Energy transfer photophysics from serum albumins to sequestered 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, an excited state intramolecular proton-transfer probe

The steady-state and time-resolved studies of the sensitized emission of the excited-state proton transfer (ESIPT) probe 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (3HNA) when bound to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) indicate that the nonradiative dipole-dipole F?rster type energy transfer from Trp singlet state of proteins to the ESIPT singlet state of 3HNA is greater in the case of HSA. This is supported by the distance and the orientation of the donor-acceptor pair obtained from the protein-ligand docking studies. The docking studies of the complex of BSA-3HNA also indicate that Trp 134 rather than Trp 213 is involved in the energy transfer process. The local environment of Trp 134 in BSA rather than that of Trp 213 is perturbed because of interaction with 3HNA as revealed by the optical resolution of Trp 134 phosphorescence in the complex at 77 K. Docking studies support the larger rotational correlation time, thetac (approximately 50 ns), observed for Trp residue/residues in the complexes of HSA and BSA compared with that in the free proteins.     

Use of fluorescence probes for studying Kamlet-Taft solvatochromic parameters of micellar system formed by binary mixture of sodium dodecyl sulfate and Triton-X 100

Fluorescence probes have been used to estimate Kamlet-Taft solvatochromic parameters alpha and pi* representing hydrogen-bond donation ability and dipolarity/polarizability, respectively, of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-Triton X 100 (TX100) mixed aggregates with varying compositions. The hydrogen-bond donation ability of the mixed aggregate has been found to increase with SDS composition, whereas the dipolarity/polarizability parameter decreases. The relative contribution of electrostatic and steric effect toward the total free energy of micellization have been calculated for the mixture. The solvatochromic parameters alpha and pi* depend linearly on the total free energy of micellization, indicating a correlation between aggregational and solvatochromic properties.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Singlet Oxygen Sensitization by Antimony (III/V) Corrole Complexes

The synthesis, structural, spectroscopic characterization, and DFT/TD-DFT calculations of antimony corroles are reported herein. The studied complexes can be described as [(Corr)Sb^III] and [(Corr)(oxo)Sb^V]₂, where Corr is the trianion of corrole. All these complexes are diamagnetic in nature as is evident from sharp peaks with normal chemical shifts in the ¹H NMR spectra. Single crystal XRD analysis reveals that the antimony(V) corrole complex is the bis-μ-oxo-bridged dinuclear antimony(V). Both the tetra and hexa-coordinated [(Corr)Sb^III] and [(Corr)(oxo)Sb^V]₂ antimony complexes adopt domed-structure with weak d-π electron coupling. The Sb−O bond distances in the co-facial dimer of [(Corr)(oxo)Sb^V]₂ are 1.9802(16) Å (DFT: 2.0141 Å ) (for Sb1−O1), and 1.9639(17) Å (DFT: 1.9957 Å ) (for Sb2−O2) respectively. We observed that even though iodosobenzene is frequently used to oxidize [(Corr)Sb^III] species, the oxidation of [(Corr)Sb^III] is indeed very facile in nature and it even occurred in the air-equilibrated CHCl₃ solution while storing for few days. Excitation of these antimony (III/V) corrole complexes in DCM/MeOH (1 : 1) at 77 K results in red emission with maxima at 640–720 nm. The singlet oxygen production of [(Corr)(oxo)Sb^V]₂ has a quantum yield of 69 % and is two times higher than the analogous [(Corr)Sb^III] derivatives.     

