Studies on fluoride complexing of hexavalent actinides using a fluoride ion selective electrode

Complex formation between actinide(VI) and fluoride ions in aqueous solutions has been investigated using a fluoride ion selective electrode (F-ISE). As fairly high acidity was used to suppress hydrolysis of the actinide(VI) ions, significant liquid junction potentials (E_j) existed in the systems. An iterative procedure was developed for computing free hydrogen ion concentration [H⁺], as it could not be measured directly, using data obtained with F-ISE. E_j values were estimated from known [H⁺] and the stability constants of fluoride complexes of actinide(VI) ions were calculated following KING and GALLAGHER's method using a computer program. The stability constants were found to follow the order U(VI)>Np(VI)>Pu(VI).     

Chiral separations in microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography. Use of micelle polymers and microemulsion polymers

In this study, microemulsions of the chiral surfactant polysodium N-undecenoyl-D-valinate (poly-D-SUV) was utilized for enantiomeric separation by investigating two approaches using polymeric chiral surfactant in microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC). In the first approach, poly-D-SUV was used as an emulsifier surfactant along with 1-butanol and n-heptane. Enantioseparation of anionic or partially anionic binaphthyl derivatives, anionic barbiturates, and cationic paveroline derivatives were achieved by varying the mass fraction of 1-butanol, n-heptane and poly-D-SUV. For anionic or partially anionic analytes, relatively lower mass fractions of n-heptane, and poly-D-SUV were found to give optimum chiral separations as compared to that for cationic solutes. In the second approach, the chiral microemulsion polymer was prepared by polymerizing mixtures of 3.50% (w/w) of sodium N-undecenoyl-D-valinate (D-SUV) and 0.82% (w/w) of n-heptane (core phase) at varying concentration of 1-butanol. After polymerization, the n-heptane and 1-butanol were removed to yield solvent free microemulsion polymers (MPs) which were then utilized for the separation of anionic binaphthyl derivatives and anionic barbiturates. When MPs of D-SUV were utilized for chiral separation, 1.00% (w/w) 1-butanol and 3.50% (w/w) 1-butanol was optimum for enantioseparation of (+/-)-BNP and (+/-)-BOH, respectively. On the other hand, for anionic (+/-)-barbiturates very low concentration of butanol (0.25%, w/w) provided optimum resolution. Compared with micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), the use of micelle polymers or microemulsion polymers in MEEKC showed dramatic enhancement for resolution of (+/-)-BNP, while this enhancement was less dramatic for other binaphthyls [(+/-)-BOH, (+/-)-BNA] as well as for (+/-)-barbiturates and (+/-)-paveroline derivatives. However, higher separation efficiency of the enantiomers was always observed with MEEKC than in MEKC.     

A conductivity method for combined carbon and free carbon determination in uranium carbide

A conductivity method based on differential temperature oxidation of combined carbon and free carbon has been worked out for their determination in uranium carbide employing purified air for oxidation. The combined carbon determined at 550°C and free carbon at 900°C were found to be 4.58% and 0.27% with a precision of 2% and 11%, respectively. The free carbon determined by the present method and that by dissolution followed by conductivity method agreed within ±5%. Effect of temperature and time on the oxidation of free carbon /taken as graphite/ in air atmosphere was also studied.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Molecular Docking,and Anticancer Evaluation of 4‐Thiazolidinone Analogues

Scaffolds containing one or more heteroatoms are ubiquitous in nature and are responsible for almost every biological processes in flora and fauna. The fact that heterocyclic cores have high propensity for biological targets, several nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur‐containing heterocyclic compounds have been reported in the last few decades. One such intriguing class is 4‐thiazolidinone that exhibit diverse range of pharmacological activities. In the present study, we report synthesis, characterization, molecular docking, and anticancer evaluation of 10 new 4‐thiazolidinone analogues ( 5 – 14 ). One of the compounds ( 11 ) was structurally characterized using single crystal X structure. Anticancer evaluation against hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) revealed that compound ( 7 ) was the most potent (IC₅₀ = 75 μM) while other showed moderate to low activity (85–530 μM). To underpin the druggability and possible modes of action, drug‐likeness was determined and docking studies were carried out against β‐carbonic anhydrase receptor (PDB ID: 3IA). Attempts have also been made to establish a structure–activity relationship of the reported compounds.     

Cationic gemini surfactants as pseudostationary phases in micellar electrokinetic chromatography. Part I: Effect of head group

