensional LC Separations of Barbiturates,Sulfonamides, Nucleic Bases and Nucleosides on Polymethacrylate Zwitterionic Monolithic Micro-Columns

In-house prepared zwitterionic polymethacrylate micro-columns using in situ polymerization of N,N-dimethyl-N-metacryloxyethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium betaine (MEDSA) functional monomer with bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate (BIGDMA) cross-linker provided excellent stability and reproducibility of preparation and separation efficiency of 60,000–70,000 theoretical plates m⁻¹ for small molecules under isocratic conditions. The column showed a dual retention mechanism, reversed-phase (RP) in highly aqueous mobile phases and aqueous normal-phase (HILIC) in acetonitrile-rich mobile phases. This property can be used to obtain complementary separation and combined information on the sample from repeated injections of a sample on a single column, in different mobile phases characteristic for the HILIC and for the RP modes, which is in fact a form of offline two-dimensional chromatography on a single column. The dual retention mechanism has been observed with a variety of columns, however, often with impractically narrow retention range in one of the two modes. To take full advantage from the combined single-column RP–HILIC experiments, the column should provide a sufficiently broad mobile phase interval both in the RP and in the HILIC mode. The BIGDMA-MEDSA micro-columns proved suitable earlier for the combined RP–HILIC separations of some phenolic compounds and flavonoids. In the present work, we investigated the effects of the mobile phase composition on the retention of a variety of polar compounds over full retention range of buffered aqueous acetonitrile mobile phases, to find potentially useful HILIC and RP retention ranges for barbiturates, sulfonamides, nucleosides and nucleic bases. In the HILIC mode, proton donor–acceptor interactions show a major effect on retention and selectivity of separation, whereas the size of the non-polar hydrocarbon part of the sample molecule is the most important factor in the water-rich mobile phases. The sample structure strongly affects the composition of aqueous–organic mobile phases at which the transition between the two retention modes occurs. Of the investigated sample types, barbiturates show better separation under reversed-phase conditions, whereas nucleosides and nucleic bases in the HILIC mode. Aromatic carboxylic acids and sulfonamides can be separated either in the reversed phase or under HILIC conditions, the two separation modes showing complementary selectivity of separation.

     

Targeting antioxidant pathways with ferrocenylated N-heterocyclic carbene supported gold(i) complexes in A549 lung cancer cells

Ferrocene containing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligated gold(i) complexes of the type [Au(NHC)₂]⁺ were prepared and found to be capable of regulating the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via multiple mechanisms. Single crystal X-ray analysis of bis(1-(ferrocenylmethyl)-3-mesitylimidazol-2-ylidene)-gold(i) chloride (5) and bis(1,3-di(ferrocenylmethyl)imidazol-2-ylidene)-gold(i) chloride (6) revealed a quasi-linear geometry around the gold(i) centers (i.e., the C–Au–C bond angle were measured to be ∼177° and all the Au–C_carbene bonds distances were in the range of 2.00 (7)–2.03 (1) Å). A series of cell studies indicated that cell proliferation inhibition and ROS generation were directly proportional to the amount of ferrocene contained within the [Au(NHC)₂]⁺ complexes (IC₅₀ of 6 < 5 < bis(1-benzyl-3-mesitylimidazol-2-ylidene)-gold(i) chloride (4)). Complexes 4–6 were also confirmed to inhibit thioredoxin reductase as inferred from lipoate reduction assays and increased chelatable intracellular zinc concentrations. RNA microarray gene expression assays revealed that 6 induces endoplasmic reticulum stress response pathways as a result of ROS increase.     

