Analysis of Novel Antioxidant Sesquarterpenes (C<Subscript>35</Subscript> Terpenes) Produced in Recombinant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corynebacterium glutamicum</Emphasis>

Novel synthetic isoprenoids have been synthesized in engineered microbial hosts by evolving terpene synthase or expressing heterologous terpene synthases. Recently, the native operon, crtN_aN_cM derived from Planococcus sp. PAMC 21323, has isolated for potential industrial applications of C₃₅ carotenoids. For the first time, novel C₃₅ carotenoids (sesquarterpene) were synthesized in Corynebacterium glutamicum expressing the crtN_aN_cM genes. The recombinant strains accumulate various sesquarterpene including 4-apolycopene (red color), 4-aponeurosporene (yellow color), and no pigmentation, depending on the expression of the genetic elements of the crtN_aN_cM genes. Subsequently, the carotenoid extract from the cells harboring pCES-H36-CrtN_aN_cM was analyzed, resulting in significantly higher antioxidant activity than those of other strains harboring pCES-H36-CrtN_cM and pCES-H36-CrtN_aN_c, respectively. This study will promote further engineering of C. glutamicum to increase sesquarterpene productions.     

Room Temperature Ionic Liquids: Their Cohesive Energies,Solubility Parameters and Solubilities in Them

The cohesive energies of room temperature ionic liquids, RTILs, at the reference temperature T _ref = 298.15 K have been obtained from their molar enthalpies of vaporization. They are ce(298) = ?_v H°(298) ? 298.15R, on regarding the vapors as single ion-paired molecules. The cohesive energy densities, ced = ce/V = δ _H ² are the squares of the (Hildebrand) solubility parameters of the RTIL, which are presented for many RTILs. The solubilities of a variety of solutes in RTILs are discussed in relation to the solubility parameters. It turned out that the δ _H values of RTILs, obtained from the enthalpies of vaporization, may be used for empirical correlations, but are not able to predict the solubilities of solutes in RTILs.     

Electrochemical transformations and anti/prooxidant activity of sterically hindered <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-benzoquinones

The electrochemical properties of a series of sterically hindered o-benzoquinones in aprotic solvents were examined. The reaction of O₂ and KO₂ with o-benzoquinones and electrogenerated o-semiquinone radical anions was studied. The formation of o-semiquinone radical anions in the reactions of KO₂ with the studied o-quinones was detected using UV-visible and ESR spectroscopy. The influence of the test compounds on lipid peroxidation was considered at the molecular and tissue levels in vitro. In the most cases, o-quinones exhibit antioxidant activity, which varies depending on the type of lipid substrate.     

Chromites YbMCr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> (M = Li,Na, K,Cs): X-ray diffraction study

Ytterbium alkali-metal chromites YbMCr₂O₅ (M = Li, Na, K, Cs) were synthesized by a ceramic procedure from the corresponding oxides and carbonates. Their crystal systems and unit cell parameters were determined by the homology method: for YbLiCr₂O₅, a = 10.34 Å, b = 10.62 Å, c = 15.05 Å, Z = 16, V ^o = 1653.74 ų, ρ_X-ray = 5.85 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 5.81 ± 0.03 g/cm³; for YbNaCr₂O₅, a = 10.30 Å, b = 10.56 Å, c = 16.46 Å, Z = 16, V ^o = 1790.32 ų, ρ_X-ray = 5.64 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 5.59 ± 0.07 g/cm³; for YbKCr₂O₅, a = 10.33 Å, b = 10.63 Å, c = 19.93 Å, Z = 16, V ^o = 2188.47 ų, ρ_X-ray = 5.95 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 5.91 ± 0.03 g/cm³; and for YbCsCr₂O₅, a = 10.34 Å, b = 10.63 Å, c = 18.43 Å, Z = 16, V ^o = 2025.72 ų, ρ_X-ray = 5.19 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 5.16 ± 0.05 g/cm³.     