Role of axial donors in the ligand isomerization processes of quadruply bonded dimolybdenum(II) compounds

Quadruply bonded dimolybdenum(II) complexes with NP-R (2-(2-R)-1,8-naphthyridine; R = thiazolyl (NP-tz), furyl (NP-fu), thienyl (NP-th)) and 2,3-dimethyl-1,8-naphthyridine (NP-Me 2) have been synthesized by reactions of cis-[Mo2(OAc)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 with the corresponding ligands. The products cis-[Mo2(NP-tz)2(OAc)2][BF4]2 (1), trans-[Mo2(NP-fu)2(OAc)2][BF4]2 (2), trans-[Mo2(NP-th)2(OAc)2][BF4]2 (3), and trans-[Mo2(NP-Me2)2(OAc)2][BF4]2 (4) were isolated and characterized. The NP-R ligands with stronger R = pyridyl and thiazolyl donors result in cis isomers whereas the weaker furyl and thienyl appendages lead to compounds having a trans orientation of the ligands. The use of NP-Me2 leads to a trans structure with a tetrafluoroborate anion occupying one of the axial sites. Complete replacement of two acetate groups by acetonitrile in 1 and 2 resulted in the cis isomers [Mo2(NP-tz)2(CH3CN)4][OTf]4 (5) and [Mo2(NP-fu)2(CH3CN)4][OTf]4 (6) respectively. The combination of one acetate and two acetonitriles as ancillary ligands, however, yields trans-[Mo2(NP-tz)2(OAc)(CH3CN)2][BF4]3 (7) in the solid state as determined by X-ray crystallography. (1)H NMR spectra of the products are diagnostic of the cis and trans dispositions of the ligands. Solution studies reveal that the ligand arrangements observed in the solid state are mostly retained in the acetonitrile medium. The only exception is 7, for which a mixture of cis and trans isomers are detected on the NMR time scale. The isolation of trans compounds 2- 4 from the cis precursor [Mo2(OAc)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 indicates that an isomerization process occurs during the reactions. The mechanism involving acetate migration through axial coordination has been invoked to rationalize the product formation. Compounds 1- 7 were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray methods.     

How strongly can calcium ion influence the hydrogen-bond dynamics at complex aqueous interfaces?

The author has performed three independent molecular dynamics computer simulations to examine the effects of counterion identity on hydrogen-bond dynamics in the enclosed water pool of anionic surfactant-based reverse micelles. The water-water hydrogen-bond lifetime in the reverse micelle (RM) with calcium ions is found to be longer than that in the RM with sodium or ammonium ions. The hydrogen bond between a polar head group and a water molecule, on the other hand, breaks but reforms most rapidly in the RM with calcium ions, indicating that there exists a strong competition between head group-counterion and head group-water interactions at such complex interfaces.     

Dibenzo[a,c]phenazine: a polarity-insensitive hydrogen-bonding probe

A derivative of phenazine, dibenzo[a,c]phenazine (DBPZ), can be used as a very good hydrogen-bonding probe unlike its parent phenazine molecule. Steady-state absorption and fluorescence studies reveal that DBPZ is completely insensitive to polarity of the medium. However, DBPZ can form a hydrogen bond very efficiently in its first excited singlet state. The extent of this excited-state hydrogen-bond formation depends both on size and on hydrogen-bond donor ability of the solvents. Time-resolved fluorescence studies and theoretical calculations also suggest that this hydrogen-bond formation is much more favorable in the excited state as compared to the ground state. In the excited state, the electron density is pushed toward the nitrogen atoms from the benzene rings, thereby increasing the dipole moment of the DBPZ molecule. Although the dipole moment of DBPZ increases upon photoexcitation, like other polarity probes, the molecule remains fully insensitive to the polarity of the interacting solvent. This unusual behavior of DBPZ as compared to simple phenazine and other polarity probes is due to the structure of the molecule. Hydrogen atoms at the 1 and 8 positions of DBPZ are sterically interacting with a lone pair of electrons on the proximate nitrogen atoms and make both of the nitrogen atoms inaccessible to solvent molecules. For this reason, DBPZ cannot sense the polarity of the medium. However, DBPZ can only sense solvents, those that have hydrogen with some electropositive nature, that is, the hydrogen-bond donating solvents. Hydrogen being the smallest among all elements can only interact with the lone pair of electrons of nitrogen atoms. Thus, DBPZ can act as a sensor for the hydrogen-bond donating solvents irrespective of their dielectrics.     

