Nitric oxide release from a photoactive water-soluble ruthenium nitrosyl. Biological effects

Abstract

This research presents the synthesis and characterization of the photochemical nitric oxide (NO) precursor Ru(salenCO₂H)(NO)Cl (1, salenCO₂H = N,N’-ethylenebis(3,3’-bis-carboxylsalicylideneiminato). This water-soluble ruthenium nitrosyl releases NO upon photolysis with a quantum yield that is pH dependent owing to the nitrosyl to nitrite conversion of that axial ligand at higher pH. Also described are the water, oxygen, and thermal stability of 1 and the cytotoxicity and the vascular relaxivity properties of 1 in the dark and under photolysis.     

Titanium coated with high-performance nanocrystalline ruthenium oxide synthesized by the microwave-assisted sol–gel procedure

Ruthenium oxide coating on titanium was prepared by the sol–gel procedure from well-defined colloidal oxide dispersions synthesized by the microwave (MW)-assisted hydrothermal route under defined temperature and pressure heating conditions. The dispersions were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical properties were analyzed as capacitive performances gained by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and as the electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution from acid solution. The obtained dispersions were polydisperse and contained regular particles and agglomerates of increasing surface energy and decreasing particle size as the MW-assisted heating conditions were intensified. Owing to these features of the precursor dispersions, the obtained coatings had considerably improved capacitive performances and good electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution at high overpotentials.     

Electrochemical preparation, characterization, and electrocatalytic studies of Nafion–ruthenium oxide modified glassy carbon electrode

Electrochemical synthesis of ruthenium oxide (RuOx) onto Nafion-coated glassy carbon (GC) electrode and naked GC electrode were carried out by using cyclic voltammetry. Electrochemical deposition of RuOx onto Nafion-coated electrode was monitored by in situ electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). Surface characterizations were performed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). SEM and AFM images revealed that ruthenium oxide particles incorporated onto the Nafion polymer film. In addition, a GC electrode modified with ruthenium oxide–Nafion film (RuOx–Nf–GC) was shown excellent electrocatalytic activity towards dopamine (DA) and ascorbic acid (AA). The anodic peak current increases linearly over the concentration range of 50 μM–1.1 mM for DA with the correlation coefficient of 0.999, and the detection limit was found to be (S/N = 3) 5 μM. Owing to the catalytic effect of the modified film towards DA, the modified electrode resolved the overlapped voltammetric responses of AA and DA into two well-defined voltammetric peaks with peak-to-peak separation about 300 mV. Here, RuOx–Nf–GC electrode employed for determination of DA in the presence of AA. This modified electrode showed good stability and antifouling properties.     

Novel photoconductive Ag/nanostructure ruthenium oxide/p-type silicon Schottky barrier diode by sol–gel method

A new Schottky photodiode of Ag/RuO₂/p-Si/Al was successfully fabricated using spin-coating technique. The ruthenium oxide (RuO₂) nanoparticles with an average size of 8 nm were synthesized using a sol–gel method. The crystal structure and morphology of the synthesized RuO₂ were analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and selective area electron diffraction. The rectification ratio of the diode was found to be 112 at ±2 V. The ideality factor and barrier height values of the Ag/RuO₂/p-Si/Al diode were obtained to be 1.47 and 0.55 eV, respectively. The Cheung–Cheung and Norde’s models were used to determine the diode parameters. The photoresponse behavior of the fabricated Ag/RuO₂/p-Si/Al diode was studied under various illumination intensities. The transient photocurrent results indicate that photocurrent under illumination is higher than the dark current and this indicates that the fabricated diode behaves as a photodiode. The capacitance–voltage–frequency measurements indicate that the capacitance of the diode depends on voltage and frequency. The obtained results suggest that the new Ag/RuO₂/p-Si/Al diode can be used an optical switching device for optical sensor applications and are also expected to be generated in the future study.     

Quasi-solid-state pseudocapacitors using proton-conducting gel polymer electrolyte and poly(3-methyl thiophene)–ruthenium oxide composite electrodes

We report the studies on a flexible quasi-solid-state configuration of the redox supercapacitors (pseudocapacitors) assembled with an ionic liquid-based proton conducting non-aqueous gel polymer electrolyte (ILGPE) and composite electrodes of conducting polymer [poly-3-methyl thiophene (pMeT)] and hydrous ruthenium dioxide (RuO₂.xH₂O). The presence of RuO₂.xH₂O in the composite electrodes has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The ILGPE films, prepared with the solution of an ionic liquid (1-ethyl 3-methyl imidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate) and a salt ammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate entrapped in a host polymer poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene), have been characterized. The symmetrical pseudocapacitors have been assembled and characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and charge–discharge tests. The composite electrodes with the ～13 wt.% hydrous RuO₂ loading in pMeT film has shown a maximum specific capacitance value of ～118 F g^?1 (of the composite electrode material). The corresponding maximum specific energy and power density have been found to be ～12.8 W kg^?1 and ～513 W kg^?1, respectively. With further increase in the content of RuO₂.xH₂O, a slight decrease in specific capacitance value has been observed, which indicates the reduction in utilization rate of RuO₂.xH₂O. The composite electrodes show stable capacitance values up to 5,000 charge–discharge cycles.     