Birefringence dispersion of N-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-4-butylaniline (MBBA) determined from channeled spectra

The birefringence of MBBA, determined from the channeled spectra, decreases when the wavelength increases, showing a normal dispersion. The changes induced by an external electrostatic field acting perpendicular on the nematic director in the birefringence values were evidenced. The birefringence increases with the electrostatic field intensity which enhances the preferential alignment by the big values of the electric dipole moments induced parallel to the long MBBA molecule. The main refractive indices were interferometrically measured for three visible monochromatic radiations and the birefringence values were concordant with those estimated from the channeled spectra. The main molecular polarizabilities were estimated.     

Liquid-crystalline rigid-core semiconductor oligothiophenes: influence of molecular structure on phase behaviour and thin-film properties

The design, synthesis and properties of liquid-crystalline semiconducting oligothiophenes containing dithienothiophene (DTT), benzothiadiazole (BTZ) and carbazole (CBZ) rigid cores are described. The effect of molecular structure (shape, size and substitution) on their thermal behaviour and electrical properties has been investigated. Polarised optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses have revealed highly ordered smectic mesophases for most of the newly synthesised compounds. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies performed at various temperatures have shown that the smectic order is retained in the crystalline state upon cooling across the transition temperature, affording cast films with a more favourable morphology for FET applications.     

A new site‐selective route for synthesis of functionalized imidazo[2,1‐c][1,2,4]triazoles

Reactions of 4‐arylhydrazono‐2‐methylthio‐imidazolin‐5(1H)‐one 3 with various hydrazonoyl halides 1 proved to be site‐selective and yielded the respective imidazo[2,1‐c][1,2,4]triazole derivatives 8 . The structure of the latter was elucidated by X‐ray analysis and the mechanism of the studied reactions was discussed.     

Computational Approaches for the Design of Novel Anticancer Compounds Based on Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine Derivatives as TRAP1 Inhibitor

In the present in-silico study, various computational techniques were applied to determine potent compounds against TRAP1 kinase. The pharmacophore hypothesis DHHRR_1 consists of important features required for activity. The 3D QSAR study showed a statistically significant model with R² = 0.96 and Q² = 0.57. Leave one out (LOO) cross-validation (R² CV = 0.58) was used to validate the QSAR model. The molecular docking study showed maximum XP docking scores (−11.265, −10.532, −10.422, −10.827, −10.753 kcal/mol) for potent pyrazole analogs (42, 46, 49, 56, 43), respectively, with significant interactions with amino acid residues (ASP 594, CYS 532, PHE 583, SER 536) against TRAP1 kinase receptors (PDB ID: 5Y3N). Furthermore, the docking results were validated using the 100 ns MD simulations performed for the selected five docked complexes. The selected inhibitors showed relatively higher binding affinities than the TRAP1 inhibitor molecules present in the literature. The ZINC database was used for a virtual screening study that screened ZINC05297837, ZINC05434822, and ZINC72286418, which showed similar binding interactions to those shown by potent ligands. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) analysis showed noticeable results. The results of the study may be helpful for the further development of potent TRAP1 inhibitors     

Electron transfer from cresols to N3, BrO2, ClO2, NO2 and SO4 radicals: correlation between rate constants and one-electron reduction potentials

The rate constants of oxidation of phenol and the cresol isomers to phenoxyl or methylphenoxyl radicals by inorganic radicals (R√) were studied in aqueous solutions at pH=5.8 and 11.5 using pulse radiolysis. The oxidation was due to electron transfer. Using the Marcus theory the electron transfer data were evaluated on the basis of the energy difference, ΔE, between the one-electron reduction potential of the inorganic couple and the mid-point potential of the half-cell of the phenoxyl/phenolate(phenol) couple. The standard reduction potentials of (o-CH₃PhO√/o-CH₃PhO⁻) and (m-CH₃PhO√/m-CH₃PhO⁻) couples (vs. NHE) were determined as 760 and 800 mV, respectively. The electron transfer was found to be diffusion limited when ΔE500 mV independently of the inorganic radical, type of phenol or pH. Between 0ΔE500 mV the rate constants showed good correlation with ΔE. The rate constants were dependent on the isomeric position of the methyl substituent.