Diastereoselective and enantioselective alkaline-hydrolysis of 2-aryl-1-cyclohexyl acetate: a CAL-B catalyzed deacylation/acylation tandem process

Candida antarctica lipase proved to be a particularly efficient lipase for the resolution of racemic 2-arylcyclohexyl acetate in hydrolysis reaction with Na₂CO₃ in an organic medium. The (1R,2S)-trans-2-arylcyclohexanols 2a–2d were obtained with high ee values (up to >99%) and the selectivity reached E > 200. The influence of the enol ester and the solvent on (±)-trans-2-arylcyclohexanol in the CAL-B catalyzed acylation was also studied and compared with the deacylation. The CAL-B exhibits a better affinity for the alkaline hydrolysis reaction compared with acylation with the enol esters in the same organic solvents. The best conditions were applied to resolve a stereoisomeric mixture cis/trans-2-phenyl-1-cyclohexanol and its corresponding acetate by acylation and deacylation. The obtained results show a highly enantio- and diastereoselectivity of the CAL-B during the acylation and the deacylation in favor of the trans-(R)-enantiomer product. The resolution of a mixture of cis/trans-2-arylcyclohexanols was an easy, convenient approach to provide only one stereoisomer of a mixture of four with high enantiomeric excess.     

NC Palladacycles and C,C-chelating phosphorus ylide complexes: synthesis,X-ray characterization,and comparison of the catalytic activity in the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction

Six secondary amine palladacycles bearing monodentate ligands (1a, 2a), 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) and 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp) containing bridging and bidentate ligands (1b, 2b–d), and four C,C-type phosphorus ylide complexes containing thiourea (tu) (3a), phenyl isothiocyanate (4a), and bridging and terminal azide groups (5 and 5a) have been synthesized. Resulting complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H-, ¹³C{¹H}-, and ³¹P{¹H}-NMR spectroscopy with single crystal X-ray structure determination of 1a and 2a. The Pd in 1a and 2a occupies the center of a slightly distorted square planar environment formed by C_aryl, N_amine, N_pyridine, and Cl. The catalytic efficiency of complexes showed that in most cases, amine palladacycles display better catalytic activities than the phosphorus ylide Pd(II) complexes. Comparison between bidentate and bridging dppe complexes showed that dppe-bridged dimer 2d has higher catalytic activity than dppe bidentate complex.     

Development of an efficient enrichment system for copper determination in water and food samples based on p-phenylenediamine anchored magnetic titanium dioxide nanowires

In the present work, titanium dioxide nanowires (TNWs) were synthesised via hydrothermal method. Insertion of ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles to the surface of TNWs was done by sol gel combustion synthesis of the nanoparticles in the presence of the nanowires. The surface of prepared magnetic TNWs was modified by p-phenylendiamine and then it was used in preconcentration of Cu²⁺ ion prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The sorbent was characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectra, EDX, FE-SEM and VSM techniques. We investigated and optimised various parameters influencing the preconcentration efficiency, such as the media pH, adsorbent quantity, contact time, sample volume and elution conditions. Under optimum conditions, the analytical performance of the method was evaluated. The calibration curve was found to be linear from 10.0 to 150 μg L^?1 (R² = 0.996). Calculated limit of detection was 0.43 μg L^?1 (n = 5). The estimated relative standard deviation was 2.50% (n = 5). Moreover, the maximum adsorption capacity of the sorbent was 51.5 mg g^?1 and preconcentration factor was 125. Capability of developed method was proved by applying it for preconcentration of Cu²⁺ ion from food and water samples.     

Synthesis of L-tyrosine-capped ZnSe quantum dots and its application to hypochlorite determination in water

In this study, a new sensitised spectrofluorometric method was presented as a probe sensor for hypochlorite analysis in oral and tap water samples. By capping L-tyrosine (Tyr) on ZnSe nanoparticles, stable quantum dots (QDs) were obtained. In comparison with Tyr, the fluorescence (FL) emission of Tyr-capped ZnSe is enhanced and shifted to greater wavelength, which causes to enhance the sensitivity for the determination of hypochlorite. Based on the FL quenching of the Tyr-capped ZnSe QDs, hypochlorite concentration was detected at buffering pH of 7 in the range of 5.15 × 10^?5?2.57 × 10^?2 g L^?1. Relative standard deviation and detection limit were found to be 0.83% and 2.06 × 10^?5 g L^?1, respectively. In comparison with the other methods of hypochlorite determination, this method is simple, fast and inexpensive, with low sample volume consumption. It also exhibits a good selectivity.     

