Antimicrobial activity on the copolymers of 2,4‐dichlorophenyl methacrylate with methyl methacrylate: Synthesis and characterization

Copolymers of monomers 2,4‐dichlorophenyl methacrylate (2,4‐DMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) were synthesized with different monomer feed ratios using toluene as a solvent and 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator at 70 °C. The copolymers were characterized by IR‐spectroscopy, and copolymer composition was determined with UV‐spectroscopy. The linearization method of Fineman–Ross was employed to obtain the monomer reactivity ratios. The molecular weights and polydispersity indexes were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Thermogravimetric analyses of polymers were carried out in nitrogen atmosphere. The homo‐ and copolymers were tested for their antimicrobial properties against selected microorganisms. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5227–5234, 2004     

7-Hydroxy-4-methyl-8-(4′-methylpiperazine-1′-yl)methyl coumarin: An efficient probe for fluorescence resonance energy transfer to a bioactive indoloquinolizine system

Solvatochromic effects on the fluorescence behavior of 7-hydroxy-4-methyl-8-(4′-methyl-piperazine-1′ yl)methylcoumarin (HMMC) was studied in different solvents. The fluorescence of HMMC was found to be highly sensitive to both the polarity and the protic character of the solvent. Exploiting the polarity-sensitive fluorescence property of HMMC, its excited-state dipole moment has been determined. Fluorescence (Förster) resonance energy transfer (FRET) process from HMMC to a potent bioactive molecule 3-acetyl-4-oxo-6,7-dihydro-12 H indolo-[2,3-a] quinolizine (AODIQ) was studied. From the determined K_SV and R₀ values, it is argued that a long-range dipole-dipole interaction is operating for the energy transfer mechanism. The energy transfer efficiency (E) and the distance between the acceptor and the donor (r₀) have been determined.     

Determination of cadmium by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave-assisted digestion of animal tissues and sewage sludges

The determination of cadmium in different sample types has been carried out by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry with D(2)-background correction using a unpyrocoated graphite tube, after pressurized microwave-assisted digestion. Five chemical modifiers [(NH(4))(2)HPO(4), Pd(NO)(3))(2), Ni(NO(3))(2), thiourea and Triton X-100] have been assayed and nickel nitrate has been found to be most effective for an accurate determination of cadmium in mussel tissue, pig kidney and sewage sludge. The characteristic mass of the method is of the order of 1 pg and the limit of detection is lower than 0.1 ng/ml.     

ZIF-8 degrades in cell media,serum, and some—but not all—common laboratory buffers

ABSTRACT

Drug delivery using metal-organic frameworks (MOF) has elicited interest in their biocompatibility; however, few studies have been conducted on their stability in common buffers, cell media, and blood proteins. In particular, the use of ZIF-8, a MOF interconnected by Zn and methylimidazole, has been frequently employed. In this study, we tested single crystals of ZIF-8 with common laboratory buffers, cell media, and serum, and noted several issues. Buffers containing phosphate and bicarbonate alter the appearance and composition of ZIF-8; however, these buffers do not appear to cause cargo to leak out even when the ZIF-8 itself is displaced by phosphates. On the other hand, serum dissolves ZIF-8, causing premature cargo release. Our results show that ZIF-8 undergoes surface chemistry changes that may affect the interpretation of cellular uptake and cargo release data. On the other hand, it provides a rational explanation as to how ZIF-8 neatly dissolves in vivo.     

Vinyl polymerization: Kinetics of Ce(IV)–acetophenone-initiated polymerization of acrylonitrile in acetic–sulfuric acid mixtures

The polymerization of acrylonitrile (M) initiated by the Ce(IV)–acetophenone (AP) redox pair has been studied in acetic–sulfuric acid mixtures in a nitrogen atmosphere. The rate of polymerization is proportional to [M]^3/2, [AP]^1/2 and [Ce(IV)]^1/2. The rate of disappearance of ceric ion,–R_Ce, is proportional to [AP], [M], and [Ce(IV)]. The effect of certain salts, solvent, acid and temperature on both the rates have been investigated. A suitable kinetic scheme has been proposed, and the composite rate constants k_p ²(k/k/_t) and k₀/k_i are reported.     

