Novel α-Aminophosphonates and α-Aminophosphonic Acids: Synthesis,Molecular Docking and Evaluation of Antifungal Activity against Scedosporium Species

The Scedosporium genus is an emerging pathogen with worldwide prevalence and high mortality rates that gives multidrug resistance to antifungals; therefore, pharmacological alternatives must be sought for the treatment of diseases caused by this fungus. In the present project, six new α-aminophosphates were synthesized by the Kabachnik–Fields multicomponent reaction by vortex agitation, and six new monohydrolyzed α-aminophosphonic acids were synthesized by an alkaline hydrolysis reaction. Antifungal activity was evaluated using the agar diffusion method as an initial screening to determine the most active compound compared to voriconazole; then it was evaluated against 23 strains of the genus Scedosporium following the M38-A2 protocol from CLSI (activity range: 648.76–700 µg/mL). Results showed that compound 5f exhibited the highest antifungal activity according to the agar diffusion method (≤1 mg/mL). Cytotoxicity against healthy COS-7 cells was also evaluated by the MTT assay and it was shown that compound 5f exhibits a lower toxicity in comparison to voriconazole at the same concentration (1000 µM). A docking study was conducted afterwards, showing that the possible mechanism of action of the compound is through the inhibition of allosteric 14-α-demethylase. Taking these results as a basis, 5f is presented as a compound with attractive properties for further studies.     

Photophysical Properties of Some Flavones Probes in Homogeneous Media

Photophysical properties of five hydroxyflavones (HF) (some typical models of flavonols), (3 - HF, 6 - HF, 7-HF, 3, 6 - diHF and 3, 7 - diHF) were studied in homogeneous media by means of UV–vis and steady-state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopies. Their absorption and fluorescence characteristics based on the flavonols structure are presented and discussed. It was found that the fluorescence of the flavonols depends on the nature of the solvent and on their molecular structure, especially on the position and the number of the -OH groups of the substituted phenyl ring. Attention is paid to the number of the -OH groups that influence the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. The fluorescence quantum yield and the lifetime of the flavonols in heterogeneous media have been also determined. The results are discussed with relevance to the flavonols as sensitive fluorescence probe and to their microenvironments in the systems of biological interest and especially in a typical protein environment.     

Application of Ni(II)-imprinted cross-linked poly(methacrylic acid) synthesised through double-imprinting method for the on-line preconcentration of Ni(II) ions in aqueous media

The present paper describes the feasibility of on-line preconcentration of nickel ions from aqueous medium on Ni(II)-imprinted cross-linked poly(methacrylic acid) (IIP) synthesised through a double-imprinting method and their subsequent determination by FAAS. The proposed method consisted in loading the sample (20.0 mL, pH 7.25) through a mini-column packed with 50 mg of the IIP for 2 min. The elution step was performed with 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ at a flow rate of 7.0 mL min^?1. The following parameters were obtained: quantification limit (QL) – 3.74 µg L^?1, preconcentration factor (PF) – 36, consumption index (CI) – 0.55 mL, concentration efficiency (CE) – 18 min^?1, and sample throughput – 25 h^?1. The precision of the procedure assessed in terms of repeatability for ten determinations was 5.6% and 2.5% for respective concentrations of 5.0 and 110.0 µg L^?1. Moreover, the analytical curve was obtained in the range of 5.0–180.0 µg L^?1 (r = 0.9973), and a 1.64-fold increase in the method sensitivity was observed when compared with the analytical curve constructed for the NIP (non-imprinted polymer), thus suggesting a synergistic effect of the Ni(II) ions and CTAB on the adsorption properties of the IIP. The practical application of the adsorbent was evaluated from an analysis of tap, mineral, lake and river water. Considering the results of addition and recovery experiments (90.2–100 %), the efficiency of this adsorbent can be ensured for the interference-free preconcentration of the Ni(II) ions.     

Synthesis and Complexation Studies of Various Precursors Based on Calix[4]arene-crown-5 and -6 for the Immunoanalysis of Potassium and Caesium Ions

In an attempt to generate antibodies for the development of an immunoanalysis method for potassium and caesium ions, new 1,3-alternate calix[4]arenes-crown-5 and -6 bearing either carboxylic or hydroxyl functions were synthesized in good yields. Their complexation properties towards potassium and caesium ions were investigated using ¹H NMR spectroscopy and the usual properties proved to be preserved in the presence of the anchoring arms.     

Kinetic Study of the CCl2 Radical Recombination Reaction by Laser‐Induced Fluorescence Technique

An experimental setup that coupled IR multiple‐photon dissociation (IRMPD) and laser‐induced fluorescence (LIF) techniques was implemented to study the kinetics of the recombination reaction of dichlorocarbene radicals, CCl₂, in an Ar bath. The CCl₂ radicals were generated by IRMPD of CDCl₃. The time dependence of the CCl₂ radicals’ concentration in the presence of Ar was determined by LIF. The experimental conditions achieved allowed us to associate the decrease in the concentration of radicals to the self‐recombination reaction to form C₂Cl₄. The rate constant for this reaction was determined in both the falloff and the high‐pressure regimes at room temperature. The values obtained were k₀ = (2.23 ± 0.89) × 10^?29 cm⁶ molecules^?2 s^?1 and k_∞ = (6.73 ± 0.23) × 10^?13 cm³ molecules^?1 s^?1, respectively.     

Type I Photosensitization of 2′‐deoxyadenosine 5′‐monophosphate (5′‐dAMP) by Biopterin and its Photoproduct Formylpterin

Biopterin (Bip) and its photoproducts 6‐formylpterin (Fop) and 6‐carboxypterin (Cap) accumulate in the skin of patients suffering from vitiligo, a chronic depigmentation disorder where the protection against UV radiation fails because of the lack of melanin. These compounds absorb in the UV‐A inducing a potential photosensitizing action that can cause damage to DNA and other biomolecules. In this work, we have investigated the capability of these pterin derivatives (Pt) to act as photosensitizers under UV‐A irradiation for the degradation of 2′‐deoxyadenosine 5′‐monophosphate (5′‐dAMP) in aqueous solutions, as model DNA target. Steady‐state and time‐resolved experiments were performed and the effect of pH was evaluated. The results showed that photosensitized degradation of 5′‐dAMP was only observed under acidic conditions, and a mechanistic analysis revealed the participation of the triplet excited state of the pterin derivatives (³Pt*) by electron transfer yielding the corresponding pair of radical ions (Pt^?? and 5′‐dAMP^?+), with successive photosensitizer recovery by electron transfer from Pt^?? to O₂. Finally, 5′‐dAMP^?+ participates in subsequent reactions to yield degradation products.     

Zn[aminoacid]2 hybrid materials applied as heterogeneous catalysts in the synthesis of β-enaminones

Hybrid materials have seized attention from scientific community mainly as heterogenic catalysts in organic reactions on a large scale succeeding in some organic compounds with high yields. One of the most important classes of hybrid materials used for this purpose involves the complexation of Zn and aminoacids. Herein, we introduced Zn[Pro]₂ and Zn[Gly]₂ in the synthesis of several β-enaminones via solvent free protocol and using an ultrasound device.