Electronic Structure and Relative Stabilities of 10- and 12-Vertex. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Closo</Emphasis>and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nido</Emphasis>-Heteroborane Clusters of Ga,Ge, and As Elements

A DFT method with the B3LYP functional and the 6-311++G(d,p) diffuse basis set is used to predict geometries, relative stabilities, electronic structures, and the bonding of closo- and nido-Ga_mB_n–mH _n ^2? , Ge_mB_n–mH _n ^m?2 , and As_mB_n–mH _n ^{2 m?2} (n = 10, 12 and m = 1, 2) Clusters are obtained by replacing BH with isolobal GaH, GeH⁺, and AsH²⁺ fragments, keeping the same skeleton electron pairs (SEP). Based on the polyhedral skeletal electron pairs theory (PSEPT), closo and nido structures are predicted and can be of significant interest for experimentalists working in the field of heteroboranes. Different cluster stabilities are studied according to Gimarc′s and Williams′ rules, where our calculations show that the monosubstituted clusters deviate from these rules, giving rise to open structures. As₂B₈H _n ²⁺ as 10-vertex structures lead to nido-type clusters, however, Ge_mB_n–mH _n ^m?2 (n = 10, 12 and m = 1, 2) give rise to closo isomers with close energies. All optimized structures exhibit large HOMO–LUMO gaps suggesting a good kinetic stability, thus predicting their isolation and characterization.     

Synthesis,structure, and properties of the thermolysis products of [Os(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cl][ReCl<Subscript>6</Subscript>]

The crystal structure of [Os(NH₃)₅Cl][ReCl₆] has been refined by X-ray powder analysis: a = 11.645(3) Å, b = 8.3788(2) Å, c = 15.277(4) Å, β = 91.029(6)°, V = 1490(1) ų, d _x = 3.163 g/cm³, space group P2₁/m, Z = 4. The thermolysis product of the salt in a hydrogen atmosphere is a solid substitution solution Os_0.5Re_0.5: a = 2.753(2) Å, c = 4.366(3) Å, space group P6₃/mmc; coherent scattering region (CSR) is ～230 Å.     

Crystal structures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-[Re<Subscript>6</Subscript>S<Subscript>8</Subscript>(CN)<Subscript>2</Subscript>L<Subscript>4</Subscript>] complexes,L = pyridine or 4-methylpyridine

The structures of three novel octahedral rhenium cluster compounds [Re₆S₈(CN)₂(py)₄]·H₂O (1), [Re₆S₈(CN)₂(4-Mepy)₄] (2), [Re₆S₈(CN)₂(4-Mepy)₄]·4-Mepy (3) (py = pyridine, 4-Mepy = 4-methylpyridine) are determined by X-ray crystallography. Crystal data are: C2/m space group, a = 14.813(1) Å, b = 14.772(1) Å, c = 9.2122(6) Å, β = 119.085(2)°, V = 1761.7(2) ų, d _x = 3.318 g/cm³, R = 0.0585 (1); I4₁/amd space group, a = 16.0018(3) Å, c = 14.7186(5) Å, V = 3768.81(16) ų, d _x = 3.169 g/cm³, R = 0.0489 (2); P2₁/c space group, a = 9.0452(4) Å, b = 15.8065(7) Å, c = 15.2951(6) Å, β = 103.700(2)°, V = 2124.57(16) ų, d _x = 2.957 g/cm³, R = 0.0245 (3). Molecular cluster complexes interact via π-π stacking affording 3D frameworks in 1 and 2 and chains in 3.     

