<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> inhibitory effect of polyoxometalates on human tumor cells

H₇[NiV₁₃O₃₈] was synthesized from K₇[NiV₁₃O₃₈] using an ion exchange method. Then Pr₂H[NiV₁₃O₃₈] was obtained by double decomposition of H₇[NiV₁₃O₃₈] with Pr₂(CO₃)₃. The actual amount of praseodymium measured by elemental analysis coincides with the designed amount of praseodymium in Pr₂H[NiV₁₃O₃₈]. The i.r. spectra suggested that the [NiV₁₃O₃₈]^7– anion did not collapse after the ion exchange and double decomposition. The ⁵¹V n.m.r. spectrum of Pr₂H[NiV₁₃O₃₈] showed four peaks and their ratio of the relative intensity was 4:4:4:1. This result agrees with the chemical environment of V atoms in the [NiV₁₃O₃₈]^7– anion. In vitro antitumor activities of polyoxometalates on several human tumor cells have been investigated using the MTT method. Pr₂H[NiV₁₃O₃₈] is the most effective polyoxometalate tested in this study for inhibiting KB cell. Pr₂H[NiV₁₃O₃₈] also showed remarkable inhibitory effect on some other tumor cells: HCT, Bel, B₁₆, BCAP and ESCL cells. These results indicate that Pr₂H[NiV₁₃O₃₈] is a potent broad spectrum antitumor agent. The structure type of polyoxometalates greatly influences their antitumor activity: the order of structure type for inhibiting KB cell is: [NiV₁₃O₃₈]^7–>[Mo₇O₂₄]^6–>Anderson structure Keggin structure Dawson structure. Moreover, the nature of the polyatom in the polyoxometalates also greatly influences their antitumor activity: the polyatom order for inhibiting KB cell is: V>Mo W. On the other hand, the nature of the counter cation and the heteroatom in the polyoxometalates exerted a relatively small influence on the inhibitory effect against the KB cell, although the praseodymium salt of [NiV₁₃O₃₈]^7– showed a higher antitumor activity than its potassium salt.     

Langmuir monolayers of the long-chain alkyl derivatives of a nucleoside analogue and the formation of self-assembled nanoparticles

The long-chain alkyl derivatives of a nucleoside analogue-acyclovir were prepared in the paper. One is stearyl-glycero-succinyl-acyclovir (SGSA) with a single 18-carbon length (C18) alkyl chain. Another is dioctadecyl-aspartate-succinyl-acyclovir (DASA) with double C18 alkyl chains. They were prepared by the esterification of succinyl-acyclovir with the lipids, and sodium salts of them were also prepared. Guanine moieties and alkyl moieties bring the derivatives intermolecular hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction in water separately. The forces are influenced by the number of alkyl chains and the charged state, and determine the solubility and the self-assembly behavior of the derivatives. The double alkyl-chain derivatives (DASA and DASA-Na) formed rigid Langmuir monolayers on air/water surface, while the single alkyl chain derivatives (SGSA and SGSA-Na) did not. However, cholesterol (Chol) could assist SGSA to form rigid monolayers through inserting into the alkyl chains of SGSA to mimic the second alkyl chain. SGSA self-aggregates in water were prepared by the injection method with tetrahydrofuran as solvent. Cuboid-like shape and nanoscale size demonstrated that SGSA self-aggregates were self-assembled nanoparticles. Shape, particle size, zeta potential and phase transition of the nanoparticles were characterized. And they showed an average size of 83.2 nm, a negative surface charge of -31.3-mV zeta potential and a gel-liquid crystalline phase transition of 50.38 degrees C. The formation mechanism of self-assembled nanoparticles was analyzed. Hydrophobic interaction of alkyl chains improves SGSA molecules to form bilayers, and then cuboid-like nanoparticles were obtained by layer-by-layer aggregation based on inter-bilayers hydrogen bonding. However, the charged guanine moieties make SGSA-Na lose the function of hydrogen bonding so that SGSA-Na only forms vesicles in water based on hydrophobic interaction. Strong hydrophobicity and wide-open rigid double alkyl chains of DASA and DASA-Na restrict self-assembly in water media, and no homogeneous suspensions were obtained. Therefore, the molecular self-assembly behavior of the long-chain alkyl derivatives of nucleoside analogues on water surface or in water media is determined by the number of alkyl chains and the charged state.     

