Atomistic De-novo Inhibitor Generation-Guided Drug Repurposing for SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein with Free-Energy Validation by Well-Tempered Metadynamics

Computational drug design is increasingly becoming important with new and unforeseen diseases like COVID-19. In this study, we present a new computational de novo drug design and repurposing method and applied it to find plausible drug candidates for the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Our study comprises three steps: atom-by-atom generation of new molecules around a receptor, structural similarity mapping to existing approved and investigational drugs, and validation of their binding strengths to the viral spike proteins based on rigorous all-atom, explicit-water well-tempered metadynamics free energy calculations. By choosing the receptor binding domain of the viral spike protein, we showed that some of our new molecules and some of the repurposable drugs have stronger binding to RBD than hACE2. To validate our approach, we also calculated the free energy of hACE2 and RBD, and found it to be in an excellent agreement with experiments. These pool of drugs will allow strategic repurposing against COVID-19 for a particular prevailing conditions.     

Synthesis and molecular docking study of pyrazole clubbed oxazole as antibacterial agents

Research on Chemical Intermediates - We have developed a simple synthetic protocol for the preparation of novel 3-(3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-arylisoxazoles. The structure of...     

Catalytic Asymmetric Torgov Cyclization: A Concise Total Synthesis of (+)‐Estrone

An asymmetric Torgov cyclization, catalyzed by a novel, highly Brønsted acidic dinitro‐substituted disulfonimide, is described. The reaction delivers the Torgov diene and various analogues with excellent yields and enantioselectivity. This method was applied in a very short synthesis of (+)‐estrone.     

聚(4-乙烯基吡啶)硫酸氢盐: 一个新的高效催化剂用于无溶剂条件下合成13-芳香基-茚并 [1,2-b] 石脑油 [1,2-e] 吡喃-12(13H)-酮（英文）

An facile and efficient protocol for the synthesis of 13‐aryl‐indeno[1,2‐b]naphtha[1,2‐e]pyran‐ 12(13H)‐ ones has been developed that proceeds via the one‐pot three‐component sequential reaction of an aromatic aldehyde with β‐naphthol and 2H‐indene‐1,3‐dione under solvent‐free conditions in the presence of a poly(4‐vinylpyridinium)hydrogen sulfate(P(4‐VPH)HSO4) catalyst. The catalyst can be reused several times, making this procedure facile, practical, and sustainable. The simple experimental procedure, solvent‐free reaction conditions, use of an inexpensive catalyst, short react time, and excellent yields are some of the major advantages of this methodology.     

An eco-friendly catalytic route for one-pot synthesis of 2-amino-6-(2-oxo-2Hchromen-3-yl)-4-arylnicotinonitrile derivatives by silica-supported perchloric acid (HClO4–SiO2) under solvent-free conditions

A facile and environmentally benign synthesis of some 2-amino-6-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-4-arylnicotinonitrile derivatives from the reaction of 3-acetylcoumarin, aromatic aldehydes, and malononitrile under solvent-free condition in the presence of silica-supported perchloric acid (HClO₄–SiO₂) is described. The ability to reuse the catalyst, the high yields, and ease of purification are the important features of this process.     

Aqueous media preparation of 2-amino-4,6-diphenylnicotinonitriles using cellulose sulfuric acid as an efficient catalyst

A convenient approach to the synthesis of 2-amino-4,6-diphenylnicotinonitriles via four-component reaction of aromatic aldehydes, acetophenone derivatives, malononitrile and ammonium acetate is described. The reactions were done in water as solvent using cellulose sulfuric acid as catalyst. This simple protocol offer advantages such as shorter reaction times, simple work-up procedure, excellent yields and catalyst recovery.     

Synthesis of SnO2 nanostructures by ultrasonic-assisted sol–gel method

Fluorine doped SnO₂ nanostructures were grown using ultrasonic assisted sol–gel method. The gel was obtained by dissolving stannous chloride in methanol with ammonium fluoride as dopant followed by irradiation with ultrasonic vibrations. Obtained samples were characterized by structural, morphological and optical studies. All the peaks in the X-ray diffractograms are identified and indexed as tetragonal cassiterite structure. Negative slope of Williamson–Hall plots indicates compressive strain. Particle size of SnO₂ nanostructures is decreases with increases in concentration of fluorine doping. Atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies confirm the formation of ring like porous structures and then hollow tube like growth with increase in the fluorine concentration. Peaks in Raman spectra also indicate strong confinement in SnO₂ particles. Distinct peaks in the PL spectra make the structure suitable for photovoltaic applications.     

Probing Relaxation Dynamics in Five-Coordinate Dysprosium Single-Molecule Magnets

A new family of five-coordinate lanthanide single-molecule magnets (Ln SMMs) [Dy(Mes*O)₂(THF)₂X] (Mes*=2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl; X=Cl, 1 ; Br, 2 ; I, 3 ) is reported with energy barriers to magnetic reversal >1200 K. The five-coordinate Dy^III ions have distorted square pyramidal geometries, with halide anions on the apex, and two Mes*O ligands mutually trans- to each other, and the two THF molecules forming the second trans- pair. These geometrical features lead to a large magnetic anisotropy in these complexes along the trans-Mes*O direction. QTM and Raman relaxation times are enhanced by varying the apex halide from Cl to Br to I, or by dilution in a diamagnetic yttrium analogue.     

Resilient and agile engineering solutions to address societal challenges such as coronavirus pandemic

The world is witnessing tumultuous times as major economic powers including the US, UK, Russia, India, and most of Europe continue to be in a state of lockdown. The worst-hit sectors due to this lockdown are sales, production (manufacturing), transport (aerospace and automotive) and tourism. Lockdowns became necessary as a preventive measure to avoid the spread of the contagious and infectious “Coronavirus Disease 2019” (COVID-19). This newly identified disease is caused by a new strain of the virus being referred to as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS CoV-2; formerly called 2019-nCoV). We review the current medical and manufacturing response to COVID-19, including advances in instrumentation, sensing, use of lasers, fumigation chambers and development of novel tools such as lab-on-the-chip using combinatorial additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques and use of molecular modelling and molecular docking in drug and vaccine discovery. We also offer perspectives on future considerations on climate change, outsourced versus indigenous manufacturing, automation, and antimicrobial resistance. Overall, this paper attempts to identify key areas where manufacturing can be employed to address societal challenges such as COVID-19.