Organotin complexes of pyruvic acid thiosemicarbazone: Synthesis,crystal structures and antiproliferative activity of neutral and cationic diorganotin complexes

The synthesis and spectral characterization of novel neutral and cationic organotin complexes with pyruvic acid thiosemicarbazone, H₂pt (1), [SnPh₂(pt)] (2), [SnMe₂(Hpt)(H₂O)]Cl (3) and [SnPh₂(Hpt)(H₂O)]Cl (4) are reported. The crystal structure of the complexes [SnPh₂(pt)] (2) and [SnMe₂(Hpt)(H₂O)]Cl (3) have been solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure of complex 2 showed that the ligand is doubly deprotonated at the oxygen and amide nitrogen atoms and is coordinated to the SnPh₂ fragment via two five-membered chelate rings. The monomers of 2 are linked through intermolecular hydrogen bonds of C−H–O type and through π−π intermolecular interactions. The crystal structure of [SnMe₂(Hpt)(H₂O)]Cl (3) showed that the ligand is mono-deprotonated at the oxygen atom and is coordinated to the SnMe₂ fragment via two five-membered chelate rings. The counter ion chloride is participated in intermolecular hydrogen bonds. An extended network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds leads to aggregation and a supramolecular assembly. The IR and NMR spectroscopic data of the complexes are reported. The in vitro cytotoxic activity has been evaluated against the cells of three human cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (human breast cancer cell line), T-24 (bladder cancer cell line), A-549(non-small cell lung carcinoma) and a mouse L-929 (a fibroblast-like cell line cloned from strain L). The most active of all was found the diorganotin complex 2. The cytotoxic activity shown by these compounds against all these cancer cell lines indicates that coupling of 1 with R₂Sn(IV) metal center result in metallic complexes with important biological properties and remarkable cytotoxic activity, since they are display IC₅₀ values in a μM range the same or better to that of the antitumor drug cisplatin. Compound 2 is considered as agent with potential antitumor activity, and can therefore be candidate for further stages of screening in vitro and/or in vivo.     

Singlet excited-state behavior of uracil and thymine in aqueous solution: a combined experimental and computational study of 11 uracil derivatives

The excited-state properties of uracil, thymine, and nine other derivatives of uracil have been studied by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy. The excited-state lifetimes were measured using femtosecond fluorescence upconversion in the UV. The absorption and emission spectra of five representative compounds have been computed at the TD-DFT level, using the PBE0 exchange-correlation functional for ground- and excited-state geometry optimization and the Polarizable Continuum Model (PCM) to simulate the aqueous solution. The calculated spectra are in good agreement with the experimental ones. Experiments show that the excited-state lifetimes of all the compounds examined are dominated by an ultrafast (<100 fs) component. Only 5-substituted compounds show more complex behavior than uracil, exhibiting longer excited-state lifetimes and biexponential fluorescence decays. The S(0)/S(1) conical intersection, located at CASSCF (8/8) level, is indeed characterized by pyramidalization and out of plane motion of the substituents on the C5 atom. A thorough analysis of the excited-state Potential Energy Surfaces, performed at the PCM/TD-DFT(PBE0) level in aqueous solution, shows that the energy barrier separating the local S(1) minimum from the conical intersection increases going from uracil through thymine to 5-fluorouracil, in agreement with the ordering of the experimental excited-state lifetime.     

Application of solid-phase microextraction in the monitoring of priority pesticides in the Kalamas River (N.W. Greece)

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method was applied to an extended monitoring survey of priority pesticides for the European Union for a period of 12 months in water of the Kalamas River (Epirus region of northwestern Greece) in order to determine their concentrations and seasonal variations. Polydimethylsiloxane-coated fiber (100 microm) was used. The samples were screened using gas chromatography with flame thermionic detection. Detection was confirmed by gas chromatographymass spectroscopy. The most frequently detected pesticides were some of the more commonly used herbicides, such as S-ethyl-N,N-di-n-propylthiol carbamate (EPTC), trifluralin, atrazine, deethylatrazine, terbuthylazine and alachlor, and insecticides, such as carbofuran, diazinon, disulfoton, parathion methyl, parathion ethyl, fenthion and ethion. Concentrations of individual compounds ranged from 0.020 to 0.3 microg/L. Greater pesticide concentrations occurred during the seasons of application. A comparison with a well-established solid-phase extraction (C18 disks) procedure was performed for samples of high-season application (May-September) in order to confirm the effectiveness of the SPME technique. The results demonstrate the suitability of the SPME method for routine screening multiresidue analysis in natural waters.     

Fluorescence of the DNA double helices (dAdT)n.(dAdT)n studied by femtosecond spectroscopy

Polymeric and oligomeric DNA helices, poly(dAdT).poly(dAdT) and (dAdT)(10).(dAdT)(10), composed of 200-400 and 20 adenine-thymine base pairs, respectively, are studied by fluorescence upconversion. Fluorescence decays, anisotropy decays and time-resolved spectra, obtained for this alternating base sequence, are compared with those determined previously for the homopolymeric sequence (dA)(n).(dT)(n). It is shown that identical fluorescence decays may correspond to quite different anisotropy decays and vice versa, both varying with the emission wavelength, the base sequence and the duplex size. Our observations cannot be explained in terms of monomer and excimer emission exclusively, as concluded in the past on the basis of steady-state measurements. Excitons also contribute to the fluorescence. These are rapidly trapped by excimers, characterized by long-lived weak emission.     