Investigation of the Electrochemical Reduction of Benzophenone in Aprotic Solvents Using the Method of Cyclic Voltammetry

The reduction of benzophenone (Bzph) in 3-pentanone (PEN), acetone (ACE), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), tetrahydrofuran (THF), acetonitrile (ACN) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with n-tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAPF₆) as background electrolyte was studied using the technique of cyclic voltammetry at the temperature of 263.15 K. The half-wave potentials (E _1/2) were extracted. The reduction of Bzph occurs in two successive one-electron steps to produce first the free radical anion Bzph⁻ and then the dianion Bzph²⁻. The results indicated that the radical anion Bzph⁻ is reoxidized to Bzph in all investigated solvent media whereas the dianion Bzph²⁻ is reoxidized to Bzph⁻ only in THF. The heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants (k _s ) were evaluated by employing the electrochemical rate equation proposed by Nicholson. The rate of electron transfer for the Bzph/Bzph⁻ couple was found to be relatively slow in all investigated solvent media. Consequently, the electron-transfer processes can be recognized as quasi-reversible. The diffusion coefficients (D) of Bzph in the investigated solvent media have been calculated using the modified Randles-Sevcik equation. The effect of the physical and chemical properties of the solvent medium on the electrochemical behavior of Bzph has been examined.     

Advanced oxidation processes for decolorization of aqueous solution containing acid red G azo dye

Some investigations concerning the decolorization of Acid Red G azo dye by photooxidation with hydrogen peroxide were performed. The influences of pH, oxidant concentration, and the presence of Fe²⁺ or other metal ions (Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺) as potential catalysts, were investigated. The best results were obtained in the presence of ferrous ions in acid and neutral media. The other ions are not as effective as Fe²⁺ for dye decolorization. Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions have a catalytic action, at low concentration, within a wide range of pH. Ni²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions have no catalytic effect in photooxidation with hydrogen peroxide at acid Ni²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions have no catalytic effect in photooxidation with hydrogen peroxide at acid pH values, but show a weak action in alkaline media.     

Nucleophilic addition of bifunctional sulfimidosulfides to platinum(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">IV</Emphasis>)-coordinated nitriles

Reactions of the platinum(IV) nitrile complexes [PtCl₄(RCN)₂] (R = Me, CH₂Ph, Ph) with 1,2- and 1,4-PhS(=NH)C₆H₄SPh in CH₂Cl₂ afforded addition products of sulfimides and coordinated nitriles, viz., the [PtCl₄{NH=C(R)N=S(Ph)(C₆H₄SPh)}₂] complexes. The latter were isolated in 75—90% yields and characterized by elemental analysis, positive-ion FAB mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and ¹H and ¹³C¹H NMR spectroscopy. The temperature dependence of the ¹H NMR spectra of the model [PtCl₄{NH=C(R)N=SPh₂}₂] complexes (R = Me, Et) in CD₂Cl₂ studied in a temperature range from +40 to -70 °C demonstrated that E—Z isomerization of the ligands is a dynamic process in a range from +40 to -10 °C. The activation free energy of this process was calculated.Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1618–1622, August, 2004.     

Antiferromagnetic coupling in [Mn<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>(O<Subscript>2</Subscript>CMe)<Subscript>6</Subscript>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-phenyl nitronyl

The synthesis of [Mn₁₂O₁₂(O₂CMe)₆(p-CO₂-phenyl nitronyl nitroxide)₁₀(H₂O)₄]· 4H₂O, (1), by direct replacement of some of the acetate groups in [Mn₁₂O₁₂(O₂CMe)₁₆(H₂O)₄] · 4H₂O · 2MeCO₂H, (2), with the organic radical p-HO₂C-phenyl nitronyl nitroxide, (3), is reported. E.p.r. spectra show exchange narrowing in (1) due to coupling between the manganese ions and radicals. The isotropic hyperfine splitting constant from the manganese ions is a = 96 Oe at 5.5K. The magnetic susceptibility indicates antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the manganese ions and the radicals with the Weiss constant = -25 K. The spin was determined to be S = 6 from magnetization data in the 2--30 K temperature range at 50 kOe, suggesting a mixture of ground state with excited states.     

