Proton‐Conducting Magnetic Coordination Polymers

Three isostructural lanthanide‐based two‐ dimensional coordination polymers (CPs) {[Ln₂(L)₃(H₂O)₂]_n ? 2n CH₃OH) ? 2n H₂O} (Ln=Gd³⁺ ( 1 ), Tb³⁺ ( 2 ), Dy³⁺ ( 3 ); H₂L=cyclobutane‐1,1‐dicarboxylic acid) were synthesized by using a low molecular weight dicarboxylate ligand and characterized. Single‐crystal structure analysis showed that in complexes 1 – 3 lanthanide centers are connected by μ₃‐bridging cyclobutanedicarboxylate ligands along the c axis to form a rod‐shaped infinite 1D coordination chain, which is further linked with nearby chains by μ₄‐connected cyclobutanedicarboxylate ligands to form 2D CPs in the bc plane. Viewing the packing of the complexes down the b axis reveals that the lattice methanol molecules are located in the interlayer space between the adjacent 2D layers and form H‐bonds with lattice and coordinated water molecules to form 1D chains. Magnetic properties of complexes 1 – 3 were thoroughly investigated. Complex 1 exhibits dominant ferromagnetic interaction between two nearby gadolinium centers and also acts as a cryogenic magnetic refrigerant having a significant magnetic entropy change of ?ΔS_m=32.8 J kg^?1 K^?1 for ΔH=7 T at 4 K (calculated from isothermal magnetization data). Complex 3 shows slow relaxation of magnetization below 10 K. Impedance analysis revealed that the complexes show humidity‐dependent proton conductivity (σ=1.5×10^?5 S cm^?1 for 1 , σ=2.07×10^?4 S cm^?1 for 2 , and σ=1.1×10^?3 S cm^?1 for 3 ) at elevated temperature (>75 °C). They retain the conductivity for up to 10 h at high temperature and high humidity. Furthermore, the proton conductivity results were correlated with the number of water molecules from the water‐vapor adsorption measurements. Water‐vapor adsorption studies showed hysteretic and two‐step water vapor adsorption (182000 μL g^?1 for 1 , 184000 μL g^?1 for 2 , and 1874000 μL g^?1 for 3 ) in the experimental pressure range. Simulation of water‐vapor adsorption by the Monte Carlo method (for 1 ) confirmed the high density of adsorbed water molecules, preferentially in the interlayer space between the 2D layers.     

A facile synthesis of highly water-soluble, core–shell organo-silica nanoparticles with controllable size via sol–gel process

A series of highly water-soluble organo-silica nanoparticles, ranging from 2 to 10 nm in diameter, were synthesized by the cohydrolysis and copolycondensation reactions. ω-methoxy(polyethyleneoxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (PEG6-9) and hydroxymethyltriethoxysilane (HMTEOS) mixtures were catalyzed by sodium hydroxide in the presence of surfactant benzethonium chloride (BTC) with various ratios of PEG6-9/HMTEOS at room temperature. The synthesized organo-silica nanoparticles possess a core–shell structure with a core of organo-silica resulting from HMTEOS and a monolayer shell of PEG6-9. The chemo-physical characteristics of the particles were studied by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ²⁹Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The molecular weight and particle size of the particles increased with increasing HMTEOS molar ratios. The richest HMTEOS composition for the water-soluble particles was found to be HMTEOS:PEG6-9 = 80:20, where the particles had a 6 nm diameter core and a 0.8 nm thick shell. We propose that these water-soluble organo-silica nanoparticles will be suitable for biomedical applications.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 4-(6-substituted quinolin-4-yl)-N-aryl thiazol-2-amine derivatives as potential antimicrobial agents

Cyclocondensation reaction of 4-(2-bromoacetyl)quinolin-1-ium bromide ( 4a–d ) with substituted arylthiourea, ( 5a–g ) afforded 4-(6-substituted quinolin-4-yl)-N-aryl/pyridyl thiazol-2-amine ( 6a-ab ). These newly synthesized derivatives were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (NCIM 2574), Proteus mirabilis (NCIM 2388) (Gram-negative strains), Bacillus subtilis (NCIM 2063), Staphylococcus albus (NCIM 2178) (Gram-positive strains) and in vitro antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger (ATCC 504) and Candida albicans (NCIM 3100). Compounds 6a , 6b , 6d , 6f , 6k , and 6l showed moderate to good antibacterial activity against S. albus. Ten derivatives 6c , 6q , 6r , 6s , 6t , 6v , 6w , 6x , 6y , and 6aa , showed moderate to good activity against A. niger. N-[4-(Quinolin-4-yl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]pyridin-2-amine presented comparable activity against A. niger with respect to standard drug Rouconazole.     