Cerium oxide nanoparticles scavenge nitric oxide radical (˙NO)

In this study we have obtained evidence that cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO(2) NPs) are able to scavenge nitric oxide radical. Surprisingly, this activity is present in CeO(2) NPs with a lower level of cerium in the 3+ state (CeO(2) NPs with low 3+/4+ ratio and therefore a reduced number of oxygen vacancies), in contrast to the superoxide scavenging properties which are correlated with an increased level of cerium in the 3+ state (CeO(2) NPs with high 3+/4+ ratio and therefore an increased number of oxygen vacancies).     

Discovery of nitric oxide in marine ecological system and the chemical characteristics of nitric oxide

Nitric oxide was discovered in both the lab and the alga culture pond of Daya Bay (1―300 m3) before the growth of alga reached the maximum. The results included: (1) NO was detected before the growth of alga reached the maximum in the case of red tide alga and food alga, and the concentration of NO decreased rapidly after the growth maximum; (2) the curve between NO con-centration and time indicated that the concentration of NO in the daytime was more than that at night, and the maximal concentration of NO appeared in the midday (1―3 pm); (3) the growth of alga reached the maximum in the alga culture pond of Daya Bay in about 8―10 d, and NO was discovered in 5―7 d; (4) the measured NO concentration was 10-9 mol/L, 10-9―10-8 mol/L, and 10-8 mol/L for Haeterosigma akashiwo, mixed alga in Daya Bay and Chaetoceros Curvisetus individually; (5) the relation of illumination with NO production was discussed.     

Anomalous codeposition of cobalt and ruthenium from chloride–sulfate baths

Codeposition of Ru and Co was studied at room temperature and at 50 °C with various Ru³⁺ and Co²⁺ concentrations in the electrolyte. The codeposition of Co and Ru proved to be anomalous since no pure Ru could be obtained in the presence of Co²⁺ in the electrolyte, but a significant Co incorporation into the deposit was detected at potentials where the deposition of pure Co was not possible. The composition of the deposits varied monotonously with the change of the concentration ratio of Co²⁺ and Ru³⁺. The deposition of Ru was much hindered, and the current efficiency was a few percent only when the molar fraction of Co in the deposit was low. Continuous deposits could be obtained only when the molar fraction of Co in the deposit was at least 40 at.%. The deposit morphology was related to the molar fraction of Co in the deposit. The X-ray diffractograms are in conformity with a hexagonal close-packed alloy and indicate the formation of nanocrystalline deposits. Two-pulse plating did not lead to a multilayer but to a Co-rich alloy. Magnetoresistance of the samples decreased with increasing Ru content.     

Influence of cerium oxide on properties of glass–ceramic sealants for solid oxide fuel cells

The influence of the cerium oxide concentration on the properties of glasses and glass ceramics of the SiO₂–Al₂O₃–CaO–Na₂O–MgO–K₂O–B₂O₃–CeO₂ system as potential adhesive and sealing materials for solid oxide fuel cells was studied. According to the data of differential scanning calorimetry, variation of the CeO₂ concentration does not appreciably influence the glass transition and crystallization temperatures of glasses. As the cerium oxide concentration is increased, the linear thermal expansion coefficient increases for the glasses but decreases for the partially crystalline samples. The gluing temperature of the glass sealants prepared allows their use for joining YSZ solid electrolytes with interconnectors of Crofer22APU type in solid oxide fuel cells..     

Enthalpy of mixing in the propylene oxide–dimethylformamide and propylene oxide–ethylene glycol systems

Heat of mixing of propylene oxide with N,N-dimethylformamide and ethylene glycol has been determined by means of microcalorimetry. Theoretically suggested choice of the aprotic solvent as a selective separating agent for the propylene oxide–methanol binary mixture has been experimentally justified.     

