Separation and Identification of Lutein Derivatives in Processed Foods

In the present work, we show that in processed sorrel, the lutein (1) can convert to 3’-epilutein (2) – 3’-stereoisomer of lutein – by epimerisation reaction, as well as to anhydrolutein I (3) and II (4) by dehydration reaction. The newly formed anhydrolutein I (3) and II (4) were detected and identified by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS techniques and co-chromatography with authentic samples. The compounds 1 and 2 were also isolated from cooked sorrel by column chromatography and characterized by NMR spectroscopy.     

Crown-substituted Sc(III) phthalocyaninates: Synthesis and spectral properties

The scandium(III) complexes with tetra(15-crown-5)phthalocyanine [Sc(R₄Pc)₂]^·0 (I) and Sc(R₄Pc) · OAc (II) have been synthesized by condensation of Sc³⁺ with phthalocyanine H₂R₄Pc (4,5,4′,5′,4″,5″,4?,5?-tetrakis(1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxatridecamethylene)phthalocyanine). Compounds I and II have been characterized by spectral methods: electronic absorption spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF MS, IR spectroscopy, and ¹H NMR. The redox properties of I and the photoluminescent properties of II have been studied.     

Comparative studies of photophysical and electrochemical properties of sulfur-containing substituted metal-free and metallophthalocyanines

The synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical properties of soluble sulfur-containing 4-(methylthio) benzenethiol substituted, non-peripherally metal-free and metallo (Zn, Ga, Co, and Mn) phthalocyanine complexes (2–6) are reported for the first time. The new phthalocyanines have been characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, mass and UV–Vis spectroscopy techniques. Spectroscopic properties of these compounds were investigated in different solvents. Spectral and photophysical (fluorescence quantum yield) properties of metal free (2), zinc(II) (3), and gallium(III) phthalocyanines (4) were reported in different solvents toluene, tetrahydrofuran, and dimethyl sulfoxide. These results suggest that the solvents play role on the fluorescence quantum yields Φ _F of the synthesized complexes (2–4). The electrochemical studies exhibit that while complexes (3) and (4) give only Pc ring-based redox processes, complexes (5) and (6) give both metal and ring-based redox reactions due to the energy level of metal in the Pc core lie between the HOMO and the LUMO of the ring.     

Thin-layer chromatography applied to foods of animal origin: a tutorial review

The chromatography techniques are partially characterized by presence of two phases (stationary and mobile), which allows identification, semi-quantification or quantification of important compounds in different matrices. Among chromatography methods, the thin-layer chromatography (TLC) must be considered for using in routine laboratories due to a number of advantages such as practicality, fast results and effectiveness, low cost, and simultaneous determination of analytes. This review describes the application of this technique to foods of animal origin, as well as compares TLC with other chromatographic methods. TLC has a strong potential as a surrogate chromatographic model for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Therefore, several modifications have been carried out to the conventional TLC system. Nevertheless, further studies should be performed in order to contribute with the scientific community and propagate the TLC method, which has performance and economic advantages compared to other chromatographic techniques.     

Synthesis of New Potential Hydrophobic Agents Composed of Three-Module Type Molecules

A new synthetic route was developed to three-module type potential hydrophobic agents, with the molecule consisting of an N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]amide anchor part (I), a connecting unit formed upon 1,3-propansultone ring cleavage (II), and a polyfluoroheptyloxy functional hydrophobic spacer (III). Proceeding from commercially available polyfluorinated heptanols 1a and 1b and 1,3-propanesultone 3, potassium sulfonates 4a and 4b were prepared. The reaction of 4a and 4b with phosphorus oxychloride resulted in the first synthesis of fluorine-containing sulfonyl chlorides 5a and 5b, which were reacted with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane 6 to give the target N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]-3-(polyfluoroheptyloxy)propane-1-sulfonamides 7a and 7b. The structures of the compounds were proved by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The studies of their hydrophobizing properties are in progress.     

