Designing spirobifullerene core based three-dimensional cross shape acceptor materials with promising photovoltaic properties for high-efficiency organic solar cells

The development of organic electron acceptor materials is one of the key factors for realizing high-performance organic solar cells (OSCs). Nonfullerene electron acceptors, compared to traditional fullerene acceptor materials, have gained much impetus owing to their better optoelectronic tunabilities and lower cost, as well as higher stability. Therefore, 5 three-dimensional (3D) cross-shaped acceptor materials having a spirobifullerene core flanked with 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole are designed from a recently synthesized highly efficient acceptor molecule SF(BR) ₄ and are investigated in detail with regard to their use as acceptor molecules in OSCs. The density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations have been performed for the estimation of frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis, density of states analysis, reorganization energies of electron and hole, dipole moment, open-circuit voltage, photo-physical characteristics, and transition density matrix analysis. In addition, the structure-property relationship is studied, and the influence of end-capped acceptor modifications on photovoltaic, photo-physical, and electronic properties of newly selected molecules ( H1-H5 ) is calculated and compared with reference ( R ) acceptor molecule SF(BR) ₄ . The structural tailoring at terminals was found to effectively tune the FMO band gap, energy levels, absorption spectra, open-circuit voltage, reorganization energy, and binding energy value in selected molecules H1 to H5 . The 3D cross-shaped molecules H1 to H5 suppress the intermolecular aggregation in PTB7-Th blend, which leads to high efficiency of acceptor material H1 to H5 in OSCs. Consequently, better optoelectronic properties are achieved from designed molecules H1 to H5 . It is proposed that the conceptualized molecules are superior than highly efficient spirobifullerene core-based SF(BR) ₄ acceptor molecules and, thus, are recommended to experiments for future developments of highly efficient solar cells.     

Synthesis of Carbapenems Containing Peptidoglycan Mimetics and Inhibition of the Cross-Linking Activity of a Transpeptidase of l,d Specificity

The carbapenem class of β-lactams has been optimized against Gram-negative bacteria producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases by introducing substituents at position C2. Carbapenems are currently investigated for the treatment of tuberculosis as these drugs are potent covalent inhibitors of l,d -transpeptidases involved in mycobacterial cell wall assembly. The optimization of carbapenems for inactivation of these unusual targets is sought herein by exploiting the nucleophilicity of the C8 hydroxyl group to introduce chemical diversity. As β-lactams are structure analogs of peptidoglycan precursors, the substituents were chosen to increase similarity between the drug and the substrate. Fourteen peptido-carbapenems were efficiently synthesized. They were more effective than the reference drug, meropenem, owing to the positive impact of a phenethylthio substituent introduced at position C2 but the peptidomimetics added at position C8 did not further improve the activity. Thus, position C8 can be modified to modulate the pharmacokinetic properties of highly efficient carbapenems.     

Covalently functionalized pentaethylene glycol-thermally treated graphene towards enhanced thermophysical and heat transfer characteristics

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The current study outlined the use of synthesized, covalently functionalized pentaethylene glycol-thermally treated graphene (PEG-TGr). Miscible PEG...     

Synthesis and Characterization of Some New Quinoxalin-2(1H)one and 2-Methyl-3H-quinazolin-4-one Derivatives Targeting the Onset and Progression of CRC with SAR,Molecular Docking,and ADMET Analyses

The pathogenesis of colorectal cancer is a multifactorial process. Dysbiosis and the overexpression of COX-2 and LDHA are important effectors in the initiation and development of the disease through chromosomal instability, PGE2 biosynthesis, and induction of the Warburg effect, respectively. Herein, we report the in vitro testing of some new quinoxalinone and quinazolinone Schiff’s bases as: antibacterial, COX-2 and LDHA inhibitors, and anticolorectal agents on HCT-116 and LoVo cells. Moreover, molecular docking and SAR analyses were performed to identify the structural features contributing to the biological activities. Among the synthesized molecules, the most active cytotoxic agent, (6d) was also a COX-2 inhibitor. In silico ADMET studies predicted that (6d) would have high Caco-2 permeability, and %HIA (99.58%), with low BBB permeability, zero hepatotoxicity, and zero risk of sudden cardiac arrest, or mutagenicity. Further, (6d) is not a potential P-gp substrate, instead, it is a possible P-gpI and II inhibitor, therefore, it can prevent or reverse the multidrug resistance of the anticancer drugs. Collectively, (6d) can be considered as a promising lead suitable for further optimization to develop anti-CRC agents or glycoproteins inhibitors.     

Enhancement of catalytic activity of titanosilicalite-1 - sulfated zirconia combination towards epoxidation of 1-octene with aqueous hydrogen peroxide

Summary Titanosilicalite-1 (TS-1) in combination with sulfated zirconia efficiently catalyzes the epoxidation of 1-octene with aqueous hydrogen peroxide. The presence of both octahedral zirconium and sulfate species in the catalysts enhances the epoxidation rates.     