Ancillary ligand determination of the spin location in both oxidised and reduced forms of diruthenium complexes bridged by bis-bidentate 1,4-bis(2-phenolato)-1,4-diazabutadiene

The rare bridging mode of 1,4-bis(2-phenolato)-1,4-diazabutadiene = glyoxalbis(2-hydroxyanil) (L(2-)) is adopted in {(mu-L(2-))[Ru11(bpy)22}2+ (1(2+)), obtained as bis-perchlorate. Four well accessible redox forms of 1(n) (n = 4+, 3+, 2+, +) have been characterised by UV-VIS-NIR spectroelectrochemistry. The (3+) and (+) intermediates have also been investigated by EPR, both showing radical-type signals close to g = 2. This observation stands in stark contrast to EPR results previously obtained for the related {(mu-L)[Ru(acac)2]2(n), n = + and -, both of which exhibit metal-centred spin. In combination with the UV-VIS-NIR spectra these results suggest the preferential involvement of the multistep ligand redox system L(n-) in the electron transfer processes. The relative stabilisation of Ru11 by pi-accepting bpy is made responsible for the oxidation of the ligand L(2-) instead of the metal.     

Studies toward the total synthesis of sorangiolides and their analogues. A convergent stereoselective synthesis of the macrocyclic lactone precursors

Stereoselective synthesis of the fully protected 18-membered macrocyclic lactones as the immediate precursors of the natural products, sorangiolides A and B, is described. The key steps used in the synthesis include the sp3-hybridized carbon-carbon Fu cross coupling, the stereoselective Evans' aldol reaction with 1,5-anti induction, the 1,3-diastereoselective syn reduction of a beta-hydroxyketone intermediate, and Mukaiyama macrolactonization reactions.     

Quantum well engineering of InAlAs/InGaAs HEMTs for low impact ionization applications

The performance of InAlAs/InGaAs quantum well field effect transistors are subject to high impact ionization and band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) due to its narrow bandgap feature. In this work, the energy gap is engineered using strain and quantization techniques to increase the effective energy gap leading to low impact ionization and BTBT leakage current. It is shown that the impact ionization is reduced in 5 nm channel device as compared to 13 nm device with onset at approximately E_geff/q. Also the band-to-band-tunneling current is reduced due to the increase in effective energy gap. We have also investigated the effects of quantum well engineering on the dc performance of InGaAs HEMTs.     

Intrinsic therapeutic applications of noble metal nanoparticles: past, present and future

Biomedical nanotechnology is an evolving field having enormous potential to positively impact the health care system. Important biomedical applications of nanotechnology that may have potential clinical applications include targeted drug delivery, detection/diagnosis and imaging. Basic understanding of how nanomaterials, the building blocks of nanotechnology, interact with the cells and their biological consequences are beginning to evolve. Noble metal nanoparticles such as gold, silver and platinum are particularly interesting due to their size and shape dependent unique optoelectronic properties. These noble metal nanoparticles, particularly of gold, have elicited a lot of interest for important biomedical applications because of their ease of synthesis, characterization and surface functionalization. Furthermore, recent investigations are demonstrating another promising application of these nanomaterials as self-therapeutics. To realize the potential promise of these unique inorganic nanomaterials for future clinical translation, it is of utmost importance to understand a few critical parameters; (i) how these nanomaterials interact with the cells at the molecular level; (ii) how their biodistribution and pharmacokinetics influenced by their surface and routes of administration; (iii) mechanism of their detoxification and clearance and (iv) their therapeutic efficacy in appropriate disease model. Thus in this critical review, we will discuss the various clinical applications of gold, silver and platinum nanoparticles with relevance to above parameters. We will also mention various routes of synthesis of these noble metal nanoparticles. However, before we discuss present research, we will also look into the past. We need to understand the discoveries made before us in order to further our knowledge and technological development (318 references).