In vitro study of iron coordination properties,anti-inflammatory potential,and cytotoxic effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-salicylidene and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-vanillidene anil Schiff bases

N-Salicylidene and N-vanillidene anil Schiff bases SB-1–5 were evaluated for their iron-coordinating properties. For this purpose, reactions with Fe(III) chloride were performed. The obtained results showed that salicylaldehyde bases SB-1 and SB-2 are the best coordinating ligands among the investigated SBs. The corresponding complexes are obtained in good yield and investigated using UV–Vis spectrophotometry and IR spectroscopy. The inhibitory potential of SB-1–5 against iron-containing enzyme lipoxygenase (LOX) was also tested. Salicylidene bases exerted better activity then vanilliden. The cytotoxic in vitro activities against human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 and human colon carcinoma HCT-116 cell lines were determined. Based on these results, SB-1 and SB-2 can be considered as interesting compounds for further in vivo investigations.     

Synthesis,characterization and pharmacological evaluation of some new 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives bearing 3-chloro-2-fluoro phenyl moiety

A new series of 2-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-5-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (3a–j) and 2-(aryl sulfanyl)-5-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (5a–e) were synthesized via a multistep reaction from 3-chloro-2-fluoro benzoic acid. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, mass spectral data and elemental analysis. They were also screened for their in vivo anti-convulsant and anti-inflammatory activities. Some of them exhibited significant biological activities and were well supported by in silico molecular docking studies for the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (PDB ID: 1CX2) and voltage-gated sodium channels (PDB ID: 4F4L) comparable with the standard drugs. Thus, they were believed to be good inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (PDB ID: 1CX2) and voltage-gated sodium channels (PDB ID: 4F4L).     

Determination of clonazepam in pharmaceutical preparations using simple high-throughput flow injection system

This study was aimed at examining two flow injection-spectrophotometric systems (normal and reverse) for the determination of clonazepam (CLO) at the microgram level in pure and pharmaceutical dosage forms. The estimation of CLO has been developed by conjugating a normal (or reverse) flow injection analysis (nFIA or rFIA) and spectrophotometric detection with phloroglucinol as a coupling reagent. Beer’s law was obeyed over a range of 50–400 and 30–400 μg/mL. The limits of detection were 11 and 8 μg/mL and the sampling rates were 51 and 28 samples per hour for nFIA and rFIA respectively. Both systems were successfully applied for the determination of CLO in its commercially available dosage forms. A comparison between the proposed flow systems was also done. These simple and high throughput methods could be utilized for pharmaceutical analysis of CLO.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and biological activities of two new drum-shaped organotin(IV) carboxylate complexes with 2-(4-alkylbenzoyl)benzoic acid (alkyl = methyl or ethyl)

Two new organotin(IV) carboxylate complexes, [PhSnO(L¹)]₆ ·4(toluene) (1) (HL¹ = 2-(4-methylbenzoyl)benzoic acid) and [PhSnO(L²)]₆ (2) (HL² = 2-(4-ethylbenzoyl)benzoic acid), were synthesized by the reaction of ligand acids with mono-organotin complex in 1:1 molar ratio. The synthesized complexes have been structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography diffraction analyses. Both 1 and 2 are hexanuclear organotin complex with drum-shaped structure. In the solid state of 1 and 2, 1D and 2D supramolecular networks are formed by hydrogen bonds, C–H···π or π···π interactions. Furthermore, the preliminary antitumor activities of 1 and 2 have been studied. The antitumor results show they exhibit good biological activities and may be explored for potential antitumor drugs.     

Complexing and extraction of palladium(II) by <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkyl(tolyl)thiamethylcalix[4]arenes from chloride solutions

Complexing [PdCl₄]^2? with calix[4]arenes (L) functionalized by CH₂SR (R = Me (1), n-Bu (2), or p-Tol (3)) in their upper rims has been studied in toluene and CCl₄. The stoichiometry of the extracted palladium species (PdCl₂) _n L, where n = 1 or 2 is established by spectroscopic methods (NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectrophotometry, atomic absorption) and extraction. For slow coordinative extraction, the concentration constants of complex formation and extraction from chloride solutions are determined using the coupled equilibria method. The kinetic and thermodynamic laws of extraction coincide, and their parameters increase in the following row of the substituents at the sulfur atom: p-Tol < Bu < Me.     

