Computational explorations to gain insight into the structural features of TNF-α receptor I inhibitors

TNF-α is a crucial cytokine in the process of inflammatory diseases. The adverse effect of TNF-α is mostly mediated by interaction of TNF-α with TNF-α receptor type I (TNFR1); therefore, discovery of molecules which can bind to TNFR1 preventing TNF-α-receptor complex formation would be of great interest. In the current study, using GRID/GOLPE program, a 3D-QSAR study was conducted on a series of synthetic TNFR1 binders, which resulted in a 3D-QSAR model with appropriate power of predictivity in internal (r²?=?0.94 and q²_LOO?=?0.74) and external (r²?=?0.66 and SDEP?=?0.42) validations. The structural features of TNFR1 inhibitors essential for exerting activity were explored by analyzing the contour maps of the 3D-QSAR model showing that steric interactions and hydrogen bonds are responsible for exerting TNFR1 inhibitory activity. To propose potential chemical entities for TNFR1 inhibition, PubChem database was searched and the selected compounds were virtually tested for anti-TNFR1 activity using the generated model, resulting in two potential anti-TNFR1 compounds. Finally, the possible interactions of the compounds with TNFR1 were investigated using docking studies. The findings in the current work can pave the way for designing more potent anti-TNFR1 inhibitors.     

Nanomagnetically modified vitamin B3 (Fe3O4@Niacin): An efficient and reusable green biocatalyst for microwave‐assisted rapid synthesis of 2‐amino‐3‐cyanopyridines in aqueous medium

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles of modified vitamin B₃ (Fe₃O₄@Niacin) represent a new, efficient and green biocatalyst for the one‐pot synthesis of 2‐amino‐3‐cyanopyridine derivatives via four‐component condensation reaction between aldehydes, ketones, malononitrile, and ammonium acetate under microwave irradiation in water. This new magnetic organocatalyst was easily isolated from the reaction mixture by magnetic decantation using an external magnet and reused at least six times without significant degradation in the activity. The catalyst was fully characterized by FT‐IR, XRD, SEM, VSM, UV–Vis, DLS and EDS. Excellent yield, very short reaction time (7–10 min), operational simplicity, easy work‐up procedure, avoidance of hazardous or toxic catalysts and organic solvents are the main advantages of this green methodology which makes it more economic than the other conventional methods.     

Magnetic‐based picolinaldehyde–melamine copper complex for the one‐pot synthesis of hexahydroquinolines via Hantzsch four‐component reactions

A picolinaldehyde–melamine copper complex was loaded on a magnetic Fe₃O₄ core, so that it contained 0.33 mmol of Cu per gram, and was used as an efficient catalyst. The as‐synthesized catalyst was characterized using various techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry and thermogravimetric analysis. The catalyst was used to activate the raw materials in the synthesis of hexahydroquinoline derivatives in one‐pot four‐component reactions. Low reaction time (minutes versus half an hour), solvent‐free condition and magnetically separable catalyst are some salient features of the developed catalyst. Also, the optimum amount of catalyst and temperature were determined as 0.07 g and 87.6 °C, respectively, which were obtained using response surface methodology and optimization techniques.     

Nitrogen doped nano porous graphene as a sorbent for separation and preconcentration trace amounts of Pb,Cd and Cr by Ultrasonic assisted in‐syringe dispersive micro solid phase extraction

Nitrogen doped nano porous graphene was used as an efficient sorbent in solid‐phase extraction process for simultaneous separation and pre‐concentration of metal ions lead (II), cadmium(II), and chromium(III)) in biological samples. Ultrasonic assisted in‐syringe dispersive micro solid phase extraction coupled with micro sampling atomic absorption spectrometry was utilized for the determination of metal ions. Nitrogen doped nano porous graphene was synthesized as a nano sorbent by chemical vapour deposition method. Methane and aniline were used as carbon and nitrogen sources. The characterization of sorbent was performed by field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscope, fourier transform infrared, chemical element analysis and raman analysis. Effective parameters on the extraction efficiency such as pH, sorbent dosage, eluent volume and eluent concentration were optimized by central composite design and desirability function. Experimental results indicate that the optimal conditions for this extraction were pH = 6.4, 1.42 mg of sorbent, 100 μL of eluent, and 0.84 mol L^‐1 of eluent concentration. The detection limits are as low as 1.5, 0.3 and 0.9 μg L^‐1 for lead, cadmium, and chromium, respectively. The intra‐day precisions were 3.6, 4.38 and 2.94 and Inter‐day precision were 4.83, 5.26 and 4.52 for lead, cadmium, and chromium, respectively. Method performance was investigated by determination of mentioned heavy metals in complicated biological matrixes such as human plasma, urine and saliva samples with good recoveries.     

