To Sandwich Technetium: Highly Functionalized Bis-Arene Complexes [99mTc(η6-arene)2]+ Directly from Water and [99mTcO4]−

The labeling of (bio)molecules with metallic radionuclides such as ^99mTc demands conjugated, multidentate chelators. However, this is not always necessary since phenyl rings can directly serve as integrated, organometallic ligands. Bis-arene sandwich complexes are generally prepared by the Fischer–Hafner reaction. In extension of this, we show that [^99mTc(η⁶-C₆R₆)₂]⁺-type complexes are directly accessible from water and [^99mTcO₄]⁻, even using arenes incompatible with Fischer–Hafner conditions. To unambiguously confirm the nature of these unprecedented ^99mTc complexes, their rhenium homologous have been prepared by substituting naphthalene ligands in [Re(η⁶-C₁₀H₈)₂]⁺ with the corresponding phenyl groups. The ease with which highly stable [^99mTc(η⁶-C₆R₆)₂]⁺ complexes are formed under standard labeling conditions enables a multitude of new potential imaging agents based on commercial pharmaceuticals or lead structures.     

Disposable highly ordered pyrolytic graphite-like electrodes: Tailoring the electrochemical reactivity of screen printed electrodes

We demonstrate that the electron transfer properties of disposable screen printed electrodes can be readily tailored via the introduction of a polymeric formulation into the ink used to fabricate these electrochemical platforms. This approach allows the role of the binder on the underpinning electrochemical properties to be explored and allows the electrochemical reactivity of the screen printed electrodes to be tailored from that of edge plane to basal plane of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite.     

Synthesis,characterisation and supramolecular interaction of Rh-biphenylic-imidazole-phenanthroline with antibiotics

A novel rhodium biphenylic imidazole phenanthroline metal-organic complex (BIP-MC) has been synthesised and characterised as a stable supramolecule. The structure of compound was established on the basis ESI, ¹H NMR and UV–vis spectroscopic data. The selectivity of BIP-MC as a new fluorescent chemosensor for various antibiotics has been explored. The supramolecular interaction of amoxicillin with BIP-MC enhanced the fluorescence activity of BIP-MC. A linear response of the sensor was observed in the measuring ranges of excitation 240–298 nm and emission 290–360 nm with detection limits of up to 10 μg/ml at an optimum pH 8.0. Based on the observations made here, a new quantitative method for the determination of this drug in synthetic samples without the use of separation of matrix is developed. It is also inferred that the possible fluorescence enhancement is due to the formation of exciplex between the BIP-MC and amoxicillin. These finding will thus help in pharmacokinetics studies of drugs. The sensor was used for the direct assay of amoxicillin antibiotic in commercial pharmaceutical preparations.     

Antioxidant, antimicrobial properties and phenolics of different solvent extracts from bark, leaves and seeds of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre

This study appraises the antioxidant and antimicrobial attributes of various solvent extracts (absolute methanol, aqueous methanol, absolute ethanol, aqueous ethanol, absolute acetone, aqueous acetone, and deionized water) from bark, leaves and seeds of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre. Maximum extraction yield of antioxidant components from bark (16.31%), leaves (11.42%) and seeds (21.51%) of P. pinnata was obtained using aqueous methanol (20:80). Of the extracts tested, the bark extract, obtained with aqueous methanol, exhibited greater levels of total phenolics [6.94 g GAE/100 g dry weight (DW)], total flavonoids (3.44 g CE/100 g DW), inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation (69.23%) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC(50) value, 3.21 μg/mL), followed by leaves and seeds extracts. Bark extract tested against a set of bacterial and fungal strains also revealed the strongest antimicrobial activity with the largest inhibition zone and lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). HPLC analysis of aqueous methanol extracts from bark, leaves and seeds indicated the presence of protocatechuic, ellagic, ferulic, gallic, gentisic, 4-hydroxybenzoic and 4-hydroxycinnamic acids in bark (1.50-6.70 mg/100 g DW); sorbic, ferulic, gallic, salicylic and p-coumaric acids in leaves (1.18-4.71 mg/100 g DW); vanillic, gallic and tannic acids in seeds (0.52-0.65 mg/100 g DW) as the main phenolic acids. The present investigation concludes that the tested parts of P. pinnata, in particular the bark, have strong potential for the isolation of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents for functional food and pharmaceutical uses.     

A double-blind, randomized, clinical trial on the antileishmanial activity of a Morinda citrifolia (Noni) stem extract and its major constituents

A controlled study was conducted to determine the efficiency of a topical ointment prepared from the stem extract of Morinda citrifolia against cutaneous leishmaniasis. Similarly, the in vitro antileishmanial activity of morindicone and morinthone isolated from the extract were investigated against Leishmania major. These compounds displayed good activity. Out of 40 patients, 50% showed an excellent response and 30% exhibited good improvement.     