Syntheses,structures and catalytic activities of molybdenum carbonyl complexes based on pyridine-imine ligands

Thermal treatment of pyridine imines [C₅H₄N-2-C(H)=N-C₆H₄-R] [R = H (1), CH₃ (2), OMe (3), CF₃ (4), Cl (5), Br (6)] with Mo(CO)₆ in refluxing toluene provided six novel mononuclear molybdenum carbonyl complexes of the type [(η²-2-C₅H₄N)CH=N(C₆H₄-4-R)]Mo(CO)₄ [R = H (7); CH₃ (8); OMe (9); CF₃ (10); Cl (11); Br (12)]. All of these complexes were separated by chromatography and fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of complexes 7, 8 and 10 were determined by X-ray crystal diffraction analysis. In addition, the catalytic performance of these complexes was also tested, and it was found that these complexes had obvious catalytic activity on Friedel–Crafts reactions of aromatic compounds with a variety of acylation reagents.     

Gold nanoparticles,capped by carboxy-calix[4]resorcinarenes: effect of structure and concentration of macrocycles on the nanoparticles size and aggregation

Small (d_core?≈?2–5 nm) well-dispersed gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) stabilized by amphiphilic octacarboxy-calix[4]resorcinarenes with different substituents on the lower rim—methyl (С₁–CR), pentyl (С₅–CR) and undecyl (С₁₁–CR)—in an aqueous solution were obtained. The nanoparticles were studied by spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy, FTIR-spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, small angle X-ray scattering and X-ray powder diffraction. The influence of HAuCl₄/macrocycle ratio during the synthesis on the nanoparticles size and aggregation only for weakly associated С₁–CR and С₅–CR was achieved. The self-association effect of С₁₁–CR on the nanoparticles stabilization is found. The existence of gold in the form of crystallites and their average sizes were defined. The average nanoparticle sizes were determined and the structure of macrocyclic shells on the surface of nanoparticles in an aqueous solution was proposed. The formation of cooperative calix[4]resorcinarene associates on the AuNPs surface due to the multiple supramolecular interactions leads to the creation of functional gold nanoparticles.     

Study of lithium complexes with benzo-15-crown-5 ether by X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy

The complex formation of lithium with benzo-15-crown-5 (B15C5) was investigated. The complexes LiB15C5H₂OX, where X = Cl^? (1), I^? (2), (3), (5), and LiBF₄B15C5 (4) were synthesized and studied by IR spectroscopy. Complexes 1–4 were examined by X-ray diffraction. According to IR spectroscopy data, the crown ether conformation changes upon dissolution. The interaction of the extracted complex with the solvent was identified.     

Effect of heterocyclic ring system on formation of dimeric quinolones under catalyst-free conditions: a green approach

The intermediate-dependent green and efficient synthesis of dimeric quinolones 4a–l and 7a–l by the Knoevenagel condensation followed by Michael-type addition of 4-hydroxy-1-methylquinolin-2(1H)-one 1a, b to indole-3-aldehydes 2a–f and aromatic aldehydes 5a–l in water through the condensed compound 3a–l under catalyst-free conditions is described. This reaction was found to be environmentally friendly, has easy-workup and shorter reaction times giving good yields of the product without the need for its isolation using column chromatography.     

Synthesis,structure, and properties of a new multiredox-active Sn(IV) complex based on 3,6-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-benzoquinone and ferrocenylaldimine phenol

A new mixed-ligand tin(IV) complex 2 derived from 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone and ferrocenylaldimine phenol 1 has been prepared and characterized by different physicochemical methods (IR, ¹HNMR, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopies). Electrochemical transformations of complex 2 have been studied by cyclic voltammetry. Catecholate and ferrocenyl groups have been found to take part in the redox transformations. Chemical oxidation of complex 2 with silver triflate in a dichloromethane solution has been studied. Formation of monocationic complex 2 ⁺ has been detected by EPR spectroscopy. The catecholate ligand has been found to be the primary redox center subjected to oxidation.     

