QSAR and mode of action studies of insecticidal ecdysone agonists†

A series of our SAR and QSAR studies of synthetic moulting hormone agonists, dibenzoylhydrazines (DBH), exhibiting insecticidal/larvicidal activity are reviewed in this article. We prepared a number of analogues where various substituents are introduced into the two benzene rings of DBH and measured their biological activity using various biological systems. Larvicidal activity was against larvae of the rice stem borer Chilo suppressalis and the moulting hormone activity was in terms of the stimulation of N-acetylglucosamine incorporation in a cultured integument system of the same insect species. Binding affinity to the ecdysone receptor was assayed with intact Sf-9 cell lines in which the ADME processes are negligible as well as using receptor proteins obtained by in vitro translation of the responsible cDNA cloned from cell-free preparation of integumentary tissue of C. suppressalis. Variations in the biological activity indices were either correlated between two types of activity or correlated using physicochemical molecular and substituent parameters in terms of the classical QSAR. Comparisons among correlations and with recently revealed X-ray crystallographic findings clearly indicate the physicochemical meaning of parameters significant in the correlation equations to help understanding molecular mechanism of the moulting hormonal action.     

Synthesis,transport and magnetic studies of superconducting Y1−xNaxCa2Cu3O7−δ system

A series of oxides with chemical formula Y_1?xNa_xCa₂Cu₃O_7?δ (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 & 0.4) have been synthesized by solid-state diffusion method. The influence of substitution of Na with different Y concentrations has been studied using XRD, electrical resistivity and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements. The formation is checked by XRD and all samples found to crystallize in a single phase with orthorhombic structure, isostructural to YCa₂Cu₃O₇. The substitution of Na at Y site has a distinct effect on the superconducting properties of the oxides. With increase in Na content the critical temperature decreases. The resistivity of the compound above T_c is in the range of semiconductors but the behavior is metallic.     

Electrochemical reduction of NO and O2 on La2−x Sr x CuO4-based electrodes

A series of La_2 − x Sr _x CuO₄ (x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.15, 0.25 and 0.35) compounds was investigated for the use of direct electrochemical reduction of NO in an all-solid-state electrochemical cell. The materials were investigated using cyclic voltammetry in 1% NO in Ar and 10% O₂ in Ar. The most selective electrode material was La₂CuO₄, which had an activity of NO reduction that was 6.8 times higher than that of O₂ at 400 °C. With increasing temperature, activity increased while selectivity decreased. Additionally, conductivity measurements were carried out, and the materials show metallic conductivity behavior which follows an adiabatic small polaron hopping mechanism.     

Esterase-Activatable Synthetic M+/Cl− Channel Induces Apoptosis and Disrupts Autophagy in Cancer Cells

The formation of a supramolecular synthetic M⁺/Cl⁻ channel in the membrane phospholipid bilayer has been reported upon activation of a methyl pivalate-linked N¹,N³-dialkyl-2-hydroxyisophthalamide by esterases. The channel formation induces apoptosis in cancer cells via the intrinsic pathway. Interestingly, the supramolecular channel was also shown to disrupt autophagy in cancer cells by causing alkalization of lysosomes – a feature that has been confirmed at the cellular and protein level.     

Electrochemical study of spinel oxide systems with nominal compositions Ni1− x Cu x Co2O4 and NiCo2− y Cu y O4

Studies on the electrochemical behaviour of Ni_{1− x} Cu _x Co₂O₄ (x ≤ 0.75) and NiCo_{2− y} Cu _y O₄ (y ≤ 0.30) electrodes in 5 mol dm⁻³ KOH aqueous solutions are presented. The oxide layers have been prepared by thermal decomposition of aqueous nitrate solutions on nickel supports at 623 K. Powder samples were also prepared by thermal decomposition under the same conditions. The powder samples and the oxide layers were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction. The influence of the copper content on the voltammetric response of the electrodes and activity towards oxygen evolution reaction is analysed and correlated with the surface composition of the electrodes by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data. The analysis of the results reveals that the presence of Cu affects the electrode behaviour and its influence depends on which cation has been replaced. Received: 22 February 1999 / Accepted: 26 October 1999     