Bioavailability studies of oral dosage forms containing levodopa and carbidopa using column-switching chromatography followed by electrochemical detection

A reliable multi-dimensional column chromatographic method employing amperometric detection using a carbon fibre microelectrode procedure was used for monitoring the plasma profiles and to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of levodopa (L-dopa) and carbidopa (C-dopa), after ingestion of oral formulations containing these drugs. The peak currents obtained for the different analytes were directly proportional to the analyte over the concentration range 0.02-4 micrograms ml-1. Using this method, the minimum detectable concentration was estimated to be 5 and 8 ng ml-1 for L-dopa and C-dopa, respectively. Recovery studies ranged from 93.83 to 89.76%, with a relative standard deviation of less than 7%. The study was carried out in two separate weeks on five healthy non-patient fasted male/female volunteers in the age range 20-37 years and weighing between 60 kg and 78 kg. The pharmacokinetic profile of two controlled-release products containing both L-dopa and C-dopa (Sinemet CR3 and CR4) was compared on the one hand and Sinemet conventional tablets on the other. The pharmacokinetic parameters, peak concentration (Cmax), the time taken to obtain this level (Tmax), elimination half-time T1/2, elimination rate constant (Kel), plasma level ratio, fluctuation index (FI) and the area under the time-concentration curve (AUC0-8), were investigated for each individual formulation. A comparison of the uptake of L-dopa from the conventional formulation showed that L-dopa entered the plasma and achieved peak levels higher than that of the controlled release formulations. However, it showed a much higher fluctuation index and the plasma concentrations were more stable with the controlled release formulations. The data also indicated a very low accumulation of both levodopa and carbidopa following repeated administration of the drugs, which was consistent with their relatively short half-lives (less than 2 h). In contrast, the half-life for the metabolite 3-orthomethyl dopa (3-OMD) is in the order of 13 h. As a result, there was an extensive accumulation of 3-OMD and its levels were significantly higher than those of levodopa or carbidopa upon repeated administration. Urine recoveries of the three analytes over one 8 h dosing interval showed that the majority of the excreted levodopa and carbidopa was recovered during the first 4 h, and there is proportionally greater excretion of the carbidopa dose than the levodopa dose.     

Characterization and deposition of various light-harvesting antenna complexes by electrospray atomization

Photosynthetic organisms have light-harvesting complexes that absorb and transfer energy efficiently to reaction centers. Light-harvesting complexes (LHCs) have received increased attention in order to understand the natural photosynthetic process and also to utilize their unique properties in fabricating efficient artificial and bio-hybrid devices to capture solar energy. In this work, LHCs with different architectures, sizes, and absorption spectra, such as chlorosomes, Fenna–Matthews–Olson (FMO) protein, LH2 complex, and phycobilisome have been characterized by an electrospray-scanning mobility particle-sizer system (ES-SMPS). The size measured by ES-SMPS for FMO, chlorosomes, LH2, and phycobilisome were 6.4, 23.3, 9.5, and 33.4?nm, respectively. These size measurements were compared with values measured by dynamic light scattering and those reported in the literature. These complexes were deposited onto a transparent substrate by electrospray deposition. Absorption and fluorescence spectra of the deposited LHCs were measured. It was observed that the LHCs have light absorption and fluorescence spectra similar to that in solution, demonstrating the viability of the process.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel polymeric hydrogel based on hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose grafted with polyacrylamide

A novel hydrogel has synthesized by grafting polyacrylamide chains onto hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in presence of potassium persulphate as initiator using solution polymerization technique. The reaction was carried out in homogeneous aqueous medium. The effect of reaction parameters on percentage of grafting (% G) and grafting efficiency (% GE) were discussed. The parameters were varied systematically to achieve the best hydrogel. Developed hydrogels were characterized by various materials characterization techniques. The dynamic and equilibrium swelling properties of hydrogels were investigated as a function of pH and time in various buffer solutions similar to that of gastric and intestinal fluid. Results showed that with increase in % G and % GE, the rate of swelling decreases, which can opens the door for further study of their utilization as matrices for controlled/sustained/targeted drug delivery.     

Two-dimensional supramolecular assembly of phenylmercury(II) and cadmium(II) complexes with a tridentate thiohydrazone NNS donor ligand: Synthesis,coordination behavior and crystal structure

The reaction of phenylmercury(II) acetate and cadmium(II) acetate with a refluxed solution of diacetylmonoxime and morpholine N-thiohydrazide formed a novel phenylmercury(II) complex, [PhHg(Hdammthiol)] (1) and a cadmium(II) complex, [Cd(Hdammthiol)₂] (2), respectively (where H₂dammthiol is the thiol form of diacetylmonoximemorpholine N-thiohydrazone (Hdammth) formed by the condensation of diacetylmonoxime and morpholine N-thiohydrazide in the presence of phenylmercury(II) and cadmium(II) ions). The complexes were characterised by elemental analyses and spectral data (electronic, infrared and ¹H NMR) and also by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The X-ray crystallography shows that the phenylmercury(II) complex attained a tricoordinated distorted T-shaped structure, while the cadmium(II) complex attained a trapezoidal bipyramidal geometry. The phenylmercury(II) complex forms a two-dimensional sheet via C–H?O and O–H?N hydrogen bonding and also forms a two-dimensional supramolecular dimer, having C–H?π synthons. Intermolecular C–H?O and O–H?O hydrogen bonding of the cadmium(II) complex forms a two-dimensional supramolecular sheet along the bc plane and posses an impressively short intermolecular C(sp³)?O(sp³) contact.     

