Synthesis,structural characterizations,spectroscopic and magnetic properties of MnII and MnIII complexes with an unprecedented bridging coordination mode of 2-salicylichydrazono-1,3-dithiolane ligand

Two new complexes [Mn^III(HL)₂(acac)] and [Mn^II(HL)₂]_n have been obtained by reacting manganese(III) acetylacetonate monohydrate or manganese(II) chloride monohydrate with 2-salicylichydrazono-1,3-dithiolane ligand (H₂L). Both compounds have been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the solid state, the molecular packing are described and discussed in term of weak H-bonds and short contacts. The unprecedented bridging coordination mode of this ligand lead to the first 2-salicylichydrazono-1,3-dithiolane-bridged coordination polymer [Mn^II(HL)₂]_n. The EPR spectrum of this compound was obtained with g ≈ 2.07, corresponding to a manganese ion (+II) in octahedral high-spin coordination sphere. The Mn^II complex exhibit paramagnetic behavior corresponding to quasi-isolated metal centers.     

Improved microwave steam distillation apparatus for isolation of essential oils. Comparison with conventional steam distillation

Steam distillation (SD) is routinely used by analysts for the isolation of essential oils from herbs, flowers and spices prior to gas chromatographic analysis. In this work, a new process design and operation for an improved microwave steam distillation (MSD) of essential oils from aromatic natural products was developed. To demonstrate its feasibility, MSD was compared with the conventional technique, SD, for the analysis of volatile compounds from dry lavender flowers (Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Lamiaceae). Essential oils isolated by MSD were quantitatively (yield) and qualitatively (aromatic profile) similar to those obtained by SD, but MSD was better than SD in terms of rapidity (6 min versus 30 min for lavender flowers), thereby allowing substantial savings of costs in terms of time and energy. Lavender flowers treated by MSD and SD were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Micrographs provide evidence of more rapid opening of essential oil glands treated by MSD, in contrast to conventional SD.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of chiral and nonchiral transition-metal malates

Carboxylate-bridged complexes of transition metals, M(II)=Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), were synthesised by reaction of M(II) salts with dl-malate and L-malate under hydrothermal conditions. These complexes form four series of compounds, which have been fully characterised structurally, thermally and magnetically. The crystal structures of the new chiral compounds, [Mn(L-mal)(H(2)O)] (1), [Fe(L-mal)(H(2)O)] (2), [Co(L-mal)(H(2)O)] (3) and [Zn(L-mal)(H(2)O)] (4) as well as those of the bimetallic analogues [Mn(0.63)Co(0.37)(L-mal)(H(2)O)] (5) and [Mn(0.79)Ni(0.21)(L-mal)(H(2)O)] (6) have been solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The six L-malate monohydrates crystallise in the chiral space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) and consist in a three-dimensional network of metal(II) centres in octahedral sites formed by oxygen atoms. These structures were compared to those of the chiral trihydrate compounds [Co(L-mal)(H(2)O)]2 H(2)O (7), [Ni(L-mal)(H(2)O)]2 H(2)O (8) and [Co(0.52)Ni(0.48)(L-mal)(H(2)O)]2 H(2)O (9), which exhibit helical chains of M(II) centres, and those of dl-malate dihydrates [Co(dl-mal)(H(2)O)]H(2)O (10) and [Ni(dl-mal)(H(2)O)H(2)O (11) and trihydrate [Mn(L-mal)(H(2)O)]2 H(2)O (12) highlighting the great flexibility of the coordination by the malate ligand. UV/Vis spectroscopic results are consistent with octahedral coordination geometry of high-spin transition-metal centres. Extensive magnetic characterisation of each homologous series indicates rather weak coupling interaction between paramagnetic centres linked through carboxylate bridges. Curie-like paramagnetic, antiferromagnetic, ferromagnetic or weak ferromagnetic behaviour is observed and discussed on the basis of the structural features. The bimetallic compounds 5 and 6 represent new examples of chiral magnets.     

