Theoretical study on the mechanism for the excited-state double proton transfer process of an asymmetric Schiff base ligand

Excited-state double proton transfer (ESDPT) in the 1-[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzylidene)-hydrazonomethyl]-naphthalen-2-ol (HYDRAVH₂) ligand was studied by the density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory method. The analysis of frontier molecular orbitals, infrared spectra, and non-covalent interactions have cross-validated that the asymmetric structure has an influence on the proton transfer, which makes the proton transfer ability of the two hydrogen protons different. The potential energy surfaces in both S₀ and S₁ states were scanned with varying O-H bond lengths. The results of potential energy surface analysis adequately proved that the HYDRAVH₂ can undergo the ESDPT process in the S₁ state and the double proton transfer process is a stepwise proton transfer mechanism. Our work can pave the way towards the design and synthesis of new molecules.     

Supramolecular Arrangement and DFT analysis of Zinc(II) Schiff Bases: An Insight towards the Influence of Compartmental Ligands on Binding Interaction with Protein

We report, for the first time, a detailed crystallographic study of the supramolecular arrangement for a set of zinc(II) Schiff base complexes containing the ligand 2,6-bis((E)-((2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)imino)methyl)-4-R-phenol], where R=methyl/tert-butyl/chloro. The supramolecular study acts as a pre-screening tool for selecting the compartmental ligand R of the Schiff base for effective binding with a targeted protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA). The most stable hexagonal arrangement of the complex [Zn − Me] (R=Me) stabilises the ligand with the highest FMO energy gap (ΔE=4.22 eV) and lowest number of conformations during binding with BSA. In contrast, formation of unstable 3D columnar vertebra for [Zn − Cl] (R=Cl) tend to activate the system with lowest FMO gap (3.75 eV) with highest spontaneity factor in molecular docking. Molecular docking analyses reported in terms of 2D LigPlot+ identified site A, a cleft of domains IB, IIIA and IIIB, as the most probable protein binding site of BSA. Arg144, Glu424, Ser428, Ile455 and Lys114 form the most probable interactions irrespective of the type of compartmental ligands R of the Schiff base whereas Arg185, Glu519, His145, Ile522 act as the differentiating residues with ΔG=−7.3 kcal mol⁻¹.     

Mechanistic Investigation and Conductance Modulation of a Metal-Molecule-Metal Junction via Extra Acid Addition

One important prerequisite for the fabrication of molecular functional device strongly relies on the understanding the conducting behaviors of the metal-molecule-metal junction that can respond to an external stimulus. The model Lewis basic molecule 4,4′-(pyridine-3,5-diyl)dibenzonitrile (DBP), which can react with Lewis acid and protic acid, was synthesized. Then, the molecular conducting behavior of DBP, DBP-B(C₆F₅)₃, and DBP-TfOH (DBP-B(C₆F₅)₃, and DBP-TfOH were produced by Lewis acid and protonic acid treatment of DBP) was researched and compared. Given that their identical physical paths for DBP, DBP-B(C₆F₅)₃, and DBP-TfOH to sustain charge transport, our results indicate that modifying the molecular electronic structure, even not directly changing the conductive physical backbone, can tune the charge transporting ability by nearly one order of magnitude. Furthermore, the addition of another Lewis base triethylamine (of stronger alkaline than DBP), to Lewis acid-base pair reverts the electrical properties back to that of a single DBP junction, that is constructive to propose a useful but simple strategy for the design and construction of reversible and controllable molecular device based on pyridine derived molecule.     

Biological Applications of Macrocyclic Schiff Base Ligands and Their Metal Complexes: A Survey of the Literature (2005–2019)

This article aims to provide a survey of biological applications of Schiff base macrocycles and their metal complexes, with emphasis given to the synthesis of the compounds and to their uses as antibacterial and antifungal agents. The literature on the subject, published during the 2005–2019 period, is shortly reviewed. This is an informed report collecting information on the addressed topic in a concise systematic way, and can be expected to be useful as a fast literature catalogue for researchers working on this and related domains.     

