Copper(II) complexes with pyridoxal dithiocarbazate and thiosemicarbazone ligands: crystal structure,spectroscopic analysis and cytotoxic activity

Transition Metal Chemistry - The present study reports the synthesis and crystal structures of Cu(II) complexes with pyridoxal S-allyldithiocarbazate (H2L1) and pyridoxal thiosemicarbazones...     

Systematic Comparison of Peptidic Proteasome Inhibitors Highlights the α‐Ketoamide Electrophile as an Auspicious Reversible Lead Motif

The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) has been successfully targeted by both academia and the pharmaceutical industry for oncological and immunological applications. Typical proteasome inhibitors are based on a peptidic backbone endowed with an electrophilic C‐terminus by which they react with the active proteolytic sites. Although the peptide moiety has attracted much attention in terms of subunit selectivity, the target specificity and biological stability of the compounds are largely determined by the reactive warheads. In this study, we have carried out a systematic investigation of described electrophiles by a combination of in vitro, in vivo, and structural methods in order to disclose the implications of altered functionality and chemical reactivity. Thereby, we were able to introduce and characterize the class of α‐ketoamides as the most potent reversible inhibitors with possible applications for the therapy of solid tumors as well as autoimmune disorders.     

Complete and unambiguous assignments of 1H and 13C chemical shifts of new arylamino derivatives of ortho-naphthofuranquinones

Six new nor-beta-lapachones have been synthesized from reaction of 3-bromo-nor-beta-lapachone with arylamines. These derivatives have potent anticancer properties against several cell lines. Here, we report complete unambiguous assignments of (1)H and (13)C chemical shifts of the new compounds. The assignments were made using a combination of one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques ((1)H, (13)C, (1)H-(1)H COSY, (1)H-(13)C HSQC, and (1)H-(13)C HMBC).     

Seltenerdhalogenide Ln4X5Z. Teil 1: C und/oder C2 in Ln4X5Z

Rare Earth Halides Ln₄X₅Z. Part 1: C and/or C₂ in Ln₄X₅Z The compounds Ln₄X₅C_n (Ln = La, Ce, Pr; X = Br, I and 1.0 < n < 2.0) are prepared by the reaction of LnX₃, Ln metal and graphite in sealed Ta‐ampoules at temperatures 850 °C < T < 1050 °C. They crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/m. La₄I₅C_1.5: a = 19.849(4) Å, b = 4.1410(8) Å, c = 8.956(2) Å, β = 103.86(3)°, La₄I₅C_2.0: a = 19.907(4) Å, b = 4.1482(8) Å, c = 8.963(2) Å, β = 104.36(3)°, Ce₄Br₅C_1.0: a = 18.306(5) Å, b = 3.9735(6) Å, c = 8.378(2) Å, β=104.91(2)°, Ce₄Br₅C_1.5: a = 18.996(2) Å, b = 3.9310(3) Å, c = 8.282(7) Å, β = 106.74(1)°, Pr₄Br₅C_1.3: a = 18.467(2) Å, b = 3.911(1) Å, c = 8.258(7) Å, β = 105.25(1)° and Pr₄Br₅C_1.5: a = 19.044(2) Å, b = 3.9368(1) Å, c = 8.254(7) Å, β = 106.48(1)°. In the crystal structure the lanthanide metals are connected to Ln₆‐octahedra centered by carbon atoms or C₂‐groups. The Ln₆‐octahedra are condensed via opposite edges to chains and surrounded by X atoms which interconnect the chains. A part n of isolated C‐atoms is substituted by 1‐n C₂‐groups. The C‐C distances range between 1.26 and 1.40Å. In the ionic formulation (Ln³⁺)₄(X^?)₅(C^4?)_n(C₂^m?)_1?n·e^? with 0 < n < 1 and m = 2, 4, 6 (C₂^2?, C₂^4? C₂^6?), there are 1 < e^? < 5 electrons centered in metal‐metal bonds.     

Rime samples characterization and comparison using classical and fuzzy principal components analysis

The main objective of this paper is to introduce principal component analysis and two robust fuzzy principal component algorithms as useful tools in characterizing and comparing rime samples collected in different locations in Poland (2004–2007). The efficiency of the applied procedures was illustrated on a data set containing 108 rime samples and concentration of anions, cations, HCHO, as well as pH and conductivity. The fuzzy principal component algorithms achieved better results mainly because they are more compressible than classical PCA and very robust to outliers. For example, a three component model, fuzzy principal component analysis-first component (FPCA-1) accounts for 62.37% of the total variance and fuzzy principal component analysis-orthogonal (FPCA-o) 90.11%; PCA accounts only for 58.30%. The first two principal components explain 51.41% of the total variance in the case of FPCA-1 and 79.59% in the case of FPCA-o as compared to only 47.55% for PCA. As a direct consequence, PCA showed only a partial differentiation of rime samples onto the plane or in the space described by different combination of two or three principal components, whereas a much sharper differentiation of the samples, regarding their origin and location, is observed when FPCAs are applied.      

