Evaluation of Multiplexed CE with UV Detection for Rapid pK a Estimation of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients

The acid dissociation constant (pK _a) is a key physicochemical parameter for characterizing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Early determination of pK _a values is highly desirable in drug discovery, pharmaceutical process research and formulation design. To overcome the challenges of limited sample availability and potential low purity of API samples at early stages of drug development, as well as to increase sample analysis throughput, a multiplexed 96-channel capillary electrophoresis with UV detection was evaluated as a practical approach for high throughput pK _a estimation of proprietary APIs in support of pharmaceutical research. Proprietary APIs with diverse structures were examined using the approach. The pK _a values were successfully determined with good accuracy and precision. System robustness was demonstrated and analysis of at least eight samples can be completed within 1 h. A rapid pK _a estimation procedure for marginally soluble APIs was proposed by performing single-point multiplexed CE–UV measurement without extrapolation using 10 or 20% methanol as co-solvent. Direct pK _a estimation of APIs using DMSO solution samples and crude reaction samples containing a large amount of solvents and reagents and high level of impurities was also demonstrated using the multiplexed CE–UV approach.     

Structure-based discovery of a boronic acid bioisostere of combretastatin A-4

Targeting the microtubule system represents an attractive strategy for the development of anticancer agents. In this study, we report a class of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) analogs derivatized with a boronic acid moiety replacing the hydroxyl group on the C-ring of CA-4. Docking studies of the X-ray structures of our aryl-boronic analogs onto an X-ray structure of the alpha,beta-tubulin heterodimer suggested that cis-6 was a potent inhibitor of the colchicine binding. The model indicated that there would be strong hydrogen bonding between the boronic acid moiety and Thr-179 and Val-181 of alpha-tubulin. We demonstrate that the cis-6 boronic acid bioisostere of CA-4: (1) inhibits tubulin assembly, (2) competitively displaces colchicine, and (3) is a low-nanomolar inhibitor of human cancer cell lines. We present this isostere as a class of potent analogs of CA-4.     

Formation of cuprous oxide layers in Cu(II) solutions containing gluconic acid

In accordance with thermodynamic analysis, cuprous oxide layers are formed spontaneously in the Cu|Cu(II), gluconic acid system at pH > 3.7 under open-circuit conditions. A current peak of Cu₂O reduction is observed on cathodic voltammograms at ca −0.7 V, its height being dependent on the exposure time. The analysis of the charge transferred in this region yields the rate of Cu₂O formation equal to 1.25 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻² s⁻¹. The light perturbation of Cu electrode under open-circuit conditions results in the generation of a negative photopotential, which is indicative of n-type conductivity. The threshold wavelength is equal to ∼590 nm and is consistent with a band gap of ∼2.1 eV. Anodic photocurrents, which are observed near the open-circuit potential, decrease with cathodic polarization and change their sign at ∼0.05 V. Analysis of impedance data was performed, invoking the equivalent circuit that accounts for the two-step charge transfer. In the presence of Cu₂O, some retardation of Cu(II) reduction was found to occur with a slight increase in the admittance of the double layer. The suggestion has been made that oxide layers formed in Cu(II) gluconate solutions cannot be compact and uniformly distributed over the entire electrode surface. Relevant investigations of surface morphology support this conclusion.     

Studies of pectin/polyvinylpyrrolidone blends exposed to ultraviolet radiation

The new biodegradable blends composed of natural pectin and synthetic polymer: polyvinylpyrrolidone were obtained by casting from aqueous solutions. The molecular interactions between components have been studied by FTIR. The blends were exposed to UV-irradiation and the changes in chemical structure were investigated using absorption spectroscopy (FTIR and UV-Vis). The morphology of sample surfaces before and after exposure to UV was observed by atomic force microscopy. Insoluble gel, formed as a result of photocrosslinking, was appointed gravimetrically. The relation between the blend composition and the efficiency of observed photoreactions has been considered.     

Accelerating Effect of Tetramethylthiourea on the Kinetics of Zn2+ Electroreduction

The results of kinetic measurements of Zn²⁺ electroreduction on mercury electrode in the presence of tetramethylthiourea showed the two‐step character of the electrode process. The acquisition of nonlinear wide potential range Tafel plots was found to offer a good opportunity to examine the Zn²⁺ electroreduction mechanism. Three mechanisms including the ion transfer step followed by the electron exchange step (IE mechanism), the adsorption step (IA mechanism) and the chemical step followed by electron transfer (CE) were applied. The accelerating influence of tetramethylthiourea on Zn²⁺ electroreduction was found to result from possible complexes formation in the diffuse layer. The ion transport step is probably combined with the loss or exchange of a ligand. The second step probably consists in the electron transfer or adsorption process connected with partial charge transfer.     

2-(4-Phenyl-5-pyridin-2-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)cyclohexanecarboxylic Acid and Its DMSO Solvate: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Biological Activity

Abstract  

A new 1,2,4-triazole derivative, 2-(4-phenyl-5-pyridin-2-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, C₂₀H₂₀N₄O₂ (I), and its dimethyl sulfoxide solvate 1:1 (II) have been synthesized and their crystal structure was established. Compound (I) was screened for its antiproliferative and antiinflammatory activity. Structural analysis indicated the substantial difference between two symmetry independent molecules in (I) and this in (II), it manifests in the relative orientation of pyridine/phenyl and triazole rings, as well as in the orientation of carboxyl group with respect to cyclohexane ring. The molecules A and B in the crystal (I) form two hydrogen-bonded chains through O–H_carboxyl and N_triazole atoms, giving separate catemers of symmetry independent molecules. The catemer of (IA) running along the 2₁ axis is homochiral, while the catemer (IB) is racemic—formed about the c glide plane. In the crystalline solvate (II) complexation of (I) with DMSO induced enantiomeric self-resolution. Obtained crystals are racemic twins, in which each part is built of one enantiomer of (I) having the relative configuration 11S,12R or 11R,12S. A pair of host–guest molecules is linked by the O–H_carboxyl⋯O_DMSO hydrogen bond.