Nickel(II) Schiff base complex supported on nano‐titanium dioxide: A novel straightforward route for preparation of supported Schiff base complexes applying 2,4‐toluenediisocyanate

For the first time, a novel, straightforward and inexpensive route for immobilization of metals in Schiff base complex form is reported applying 2,4‐toluenediisocyanate as a precursor of primary amine group. A nickel(II) Schiff base complex supported on nano‐TiO₂ was designed and synthesized as an effective heterogeneous nanocatalyst for organic reactions, and well characterized using various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The catalytic efficiency of the complex was evaluated in selective oxidation of sulfide to sulfoxide by hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant under solvent‐free conditions at room temperature, which successfully resulted in high yield and high conversion of products. Effective factors including solvent type, oxidant and catalyst amount were also optimized. The catalyst shows outstanding reusability and could be impressively recovered for six consecutive cycles without significant change of its catalytic efficiency.     

Cyanide-Free One-Pot Synthesis of Methacrylic Esters from Acetone

Methacrylic esters, represented by methyl methacrylate (MMA), are widely used as commodity chemicals. Here, the one-pot synthesis of methacrylic esters from acetone, a haloform and alcohols in the presence of an organic base is described. Using DBU as the organic base for the reaction of acetone, chloroform and methanol in acetonitrile afforded MMA in 66 % yield. When the solvent was replaced by benzonitrile, the product MMA was successfully purified by distillation. Applicability of this process to various alcohols was also investigated to show ethyl, phenyl, CF₃CH₂, and n-C₆F₁₃CH₂CH₂ esters were obtained in moderate yields. The use of bromoform instead of chloroform resulted in the improvement of the yield, for example, methyl and n-C₆F₁₃CH₂CH₂ esters up to 81 and 70 %, respectively. The reaction with deuterated starting materials acetone-d₆ and MeOH-d₄, with DBU in acetonitrile afforded deuterated MMA (MMA-d₈) in 70 % yield.     

Oxotitanium(IV) complexes of some bis‐unsymmetric Schiff bases: Synthesis,structural elucidation and biomedical applications

A number of oxotitanium(IV) complexes of the type TiOL with bis‐unsymmetric dibasic tetradentate Schiff base (LH₂) containing ONNO donor atoms have been synthesized. Mono‐Schiff base (OPD‐HNP) was prepared by the condensation of 1:3 molar ratio of 2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde (HNP) with o‐phenylenediamine (OPD). Dibasic unsymmetric tetradentate diamine Schiff bases were prepared by the reaction of OPD‐HNP with 2‐hydroxyacetophenone, 2‐hydroxypropeophenone, benzoylacetone, acetylacetone and ethylacetoacetate. Further, titanylacetylacetonate was reacted with these ligands to obtain their metal complexes. On the basis of analytical and physiochemical data, the formation of complexes as TiOL was suggested having square pyramidal geometry. Quantum mechanical approach also confirmed this geometry. The assessment of the synthesized ligands and their complexes showed that some behave as good inhibitors of mycelial growth against selected phytopathogic fungi but weak inhibitors against some selected bacteria. A few of them also showed antioxidant properties.     

Salen–Mg-doped NH2–MIL-101(Cr) for effective CO2 adsorption under ambient conditions

A novel metal-doped metal–organic framework (MOF) was developed by incorporating salen–Mg into NH₂–MIL-101(Cr) structure under ambient conditions. The Schiff base complex was successfully prepared by condensing salicylaldehyde with a free amino group and then coordinating metal ions. Such a structure can endow the sample with higher CO₂ adsorption performance. At 0°C and 1 bar, the salen–Mg-modified sample achieves the maximum adsorption capacity of 2.18 mmol g⁻¹ for CO₂, which was 5.8% higher than the pristine salen–MOF under the same conditions. Notably, the Freundlich model indicates that the CO₂ adsorption process of all samples conforms to reversible adsorption. However, the correlation coefficients (R²) of the Mg-doped sample are lower than that of the pristine sample. Besides, the CO₂/N₂ adsorption selectivity and isosteric heat also show a similar trend. These results indicate that the salen–Mg can enhance the interaction between the material and CO₂ molecules.