Variation in coordinative property of two different N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> donor Schiff base ligands with nickel(II) and cobalt(III) ions: characterisation and single crystal structure elucidation

A nickel(II) and a cobalt(III) complex of two different potentially tetradentate Schiff bases with different binding modes have been synthesised. The nickel(II) complex [NiL¹] · CH₃OH (1) was formed, on reacting the metal salt with a perfectly symmetrical N₂O₂ tetradentate Schiff base ligand H ₂ L ¹ , which is the 1:2 condensation product of 1,3-diamino propane and 2-hydroxyacetophenone. The cobalt(III) complex [Co(HL²)₃] · (ClO₄)₃ · H₂O (2) was synthesised using an asymmetric N₂O₂ tetradentate Schiff base ligand HL ² on condensing N,N-dimethyl-1,3-diamino propane with o-vanillin in 1:1 mmol ratio. Although both Schiff bases are N₂O₂ functionalised, they showed variation in their coordinative property with nickel(II) and cobalt(III) ions. Both the complexes were characterised by IR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry and their single crystal structures clearly indicate that 1 is a mononuclear species whereas 2 is a hydrogen-bonded dimer.     

Exploring the organization and dynamics of hippocampal membranes utilizing pyrene fluorescence

The organization and dynamics of cellular membranes in the nervous system are crucial for the function of neuronal membrane receptors and signal transduction. Previous work from our laboratory has established hippocampal membranes as a convenient natural source for studying neuronal receptors. In this paper, we have monitored the organization and dynamics of hippocampal membranes and their modulation by cholesterol using pyrene fluorescence. The apparent dielectric constant experienced by pyrene in hippocampal membranes turns out to be approximately 20+/-3, depending on the experimental condition. Our results show that the polarity of the hippocampal membrane is increased upon cholesterol depletion, as monitored by changes in the ratio of pyrene vibronic peak intensities (I1/I3). This is accompanied by an increase in lateral diffusion, measured as an increase in the pyrene excimer/monomer ratio. These results are relevant in understanding the complex organization and dynamics of hippocampal membranes and could have implications in neuronal diseases characterized by defective cholesterol metabolism.     

Harnessing scorpionate ligand equilibria for modeling reduced nickel superoxide dismutase intermediates

Hydrotris(3-phenyl-5-methylpyrazoyl)boratonickel(II) complexes with organoxanthate or dithiocarbamate coligands equilibrate between kappa(2)- and kappa(3)-chelation modes of the scorpionate ligand in solution, connecting N2S2 square-planar and N3S2 pyramidal ligand fields and a spin crossover. The complexes also exhibit quasi-reversible oxidations at low anodic potentials, thus modeling the structure, dynamics, and redox reactivity of the reduced NiSOD active site.     

Synthesis of two new linear trinuclear Cu(II) complexes: mechanism of magnetic coupling through hybrid B3LYP functional and CShM studies

Two new Cu(II) linear trinuclear Schiff base complexes, [Cu3(L)2(CH3COO)2] (1) and [Cu3(L)2(CF3COO)2] (2), have been prepared using a symmetrical Schiff base ligand H2L [where H2L = N,N'-bis(2-hydroxyacetophenone)propylenediimine]. Both of the complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, Fourier transform IR, UV/vis, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray structures show that the adjacent Cu(II) ions are linked by double phenoxo bridges and a mu(2)-eta(1):eta(1) carboxylato bridge. In each complex, the central copper atom is located in an inversion center with distorted octahedral coordination geometry, while the terminal copper atoms have square-pyramidal geometry. Cryomagnetic susceptibility measurements over a wide range of temperature exhibit a distinct antiferromagnetic interaction of J = -36.5 and -72.3 cm(-1) for 1 and 2, respectively. Density functional theory calculations (B3LYP functional) and continuous-shape measurement (CShM) studies have been performed on the trinuclear unit to provide a qualitative theoretical interpretation of the antiferromagnetic behavior shown by the complexes.     

Potential energy curve for isomerization of N2H2 and C2H4 using the improved virtual orbital multireference Møller-Plesset perturbation theory

Multireference M?ller-Plesset (MRMP) perturbation theory [K. Hirao, Chem. Phys. Lett. 190, 374 (1992)] is modified to use improved virtual orbitals (IVOs) and is applied to study ground state potential energy curves for isomerization and dissociation of the N2H2 and C2H4 molecules. In contrast to traditional MRMP or multistate multiconfiguration quasidegenerate perturbation theory where the reference functions are obtained from (often difficult to converge) state averaged multiconfiguration self-consistent field methods, our reference functions are represented in terms of computationally efficient IVOs. For convenience in comparisons with other methods, a first order complete active space configuration interaction (CASCI) calculation with the IVOs is followed by the use of the IVOs in MRMP to incorporate residual electron correlation effects. The potential energy curves calculated from the IVO-MRMP method are compared with computations using state-of-the-art coupled cluster singles and doubles (CCSD) methods and variants thereof to assess the efficacy of the IVO-MRMP scheme. The present study clearly demonstrates that unlike the CCSD and its variants, the IVO-MRMP approach provides smooth and reliable ground state potential energy curves for isomerization of these systems. Although the rigorously size-extensive completely renormalized CC theory with noniterative triples corrections (CR-CC(2,3)) likewise provides relatively smooth curves, the CR-CC(2,3) calculations overestimate the cis-trans barrier height for N2H2. The ground state spectroscopic constants predicted by the IVO-CASCI method agree well with experiment and with other highly correlated ab initio methods.     

Simple Chemical Route Synthesis of Fe2O3 Nanoparticles and its Application for Adsorptive Removal of Congo Red from Aqueous Media: Artificial Neural Network Modeling

Nanocrystalline Fe₂O₃ powder was synthesized by a simple chemical route involving FeCl₃ and NaOH. The Fe₂O₃ powder thus prepared was characterized using x-ray diffraction study, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption properties of crystalline Fe₂O₃ powder have been investigated with an aim to explore a possible low cost and efficient way to remove Congo red (CR) from waste water. Fe₂O₃ powder was found as an excellent adsorbent for CR from aqueous medium. Adsorption capacity as much as 203.66 mg g^?1 is reported at room temperature. Effect of different experimental parameters such as reaction pH, initial CR dye concentration, adsorbent dose, and reaction temperature were studied on adsorption capacity of Fe₂O₃ powder and modeled by artificial neural network (ANN). Optimal ANN structure (4–5–1) shows minimum mean squared error (MSE) of 0.00235 and determination coefficient (R²) of 0.991 with Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. Isotherm analysis of experimental data exhibited better fit to the Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption process was found to follow second-order kinetics as depicted by the analysis of experimental results. Thermodynamic study shows that the adsorption process is endothermic, spontaneous, and thermodynamically favorable in the temperature range of 27°C to 60°C.     

Total Synthesis of Isodaphlongamine H: A Possible Biogenetic Conundrum

Herein we describe the first synthetic efforts toward the total synthesis of isodaphlongamine H, a calyciphylline B‐type alkaloid. The strategy employs a chemoenzymatic process for the preparation of a functionalized cyclopentanol with a quaternary center. This molecule is elaborated to form an enantiopure 1‐aza‐perhydrocyclopentalene core, representing rings A and E of all calyciphylline B‐type alkaloids. Further transformations involve the formation of a cyclic enaminone, 1,4‐conjugate addition with a cyclopentenyl subunit, and intramolecular aldol cyclization to achieve a pentacyclic intermediate, ultimately forming isodaphlongamine H in a total of 24 steps from the commercially available compound 2‐carbethoxycyclopentanone. Isodaphlongamine H exhibits promising inhibitory activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines.