Highly sensitive and selective detect of p‐arsanilic acid with a new water‐stable europium metal–organic framework

The p‐arsanilic acid (p‐ASA), as an aromatic organoarsenic compounds, had received considerable concerns for their potential toxicity and carcinogenic properties. It was essential to detect p‐ASA with a facile method. In this paper, an europium based fluorescent metal–organic framework (MOF) [Eu₂(clhex)·2H₂O)]·H₂O ( BUC‐69 ) was successfully prepared under hydrothermal conditions with 1,2,3,4,5,6‐cyclohexanehexacarboxylic acid (H₆clhex) as organic linker. BUC‐69 displayed superior fluorescence capability to achieve selective and sensitive detection toward p‐ASA in water, which presented the first example of a MOF‐based sensor to detect p‐ASA. BUC‐69 showed excellent chemical stability in solutions under pH ranging from 4 to 12, which makes it be a potential sensor both in acidity and alkalinity condition. Significantly, BUC‐69 performed well in fluorescent sensing of p‐ASA at a low concentration (10^?6 M) in the simulated wastewater prepared with real lake water, and the results were comparable to the values detected by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP‐OES). The corresponding mechanism of fluorescent sensing toward p‐ASA with BUC‐69 was proposed and affirmed.     

Hexanuclear 3d − 4f metal–organic cages assembled from a carboxylic acid‐functionalized tris‐triazamacrocycle for highly selective fluorescent sensing of picric acid

Two Ln^III ions are sandwiched by dinuclear Co^II building blocks derived from a tris‐triazamacrocyclic ligand bearing pendant carboxylic acid functionality, 1,3,5‐tris((4,7‐bis(2‐carboxyethyl)‐1,4,7‐triazacyclonon‐1‐yl)methyl)‐benzene (H₆L), giving rising to two nanoscale heterometallic metal–organic cages formulated as [Co₄Ln₂(LH_2.5)₂(H₂O)₄]·(ClO₄)₆·NO₃·nH₂O [Ln = Dy, n = 12 ( 1 ); Ln = Yb, n = 9 ( 2 )], whose internal cavity accommodates a guest NO₃^? anion. Their hexanuclear cage‐like architectures are maintained both in solution and solid states as confirmed by mass spectrum as well as X‐ray diffraction experiments. These two cages display ligand‐based fluorescence emissions and therefore both were chosen to be operated as fluorescent chemosensors for the detection of nitroaromatic compounds. Attractively, these metal–organic cages allow highly selective and sensitive detection of picric acid (PA) over other nitroaromatics in solution and suspension, and the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the cage probes and PA is mainly responsible for the remarkable detection efficiency.     

Formal [4+2] cycloaddition of 3-phenylcyclobutanones with nitriles

Various 3-phenylcyclobutanones reacted with aliphatic and aromatic nitriles in the presence of Me₃SiOTf to afford dihydropyridones by formal [4+2] cycloaddition.     

Substituent effects on the Lewis acidity of 4,6-di-tert-butylchatechol boronate esters

In studying the factors which contribute to the Lewis acidity of organoboron compounds we investigated approaches to the design of robust, novel Lewis acids purposed for metal-free catalysis. Based on a sterically encumbered catechol motif, a series of boronate esters are shown to demonstrate modest Lewis acidities for the conventional Gutmann-Beckett test as an inquisitive investigation.     

Synthetic studies towards the penicisulfuranols: Synthesis of an advanced spirocyclic diketopiperazine intermediate

The 2,5-diketopiperazine (DKP) moiety is a core feature of many natural products and medicinally relevant scaffolds. As part of our efforts directed towards a total synthesis of penicisulfuranol B, we have developed and report herein: (1) the preparation of an N-hydroxy diketopiperazine intermediate accessible via a molybdenum-mediated oxidation of a parent diketopiperazine, and (2) further synthetic studies leading to a novel spirocyclic dihydrobenzofuran-containing diketopiperazine.     

One injection for one-week controlled release: In vitro and in vivo assessment of ultrasound-triggered drug release from injectable thermoresponsive biocompatible hydrogels

Episodic release of bioactive compounds is often necessary for appropriate biological effects under specific physiological conditions. Here, we aimed to develop an injectable, biocompatible, and thermosensitive hydrogel system for ultrasound (US)-triggered drug release. An mPEG-PLGA-BOX block copolymer hydrogel was synthesized. The viscosity of 15 wt% hydrogel is 0.03 Pa*s at 25 °C (liquid form) and 34.37 Pa*s at 37 °C (gel form). Baseline and US-responsive in vitro release profile of a small molecule (doxorubicin) and that of a large molecule (FITC-dextran), from the hydrogel, was tested. A constant baseline release was observed in vitro for 7 d. When triggered by US (1 MHz, continuous, 0.4 W/cm²), the release rate increased by approximately 70 times. Without US, the release rate returned to baseline. Baseline and US-responsive in vivo release profile of doxorubicin was tested by subcutaneous injection in the back of mice and rats. Following injection into the subcutaneous layer, in vivo results also suggested that the hydrogels remained in situ and provided a steady release for at least 7 d; in the presence of the US-trigger, in vivo release from the hydrogel increased by approximately 10 times. Therefore, the mPEG-PLGA-BOX block copolymer hydrogel may serve as an injectable, biocompatible, and thermosensitive hydrogel system that is applicable for US-triggered drug release.     

