Predicting Accurate Lead Structures for Screening Molecular Libraries: A Quantum Crystallographic Approach

Optimization of lead structures is crucial for drug discovery. However, the accuracy of such a prediction using the traditional molecular docking approach remains a major concern. Our study demonstrates that the employment of quantum crystallographic approach-counterpoise corrected kernel energy method (KEM-CP) can improve the accuracy by and large. We select human aldose reductase at 0.66 Å, cyclin dependent kinase 2 at 2.0 Å and estrogen receptor β at 2.7 Å resolutions with active site environment ranging from highly hydrophilic to moderate to highly hydrophobic and several of their known ligands. Overall, the use of KEM-CP alongside the GoldScore resulted superior prediction than the GoldScore alone. Unlike GoldScore, the KEM-CP approach is neither environment-specific nor structural resolution dependent, which highlights its versatility. Further, the ranking of the ligands based on the KEM-CP results correlated well with that of the experimental IC₅₀ values. This computationally inexpensive yet simple approach is expected to ease the process of virtual screening of potent ligands, and it would advance the drug discovery research.     

Sequential Two-Fold Claisen Rearrangement,One-Pot Ring-Closing Metathesis and Cross-Metathesis as a Route to Substituted Benzo[b]azepine-2-one,Benzo[b]azepine and Benzo[b]oxepine Derivatives

A synthetic protocol involving sequential use of three atom-economic processes viz. Claisen rearrangement, ring-closing metathesis and cross metathesis has been developed to access 7-substituted benzo[b]azepine and benzo[b]oxepine derivatives starting from appropriate aniline or phenol in good overall yield. A one-pot RCM-CM protocol has also been developed for the synthesis of benzazepine and benzoxepine derivatives.     

Conductive Metal-Organic Frameworks: Electronic Structure and Electrochemical Applications

Smarter and minimization of devices are consistently substantial to shape the energy landscape. Significant amounts of endeavours have come forward as promising steps to surmount this formidable challenge. It is undeniable that material scientists were contemplating smarter material beyond purely inorganic or organic materials. To our delight, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), an inorganic-organic hybrid scaffold with unprecedented tunability and smart functionalities, have recently started their journey as an alternative. In this review, we focus on such propitious potential of MOFs that was untapped over a long time. We cover the synthetic strategies and (or) post-synthetic modifications towards the formation of conductive MOFs and their underlying concepts of charge transfer with structural aspects. We addressed theoretical calculations with the experimental outcomes and spectroelectrochemistry, which will trigger vigorous impetus about intrinsic electronic behaviour of the conductive frameworks. Finally, we discussed electrocatalysts and energy storage devices stemming from conductive MOFs to meet energy demand in the near future.     

Solution properties of graphite and graphene

Covalent derivatization of the acidic functional groups in oxidized graphite with octadecylamine renders graphite soluble in common organic solvents. Atomic force microscopic characterization of the soluble species supports the idea that the solutions consist of single and few layer graphene sheets, and we report the first solution properties of graphite.     

Mesomorphic and photophysical behaviour of 1,3,4-oxadiazole based hockey stick reactive mesogens

New hockey stick mesogens derived from 1,3,4-oxadiazole as a bent-core unit have been synthesised. The molecules resemble hockey stick shape due to the presence of two arms containing a different number of phenyl rings attached with the 1,3,4-oxadiazole bending unit. The shorter arm of the molecule consists of one phenyl ring and 4-n-alkyloxy terminal chains whereas the long arm of the molecule possesses containing two phenyl rings which are linked via imine linkage and reactive 4-n-undecenyloxy as a terminal chain. The thermal stabilities of the newly synthesised compounds were carried out by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The mesomorphic behaviour was investigated by polarising optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). All the compounds exhibit enantiotropic nematic phase along with smectic phases (SmA and SmC phases). Interestingly, the compounds with lower 4-n-alkyloxy terminal chains (n = 4 and 6) exhibit a wide range of optically isotropic DC phase. On increasing, the terminal 4-n-alkoxy chain length the DC phase disappears. The photophysical properties of the compounds were investigated in different solvents and in the solid state. It was observed that the compound exhibit absorption in UV region and emission in the green region.     

Interactions of N-acetyl-l-cysteine with metals (Ni2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+): an experimental and theoretical study

In recent years, interactions of metal ions with amino acid derivatives have been studied extensively due to their immense importance in the life-supporting processes. Here, we report the synthesis of three metal (Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺) complexes of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) using a solvent-free solid-state method. Characterization of the complexes by elemental analyses, molar conductance, SEM, infrared and electronic absorption spectra reveals that the metal ions bind to the NAC molecules in 1:2 molar ratio (metal:ligand) via the S-atoms. Theoretical calculations are carried out using the B3LYP hybrid functional in combination with 6-31++G(d,p) and LANL2DZ basis sets to investigate the effects of metal coordination on the backbone structural features of NAC and geometry about the α-carbon atom. The molecular geometries of NAC as well as its metal complexes are fully optimized in gas phase without applying any geometrical constraint, and a second derivative analysis confirms that all the optimized geometries are true minima. TD-DFT single-point calculations are performed in aqueous phase to obtain the theoretical λ _max values. The gas-phase interaction enthalpies (metal ion binding affinities), Gibbs energies, HOMO/LUMO energies as well as their energy gaps, rotational constants, dipole moments, and theoretically predicted vibrational spectra of all the reaction species are also calculated and thoroughly analyzed. Most of the experimental results are well reproduced by the B3LYP level of calculations. Metal ion coordination to NAC modifies its backbone structural features as well as the geometry about the α-carbon atom.     

Water mediated catalyst-free efficient domino synthesis of 9-(quinolin-2(1H)-one)-xanthene-1,8(5H,9H)-diones using parallel synthesizer

A facile and efficient method for the preparation of 3,4,6,7-tetrahydro-9-(1,2-dihydro-2-oxoquinolin-3-yl)-2H-xanthene-1,8(5H,9H)-diones from substituted 2-chloro-3-formylquinoline and 1,3-cyclohexanedione or dimedone in water at 90 °C using parallel synthesizer is reported. The present methodology offers a tandem-cascade methodology, high yield, and operational simplicity.     

A macrocyclic piperazine linked extremely Zn selective fluorescent chemosensor with bio-imaging and for H2PO4 sensing

A new macrocyclic fluorescent chemosensor piperazine coupled diimine phenol (PCDP) which forms extremely selective Zn(II) complex and thus builds up the platform for H₂PO₄⁻ (DHP) sensing in mixed aqueous medium, has been designed and synthesized. The binding of PCDP with Zn²⁺ and its displacement by DHP have been supported by DFT studies. The blue fluorescence in the PCDP–Zn complex is useful for bio-imaging. The fluorescence enhancement of PCDP on association with Zn²⁺ ion is quenched sharply in the presence of intracellular DHP.