The Different,but Interesting Behaviors of Benzyl Systems in the Willgerodt-Kindler Reaction under Solvent-Free Conditions

On the benzyl system, bearing various functional groups, have been carried out the Willgerodt-Kindler reaction to obtain thiobenzmorpholide ( 1 ). The reactions, under solvent-free conditions, were performed in both classical (reflux, room temperature) and nonclassical (microwave) conditions to attempt our elucidation of the reactions pathways. Unlike benzylamine and benzyl mercaptan, benzyl halides give poor result due to the type of amine. The experimental results suggest that the proposed reaction pathway involves the oxidation coupling of benzylic substrates, followed by a thiolation step and an attack of the amine on the thiolated product to give ( 1 ).     

Polyelectrolyte Nanocomposite Membranes Using Imidazole-Functionalized Nanosilica for Fuel Cell Applications

The preparation and characterization of a new type of nanocomposite polyelectrolyte membrane, based on DuPont Nafion/imidazole-modified nanosilica (Im-Si), for direct methanol fuel cell applications is described. Related to the interactions between the protonated imidazole groups, grafted on the surface of nanosilica, and negatively charged sulfonic acid groups of Nafion, new electrostatic interactions can be formed in the interface of Nafion and Im-Si which result in both lower methanol permeability and also higher proton conductivity. Physical characteristics of these manufactured nanocomposite membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water uptake, methanol permeability, and ion-exchange capacity, as well as proton conductivity. The Nafion/Im-Si membranes showed higher proton conductivity, lower methanol permeability and, as a consequence, higher selectivity parameter in comparison to the neat Nafion or Nafion/silica membranes. The obtained results indicated that the Nafion/Im-Si membranes could be utilized as promising polyelectrolyte membranes for direct methanol fuel cell applications.     

Cup-shaped E,E-stilbenophane: synthesis,crystal structure and supramolecular chemistry

A new E,E-stilbenophane was synthesised and characterised. The crystal structure of this cyclophane shows that this molecule has a cup-shaped structure, which hosts a phenyl ring of neighbouring molecule as guest in its cavity with a π–π distance of about 3.7 Å. Moreover, the NMR spectra and theoretical analysis (gauge-independent atomic orbitals (GIAO) and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM)) suggest that the silver recognition by E,E-stilbenophane host molecules is based on cation–π interactions in which the π-electrons of the double bonds play a major role.     

Determination of Trichloroacetic Acid (TCAA) Using CdO Nanoparticles Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

In this paper, the electrochemical behavior of a carbon paste electrode modified with CdO nanoparticles as a potential electrocatalyst for the reduction of trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and double‐potential step chronoamperometry. The modified electrode showed a great enhancement in cathodic peak current with respect to reduction of TCAA in acidic aqueous solution. Using this increment, a quantitative method was developed for the determination of TCAA in aqueous solution. The detection limit and linear dynamic range of TCAA are 2.3×10^?6 M and 2.3×10^?4–3×10^?6 M, respectively.     

Very sensitive differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of 4-nitrophenol at poly (diphenylamine)/multi-walled carbon nanotube-β-cyclodextrin-modified glassy carbon electrode

In this work, a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with poly (diphenylamine)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes-β-cyclodextrin (PDPA/MWCNT-β-CD) film was constructed and used for the determination of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). Diphenylamine was successfully electropolymerised onto MWCNT-β-CD-modified GCE by cyclic voltammetry in monomer solution and 5 mol L^?1 H₂SO₄. The surface morphology of PDPA/MWCNT-β-CD film was characterised using scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. After adsorption of 4-NP on PDPA/MWCNT-β-CD at 0.2 V for 150 s, it showed a well-defined reduction peak in phosphate buffer solution at pH = 7. The PDPA/MWCNT-β-CD film enhanced the reduction peak current due to the complex formation between β-CD and 4-NP, presence of conductive polymer film as electron transfer mediator and also ability of MWCNTs for strong adsorptive and catalytic effect. Peak current increased linearly with 4-NP concentration in the range of 0.1 to 13.9 µg L^?1. The detection limit was obtained as 0.02 µg L^?1, which is better than other reported detection limits for the determination of 4-NP. The results showed that modified electrode has good sensitivity and selectivity. This sensor was used for the determination of 4-NP in water samples.     

