Flower-shaped ZnO nanoparticles as an efficient, heterogeneous and reusable catalyst in the synthesis of N-arylhomophthalimides and benzannelated isoquinolinones

A simple and green protocol, developed utilizing an efficient, heterogeneous and recyclable catalyst, i.e. zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs)-mediated synthesis of N-arylhomophthalimides and benzannelated isoquinolinones, is reported. The structures of the desired products were characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS techniques. The ZnO NPs exhibited excellent catalytic activity and the proposed methodology is capable of providing the desired products in good yield and purity.     

Interactions with herring sperm DNA and biological studies of sparfloxacin drug‐based copper(II) compounds

Copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(SPF)(Lⁿ)Cl] (where SPF is sparfloxacin and Lⁿ = substituted terpyridines) were synthesized and found to have a distorted octahedral geometry. Superoxide dismutase‐like activity of the complexes was measured using a nitroblue tetrazolium/reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide/phenazine methosulfate system and expressed in terms of the concentration of complex which terminates the formation of formazan by 50% (IC₅₀ value), which was found to range from 0.572 to 1.522 µm . Interactions of the complexes with herring sperm DNA were studied by absorption titration, viscosity measurement and gel electrophoresis under physiological conditions. The antimicrobial efficiency of the complexes was tested against five different microorganisms and showed good biological activity. All the complexes showed good cytotoxic activity, with LC₅₀ values ranging from 4.01 to 9.64 µg ml^?1. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An evaluation of the CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibition potential of metoprolol metabolites and their contribution to drug–drug and drug–herb interaction by LC‐ESI/MS/MS

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the contribution of metabolites to drug–drug interaction and drug–herb interaction using the inhibition of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 by metoprolol (MET) and its metabolites. The peak concentrations of unbound plasma concentration of MET, α‐hydroxy metoprolol (HM), O‐desmethyl metoprolol (ODM) and N‐desisopropyl metoprolol (DIM) were 90.37 ± 2.69, 33.32 ± 1.92, 16.93 ± 1.70 and 7.96 ± 0.94 ng/mL, respectively. The metabolites identified, HM and ODM, had a ratio of metabolic area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) to parent AUC of ≥0.25 when either total or unbound concentration of metabolite was considered. In vitro CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibition by MET, HM and ODM study revealed that MET, HM and ODM were not inhibitors of CYP3A4‐catalyzed midazolam metabolism and CYP2D6‐catalyzed dextromethorphan metabolism. However, DIM only met the criteria of >10% of the total drug related material and <25% of the parent using unbound concentrations. If CYP inhibition testing is solely based on metabolite exposure, DIM metabolite would probably not be considered. However, the present study has demonstrated that DIM contributes significantly to in vitro drug–drug interaction. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Total synthesis of the 2,6-disubstituted piperidine alkaloid (−)-andrachcinidine

The total synthesis of the 2,6-disubstituted piperidine alkaloid (?)-andrachcinidine is reported using Keck’s asymmetric allylation, Sharpless epoxidation, nucleophilic substitution, and intramolecular aza-Michael addition as the key steps.     

Transition-Metal-Free Reverse Reactivity of (2-Alkynyl)-Arylaldimines: Assembly of Functionalized Amino-Indinones

Transition-metal-free regioselective synthesis of functionalized amino-indenones by the reaction of ortho-alkynylaldehydes with a broad range of primary amines by intramolecular cyclization has been described. The designed reaction proceeds through KOH-mediated Prins-type cyclization and DMSO-promoted oxidation of the cyclopent-2-en-1-one system. The proposed mechanism and role of solvent were well supported by control experiments. For the first time, we have disclosed the reverse reactivity of (2-alkynyl)-arylaldimines in a super basic system.     

An Ultra-Microporous Metal–Organic Framework with Exceptional Xe Capacity

Molecular confinement plays a significant effect on trapped gas and solvent molecules. A fundamental understanding of gas adsorption within the porous confinement provides information necessary to design a material with improved selectivity. In this regard, metal–organic framework (MOF) adsorbents are ideal candidate materials to study confinement effects for weakly interacting gas molecules, such as noble gases. Among the noble gases, xenon (Xe) has practical applications in the medical, automotive and aerospace industries. In this Communication, we report an ultra-microporous nickel-isonicotinate MOF with exceptional Xe uptake and selectivity compared to all benchmark MOF and porous organic cage materials. The selectivity arises because of the near perfect fit of the atomic Xe inside the porous confinement. Notably, at low partial pressure, the Ni–MOF interacts very strongly with Xe compared to the closely related Krypton gas (Kr) and more polarizable CO₂. Further ¹²⁹Xe NMR suggests a broad isotropic chemical shift due to the reduced motion as a result of confinement.