Modeling of half-Heusler crystals with the chalcopyrite structure: Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>MgZn<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> (X = N,P, As,Sb)

A model of Li₂MgZnX ₂ half-Heusler compounds with the chalcopyrite structure is considered. The electronic structure is studied from first principles, showing that Li₂MgZnX ₂ are direct-gap crystals, except for pseudo-direct-gap Li₂MgZnP₂, with a band gap of 2.7 eV, 2.2 eV, 3.3 eV, and 2.5 eV for X = N, P, As, and Sb, respectively. The band structure and chemical bonding in the model crystals are found to be similar to those in LiMgX and LiZnX half-Heusler crystals. Total electron density and deformation electron density distributions are obtained. It is found that Mg–X and Zn–X ionic-covalent bonds are stronger than Li–X ionic bonds in Li₂MgZnX ₂ crystals, which allows Li atoms to move in the space between MgX ₄ and ZnX ₄ cation tetrahedra.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-Dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes of sterically encumbered phenol-based tetradentate N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> ligands: Structural,spectroscopic, and electrochemical studies

Two cis-dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes [MoO₂L] (L: L ¹, 2 and L: L ², 3) in a phenol-based sterically encumbered N₂O₂ ligand environment have been synthesized, and their crystallographic characterizations are reported. The orange crystals of 2 are monoclinic, space group P2₁/a with unit cell dimensions as a=16.2407(17) Å, b=7.2857(8) Å, c=18.400(2) Å, β=98.002(9)°, Z=4, and d _cal=1.486 g cm^?3. The light orange crystals of 3, however, are orthorhombic, space group, Pbcn, with unit cell dimensions a=8.3110(12) Å, b=12.637(3) Å, c=34.673(5) Å, Z=4, and d _cal=1.187 g cm^?3. The structures were refined by a full-matrix least-squares procedure on F ² to a final R=0.046 (0.055 for 3) using 4944 (3677) all independent data. In both the cases, the Mo atom exists in a distorted octahedral geometry defined by a N₂O₄ donor set, which features a cis-Mo(–O)₂ and a trans-Mo(OPh)₂ arrangement. Compound 2 undergoes a quasireversible one-electron reduction at ?1.3 V vs Ag/AgCl reference due to Mo^VIO₂/Mo^VO₂ electron transfer and thus providing a rare example of steric solution to the comproportionation–dimerization problem encountered frequently in the development of valid biomimetic models for the active sites of oxomolybdenum enzymes.     

Stability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis>-, <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>-element diphosphates in water

The mean atomic Gibbs energies of formation of (Δ _f ? _at ⁰ ) of s-, p-, and d-element diphosphates have been calculated using ion increments of the Gibbs energy (Δ _f G ⁰). The diphosphate hydrolysis kinetics is considered, and a correlation between the Δ _f ? _at ⁰ values and the hydrolysis rate constants is presented.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ab initio</Emphasis> study of scandium fluoride molecules: ScF,ScF<Subscript>2</Subscript>, AND ScF<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Equilibrium geometric parameters, normal mode frequencies and intensities in IR spectra, atomization enthalpy, and relative energies of low-lying electronic states of scandium fluoride molecules (ScF, ScF₂, and ScF₃) are calculated by the coupled-cluster method (CCSD(T)) in triple-, quadruple, and quintuple-zeta basis sets with the subsequent extrapolation of the calculation results to the complete basis set limit. The ScF molecule is also studied by the CCSDT technique. The error in the approximate calculation of triple excitations in the CCSD(T) method does not exceed 0.002 Å for the equilibrium internuclear distance R _e, 4 cm^?1 for the vibrational frequency, and 0.2 kcal/mol for the dissociation energy of the molecule. In the ground electronic state \(\tilde X^2 \) A ₁(C _2ν ) of ScF₂ molecules, R _e(Sc-F) = 1.827 Å and α_e(F-Sc-F) = 124.2°; the energy barrier to bending (linearization) h = E _min(D _g8h ) ? E _min(C_2ν) = 1652 cm^?1. The relative energies of Ã²Δ _g and \(\tilde B^2 \)Π _g electronic states are 3522 cm^?1 and 14633 cm^?1 respectively. The bond distance in the ScF₃ molecule (\(\tilde X^1 \) A′₁, D _3h ) is refined: R _e(Sc-F) = 1.842 Å. The atomization enthalpies Δ_at H ₂₉₈ ⁰ of ScF _k molecules are 139.9 kcal/mol, 289.0 kcal/mol, and 444.8 kcal/mol for k = 1, 2, 3 respectively.     