Highly efficient and metal-free synthesis of tri- and tetrasubstituted imidazole catalyzed by 3-picolinic acid

3-Picolinic acid is an efficient organo-catalyst for a one-pot three-component synthesis of 2,4,5-triaryl substituted imidazole. Moreover, the utility of this catalyst has been extended to the four-component synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetra-substituted imidazole. The pivotal advantages of this process are easy purification, cost-effectiveness, and high yielding, above all environmentally benign protocol.     

Full physicochemical characterization of malic acid: Emphasis in the potential as food ingredient and application in pectin gels

Malic acid, a carboxylic acid most found in fruits, is a smooth taste substance used as flavoring and preservative agent in foods, although not as used as citric acid. There are no studies focusing in quantitative results or investigations on its physicochemical properties, useful to the food industry, or even the confirmation of its calcium chelating, buffer texturizer and antioxidant alleged properties. Thus, the aim of this work was the assessment of most physicochemical properties of malic acid, solid and in solution, that could be useful to the food industry understand its real potential. The following analyses were carried out: melting point; structure (NMR, XRD, FTIR and SEM/EDS); TGA/DTG; solubility, hygroscopicity; antioxidant activity, iron chelating and antibacterial activities and stability of pectin gels. The melting temperature found was 129.71 °C. TGA/DTG exhibited first loss of mass around 140 °C. In the temperature range of 10 to 55 °C, it exhibited a high solubility in water, from 48.12 to 61.49 (100w), respectively. The tested bacteria, related to food spoilage, were inhibited by DL-malic acid 10% or higher. Chelating and antioxidant activities showed expressive results even in 1% solution. Pectin gels with malic acid had stronger structure and less syneresis than citric acid gels. In addition, calcium chelating, buffer texturizer and antioxidant properties were confirmed. Thus, malic acid has potential to be applied in a wide variety of food products as fortified beverages, frozen and refrigerated items, oils, pectin gels, hard and soft candies, and biofilms, due to all the characteristics quantified.     

单宁酸/两性离子改性油-水分离膜的制备及性能

以不锈钢网为基材, 利用单宁酸对不锈钢网进行表面预处理并功能化接枝两性离子基团, 制备了新型亲水和水下超疏油的单宁酸/两性离子改性油-水分离膜(TA-ZW-SSM). 利用X射线光电子能谱仪(XPS)、 扫描电子显微镜(SEM)及接触角测量仪等表征了其化学结构、 形态和润湿性. 研究结果表明, 两性离子基团通过化学键接枝在单宁酸预处理的不锈钢网表面. 油-水分离实验结果表明, 对于不同类型的油-水混合物, 本文制备的超亲水和水下超疏油特性的TA-ZW-SSM可实现重力驱动的高效油-水分离, 并具有较好的化学稳定性及再循环性.     

An insight into the potent antioxidant activity of a dithiocarbohydrazone appended cis-dioxidomolybdenum (VI) complexes

In search of antioxidants with enriched potency, the present study focus on the design and synthesis of a dithiocarbohydrazone, H₃TCL derived from thiocarbohydrazide and 3-ethoxysalicylaldehyde and its coordination complexes with molybdenum, viz, [MoO₂(HTCL)D] ( 1 – 2 ) (where D = methanol ( 1 ), DMSO ( 2 )) and [MoO₂(HTCL)D]·DMF (where D = H₂O ( 3 )). The synthesized compounds were characterised by elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, UV–vis and ¹H-NMR), conductivity measurements and cyclic voltammetry. Moreover the solid state structures of all the three complexes were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis as mononuclear neutral species in which the molybdenum centre assumes a distorted octahedral geometry. The dithiocarbohydrazone binds to the molybdenum centre through its phenolate oxygen, O(1), azomethine nitrogen, N(1) and thioenolate sulfur, S(1) in a dianionic tridentate mode. The assessment of intermolecular contacts in the crystal arrangement was quantified using Hirshfeld surface analysis. Further the antioxidant potential of the dithiocarbohydrazone, H₃TCL and its molybdenum complexes 1 – 3 were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH), 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and total antioxidant assays. The antioxidant activities were then compared with standard antioxidant, L-ascorbic acid. The antioxidant potential of the synthesized compounds were then validated by molecular docking studies. Molecular modelling study was achieved to evaluate the recognition of target compound at the binding pocket of the human antioxidant enzyme, 3MNG. The docking results showed that the complexes selectively bond to the vital amino acids present in the binding pocket of the target enzyme, 3MNG.