Ethylene- ando-phenylenediamine-N,N′-bis(dimethylmethylenephosphonic) acids as complexing agents

Summary Ethylene- ando-phenylene-diamine-N, N-bis(dimethylmethylenephosphonic) acids form polymeric complexes of general formula M₂L · xH₂O (M = Mn^II, Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II, Zn^II, Cd^II or Pb^II; x=2 or 4). These have octahedral geometry and are polymeric, according to i.r. (far and near) and electronic spectral data and magnetic moment and thermogravimetric studies. The ligands are thought to be tetradentate for each metal atom, coordination taking place through phosphoryl oxygen and amino-group nitrogen.     

RNAi for Insect Control: Current Perspective and Future Challenges

The research on the RNA interference (RNAi) for the control of insect pests has made significant growth in recent years. The availability of the genomic sequences of insects has further widened the horizons for the testing of this technology to various insect groups. Different modes of application of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) have been tested; however, the practicability of delivery of dsRNA in insects still remains the biggest challenge. Till date, the oral delivery of dsRNA in insects is one of the efficient approaches for the practical application of this technique. The uptake of dsRNA from the insect gut is mediated either by SID-1/SID-2 transmembrane proteins or by endocytosis; however, the systemic RNAi machinery still remains to be revealed in insect species. The RNAi-mediated gene knockdown has shown striking results in different insect groups, pointing it to be the upcoming technique for insect control. However, before the successful application of this technique for insect control, some potential issues need to be resolved. This review presents the account of prospects and challenges for the use of this technology for insect control.     

Micelle-Catalyzed Interaction Between [Ni(II)-Gly-Gly]+ and Ninhydrin

The effect of cationic micelles of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) on the observed pseudo-first-order rate constant for the interaction of nickel dipeptide complex [Ni(II)-Gly-Gly]⁺ with ninhydrin has been studied spectrophotometrically. At constant temperature and pH, increase in the [CTAB] from 0.0 to 60.0 × 10^?3 mol dm^?3 caused nearly three-fold increase of the rate constant. The micellar catalysis is explained in terms of the pseudophase model. From the observed kinetic data, binding constants of micelle–[Ni(II)-Gly-Gly]⁺ (K _S), and micelle–ninhydrin (K _N) are evaluated, respectively, to be 5.3 mol^?1 dm³ and 84.0 mol^?1 dm³. The role of added inorganic (NaCl, NaBr, Na₂SO₄) and organic salts (NaBenz, NaSal) on the reaction rate has also been examined.     

Biphasic kinetic investigations on the evaluation of non-salt forming reductants for Pu(IV) stripping from tributyl phosphate and N,N-dihexyl octanamide solutions in n-dodecane

The relative stability of different oxidation states of actinide elements is influenced by the nature of complexes formed and redox equilibria in aqueous/non-aqueous solutions. The reduction/stripping studies on Pu(IV) ions from loaded organic phases of 1.1 M tributyl phosphate and of 1.1 M N,N-dihexyl octanamide in n-dodecane were studied using organic soluble tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBH) and aqueous soluble reductants like acetaldoxime (AX) and hydroxyurea (HU). These studies were carried out as a function of reductant and nitric acid concentration (0.5–4 M HNO₃) and of time. The changes in Pu oxidation states were followed by spectrophotometry for TBH and by distribution ratio values for AX and HU as reductants. Spectrophotometric investigations using TBH as reductant showed that it was desirable to strip Pu(III) formed after reduction of Pu(IV) in the organic phase, which may otherwise be reconverted to extractable Pu(IV) by in situ generated HNO₂ from oxidative degradation of TBH to tert-butyl quinone. Similarly, the biphasic reduction/stripping of Pu(IV) using AX and HU as reductant rate was affected adversely with increased aqueous phase acidity. This data will help in the accurate simulation of Pu separation processes using these reductants in mixer-settlers/pulsed columns or centrifugal contactors.     

Advances in RNA Interference Technology and Its Impact on Nutritional Improvement, Disease and Insect Control in Plants

This review highlights the advances in the knowledge of RNA interference (RNAi) and discusses recent progress on the functionality of different components RNAi machinery operating in the organisms. The silencing of genes by RNA interference has become the technology of choice for investigation of gene functions in different organisms. The refinement in the knowledge of the endogenous RNAi pathways in plants along with the development of new strategies and applications for the improvement of nutritional value of important agricultural crops through suppression of genes in different plants have opened new vistas for nutritional security. The improvement in the nutritional status of the plants and reduction in the level of toxins or antinutrients was desired for long, but the available technology was not completely successful in achieving the tissue specific regulation of some genes. In the recent years, a number of economically important crop plants have been tested successfully for improving plant nutritional value through metabolic engineering using RNAi. The implications of this technology for crop improvement programs, including nutritional enrichment, reduction of antinutrients, disease, and insect control have been successfully tested in variety of crops with commercial considerations. The enhancement of the nutraceutical traits for the desired health benefits in common crop plants through manipulation of gene expression has been elaborated in this article. The tremendous potential with RNAi technology is expected to revolutionize the modern agriculture for meeting the growing challenges is discussed.     

Synthesis of Heterobactins A and B and Nocardia Heterobactin

The synthesis of the Rhodococcus erythropolis siderophores heterobactins A and B, and the structurally related Nocardia heterobactin, is described. Two approaches for the assembly of these asymmetric ligand donor chelators are explored. In the first approach, a scheme predicated on the biosynthesis of the Paracoccus denitrificans siderophore, parabactin, is employed. In this approach, the central donor synthon is added last. In the second scheme, the central donor and the terminal 2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl fragment are first fixed to the ligand’s d-ornithine backbone. This is followed by condensation with the cyclic ornithine hydroxamate glycine segment. The schemes offer a flexible approach to other heterobactins. Job’s plots suggest that heterobactin A and Nocardia heterobactin form 1:1 ligand/metal complexes, while heterobactin B forms a 3:2 ligand/metal complex.