Biosynthesis of Pd/MnO2 nanocomposite using Solanum melongena plant extract and its application for the one‐pot synthesis of 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles from aryl halides

In this work, for the first time, Solanum melongena plant extract was used for the green synthesis of Pd/MnO₂ nanocomposite via reduction osf Pd(II) ions to Pd(0) and their immobilization on the surface of manganese dioxide (MnO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) as an effective support. The synthesized nanocomposite were characterized by various analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of Pd/MnO₂ nanocomposite was used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the one‐pot synthesis of 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles from aryl halides containing various electron‐donating or electron‐withdrawing groups in the presence of K ₄ [Fe (CN) ₆ ] as non‐toxic cyanide source and sodium azide. The products were obtained in good yields via a simple methodology and easy work‐up. The nanocatalyst can be recycled and reused several times with no remarkable loss of activity.     

Integrating Rigidity Analysis into the Exploration of Protein Conformational Pathways Using RRT* and MC

To understand how proteins function on a cellular level, it is of paramount importance to understand their structures and dynamics, including the conformational changes they undergo to carry out their function. For the aforementioned reasons, the study of large conformational changes in proteins has been an interest to researchers for years. However, since some proteins experience rapid and transient conformational changes, it is hard to experimentally capture the intermediate structures. Additionally, computational brute force methods are computationally intractable, which makes it impossible to find these pathways which require a search in a high-dimensional, complex space. In our previous work, we implemented a hybrid algorithm that combines Monte-Carlo (MC) sampling and RRT*, a version of the Rapidly Exploring Random Trees (RRT) robotics-based method, to make the conformational exploration more accurate and efficient, and produce smooth conformational pathways. In this work, we integrated the rigidity analysis of proteins into our algorithm to guide the search to explore flexible regions. We demonstrate that rigidity analysis dramatically reduces the run time and accelerates convergence.     

Synthesis and characterization of silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles modified with bis(pyrazolyl) triazine ruthenium(II) complex and the application of these nanoparticles as a highly efficient catalyst for the hydrogen transfer reduction of ketones

We present a facile and efficient method for modifying the surface of silica-coated Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with bis(pyrazolyl) triazine ruthenium(II) complex [ MNPs@BPT–Ru (II) ] . Field emission-scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric/derivative thermogravimetry analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry analyses were employed for characterizing the structure of these nanoparticles. MNPs@BPT–Ru(II) nanoparticles proved to be a magnetic, reusable, and heterogeneous catalyst for the hydrogen transfer reduction of ketone derivatives. In addition, highly pure products were obtained with excellent yields in relatively short times in the presence of this catalyst. A comparison of this catalyst with those previously used for the hydrogen transfer reactions proved the uniqueness of MNPs@BPT–Ru(II) nanoparticle which is due to its inherent magnetic properties and large surface area. The presented method also had other advantages such as simple reaction conditions, eco-friendliness, high recovery ability, easy work-up, and low cost.     

Antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of nanochelating based silver nanoparticles against several nosocomial pathogens

The emergence of multi‐drug resistant (MDR) bacteria and dynamic pattern of infectious diseases demand to develop alternative and more effective therapeutic strategies. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most widely commercialized engineered nanomaterials, because of their unique properties and increasing use for various applications in nanomedicine. This study for the first time aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of newly synthesized nanochelating based AgNPs against several Gram‐positive and ‐negative nosocomial pathogens. Nanochelating technology was used to design and synthesize the AgNPs. The cytotoxicity was tested in human cell line using the MTT assay. AgNPs minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by standard broth microdilution. Antibiofilm activity was assayed by a microtiter‐plate screening method. The two synthesized AgNPs including AgNPs (A) with the size of about 20‐25 nm, and AgNPs (B) with 30‐35 nm were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. AgNPs exhibited higher antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive strains. AgNPs were found to significantly inhibit the biofilm formation of tested strains in concentration 0.01 to 10 mg/mL. AgNPs (A) showed significant effective antibiofilm activity compared to AgNPs (B). In summary, our results showed the promising antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of our new nanochelating based synthesized AgNPs against several nosocomial pathogens.     

Preparation of an experimental glass-ionomer cements and evaluation of their properties

The preparation of glass-ionomer cements based on the composition of SiO₂–Al₂O₃–CaO–SrO–F and evaluation of their properties is described. Cements were prepared via the sol–gel method and characterized by XRD, BET, SEM, and EDAX analysis. The effect of various concentrations of Sr on in vitro bioactivity of the glass speciments was investigated. In vitro bioactivity of the samples was evaluated by soaking them in simulated body fluid followed by structural characterization using SEM and atomic absorption analysis. A glass specimen with 0.5 mol of Sr exhibited appropriate bioactivity.     

