Combined effect of nanochitosan and succinonitrile on structural, mechanical, thermal, and electrochemical properties of plasticized nanocomposite polymer electrolytes (PNCPE) for lithium batteries

A sequence of novel plasticized polymer nanocomposite electrolyte systems based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) as polymer host, LiCF₃SO₃ as salt, and a variety of concentrations of nanochitosan as inert filler, succinonitrile as a solid non-ionic plasticizer has been prepared. The prepared membranes were subjected to X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, tensile strength, morphological studies, thermal analysis, AC ionic conductivity measurement, and interfacial analyses. The combined effect of succinonitrile and nanochitosan on the electrochemical properties of polymer electrolytes has been studied, and it was confirmed that the ionic conductivity is significantly increased. The maximum ionic conductivity of the plasticized nanocomposite polymer electrolytes are found to be in the range of 10^?2.8?S/cm. Besides, the interfacial stability also shows a significant improvement. The tensile measurement and thermal analysis results illustrate that the electrolytes based on that polymer host possess good mechanical and thermal stabilities.     

Aphrodisiac Performance of Bioactive Compounds from Mimosa pudica Linn.: In Silico Molecular Docking and Dynamics Simulation Approach

Plants and their derived molecules have been traditionally used to manage numerous pathological complications, including male erectile dysfunction (ED). Mimosa pudica Linn. commonly referred to as the touch-me-not plant, and its extract are important sources of new lead molecules in drug discovery research. The main goal of this study was to predict highly effective molecules from M. pudica Linn. for reaching and maintaining penile erection before and during sexual intercourse through in silico molecular docking and dynamics simulation tools. A total of 28 bioactive molecules were identified from this target plant through public repositories, and their chemical structures were drawn using Chemsketch software. Graph theoretical network principles were applied to identify the ideal target (phosphodiesterase type 5) and rebuild the network to visualize the responsible signaling genes, proteins, and enzymes. The 28 identified bioactive molecules were docked against the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) enzyme and compared with the standard PDE5 inhibitor (sildenafil). Pharmacokinetics (ADME), toxicity, and several physicochemical properties of bioactive molecules were assessed to confirm their drug-likeness property. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation modeling was performed to investigate the stability of PDE5–ligand complexes. Four bioactive molecules (Bufadienolide (−12.30 kcal mol⁻¹), Stigmasterol (−11.40 kcal mol⁻¹), Isovitexin (−11.20 kcal mol⁻¹), and Apigetrin (−11.20 kcal mol⁻¹)) showed the top binding affinities with the PDE5 enzyme, much more powerful than the standard PDE5 inhibitor (−9.80 kcal mol⁻¹). The four top binding bioactive molecules were further validated for a stable binding affinity with the PDE5 enzyme and conformation during the MD simulation period as compared to the apoprotein and standard PDE5 inhibitor complexes. Further, the four top binding bioactive molecules demonstrated significant drug-likeness characteristics with lower toxicity profiles. According to the findings, the four top binding molecules may be used as potent and safe PDE5 inhibitors and could potentially be used in the treatment of ED.     

Saracoside: a new lignan glycoside from Saraca indica, a potential inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase IB

Chemical investigation of the stem bark of Saraca indica has resulted in the isolation of a new lignan glycoside, saracoside, along with four known lignan glycosides lyoniside, icariside E3, (+)5'-methoxyisolarciresinol-9'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and nudiposide, and a phenolic glucopyranoside, 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, which has been isolated for the first time from this species. The isolated lignan glycosides exhibit potent DNA topoisomerase IB inhibitory activity.     

A Cascade “Prins‐Pinacol‐Type Rearrangement and C4‐OBn Participation” on Carbohydrate Substrates: Synthesis of Bridged Tricyclic Ketals,Annulated Sugars and C2‐Branched Heptoses

A “Prins pinacol type rearrangement followed by C4‐OBn participation” in a cascade manner has been observed while probing the fate of carbocation in some carbohydrate derived homoallylic alcohols in the Prins reaction. This has led to an easy access to tetrahydrofuran‐fused bridged bicyclic ketals (or tetrahydrofuran‐fused 1,6‐anhydro‐heptopyranose frameworks) which are further converted into some annulated sugars and C2‐branched heptoses.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activities of new 4,6‐diaryl‐ 4,5‐dihydro‐3‐hydroxy‐2H‐indazoles

A series of new 4,6‐diaryl‐4,5‐dihydro‐3‐hydroxy‐2H‐indazoles 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g , 5h , 5i , 5j , 5k were synthesized by the cyclization of ethyl 2‐oxo‐4,6‐diarylcyclohex‐3‐ene carboxylates 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , 4j , 4k . The compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, 2D NMR, and elemental analysis. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Rhizopus sp. Most of the compounds exhibited good activity against the tested organisms. J. Heterocyclic Chem.,, (2012).     

Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) microgel based assemblies for organic dye removal from water: microgel diameter effects

Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylic acid (pNIPAm-co-AAc) microgel based assemblies (aggregates) were synthesized from microgels of various diameters via polymerization of the crosslinker N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) in the presence of microgels in solution. We investigated the ability of the respective aggregates to remove the organic, azo dye molecule 4-(2-hydroxy-1-napthylazo) benzenesulfonic acid sodium salt (Orange II) from water at both room and elevated temperatures. The results from the microgel aggregates made from 1.1-μm-diameter [Parasuraman and Serpe. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2011] microgels were compared to aggregates synthesized from 321-nm and 1.43-μm-diameter microgels. Aggregates made from the same size microgels showed increased uptake efficiency as the concentration of BIS in the aggregates was increased, while for a given BIS concentration, the uptake efficiency increased with increasing microgel size in the aggregate. We attribute this to the “nature” of the aggregates; aggregates have void space between the microgels that can serve as reservoirs for Orange II uptake—the void spaces are hypothesized to increase with larger diameter microgels. By exploiting the thermoresponsive nature of the microgels, and microgel based aggregates, 85.3 % removal efficiencies can be achieved. Finally, all uptake trends for the aggregates, at room temperature, were fit with a Langmuir sorption isotherm model.     

