Synthesis, 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptor affinity and docking studies of 3-[3-(4-aryl-1-piperazinyl)-propyl]-1H-indole derivatives

A series of 3-[3-(4-aryl-1-piperazinyl)-propyl]-1H-indole derivatives (12a-h) was synthesized and evaluated for binding affinity at the human 5-hydroxytryptamine(1A) receptor (5-HT(1A)R) compounds (12b) and (12h) showed the highest 5-HT(1A) receptor affinity (IC(50)=15 nM). Molecular docking studies with all the compounds in a homology model of 5-HT(1A) showed that the main interaction anchoring the ligand in the receptor was a charge-reinforced bond between the protonated nitrogen atom (N-4) of the piperazine ring and Aspartate(3.32).     

Formation of Schiff bases of O-phosphorylethanolamine and O-phospho-D,L-serine with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. experimental and theoretical studies

Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) is a B(6) vitamer acting as an enzyme cofactor in various reactions of aminoacid metabolism and inhibiting glycation of biomolecules. Nonenzymatic glycation of aminophospholipids alters the stability of lipid bilayers and cell function as a result. Similarly to protein glycation, aminophospholipid glycation initially involves the formation of a Schiff base. In this work, we studied the formation of Schiff bases between PLP and two compounds mimicking the polar head of natural aminophospholipids, namely: O-phosphorylethanolamine and O-phospho-D,L-serine. Based on the results, the pH-dependence of the microscopic constants of the two PLP-aminophosphate systems studied is identical with that for PLP-aminoacid systems. However, the rate and equilibrium formation constants for the Schiff bases of the aminophosphates are low relative to those for the aminoacids. A theoretical study by density functional theory of the formation mechanism for the Schiff bases of PLP with the two aminophospholipid analogues confirmed that the activation energy of formation of the Schiff bases is greater with aminophosphates; on the other hand, that of hydrolysis is essentially similar with aminoacids and aminophosphates.     

Extended Alkenyl and Alkynyl Benzotriazoles with Enhanced Two-Photon Absorption Properties as a Promising Alternative to Benzothiadiazoles

A series of donor–π–acceptor–π–donor (D -π-A-π-D) benzoazole dyes with 2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole or BTD cores have been prepared and their photophysical properties characterized. The properties of these compounds display remarkable differences, mainly as a result of the electron-donor substituent. Dyes with the best properties have visible-light absorption over λ=400 nm, large Stokes shifts in the range of about 3500–6400 cm⁻¹, and good fluorescence emission with quantum yields of up to 0.78. The two-photon absorption properties were also studied to establish the relationship between structure and properties in the different compounds synthesized. These results provided cross sections of up to 1500 GM, with a predominance of S₂←S₀ transitions and a high charge-transfer character. Time-dependent DFT calculations supported the experimental results.     

Nickel Nanopillar Arrays Electrodeposited on Silicon Substrates Using Porous Alumina Templates

Nickel nanopillar arrays were electrodeposited onto silicon substrates using porous alumina membranes as a template. The characterization of the samples was done by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and alternating force gradient magnetometry. Ni nanostructures were directly grown on Si by galvanostatic and potentiostatic electrodeposition techniques in three remarkable charge transfer configurations. Differences in the growth mechanisms of the nanopillars were observed, depending on the deposition method. A high correlation between the height of the nanopillars and the charge synthesis was observed irrespective of the electrochemical technique. The magnetization measurements demonstrated a main dependence with the height of the nanopillars. The synthesis of Ni nanosystems with a controllable aspect ratio provides an effective way to produce well-ordered networks for wide scientific applications.     

Relationship between basicity and nucleophilicity

The empirical concepts of basicity and nucleophilicity are related but not strictly proportional. Hence, the aim of this study is to help in elucidating the range where both concepts are directly proportional. To do this, the relationship between a recently introduced nucleophilicity index and the proton affinity (PA) of several families of bases has been studied. A good correlation between the PA and the nucleophilicity index using HF and HCN as electrophilic partner has been found. Our studies show that the correlation exists only when the interaction is soft–soft in character and for strong bases with weak acids. However, the relationship is not only valid for exothermic reactions as it has been previously postulated but also for endothermic reactions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antimony dispersion and phase evolution in the Sb2O3-Fe2O3 system