1,3-Migration of Trimethylsilyl Group from Carbon to Oxygen in Highly Sterically Hindered Silanol of the Type (Me 3 Si) 3 CSi(C 6 H 4 Me- p )MeOH and Reaction of the Related Iodide with Iodine Monochloride and Iodine Monobromide

The silanol (Me 3 Si) 3 CSi(C 6 H 4 Me- p )MeOH has been shown to isomerize to (Me 3 Si) 2 CHSi(C 6 H 4 Me- p )(Me)(OSiMe 3 ) when it was kept at room temperature for 10 h in 0.2 M NaOMe/MeOH. Corresponding isomerizations of the above silanol (to give (Me 3 Si) 2 CHSi(C 6 H 4 Me- p ) (Me)(OSiMe 3 )) are complete after 26 h under reflux in pyridine. The reaction involve 1,3-migration from carbon to oxygen within a silanolate ion to give a carbanion, which rapidly acquires a proton from the solvent. Treatment of (Me 3 Si) 3 CSi(C 6 H 4 Me- p )MeOH with MeLi in Et 2 O/THF give, by the same rearrangement, the organolithium reagent (Me 3 Si) 2 CLiSi(C 6 H 4 Me- p )(Me)(OSiMe 3 ) which on treatment with Me 2 SiHCl gives (Me 3 Si) 2 C(SiMe 2 H)Si(C 6 H 4 Me- p )(Me)(OSiMe 3 ) and (Me 3 Si) 2 CHSi(C 6 H 4 Me- p )(Me)(OSiMe 3 ). When the experiment was repeated, but with Me 3 SiCl in place of Me 2 SiHCl, it gives exclusively (Me 3 Si) 2 CHSi(C 6 H 4 Me- p )(Me)(OSiMe 3 ). Treatment of the organolithium reagent (Me 3 Si) 2 CLiSi(C 6 H 4 Me- p )(Me)(OSiMe 3 ) with Mel gives exclusively (Me 3 Si) 2 CMeSi(C 6 H 4 Me- p )(Me)(OSiMe 3 ). The related iodide (Me 3 Si) 3 CSi(C 6 H 4 Me- p )Mel reacts with ICI and IBr to give rearranged (Me 3 Si) 2 C(SiMe 2 X)Si(C 6 H 4 Me- p )Me 2 and unrearranged products (Me 3 Si) 3 CSi(C 6 H 4 Me- p )MeX, (X = Cl, Br) respectively. The rearranged bromide (Me 3 Si) 2 C(SiMe 2 Br)Si(C 6 H 4 Me- p )Me 2 reacts with a range of silver [I] salts AgY (Y = OOCCH 3 , SO 4 2 m ) and Mercury [II] salt HgY 2 (Y = OOCCH 3 , SO 4 2 m ) in glacial CH 3 COOH to give the corresponding species (Me 3 Si) 2 C(SiMe 2 OOCCH 3 )Si(C 6 H 4 Me- p )Me 2 . The reaction of the bromide with AgBF 4 in MeOH or i -PrOH give the corresponding rearranged products (Me 3 Si) 2 C(SiMe 2 Y)Si(C 6 H 4 Me- p )Me 2 (Y = --OMe, --OPr i ).     

SELECTIVE OXIDATION OF BENZYLIC ALCOHOLS USING CAN SUPPORTED ONTO SILICA GEL UNDER MICROWAVE IRRADIATION

Cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN) adsorbed on HNO ₃ /silica gel is a mild reagent for selective oxidation of benzylic alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes under microwave irradiation in solventless system.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Symmetrical Biaryls Under Microwave Irradiation and Conventional Heating

The activity of the [Pd{C₆H₄(CH₂N(CH₂Ph)₂)}(µ-Br)]₂ complex was investigated in the synthesis of symmetrical biaryls under both conventional and microwave irradiation conditions, and their results were compared. This complex is efficient, stable, and not sensitive to air or moisture and is a catalyst for the homo-coupling reaction of aryl iodides, bromides, and even chlorides. The products were produced in excellent yields in short reaction times using a catalytic amount of [Pd{C₆H₄(CH₂N(CH₂Ph)₂)(µ-Br)]₂ complex in N-methylpyrolidine (NMP) at 130 °C. In comparison to conventional heating conditions, the reactions under microwave irradiation gave better yields in shorter reaction times.     

Synthesis of Isobenzofuran-1(3H)-ones with the Aid of Silica-Supported Preyssler Nanoparticles

Silica-supported Preyssler nanoparticles appear to be a new and efficient solid acid catalyst for an economical, and environmentally benign one-pot synthesis of 3-substituted phthalides.