Using molecular dynamics simulations to identify the key factors responsible for chiral recognition by an amino acid-based molecular micelle

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to investigate the binding of six chiral compounds to the amino acid-based molecular micelle (MM) poly-(sodium undecyl-(L)-leucine-leucine) or poly(SULL). The MM investigated is used as a chiral selector in capillary electrophoresis. The project goal was to characterize the chiral recognition mechanism in these separations and to move toward predictive models to identify the best amino acid-based MM for a given separation. Poly(SULL) was found to contain six binding sites into which chiral compounds could insert. Four sites had similar sizes, shapes, and electrostatic properties. Enantiomers of alprenolol, propranolol, 1,1′-bi-2-naphthyl-2,2′-diyl hydrogen phosphate, 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol, chlorthalidone, or lorazepam were separately docked into each binding pocket and MD simulations with the resulting intermolecular complexes were performed. Solvent-accessible surface area calculations showed the compounds preferentially associated with binding sites where they penetrated into the MM core and shielded their non-polar atoms from solvent. Furthermore, with five of the six compounds the enantiomer with the most favorable free energy of MM association also experienced the most favorable intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions with the MM. This result suggests that stereoselective intermolecular hydrogen bonds play an important role in chiral discrimination in separations using amino acid-based MMs.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT     

Phytochemical fabrication,characterization, and antioxidant application of copper and cobalt oxides nanoparticles using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sesbania sesban</Emphasis> plant

In this work, an ecofriendly and economic strategy for synthesize of CuO and Co₃O₄ were developed using extracted Sesbania sesban solution (ESS) as a reducing and stabilizing agent, and bioreactor. These novel nano metal oxides (NMOs) were characterized by high-resolution-transmission electron microscopy (TEM), EDAX thermo gravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Morphology and size of them were investigated by TEM and the average sizes of for spherical CuO and Co₃O₄ nanoparticles are 20–40 and 15–30 nm, respectively. The XRD and EDAX confirmed the high purity for NMOs. The thermal behaviors of the NMOs exhibited good crystallographic stability within the investigated temperature range. The antioxidant and antibacterial activities of NMOs were investigated and compared to manganese(III) meso-tetraphenylporphyrin complex/Ag nanocomposite (Ag/P nanocomposite) synthesizing by ESS. The results obtained from this work showed that copper(II) oxide, cobalt oxide nanoparticles, and Ag/P nanocomposite have DPPH scavenging activity. On the other hand, NMOs have no antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacterial strains. Cobalt oxide nanoparticles have antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, while Ag/P nanocomposite showed the antibacterial activities against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains.     

Functionalization of Multi Carbon Nanotubes with 1,2‐Naphthoquinone‐4‐sulfonic Acid Sodium: A Novel Sulphydryl Compounds Sensor Based on Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Film Using Michael Addition

The functionalized multi‐wall carbon nanotube with 1,2‐naphthoquinone‐4‐sulfonic acid sodium (Nq‐MWNT) was fabricated by a simple and low‐cost method. Techniques of scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV‐vis) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to characterize the property of the Nq‐MWNT. The results showed that the MWNT with high functionalization of Nq can be obtained using this simple method. The Nq‐MWNT modified carbon paste electrode (Nq‐MWNT/CPE) was fabricated by drop‐casting technique. The resulted modified electrode was tested successfully to detection D‐penicillamine (D‐PA) and captopril (CAP) in an aqueous solution. It is found that D‐PA and CAP participate in Michael addition reaction with Nq on MWNT to form the corresponding thioquinone derivative. The reoxidation of adducts at a potential of less positive than D‐PA and CAP at the surface of the bare CPE leads to an increase in the oxidative current, which is proportional to the concentration of D‐PA and CAP. The catalytic response showed a wide linear range (3‐200 μM and 1‐130 μM for D‐PA and CAP, respectively) as well as its experimental limit of detection can be achieved 0.8 μM, and 0.4 μM for D‐PA and CAP, respectively. The modified electrode for D‐PA and CAP determination is of the property of simple preparation, good stability and high sensitivity. Furthermore, the fabricated electrode was used to determine the content of D‐PA and CAP in the tablet, suggesting the good accuracy of the method.     

Functionalization of Graphene Oxide with 3‐Mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane and Its Electrocatalytic Activity in Aqueous Medium

In this work, a highly dispersed graphene oxide (GO) was successfully functionalized with 3‐mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTS) molecule by silanization method. The chemically generated GO and MPTS functionalized GO (MPTS‐GO) were structurally characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDAX), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV‐Vis) techniques. The MPTS‐GO is highly suspensable in water. The thermal and conductivity results for MPTS‐GO are significantly increased compared to GO. Moreover, glassy carbon electrode modified with MPTS‐GO hybrid (MPTS‐GO/GCE) was prepared by casting of the MPTS‐GO solution on GCE. The MPTS‐GO/GCE showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards methionine (Met). This was understood from the observed less positive oxidation potential and higher oxidation current when compared to bare GC electrode. The MPTS‐GO has excellent electrocatalytic activity, making it an ideal candidate for sensor applications.     

CuO–Fe2O3 nanoparticles embedded onto reduced graphene oxide nanosheets: a high-performance nanocomposite anode for Li-ion battery

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The development of safe, fast charging, and long-lasting Li-ion batteries has been taking major steps forward through novel combinations of nanomaterials....     

Fabrication of Chitosan‐Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite Containing Ferri/Ferrocyanide: Application for Simultaneous Detection of D‐Penicillamine and Tryptophan

We report a simple and effective strategy for fabrication of the nanocomposite containing chitosan (CS) and multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT) coated on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The characterization of the modified electrode (CS‐MWNT/GC) was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. The electrochemical behavior of CS‐MWNT/GC electrode was investigated and compared with the electrochemical behavior of chitosan modified GC (CS/GC), multiwalled carbon nanotube modified GC (MWNT/GC) and unmodified GC using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electron impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The chitosan films are electrochemically inactive; similar background charging currents are observed at bare GC. The chitosan films are permeable to anionic Fe(CN)₆^3?/4? (FC) redox couple. Electrochemical parameters, including apparent diffusion coefficient for the Fe(CN)₆^3?/4? redox probe at FC/CS‐MWNT/GC electrode is comparable to values reported for cast chitosan films. This modified electrode also showed electrocatalytic effect for the simultaneous determination of D‐penicillamine (D‐PA) and tryptophan (Trp). The detection limit of 0.9 μM and 4.0 μM for D‐PA and Trp, respectively, makes this nanocomposite very suitable for determination of them with good sensitivity.     

Efficient Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Benzothiazine‐Fused Pyrrolo[3,4‐c]coumarins: Cycloaddition Reactions between Coumarin‐Based Dihydrobenzothiazoles and Isocyanides

A new and unusual synthesis of benzothiazine‐fused pyrrolo[3,4‐c]coumarins, involving the ring‐opening of coumarin‐based dihydrobenzothiazoles and subsequent [4+1] cycloaddition reaction with isocyanides, was described. Thus, simple heating of various 3‐(2,3‐dihydro‐2‐methylbenzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)coumarins with isocyanides produced the title compounds in good yields under solvent‐free conditions.     

Third order harmonics generation in multilayer nanoshells

Third order harmonics generation has been investigated for multilayer nanoshell structure. Numerical calculations show that the nonlinear susceptibility of this structure depends on the parameters such as size and kind of structure, relaxation time and pump photon energy. The intensity and position of third order nonlinear susceptibility peaks depend on shell thicknesses; smaller thicknesses have peak susceptibility at shorter wavelength.