Two cationic gemini surfactants with pyrrolidinium or alkyl ammonium head groups with but-2-yne spacers, but with the same length hydrocarbon chain have been characterized with respect to their aggregation behaviors and separation power as pseudostationary phases (PSPs) for micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). They were compared with a commonly used PSP, sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). The results suggest that the head groups of the surfactants have some effect on physicochemical properties such as critical micelle concentration (CMC), C₂₀, γ_CMC, partial specific volume, methylene selectivity and mobilities of the surfactants. CMC values of G1, G2 and SDS in pure water were found to be 0.82, 0.71, and 8.08 mM, respectively; they were reduced to 0.21, 0.11, and 3.0 mM when measured in 10 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.0. G1 (α_CH2=2.74${\alpha }_{\text{C}{\text{H}}_2}=2.74$) and G2 (α_CH2=2.48${\alpha }_{\text{C}{\text{H}}_2}=2.48$) provided the most and the least hydrophobic environment, respectively. According to their partial specific volumes, geminis were found to have more flexible structures as compared with sodium dodecylsulfate. The effects of the head group structure were also characterized with the linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) model, which was able to evaluate the role of solute size, polarity/polarizability, and hydrogen bonding on retention and selectivity. The cohesiveness, hydrogen bond acidic and basic character of the surfactant systems were found to have the most significant influence on selectivity and MEKC retention of the gemini surfactants. It should be noted that with their large positive coefficient a values, G1 and G2 were found to be stronger HB acceptors than anionic and most of the cationic surfactants studied in the literature.     

Polyanilme-montmorilltonite (PANl-MMT) nanocomposites: Mechanochemical synthesis,structure, thermostability and electrical properties

Polyaniline (PANI)-montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by direct intercalation of aniline molecules into MMT galleries, followed by in situ mechanochemical polymerization under solvent free conditions. X-rays diffraction, Fourier Transform Infra Red analyses and UV-vis spectroscopy confirmed the successful synthesis of polyaniline chains between the MMT nano-interlayers. On increasing the amount of MMT basal spacing decreased gradually, suggesting less intercalation with decreasing amount of aniline. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated strong differences between the morphologies of PANI-MMT nanocomposites and those of pure MMT and PANI. DC conductivity was measured in the temperature range from 145 K to 303 K using four probe methods. Temperature dependent DC conductivity of PANI and all the PANI-MMT composites followed 3 dimensional variable range hopping (3D VRH) model. Frequency dependent AC conductivity (σ_AC), dielectric constant (ɛ′) and loss factor (ɛ″) have been measured in the frequency range 10²–10⁶. All these measured quantities; σ_AC, ɛ′ and ɛ″ decreased with the increase in MMT content in the composites at all frequencies. The frequency dependence of σ_AC displayed a low frequency region below 10⁴ Hz with almost constant conductivity, while above this frequency a rapid rise in σ_AC was observed with a power law of frequency dependence with an exponent equal to 0.7. Both real and imaginary parts of the permittivity exhibited a low frequency dispersion which has been attributed to hopping of polarons and bipolarons in PANI and its composites. The thermal stability was checked by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and was found to be enhanced due to addition of MMT in the PANI.     

Effect of hydroquinone on the electrical properties of dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid doped polypyrrole/aluminum Schottky junction

Electrical properties of Schottky barrier diode fabricated using Aluminum for Schottky contact and indium tin oxide for ohmic contact and containing polypyrrole doped with dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid in the presence and in the absence of a plasticizing agent hydroquinone were studied. Various parameters, e.g. saturation current, ideality factor, built in voltage; carrier concentration and barrier height have been calculated and found to be affected by the presence of hydroquinone in the doped polymer. The electrical behavior of the systems was found to be in a good agreement with the thermionic emission model for the Schottky barrier devices. The interaction of the doped polypyrrole with hydroquinone was explained in terms of change in the barrier height and in the carrier concentration of the diodes.     

Raman spectroscopy of conducting poly (methyl methacrylate)/polyaniline dodecylbenzenesulfonate blends

Polyaniline soluble in organic solvents was prepared using dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid (DBSA) as functional dopant. The solubility parameter was calculated and the most suitable solvent chloroform was checked for the solubility and the most compatible polymer PMMA was selected for blending. Miscibility was maximized with 1% by weight of hydroquinone. Blending of doped polyaniline with dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid (PAni.DBSA) in poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was explained by a change in the conformation of the polymeric chains leading to an increase in the conductivity. The electrical conductivity increased as the weight percent of PAni.DBSA increased, showing a percolation threshold as low as 3.0% by weight and the highest conductivity was achieved at 20% by wt of PAni.DBSA. Scanning electron micrographs showed lowest level of phase separation. Raman spectroscopy is used to characterize the blending process of two polymers aiming to understand the transformations in different types of charged segments. Raman results give complementary data about the blending process showing that together with the structural change of the polymeric chains, there is also a chemical transformation of these polymers. Analysis of Raman spectra was done investigating the relative intensities of the bands at 574 cm⁻¹ and 607 cm⁻¹. A relationship between conductivity and Raman was also proposed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Protective role of tea catechins on erythrocytes subjected to oxidative stress during human aging

Antioxidant effect of tea catechins has been shown in many epidemiological studies. In the present study we report the protective mechanism of tea catechins (EGCG, ECG, EGC, EC) on various oxidative stress parameters, which are elevated during aging in humans. We hereby report the in vitro effect of tea catechins on erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and on membrane sulphydryl (-SH) group in humans. Results show an age-dependent increase in erythrocyte MDA level and a decrease in GSH and membrane-SH group concentration. We report that tea catechins show significant protection to erythrocyte against oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). The effect was more pronounced in older age group compared to lower age group. The findings suggest a possible role of tea catechins as anti-aging compounds.