A thiazole-containing tripodal ligand: synthesis, characterization, and interactions with metal ions and matrix metalloproteinases

A new tripodal ligand, tris[2-(((2-thiazolyl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine (Tatren), has been synthesized and characterized by NMR, IR, and UV-visible absorbance spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Tatren forms stable complexes with transition metal ions (Zn(2+), 1; Mn(2+), 2; Co(2+), 3) and the alkaline earth metal ions (Ca(2+), 4; Mg(2+), 5). Single-crystal X-ray structures of 1, 2, and 5 revealed six-coordinate chelate complexes with formula [M(Tatren)](ClO(4))(2) in which the metal centers are coordinated by three thiazolyl N atoms and three acyclic imine N atoms. Crystals of 1, 2, and 5 are monoclinic, P2(1)/c space group. Crystals of 4 are triclinic, P space group. The Ca(2+) complex is eight-coordinate with all N atoms of Tatren and one water molecule coordinated to the metal ion. Spectrophotometric titrations show that formation constants for the chelates of metal ions are >1 in methanol. Free Tatren inhibits the catalytic domain of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13, collagenase-3) with K(i) = 3.5 +/- 0.6 microM. Molecular mechanics-based docking calculations suggest that one leg of Tatren coordinates to the catalytic Zn(2+) in MMPs-2, -9, and -13 with significant hydrogen bonding to backbone amide groups. High-level DFT calculations suggest that, in the absence of nonbonded interactions between Tatren and the enzyme, the most stable first coordination sphere of the catalytic Zn(2+) is achieved with three imidazolyl groups from His residues and two imine N atoms from one leg of Tatren. While complexes (1-3) do not inhibit MMP-13 to a significant extent, 4 does (K(i) = 30 +/- 10 microM). Hence, this study shows that tripodal chelating ligands of this class and their Ca(2+) complexes have potential as active-site inhibitors for MMPs.     

Nano-bio interface study between Fe content TiO2 nanoparticles and adenosine triphosphate biomolecules

The advent of nano-biotechnology has inspired the interface interaction study between engineered nanoparticles (NPs) and biomolecules. The interaction between Fe content titanium dioxide (TiO₂) NPs and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) biomolecules has been envisioned. The effect of Fe content in TiO₂ matrix was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The increase in Fe content caused a decrease in particle size with change in morphology from spherical to one-dimensional rod structure. The Fe incorporation in the TiO₂ matrix reduced the transition temperature from anatase to rutile (A-R) phase along with formation of haematite phase of iron oxide at 400°C. The interaction of Fe content TiO₂ NPs with ATP molecule has been studied using spectroscopic method of Raman scattering and infrared vibration spectrum along with TEM. Fe content in TiO₂ has enhanced the interaction efficiency of the NPs with ATP biomolecules. Raman spectroscopy confirms that the NPs interact strongly with nitrogen (N₇) site in the adenine ring of ATP biomolecule. Engineering of Fe content TiO₂ NP could successfully tune the coordination between metal oxide NPs with biomolecules, which could help in designing devices for biomedical applications.     

Almost global attitude consensus of multi-agent rigid bodies on $$\mathrm{TSO}(3)^N$$ TSO ( 3 ) N in the presence of disturbances and directed topology

Nonlinear Dynamics - The article proposes a distributed attitude consensus algorithm for multi-agent rigid bodies on the tangent bundle $$\mathrm{TSO}(3)^N$$ . It is assumed that a directed fixed...     

Photoactivated antimicrobial activity of carbon nanotube-porphyrin conjugates

We report the design of antimicrobial nanocomposite films based on conjugates of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) and protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) that are highly effective against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) upon irradiation with visible light. S. aureus infections can lead to life-threatening situations, especially when caused by antibiotic-resistant strains. While the light-activated antimicrobial activity of porphyrins against such pathogens is well-known, a facile way to incorporate porphyrins into coatings may lead to their more effective use. To that end, we decided to synthesize and characterize MWNT-PPIX conjugates which combine the biocidal capacity of porphyrins with the mechanical strength of MWNTs. The conjugates could effectively deactivate S. aureus cells in solution upon irradiation with visible light. We also designed large area nanocomposite films comprised of the MWNT-PPIX conjugates that showed potent antimicrobial activity. These MWNT-PPIX conjugates represent a facile strategy for the design of antimicrobial and antifouling coatings.     

On further application of r as a metric for validation of QSAR models

Validation is a crucial aspect for quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) model development. External validation is considered, in general, as the most conclusive proof of predictive capacity of a QSAR model. In the absence of truly external data set, external validation is usually performed on test set compounds, which are members of the original data set but not used in model development exercise. In the case of small data sets, QSAR researchers experience problem in model development due to the fact that the developed models may be less reliable on account of the small number of training set compounds and such models may also show poor external predictability because the models may not have captured all necessary features required for the particular structure–activity relationships. The present paper attempts to show that ‘true r_(LOO)’ statistic calculated based on the model derived from the undivided data set with application of variable selection strategy at each cycle of leave‐one‐out (LOO) validation may reflect external validation characteristics of the developed model thus obviating the requirement of splitting of the data set into training and test sets. This approach may be helpful in the case of small data sets as it uses all available data for model development and validation thus making the resulting model more reliable. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

2D water layer enclathrated between Mn(II)-Ni(CN)4 coordination frameworks

A [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻-based two-dimensional Mn(II) coordination polymer {Mn(H₂O)₂[NiCN]₄·4H₂O}, in which the coordination layers are stacked on top of each other sandwiching 2D water layer of boat-shaped hexagonal water clusters has been synthesized. The complex exhibits high thermal decomposition temperature and reversible water absorption, which were clearly demonstrated by thermal and PXRD studies on the parent and rehydrated complex after dehydration.     

Thiosemicarbazone complexes of the platinum metals. A story of variable coordination modes

Salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (H₂saltsc) reacts with [M(PPh₃)₃X₂] (M = Ru, Os; X = Cl, Br) to afford complexes of type [M(PPh₃)₂(Hsaltsc)₂], in which the salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone ligand is coordinated to the metal as a bidentate N,S-donor forming a four-membered chelate ring. Reaction of benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazones (Hbztsc-R) with [M(PPh₃)₃X₂] also affords complexes of similar type, viz. [M(PPh₃)₂(bztsc-R)₂], in which the benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazones have also been found to coordinate the metal as a bidentate N,S-donor forming a four-membered chelate ring as before. Reaction of the Hbztsc-R ligands has also been carried out with [M(bpy)₂X₂] (M = Ru, Os; X = Cl, Br), which has afforded complexes of type [M(bpy)₂(bztsc-R)]⁺, which have been isolated as perchlorate salts. Coordination mode of bztsc-R has been found to be the same as before. Structure of the Hbztsc-OMe ligand has been determined and some molecular modelling studies have been carried out determine the reason for the observed mode of coordination. Reaction of acetone thiosemicarbazone (Hactsc) has then been carried out with [M(bpy)₂X₂] to afford the [M(bpy)₂(actsc)]ClO₄ complexes, in which the actsc ligand coordinates the metal as a bidentate N,S-donorformingafive-membered chelate ring. Reaction of H₂saltsc has been carried out with [Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂] to prepare the [Ru(bpy)₂(Hsaltsc)]ClO₄ complex, which has then been reacted with one equivalent of nickel perchlorate to afford an octanuclear complex of type [Ru(bpy)₂(saltsc-H)₄Ni₄](ClO₄)₄.     

Synthesis and physical properties of Ca- and Ta-modified (K,Na)NbO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

Polycrystalline samples of lead-free Ca and Ta co-substituted potassium sodium niobate (K_0.5Na_0.5NbO_3, KNN) ceramics have been prepared by solid state reaction technique. X-ray diffraction showed formation of a single-phase perovskite structure with orthorhombic symmetry. Substitution inhibits the grain growth, improves densification and decreases the ferro-paraelectric phase transition temperature. Temperature dependent dielectric permittivity studies demonstrate significant decrease in peak-permittivity values in the substituted samples. Bulk longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient is significantly enhanced, up to ～155 pC/N for (K_0.48Na_0.48Ca_0.02)(Nb_0.85Ta_0.15O₃) as compared to 95 pC/N for pristine KNN ceramic. Local piezoelectric properties have been observed by piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) technique. Distinct piezocontrast was studied in both vertical and in-plane modes of PFM for all samples. The samples exhibit self-polarization effect in the unpoled state and effective local vertical piezoelectric coefficient was the largest in Ca and Ta co-substituted sample whereas the in-plane piezoelectric coefficient was maximum for Ca-substituted KNN sample. These studies are important for using substituted lead free KNN materials in various piezoelectric applications.