An efficient synthesis and cytotoxic activity of 2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H–benzo[d]imidazole obtained using a magnetically recyclable Fe3O4 nanocatalyst‐mediated white tea extract

A simple and efficient procedure has been developed for the synthesis of biologically relevant 2‐substituted benzimidazoles through a one‐pot condensation of o‐phenylenediamines with aryl aldehydes catalysed by iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ MNPs) in short reaction times with excellent yields. In the present study, Fe₃O₄ MNPs synthesized in a green manner using aqueous extract of white tea (Camelia sinensis) (Wt‐Fe₃O₄ MNPs) were applied as a magnetically separable heterogeneous nanocatalyst to synthesize 2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H–benzo[d]imidazole which has potential application in pharmacology and biological systems. Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectroscopies were used to characterize the 2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H–benzo[d]imidazole. In vitro cytotoxicity studies on MOLT‐4 cells showed a dose‐dependent toxicity with non‐toxic effect of 2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H–benzo[d]imidazole, up to a concentration of 0.147 µM. The green synthesized Wt‐Fe₃O₄ MNPs as recyclable nanocatalyst could be used for further research on the synthesis of therapeutic materials, particularly in nanomedicine, to assist in the treatment of cancer.     

Quaterthiophene-based dimers containing an ethylene bridge: molecular design,synthesis, and optoelectronic properties

Two quaterthiophene-based dimers including an ethylene bridge have been designed and efficiently prepared; experimental and computational studies show a promising potential as semiconducting material with a charge transport of higher dimensionality compared to quaterthiophene.     

Studies on the metabolism and detectability of the emerging drug of abuse diphenyl‐2‐pyrrolidinemethanol (D2PM) in rat urine using GC‐MS and LC‐HR‐MS/MS

In the last years, the number of new psychoactive substances, so‐called ‘legal highs’, has enormously increased. They are sold via online shops often with inaccurate and false information about the content. The aim of this work was to study the metabolism and the detectability of the drug of abuse diphenyl‐2‐pyrrolidinemethanol (D2PM) in rat urine using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography‐high resolution‐tandem mass spectrometry. Five phase I and two phase II metabolites were identified suggesting hydroxylation at the pyrrolidine and diphenyl part as the main metabolic steps. Assuming similar kinetics, an intake of D2PM should be detectable in human urine mainly via its metabolites. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Screening for exogenous androgen anabolic steroids in human hair by liquid chromatography/orbitrap-high resolution mass spectrometry

A method for the screening of various anabolic steroids and their esters in human hair, based on liquid-chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry using an Exactive benchtop Orbitrap mass spectrometer, has been set up and validated. This method involved methanolic incubation of 30 mg of hair and analysis of the relevant extract in HPLC using a C18 column. The mass detector, with nominal resolving power of 100,000, operated in full scan mode in APCI under positive ionization mode. Analytes were identified by exact mass, correspondence of isotopic cluster and retention times.