Four supramolecular transition metal(II) complexes based on triazole-benzoic acid derivatives: crystal structure,Hirshfeld surface analysis,and spectroscopic and thermal properties

Four new complexes [M(3-tba)₂(H₂O)₄] (1–3) and [Co(4-tba)₂(H₂O)₄] (4) {M = Zn (1), Ni (2), Co (3), 3-Htba = 3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)benzoic acid, 4-Htba = 4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)benzoic acid} have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1–4 are also determined by elemental analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, IR and electronic spectroscopy. Single crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that complexes 1–3 are isostructural and they crystallize in the orthorhombic space group of Pbca, while complex 4 belongs to triclinic system with Pī space group. Based on different intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π···π stacking interactions, complexes 1–4 further assembled into 3D supramolecular frameworks. Hirshfeld surface analysis was used to further study the intermolecular interactions of the complexes. The thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) reveal that these complexes possess good thermal stability, and the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses show intense exothermic phenomena in the decomposition processes of triazole groups. Besides, the photoluminescence property of complex 1 in the solid state is also determined.     

Friedlander synthesis of highly functionalized isoxazolyl quinoline libraries via addition of C(sp3)–H bond to aldehydes

A novel protocol for ionic liquid (IL)-mediated C(sp³)–H bond functionalization of 3,5-dimethyl-4-nitroisoxazoles 4 to substituted o-amino benzaldehydes 5 was developed in excellent yields. Isoxazolyl aryl ethanones 7 have been synthesized from isoxazolyl aryl ethanol synthon 6. Furthermore, utilizing the later as synthons for IL promoted Friedlander synthesis of highly functionalized isoxazole substituted quinoline libraries 9. The merit of this synthesis is easily available and economical starting materials, effective utilization of all the reactants, and simple workup procedure. It is noteworthy that ionic liquid used in C(sp³)–H bond functionalization and Friedlander synthesis reactions can be recycled and reused five times without significant decrease in activity.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and luminescent property of two novel Zn/Co(II) coordination polymers with a linear bis-imidazole and dicarboxylate ligands

The linear linker 1,3-bis(2-methylimidazolyl)propane (Bmip) has been used to construct two new coordination polymers with Zn²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions and carboxylate donor ligand viz., 4,4’-oxydibenzoic acid (H₂Oba). Compounds formed hydrothermally are [Zn(Bmip)(Oba)] _n (Ι), [Co(Bmip)(Oba)] _n (II). Complexes Ι and II have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (CIF files CCDC nos. 1033354 (I), 1001813 (II)), IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, elemental analysis and powder X-ray diffraction. Single crystal X-ray analysis revealed that complexes Ι and II are isostructural, which exhibit 2D 4⁴-sql net. And the adjacent 4⁴-sql net are further inforced through weak noncovalent C–H···π and H-bonding to form a 3D supramolecular framework. Furthermore, the photoluminescence property of complexes Ι and II in the solid state at room temperature was also investigated.     

Heterospin biradicals based on new piperidineoxyl-substituted 3,6-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-benzoquinone

A nucleophilic addition reaction of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (OH-TEMPO) to 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone was used to obtain a new sterically hindered o-benzoquinone (1) containing 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidineoxyl functional group, which was characterized by IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction. A one-electron reduction of 1 with potassium and thallium is an efficient method for the generation of earlier unknown heterospin biradicals 5a and 5b, respectively, containing nitroxide and o-semiquinone radical centers. Analysis of the hyperfine structure of the ESR spectra of biradicals 5a and 5b in solution showed that they belong to the group of heterospin biradicals with strong (J >> a) and fast exchange interaction between the radical centers.