A review on green Lewis acids: zirconium(IV) oxydichloride octahydrate (ZrOCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>·8H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O) and zirconium(IV) tetrachloride (ZrCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>) in organic chemistry

Lewis acids are important and interesting catalysts in most organic transformations. Among different Lewis acids, Zr(IV) species such as ZrCl₄ and ZrOCl₂·8H₂O are allocated special attention because of their low toxicity, availability and handling, moisture stability, and low cost in comparison to some of their corresponding compounds. During recent decades, Lewis acids have been used to promote different types of organic reactions because they naturally possess mild acidity properties and, as such, can catalyze reactions selectively. This means that in the presence of various functional groups, they can operate on a specific group to produce the objective product. In this review we have focused on the reactions which have been progressed in the presence of ZrCl₄ and ZrOCl₂·8H₂O. The study has been ordered based on the number of the reaction components and their solvent media.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Stachys lavandulifolia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lathyrus</Emphasis> sp. Mediated for Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Evaluation Its Antifungal Activity Against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dothiorella sarmentorum</Emphasis>

In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized using Stachys lavandulifolia and Lathyrus sp. The first sign of the reduction of silver ions to AgNPs was the change in color of S. lavandulifolia and Lathyrus sp. extracts changed into dark brown and auburn after treating with silver nitrate, respectively. The UV–Vis spectroscopy of reaction mixture (extract+silver nitrate) produced by S. lavandulifolia and Lathyrus sp. showed the strong adsorption peaks at ?440 and 420 nm, respectively. The transmission electron microscope images showed the synthesis of AgNPs using S. lavandulifolia and Lathyrus sp. with an average size of 7 and 11 nm, respectively. The result of X-ray diffraction pattern showed four diffraction peaks at 38°, 44°, 64°, and 77° for both types of biosynthesized AgNPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed the possible role of involved proteins and polyhydroxyl functional groups in the synthesis process of AgNPs. Inductively coupled plasma analysis determined the conversion rate (percentage) of silver ions to silver nanoparticles in reaction mixtures of S. lavandulifolia and Lathyrus sp. 99.73 and 99.67 %, respectively. In addition, antifungal effect of AgNPs, synthesized by both extracts, was studied separately on mycelial growth of Dothiorella sarmentorum, in a completely randomized design on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. The inhibition rate of mycelial growth was strongly depended on the density of AgNPs and it strongly increased with increasing the density of AgNPs in the PDA medium. AgNPs more than 90 % of them inhibited from the mycelia growth of the fungus at the concentration of 40 µg/mL and higher.     

Surface Charge‐Transfer Doping of Graphene Nanoflakes Containing Double‐Vacancy (5‐8‐5) and Stone–Wales (55‐77) Defects through Molecular Adsorption

The adsorption of six electron donor–acceptor (D/A) organic molecules on various sizes of graphene nanoflakes (GNFs) containing two common defects, double‐vacancy (5‐8‐5) and Stone–Wales (55‐77), are investigated by means of ab initio DFT [M06‐2X(‐D3)/cc‐pVDZ]. Different D/A molecules adsorb on a defect graphene (DG) surface with binding energies (ΔE_b) of about ?12 to ?28 kcal mol^?1. The ΔE_b values for adsorption of molecules on the Stone–Wales GNF surface are higher than those on the double vacancy GNF surface. Moreover, binding energies increase by about 10 % with an increase in surface size. The nature of cooperative weak interactions is analyzed based on quantum theory of atoms in molecules, noncovalent interactions plot, and natural bond order analyses, and the dominant interaction is compared for different molecules. Electron density population analysis is used to explain the n‐ and p‐type character of defect graphene nanoflakes (DGNFs) and also the change in electronic properties and reactivity parameters of DGNFs upon adsorption of different molecules and with increasing DGNF size. Results indicate that the HOMO–LUMO energy gap (E_g) of DGNFs decreases upon adsorption of molecules. However, by increasing the size of DGNFs, the E_g and chemical hardness of all complexes decrease and the electrophilicity index increases. Furthermore, the values of the chemical potential of acceptor–DGNF complexes decrease with increasing size, whereas those of donor–DGNF complexes increase.     