This paper studies the antimony spreading and segregation that occurred along with the oxidation and solid-state reactions in the Fe2O3-Sb2O3 system. XRD, SEM, TG-DSC and particularly XPS were employed for characterizations. Sb2O4 and FeSbO4 are the only new phases detected. The formation of FeSbO4 is a more exothermic but slower reaction than oxidation of Sb2O3. A mechanical grinding of Sb2O3 and Fe2O3 leads to a significant dispersion of Sb2O3 possibly because of its low hardness. Dispersion of reference Sb2O4 in this way is negligible. During the heating of a mixture of Sb2O3 and Fe2O3 with an atomic ratio of Sb/Fe = 0.5 at 200-1000 degrees C in ambient air, the thermal spreading of Sb2O3 onto Fe2O3 increases with increasing temperature until Sb2O3 is oxidized into Sb2O4. The surface atomic ratio of Sb/Fe measured by XPS, R(Sb/Fe), reaches a maximum around 400 degrees C. The complete oxidation of Sb2O3 leads to a decrease in R(Sb/Fe) because of poorer dispersibility of Sb2O4. The formation of FeSbO4 starting at ca. 800 degrees C causes a further decrease in R(Sb/Fe), but the R(Sb/Fe) is still 3.2 times the nominal bulk Sb/Fe ratio when the Sb2O4 is completely transformed into FeSbO4.     

Passive Transport of Ionic Drugs through Membranes with pH-Dependent Fixed Charges

We have studied both theoretically and experimentally the passive transport of ionic drugs through membranes with pH-dependent fixed charge. The system considered constitutes a simplified model for pH-controlled drug delivery through membranes of biochemical and pharmaceutical interest. The theoretical approach employed is based on the Nernst-Planck flux equations and all of the species present in the system (the neutral or ionic drug and the hydrogen and hydroxide ions) have been taken into account together with a Langmuir-type isotherm for the adsorption of the ionic drug onto the membrane surface. The membrane permeabilities of cationic, anionic, and neutral drugs through porous membranes with graft-polymerized weak polyelectrolytes have been measured as a function of the external pH. According to the nature of the grafted polyelectrolyte, the ionized membrane fixed groups can be negative or positive. For the amphoteric membrane, both fixed charge groups are present in the grafted chains. In all cases, the ionization state of the weak polyelectrolyte fixed groups changes with the local pH within the membrane. A comparison of the theoretical results with the experimental data allows one to explain qualitatively the changes of the membrane flux with the external pH and gives new physical insights into the transport problem. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

The role of bismuth as promoter in Pd–Bi catalysts for the selective oxidation of glucose to gluconate

Bismuth is a well-established promoter of noble metal-based catalysts for the selective liquid phase oxidation of alcohols, aldehydes and carbohydrates with molecular oxygen. Experiments were carried out to improve the understanding of the promoting role of bismuth in bimetallic Pd–Bi catalysts used for the selective oxidation of glucose to gluconate. In relationship with the fact that these catalysts undergo substantial bismuth leaching under the reaction conditions, particular attention was paid to the possible role played by the soluble fraction of bismuth in the oxidative process. Carbon-supported Pd–Bi/C catalysts characterized by various Bi–Pd compositions (0.33≤Bi/Pd≤3.0,10 wt.%Pd+Bi) were prepared from acetate-type precursors, tested under various experimental conditions and analyzed by X-ray diffractometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Whatever the initial catalyst composition, the surface intensity ratio measured by XPS in used catalysts lies in the range 0.4–0.6, suggesting that the dynamic state of the catalyst involves the association of one Bi and two to three Pd atoms. The leaching process and the promoting effect itself are discussed in line with the formation of Bi–glucose and Bi–gluconate complexes present in solution but also as adsorbed species at the catalyst surface. The performances of a monometallic Pd/C catalyst are significantly improved in the presence of adequate amounts of soluble Bi. The involvement of the soluble fraction of bismuth in the overall mechanistic scheme of glucose oxidative dehydrogenation is suggested. The detrimental effect of large amounts of soluble bismuth is attributed to a too extensive adsorption of Bi–glucose complexes on the surface Pd atoms.     

Theoretical study of the adsorption of H on Si n clusters, (n=3-10)

A recently proposed local Fukui function is used to predict the binding site of atomic hydrogen on silicon clusters. To validate the predictions, an extensive search for the more stable SinH (n=3-10) clusters has been done using a modified genetic algorithm. In all cases, the isomer predicted by the Fukui function is found by the search, but it is not always the most stable one. It is discussed that in the cases where the geometrical structure of the bare silicon cluster suffers a considerable change due to the addition of one hydrogen atom, the situation is more complicated and the relaxation effects should be considered.