Host-guest supramolecular interactions in the coordination compounds of 4,4'-azobis(pyridine) with MnX2 (X = NCS–, NCNCN–, and PF6(–)): structural analyses and theoretical study

Three new Mn(II) coordination compounds {[Mn(NCNCN)(2)(azpy)]·0.5azpy}(n) (1), {[Mn(NCS)(2)(azpy)(CH(3)OH)(2)]·azpy}(n) (2), and [Mn(azpy)(2)(H(2)O)(4)][Mn(azpy)(H(2)O)(5)]·4PF(6)·H(2)O·5.5azpy (3) (where azpy = 4,4'-azobis(pyridine)) have been synthesized by self-assembly of the primary ligands, dicyanamide, thiocyanate, and hexafluorophosphate, respectively, together with azpy as the secondary spacer. All three complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, thermal analyses, and single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structural analyses reveal that complex 1 forms a two-dimensional (2D) grid sheet motif. These sheets assemble to form a microporous framework that incorporates coordination-free azpy by host-guest π···π and C-H···N hydrogen bonding interactions. Complex 2 features azpy bridged one-dimensional (1D) chains of centrosymmetric [Mn(NCS)(2)(CH (3)OH)(2)] units which form a 2D porous sheet via a CH(3)···π supramolecular interaction. A guest azpy molecule is incorporated within the pores by strong H-bonding interactions. Complex 3 affords a 0-D motif with two monomeric Mn(II) units in the asymmetric unit. There exist π···π, anion···π, and strong hydrogen bonding interactions between the azpy, water, and the anions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations, at the M06/6-31+G* level of theory, are used to characterize a great variety of interactions that explicitly show the importance of host-guest supramolecular interactions for the stabilization of coordination compounds and creation of the fascinating three-dimensional (3D) architecture of the title compounds.     

Selenadiazolopyridine: a synthon for supramolecular assembly and complexes with metallophilic interactions

The synthesis and characterization of the complexes of Cu(I), Ag(I), Cu(II), and Co(II) ions with 1,2,5-selenadiazolopyridine (psd) is reported. The following complexes have been prepared: [Cu(2)(psd)(3)(CH(3)CN)(2)](2+)2(PF(6)(-)); [(CuCl)(2)(psd)(3)]; [Cu(2)(psd)(6)](2+)2(ClO(4))(-); [Ag(2)(psd)(2)](2+)2(NO(3))(-); [Ag(2)(psd)(2)](2+)2(CF(3)COO)(-); [Cu(psd)(2)(H(2)O)(3)](2+)2(ClO(4))(-)·(psd)(2); [Cu(psd)(4)(H(2)O)](2+)2(ClO(4))(-)·(CHCl(3)); [Cu(psd)(2)(H(2)O)(3)](2+)2(NO(3))(-)·(H(2)O)·(psd)(2), and [Co(psd)(2)(H(2)O)(4)](2+)2(ClO(4))(-)·(psd)(2). The electronic structure of ligand psd, in particular the bond order of Se-N bonds, has been probed by X-ray diffraction, (77)Se NMR, and computational studies. A detailed analysis of the crystal structures of the ligand and the complexes revealed interesting supramolecular assembly. The assembly was further facilitated by the presence of neutral ligands for some complexes (Cu(II) and Co(II)). The molecular structure of the ligand showed that it was present as a dimer in the solid state where the monomers were linked by strong secondary bonding Se···N interactions. The crystal structures of Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes revealed the dinuclear nature with characteristic metallophilic interactions [M···M] (M = Cu, Ag), while the Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes were mononuclear. The presence of M···M interactions has been further probed by Atoms in Molecules (AIM) calculations. The paramagnetic Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes have been characterized by UV-vis, ESI spectroscopy, and room temperature magnetic measurements.     

Synthesis in ionic liquids: [Bi2Te2Br](AlCl4), a direct gap semiconductor with a cationic framework

The Lewis acidic ionic liquid EMIMBr-AlCl(3) (EMIM = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium) allows a novel synthetic route to the semiconducting layered metal chalcogenides halide [Bi(2)Te(2)Br](AlCl(4)) and its Sb analogue. [Bi(2)Te(2)Br](AlCl(4)) is a direct band gap, strongly anisotropic semiconductor and consists of cationic infinite layers of [Bi(2)Te(2)Br](+) and [AlCl(4)](-) anions inserted between the layers.