Excitation and luminescence spectra of UO2F2−4

The luminescence and excitation spectra of [(CH₃)₄]₂UO₂F₄, M₃UO₂F₅ (M = K and Rb) and Cs₂SnCl₆:UO₂Cl²⁻₄ have been recorded at temperatures down to 10 K. The excitation spectrum of [(CH₃)₄]₂UO₂F₄ is unique because the electronic origin is located at the lowest energy reported for any uranyl compound. The analysis of the excitation spectrum is consistent with a D_4h, but not a D_5h coordinated uranyl chromophore. A detailed interpretation of the vibronic structure of the spectrum enables the lower excited states of the uranyl ion to be located, and the symmetries of these are consistent with the model of Denning. A comparison with the excitation spectra of salts of the UO₂F³⁻₅ anion is made.     

Crystal chemical and dielectric investigation of the system LiZnV1−xPxO4

An X-ray crystallographic study has allowed us to identify a solid solution of the type LiZnV_1−xP_xO₄ (0≤ x ≤0.6) inside the binary system LiZnVO₄-LiZnPO₄. The structure is isotypic with the phenacite like LiZnVO₄. X-ray diffraction patterns are indexed according to the lattice parameters of the trigonal system and the space group R3. The mother structure can be regarded as made of a three-dimensional network of LiO₄, ZnO₄ and VO₄ tetrahedra all having one apex oriented along [001]. The peaks, observed on the curves of the thermal variation of the dielectric constants, have allowed us to recognize a phase transition whose temperature varies continuously along the solid solution.     

Dual Plasmonic Au−Cu2−xS Nanocomposites: Design Strategies and Photothermal Properties

Coupling two different materials to create a hybrid nanostructured system is a powerful strategy for achieving synergistically enhanced properties and advanced functionalities. In the case of Au and Cu_2−xS, their combination on the nanoscale results in dual plasmonic Au−Cu_2−xS nanocomposites that exhibit intense photon absorption in both the visible and the near-infrared spectral ranges. Their strong light-absorbing properties translate to superior photothermal transduction efficiency, making them attractive in photothermal-based applications. There are several nanostructure configurations that are possible for the Au−Cu_2−xS system, and the successful fabrication of a particular architecture often requires a carefully planned synthetic strategy. In this Minireview, the different synthetic approaches that can be employed to produce rationally designed Au−Cu_2−xS nanocomposites are presented, with a focus on the experimental protocols that can lead to heterodimer, core–shell, reverse core–shell, and yolk–shell configurations. The photothermal behavior of these materials is also discussed, providing a glimpse of their potential use as photothermally active agents in therapeutic and theranostic applications.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the YBa2Cu3O7−x superconductor system

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) or electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) has been employed to investigate the chemical nature and the electronic structure of the YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x system at different stages of preparation. The binding energy measurements showed that O 1s, Ba 3d and Y 3d core levels undergo appreciable changes during the firing and subsequent heat treatment. The chemical shift in O 1s is believed to be due to a higher concentration of holes in the superconductor phase. No indication for the existence of a monovalent Cu(I) species was found at any stage of preparation.     

Structural and thermal characterization of Zn2−xCoxTiO4

In this work, spinels with the general formula Zn_2?xCo_xTiO₄ were synthesized by the polymeric precursor method and thermally treated at 1,000 °C. The powder precursors were characterized by TG/DTA. A decrease in the DTA peak temperature with the amount of zinc was observed. After the thermal treatment, the characterizations were performed by XRD, IR, colorimetry and UV/VIS spectroscopy. The XRD patterns of all the samples showed the presence of the spinel phase. Infrared spectroscopy showed the presence of ester complexes for Zn₂TiO₄ after thermal treatment at 500 °C, which disappeared after cobalt addition, indicating that organic material elimination was favored.     

