Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Reduction of Metal Cation-Containing Polymer Films to Produce Electrically Conductive Nanocomposites by an Electrodiffusion Mechanism

We describe an atmospheric-pressure plasma process for the reduction of metal cation-containing polymer films to form electrically conductive patterns. Thin films of poly(acrylic) acid (PAA) containing silver ions (Ag⁺) were prepared by mixing the polymer with silver nitrate (AgNO₃) in solution to produce a cross-linked precipitate, homogenizing, and depositing onto a substrate by doctor’s blade. Exposing the Ag–PAA films to a scanning microplasma resulted in reduction of the bulk dispersed Ag⁺ in a desired pattern at the film surface. The processed films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and current–voltage measurements. The resistances of the patterned features were found to depend on the thickness of the films, the microplasma scan rate, residual solvent in the film, and electric field created between the microplasma and the substrate. Together these results show that the formation of conductive features occurs via an electrodiffusion process where Ag⁺ diffuses from the film bulk to the surface to be reduced by the microplasma.     

Regioselective and Stereoselective Synthesis of Pyridine‐Fused Benzoxepine Derivatives by Intramolecular Reductive Heck Cyclization [1]

An efficient method for the synthesis of 6,11‐dihydro[2]benzoxepino[4,3‐b]pyridine derivatives via Pd(0) catalyzed intramolecular reductive Heck cyclization is reported. The method offers the regioselective and stereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized pyridine‐fused benzoxepine derivatives in 75–85% yields under mild conditions. Chemoselective Sonogashira coupling is utilized for the synthesis of cyclization precursors. The stereochemistry of the exocyclic double bond of 6,11‐dihydro[2]benzoxepino[4,3‐b]pyridine derivatives is confirmed from single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The absence of N–Pd(II) interaction results in a reverse stereochemistry of the exocyclic double bond of dibenzoxepine derivative.     

Photoinduced Dynamics and Toxicity of a Cancer Drug in Proximity of Inorganic Nanoparticles under Visible Light

Drug sensitization with various inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) has proved to be a promising and an emergent concept in the field of nanomedicine. Rose bengal (RB), a notable photosensitizer, triggers the formation of reactive oxygen species under green‐light irradiation, and consequently, it induces cytotoxicity and cell death. In the present study, the effect of photoinduced dynamics of RB upon complexation with semiconductor zinc oxide NPs is explored. To accomplish this, we successfully synthesized nanohybrids of RB with ZnO NPs with a particle size of 24 nm and optically characterized them. The uniform size and integrity of the particles were confirmed by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. UV/Vis absorption and steady‐state fluorescence studies reveal the formation of the nanohybrids. ultrafast picosecond‐resolved fluorescence studies of RB–ZnO nanohybrids demonstrate an efficient electron transfer from the photoexcited drug to the semiconductor NPs. Picosecond‐resolved Förster resonance energy transfer from ZnO NPs to RB unravel the proximity of the drug to the semiconductor at the molecular level. The photoinduced ROS formation was monitored using a dichlorofluorescin oxidation assay, which is a conventional oxidative stress indicator. It is observed that the ROS generation under green light illumination is greater at low concentrations of RB–ZnO nanohybrids compared with free RB. Substantial photodynamic activity of the nanohybrids in bacterial and fungal cell lines validated the in vitro toxicity results. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effect of the nanohybrids in HeLa cells, which was monitored by MTT assay, is also noteworthy.     

Naturally occurring iridoids. A review, part 1

A compilation of new naturally occurring iridoid glycosides, iridoid aglycones, iridoid derivatives and bis-iridoids reported during 1994-2005 is provided with available physical and spectral data: mp, [alpha]D, UV, IR, 1H- and 13C-NMR as well as natural source with family and references. 418 compounds with 202 references are cited.     

Quality evaluation and quantification of cucurbitacin E in different cultivars of Cucumis sativus L. fruit by a validated high-performance thin-layer chromatography method

Cucumis sativus L. of the Cucurbitaceae family, commonly known as cucumber, is commercially cultivated worldwide. The major phytoconstituents present in the Cucurbitaceae family are different curcurbitacins, principally cucurbitacin E. The content of cucurbitacin E differs within the species or cultivars due to factors like genetic variation and geographical location. The present study reports a simple and rapid quantitative analysis of cucurbitacin E in 5 different C. sativus cultivars by a validated high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method. The mobile phase contained petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and formic acid in the ratio of 40:60:0.5 (V/V). Cucurbitacin E was analyzed densitometrically and the absorbance wavelength was 254 nm. The method showed R_F spot = 0.79 ± 0.06, corresponding to cucurbitacin E in various samples. The calibration curve of standard cucurbitacin E showed good linear relationship in the concentration range of 2‒10 µg/spot with a correlation coefficient (r) > 0.99. The HPTLC method was validated in terms of sensitivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and specificity as per the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. The present study revealed that the content of cucurbitacin E differs among the C. sativus cultivars. This method may be beneficial for addressing the quality-related aspects of C. sativus for food and pharmaceutical preparation.

     

Total synthesis of isofregenedadiol

The first total synthesis of isofregenedadiol, a bicyclic diterpene isolated from H. Viscosum, is reported starting from a D-(-)-pantolactone chiral pool. A one-pot quadruple reaction sequence comprising an enyne ring-closing metathesis/cross-metathesis/Diels-Alder/aromatization for the construction of a target skeleton is the highlight of the present synthesis.     

Structural properties and energetics of diffuse 87Rb clusters in three-dimension

A correlated two-body basis function is used to describe the three-dimensional bosonic clusters interacting via two-body van der Waals potential. We calculate the ground state and the zero orbital angular momentum excited states for Rb(N) clusters with up to N = 40. We solve the many-particle Schro?dinger equation by potential harmonics expansion method, which keeps all possible two-body correlations in the calculation and determines the lowest effective many-body potential. We study energetics and structural properties for such diffuse clusters both at dimer and tuned scattering length. The motivation of the present study is to investigate the possibility of formation of N-body clusters interacting through the van der Waals interaction. We also compare the system with the well studied He, Ne, and Ar clusters. We also calculate correlation properties and observe the generalised Tjon line for large cluster. We test the validity of the shape-independent potential in the calculation of the ground state energy of such diffuse cluster. These are the first such calculations reported for Rb clusters.