Mononuclear Cu and dinuclear Cu–Ln complexes of benzimidazole based ligands including N and O donors: Syntheses,characterization, X-ray molecular structures and magnetic properties

The synthesis of two mononuclear precursor copper complexes, [(HL²)₂Cu], 1, and [(HL³)₂Cu]·H₂O, 2, and three dinuclear Cu–Ln complexes, [(HL¹)₂Cu(CH₃CN)₂Gd(NO₃)₃], 3, [(HL³)₂CuGd(NO₃)₃]·2(H₂O), 4, and [(HL³)₂CuTb(NO₃)₃]·2(H₂O), 5, based on the ligands H₂L¹ (4-bromo-2-[1-(5-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]-6-methoxyphenol), H₂L² (2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-4-bromo-6-methoxyphenol) and H₂L³ (2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-6-methoxyphenol) are described in this contribution. The X-ray crystal structures of H₂L², 1, 3, 4, and 5 have been solved. The novel ligand H₂L² crystallizes with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit; several intermolecular hydrogen contacts connect alternate independent H₂L² molecules into chains developing along c. In complex 1, two (HL²)⁻ ligands chelate the copper ion through their imidazolyl nitrogen and phenoxo oxygen atoms, in a relative head to tail arrangement. The molecular structure of 3 is similar to those of the previously reported Cu–Ln complexes of H₂L¹. In the isostructural complexes 4 and 5, two HL³ ligands sandwich one Cu²⁺ ion through their N,O sites and one Ln³⁺ ion through their O₂ site, implying a relative head to head arrangement, at variance with the relative head to tail arrangement of HL² in the mononuclear copper precursor 1. The magnetic properties of 1, 3, 4, and 5 have been investigated. Extended intermolecular antiferromagnetic interactions operate in complex 1 ((J_Chain = −0.8(1) cm⁻¹). Ferromagnetic interactions between Gd (S = 7/2) and Cu (S = 1/2) centers operate in complexes 3 and 4, leading to an S = 4 ground state (J_CuGd = 7.2(2) cm⁻¹ for 3 and J_CuGd = 6.5(2) cm⁻¹ for 4). Depopulation of the Tb Stark levels, preclude obtaining reliable information on the presence and sign of the Cu–Tb interaction in 5. These new complexes are complementary to those previously reported: the Cu–O₂–Gd core is planar while deformations are borne by the ligands at variance with previous examples where the constraints were located at the Cu–O₂–Gd core. The presence of two independent ligands in the Cu,Gd coordination spheres confers a degree of freedom greater than that allowed by a unique tetradentate ligand. As a result, the strength of the magnetic interaction is not solely related to the dihedral angle between the CuOO and GdOO planes in the central core.     

Hypothetical <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hypercloso</Emphasis> Octahedral M<Subscript>4</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript> Clusters: A New Mode of Dinitrogen Coordination?

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations carried out on a series of [M₄(CO)₁₂N₂]²⁺ and M₄(CO)₁₂N₂ (M=Fe, Ru, Os) predict that the M₄N₂ square bipyramidal (octahedral) architecture should be stable for the particular electron count of 6 skeletal electron pairs (or 60 metal valence electrons). This octahedral architecture is electron-deficient with respect to the Wade-Mingos rules and exhibits a through-cage N–N bond of order one. Thus, these hypothetical clusters present a new coordination mode of dinitrogen.     

Hydrolysis Kinetic Studies of Schiff Bases Derived from Pyrrolic Aldehydes in Buffered Aqueous Ethanol and Sulfuric Acid Solutions: Structural Effects of Substitutes

Two series of substituted N‐pyrrolyl‐2‐methylene‐aniline were synthesized and characterized to study their stability in a large domain of pH (0–14) and especially in the H₀ domain (–4 to 0). The hydrolysis kinetics of the azomethine group was established in homogeneous media using a thermostated UV–vis spectrophotometer. The hydrolysis mechanism was investigated, and the experimental kinetic constants were calculated. Then, the pH–rate diagram profile was determined and the structural effect of substitutes on the kinetic constants was clarified and discussed.     

First-principles calculations to investigate half-metallic ferromagnetism in Zn0.50Ti0.50S alloy by using DFT + U calculations

ABSTRACT

The spin-polarized structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the Ti-doped zincblende ZnS compound at x?=?0.50 (Zn_0.50Ti_0.50S alloy) have been investigated by employing the first-principles full-potential linearised augmented plane wave with local orbitals (FP-L/APW?+?lo) method within the frame-work of spin-polarized density functional theory (spin-DFT). For the treating of the structural properties, the electronic exchange and correlation (XC) functional was defined by generalised gradient approximation (GGA), whereas both GGA and GGA?+?U approximations are applied to treat and to compare the electronic and magnetic properties (U is the Coulomb repulsion energy). It has been confirmed that the ferromagnetic (FM) state of this alloy is found the most stable phase; however, all the equilibrium lattice parameters such as; lattice constant (a₀), bulk modulus (B₀), and its first-pressure derivative (B′) are computed in all paramagnetic, ferromagnetic and anti-ferromagnetic phases. The calculations of electronic properties unveil the perfect half-metallic character in the tetragonal Zn_0.50Ti_0.50S system. The computed magnetic properties reveal that the total magnetic moment is mainly originated from the transition element (TM) of Ti. Moreover, we have found that the p-d hybridisation is the paramount responsible for the reduction of the magnetic moment of TM from its free space charge value and for the production of minor magnetic moments on the nonmagnetic Zn and S sites.     