The ion product of H2O,dissociation constants of H2CO3 and pitzer parameters in the system Na+/H+/OH−/HCO 3 − /CO 3 2- /ClO 4 − /H2O at 25°C

The ion product of water and the dissociation constants of carbonic acid have been determined in 0.1, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0M NaClO₄ at 25°C. The ion product of water K _w ^' has been evaluated by emf measurements with a combined glass electrode in NaClO₄ solutions containing 0.001–0.1M HCLO₄ or NaOH. The product K _H ^' K _l ^' K ₂ ^' of the Henry constant for CO₂ and the dissociation constants for H₂CO₃ have been determined by titration of carbonate solutions equilibrated with pCO₂ =10^–3.52 atm, and K ₂ ^' has been evaluated by potentiometric titration and by measuring the H⁺ concentration at fixed HCO ₃ ^– and CO ₃ ^2- concentrations. The ion interaction (Pitzer) equations are applied to describe the constants K _w ^' , K ₂ ^' and K _H ^' H ₁ ^' K ₂ ^' as a function of the NaClO₄ concentration. The experimental data are used to evaluate the mixing parameters _{i/ClO 4} and _{i/ClO 4} ^-/Na⁺ fori = OH ^-,HCO ₃ ^- andCO ₃ ^2-     

Cathodic reduction of superconducting oxocuprates YBa2Cu3O7− x at high current densities

The cathodic reduction of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ in aqueous electrolytes at ambient temperature turns out to be strongly dependent upon current density with respect to the reaction mechanism. At low current density, topotactic electron/proton transfer is the dominant process, while at higher current densities, two competing reactions appear, i.e. the topotactic conversion and an irreversible reaction leading to products amorphous in terms of X-ray diffraction. Received: 21 April 1999 / Accepted: 7 June 1999     

Spectral and electrochemical study of coordination molecules Cu4OX6L4: 3-Pyridylmethanol and 4-pyridylmethanol Cu4OBrnCl(6−n)(pm)4 complexes

The tetranuclear Cu₄OBr_nCl_(6−n)(pm)₄ complexes, where pm = 3-pyridylmethanol (3-pm), 4-pyridylmethanol (4-pm) and n = 0−6 with trigonal bipyramidal coordination of copper(II) were prepared and their infrared and electronic absorption spectra as well as cyclic voltammograms in nitromethane solutions were measured. The molecules exhibit strong single infrared Cu₄O stretching absorptions between 580 and 530 cm⁻¹ which are in linear correlations with the number of halides, n. Far infrared absorptions assigned to Cu-Br, Cu-Cl, and Cu-N stretching vibrations appear at higher wavenumbers for 3-pm complexes compared with those for 4-pm complex molecules. Two strongly overlapped d–d bands in the region 11300–13100 cm⁻¹ assigned to and e(d _xz, d _yz) → a ₁(d _z ²) transitions in the trigonal bipyramidal coordination of the copper(II) atoms were resolved by Gaussian analysis. Both, 3-pm and 4-pm ligands produce in the complex molecules almost the same ligand field. The maxima of the Gaussian d–d components vary with the parameter n and are for both series of the complexes deviated from linearity, more for the low-energy d–d bands than for high-energy analogues. The electrochemical reduction in nitromethane is significantly less reversible for 4-pm complex molecules compared with that of 3-pm analogues. Formal reduction potentials E′ _c for 3-pm complexes were observed in the range 478 (n = 0)−599 (n = 6) mV. The plot E′ _c vs. n is significantly deviated from linearity. It is suggested that the reducing electrons enter the half-filled d _z ² orbital of the copper(II) atom. The different spectral and electrochemical results obtained for 3-and 4-pm complexes are explained by different structural distortions, bond lengths, and charge distributions produced by halide ligand variations. The results are also discussed with previously reported data on analogous pyridine, 3-methylpyridine and 4-methylpyridine complexes.     

The calculation of the thermodynamic equilibrium in Fe3+/MoO 4 2− /H+(OH−)/H2O system and determination of reasonable conditions for iron molybdate deposition

The thermodynamic data on the Fe³⁺/MoO₄ ^2?/H⁺(OH^?)/H₂O system were analyzed. The iron(III) molybdate precipitates were studied by the X-ray phase analysis and electron probe microanalysis. It was shown that the content of the iron(III) oxide impurity in the precipitates depends on method and conditions of mixing of an iron precursor solution and an molybdenum precursor solution.     

Discriminating toxicant classes by mode of action: 3. Substructure indicators§

Decision support for selecting suitable QSARs for predictive purposes is suggested by a stepwise procedure: The first tier pre-filters the compounds based on substructure indicators for baseline versus excess toxicity. This step, if sufficiently conservative, discriminates chemicals, whose toxicity can be reliably estimated from their log?K _OW from those, that require further classification by biological and chemical domain. A test set of 115 chemicals from 9 different MOA classes was used to compare the discriminatory power of several classification schemes based on substructure indicators. Performance, evaluated by contingency table statistics, is varied and no single scheme provides sufficient applicability and reliability for pre-filtering chemical inventories. Major improvements are feasible with combined use of three classification schemes: assignments of baseline toxicants are protective, recognition of excess toxicants is acceptable and applicability range increases favourably.     