Substituted quinolinones. 18. 3-Acetyl-4-methylthioquinolin-2(1H)-one as useful synthon intermediate for synthesis of some new quinolinones

3-Acetyl-4-methylthioquinolin-2(1H)-one (3) has been prepared and its reactivity towards treatment with different reagents, dilute sulfuric acid, aqueous sodium hydroxide, and hydrogen peroxide, is described. The reactions of compound 3 with benzylamine, benzaldehyde, DMF-DMA, Vilsmeier-Haack reagent, 2-chloro-3-formyl-pyridopyrimidone and malononitrile have been carried out under convenient conditions. Compound 3 underwent heterocyclization reactions with some binucleophiles, hydrazine, hydroxylamine, urea, thiourea, semicarbazide, and thiosemicarbazide, furnishing some known five, six, and seven heterocyclic annellated quinolines. All the new compounds have been characterized using different spectral and analytical tools.     

Enhancement of β-Glucan Biological Activity Using a Modified Acid-Base Extraction Method from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Beta glucan (β-glucan) has promising bioactive properties. Consequently, the use of β-glucan as a food additive is favored with the dual-purpose potential of increasing the fiber content of food products and enhancing their health properties. Our aim was to evaluate the biological activity of β-glucan (antimicrobial, antitoxic, immunostimulatory, and anticancer) extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a modified acid-base extraction method. The results demonstrated that a modified acid-base extraction method gives a higher biological efficacy of β-glucan than in the water extraction method. Using 0.5 mg dry weight of acid-base extracted β-glucan (AB extracted) not only succeeded in removing 100% of aflatoxins, but also had a promising antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria, fungi, and yeast, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 0.39 and 0.19 mg/mL in the case of resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. In addition, AB extract exhibited a positive immunomodulatory effect, mediated through the high induction of TNFα, IL-6, IFN-γ, and IL-2. Moreover, AB extract showed a greater anticancer effect against A549, MDA-MB-232, and HepG-2 cells compared to WI-38 cells, at high concentrations. By studying the cell death mechanism using flow-cytometry, AB extract was shown to induce apoptotic cell death at higher concentrations, as in the case of MDA-MB-231 and HePG-2 cells. In conclusion, the use of a modified AB for β-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae exerted a promising antimicrobial, immunomodulatory efficacy, and anti-cancer potential. Future research should focus on evaluating β-glucan in various biological systems and elucidating the underlying mechanism of action.     

Synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of novel brominated N-alkyl pyrano[3,2-c]quinolinones

A novel series of 6-alkyl-4-bromopyrano[3,2-c]quinoline-2,5-diones ( 2a–c ), 6-alkyl-3,4-dibromopyrano[3,2-c]quinoline-2,5-diones ( 4a–c ), and 6-alkyl-3-amino-bromopyrano[3,2-c]quinoline-2,5-diones ( 6a–c ) were synthesized via appropriate conventional methods and in good yields. The structures of target compounds were approved by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectrometry. The antitumor inhibitory activities of the new compounds were evaluated on several cancer cell lines, A-549 (human lung cancer), HCT-116 (human colon cancer), MCF-7 (breast cancer), and HePG-2 (human liver cancer). Moreover, 50% inhibitory concentrations, IC₅₀, were established. 5-Fluorouracil was used as a positive control in the viability assay. The screening results showed that most of the examined compounds exposed powerful inhibition activity toward various cell lines. Particularly, Compound 4c exhibited higher cytotoxic activity against four tumor cell lines than the reference drug, 5-fluorouracil, with significantly lower IC₅₀ values. Accordingly, most of the synthesized compounds would be a better prospective growth in the anticancer drug discovery.