Very strong ferromagnetic interaction in a new binuclear mu-methoxo-bridged Mn(III) complex: synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic properties, and DFT calculations

New mononuclear [Mn(HL)3].2CHCl3 (H2L = 2-salicyloylhydrazono-1,3-dithiolane) and binuclear Mn2(mu-OCH3)2(HL)4 manganese (III) complexes have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The binuclear complex, described in this communication, displays very strong intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling (J = + 19.7 cm-1), which is confirmed by DFT calculations. The negative sign of the axial magnetic anisotropy parameter, which is crucial for a possible single molecule magnet behavior and for any future use of this complex in more complex extended architectures, is also unambiguously determined by careful fit of magnetization curves and by DFT calculations.     

Cobalt complexes supported by salicylichydrazono derivative ligands and various coordination solvents

We report the synthesis and molecular solid-state structures of five novel Co^II and Co^III mononuclear complexes supported by the 2-salicyloylhydrazono-1,3-dithiolane (L1) and 2-salicyloylhydrazono-1,3-dithiane (L2) ligands. Moreover, one novel diamagnetic μ-oxo dinuclear Co^III complex [Co^III₂(HL)₄(μ-O)₂] supported by the ligand L1 was stabilized and characterized. Crystal structure of the supporting ligand L2 was also determined.     

Antibacterial Activity of Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-Nanoparticles Against Staphylococcus aureus

The formation of bacterial biofilms on material surfaces is a recurrent problem in public health. Antibacterial nanoparticles (NPs) are promising because pathogens have not yet developed resistance mechanisms and encapsulation of the drug can protect it from the surrounding medium and improve pharmacokinetics. Biocompatible and biodegradable particles of various sizes (nano- and micro-scale) based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) are elaborated using a simple and free toxic nanoprecipitation process. Particles are poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-ylated in order to reduce unwanted interactions with biological fluids, or loaded with the large spectrum antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP). NPs are studied against Staphylococcus aureus in planktonic and biofilm modes. Empty NPs with smallest size (60 nm) are able to totally eradicate planktonic culture after 24 h, even in the presence of serum proteins. CIP-loaded NPs present slightly lower antimicrobial activity against planktonic microorganisms compared with the free antibiotic, due to progressive release of CIP over time. In biofilm mode, CIP-loaded NPs show a very good antibiofilm activity, much better than free CIP, thanks to NPs penetration within the polymer matrix and a consequent release of the antibiotic close to the embedded bacteria. The present results open the way for widespread applications of PLGA-NPs in the pharmaceutical or medical fields.     

1,1′‐Diethyl‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐1,1′‐diium bis(1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide): multiple C—H...N hydrogen bonds form a complex sheet structure

In the title salt, C₁₄H₁₈N₂²⁺·2C₉H₅N₄O⁻, the 1,1′‐diethyl‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐1,1′‐diium dication lies across a centre of inversion in the space group P2₁/c. In the 1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide anion, the two independent –C(CN)₂ units are rotated, in conrotatory fashion, out of the plane of the central propenide unit, making dihedral angles with the central unit of 16.0 (2) and 23.0 (2)°. The ionic components are linked by C—H...N hydrogen bonds to form a complex sheet structure, within which each cation acts as a sixfold donor of hydrogen bonds and each anion acts as a threefold acceptor of hydrogen bonds.     

Tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)iron(II) bis(1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide) dihydrate: chiral hydrogen‐bonded frameworks interpenetrate in three dimensions

In the title compound, [Fe(C₁₀H₈N₂)₃](C₉H₅N₄O)₂·2H₂O, the chiral cations lie across twofold rotation axes in the space group C2/c. The anions and the water molecules are linked by two independent O—H...N hydrogen bonds to form C₂²(8) chains, and these chains are linked by the cations via C—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds to form two interpenetrating three‐dimensional frameworks, each of which contains only one enantiomeric form of the chiral cation.