Experimental and Theoretical Studies on Arene‐Bridged Metal–Metal‐Bonded Dimolybdenum Complexes

The bis(hydride) dimolybdenum complex, [Mo₂(H)₂{HC(N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)₂}₂(thf)₂], 2 , which possesses a quadruply bonded Mo₂^II core, undergoes light‐induced (365 nm) reductive elimination of H₂ and arene coordination in benzene and toluene solutions, with formation of the Mo^I₂ complexes [Mo₂{HC(N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)₂}₂(arene)], 3?C₆H₆ and 3?C₆H₅Me , respectively. The analogous C₆H₅OMe, p‐C₆H₄Me₂, C₆H₅F, and p‐C₆H₄F₂ derivatives have also been prepared by thermal or photochemical methods, which nevertheless employ different Mo₂ complex precursors. X‐ray crystallography and solution NMR studies demonstrate that the molecule of the arene bridges the molybdenum atoms of the Mo^I₂ core, coordinating to each in an η² fashion. In solution, the arene rotates fast on the NMR timescale around the Mo₂‐arene axis. For the substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, the NMR data are consistent with the existence of a major rotamer in which the metal atoms are coordinated to the more electron‐rich C?C bonds.     

About the Reaction of C(PPh3)2 with [M(CO)6] (M = Cr,Mo): Unusual Formation of μ-Carbonato Complexes of Mo under Participation of THF

Attempts to synthesize complexes of group 6 carbonyl compounds [M(CO)₆] (M = Cr, Mo, W) with the carbone C(PPh₃)₂ ( 1 ) via the photo chemically created adducts [(CO)₅M(THF)] lead to quantitative formation of the salts [HC(PPh₃)₂]₂[M₂(CO)₁₀] ( 2 , Cr; 3 , Mo; 4 , W). Alternatively, a long-time thermal reaction of [Mo(CO)₆] performed with 1 in THF generates a series of products initiated by a Wittig-type reaction. In addition to 3 , minor amounts of [(CO)₅MoCCPPh₃] ( 8 ), [(CO)₅MoO₂CC{PPh₃}₂] ( 5 ), and the carbonate complexes [HC(PPh₃)₂]₂[(CO)₅Mo(CO₃)Mo(CO)₄] ( 6 ) and [HC(PPh₃)₂]₂[(CO)₄Mo(CO₃)Mo(CO)₄] ( 7 ) were found. Compounds 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , and 7 were characterized by X-ray analyses, ³¹P NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The water, necessary for the formation of the carbonate, stems from decomposition of THF.     

Chemoselective Preparation of New Families of Phenolic-Organoselenium Hybrids—A Biological Assessment

Being aware of the enormous biological potential of organoselenium and polyphenolic compounds, we have accomplished the preparation of novel hybrids, combining both pharmacophores in order to obtain new antioxidant and antiproliferative agents. Three different families have been accessed in a straightforward and chemoselective fashion: carbohydrate-containing N-acylisoselenoureas, N-arylisoselenocarbamates and N-arylselenocarbamates. The nature of the organoselenium framework, number and position of phenolic hydroxyl groups and substituents on the aromatic scaffolds afforded valuable structure–activity relationships for the biological assays accomplished: antioxidant properties (antiradical activity, DNA-protective effects, Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mimicry) and antiproliferative activity. Regarding the antioxidant activity, selenocarbamates 24–27 behaved as excellent mimetics of GPx in the substoichiometric elimination of H₂O₂ as a Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) model. Isoselenocarbamates and particularly their selenocarbamate isomers exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against non-small lung cell lines (A549, SW1573) in the low micromolar range, with similar potency to that shown by the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin (cis-diaminodichloroplatin, CDDP) and occasionally with more potency than etoposide (VP-16).     

Salicylic Acid as Ionic Liquid Formulation May Have Enhanced Potency to Treat Some Chronic Skin Diseases

In recent years, numerous studies have shown that conversion of conventional drugs in ionic liquid (IL) formulation could be a successful strategy to improve their physicochemical properties or suggest a new route of administration. We report the synthesis and detailed characterization of eight salicylic acid-based ILs (SA-ILs) containing cation non-polar or aromatic amino acid esters. Using in vitro assays, we preliminary evaluated the therapeutic potency of the novel SA-ILs. We observed that conversion of the SA into ionic liquids led to a decrease in its cytotoxicity toward NIH/3T3 murine embryo fibroblasts and human HaCaT keratinocytes. It should be mentioned is that all amino acid alkyl ester salicylates [AAOR][SA] inhibit the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 in LPS-stimulated keratinocytes. Moreover, keratinocytes, pretreated with [PheOMe][SA] and [PheOPr][SA] seem to be protected from LPS-induced inflammation. Finally, the novel compounds exhibit a similar binding affinity to bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the parent SA, suggesting a similar pharmacokinetic profile. These preliminary results indicate that SA-ILs, especially those with [PheOMe], [PheOPr], and [ValOiPr] cation, have the potential to be further investigated as novel topical agents for chronic skin diseases such as psoriasis and acne vulgaris.     

