Multifunctional nanostructures based on inorganic nanoparticles and oligothiophenes and their exploitation for cellular studies

The combination of materials that possess different properties (such as, for instance, fluorescence and magnetism) into one single object of nanoscale size represents an attractive challenge for biotechnology, especially for their potential relevance in biomedical applications. We report here the preparation of novel bifunctional conjugates based on the linkage of inorganic nanoparticles to organic oligothiophene fluorophores (OTFs). In comparison to the organic dyes commonly used in bioimaging and more similarly to colloidal quantum dots, OTFs have broad optical absorption spectra, and therefore OTF fluorophores emitting at different colors can be excited with a single excitation source, allowing for easier multiplexing analysis. In this work we show the preparation of OTF-nanoparticle conjugates based on gold and iron oxide nanoparticles and their characterization using different techniques such as gel electrophoresis, photoluminescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and so on. In addition, by performing an in vitro study on human tumor cells we show that OTF-nanoparticle conjugates emitting at different colors can be used for multiplexing detection. Also, in the case of iron oxide-OTF conjugates, once uptaken by the cells, we show that they preserve both their fluorescent and their magnetic properties.     

Simple Chemical Route Synthesis of Fe2O3 Nanoparticles and its Application for Adsorptive Removal of Congo Red from Aqueous Media: Artificial Neural Network Modeling

Nanocrystalline Fe₂O₃ powder was synthesized by a simple chemical route involving FeCl₃ and NaOH. The Fe₂O₃ powder thus prepared was characterized using x-ray diffraction study, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption properties of crystalline Fe₂O₃ powder have been investigated with an aim to explore a possible low cost and efficient way to remove Congo red (CR) from waste water. Fe₂O₃ powder was found as an excellent adsorbent for CR from aqueous medium. Adsorption capacity as much as 203.66 mg g^?1 is reported at room temperature. Effect of different experimental parameters such as reaction pH, initial CR dye concentration, adsorbent dose, and reaction temperature were studied on adsorption capacity of Fe₂O₃ powder and modeled by artificial neural network (ANN). Optimal ANN structure (4–5–1) shows minimum mean squared error (MSE) of 0.00235 and determination coefficient (R²) of 0.991 with Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. Isotherm analysis of experimental data exhibited better fit to the Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption process was found to follow second-order kinetics as depicted by the analysis of experimental results. Thermodynamic study shows that the adsorption process is endothermic, spontaneous, and thermodynamically favorable in the temperature range of 27°C to 60°C.     

Synthesis of 3‐aminomethylidenechroman‐2‐carboxamides by a Sequential One‐pot Three Component Reaction and by Post‐Passerini Condensation Modification

3‐Arylaminomethylidenechroman‐2‐carboxamide has been synthesized by a one‐pot three component reaction among 3‐formylchromone, aromatic amine, and cyclohexyl isocyanide. 3‐(N‐alkylsubstitued/unsubstituted)aminomethylidenechroman‐2‐carboxamides were synthesized by heating Passerini products derived from chromone‐3‐carbaldehyde with different aliphatic primary amines. The products obtained from the reactions of aliphatic primary amines readily form chromeno[2,3‐c]pyrrole when heated in acetic acid. Bischromanones have also been synthesized using this methodology.     

High-throughput miniaturized microfluidic microscopy with radially parallelized channel geometry

In this article, we present a novel approach to throughput enhancement in miniaturized microfluidic microscopy systems. Using the presented approach, we demonstrate an inexpensive yet high-throughput analytical instrument. Using the high-throughput analytical instrument, we have been able to achieve about 125,880 cells per minute (more than one hundred and twenty five thousand cells per minute), even while employing cost-effective low frame rate cameras (120 fps). The throughput achieved here is a notable progression in the field of diagnostics as it enables rapid quantitative testing and analysis. We demonstrate the applicability of the instrument to point-of-care diagnostics, by performing blood cell counting. We report a comparative analysis between the counts (in cells per μl) obtained from our instrument, with that of a commercially available hematology analyzer.     

[1+1+1] Cyclotrimerization for the Synthesis of Cyclopropanes

The synthesis of small rings by functionalization of C(sp³)?H bonds remains a great challenge. We report for the first time a copper‐catalyzed [1+1+1] cyclotrimerization of acetophenone derivatives under mild reaction conditions. The reaction has a broad scope for the stereoselective synthesis of cyclopropanes by trimerization of acetophenone. The developed transformation is based on an extraordinary copper‐catalyzed cascade process that allows saturated carbocycles to be obtained for the first time by cyclotrimerization through functionalization of C(sp³)?H bonds. The cascade of sixfold C(sp³)?H bond functionalization allows the synthesis of cyclopropanes in a highly stereoselective approach.     