New Pd(II)–mechlorethamine complex: Synthesis,NMR study of hydrolytic activity and in vitro evaluation of antiradical property of new complex and its alkylating precursor

The reaction of PdCl₂ with anticancer-alkylating agent mechlorethamine hydrochloride (CH₃NH(C₂H₄Cl)₂ = HN2 x HCl), in the molar ratio 1:2, affords the complex [CH₃NH(C₂H₄Cl)₂]₂[PdCl₄] ([H2N2]₂[PdCl₄]). Novel Pd(II) complex and the complex precursor mechlorethamine hydrochloride were tested for their antiradical property. Both present weak interaction with 2, 29-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS). Assays with soybean lipoxygenase and with superoxide anion radicals in vitro showed very high radical scavenging activity of the complex, whereas the complex precursor mechlorethamine hydrochloride presents lower inhibition. Hydrolytic activity of new complex with N-acetylhistidylglycine (AcHis–Gly) was also studied. It was established that regioselective cleavage of the amide bond of the investigated dipeptide had occurred after heating at 60 °C and at pH = 1.5 for 36 h.     

FTIR spectroscopic characterization of Nafion®–polyaniline composite films employed for the corrosion control of stainless steel

Nafion®–polyaniline (PAn) composite films deposited by a two-step process on a stainless steel (SS) substrate were characterized in this study using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy under various conditions employed to evaluate their anticorrosion properties. The SS|Nafion® electrode was first prepared by placing a certain amount of Nafion® on the SS substrate, and then polymerization of aniline was carried out potentiodynamically on the SS|Nafion® electrode. The SS|Nafion®–PAn electrodes subjected to both potentiodynamic polarization and open-circuit conditions in sulfuric acid solutions without and with chlorides appeared to have distinct differences in their FTIR spectra. It is proposed that under the electrochemical conditions used in this study, the PAn is mostly formed inside the Nafion® membrane with a high proportion of oligomers influencing the ionic transport through the membrane. The inhibition of pitting corrosion arises primarily from the enhanced permselectivity of the composite film due to the Nafion® membrane that prevents chloride transport. An essential beneficial effect comes also from the PAn redox properties on the growth of the passive oxide film. Even under severe corrosion conditions, Nafion®–PAn films retain their redox activity and chemical stability, whereas the membrane crystallinity seems to be enhanced.

     

Chemiluminescence reactions with cationic, neutral, and anionic ruthenium(II) complexes containing 2,2′-bipyridine and bathophenanthroline disulfonate ligands

Ruthenium complexes containing 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline disulfonate (bathophenanthroline disulfonate; BPS) ligands, Ru(BPS)₃⁴⁻, Ru(BPS)₂(bipy)²⁻ and Ru(BPS)(bipy)₂, were compared to tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bipy)₃²⁺), including examination of the wavelengths of maximum absorption and corrected emission intensity, photoluminescence quantum yield, stability of their oxidised ruthenium(III) form, and relative chemiluminescence intensities and signal-to-blank ratios with cerium(IV) sulfate and six analytes (codeine, morphine cocaine, potassium oxalate, furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide) in acidic aqueous solution. The presence of BPS ligands in the complex increased the photoluminescence quantum yield, but decreased the stability of the oxidised form of the reagent. In contrast to previous evidence showing much greater electrochemiluminescence intensities using Ru(BPS)₂(bipy)²⁻ and Ru(BPS)(bipy)₂, these complexes did not provide superior chemiluminescence signals than their homoleptic analogues.     

FTIR spectroscopic characterization of Nafion®–polyaniline composite films employed for the corrosion control of stainless steel

Nafion?–polyaniline (PAn) composite films deposited by a two-step process on a stainless steel (SS) substrate were characterized in this study using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy under various conditions employed to evaluate their anticorrosion properties. The SS|Nafion? electrode was first prepared by placing a certain amount of Nafion? on the SS substrate, and then polymerization of aniline was carried out potentiodynamically on the SS|Nafion? electrode. The SS|Nafion?–PAn electrodes subjected to both potentiodynamic polarization and open-circuit conditions in sulfuric acid solutions without and with chlorides appeared to have distinct differences in their FTIR spectra. It is proposed that under the electrochemical conditions used in this study, the PAn is mostly formed inside the Nafion? membrane with a high proportion of oligomers influencing the ionic transport through the membrane. The inhibition of pitting corrosion arises primarily from the enhanced permselectivity of the composite film due to the Nafion? membrane that prevents chloride transport. An essential beneficial effect comes also from the PAn redox properties on the growth of the passive oxide film. Even under severe corrosion conditions, Nafion???/em>PAn films retain their redox activity and chemical stability, whereas the membrane crystallinity seems to be enhanced.     

Photolithographically Patterned Cell-Repellent PEG-b-PTHPMA Diblock Copolymer for Guided Cell Adhesion and Growth

Surfaces for guided cell adhesion and growth are indispensable in several diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Towards this direction, four diblock copolymers comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly(2-tetrahydropyranyl methacrylate) (PTHPMA) are synthesized employing PEG macroinitiators of different chain lengths. The copolymer with a 5000 Da PEG block and a PEG-PTHPMA comonomers weight ratio of 43–57 provides a film with the highest stability in the culture medium and the strongest cell repellent properties. This copolymer is used to develop a positive photolithographic material and create stripe patterns onto silicon substrates. The highest selectivity regarding smooth muscle cell adhesion and growth and the highest fidelity of adhered cells for up to 3 days in culture is achieved for stripe patterns with widths between 25 and 27.5 µm. Smooth muscle cells cultured on such patterned substrates exhibit a decrease in their proliferation rate and nucleus area and an increase in their major axis length, compared to the cells cultured onto non-patterned substrates. These alterations are indicative of the adoption of a contractile rather than a synthetic phenotype of the smooth muscle cells grown onto the patterned substrates and demonstrate the potential of the novel photolithographic material and patterning method for guided cell adhesion and growth.