Facile green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using leaf extract of antidiabetic potent Cassia auriculata

A simple biological method for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Cassia auriculata aqueous leaf extract has been carried out in the present study. The reduction of auric chloride led to the formation of AuNPs within 10 min at room temperature (28°C), suggesting a higher reaction rate than chemical methods involved in the synthesis. The size, shape and elemental analysis were carried out using X-ray diffraction, TEM, SEM-EDAX, FT-IR and visible absorption spectroscopy. Stable, triangular and spherical crystalline AuNPs with well-defined dimensions of average size of 15-25 nm were synthesized using C. auriculata. Effect of pH was also studied to check the stability of AuNPs. The main aim of the investigation is to synthesize AuNPs using antidiabetic potent medicinal plant. The stabilizing and reducing molecules of nanoparticles may promote anti-hyperglycemic if tested further.     

Determination of napropamide in rape, rape-seed and rape-straw by HPLC

Summary A simple and specific quantitative high-pressure liquid-chromatographic method for the analysis of napropamide in rape, rape seeds and rape straw is described. The method is based on a simple extraction step, gel-chromatographic and mini-silicagel column clean-up and separation on a Reversed Phase column with UV-detection.The method is sensitive down to 5 ppb napropamide in green rape and 10 ppb in rape seeds and straw. It shows recoveries between 88.0% and 107% in green rape and between 86.0% and 104% in rape seeds and straw at the 0.05–1.0 mg/kg level.

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Bestimmung von Napropamid in Raps, Rapssamen und Rapsstroh mit der HPLC

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine einfache und spezifische hochdruckflüssigkeits-chromatographische Bestimmungs-methode zur quantitativen Trennung und zum Nachweis der Rückstände des Herbicides Napropamid in Raps, Rapssamen und Rapsstroh beschrieben. Das Verfahren besteht aus einem einfachen Extraktionsschritt, gel-chromatogra-phischer und Minikieselgelsäulen-Reinigung sowie Trennung auf einer RP-Säule mit anschließender UV-Detektion.Die Methode erreicht eine Nachweisgrenze von 5 ppb für grünen Raps und 10 ppb für Rapssamen und Rapsstroh. Die Wiederfindungsraten liegen im Bereich von 0,05–1,0 mg/kg bei 88,0% bis 107% (grüner Raps) und bei 86,0% bis 104% (Rapssamen).

     

Gas-chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of folpet and RE-2065 in hop and beer

Summary A simple and specific quantitative gaschromatographic method for the analysis of the fungicide formulation folpet + RE-2065 in hop and beer is described. The method is based on a simple extraction step, gelchromatographic and silica gel-column clean-up, separation on a glass capillary GC-column and EC-detection. The method is sensitive down to 50 ng/g for both substances and shows recoveries in the case of hop between 84% and 10% for folpet and between 88% and 98% for RE-2065 in the concentration range of 0.05–1.0 mg/kg. The data for beer are: 90–94% and 95–99%, respectively, for a concentration range of 0.05–0.5 mg/1.

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Gas-chromatographische Methode zur Bestimmung von Folpet und RE-2065 in Hopfen und Bier

Zusammenfassung Eine einfache und spezifische gas-chromatographische Untersuchungsmethode zur quantitativen Trennung und zum simultanen Nachweis der Rückstände des Fungicid-Gemisches Folpet + RE-2065 in Hopfen und Bier wird beschrieben. Das Verfahren besteht aus einem einfachen Extraktionsschritt, gel-chromatographischer und Kieselgel-Säulen-Reinigung, Trennung auf einer Capillarsäule mit anschließender EC-Detektion. Die Nachweisgrenze liegt bei 50 ng/g. Im Falle von Hopfen liegen die Wiederfindungsraten für den Bereich 0,05–1,0 mg/kg zwischen 84% und 10% für Folpet und zwischen 88% und 98% für RE-2065. Für Bier betragen die Werte: 90–94% bzw. 95–99% für eine Konzentration von 0,05–0,5 mg/.

     

A catalyst-free and green method for synthesis of 9-substituted-9H-diuracilopyrans in magnetized water: experimental aspects and molecular dynamics simulation

Research on Chemical Intermediates - The reactions of aldehydes and barbituric acid at low temperatures in magnetized water, as a green-promoting medium, provides 9-substituted-9H-diuracilopyrans...     

Current advances in molecularly imprinted polymers and their release mechanisms in drug delivery systems

Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) has gained wide interest among researchers due to its unique molecular recognition of the template that is suitable as a drug carrier. Therefore, the preparation and formulation of the MIP are significant to suit the needs of the intended use. Due to its significance in drug delivery, this review aims to highlight various methods in the preparation of MIP, the composition for both controlled and stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems, and the release mechanism of the drugs. In drug delivery systems, MIP should have a sustained release performance as well as flexibility in surface modification for targeted delivery via a range of stimuli-responses, including  external stimuli (magnetic, light) and internal stimuli (pH, temperature, redox, biological). The properties of sustained release and targeted delivery of the MIP can improve the drug's therapeutic efficacy as well as the breakthrough for the tumor targeting application.