Inclusion properties of 3-fluoromesotetraphenylporphyrin with C60 and C70

To improve the selectivity ratio of C70 over C60, a new designer molecule, viz., 3-fluoromesotetraphenylporphyrin (1) has been reported in the present investigations. Fluorescence studies reveal that the Q-absorption band of 1 gets sufficient quenching effect upon addition of both C60 and C70. Binding constants (K) of the C60/1 and C70/1 complexes are estimated to be 580 and 10,800 dm3 mol(-1), respectively. Thus, K(C70)/K(C60) is approximately 19 which is very large and even comparable with other macrocyclic host molecules like calix[5]arene, azacalix[m]arene[n]pyridine, cyclotriveratrylenophane and calixarene bisporphyrin. 1H NMR chemical shift measurements show that the -NH- proton of 1 suffers more shifts in presence of C70 compared to C60. This finding also offers a good support in favor of high K value for C70/1 complex as well as large selectivity ratio of C70 over C60.     

Cobalt(II)-(dpyo)-dicarboxylate networks: unique H-bonded assembly and rare bridging mode of dpyo in one of them [dpyo = 4,4'-dipyridyl N,N'-dioxide

Polymeric networks, {[Co(dpyo)(ox)]}(n) (1), {[Co(dpyo)(fum)(H(2)O)(2)]}(n) (1) and {[Co(dpyo)(tp)(H(2)O)(2)] x [Co(H(2)O)(6)] x (tp) x (H(2)O)}(n) (3) [ox = oxalate dianion, fum = fumarate dianion, tp = terephthalate dianion and dpyo = 4,4'-dipyridyl N,N'-dioxide] have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The structural determination reveals 1 and 2 are covalent bonded 2D networks of 4,4 topology and of these, complex 2 undergoes a H-bonding scheme resulting in a 3D supramolecular architecture. Complex 3 is a 1D coordination polymer built up by almost collinear hexacoordinated Co(ii), doubly bridged by a tp carboxylate group and a dpyo oxygen, which in combination with lattice [Co(H(2)O)(6)](2+), tp and water molecules shows an unprecedented 3D supramolecular network through H-bonding. In the polymer the dpyo shows novel mu-4,4 bridging mode towards the cobalt ion. Low temperature magnetic interaction reveals antiferromagnetic coupling in all of the complexes.     

Dipyridyl bridged coordination polymers of Cu(II): Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic study

Two coordination polymers, [Cu(bpp)(H₂O)₂(ClO₄)₂]_n (1) and {[Cu(bpds)₂(ClO₄)₂] · 1.5(H₂O)}_n (2) [bpp, 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane and bpds, 4,4′-bipyridyl disulfide] have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction study and magnetic measurement. Both the coordination polymers display 1D chains with perchlorate anions acting as pendant ligands. In 1 undulated polymers are built by Cu(H₂O)₂(ClO₄)₂ units connected by single bpp and in complex 2 Cu(ClO₄)₂ fragments are linked by pairs of bpds ligands to form a double-stranded chain. The crystal packing evidences polymers of 1 involved in weak H-bonding interactions leading to a 3D supramolecular network. Magnetic study reveals weak antiferromagnetic interactions in both complexes.     

Spectrophotometric study of the supramolecular complexes of [60]- and [70]Fullerenes with biscalix[6]arene and crown[4]calix[6]arene

[60]- and [70]Fullerenes have been shown to form 1:1 supramolecular complexes with bis[2-(5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa-tert-butyl-37,38,39,40,41-pentahydroxycalix[6]arenyl-oxy ethyl ether) (1) and 5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa-tert-butyl-37,38,40,41-tetra hydroxyl-39,42-(crown-4)calix[6]arene (2) in CHCl3 medium by electronic absorption spectroscopy. Formation constants (K) of the complexes of [60]- and [70]fullerenes with 1 and 2 have been determined at room temperature from which free energy of formation values of the complexes have been estimated. The very high formation constant value of [60]fullerene/1 complex (5900 dm3 mol-1) in indicative of formation of inclusion complex. Moreover, PM3 calculations reveal that intermolecular interaction between [60]fullerene and 1 proceeds through quite deep energy molecular orbital.