Cosmetic Electrochemistry II: Rapid and Facile Production of Metallic Electrocatalytic Ensembles

We demonstrate a facile methodology for the production of metallic electrocatalytic microdomain ensembles for a range of analytical sensing challenges. A commercially available off‐the‐shelf cosmetic product can change the voltammetric characteristics of a metallic macro‐electrode created electrolytically into that of a random ensemble of metallic microelectrode domains. Proof‐of‐concept is shown for three examples: a palladium ensemble for hydrazine sensing, a gold ensemble for arsenic(III) detection via anodic stripping voltammetry and platinum ensembles for the direct oxidation of arsenic(III). Last we demonstrate that the fabrication of metallic microdomains can be simplified by sputter coating screen printed electrochemical sensing platforms which are beneficially constructed using this cosmetic methodology. Given the facile fabrication and low cost of the underlying electrode substrate and the cosmetic modifier, the widespread implementation of this novel fabrication methodology is expected.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and antimicrobial studies of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-[Pd(PPh<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(imidazolidine-2-thione)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript> · 3.5H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The palladium(II) complex, [Pd(PPh₃)₂(Imt)₂]Cl₂ · 3.5H₂O (I) (Imt = imidazolidine-2-thione), has been synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR, and X-ray crystallography. An upfield shift in the >C=S resonance of Imt in the ¹³C NMR spectrum and a downfield shift in the N-H resonance in ¹H NMR are consistent with the sulfur coordination of Imt to palladium(II). In the crystal structure of I, the central palladium atom is coordinated to two thione sulfur atoms of Imt and to two phosphorus atoms possessing a square-planar environment with the average cis and trans bond angles of 89.60° and 167.31°, respectively. The title complex was screened for antimicrobial effects, and the results showed that it exhibits moderate activities against gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, P. aeruginosa). The complexes also exhibited significant activities against yeast (C. albicans, S. serevisaiae).     

Naphthalene Exchange in [Re(η6-napht)2]+ with Pharmaceuticals Leads to Highly Functionalized Sandwich Complexes [M(η6-pharm)2]+ (M=Re/99mTc)

Bis-arene sandwich complexes are generally prepared by the Fischer-Hafner reaction, which conditions are incompatible with most O- and N- functional groups. We report a new way for the synthesis of sandwich type complexes [Re(η⁶-arene)₂]⁺ and [Re(η⁶-arene)(η⁶-benzene)]⁺ from [Re(η⁶-napht)₂]⁺ and [Re(η⁶-napht)(η⁶-benzene)]⁺, with functionalized arenes and pharmaceuticals. N-methylpyrrolidine (NMP) facilitates the substitution of naphthalene with the incoming arene. A series of fully characterized rhenium sandwich complexes with simple arenes, such as aniline, as well as with active compounds like lidocaine and melatonin are presented. With these rhenium compounds in hand, the radioactive sandwich complexes [^99mTc(η⁶-pharm)₂]⁺ (pharm=pharmaceutical) can be unambiguously confirmed. The direct labelling of pharmaceuticals with ^99mTc through η⁶-coordination to phenyl rings and the confirmation of the structures with the rhenium homologues opens a path into molecular theranostics.     

Photochemically Produced Superhydrophobic Silane@polystyrene-Coated Polypropylene Fibrous Network for Oil/Water Separation

Cost-effective separation of oil and immiscible organic contaminants from water has become an urgent challenge to protect aquatic and human life from devastating effects. Therefore, it has become imperative to develop super-selective materials for efficiently separating oil from water. In this work, a superhydrophobic surface has been formed that consists of a silane@polystyrene-coated polypropylene fibrous network (silane@PS-PPF) for efficient separation of accidentally spilled oil from water. The superhydrophobic PPFs were designed by a simple, cost-effective two-step process that includes photochemically controlled polymerization of styrene and subsequent dip coating in octadecyltrichlorosilane solution. The hydrophobic surface (CA=129°±4°) of the PS coated PPF after treating with silane was turned into a superhydrophobic body (CA=161°±2°). The achieved silane@PS-PPF fibrous network selectively allowed the fast permeation of the oils and non-polar organic liquids by altogether rejecting water during operation. The separation efficiency for various oils from the contaminated water was 96 to 99%, with a high flux in the range of 7606±312 L m⁻²h⁻¹ to 9870±151 L m⁻²h⁻¹. Apart from being used as a filter, the silane@PS-PPF was also used as an oil absorber and has shown an absorption capacity in the range of 1185 to 1535% for various oils. We anticipate that the developed silane@PS-PPF, due to its facile synthetic route, cost-effectiveness, and high performance, can be effectively used in oily wastewater treatment and clean-up of large oil spills from water.     

Insights into the binding mechanism of 2,5-substituted 4-pyrone derivatives as therapeutic agents for fused dimeric interactions: A computational study using QTAIM,dynamics and docking simulations of protein–ligand complexes

The study is focused on examining 2,5-Substituted 4-Pyrone based compounds through quantum chemical and topological analysis techniques, evaluating the properties of these compounds, including their geometrical structure, intermolecular interactions and assess their possible applications. Additionally, the molecular stability, charge delocalization and UV-Visible data was investigated and compared with the calculated energy and oscillator strength using the TD-DFT approach. The researchers observed that charge transfer occurred within the molecule, indicated by the HOMO and LUMO energies. It was also found that the compound exhibited planarity and higher chemical reactivity. The calculated Mulliken charges and molecular electrostatic potential were used to interpret the Fukui index data that help predict reactive sites and understand the reactivity patterns of specific atoms in a compound. The study is aimed to understand the role of NCI in the molecule under investigation using electron localization functions and localized orbit locator methods. Molecular docking and ADMET studies were conducting involving a detailed MD simulation of a protein-ligand complex using the OPLS3e force field and the SPC water model. These findings could prove to be beneficial in developing new therapeutic agents with various pharmacological effects and potential toxicities.