Solution-processed electrochemical synthesis of ZnFe2O4 photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Herein, we report the synthesis of ZnO nanorod films onto FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide) substrates using the solution-processed electrodeposition method....     

Redox- and protonation-state driven substrate-protein dynamics in respiratory complex I

Respiratory complex I is a key enzyme in the electron transport chains of mitochondria and bacteria. It transfers two electrons to quinone and couples this redox reaction to proton pumping to electrically charge the membrane it is embedded in. The charge and pH gradient across the membrane drives the synthesis of ATP. The redox reaction and proton pumping in complex I are separated in space and time, which raises the question of how the two reactions are coupled so efficiently. Here, we focus on the unique ～35 Å long tunnel of complex I, which houses the binding site of quinone reduction. We discuss the redox and protonation reactions that occur in this tunnel and how they influence the dynamics of protein and substrate. On the basis of recent structural data and results from molecular simulations, we review how quinone reduction and dynamics may be coupled to proton pumping in complex I.     

Nitro-oxidized carboxycellulose nanofibers from moringa plant: effective bioadsorbent for mercury removal

Cellulose - Mercury contamination in drinking water is a worldwide problem due to its severely harming effects on the human body. A nanostructured natural bioadsorbent, carboxycellulose nanofiber...     

Crystal Structure of 3-[1-(4-Methylphenyl)-9,10-dihydro-4-azaphenanthren-3-yl]benzo[f]coumarin

Crystallography Reports - The crystal structure of the title compound is determined by single crystal X-ray structure analysis. The structure was solved by direct method and refined to a final...     

Synthesis and X-ray structural analysis of a unique Co-crystallization complex of [NaSal]2DB24C8 and [KSal]2DB24C8

Sodium salicylate (NaSal where Sal=2-hydroxybenzoate), when mixed with dibenzo-24-crown-8 (DB24C8) yields a bimetallic complex [NaSal]₂DB24C8 in most polar organic media, while potassium salicylate (KSal) under similar conditions shows a tendency to yield 11 or 21 complexes depending upon medium or synthesis. However, the presence of both NaSal and KSal together results in a unique mixed cation complex of composition NaKSal₂DB24C8. This product melts sharply (190-92°C) without decomposition, displays IR spectral characteristics comparable to those of [Na(Sal)]₂DB24C8, and is stable in aqueous media as shown by the detectable cation effect on the UV absorption bands of Sal and DB24C8. Single crystal X-ray analysis of NaK(Sal)₂DB24C8 reveals that the system represents a co-crystallization complex of individual (KSal)₂DB24C8 and (NaSal)₂DB24C8 molecules. The crystals are monoclinic,P2₁/c,a=19.976(2) Å,b=9.031(1) Å,c=25.541(5) Å,=122.065(9)°, ų,T=298 K,Z=2+2, CuK =1.5418 Å, and 2 (2.5°–100°). FinalR factor for the 3012 observed reflections (F>3) is 0.092. Both the Na₂- and K₂-molecules possess crystallographic centers of symmetry with one metal and its associated anion on each side of the crown ring. However, the conformations of the crowns are very different in the two molecules, with the K₂-crown being nearly planar and the Na₂-crown being quite puckered. Four oxygen atoms from the DB24C8 (KO, 2.680–2.908 Å) and three carboxyl oxygen atoms (KO, 2.472–2.708 Å) from separate salicylate ions coordinate with each potassium. Three oxygens from the crown (NaO, 2.536–2.65 Å) and three carboxyl oxygens (NaO, 2.31–2.563 Å) coordinate with each sodium. The salicylate ions lie on opposite sides and nearly perpendicular (77.2°, Na₂-molecule; 82.7° K₂-molecule) to each crown but coordinate to both of the metal ions within a molecule. The K⁺K⁺ and Na⁺Na⁺ distances in the respective molecules are 3.95 and 3.34 Å. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82044 (18 pages).     

Conifers Phytochemicals: A Valuable Forest with Therapeutic Potential

Conifers have long been recognized for their therapeutic potential in different disorders. Alkaloids, terpenes and polyphenols are the most abundant naturally occurring phytochemicals in these plants. Here, we provide an overview of the phytochemistry and related commercial products obtained from conifers. The pharmacological actions of different phytochemicals present in conifers against bacterial and fungal infections, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are also reviewed. Data obtained from experimental and clinical studies performed to date clearly underline that such compounds exert promising antioxidant effects, being able to inhibit cell damage, cancer growth, inflammation and the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, an attempt has been made with the intent to highlight the importance of conifer-derived extracts for pharmacological purposes, with the support of relevant in vitro and in vivo experimental data. In short, this review comprehends the information published to date related to conifers’ phytochemicals and illustrates their potential role as drugs.     

Syntheses and characterization of a new class of vanadia precursors of oxime-modified oxovanadium(V) isopropoxide,crystal and molecular structure of [VO{ONC10H16}3]

Modification of [VO(OPrⁱ)₃] with oximes in different molar ratios, yielded new class of vanadia precursors, [VO{OPrⁱ}_3?n{L}_n] {where, n = 1–3 and LH = C₉H₁₆C=NOH (1–3) and (CH₃)₂C=NOH (4–6)}.All the products are yellow in colour. (1) and (2) are liquid/viscous liquid, while others are solids. Molecular weight measurements of all these derivatives and the ESI-mass spectral studies of (1), (2), (3) and (5) indicate their monomeric nature. ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectra suggest that the oximato moieties are monodentate in solution which was further confirmed by the ⁵¹V NMR signals, appeared in the region expected for tetra-coordinated oxo-vanadium atoms. On ageing, a disproportionation reaction occurs in (1) and some crystals appeared. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of the crystals obtained from (1) as well as from (3) were found to be the same and indicate the presence of side-on {dihapto η ²-(N, O)} binding modes of the oximato ligands, leading to the formation of seven coordination environment around the vanadium atom. Thermogravimetric curve of (1) exhibits multi-step decomposition with the formation of V₂O₅ as the final product at ~850 °C. Sol–gel transformation of (3) yielded (a) VO₂ sintered at 300 °C and (b) V₂O₅ at 600 °C. Similarly, sol–gel transformations of (1) and (2) yielded V₂O₅ (c) and (d) at 600 °C, respectively. Formation of monoclinic phase in (a) and orthorhombic phase in (b), (c) and (d) were confirmed by powder XRD patterns.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of novel 3-(arylideneamino)-3a,8a-dihydroxy-1,3,3a,8a-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-d]imidazole-2,8-diones and their 2-thioxo analogues

The preparation of some novel 3-(arylideneamino)-3a,8a-dihydroxy-1,3,3a,8a-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-d]imidazole-2,8-diones 8(i–xiv) and 3-(arylideneamino)-3a,8a-dihydroxy-2-thioxo-1,3,3a,8a-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-d]imidazol-8(2H)-ones 9(i–xiv) have been reported through one-pot catalyst-free reaction of aldehydes, semicarbazide hydrochloride/thiosemicarbazide with ninhydrin. All the synthesized compounds have been screened for antimicrobial activity and some of them were observed to possess broad spectrum antibacterial potential as well as significant antagonistic potential against fungal pathogens.