Synthesis and thermal properties of rigid oxa-bridged-containing dimers and tetramers

Several symmetrical, linear dimers and some star-like tetramers were prepared using easily accessible oxa-bridged derivatives as central rigid cores. In order to produce new liquid crystalline materials various mesogenic/promesogenic groups, containing biphenyl-4,4′-diol, 4,4′-(diazene-1,2-diyl)diphenol and cholesterol sub-moieties, were connected through oxy-ethylene linkers via an ester linkage, in the end-on fashion. Their thermal behaviour and mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscope (POM), and variable temperature small-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. While essentially all the biphenyl-4,4′-diol- and 4,4′-(diazene-1,2-diyl)-based dimeric derivatives exhibited smectic liquid crystalline mesophases, the nature of which are mesogenic groups dependent, none of the cholesterol-containing compounds and tetramers were mesomorphic.     

Synthesis, structure, and catalytic properties of V(IV), Mn(III), Mo(VI), and U(VI) complexes containing bidentate (N, O) oxazine and oxazoline ligands

Synthesis of seven complexes containing oxazoline ([(L(1))(2)V=O] (4), [(L(1))(2)MoO(2)] (5), [(L(1))(2)UO(2)] (6); HL(1) (1) [HL(1) = 2-(4',4'-dimethyl-3'-4'-dihydroxazol-2'-yl)phenol]), chiral oxazoline ([(L(2))(2)UO(2)] (7); HL(2) (2) [HL(2) = (4'R)-2-(4'-ethyl-3'4'-dihyroxazol-2'-yl)phenol]), and oxazine ([(L(3))(2)V=O] (8), [(L(3))(2)Mn(CH(3)COO(-))] (9), [(L(3))(2)Co] (10); HL(3) (3) [HL(3) = 2-(5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazolinyl)phenol]) and their characterization by various techniques such as UV-vis, IR, and EPR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, and elemental analysis are reported. The novel oxazine (3) and complexes 4, 5, 8 and 9 were also characterized by X-ray crystallography. Oxazine 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the P2(1)/n space group, complexes 4 and 9 crystallize in the monoclinic system with the P2(1)/c space group, and complexes 5 and 8 crystallize in the orthorhombic system with the C222(1) space group and the P2(1)2(1)2(1) chiral space group, respectively. The representative synthetic procedure involves the reaction of metal acetate or acetylacetonate derivatives with corresponding ligand in ethanol. Addition of Mn(OAc)(2).4H(2)O to an ethanol solution of 3 gave the unexpected complex Mn(L(3))(2).(CH(3)COO(-)) (9) where the acetate group is coordinated with the metal center in a bidentate fashion. The catalytic activity of complexes 4-9 for oxidation of styrene with tert-butyl hydroperoxide was tested. In all cases, benzaldehyde formed exclusively as the oxidation product.     

Unidirectional growth,optical, mechanical and dielectric studies on a novel NLO crystal: l-Arginine 4-nitrophenolate 4-nitrophenol dihydrate

The bulk single crystal of l-arginine 4-nitrophenolate 4-nitrophenol dihydrate (LAPP), an efficient organic NLO material of size 74 mm in length, 18 mm in diameter, was grown successfully by Sankaranarayanan–Ramasamy (SR) method. Single crystal X-ray diffraction study reveals that LAPP crystallizes into monoclinic system with the space group P2₁. The unidirectional growth along the plane (1 1 0) was confirmed from the powder XRD pattern with the sharp peak having maximum intensity. Optical absorption spectrum shows that LAPP has highly transparent in the entire visible and IR region with a wide band gap of 3.9 eV for large photon absorption. Vickers micro hardness measurement was performed to know the mechanical strength of the crystal. Dielectric profile of LAPP at room temperature brings forth low value of dielectric loss and dielectric constant at higher frequencies. Photoluminescence study reveals that LAPP exhibit green emission in the wavelength region 538 nm. The SHG efficiency of the crystal is measured by Kurtz's powder test using Nd:YAG Laser.     

Concise synthesis of novel oxa-bridged compounds

[structures: see text] A stereoselective strategy for the replacement of the 1,2-dihaloalkene bridge of tetrahalonorbornyl derivatives by an oxygen bridge involving stepwise controlled oxidation, cleavage of the dione thus formed, and reiterative intramolecular S(N)2 displacement of two bridgehead halogens is devised. The synthesis of four highly strained pentacyclic bis-oxa-bridged derivatives 10, 27, 28, and 29 with interesting structural variations is presented. The two oxa bridges are syn to each other, separated by central cyclohexane and cycloheptane rings in 10 and 27, while they are anti to each other and are separated by central cyclopentane and furan rings in 28 and 29. In the case of the highly symmetric bis-oxa-bridged derivative 10 the two syn oxa bridges constrain the central cyclohexane ring into the boat form. The endo,anti,endo 2:1 bis adducts of 1,2,3,4-tetrahalo-5,5-dimethoxycyclopenta-1,3-diene with cyclopentadiene were prepared for the first time, while the reactivites of previously unexplored bis adducts derived from furan and cycloheptatriene were revealed.