Synthesis and Structure of the Copper(Ⅰ) Complex [Cu(PPh3)2(BH4)]

Mononuclear copper( Ⅰ ) complex [Cu(PPh3)2(BH4)] has been synthesized by ligand replacement reaction in methanol and characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight determination, IR spectra and X-ray single crystal analysis,its conductivity has also been measured. The crystal is monoclinic, space group C2/c, a =24.776(4), b=9.173(7), c=15.564(2)A; β=116.10(1)°, V=3176.73 A3, Z =4, F(000)=1256, μ(MoKα)=8.11 cm-1, Dc=1. 26 g/cm3, M=602.79, R=0. 039, Rw= 0. 050. The results show that PPh3 coordinates as monodentate ligand to the Cu ( Ⅰ ) atoms, and BH4 behaves as a bidentate ligand in the prepared complex.The central copper atom belongs to tetrahedron coordination geometry.     

Enantioselective Cleavage of Cyclobutanols Through Ir-Catalyzed C−C Bond Activation: Mechanistic and Synthetic Aspects

The Ir-catalyzed conversion of prochiral tert-cyclobutanols to β-methyl-substituted ketones proceeds under comparably mild conditions in toluene (45–110 °C) and is particularly suited for the enantioselective desymmetrization of β-oxy-substituted substrates to give products with a quaternary chirality center with up to 95 % ee using DTBM-SegPhos as a chiral ligand. Deuteration experiments and kinetic isotope effect measurements revealed major mechanistic differences to related Rh^I-catalyzed transformations. Supported by DFT calculations we propose the initial formation of an Ir^III hydride intermediate, which then undergoes a β-C elimination (C−C bond activation) prior to reductive C−H elimination. The computational model also allows the prediction of the stereochemical outcome. The Ir-catalyzed cyclobutanol cleavage is broadly applicable but fails for substrates bearing strongly coordinating groups. The method is of particular value for the stereo-controlled synthesis of substituted chromanes related to the tocopherols and other natural products.     

Separation and preconcentration of131I− and131IO 3 − in a liquid-liquid system

The application of isotope exchange in a liquid-liquid system for the separation and preconcentration of¹³¹I^– and¹³¹IO^3/– from water is described. For this purpose a solution of elemental iodine in tri-n-butyl phosphate diluted with toluene was used. The influence of various factors on the separation efficiency of¹³¹I was investigated. These are: time of the exchange, concentration of a carrier in the aqueous phase, concentration of I₂ in the organic phase, volume ratio of the phases, pH, foreign ions, storage of the organic phase, etc. The method is quite rapid and the selective preconcentration of these chemical forms of radioiodine from water can be accomplished even in the presence of the most important fission products. This method makes also possible to separate these chemical forms from each other under controlled pH conditions. The activity of the separated radioiodine can be measured advantageously, e.g., by homogeneous liquid scintillation counting after decolourization of the organic phase.     

Triptycene scaffolds: Synthesis and properties of triptycene-derived Schiff base compounds for the selective and sensitive detection of CN− and Cu2+

A series of triptycene-derived Schiff bases were synthesized by condensation between amino triptycenes with an appropriate aldehyde and were isolated in good to excellent (85–90%) yields. Amongst these, a triptycene-hydroxybenzaldehyde Schiff base compound proved to be a selective sensor for cyanide. It exhibited a “turn-on” fluorescence response at 490 nm to CN^? facilitated by the nucleophilic addition of CN^? to the aldehyde group, accompanied by a visible color change from orange to yellow. Likewise, a triptycene salicylaldehyde adduct was shown to be highly sensitive towards the detection of the CN^? ion with a detection limit of 0.9 μM. On the other hand a triptycene-BODIPY Schiff base compound could be used for the detection of Cu²⁺ ions over other competing, biologically relevant metal ions in acetonitrile. Photophysical studies revealed a 1:1 binding model for the triptycene-BODIPY compound.