Crystal structures of two one-dimensional coordination polymers constructed from Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions,chelating hexafluoro-acetylacetonate anions,and flexible bipyridyl bridging ligands

The syntheses and crystal structures of two one-dimensional coordination polymers, [Mn(C₅HO₂F₆)₂(C₁₆H₂₀N₂)] _n (1) and [Mn(C₅HO₂F₆)₂(C₂₀H₂₀N₂)] _n (2), are described, where C₅HO₂F₆ ^? is the hexafluoro acetylacetonate anion, C₁₆H₂₀N₂ is 1,6-bis(4-pyridyl)-hexane, and C₂₀H₂₀N₂ is 1,4-bis[2-(3-pyridyl)ethyl]-benzene. In both phases, the metal ion lies on a crystallographic twofold axis and is coordinated by two chelating C₅HO₂F₆ ^? anions and two bridging bipyridyl ligands to generate a cis-MnN₂O₄ octahedron. The bridging ligands, which are completed by crystallographic inversion symmetry in both compounds, connect the metal nodes into zigzag [20 1 ] chains in 1 and contorted [001] chains in 2. Intrachain C–H???O interactions occur in 1 but not in 2, which may be correlated with the relative orientations of the ligands. Crystal data: 1, C₂₆H₂₂F₁₂MnN₂O₄, M _r = 709.40, monoclinic, C2/c (No. 15), a = 9.3475(2) Å, b = 16.6547(3) Å, c = 18.3649(4) Å, β = 91.1135(8)°, V = 2858.50(10) ų, Z = 4, R(F) = 0.030, w R(F ²) = 0.075. 2, C₃₀H₂₂F₁₂MnN₂O₄, M _r = 757.44, monoclinic, C2/c (No. 15), a = 19.9198(2) Å, b = 10.6459(2) Å, c = 16.8185(3) Å, β = 119.8344(8)°, V = 3093.91(9) Å3, Z = 4, R(F) = 0.032, w R(F ²) = 0.078.     

Crystal structures of a family of layered coordination polymers containing divalent metal ions (Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>) and the 3-amino 4-methyl benzoate ion

The syntheses and crystal structures of the layered coordination polymers M(C₈H₈NO₂)₂ [M = Mn (1), Co (2), Ni (3) and Zn (4)] are described. These isostructural compounds contain centrosymmetric trans-MN₂O₄ octahedra as parts of infinite sheets; the ligand bonds to three adjacent metal ions in μ³-N,O,O′ mode from both its carboxylate O atoms and its amine N atom. In each case, weak intra-sheet N–H?O and C–H?O hydrogen bonds may help to consolidate the structure. Crystal data: 1, C₁₆H₁₆MnN₂O₄, M _r = 355.25, monoclinic, P2₁/c (No. 14), a = 10.6534(2) Å, b = 4.3990(1) Å, c = 15.5733(5) Å, β = 95.1827(10)°, V = 726.85(3) ų, Z = 2, R(F) = 0.026, wR(F ²) = 0.067. 2, C₁₆H₁₆CoN₂O₄, M _r = 359.24, monoclinic, P2₁/c (No. 14), a = 10.6131(10) Å, b = 4.3374(4) Å, c = 15.3556(17) Å, β = 95.473(4)°, V = 703.65(12) ų, Z = 2, R(F) = 0.041, wR(F ²) = 0.091. 3, C₁₆H₁₆N₂NiO₄, M _r = 359.02, monoclinic, P2₁/c (No. 14), a = 10.6374(4) Å, b = 4.2964(2) Å, c = 15.2827(8) Å, β = 95.9744(14)°, V = 694.66(6) ų, Z = 2, R(F) = 0.028, wR(F ²) = 0.070. 4, C₁₆H₁₆N₂O₄Zn, M _r = 365.68, monoclinic, P2₁/c (No. 14), a = 10.6385(5) Å, b = 4.2967(3) Å, c = 15.2844(8) Å, β = 95.941(3)°, V = 694.89(7) ų, Z = 2, R(F) = 0.038, wR(F ²) = 0.107.     

