Parabens Permeation through Biological Membranes: A Comparative Study Using Franz Cell Diffusion System and Biomimetic Liquid Chromatography

Parabens (PBs) are used as preservatives to extend the shelf life of various foodstuffs, and pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations. In this work, the membrane barrier passage potential of a subset of seven parabens, i.e., methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, and benzyl paraben, along with their parent compound, p-hydroxy benzoic acid, were studied. Thus, the Franz cell diffusion (FDC) method, biomimetic liquid chromatography (BLC), and in silico prediction were performed to evaluate the soundness of both describing their permeation through the skin. While BLC allowed the achievement of a full scale of affinity for membrane phospholipids of the PBs under research, the permeation of parabens through Franz diffusion cells having a carbon chain > ethyl could not be measured in a fully aqueous medium, i.e., permeation enhancer-free conditions. Our results support that BLC and in silico prediction alone can occasionally be misleading in the permeability potential assessment of these preservatives, emphasizing the need for a multi-technique and integrated experimental approach.     

Special Issue: International Symposium on Mathematical Programming 2022

Mathematical Programming -     

Co(Salox)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Reduction of α,β-Unsaturated Esters

Co-Salox complexes are suitable catalysts for the reduction of prochiral α,β-unsaturated esters. These ligands can be prepared in a single step from available and inexpensive materials, thus representing an easily accessible alternative to previously reported Co-catalysts. NaBH₄ is employed as reducing agent in the presence of EtOH as proton source, leading to the stereoselective formation of chiral esters, amides, and nitriles in up to 99 % yield and 96.5 : 3.5 er. The concentration of the reductant counter cation (Na⁺) and the solvent polarity have been shown to correlate with reactivity and enantioselectivity, suggesting that a relatively complex mechanistic manifold is in place.     

Functionalization of polyolefins by reactive processing: influence of starting reagents on content and type of grafted groups

Previous studies carried out in our laboratory on the functionalization of ethylene polymers (homo and copolymers) through free radical processes, using mechanical mixers and/or extruders with diethylmaleate (DEM) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP), have shown that the presence of branched α-olefin blocks favours degradation versus functionalization and crosslinking whereas these last are more effective with linear ethylene blocks. In this contest the present paper reports about attempts to extend the same processes to propylene polymers by benefitting of the indications of previous results. In particular the one step functionalization of EPM with two or more different groups was carried through the use of different monomers. Moreover the procedure was extended to polypropylene thus obtaining a significant functionalization degree flanked by a remarkable decrease of molecular weight.     

A Metal-Free C−H Amination-Based Strategy for N-Amino Indole Synthesis

An oxidative cyclization of electron-rich α-arylhydrazones promoted by phenyliodine bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA) has been accomplished. This metal-free, chemoselective transformation allows to obtain synthetically and medicinally important N-amino-1H-indoles, obviating the need for pre-functionalization of substrates.     

Poly(organophosphazenes) containing azo dyes

In this paper we describe a method for the functionalization of catenapoly[bis(4-hydroxyphenoxy)-λ⁵-phosphazene] with diazonium salts to form new, deeply-coloured, phosphazene copolymers containing variable amounts of azo dyes attached to the polyphosphazene skeleton. The degree of functionalization in these substrates is regulated in order not to exceed 20% of the sites available in the pristine polyphosphazene and to maintain a high percentage of unreacted, free, hydroxy groups, in the final, coloured copolymers. These species are still very reactive and able to undergo further functionalization reactions.     

Late-Stage Functionalisation of Pyridine-Containing Bioactive Molecules: Recent Strategies and Perspectives

Late-Stage Functionalisation (LSF) is an innovative technique that has been successfully applied to the C−H diversification of pharmaceuticals. However, LSF of the pyridine ring in drug-like molecules is often unselective. As a result, a mixture of structurally related products is obtained, thus making the purification tedious and time-consuming. This review shines a light on recent strategies addressing the selectivity issue in the LSF of complex natural products or drugs containing the pyridine moiety. Specifically, we have reviewed the efforts reported both in academia and industries with the hope of providing a guide for the LSF of elaborated pyridines.     

Influence of processing method and components molecular structure on the phase behaviour of polyethylenes/dye blends

The phase dispersion of terthiophene alkyl derivatives on different polyethylene matrices was investigated. The PE affinity toward dichroic dyes with different structure, the effect of blending process and the influence of a polyolefinic compatibilizer on the homogeneity of host-guest blends were comparatively investigated by calorimetry, DSC and SEM analyses. For these purposes, polyethylenes with different molecular weights and densities and EVAc were used as host matrices. The polymeric compatibilizer was prepared by radical functionalization of a commercial low density polyethylene. The dichroic nature of the guest phase allowed to perform UV-Vis measurements in polarized light on oriented blend film samples. The dyes affinity toward PE is one of the key factor in obtaining oriented polyolefinic films with high optical performances for several applications.     

Molecularly controlled blending of metals and organic metals with polyolefins for the preparation of materials with modulated optical properties

In this paper, after revisiting previous data on terthiophene molecules, several attempts are described to use metal containing species such as nanoclusters and molecular complexes as dispersed chromophores in the same ethylene polymer matrix in order to extend an approach to new classes of molecules and improve some specific optical responses including fluorescence dichroism and behaviour as linear optical polarizers is evaluated. Comparison with typical linear polarizers from the same polymer and terthiophenes of innovative gold clusters is discussed as well as transition metal complexes.