Sensitive and Selective Spectrophotometric Determination of Hg(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Co(II) Using Iminodibenzyl and 3-Chloroiminodibenzyl as New Reagents and Their Applications to Industrial Effluents and Soil Samples

Iminodibenzyl (IDB) and 3-chloroiminodibenzyl (Cl-IDB) are proposed as a new class of spectrophotometric reagents for the determination of micro amounts of mercury(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and cobalt(II) in the presence of 3-methyl-2-benzothiazoline hydrazone hydrochloride hydrate (MBTH) or 4-aminoantipyrine (AAP) as electrophilic coupling reagents. The reaction is carried out in neutral aqueous medium. The blue colour formed shows maximum absorbance at 660 nm using MBTH and 630 nm with AAP. The methods obey Beer's law. The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity show different values with different metals and reagents. The blue colour can also be extracted quantitatively which can be exploited as an efficient extractive spectrophotometric technique for the separation of metal ion from other interfering species. As many as 15 cations and 12 anions and/or complexing agents listed do not interfere. Both the methods have good reproducibility and can be satisfactorily applied in the determination of metals in industrial effluents and soil samples.     

Influence of nitroxide structure on the 2,5‐ and 2,6‐spirodicyclohexyl substituted cyclic nitroxide‐mediated free‐radical polymerization of styrene

The 2,6‐spirodicyclohexyl substituted nitroxide, cyclohexane‐1‐spiro‐2′‐(3′,5′‐dioxo‐4′‐benzylpiperazine‐1′‐oxyl)‐6′‐spiro‐1″‐cyclohexane (BODAZ), was investigated as a mediator for controlled/living free‐radical polymerization of styrene. The values of the number‐average molecular weight increased linearly with conversion, but the polydispersities were higher than for the corresponding 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyl‐1‐oxy (TEMPO) and 2,5‐bis(spirocyclohexyl)‐3‐benzylimidazolidin‐4‐one‐1‐oxyl (NO88Bn) mediated systems at approximately 2.2 and 1.6 at 100 and 120 °C, respectively. These results were reflected in the rate coefficients obtained by electron spin resonance spectroscopy; at 120 °C, the values of the rate coefficients for polystyrene‐BODAZ alkoxyamine dissociation (k_d), combination of BODAZ and propagating radicals (k_c), and the equilibrium constant (K) were 1.60 × 10^?5 s^?1, 5.19 × 10⁶ M^?1 s^?1, and 3.08 × 10^?12 M, respectively. The value of k_d was approximately one and two orders of magnitude lower, and that of K was approximately 20 and 7 times lower than for the NO88Bn and TEMPO adducts. These results are explained in terms of X‐ray crystal structures of BODAZ and NO88Bn; the six‐membered ring of BODAZ deviates significantly from planarity as compared to the planar five‐membered ring of NO88Bn and possesses a benzyl substituent oriented away from the nitroxyl group leading to a seemingly more exposed oxyl group, which resulted in a higher k_c and a lower k_d than NO88Bn. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3892–3900, 2003     

The role of excess nitroxide in the SG1 (N-tert-butyl-N-[1-diethylphosphono-(2,2-dimethylpropyl)] nitroxide)-mediated polymerization of methyl methacrylate

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymerizations have been conducted in the presence of large excesses of N-tert-butyl-N-[1-diethylphosphono-(2,2-dimethylpropyl) nitroxide] (SG1) at 110°C. It is demonstrated that such a protocol does not improve control/livingness in the nitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP) of this monomer, instead substantial levels of disproportionation between the nitroxide and propagating radical (PMMA^•) results. The extent of the disproportionation reaction increased with the SG1 concentration, eventually becoming the sole end forming event. Significant disproportionation between SG1 and PMMA^• was also observed at substantially lower temperatures (45°C) in the presence of large excesses of SG1. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2194–2203, 2007     

Zone diagrams in compact subsets of uniformly convex normed spaces

A zone diagram is a relatively new concept which has emerged in computational geometry and is related to Voronoi diagrams. Formally, it is a fixed point of a certain mapping, and neither its uniqueness nor its existence are obvious in advance. It has been studied by several authors, starting with T. Asano, J. Matoušek and T. Tokuyama, who considered the Euclidean plane with singleton sites, and proved the existence and uniqueness of zone diagrams there. In the present paper we prove the existence of zone diagrams with respect to finitely many pairwise disjoint compact sites contained in a compact and convex subset of a uniformly convex normed space, provided that either the sites or the convex subset satisfy a certain mild condition. The proof is based on the Schauder fixed point theorem, the Curtis-Schori theorem regarding the Hilbert cube, and on recent results concerning the characterization of Voronoi cells as a collection of line segments and their geometric stability with respect to small changes of the corresponding sites. Along the way we obtain the continuity of the Dom mapping as well as interesting and apparently new properties of Voronoi cells.     