Mizoroki–Heck and Suzuki–Miyaura reactions mediated by poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid)‐stabilized magnetically separable palladium catalyst

The purpose of this work was to synthesize and characterize a new magnetic polymer nanosphere‐supported palladium(II) acetate catalyst for reactions requiring harsh conditions. In this regard, an air‐stable, moisture‐stable and highly efficient heterogenized palladium was synthesized by the coordination of palladium(II) acetate with poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid)‐grafted modified magnetic nanoparticles with a core–shell structure. The structure of the newly developed catalyst was characterized using various techniques. The catalytic activity of the resultant nano‐organometallic catalyst was evaluated in Mizoroki–Heck and Suzuki–Miyaura reactions to afford the corresponding coupling products in good to excellent yields. High selectivity as well as outstanding turnover number (14 143, 4900) and turnover frequency (28 296, 7424) values were recorded for the catalyst in Suzuki–Miyaura and Mizoroki–Heck reactions, respectively. Magnetic separation and recycling of the catalyst for at least six runs became possible without any significant loss of efficiency or any detectable palladium leaching.     

Palladium nanoparticles immobilized on sepiolite–cyclodextrin nanosponge hybrid: Efficient heterogeneous catalyst for ligand‐ and copper‐free C─C coupling reactions

A novel hybrid system composed of sepiolite clay and cyclodextrin nanosponge (CDNS) was prepared via reaction of Cl‐functionalized sepiolite with amine‐functionalized CDNS. CDNS–sepiolite was then applied for immobilization of Pd(0) nanoparticles. The resulting hybrid system, Pd@CDNS‐sepiolite, was characterized using various techniques and successfully used as an efficient and heterogeneous catalyst for ligand‐ and copper‐free Sonogashira and Heck coupling reactions under mild reaction conditions. Recycling experiments confirmed that Pd@CDNS‐sepiolite was recyclable and could be used for several consecutive reaction runs with slight Pd leaching and loss of catalytic activity.     

On-line packed magnetic in-tube solid phase microextraction of acidic drugs such as naproxen and indomethacin by using Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>@SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>@layered double hydroxide nanoparticles with high anion exchange capacity

The authors describe a 3-component nanoparticle system composed of a silica-coated magnetite (Fe₃O₄) core and a layered double (Cu-Cr) hydroxide nanoplatelet shell. The sorbent has a high anion exchange capacity for extraction anionic species. A simple online system, referred to as "on-line packed magnetic-in-tube solid phase microextraction" was designed. The nanoparticles were placed in a stainless steel cartridge via dry packing. The cartridge was then applied to the preconcentration acidic drugs including naproxen and indomethacin from urine and plasma. Extraction and desorption times, pH values of the sample solution and flow rates of sample solution and eluent were optimized. Analytes were then quantified by HPLC with UV detection. Under optimal conditions, the limits of detection range from 70 to 800 ng L^?1, with linear responses from 0.1–500 μg L^?1 (water samples), 0.6–500 μg L^?1 (spiked urine), and 0.9–500 μg L^?1 (spiked plasma). The inter- and intra-assay precisions (RSDs, for n?=?5) are in the range of 2.2–5.4%, 2.8–4.9%, and 2.0–5.2% at concentration levels of 5, 25 and 50 μg L^?1, respectively. The method was applied to the analysis of the drugs in spiked human urine and plasma, and good results were achieved.

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Graphical abstract Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@CuCr-LDH magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and packed in to a stainless steel column. The column was applied to solid phase microextraction of acidic drugs from biological samples.

     

Characterization and performance of Pd/Ni(Zn)-aluminate catalysts for acetylene hydrogenation

Research on Chemical Intermediates - 0.03&nbsp;wt% Pd catalysts on nickel and zinc aluminate supports were prepared by impregnation. The samples were characterized by XRD, BET, ICP, SEM, EDS,...     

Green route for selective gram‐scale oxidation of sulfides using tungstate/triazine‐based ionic liquid immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles as a phase‐transfer heterogeneous catalyst

Tungstate ions were successfully loaded onto triazine‐based ionic liquid‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles through an anion exchange process. The use of triazine core for creating ionic liquid led to the immobilization of high amounts of WO₄^2?. The resulting catalyst showed high activity and selectivity in the oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides with H₂O₂ as a green oxidant at room temperature. In addition, due to the presence of ammonium groups in the catalyst structure, water dispersibility of the catalyst was increased. More important, the catalyst was magnetically recovered and reused for up to six runs without any marked decrease of activity and selectivity. Finally, easy gram‐scale oxidation of methylphenyl sulfide as well as fast separation of catalyst and product makes the protocol economical and industrially applicable.