Linear rheology of diluted linear, star and model long chain branched polymer melts

We present experiments and theory on the diluted melt dynamics of monodisperse entangled polymers of linear, star and H-shaped architecture. Frequency-dependent rheological data on a series of progressively diluted linear, star and H-polymers are in good agreement with a refined tube-model theory that, for H-polymers, combines star polymer melt behaviour at high frequency, with linear polymer reptation behaviour at low frequencies. Taking into account the effect of dilution via some simple scaling relations, mild polydispersity and by incorporating the high frequency Rouse modes, we are able to model quantitatively the entire frequency range. This work suggests a novel rheological route to analysing long chain branching in polymer melts. Received: 6 April 2000/Accepted: 21 December 2000     

Synthesis and complexes of an N4 Schiff-base macrocycle derived from 2,2'-iminobisbenzaldehyde

An N(4) tetradentate [1 + 1] Schiff base metal free macrocycle HL was prepared, by 1?:?1 condensation of 2,2'-iminobisbenzaldehyde (1) and diethylenetriamine, and characterised. Seven mononuclear complexes, [Zn(II)L(py)](BF(4)) (2), [Cu(II)L](BF(4))]·H(2)O (3), [Ni(II)L](BF(4))·H(2)O (4), [Co(II)L](BF(4))]·H(2)O (5), Fe(III)L(BF(4))(2)·2H(2)O·MeCN (6), [Co(III)L(NCS)(2)]·0.3py (7) and [Fe(III)L(NCS)(2)] (8), of L(-) are reported. The Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes were prepared by a template approach whereas the others were accessed by metallation of pre-formed HL. The X-ray crystal structure determinations show that [Cu(II)L](BF(4)) and [Ni(II)L](BF(4)) feature square planar N(4) coordinated Cu(II) and Ni(II) centres, respectively, whereas [Fe(III)L(NCS)(2)]·NO(2)Me features an octahedral N(6) coordinated Fe(III) centre (two NCS anions bound axially) and the Zn(II) complex, which crystallised as 2{[Zn(II)L(py)](BF(4))}·py, features square pyramidal Zn(II) ions (a pyridine molecule bound axially). In all cases the N(4) macrocycle is bound equatorially to the metal ion. Cyclic voltammograms of the soluble BF(4) complexes, 2-5, were carried out in MeCN vs. 0.01 mol L(-1) AgNO(3)/Ag and revealed multiple, mostly irreversible or quasi-reversible, redox processes. The Zn(II) complex 2 exhibited two irreversible oxidation processes and one irreversible reduction process, all of which are ligand-centered. The Ni(II) complex 4 showed a process with a weak return wave at E(m) = +0.57 V (ΔE = 0.05 V). Interestingly, after controlled potential coulometry experiments on 2, 3 and 4 (at +0.48, +0.61 and +0.71 V which transferred 1.2, 1.0 and 1.6 e(-) equiv. per complex, respectively), a new reversible or quasi-reversible process was obtained, with a lower potential than beforehand (E(m) (ΔE)/V = +0.16 (0.08), +0.31 (0.13) and +0.45 (0.11) respectively).     

Comparative evaluation of antibacterial potentials of nano cobalt oxide with standard antimicrobials

Development of suitable potent antimicrobial is the urgent need of modern era to cope up the problem of antimicrobial resistance. The applications of nanotechnology in metal oxides have shown favorable effects to some extent in this area. Thus, the present study was investigated to evaluate the antibacterial properties of cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄) nanoparticles at different concentrations and their comparison with standard antimicrobials i.e. tetracycline and gentamicin. Nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by standard techniques. The antibacterial potentials of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles against S. aureus and E. coli were determined at various concentrations. The maximum zone of inhibitions of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles against S. aureus and E. coli at 500 μg/ml were 21.17 mm and 24.00 mm, respectively. The Co₃O₄ nanoparticles seemed more effective than gentamicin against S. aureus and E. coli. The nanoparticles with respect to tetracycline showed higher than 1 activity index at ≥ 125 μg/ml for E. coli and ≥31.25 μg/ml for S. aureus. It was also higher than 1 at all compared concentrations with respect to gentamicin against both bacteria. In conclusion, Co₃O₄ nanoparticles seemed to have potent antibacterial potential and these might be very helpful to replace the conventional antimicrobials to solve the problem of antibacterial resistance.     

