Interference of ruthenium red analogues at photosystem II of spinach thylakoids

The effect of ruthenium red analogues on several thylakoid photosynthetic activities has been investigated. RR, RV, RRPh1, RRPh2 and Ph inhibit ATP synthesis and electron flow from water to MV (basal, phosphorylating and uncoupled) as their concentration increases, thus, they act as a Hill reaction inhibitor. They inhibit uncoupled electron transport through PSII from water to DCPIP and partially from DPC to DCPIP. However, these compounds do not affect uncoupled PSI electron transport from DCPIP to MV. Therefore, the target of interaction is at the level of OEC and the span P(680) to Q(A) for RR, RRPh1 and RRPh2. Chlorophyll a fluorescence studies corroborate the already found interference sites and may affect the disconnection between chlorophyll molecules within the LHCII and/or between antennae and RCs, or decreases the exciton to reach the RC and inhibition of PSII occurs. RRPh2 is six times more active than RR. Finally, Ph inhibits electron flow interacting at the level of Q(B).     

Synthesis,structural characterization and in vitro cytotoxic activity of novel polymeric triorganotin(IV) complexes of urocanic acid

Two novel triorganotin carboxylate complexes of the biologically active urocanic acid have been synthesized and characterized. Elemental analysis, melting point, spectroscopic techniques – IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR – mass spectrometry and X‐ray diffraction studies have been used for structural characterization. Crystal structures of the tin(IV) derivatives show that urocanic acid acts as a bridging bidentate ligand through its imidazole nitrogen atom and its carboxylic group, producing a polymeric one‐dimensional chain. The molecular structures of the complexes, catena‐poly‐tri(n‐butyl)tin(IV) 3‐(3H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)prop‐2‐enoate (1) and catena‐poly‐triphenyltin(IV) 3‐(3H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)prop‐2‐enoate (2), present a distorted trigonal–bipyramidal configuration. This is further confirmed by ¹¹⁹Sn NMR in the solid state. The tin(IV) derivatives form double‐stranded ribbons via N―H^…O―H bonds. Nevertheless, the compounds are essentially monomeric in solution, with a tetrahedral configuration as observed by ¹¹⁹Sn NMR in solution. The cytotoxic activity of the titled compounds has been tested against six human cell lines and the corresponding IC₅₀ values are reported. Both tin(IV) compounds have a high to very high in vitro cytotoxic activity against the tumor cell lines K562, HCT‐15 and MCF‐7. Compound 1 is 86 times more active than cisplatin in the HTC‐15 cell line. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Luminescent PtII and PtIV Platinacycles with Anticancer Activity Against Multiplatinum-Resistant Metastatic CRC and CRPC Cell Models

Platinum-based chemotherapy persists to be the only effective therapeutic option against a wide variety of tumours. Nevertheless, the acquisition of platinum resistance is utterly common, ultimately cornering conventional platinum drugs to only palliative in many patients. Thus, encountering alternatives that are both effective and non-cross-resistant is urgent. In this work, we report the synthesis, reduction studies, and luminescent properties of a series of cyclometallated (C,N,N′)Pt^IV compounds derived from amine–imine ligands, and their remarkable efficacy at the high nanomolar range and complete lack of cross-resistance, as an intrinsic property of the platinacycle, against multiplatinum-resistant colorectal cancer (CRC) and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) metastatic cell lines generated for this work. We have also determined that the compounds are effective and selective for a broader cancer panel, including breast and lung cancer. Additionally, selected compounds have been further evaluated, finding a shift in their antiproliferative mechanism towards more cytotoxic and less cytostatic than cisplatin against cancer cells, being also able to oxidize cysteine residues and inhibit topoisomerase II, thereby holding great promise as future improved alternatives to conventional platinum drugs.     

Tributyltin(IV) Schiff base complexes with amino acid derivatives: synthesis,characterization and biological activity

The synthesis in one‐pot reactions and structural characterization of six new tri‐n‐butyltin(IV) derivatives of Schiff bases are reported. The compounds are derived from a condensation reaction between l ‐alanine, l ‐valine, l ‐isoleucine, l ‐methionine, l ‐phenylalanine or l ‐tryptophan and 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde. Characterization was completed using elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, one‐ and two‐dimensional solution NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn) as well as solid‐state ¹¹⁹Sn NMR. In addition, the crystal structures of three of the compounds were confirmed using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Although five‐coordinated and polymeric in the solid state, the tin compounds are four‐coordinated and monomeric in solution. The coordination environment around the triorganotin units comprises three carbon atoms and two oxygen atoms from two ligands in a trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The anti‐proliferative effect of these compounds on the cervical carcinoma cell lines HeLa, CaSki and ViBo was screened in vitro, the compounds showing cytotoxic activity against all three strains and null or low cytotoxic activity (necrotic) as well. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of Periphery‐Decorated and Core‐Initiated Borane Polyanionic Macromolecules

A new class of globular polybranched macromolecules that contain multiple anionic metallacarborane clusters at the o‐carborane periphery is reported. The water soluble high boron rich containing molecules could be of interest for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) as well as for drug delivery. The reinforced electrostatic noncovalent interactions between anionic polyethylene glycol cobaltabisdicarbollide (PEG‐COSAN) branches and the ammonium cation have been shown using ESI‐MS.     

Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of 2-(2'-pyridyl)-4,6-diphenylphosphinine: synthesis, structure, and reactivity

The coordination chemistry of the bidentate P,N hybrid ligand 2-(2'-pyridyl)-4,6-diphenylphosphinine (1) towards Pd(II) and Pt(II) has been investigated. The molecular structures of the complexes [PdCl(2)(1)] and [PtCl(2)(1)] were determined by X-ray diffraction, representing the first crystallographically characterized λ(3)-phosphinine-Pd(II) and -Pt(II) complexes. Both complexes reacted with methanol at the P=C double bond at an elevated temperature, leading to the corresponding products [MCl(2)(1H·OCH(3))]. The molecular structure of [PdCl(2)(1H·OCH(3))] was determined crystallographically and revealed that the reaction with methanol proceeds selectively by syn addition and exclusively to one of the P=C double bonds. Strikingly, the reaction of [PdCl(2)(1H·OCH(3))] with the chelating diphosphine DPEphos at room temperature in CH(2)Cl(2) led quantitatively to [PdCl(2)(DPEphos)] and phosphinine 1 by elimination of CH(3)OH and rearomatization of the phosphorus heterocycle.     

Removal of atrazine from water using an iron photo catalyst supported on activated carbon

Atrazine is a systemic triazine herbicide, which has been classified as an endocrine disrupting pesticide of hormones and the reproductive systems of humans. Moreover, atrazine was recently considered as a potential carcinogen by several reports. The aim of this work was to synthesize and to evaluate an iron catalyst supported on activated carbon to remove atrazine from water. Five different treatment schemas were evaluated: (1) adsorption with the photocatalyst’s support alone, (2) adsorption with the supported photocatalyst alone, (3) adsorption coupled to heterogeneous Fenton reaction, (4) adsorption coupled to heterogeneous advanced oxidation with UV light and (5) adsorption coupled to heterogeneous photo assisted Fenton reaction. The photocatalyst synthesized, via the incipient wet impregnation method, showed 1176 ± 24 m²/g of Langmuir area and 1.6 % wt/wt of iron content. After 120 min of reaction time, total removal efficiencies in the treatment schemas using the photocatalyst ranged from 70 % (mainly adsorption with the photocatalyst alone) to 96 % (Adsorption and heterogeneous photo assisted Fenton reaction). The heterogeneous photo assisted Fenton reaction was the fastest and most efficient treatment schema, with results better than that reported for similar materials. The adsorption data was fitted to a kinetic model of pseudo-second order and the results of advanced oxidation process were fitted to a kinetic model of fractional order.     

Total solid-phase synthesis of the azathiocoraline class of symmetric bicyclic peptides

Thiocoraline is a potent antitumor agent isolated from the marine organism Micromonospora sp. This symmetric bicyclic depsipeptide binds the minor groove of DNA. Here we report two solid-phase strategies for the syntheses of azathiocoraline and its analogues. The thioester linkage was replaced by an amide bond to improve the compound's pharmacokinetic properties. The first strategy is based on a convergent (4+4) approach, whilst the second is a stepwise synthesis, cyclizations in both approaches occurring on the solid support. These two strategies were designed to overcome problems caused by the presence of consecutive noncommercial N-methyl amino acids, to avoid epimerization during cyclization and/or fragment condensation, and to form the disulfide bridge under solid-phase conditions. The heterocyclic moiety was added in the last step of the synthesis to assist the preparation of libraries of new compounds with potential therapeutic applications.     

Effective In Vitro Control of Two Phytopathogens of Agricultural Interest Using Cell-Free Extracts of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Chitosan

A biofungicide is a natural product that can be derived from various sources such as, among others, microorganisms, higher plants, animal products, phytochemicals, semiochemicals, and antagonist microorganisms. One of the most important approaches for the production of biofungicides is the combination of biocontrol agents. This study showed the inhibition growth of Alternaria alternata and Fusarium solani treated with cell-free extracts of P. fluorescens. Using thin-layer chromatography and plate assays it was also demonstrated that the cell-free extracts of P. fluorescens contained siderophores and derivates of 4-diacetylphloroglucinol and phenazine. Moreover, the combination of cell-free extracts of P. fluorescens and chitosan [50–1.5% (v/v)] had a synergistic effect since they notably inhibited the mycelial growth of A. altenata and F. solani. Various morphological alterations to the mycelia and conidia of the treated fungi as a result of this combination were also observed. The present study could be a starting point to control other fungal phytopathogens using different cell-free extracts and chitosan as biocontrol agents.     

Contrasted effect of CO on the metal‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of O‐tethered enynes derived from monoterpenes

The CO‐bubbling effect in cycloisomerization reactions of enynes derived from monoterpenes has been studied using PtCl₂, [Rh₂Cl₂(CO)₄] and AuCl₃ as catalytic systems. All the precursors are efficient catalysts for the cycloisomerization of O‐tethered enynes. The reaction proceeds through exo‐dig and endo‐dig pathways, which are consistent with the exclusive coordination of the alkyne triple bond to the metal center. The CO ligand not only increases the reaction rates but also induces significant variations in the two reaction pathways. Notably, this effect is also strongly dependent on the nature of the starting enyne. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.