Crystal structure and properties of [M(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cl](NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>, (M = Ir,Rh, Ru)

The crystal structures of compounds from the series [M(NH₃)₅Cl](NO₃)₂, (M = Ir, Rh, Ru) were described. The compounds crystallized in the tetragonal crystal system, space group I4, Z = 2. Crystal data for [Ir(NH₃)₅Cl](NO₃)₂ (I): a = 7.6061(1) Å, b = 7.6061(1) Å, c = 10.4039(2) Å, V = 601.894(16) ų, ρ_calc = 2.410 g/cm³, R = 0.0087; [Rh(NH₃)₅Cl](NO₃)₂ (II): a = 7.5858(5) Å, b = 7.5858(5) Å, c = 10.41357(7) Å, V = 599.24(7) ų, ρ_calc = 1.926 g/cm³, R = 0.0255; [Ru(NH₃)₅Cl](NO₃)₂ (III): a = 7.5811(6) Å, b = 7.5811(6) Å, c = 10.5352(14) Å, V = 605.49(11) ų, ρ_calc = 1.896 g/cm³, R = 0.0266. The compounds were defined by IR spectroscopy and XRPA and thermal analyses.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation,quantitative-SAR and docking studies of novel chalcone derivatives as antibacterial and antioxidant agents

In the present study, a series of chalcone derivatives including 17 new compounds were synthesised; their antibacterial activities against eleven bacteria, and their free radical-scavenging activities using DPPH were evaluated. All compounds showed significant antibacterial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In particular, compound IIIf strongly inhibited Staphylococcus aureus (JMC 2151) and Enterococcus faecalis (CARS 2011-012) with MIC values of 6.25 µg mL^?1 and 12.5 µg mL^?1, respectively, which are comparable to that of the standard antibiotic, nalidixic acid. Compound IIIg also inhibited S. aureus with a MIC value similar to that of nalidixic acid (6.25 µg mL^?1). Furthermore, like nalidixic acid (MIC value of 25 µg mL^?1), compounds IIIa, IIIc and IIId inhibited Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 43256) with MIC values of 25 µg mL^?1, 12.5 µg mL^?1 and 25 µg mL^?1, respectively. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (Q-SAR) studies using physicochemical calculations indicated that the antibacterial activities of chalcone derivatives correlated well with predicted physicochemical parameters (logP and PSA). Docking simulation by positioning the most active compound IIIf in the active site of the penicillin-binding protein (PBP-1b) of S. aureus was performed to explore the feasible binding mode. Furthermore, most of the compounds synthesised exhibited significant DPPH radical-scavenging activity, although compounds IIc and IIIc exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ values of 1.68 µM and 1.44 µM, respectively, comparable to that of the standard antioxidant, ascorbic acid (1.03 µM).     

Synthesis,SAR and in vitro therapeutic potentials of thiazolidine-2,4-diones

Background

Thiazolidinedione is a pentacyclic moiety having five membered unsaturated ring system composed with carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur molecules at 1 and 3 position of the thiazole ring and widely found throughout nature in various form. They favourably alter concentration of the hormones secreted by adipocytes, particularly adiponectin. They also increase total body fat and have mixed effects on circulating lipids. Thiazolidinedione nucleus is present in numerous biological moieties and has different pharmacological activities likes, e.g. antimalarial, antimicrobial, antimycobacterial, anticonvulsant, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and antituberculosis.

