Brightly phosphorescent trinuclear copper(I) complexes of pyrazolates: substituent effects on the supramolecular structure and photophysics

Synthetic details, solid-state structures, and photophysical properties of a group of trimeric copper(I) complexes containing pyrazolate ligands are described. The reaction of copper(I) oxide and the fluorinated pyrazoles [3-(CF(3))Pz]H, [3-(CF(3)),5-(Me)Pz]H, and [3-(CF(3)),5-(Ph)Pz]H leads to the corresponding trinuclear copper(I) pyrazolates, {[3-(CF(3))Pz]Cu}(3), {[3-(CF(3)),5-(Me)Pz]Cu}(3), and {[3-(CF(3)),5-(Ph)Pz]Cu}(3), respectively, in high yield. The {[3,5-(i-Pr)(2)Pz]Cu}(3) compound was obtained by a reaction between [Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)][BF(4)], [3,5-(i-Pr)(2)Pz]H, and NEt(3). These compounds as well as {[3,5-(Me)(2)Pz]Cu}(3) and {[3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz]Cu}(3) adopt trimeric structures with nine-membered Cu(3)N(6) metallacycles. There are varying degrees and types of intertrimer Cu...Cu interactions. These contacts give rise to zigzag chains in the fluorinated complexes, {[3-(CF(3))Pz]Cu}(3), {[3-(CF(3)),5-(Me)Pz]Cu}(3), {[3-(CF(3)),5-(Ph)Pz]Cu}(3), and {[3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz]Cu}(3), whereas the nonfluorinated complexes, {[3,5-(Me)(2)Pz]Cu}(3) and {[3,5-(i-Pr)(2)Pz]Cu}(3) form dimers of trimers. Out of all the compounds examined in this study, {[3-(CF(3)),5-(Ph)Pz]Cu}(3) has the longest (3.848 Angstroms) and {[3,5-(Me)(2)Pz]Cu}(3) has the shortest (2.946 Angstroms) next-neighbor intertrimer Cu...Cu distance. The Cu...Cu separations within the trimer units do not vary significantly (typically 3.20-3.26 Angstroms). All of these trinuclear copper(I) pyrazolates show bright luminescence upon exposure to UV radiation. The luminescence bands are hugely red-shifted from the corresponding lowest-energy excitations, rather broad, and unstructured even at low temperatures, suggesting metal-centered emissions owing to intertrimer Cu...Cu interactions that are strengthened in the phosphorescent state. The {[3-(CF(3)),5-(Ph)Pz]Cu}(3) compound exhibits an additional highly structured phosphorescence with a vibronic structure corresponding to the pyrazolyl (Pz) ring. The luminescence properties of solids and solutions of the trimeric compounds in this study show fascinating trends with dramatic sensitivities to temperature, solvent, concentration, and excitation wavelengths.     

Proposed Mechanism for the Antitrypanosomal Activity of Quercetin and Myricetin Isolated from Hypericum afrum Lam.: Phytochemistry,In Vitro Testing and Modeling Studies

The in vitro activity of L. donovani (promastigotes, axenic amastigotes and intracellular amastigotes in THP1 cells) and T. brucei, from the fractions obtained from the hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial part of Hypericum afrum and the isolated compounds, has been evaluated. The chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts showed significant antitrypanosomal activity towards T. brucei, with IC₅₀ values of 12.35, 13.53 and 12.93 µg/mL and with IC₉₀ values of 14.94, 19.31 and 18.67 µg/mL, respectively. The phytochemical investigation of the fractions led to the isolation and identification of quercetin (1), myricitrin (2), biapigenin (3), myricetin (4), hyperoside (5), myricetin-3-O-β-d-galactopyranoside (6) and myricetin-3’-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (7). Myricetin-3’-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (7) has been isolated for the first time from this genus. The chemical structures were elucidated by using comprehensive one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (1D and 2D NMR) spectroscopic data, as well as high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI–MS). These compounds have also been evaluated for their antiprotozoal activity. Quercetin (1) and myricetin (4) showed noteworthy activity against T. brucei, with IC₅₀ and IC₉₀ values of 7.52 and 5.71 µM, and 9.76 and 7.97 µM, respectively. The T. brucei hexokinase (TbHK1) enzyme was further explored as a potential target of quercetin and myricetin, using molecular modeling studies. This proposed mechanism assists in the exploration of new candidates for novel antitrypanosomal drugs.     

Polarity and steric effect of the lateral substituent on the mesophase behaviour of some newly prepared liquid crystals

Eight homologous series of 2- (or 3-) substituted phenyl 4?-(4?-alkoxy phenylazo) benzoates (In_a–h) were prepared in which, within each homologous series, the length of the terminal alkoxy group varies between 6, 8, 10 and 12 carbons, while the other substituent, X, is a laterally attached polar group that alternatively changed from CH₃, H, F, Br and CN. Compounds prepared were characterised by infrared and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, and their mesophase behaviour investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and identified by polarised light microscopy. The results were discussed in terms of polarity and steric effects. The stability of the mesophase was correlated once with the dipolar anisotropy of the whole molecule and another with the dipolar anisotropy of the substituent, X. A comparative study was made between the investigated compounds and their previously prepared linear 4-substituted isomers, namely 4-substituted phenyl 4?-(4?-alkoxy phenylazo) benzoates (In_i–k).     

Hydrogen production by steam reforming of glycerol over Ni/Ce/Cu hydroxyapatite-supported catalysts

Hydroxyapatite-supported Ni-Ce-Cu catalysts were synthesised and tested to study their potential for use in the steam reforming of glycerol to produce hydrogen. The catalysts were prepared by the deposition-precipitation method with variable nickel, cerium, and copper loadings. The performance of the catalysts was evaluated in terms of hydrogen yield at 600°C in a tubular fixed-bed microreactor. All catalysts were characterised by the BET surface area, XRD, TPR, TEM, and FE-SEM techniques. The reaction time was 240 min in a fixed-bed reactor at 600°C and atmospheric pressure with a water-to-glycerol feed molar ratio of 8: 1. It was found that the Ni-Ce-Cu (3 mass %-7.5 mass %-7.5 mass %) hydroxyapatite-supported catalyst afforded the highest hydrogen yield (57.5 %), with a glycerol conversion rate of 97.3 %. The results indicate that Ni/Ce/Cu/hydroxyapatite has great potential as a catalyst for hydrogen production by steam reforming of glycerol.     

Roadside Drug Testing Approaches

The purpose of this review is to present an overview of roadside drug testing, driving enforcement, and drunk/drug driving detection around the world. Drunk and drug driving is a severe problem, not only in the UAE, but also around the world. This has important implications for road safety as drunk or drug driving may increase the chances of a driver’s involvement in a road crash when compared to a drug-free driver. Recently, due to increases in drug-impaired drivers’ crash involvement, many mobile roadside drug testing devices have been introduced to the market. These devices use oral fluid, urine or blood matrices. These are on-the-spot tests, which are easy to use and are applied by law enforcement agencies and the public. Law enforcement agencies most commonly use oral fluid to detect the presence of illicit drugs in drivers. This review discusses all the available devices in the market used by the authorities. It also describes the type of drugs widely abused by drivers along with behavioral testing methods. The different types of matrices used for roadside drug testing are also evaluated. Sample collection, storage, and pre-treatment methods are discussed, followed by the confirmatory analysis of positive samples. This article will significantly help law enforcement agencies compare and evaluate all the reliable roadside testing devices and new emerging confirmatory devices available to them in the market. This will help them make an informed decision on which device to adapt to their individual needs.     

Biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Acacia nilotica (L.) Extract to Overcome Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae

Recently, concerns have been raised globally about antimicrobial resistance, the prevalence of which has increased significantly. Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC) is considered one of the most common resistant bacteria, which has spread to ICUs in Saudi Arabia. This study was established to investigate the antibacterial activity of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) against KPC in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we used the aqueous extract of Acacia nilotica (L.) fruits to mediate the synthesis of ZnO-NPs. The nanoparticles produced were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, zetasizer and zeta potential analyses, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antimicrobial activity of ZnO-NPs against KPC was determined via the well diffusion method, and determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), the results showed low MIC and MBC when compared with the MIC and MBC of Imipenem and Meropenem antibiotics. The results of in vitro analysis were supported by the results upon applying ZnO-NP ointment to promote wound closure of rats, which showed better wound healing than the results with imipenem ointment. The biosynthesized ZnO-NPs showed good potential for use against bacteria due to their small size, applicability, and low toxicity to human cells.     

Biosynthesis and Anti-Mycotoxigenic Activity of Zingiber officinale Roscoe-Derived Metal Nanoparticles

Mycotoxigenic fungi have attracted special attention due to their threat to food security and toxicity to human health. Aqueous extract of Zingiber officinale Roscoe was used as reducing and capping agent for the synthesis of silver (AgNPs), copper (CuNPs), and zinc oxide (ZnONPs) nanoparticles. UV-Visible spectra of the AgNPs, CuNPs, and ZnONPs showed absorption peaks at λ_max 416 nm, 472 nm, and 372 nm, respectively. Zeta potential of AgNPs, CuNPs, and ZnONPs were −30.9, −30.4 and −18.4 mV, respectively. ZnONPs showed the highest activity against Aspergillus awamori ZUJQ 965830.1 (ZOI 20.9 mm and MIC 24.7 µg/mL). TEM micrographs of ZnONPs-treated A. awamori showed cracks and pits in the cell wall, liquefaction of the cytoplasmic content, making it less electron-dense. The sporulation and ochratoxin A production of A. awamori was inhibited by ZnONPs in a concentration-dependent pattern. The inhibition percentage of OTA were 45.6, 84.78 and 95.65% for 10, 15, 20 of ZnONPs/mL, respectively.     

Discovery of New Coumarin-Based Lead with Potential Anticancer,CDK4 Inhibition and Selective Radiotheranostic Effect: Synthesis, 2D & 3D QSAR,Molecular Dynamics,In Vitro Cytotoxicity,Radioiodination, and Biodistribution Studies

Novel 6-bromo-coumarin-ethylidene-hydrazonyl-thiazolyl and 6-bromo-coumarin-thiazolyl-based derivatives were synthesized. A quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) model with high predictive power r² = 0.92, and RMSE = 0.44 predicted five compounds; 2b, 3b, 5a, 9a and 9i to have potential anticancer activities. Compound 2b achieved the best ΔG of –15.34 kcal/mol with an affinity of 40.05 pki. In a molecular dynamic study 2b showed an equilibrium at 0.8 Å after 3.5 ns, while flavopiridol did so at 0.5 Å after the same time (3.5 ns). 2b showed an IC₅₀ of 0.0136 µM, 0.015 µM, and 0.054 µM against MCF-7, A-549, and CHO-K1 cell lines, respectively. The CDK4 enzyme assay revealed the significant CDK4 inhibitory activity of compound 2b with IC₅₀ of 0.036 µM. The selectivity of the newly discovered lead compound 2b toward localization in tumor cells was confirmed by a radioiodination biological assay that was done via electrophilic substitution reaction utilizing the oxidative effect of chloramine-t. ¹³¹I-2b showed good in vitro stability up to 4 h. In solid tumor bearing mice, the values of tumor uptake reached a height of 5.97 ± 0.82%ID/g at 60 min p.i. ¹³¹I-2b can be considered as a selective radiotheranostic agent for solid tumors with promising anticancer activity.