Constrained photophysics of 3-acetyl-4-oxo-6,7-dihydro-12H indolo-[2,3-a] quinolizine in micellar environments: a spectrofluorometric study

Photophysical properties of 3-acetyl-4-oxo-6,7-dihydro-12H indolo-[2,3-a] quinolizine (AODIQ) have been studied in different aqueous micellar environments using steady-state and time-resolved emission spectroscopy. The charge transfer (CT) fluorescence exhibits appreciable hypsochromic shift, along with an enhancement in the fluorescence intensity in all the micellar media. This is associated with an increase in the fluorescence anisotropy (r), which suggests that the fluorophore molecule experiences motionally restricted environments upon binding with the micelles. Fluorescence spectral position and fluorescence quenching studies suggest that the fluorescing moiety does not penetrate into the core of the micellar units; rather it binds at the micelle-water interfacial region. The binding constant and free energy change during probe-micelle binding have been evaluated from relevant fluorescence data. Light has been thrown on the mode of action of urea on micelle bound probes. The results are interpreted in terms of the model that urea displaces water molecules from the micellar interface and the consequent destabilization leads to the expulsion of the probe molecules from the interfacial region. Polarity and viscosity of the microenvironments around the probe have been determined in the micellar systems.     

Tuning Ruthenium Carbene Complexes for Selective P−H Activation through Metal-Ligand Cooperation

The use of iminophosphoryl-tethered ruthenium carbene complexes to activate secondary phosphine P−H bonds is reported. Complexes of type [(p-cymene)-RuC(SO₂Ph)(PPh₂NR)] (with R = SiMe₃ or 4-C₆H₄−NO₂) were found to exhibit different reactivities depending on the electronics of the applied phosphine and the substituent at the iminophosphoryl moiety. Hence, the electron-rich silyl-substituted complex undergoes cyclometallation or shift of the imine moiety after cooperative activation of the P−H bond across the M=C linkage, depending on the electronics of the applied phosphine. Deuteration experiments and computational studies proved that cyclometallation is initiated by the activation process at the M=C bond and triggered by the high electron density at the metal in the phosphido intermediates. Consistently, replacement of the trimethylsilyl (TMS) group by the electron-withdrawing 4-nitrophenyl substituent allowed the selective cooperative P−H activation to form stable activation products.     

A Self-Healing Metal–Organic Hydrogel for an All-Solid Flexible Supercapacitor

A zinc containing metal–organic gel (Zn-MOG) with embedded free ions, which exhibits self-healing properties, has been synthesized for application in supercapacitors. The activated carbon-based flexible supercapacitor device with the MOG electrolyte has a broad potential window of 2.1 V, with high retention of specific capacitance compared to the traditional polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based gel. The Zn-MOG does not require an additional electrolyte. The sodium and sulphate ions embedded in the MOG are sufficient enough for the charge storage.     

Kinetic Studies on Interaction of Platinum(II) Complexes with an ‘S’ Containing Ligand in Aqueous Medium

The kinetics of the substitution reactions of [Pt(dach)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ and [Pt(en)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ (where ‘dach’ and ‘en’ are cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and ethylenediamine, respectively) with excess N,N′-diethylthiourea have been studied in aqueous solution by UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The effect of different N–N spectator ligands on the reactivity of platinum(II) complexes was investigated by studying the water lability of the reactant complexes. The kinetic study has been substantiated by product isolation, IR, NMR and ESI-MS spectral analysis and DFT calculations. The reactions follow normal square-planar substitution mainly in an associative way. Rate parameters have been evaluated under different conditions. The substitution rates of the complexes studied can be tuned through the nature of the N–N chelates, which is important in the development of new active compounds for cancer therapy.     

Sorptive elimination of fluoride from contaminated groundwater in a fixed bed column: A kinetic model validation based study

The current investigation involves a continuous adsorption experiment in a packed bed column for the sorptive elucidation of fluoride from contaminated groundwater using an activated soil-clay mixture. Through the combination of naturally accessible laterite soil with silica enriched clay (3:1 ratio), a low-cost Al–Si heterogeneous material has been developed. Following detailed characterization, the developed materials were employed in a long-time column process to achieve a high degree of fluoride separation from real-world groundwater. In a packed bed column investigation, the effect of bed height, initial fluoride concentration, and flow rate on the breakthrough properties of the adsorption system were investigated. By using a non-linear regression equation, three model kinetics, such as the Thomas Model, Adams-Bohart Model, and Yoon-Nelson Model, were fitted to validate the column-based experimental data, by analysing the breakthrough curves profiles, and distinct kinetic parameters. The Bed Depth Service Time Analysis (BDST) model was tested to express the effect of bed height on breakthrough curves, as well as to predict the time for breakthrough, and material depletion under optimal conditions. The Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models were identified to be the most appropriate ones for describing the entire breakthrough curve, whereas the Adams-Bohart model was only utilised to predict the first half of the dynamic process. With correlation coefficients (R²) 0.96, the experimental results were well suited to Thomas, Yoon-Nelson, and Adams-Bohart models. Finally, regeneration assessment was carried out where even after four cycles of operation, regenerated adsorbent showed a rejection efficacy of 78% to fluoride that proves the viability of the material and methodology.