Action of HCl on 3-hydroxypyrazolo(iso)quinolines to give 1-chloropyrazoles: evidence for an addition–elimination mechanism by ab initio calculations in gas phase and water

 Addition–elimination reactions involving a nucleophile and a remote leaving group [S^H _N(AE)^tele] are well-known under basic conditions, especially amongst electron-poor six-membered heterocycles, but are less commonly encountered for five-membered heterocycles and are rare under acidic conditions. Concentrated HCl converts 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c] isoquinoline and 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]quinoline into 3-chloro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinoline and 3-chloro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]quinoline, respectively. However, apparently neither the isomeric 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c](iso)-quinolines nor the parent 1-hydroxypyrazole undergo this reaction. Additionally, all these systems are refractory under basic conditions. We present a plausible mechanism for the reaction, involving the 3-addition of Cl^- to the diprotonated heterocycle, followed by the elimination of water. Calculations of the initial transition states and intermediates, using optimisation at B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p), including thermochemistry [HF/6-31+G(d)], and single-point Poisson–Boltzmann self-consistent reaction field determination of the free energy of solvation (Jaguar Poisson–Boltzmann self-consistent reaction field), support this mechanism and reproduce the observed order of reactivity, the addition step being 2–4 kcal less favourable for the isomeric 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c](iso)quinolines and provide a rationalisation for the role of strong acid. Received: 27 June 2002 / Accepted: 6 September 2002 / Published online: 14 February 2003     

Microfluidics: from dynamic lattices to periodic arrays of polymer disks

We used coupling of flow and geometric confinement to assemble emulsion droplets in two-dimensional gliding lattices with a high degree of order and symmetry. Highly monodisperse discoid droplets with circular shapes were generated in a microfluidic flow-focusing device. Originally, close-packed lattices formed from these circular discoid droplets. Progressive confinement led to the gradual deformation of the circular disks: first, they elongated in the direction parallel to the direction of flow and then transformed into hexagons. Assembly driven by the combination of flow and confinement also allowed for the formation of lattices from droplets with a bimodal size distribution. We used photopolymerization of the monomer droplets to trap the lattice structure in the solid state and produce highly periodic arrays of solid polymer disks.     

Quantification of monohydroxy-PAH metabolites in urine by solid-phase extraction with isotope dilution-GC–MS

For measurement of biomarkers from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure, an analytical method is described quantifying hydroxylated PAH (OH-PAH) in urine samples. This method determined monohydroxy metabolites of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, benzo[c]phenanthrene, and benz[a]anthracene. The sample preparation consisted of enzymatic hydrolysis, solid-phase extraction and derivatization with a silylating reagent. Five carbon-13 labeled standards were used for isotope dilution. Analytes were separated by gas chromatography (GC) and quantified with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). This method produced good recoveries (41-70%), linearity, and specificity. Data were corrected for blank levels from the naphthalene, fluorene, and phenanthrene metabolites. Method detection limits ranged from 2 ng L(-1) for 1-hydroxypyrene to 43.5 ng L(-1) for 1-hydroxynaphthalene. Using quality control charts from two urine pools, the method can be readily applied to biomonitoring PAH exposure.     

Lanthanum chromites partially substituted by calcium,strontium and barium synthesized by urea combustion

Because of their electrical, magnetic and catalytic properties rare earth and transition metal mixed oxides are important compounds. Lanthanum chromites have been extensively used as solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnect materials. In this work, lanthanum chromites partially substituted by alkaline earth metals were synthesized by the urea combustion process. TG and DSC techniques were used to evaluate the presence of the organic material in the powder after reaction on the hot plate. The powders were calcinated at 900°C and characterized by XRD and SEM. The results show that the particles have nanometric dimensions and the perovskite structure was formed.