Catalyst-Free Site Selective Hydroxyalkylation of 5-Phenylthiophen-2-amine with α-Trifluoromethyl Ketones through Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution

An original and effective approach for achieving trifluoromethyl hydroxyalkylation of 5-phenylthiophen-2-amine using α-trifluoromethyl ketones is described. In the last few years, reaction of Friedel-Crafts had been widely used to realize hydroxyalkylation on heterocycles such as indoles or thiophenes by means of Lewis acid as catalyst. Additionally, amine functions are rarely free when carbonyl reagents are used because of their tendency to form imines. This is the first time that a site-selective electrophilic aromatic substitution on C₃ atom of an unprotected 5-phenylthiophen-2-amine moiety is reported. The liberty to allow reaction in neutral conditions between free amine is valuable in a synthesis pathway. The reaction proceeds smoothly using an atom-economical metal-and catalyst-free methodology in good to excellent yields. A mechanism similar to an electrophilic aromatic substitution has been proposed.     

Amphiphilic Biodegradable Poly(ϵ-caprolactone)-Poly(ethylene glycol) – Poly(ϵ-caprolactone) Triblock Copolymer Synthesis by Maghnite-H+ as a Green Catalyst

Amphiphilic biodegradable (PCL-PEG-PCL) triblock copolymers have been successfully prepared by the ring opening polymerization of ?-caprolactone (CL) in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) at 80°C employing Maghnite-H⁺ a non-toxic Montmorillonite clay as catalyst. Maghnite-H⁺ reacts as a solid source of protons to induce ?-caprolactone polymerization. The triblock architecture, molecular weight and thermal properties of the copolymers were characterized by NMR spectra, GPC and DSC analyses. The effect of Maghnite-H⁺ proportion and PEGs on the rate of copolymerization and on average molecular weight of resulting copolymers was studied. A cationic mechanism for the copolymerization reaction was proposed.     

Sol-gel synthesis of a new composition of bioactive glass in the quaternary system SiO2-CaO-Na2O-P2O5: Comparison with melting method

New sol-gel experimental conditions were tested to prepare a new SiO₂-based bioactive glass with high Na₂O content. The aim of this work is to investigate the real influence of the synthesis route (sol-gel versus melting) on the glass intrinsic properties and then, later, on the glass behavior and particularly on bioactivity. The obtained glass and its melt derived counterpart were characterized from structural and morphological (porosity, specific surface area) point of view. It could be noticed that the synthesis mode has no significant influence on glass structure. Conversely, the synthesis mode greatly influences the glass texture. The sol-gel derived glass exhibits a greatly higher specific surface area and pore volume than melt derived glass. This parameter may be a key factor of glass bioactivity.     

Convergence results for obstacle problems on metric spaces

Let X be a complete metric space equipped with a doubling Borel measure supporting a p-Poincaré inequality. We obtain various convergence results for the single and double obstacle problems on open subsets of X. In particular, we consider single and double obstacle problems with fixed obstacles and boundary data on an increasing sequence of open sets.     

Characterization and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Potential of Trigonella incise (Linn) Mediated Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles

The goal of the research was to explore a new green method used to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) from an aqueous extract of Trigonella incise, which serves as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The obtained results showed an 85% yield of nanoparticles by using 2:5 (v/v) of 5% plant extract with a 0.5 M solution of AgNO₃. Different techniques were used to characterize the synthesized Ag NPs, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV–visible spectroscopy. The UV–visible spectra of green synthesized silver nanoparticles showed maximum absorption at a wavelength of 440 nm. The FT-IR studies revealed the stretching oscillation frequency of synthesized silver nanoparticles in the absorption band near 860 cm⁻¹. Similarly, the bending and stretching oscillation frequencies of the NH function group were assigned to the band in the 3226 cm⁻¹ and 1647 cm⁻¹ regions. The bending vibration of C-O at 1159 cm⁻¹ confirmed the carbonyl functional group that was also assigned to the small intensity band in the range of 2361 cm⁻¹. The X-ray diffraction analysis of Ag NPs revealed four distinct diffraction peaks at 2θ of 38°, 45°, 65° and 78°, corresponds to (111), (200), (220) and (311) of the face-centered cubic shape. The round shape morphology of Ag NPs with a mean diameter in the range 20–80 nm was analyzed via SEM images. Furthermore, the nanoparticles showed more significant antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) with an inhibition zone of 21.5 mm and 20.5 mm at 6 μg/mL concentrations, respectively, once compared to the standard reference. At concentrations of 2 µg/mL and 4 µg/mL, all of the bacterial strains showed moderate activity, with inhibition zones ranging from 11 mm to 18.5 mm. Even at high concentrations of AgNPs, S. typhi showed maximum resistance. The best antifungal activity was observed by synthesized Ag NPs against Candida albicans (C. albicans) with 21 mm zone of inhibition, as compared to a standard drug which gives 22 mm of inhibition. Therefore, we conclude that the antibacterial and antifungal activities showed satisfactory results from the synthesized Ag NPs.     

Interstellar ice surface site modification induced by dicyanoacetylene adsorption

Dicyanoacetylene adsorbed on amorphous ice water at 10 K presents an interaction with the dangling H site and induces a s(4) adsorption site formation due to the restructuring of the ice bulk. Warming up the sample provokes the dicyanoacetylene desorption from the H(2)O ice film, which could be due to the beginning of the ice crystallization process. The desorption activation energy measured by temperature-programmed desorption (E(d) = 42 +/- 5 kJ x mol(-1)) is in good agreement with that calculated (E(d) = 46 kJ x mol(-1)) and gives evidence of a hydrogen-bonded adsorbed state on amorphous ice films.