The Lebanese Red Algae Jania rubens: Promising Biomolecules against Colon Cancer Cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is ranked the second most lethal type of tumor globally. Thus, developing novel anti-cancer therapeutics that are less aggressive and more potent is needed. Recently, natural bioactive molecules are gaining interest as complementary and supportive antineoplastic treatments due to their safety, effectiveness, and low cost. Jania rubens (J. rubens) is a red coral seaweed abundant in the Mediterranean and bears a significant pharmacological essence. Despite its therapeutic potential, the natural biomolecules extracted from this alga are poorly identified. In this study, the proximal analysis revealed high levels of total ash content (66%), 11.3% proteins, 14.5% carbohydrates, and only 4.5% lipids. The elemental identification showed magnesium and calcium were high among its macro minerals, (24 ± 0.5 mg/g) and (33 ± 0.5 mg/g), respectively. The Chlorophyll of J. rubens was dominated by other pigments with (0.82 ± 0.02 mg/g). A 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay identified effective antioxidant activity in various J. rubens extracts. More importantly, a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) tetrazolium reduction and wound healing assays indicate that organic extracts from J. rubens significantly counteract the proliferation of colon cancer cell lines (HCT-116 and HT-29) and inhibit their migratory and metastatic properties in a dose and time-dependent manner. Overall, this study provides insight into the physicochemical properties of red seaweed, J. rubens, and identifies its significant antioxidant, cytotoxic, and anti-migratory potential on two colorectal cell lines, HCT-116 and HT-29.     

Enantiomeric Separation of New Chiral Azole Compounds

Twelve new azole compounds were synthesized through an ene reaction involving methylidene heterocycles and phenylmaleimide, producing four oxazoles, five thiazoles, and one pyridine derivative, and ethyl glyoxylate for an oxazole and a thiazole compound. The twelve azoles have a stereogenic center in their structure. Hence, a method to separate the enantiomeric pairs, must be provided if any further study of chemical and pharmacological importance of these compounds is to be accomplished. Six chiral stationary phases were assayed: four were based on macrocyclic glycopeptide selectors and two on linear carbohydrates, i.e., derivatized maltodextrin and amylose. The enantiomers of the entire set of new chiral azole compounds were separated using three different mobile phase elution modes: normal phase, polar organic, and reversed phase. The most effective chiral stationary phase was the MaltoShell column, which was able to separate ten of the twelve compounds in one elution mode or another. Structural similarities in the newly synthesized oxazoles provided some insights into possible chiral recognition mechanisms.     

Characterization of new Co(II) complexes and photographic monitoring for their toxic impact on breast cancer cells according to simulation study

Five new nitrogen-rich ligands (thioanhydrides) were synthesized and fully characterized. Then, their corresponding Co(II) complexes were prepared and also elucidated by analytical and spectral conformational techniques. First of all, the mono-negative tri-dentate mode was proposed with all derivatives towards mono-nuclear central atom. According to ligand field transitions and magnetic susceptibility values, the square-planar as well as octahedral geometries were the forms suggested. The presence of water molecules was investigated thermally. For conformational implementation under optimal conditions, energy minimization was carried out and fundamental data were obtained and studied. In silico investigation was carried out using the MOE docking approach to predict the inhibition activity for the new compounds. The Co(II)– 3e complex played an excellent inhibitory role. After that and based on preliminary results, in vitro antitumor screening against MCF-7 cell line was conducted for all Co(II) complexes. The results were consistent with that for standard drug (doxorubicin), and the inhibition feature for the complexes was ranked. Through photographic monitoring, outstanding inhibition activity towards breast cancer spreading was recorded for the Co(II)– 3e complex, which coincides well with MOE docking data.     