Results and discussion

The synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial potential against Gram (positive and negative) bacterial and fungal strains by tube dilution technique. In this series, compound 10 exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against B. subtilis and S. aureus with MIC?=?4.2?×?10^?2 µM/ml, compound 15 showed significant activity against K. pneumonia with MIC?=?2.60?×?10^?2 µM/ml and compound 4 displayed potent antibacterial activity against E. coli with MIC?=?4.5?×?10^?2 µM/ml. Compound 10 had most potent antifungal activity against C. albicans and A. niger with MIC?=?4.2?×?10^?2 µM/ml. Compounds 12 and 15 were found as most active antidiabetic agents having IC₅₀?=?27.63 μg/ml and 22.35 μg/ml, respectively, using DPPH assay. Antioxidant activity results indicated that compounds 3 and 9 displayed good antioxidant agent with IC₅₀?=?29.04 μg/ml and 27.66 μg/ml respectively, using α amylase assay.

Conclusion

All the synthesized derivatives exhibited good antimicrobial, antidiabetic and antioxidant activities using specific methods then compared with mentioned standard drugs. Especially, compounds 3, 4, 9, 10, 12 and 15 displayed highest activity. Structure activity relationship demonstrated that presence of electron withdrawing group (o-NO₂, p-Cl, p-Br) enhanced the antibacterial activity against E. coli as well as increased the antioxidant activity while the presence of electron releasing group (o/p-OCH₃, 3,4,5-trimethoxy) enhanced the antibacterial activity against S. aureus, B. subtilis, S. typhi, K. pneumonia, C. albicans and A. niger as well as the antidiabetic activity.

     

Crystal structure of KPb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>5</Subscript> and KPb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Br<Subscript>5</Subscript>

The KPb₂Cl₅ and KPb₂Br₅ crystals are monoclinic (P2₁/c) with a microtwinned structure. X-ray analysis of chloride resulted in the parameters a = 8.854(2) Å, b = 7.927(2) Å, c = 12.485(3) Å; β = 90.05(3)°, d_calc = 4.78(1) g/cm³ (STOE STADI4, MoK_α, 2θ_max = 80°), R₁ = 0.0702 for 4094 F ≥ 4 σ(F) reflections. For bromide, a = 9.256(2) Å, b = 8.365(2) Å, c = 13.025(3) Å; β = 90.00(3)°, d_calc = 5.62(1) g/cm³ (Bruker P4, MoK_α, 2θ_max = 70°), R₁ = 0.0692 for 3076 F ≥ 4 (F) reflections.     

Hall effect,electrical and magnetic resistance in Cd<Subscript>3</Subscript>As<Subscript>2</Subscript> + MnAs (30%) composite at high pressures

Electrical resistivity ρ, Hall factor R _H, magnetic resistance (R _m–R ₀)/R ₀, and magnetic-field-dependent resistances were measured in 70 mol % Cd₃As₂ + 30 mol % MnAs composite at fixed values of high hydrostatic pressures (up to p ≤ 9 GPa). The ρ, R _H, and (R _m–R ₀)/R ₀ versus pressure curves feature a phase transition at p = 4–4.3 GPa. Field-dependent magnetic resistance features a negative pressure-induced trend.     

Thermodynamic properties and functions of condensed Bi<Subscript>8</Subscript>O<Subscript>11</Subscript>

The values of ΔH°₂₉₈, S°₂₉₈, H°₂₉₈–H°₀, T, ΔH _fus, and C _p(T), as well as the temperature dependences of the Gibbs energy function, are calculated for Bi₈O₁₁ oxide by proven computational methods.     

Synthesis,structure, physicochemical properties,and solid-phase thermolysis of Co<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sm(Piv)<Subscript>7</Subscript>(2,4-Lut)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Heterometallic pivalate Co₂Sm(Piv)₇(2,4-Lut)₂ (1) was prepared for the first time and structurally characterized at 293 and 160 K. Antiferromagnetic exchange interactions are dominant in complex 1. This compound experiences a first-order phase transition within 210–260 K. A set of thermodynamic functions was obtained for this complex (C _p , H _T ⁰ - H ₁₈₀ ⁰ , and S _T ⁰ ), and parameters were determined for solid-phase thermolysis where samarium cobaltate SmCoO₃ is the only product.