Preparation and characterisation of thermoresponsive poly[(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide-co-(hydroxyethyl acrylate)] microspheres as a matrix for the pulsed release of drugs

Despite the large number of publications and patents concerning pH/thermoresponsive polymers, few data are available concerning the preparation of thermoresponsive cross-linked microspheres from preformed polymers. Therefore, N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide-co-(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) copolymers were obtained as a new thermoresponsive material with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) around 36 degrees C, in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4, and with a cross-linkable OH group in their structure. The LCST value was determined both by UV spectroscopy and microcalorimetric analysis. These copolymers were solubilised in acidified aqueous solution below their LCST, dispersed in mineral oil, and transformed into stable microspheres by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. The thermoresponsive microspheres were characterised by optical and scanning electron microscopy, degree of swelling, and water retention. The pore dimensions of the microspheres and the retention volumes of some drugs and typical compounds were evaluated at different temperatures by liquid chromatography. Indomethacin, as a model drug, was included in the microspheres by the solvent evaporation method. Finally, the influence of temperature and of temperature cycling on drug release was investigated.     

Effect of time on the interfacial and foaming properties of beta-lactoglobulin/acacia gum electrostatic complexes and coacervates at pH 4.2

The electrostatic complexation between beta-lactoglobulin and acacia gum was investigated at pH 4.2 and 25 degrees C. The binding isotherm revealed a spontaneous exothermic reaction, leading to a DeltaHobs = -2108 kJ mol(-1) and a saturation protein to polysaccharide weight mixing ratio of 2:1. Soluble electrostatic complexes formed in these conditions were characterized by a hydrodynamic diameter of 119 +/- 0.6 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.097. The effect of time on the interfacial and foaming properties of these soluble complexes was investigated at a concentration of 0.1 wt % at two different times after mixing (4 min, referred as t approximately 0 h and t = 24 h). At t approximately 0 h, the mixture is mainly made of aggregating soluble electrostatic complexes, whereas after 24 h these complexes have already insolubilize to form liquid coacervates. The surface elasticity, viscosity and phase angle obtained at low frequency (0.01 Hz) using oscillating bubble tensiometry revealed higher fluidity and less rigidity in the film formed at t approximately 0 h. This observation was confirmed by diminishing bubble experiments coupled with microscopy of the thin film. It was thicker, more homogeneous and contained more water at t approximately 0 h as compared to t = 24 h (thinner film, less water). This led to very different gas permeability's of Kt approximately 0 h = 0.021 cm s(-1) and Kt=24 h) = 0.449 cm s(-1), respectively. Aqueous foams produced with the beta-lactoglobulin/acacia gum electrostatic complexes or coacervates exhibited very different stability. The former (t approximately 0 h) had a stable volume, combining low drainage rate and mainly air bubble disproportionation as the destabilization mechanism. By contrast, using coacervates aged for 24 h, the foam was significantly less stable, combining fast liquid drainage and air bubble destabilization though fast gas diffusion followed by film rupture and bubble coalescence. The strong effect of time on the air/water interfacial properties of the beta-lactoglobulin/acacia gum electrostatic complexes can be understood by their reorganization at the interface to form a coacervate phase that is more fluid/viscous at t approximately 0 h vs rigid/elastic at t = 24 h.     

Aromatic Interactions in Organocatalyst Design: Augmenting Selectivity Reversal in Iminium Ion Activation

Substituting N‐methylpyrrole for N‐methyindole in secondary‐amine‐catalysed Friedel–Crafts reactions leads to a curious erosion of enantioselectivity. In extreme cases, this substrate dependence can lead to an inversion in the sense of enantioinduction. Indeed, these closely similar transformations require two structurally distinct catalysts to obtain comparable selectivities. Herein a focussed molecular editing study is disclosed to illuminate the structural features responsible for this disparity, and thus identify lead catalyst structures to further exploit this selectivity reversal. Key to effective catalyst re‐engineering was delineating the non‐covalent interactions that manifest themselves in conformation. Herein we disclose preliminary validation that intermolecular aromatic (CH–π and cation–π) interactions between the incipient iminium cation and the indole ring system is key to rationalising selectivity reversal. This is absent in the N‐methylpyrrole alkylation, thus forming the basis of two competing enantio‐induction pathways. A simple L ‐valine catalyst has been developed that significantly augments this interaction.     

Slow dynamics of a colloidal lamellar phase

We used x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy to study the dynamics in the lamellar phase of a platelet suspension as a function of the particle concentration. We measured the collective diffusion coefficient along the director of the phase, over length scales down to the interparticle distance, and quantified the hydrodynamic interaction between the particles. This interaction sets in with increasing concentration and can be described qualitatively by a simplified model. No change in the microscopic structure or dynamics is observed at the transition between the fluid and the gel-like lamellar phases.