Metal complexes of novel Schiff base derived from iron sandwiched organometallic and 4‐nitro‐1,2‐phenylenediamine: Synthesis,characterization, DFT studies,antimicrobial activities and molecular docking

The condensation of 2‐acetylferrocene with 4‐nitro‐1,2‐phenylenediamine in a 1:1 molar ratio, resulting in formation of a novel bi‐dentate organometallic Schiff base ligand (L), (2‐(1‐((2‐amino‐5‐nitrophenyl)imino)ethyl)cyclopenta‐2,4‐dien‐1‐yl)(cyclopenta‐2,4‐dien‐1‐yl)iron. Also, its Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes have been synthesized. The stoichiometric ratios of the prepared compounds were estimated using elemental analysis (C, H, N, M), molar conductivity, FT‐IR, UV‐Vis, ¹H‐NMR, SEM and mass spectral analysis. Furthermore, their TG and DTG properties were studied. The geometrical structure of the complexes was found to be octahedral. From spectral analysis, the Schiff base coordinated to metal ions through the azomethine and amine groups. DFT‐based molecular orbital energy calculations of the synthesized ligand have been studied, in which the ligand was theoretically optimized. The Schiff base and its metal complexes have been screened for their antimicrobial activities against different bacterial and fungal species by using disc diffusion method. The anticancer activities of the ligand and its metal complexes have also been studied towards breast cancer (MCF‐7) and human normal melanocytes (HFB‐4) cell lines. Molecular docking was also used to identify the interaction between the Schiff base ligand and its Cd(II) complex with the active site of the receptors of breast cancer mutant oxidoreductase (PDB ID: 3HB5), crystal structure of Staphylococcus aureus (PDB ID: 3Q8U) and yeast‐specific serine/threonine protein phosphatase (PPZ1) of Candida albicans (PDB ID:5JPE).     

Alkoxyamine‐mediated “living” radical polymerization: MS investigation of the early stages of styrene polymerization initiated by cumyl‐TEISO

A new series of 1,1,3,3‐tetraethylisoindoline‐2‐oxyl (TEISO)‐based alkoxyamines was prepared. The half‐lives for thermal dissociation indicated that the most sterically congested cumyl‐TEISO alkoxymine had the greatest potential as an initiator for the polymerization of monomers at lower temperatures. The polymerization of styrene at 110 °C gave a linear evolution of M_n with conversion in the early stages. Further evidence for the “living” nature was given by the polydispersities of the polymers that remained low (M_w/M_n = 1.13–1.27) throughout the polymerization (up to 80% conversion). No polymer was formed for the styrene system in a reasonable time below 100 °C. High‐performance liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric investigations of the distribution of trapped oligomers containing one to nine monomer units formed at 60 °C revealed that the trapping of oligomeric cumyl–styryl radicals by TEISO is irreversible at this temperature. Methyl methacrylate polymerized with cumyl‐TEISO at 60–70 °C, although the initial high rates of polymerization soon decreased to zero at low conversions (10–15%), and the high polydispersities (M_w/M_n = 1.42–1.73) indicated significant side reactions. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1232–1241, 2001     

The Antimicrobial Activities of Silver Nanoparticles from Aqueous Extract of Grape Seeds against Pathogenic Bacteria and Fungi

Grape seed extract (GSE) is a natural source of polyphenolic compounds and secondary metabolites, which have been tested for their possible antimicrobial activities. In the current study, we tested the antibacterial and antifungal activities of aqueous GSE and the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles loaded with GSE (GSE-AgNPs) against different pathogens. The biosynthesized GSE-AgNPs were assessed by UV spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antimicrobial activities were assessed against different bacterial and fungal species. DLS analysis showed that GSE-AgNPs had a Z-Average of 91.89 nm while UV spectroscopy showed that GSE-AgNPs had the highest absorbance at a wavelength of ~415 nm. FTIR analysis revealed that both of GSE and GSE-AgNPs consisted of different functional groups, such as hydroxyl, alkenes, alkyne, and aromatic rings. Both FE-SEM and TEM showed that GSE-AgNPs had larger sizes and rough surfaces than GSE and AgNO₃. The results showed significant antimicrobial activities of GSE-AgNPs against all tested species, unlike GSE, which had weaker and limited effects. More studies are needed to investigate the other antimicrobial activities of GSE.