Synthesis and computational studies of potent antimicrobial and anticancer indolone scaffolds with spiro cyclopropyl moiety as a novel design element

The indolones nucleus is the central core to develop new effective anticancer agents and its substitution at the 3-position can affect antitumor activity, 3-spirocyclopropyl-2-oxindoles have attracted the scientist's community to design and develop expedition's strategies towards their construction and explore the potential of this useful scaffold with their newer derivatives in medicinal world. The present paper describes the synthesis of 3-spirocyclopropyl-2-indolone derivatives in three steps via synthesis of ylide leading to methylene-indolinones followed by the formation of the final product spirocyclopropyl oxindole derivatives with improved yields. In this milieu we considered motivating to advance exploration the biological potencies and computational studies of our newly synthesized molecules. The aimed target molecules were screened for antimicrobial and anticancer activities where they exhibited substantial effective antimicrobial activities. Amongst them, potent compound, bromospirocyclopropyl indolone, 6d displayed encouraging MIC ranging from 0.007 to 0.49 μg/mL for gram positive microbes and also substantial anticancer activity with an IC₅₀ of 11.5 μg/mL. Finally, the computational modelling studies were performed to explore structure-activity relationship analysis. Active site of receptor protein shows docking scores of these molecules as - 5.78 kcal/mol and ?5.097 kcal/mol for the docked target proteins. The binding energy of the best score is found to be ?41.67 kcal/mol to ?44.67 kcal/mol. Thus, the present paper efficaciously validated spirocyclopropyl indolone framework for drug candidates as potent anticancer as well as antimicrobial compounds.     

Visible Light‐Induced,Metal‐Free Denitrative [3+2] Cycloaddition for Trisubstituted Pyrrole Synthesis

A metal‐free, regioselective synthesis of trisubstituted pyrroles has been developed through a formal [3+2] cycloaddition reaction between 2H‐azirines and nitroalkenes under visible light/photoredox‐catalyzed conditions. The reaction proceeds through 2H‐azaallenyl radical addition on β‐nitrostyrenes in a Michael fashion followed by a base‐mediated denitration reaction. The directive group influence of the nitro group controls the regiochemistry of the reaction.     

Synthesis and characterisation of bis(pentafluorophenyl)antimony(V) cations, [(C6F5)2SbL3]

Pentacoordinate complex cations of the general formula [(C₆F₅)₂SbL₃]³⁺ stabilized as solid salts in combination with tetraphenylborate (BPh₄), tetrafluorobroate (BF₄) anions, where L=DMSO, Ph₃AsO, PyO, DMF, α-, β- and γ-picoline have been isolated. The newly formed complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance measurements, solid-state IR and and NMR. From these results, a five-fold coordination around antimony was required.     

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.     

Morphological,mechanical, and in vitro cytocompatibility analysis of poly(vinyl alcohol)–silica glass hybrid scaffolds reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals

Cellulose nanocrystal-reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol)/silica glass hybrid scaffolds were fabricated using the freeze-drying method. In this study, we develop molecular-level-based hybrid scaffolds with possible bioactivity behavior by adding silica sol–gel. The results showed a highly porous structure and a significant improvement in mechanical performance (stiffness) of hybrid scaffolds with an increased content of cellulose nanocrystals followed by the addition of silica-based bioactive glass. In vitro cell study with MC3T3-E1 cells on hybrid scaffolds for 1 and 3 days revealed good cell adhesion and growth. Thus, the obtained hybrid scaffold may be a competitive candidate for bone tissue engineering applications.