In Vitro Antineoplastic and Antiviral Activity and In Vivo Toxicity of Geum urbanum L. Extracts

This study evaluated the in vitro antineoplastic and antiviral potential and in vivo toxicity of twelve extracts with different polarity obtained from the herbaceous perennial plant Geum urbanum L. (Rosaceae). In vitro cytotoxicity was determined by ISO 10993-5/2009 on bladder cancer, (T-24 and BC-3C), liver carcinoma (HEP-G2) and normal embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cell lines. The antineoplastic activity was elucidated through assays of cell clonogenicity, apoptosis induction, nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NFκB p65) activation and total glutathione levels. Neutral red uptake study was applied for antiviral activity. The most promising G. urbanum extract was analyzed by UHPLC–HRMS. The acute in vivo toxicity analysis was carried out following OEDC 423. The ethyl acetate extract of aerial parts (EtOAc-AP) exhibited the strongest antineoplastic activity on bladder cancer cell lines (IC₅₀ = 21.33–25.28 µg/mL) by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting NFκB p65 and cell clonogenicity. EtOAc and n-butanol extracts showed moderate antiviral activity against human adenovirus type 5 and human simplex virus type I. Seventy four secondary metabolites (gallic and ellagic acid derivatives, phenolic acids, flavonoids, etc.) were identified in EtOAc-AP by UHPLC–HRMS. This extract induced no signs of acute toxicity in liver and kidney specimens of H-albino mice in doses up to 210 mg/kg. In conclusion, our study contributes substantially to the detailed pharmacological characterization of G. urbanum, thus helping the development of health-promoting phytopreparations.     

Recent strategies to enhance the performance of polymer monoliths for analytical separations

This review summarizes recent developments made in the incorporation of functional materials into organic polymer monoliths, together with new monolithic forms and formats, which enhance their application as supports and stationary phase materials for sample preparation and chromatographic separations. While polymer monoliths are well‐known supports for the separation of large molecules, recent developments have been made to improve their features for the separation of small molecules. The selectivity and performance of organic polymer monoliths has been improved by the incorporation of different materials, such as metal‐organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, or other types of nanostructured materials (carbon nanohorns, nanodiamonds, polyoxometalates, layered double hydroxides, or attapulgite). The surface area of polymer monoliths has been significantly increased by polymer hypercrosslinking, resulting in increased efficiency when applied to the separation of small molecules. In addition, recent exploration of less conventional supports for casting polymer monoliths, including photonic fibres and 3D printed materials, has opened new avenues for the applications of polymer monoliths in the field of separation science. Recent developments made in these topics are covered, focusing on the strategies followed by the authors to prepare the polymer monoliths and the effect of these modifications on the developed analytical applications.     

3D Printing in analytical sample preparation

In the last 5 years, additive manufacturing (three‐dimensional printing) has emerged as a highly valuable technology to advance the field of analytical sample preparation. Three‐dimensional printing enabled the cost‐effective and rapid fabrication of devices for sample preparation, especially in flow‐based mode, opening new possibilities for the development of automated analytical methods. Recent advances involve membrane‐based three‐dimensional printed separation devices fabricated by print‐pause‐print and multi‐material three‐dimensional printing, or improved three‐dimensional printed holders for solid‐phase extraction containing sorbent bead packings, extraction disks, fibers, and magnetic particles. Other recent developments rely on the direct three‐dimensional printing of extraction sorbents, the functionalization of commercial three‐dimensional printable resins, or the coating of three‐dimensional printed devices with functional micro/nanomaterials. In addition, improved devices for liquid–liquid extraction such as extraction chambers, or phase separators are opening new possibilities for analytical method development combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography. The present review outlines the current state‐of‐the‐art of three‐dimensional printing in analytical sample preparation.     

A re-investigation of the far-infrared spectrum of isotactic polystyrene in the 7–2400 cm−1 region at ambient temperature

Fourier-transformed interferometric techniques have been utilized to obtain new data for the far-infrared spectrum of isotactic polystyrene. The region in which rotational and translational crystalline bands are observed has been investigated and 21 absorptions associated with infrared active crystal lattice modes have been observed in the 7–400 cm^?1 region. Possible assignments of these bands have been attempted, and a comparison with the previously reported data for polypropylene has been made.     

Isolation of three new naturally occurring compounds from the culture of Micromonospora sp. P1068

Bioassay guided isolation of an antibacterial extract prepared from the fermentation broth of a Micromonospora sp. P1068 led to the isolation of eight compounds identified as (3R) 3,4',7-trihydroxy-isoflavanone (1), 3-hydroxydehydrodaidzein, daidzein (2), 3-methyl-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid (3), 1H-indole-3-carboxaldehyde (4), 3-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-N-methylpropionamide, N-methylphloretamide (5), phenyl acetic acid (6), 2-hydroxy phenyl acetic acid (7) and 4-hydroxy-5-methoxy-benzoic acid (8). Compounds 1 and 5 were found to be novel chemical entities while 3 was isolated from a natural source for the first time. All compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against a panel of clinically significant microorganisms. Compound 4 was active against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC, 32 microg/ml), Enterococcus faecium (MIC, 32 microg/ml) and Escherichia coli (MIC, 64 microg/ml).     

Analysis of the spatial distribution between successive earthquakes

Spatial distances between subsequent earthquakes in southern California exhibit scale-free statistics, with a critical exponent delta approximately 0.6, as well as finite size scaling. The statistics are independent of the threshold magnitude as long as the catalog is complete, but depend strongly on the temporal ordering of events, rather than the geometry of the spatial epicenter distribution. Nevertheless, the spatial distance and waiting time between subsequent earthquakes are uncorrelated with each other. These observations contradict the theory of aftershock zone scaling with main shock magnitude.