A study on protonation equilibria in a series of amino-1-(substituted phenyl)pyrazoles

The ionization constants (proton gain) of 3-,4-, and 5-amino-1-(substituted phenyl)pyrazoles, have been measured in 10% v/v ethanol-water. pKa values show a good linear dependence on Hammett substituent constants. The reaction constants Q are in keeping with the respective protonation sites in the three series of monocations. The uv spectra of 1-(m-nitrophenyl)pyrazole and 1-(p-methoxyphenyl)pyrazole and of their 3-amino, 4-amino, 5-amino analogues recorded in acidic and neutral media, show that in the three series the first protonation site does not change with change in substituent at phenyl ring.     

A generator of peroxynitrite activatable with red light

The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) as “unconventional” therapeutics with precise spatiotemporal control by using light stimuli may open entirely new horizons for innovative therapeutic modalities. Among ROS and RNS, peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) plays a dominant role in chemistry and biology in view of its potent oxidizing power and cytotoxic action. We have designed and synthesized a molecular hybrid based on benzophenothiazine as a red light-harvesting antenna joined to an N-nitroso appendage through a flexible spacer. Single photon red light excitation of this molecular construct triggers the release of nitric oxide (˙NO) and simultaneously produces superoxide anions (O₂˙⁻). The diffusion-controlled reaction between these two radical species generates ONOO⁻, as confirmed by the use of fluorescein-boronate as a highly selective chemical probe. Besides, the red fluorescence of the hybrid allows its tracking in different types of cancer cells where it is well-tolerated in the dark but induces remarkable cell mortality under irradiation with red light in a very low concentration range, with very low light doses (ca. 1 J cm⁻²). This ONOO⁻ generator activatable by highly biocompatible and tissue penetrating single photon red light can open up intriguing prospects in biomedical research, where precise and spatiotemporally controlled concentrations of ONOO⁻ are required.

Excitation of a molecular hybrid with highly biocompatible red light generates cytotoxic peroxynitrite, produces red fluorescence useful for cell tracking and induces remarkable cancer cell death at very low concentrations and very low light doses.     

Unsymmetrically substituted furoxans. VII. A 13C NMR study of a series of isomeric pairs of furoxans and the structure of the two isomeric chloro-phenyl-furoxans

The structure of two isomeric chloro(phenyl)furoxans is proposed by comparison of their ¹³C nmr spectra with those of several unsymmetrically substituted furoxans and related furazans.     

Physicochemical Profiling of Sartans: A Detailed Study of Ionization Constants and Distribution Coefficients

A detailed investigation of the ionization and lipophilicity profiles of selected sartans (valsartan, losartan, irbesartan, candesartan, candesartan cilexetil), a class of antihypertensives commonly used in therapy, is presented. The pK_a macroconstants were determined by integrated potentiometry, capillary electrophoresis, and UV spectrophotometry. The measured pK_a macroconstants were connected with the ionizable centers present in each molecule with the aid of model compounds. Potentiometric titrations with the GLpKa apparatus were performed to determine the distribution profile (log D vs. pH) of valsartan, while the shake‐flask procedure was used to characterize the distribution profile of the other compounds. Valsartan showed a lipophilicity profile consistent with the presence of two acidic centers. Losartan and irbesartan, which contain one acidic and one basic center, displayed the classical bell‐shaped profile of ordinary ampholytes. By contrast, a more complex situation emerged in the case of candesartan, due to the large number of ionization equilibria involved. The low solubility of candesartan cilexetil, together with the ease of hydrolysis of the ester moiety, prevented a successful investigation of its ionization and lipophilicity profiles.     

DNA-Targeted NO Release Photoregulated by Green Light

A novel molecular hybrid has been designed and synthesized in which acridine orange (AO) is covalently linked to an N-nitrosoaniline derivative through an alkyl spacer. Photoexcitation of the AO antenna with the highly biocompatible green light results in intense fluorescence emission and triggers NO detachment from the N-nitroso appendage via an intramolecular electron transfer. The presence of the AO moiety encourages the binding with DNA through both external and partially intercalative fashions, depending on the DNA:molecular hybrid molar ratio. Importantly, this dual-mode binding interaction with the biopolymer does not preclude the NO photoreleasing performances of the molecular hybrid, permitting NO to be photogenerated nearby DNA with an efficiency similar to that of the free molecule. These properties make the presented compound an intriguing candidate for fundamental and potential applicative research studies where NO delivery in the DNA proximity precisely regulated by harmless green light is required.     

Synthesis and Pharmacological Characterization of New H2‐Antagonists Containing NO‐Donor Moieties,Endowed with Mixed Antisecretory and Gastroprotective Activities

Synthesis, structural characterization, and pharmacological profile of a series of H₂‐antagonists able to release nitric oxide (NO) are reported. These compounds were obtained by using appropriate spacers to join H₂‐antagonistic pharmacophoric groups related to lamtidine and tiotidine to different NO‐donor moieties such as esters of HNO₃, nitrosothio groups, and benzenesulfonyl‐substituted furoxans. All of the compounds were tested for their NO‐donor properties. Furthermore, the hybrid structures synthesized, together with some selected reference compounds, were tested for their H₂‐antagonistic properties, both in vitro and in vivo, and for their gastroprotective effects. Only the hybrid compounds were able both to antagonize histamine effects on guinea‐pig papillary muscle and to display in vivo antisecretory and gastroprotective action. The best results were obtained with the lamtidine/furoxan hybrid structure.     

ATRP synthesis and association properties of temperature responsive dextran copolymers grafted with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)

Temperature responsive copolymers of dextran grafted with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (Dex-g-PNIPAAM) were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in homogeneous mild conditions without using protecting group chemistry. Dextran macroinitiator was synthesized by reaction of dextran with 2-chloropropionyl chloride at room temperature in DMF containing 2% LiCl. ATRP was carried out in DMF:water 50:50 (v/v) mixtures at room temperature with CuBr/Tris(2-dimethylaminoethyl)amine (Me₆TREN) as catalyst. Several grafted copolymers with well defined number and length of low polydispersity grafted chains were prepared. Temperature induced association properties in aqueous solution were studied as a function of temperature and polymer concentration by dynamic light scattering, fluorescence spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). LCST, ranging from 35 to 41 °C, was significantly affected by number and length of grafted chains. The fine tuning of LCST around body temperature is an important characteristic not obtainable by conventional radical grafting of PNIPAAM. Well defined spherical nanoparticles were formed above the LCST of PNIPAAM. Hydrodynamic diameter was in the range 73-98 nm.     

Measurement Error Models with Nonconstant Covariance Matrices

In this paper we consider measurement error models when the observed random vectors are independent and have mean vector and covariance matrix changing with each observation. The asymptotic behavior of the sample mean vector and the sample covariance matrix are studied for such models. Using the derived results, we study the case of the elliptical multiplicative error-in-variables models, providing formal justification for the asymptotic distribution of consistent slope parameter estimators. The model considered extends a normal model previously considered in the literature. Asymptotic relative efficiencies comparing several estimators are also reported.     

Synthesis and structure of some asymmetrically substituted furoxans. I

From the mixture of isomeric esters obtained by heating 3-methy 1-4-furoxancarboxylie acid ethyl ester, some furoxan derivatives have been prepared; their structures were assigned on the basis of nmr spectroscopy.