The complementary use of radioanalytical methods and trace analysis methods for the characterisation of environmental IAEA reference materials

The IAEA laboratories have access to both nuclear analytical methods and conventional instrumental methods for trace analysis for the characterisation of its environmental and biological reference materials. A technical concept integrating the homogeneity data, the recommended test portion mass and the uncertainty on the trace element concentrations is explored using a combination of INAA, XRF, ICP-MS, ICP-AES, and AAS. The above approach is illustrated by selected examples of reference materials currently under evaluation for their trace element content. They include some or all of the following elements Al, As, Br, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr, Th, U, Zn in environmental biomonitor organisms (lichen, algae) and air dust filters.     

Anthocyanins profile,total phenolics and antioxidant activity of two Romanian red grape varieties: Fetească neagră and Băbească neagră (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis>)

The phenolic composition of Feteasc? neagr?and B?beasc? neagr? grapes from Dealul Bujorului vineyard (south-east Romania) was studied using the spectrophotometric and high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods. The results revealed significant differences between these cultivars. Total anthocyanins ranged from 0.22–5.98 mg g^?1 DW berries in B?beasc? neagr? grapes to 0.54–18.54 mg g^?1 DW berries in Feteasc? neagr?. Both cultivars were characterised by an interesting anthocyanin profile for winemaking with a prevalence of malvidin-3-glucoside. The skins and seeds both had small amounts of flavonoids. In contrast with B?beasc? neagr?, Feteasc? neagr? had more flavonoids in the seeds (69 %) than in the skins. Statistically significant correlations were observed between antioxidant activity and total anthocyanin content in both varieties. The antioxidant activity was also found to be highly correlated to the total phenolic compounds content.     

Role of inorganic and organic anions in the formation of metallosupramolecular assemblies of silver(I) coordination polymers with the twisted ligand bis(4-pyridylthio)methane

Reaction of the twisted pyridyl dithioether ligand bis(4-pyridylthio)methane (4bpytm) with silver(I) salts afforded four complexes with 1:1 stoichiometries, namely [Ag(4bpytm)](NO₃) (1), [Ag(4bpytm)](ClO₄) (2) and [Ag(4bpytm)](ClO₄) ½CH₂Cl₂ ½dmf (2·Solv), [Ag(CH₃COO)(4bpytm)]·H₂O (3) and [Ag(CF₃COO)(4bpytm)] (4). X-ray structural analysis of these complexes showed that one-dimensional structures are obtained for 1, 2·Solv and 4 whereas a two-dimensional network is formed in 3. The ligand 4bpytm acts as an N,N′-bis(monodentate) bridging system in all cases except in 3, where an unprecedented coordination mode is obtained with the ligand acting in a tridentate manner using its two pyridine nitrogen atoms and a sulfur atom. The coordination polymers are assembled through secondary contacts: Ag···Ag in 4, Ag···S in 1, 2·Solv and 4, Ag···O in 2·Solv, and hydrogen bonding interactions between crystallization water that join the polymeric layers in 3. All of these weak interactions link the low-dimensional complexes to give high-dimensional supramolecular structures and further stabilize the crystal structures in the solid state.     

A polymeric silver thiosaccarinate complex with a two‐dimensional triply entangled mesh and argentophilic interactions

Silver(I) complexes with sulfur‐donor ligands have a broad range of pharmacological applications. One of the most important factors for tuning the biological activity is the type of donor atom and the ease of ligand replacement. Silver thiosaccharinates display a wide range of structures from mono‐ to polynuclear complexes. We report the synthesis, crystal structure and vibrational spectroscopic analysis of a two‐dimensional Ag^I–thiosaccharinate coordination polymer, namely poly[tris(μ₂‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ²N:N′)bis(μ₃‐1,1‐dioxo‐1,2‐benzisothiazole‐3‐thiolato‐κ³N:S³:S³)bis(μ₂‐1,1‐dioxo‐1,2‐benzisothiazole‐3‐thiolato‐κ²S³:S³)tetrasilver(I)], [Ag₂(C₇H₄NO₂S₂)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)_1.5]_n, with 4,4′‐bipyridine acting as a spacer. A relevant feature of the structure is the presence of an unusually short Ag…Ag separation of 2.8859 (10) Å, well within the range of argentophilic interactions and confirmed as such by Raman analysis of the low‐frequency spectrum. From a topological point of view, the structure presents interpenetration in the form of a threefold entangled 2D→2D mesh (2D is two‐dimensional).     

A direct assessment of refractive indices of nematic liquid crystals at broad VIS - MWIR range

We developed an interference method for determination refractive indices of nematic liquid crystals in a broad electromagnetic spectrum. Values of ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices were measured in VIS (from 0.4 to 0.8 μm), NIR (from 0.8 to 1.4 μm), SWIR (from 1.4 to 3.0 μm) and at an edge of MWIR (from 3.0 to 4.2 μm) regions. The main task of this work was to develop the efficient and accurate interference method. The absolute error of these measurements is not higher than 0.02. The method was tested on two newly designed mixtures. The first one was a high birefringence liquid crystal mixture for the laser rangefinder, while the second one is intentionally prepared for breathalyser application. The mixture does not possess high absorption bands at 3.4 μm. To measure a dispersion of the refractive indices cells with various thicknesses and dielectric mirrors were prepared. The paper presents a theoretical discussion and experimental results.     