Phase equilibrium in aqueous two-phase systems containing ethylene oxide–propylene oxide block copolymers and dextran

Phase equilibrium of aqueous two-phase systems containing the polysaccharide dextran and ethylene oxide (EO)/propylene oxide (PO) triblock copolymers was investigated in this work. Phase diagrams at 25.0 °C were experimentally obtained for systems formed by either dextran 19 (average molar mass of 8200 g mol⁻¹) or dextran 400 (average molar mass of 236 kg mol⁻¹) and one of the following block copolymers F38, F68, F108, P105 and P103, which present different structures in terms of EO/PO ratios and molar masses. It was possible to assess the influence of the polymer features on the phase equilibrium: the main factors affecting phase equilibrium being the size of dextran molecule and the structure (mainly the EO/PO ratio) of the copolymer. The Flory–Huggins equation was used to correlate the experimental data with good qualitative agreement, allowing the inference that changes in the copolymer hydrophobicity are the main responsible for the observed phase diagrams.     

A novel oxygen-dependent deoximation by nitric oxide

A variety of aldoximes and ketoximes were oxidized to corresponding aldehydes and ketones by nitric oxide in the presence of oxygen.A presumed mechanism was suggested.     

Sulfated binary and trinary oxide solid superacids

A series of sulfated binary and trinary oxide solid superacids were prepared, and their catalytic activities for n-butane isomerization at low temperature were measured. The incorporation of different metal oxides into ZrO2 may produce a positive or negative effect on the acid strength and catalytic activity of the solid superacids. Sulfated oxides of Cr-Zr, Fe-Cr-Zr and Fe-V-Zr are 2 - 3 times more active than the reported sulfated Fe-Mn-Zr oxide. The enhancement in the superacidity and catalytic activity of these new solid superacids has been discussed on account of the results of various characteriation techniques.     

Argentic oxide mediated N-dearylation of β-lactams

A method is described for the N-dearylation of N-(4-methoxy- or 4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-azetidinones with argentic oxide. The yields are good-to-excellent and the reaction is simple, efficient, and fast.     

Linkage isomerism and redox properties of ruthenium–polypyridine benzotriazole complexes

A new series of mono- and di-substituted ruthenium–polypyridine complexes of the type cis-[Ru^III,II (bpy)₂(L1)(L2)] ^{n +} (L1 = Cl^–, bta or py; L2 = bta; bpy = 2,2-bipyridine; bta = benzotriazole; py = pyridine) has been prepared, isolated as hexafluorophosphate salts, and investigated in organic solutions by means of cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry. The chemical oxidation of all the benzotriazole derivatives, starting from cis-[Ru^II(bpy)₂(L1)(bta)] ^x (x = +1 or +2), leads essentially to N(3)-bound products, i.e., cis-[Ru^III(bpy)₂ (L1)(N(3){bta})] ^x+1 isomers. Nevertheless, while the benzotriazole-monosubstituted species undergoes an intramolecular isomerization, N(3) N(2), accompanying the electrochemical reduction centered on the metal ion, Ru^III Ru^II, the disubstituted derivatives do not display any spectral or electrochemical evidence of linkage isomerism. The equilibrium and kinetic constants for the isomerization were determined from the cyclic voltammograms at several scan rates, according to an electrochemical–chemical (EC) coupling scheme. The data were compared with a set of constants and parameters obtained previously for a series of ruthenium and iron complexes. The experimental results were found to be quite consistent with theoretical calculations, and reflect the importance of -backbonding interactions in the stabilization of the metal-centered reduced state (M^II) on such species with low-spin d⁶ configuration.     

Hydroxymethylated cyclic α-amino acid dipeptides by ruthenium ring closing metathesis

Stereoselective syntheses of cyclic α-amino-β-hydroxymethylcyclohexene-α-carboxylic acids are described. The acids were isolated as dipeptides. RCM reactions were effected by Ru(II)-catalysis on hydroxymethylated dienes. The diene substrates were available in stereochemically pure form by stepwise alkylations of (R)-2,5-dihydro-3,6-dimethoxy-2-isopropylpyrazine with 4-bromo-1-butene and vinyloxirane.     

Sensing amyloid-β aggregation using luminescent dipyridophenazine ruthenium(II) complexes

The aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides has been associated with the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Here, we report the use of a luminescent dipyridophenazine ruthenium(II) complex to monitor Aβ fibrillization. This complex is not photoluminescent in aqueous solution nor in the presence of monomeric Aβ, but it presents a strong photoluminescence in the presence of Aβ fibril aggregates. One of the advantages of this metal complex is its large Stokes shift (180 nm). Furthermore, the long-lived photoluminescence lifetime of this ruthenium complex allows its use for the detection of fibrillar proteins in the presence of short-lived fluorescent backgrounds, using time-gating technology. We will present evidence of the advantages of dipyridophenazine ruthenium(II) complexes for monitoring protein fibrillization in highly fluorescent media.