Construction of a biointerface for glucose oxidase through diazonium chemistry and electrostatic self-assembly technique

In this study, a new procedure for the fabrication of biosensors was developed. The method is based on the covalent attachment of nitrophenyl groups to the electrode surface via diazonium salt reaction followed by their conversion to amine moieties through electrochemical reduction and electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique. In this procedure, highly stable iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles (IONPs), chitosan (CHIt), GOx, and Nile blue (NB) were assembled on the surface of aminophenyl modified glassy carbon electrode (AP/GCE) by LbL assembly technique. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to characterize the interfaces. The surface coverage of the active GOx and Michaelis–Menten constant (K _M) of the immobilized GOx were Γ?=?3.38?×?10^?11 mol cm^?2 and 2.54 mM, respectively. The developed biosensor displayed a well-defined amperometric response for glucose determination with high sensitivity (8.07 μA mM^?1) and low limit of detection (LOD) of 19.0 μM. The proposed approach allows simple biointerface regeneration by increasing pH which causes disruption of the ionic interactions and release of the electrostatic attached layers. The biosensor can then be reconstructed again using fresh enzyme. Simple preparation, good chemical and mechanical stabilities, and easy surface renewal are remarkable advantages of the proposed biosensor fabrication procedure.     

Dendrimer-like supramolecular nanovalves based on polypseudorotaxane and mesoporous silica-coated magnetic graphene oxide: a potential pH-sensitive anticancer drug carrier

In the present research, two types of drug carriers based on mesoporous silica-coated magnetic graphene oxide, Fe₃O₄@GO@mSiO₂, were synthesised and the pH-responsive behaviour for doxorubicin release was investigated. One type of the carrier was dendrimer-like multi ethylene amine grafted on Fe₃O₄@GO@mSiO₂ and the other was dendrimer-like supramolecular polypseudorotaxane. Herein, α-cyclodextrin was used in the structure of supramolecular nanoparticles as a gatekeeper to inhibit the drug from escaping at neutral pH (the pH of healthy tissue). The drug release profile showed that the supramolecular nanocarrier was more sensitive to the pH changes. The content of drug release was about 100% at pH 5.5 (endosomal pH) during 48 h; but it was zero at pH 7.4. Also, the dendrimer structure facilitated the triggered release of doxorubicin.     

Evaluation of chemical constitute,fatty acids and antioxidant activity of the fruit and seed of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) grown wild in Iran

In this investigation, the chemical compositions of berries from sea buckthorn were studied. The amount of ascorbic acid and β-carotene determined by HPLC was 170 mg/100 g FW and 0.20 mg/g FW, respectively. Total phenols, anthocyanins, acidity and total soluble solids (TSS) contents were 247 mg GAE/100 g FW, 3 mg/L (cyanidin-3-glucoside), 5.32% and 13.8%, respectively. Fruit antioxidant activity determined by the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) method was 24.85 mM Fe/100 g FW. Results confirmed the presence of six dominant fatty acids (determined by GC) in fruit including linoleic (34.2%), palmitoleic (21.37%), palmitic (17.2%), oleic (12.8%), linolenic (5.37%) and stearic acid (1.67%). Five dominant fatty acids of the seeds were linoleic (42.36%), linolenic (21.27%), oleic (21.34%), palmitic (6.54%) and stearic acid (2.54%). The nitrogen content was 3.96%. The P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cd and Cl contents of fruit were 491, 1674, 1290, 990, 291, 29.77, 108.37, 17.87, 0.021 and 2.18 mg/kg DW, respectively.