In vitro anticancer activity of binuclear Ru(II) complexes with Schiff bases derived from 5-substituted salicylaldehyde and 2-aminopyridine with notably low IC50 values

The binuclear Ru(II) complexes with Schiff bases derived from 5-chlorosalicyladehyde and 2-aminopyridine and its 5-substituted salicylideneimine homologues were tested in vitro against cervical carcinoma (HeLa), metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma (SW620), lung adenocarcinoma (A549), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and human lung fibroblast (WI-38) cell lines. All compounds showed strong antiproliferative activity with extremely low IC₅₀ values. The compounds expressed strong activity against gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis.     

Toxic metal complexes of macrocyclic cyclen molecule – synthesis,structure and complexing properties

Toxic metal (Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Ag⁺) complexes with the tetradentate macrocyclic ligand - cyclen (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane, [12]aneN₄, L) were prepared and studied in the solid state by IR, X-ray diffraction, elemental and thermal analysis. Diffraction results have yielded three molecular structures, [Cd([12]ane-κ⁴N^1,4,7,10)(NO₃)₂)] (1), [Hg([12]ane-κ⁴N^1,4,7,10)(NO₃-κ²O,O`)]NO₃ (2), [Pb₂([12]ane-κ⁴N^1,4,7,10)₂][Pb(NO₃)₆] (3) and one polymeric structure {[Ag₂([12]ane-κ³N^1,4,7)(μ₂-[12]aneN¹⁰)](NO₃)₂?2H₂O)}_n (4) featuring a unique coordination mode not observed before with cyclen as a ligand. The monodentate (1) and chelate (with small bite angle 50.3(3)°, (2) coordination modes of nitrate ligands were confirmed. Stereochemically active 6s² lone pair was suggested in 3 and DFT results confirmed no significant metal–metal covalent bond. The stability constants of the complexes with Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions were determined by potentiometric methods in aqueous solutions. Additionally, the structures of complexes in solution were observed by ¹H NMR. Both methods confirm similar cyclen complexing properties toward Zn²⁺ biometal and Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ toxic metals.     

Pyridoxylidene aminoguanidine and its copper(II) complexes – Syntheses,structure, and DFT calculations

Two nitrate salts of the well-known, and due to its significant biological activity very important, compound pyridoxylidene aminoguanidine (PLAG) were obtained in the form of single crystals. Thus this ligand is structurally characterized for the first time. In addition, the first data on the structure of a Schiff base of aminoguanidine with the active form of vitamin B₆, i.e. pyridoxal-phosphate, of the formula PLPAG·HCl·2H₂O, are presented. Two new square-pyramidal Cu(II) complexes of PLAG were synthesized and their physicochemical and structural properties analyzed. In these complexes, PLAG is coordinated as a zwitter-ion, in a tridentate ONN manner, via the oxygen atom of the deprotonated phenolic OH-group and nitrogen atoms of the azomethine and imino group of the aminoguanidine moiety. For the first time it was possible to make a comparative analysis of the structural properties of ligand salts and the coordinated ligand, so the effects of coordination could be unequivocally pointed out. Common fragments encountered in ligand structures were compared by half-normal probability plots. Density functional theory calculations have been conducted in order to gain insight into reactive properties of the investigated molecules. Molecular electrostatic potential, average local ionization energy surfaces, and Fukui functions have been calculated in order to obtain further information on the reactive properties.     

Surface analysis of ripple pattern on PS and PEN induced with ring‐shaped mask due to KrF laser treatment

The approach for ripple nanopattern construction on surface of two polymer substrates [polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) and polystyrene (PS)] exposed by a KrF pulse excimer UV laser through a contact lithographic mask with circular slit was proposed in this paper. Thin layer of gold was deposited on samples after the laser treatment. Changes in the morphology of the surface of both the shielded and exposed areas of the substrates, as well as the dimensions of the laser‐induced periodic surface structures, were determined (by atomic force microscopy, laser confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy), compared with observations and measurements made on samples treated directly (without a contact mask) under the same conditions. The morphology of the interface between the treated and untreated regions was also closely studied. Surface chemistry of treated samples was studied in detail by X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. The detailed study of surface chemistry of modified PEN and PS revealed a significant increase of oxygen concentration for laser treated PS and increase of carboxyl groups in case of PEN. The potential application of this research can be found in biotechnology, micro technology and several other fields. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of marine alkaloids leucettamines B and C by β-lactam ring rearrangement

A new method for the synthesis of marine alkaloids leucettamines B and C from Leucetta sp. sponges is described. The key step is the base-promoted rearrangement of β-lactam into imidazolone ring. Leucettamines B and C as well as their N-benzoyl derivatives were obtained in high yields. Single-crystal structures of both leucettamines B and C were determined by X-ray diffraction confirming Z-configuration of double bond at 4-position of imidazolone.     

Reaction of 3-chloroquinoline-2,4-diones with ethanolamine and rearrangement of the reaction products

The reaction of tertiary α-chloroketones with ethanolamine has not been hitherto described in the literature. Herein, we describe the reaction of tertiary 3-chloroquinoline-2,4-diones with ethanolamine to give novel 3-(2-hydroxyethylamino)quinoline-2,4-diones. These compounds provide 3-(2-oxooxazolidin-3-yl)quinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones and new compounds with dimeric character after reaction with triphosgene. Molecular rearrangement proceeds during the reaction of 3-(2-hydroxyethylamino)quinoline-2,4-diones with isocyanic acid. Three types of reaction products arise: 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)imidazo[1,5-c]quinazoline-3,5-diones, 3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3,3a-dihydro-2H-imidazo[4,5-]quinoline-4(5H)diones and primarily 5-hydroxy-1-(hydroxyethyl)-1′H-spiro[imidazolidine-5,3′-indole]-2,2′-diones. The reaction mechanism and product stereochemistry are discussed. The ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR spectra of the prepared compounds were measured, and all resonances were assigned from appropriate two-dimensional experiments.     

Determination of low-level tritium concentrations in surface water and precipitation in the Czech Republic

Past tests of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, nuclear energy facilities and tritium of natural origin are main sources of tritium in the environment. Thanks to its presence in environment and its favourable properties, tritium is used as a radiotracer. Since stopping of atmospheric nuclear tests, tritium in precipitation has been decreasing towards natural levels below 1 Bq l^?1 and precise analyses of low level tritium activities are necessary. This paper focuses on tritium development at sites not influenced by any technogenic release of tritium in Elbe River basin (Bohemia) in the Czech Republic using liquid scintillation measurement with electrolytic enrichment.     

Tritium in organic matter around Krško Nuclear Power Plant

The aim of the research was to obtain first results of tritium in the organic matter of environmental samples in the vicinity of Kr?ko NPP. The emphasis was on the layout of suitable sampling network of crops and fruits in nearby agricultural area. Method for determination of tritium in organic matter in the form of Tissue Free Water Tritium (TFWT) and Organically Bound Tritium (OBT) has been implemented. Capabilities of the methods were tested on real environmental samples and its findings were compared to modeled activities of tritium from atmospheric releases and literature based results of TFWT and OBT.