Oxidation in vitro of chromium(III) dietary supplements <Emphasis Type="Italic">mer</Emphasis>-[Cr(pic)<Subscript>3</Subscript>] and <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>(S,S)-[Cr(Cys)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Superscript>−</Superscript> by hydrogen peroxide

Biological tests performed using 3T3 fibroblasts indicated low cytotoxicities for the complexes mer-[Cr(pic)₃] and trans(S,S)-[Cr(Cys)₂]^?, where pic = picolinate anion and Cys = cysteine. Oxidation of these complexes by hydrogen peroxide was studied in NaOH and NaHCO₃ media. Electronic (UV–Vis) and EPR spectroscopies were used to monitor the reaction course. Hydrogen peroxide oxidizes chromium(III) to both [Cr^V(O₂)₄]^3? and Cr^VIO₄ ^2? anions in alkaline media and practically completely to CrO₄ ^2? anion in bicarbonate solution. The reactions follow consecutive biphasic or simple first-order kinetics. The first-order decay of [Cr^V(O₂)₄]^3? anion at pH ≈ 8 was followed by EPR spectroscopy. Based on the obtained kinetic and spectroscopic data, mechanisms for the redox transformations of these chromium(III) complexes are proposed.     

Progress in the Study of Bioluminescent Earthworms

Even though bioluminescent oligochaetes rarely catch people's eyes due to their secretive lifestyle, glowing earthworms sighting reports have come from different areas on all continents except Antarctica. A major breakthrough in the research of earthworm bioluminescence occurred in the 1960s with the studies of the North American Diplocardia longa. Comparative studies conducted on 13 earthworm species belonging to six genera showed that N‐isovaleryl‐3‐aminopropanal (Diplocardia luciferin) is the common substrate for bioluminescence in all examined species, while luciferases appeared to be responsible for the color of bioluminescence. The second momentous change in the situation has occurred with the discovery in Siberia (Russia) of two unknown luminous enchytraeids. The two bioluminescent systems belong to different types, have different spectral characteristics and localization, and different temperature and pH optima. They are unique, and this fact is confirmed by the negative results of all possible cross‐reactions. The bioluminescent system of Henlea sp. comprises four essential components: luciferase, luciferin, oxygen and calcium ion. For Friderica heliota, the luminescent reaction requires five components: luciferase, luciferin, ATP, magnesium ion and oxygen. Along with luciferin, more than a dozen analogues were isolated from worm biomass. These novel peptide‐like natural compounds represent an unprecedented chemistry found in terrestrial organisms.     

A glucose biosensor using methyl viologen redox mediator on carbon film electrodes

A new methyl viologen-mediated amperometric enzyme electrode sensitive to glucose has been developed using carbon film electrode substrates. Carbon film electrodes from resistors fabricated by pyrolytic deposition of carbon were modified by immobilization of glucose oxidase through cross-linking with glutaraldehyde in the presence of bovine serum albumin. The mediator, methyl viologen, was directly immobilised with the enzyme together with Nafion cation-exchange polymer. The electrochemistry of the glucose oxidase/methyl viologen modified electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The biosensor response to glucose was evaluated amperometrically; the detection limit was 20 μM, the linear range extended to 1.2 mM and the reproducibility of around 3%. When stored in phosphate buffer at 4 °C and used every day, the sensor showed good stability over more several weeks.     

Novel Synthetic Routes to Prepare Biologically Active Quinoxalines and Their Derivatives: A Synthetic Review for the Last Two Decades

Quinoxalines, a class of N-heterocyclic compounds, are important biological agents, and a significant amount of research activity has been directed towards this class. They have several prominent pharmacological effects like antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial. Quinoxaline derivatives have diverse therapeutic uses and have become the crucial component in drugs used to treat cancerous cells, AIDS, plant viruses, schizophrenia, certifying them a great future in medicinal chemistry. Due to the current pandemic situation caused by SARS-COVID 19, it has become essential to synthesize drugs to combat deadly pathogens (bacteria, fungi, viruses) for now and near future. Since quinoxalines is an essential moiety to treat infectious diseases, numerous synthetic routes have been developed by researchers, with a prime focus on green chemistry and cost-effective methods. This review paper highlights the various synthetic routes to prepare quinoxaline and its derivatives, covering the literature for the last two decades. A total of 31 schemes have been explained using the green chemistry approach, cost-effective methods, and quinoxaline derivatives’ therapeutic uses.     

Synthesis,characterization and antimicrobial activity of nalidixic acid derivatives with spirohydantoins

This article presents the synthesis of a series of amides, based on the interaction of several 3-aminospirohydantoins with nalidixic acid. The target compounds were characterized by physicochemical parameters, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data. The antimicrobial activity of the products obtained was determined against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella abony, the yeasts Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the molds Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus niger. The relationship between structure and biological activity of the products obtained was discussed. It was found that the most effective compounds are tetralin (5f) and indane (5g) derivatives, which exhibit a pronounced antimicrobial activity against both tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.