An efficient approach for the total synthesis of balticolid

An efficient stereoselective total synthesis of balticolid has been accomplished starting from known aldehyde. The key steps involved in this synthesis are Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, Wittig olefination, alkylation of 1,3-dithiane and Yamaguchi macrolactonization.     

Phthalocyanine macrocycle as stabilizer for gold and silver nanoparticles

A one-step process was used for the preparation of gold and silver nanoparticles stabilized by an aminophthalocyanine macrocycle. The resultant nanoparticles were characterized by absorption spectra, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The nanoparticles were found to possess relatively narrow size distribution. The gold nanoparticles have an average diameter of ~2 nm, while silver particles have 4–5 nm. Preliminary studies on fluorescence and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy were carried out using these nanoparticles. Fluorescence studies indicate that gold nanoparticles do not quench the fluorescence, while silver nanoparticles do. The stabilized nanoparticles showed enhancement of the Raman signals, thus revealing that they are good substrates for surface enhanced Raman scattering studies.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of 5-(2-(4-(substituted benzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl)piperazin-1-yl)acetyl)indolin-2-one and 5-(2-(4-substitutedpiperazin-1-yl)acetyl)indolin-2-one analogues as novel anti-tubercular agents

A series of thirty-six novel 5-(2-(4-(benzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl)piperazin-1-yl)acetyl)indolin-2-one and 5-(2-(4-substitutedpiperazin-1-yl)acetyl)indolin-2-one analogues were synthesized, characterized and screened for their in vitro anti-tubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain. These compounds exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration between 1.56 and 50 μg/mL. Among these derivatives, compounds 10c, 10d, 10j, 10o and 10v (MIC 6.25 μg/mL) displayed moderate activity, while compounds 10e, 10l, 10q, 10w,10x, 12d, 12e and 12i (MIC 3.12 μg/mL) showed good anti-tubercular activity and compounds 10f, 10k, 10p, 10r, 12f, 12j and 12k (MIC 1.56 μg/mL) exhibited excellent anti-tubercular activity. In addition, MTT assay was accomplished on the active analogues of the series against mouse macrophage (RAW 264.7) cells to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the newly synthesized compounds and selectivity index of the compounds was determined.     

Synthesis of functionalized carboranes as potential anticancer and BNCT agents

Carboranyl aldehydes react with alpha,beta-unsaturated esters, ketones, and nitriles in the presence of DABCO to provide functionalized carboranyl alcohols in good yields. Acetates of these alcohols undergo a facile isomerization with a variety of nucleophiles and afford structurally interesting carboranes. Biological evaluation of these molecules exhibited impressive antiproliferative activity for brain and breast cancer cells.     

Effect of Li2O content on physical and structural properties of vanadyl doped alkali zinc borate glasses

The effect of Li₂O content in vanadyl doped 20ZnO+xLi₂O+(30−x)Na₂O+50B₂O₃ (5≤x≥25) glasses has been studied with respect to their physical and structural properties. The absence of sharp peaks in XRD spectra of these glass samples confirms the amorphous nature. The physical parameters like density, refractive index, ionic concentration and electronic polarizability vary non-linearly with x mol% depending on the diffusivities of alkali ions. EPR and optical absorption spectra reveal that the resonance signals are characteristics of VO²⁺ ions in tetragonally compressed octahedral site. Spin-Hamiltonian, crystal field, tetragonal field and bonding parameters are found to be in good agreement with the other reported glass systems. The tetragonal distortion (g_⊥-g_∥) and Dt reveals that their values vary non-linearly with Li₂O content and reaches a minimum at x=10 mol%. An anomaly of character has been observed in all the properties of vanadyl doped glass systems, which gives a clear indication of mixed alkali effect.     

Atomically Thin MoS2: A Versatile Nongraphene 2D Material

Two‐dimensional inorganic materials are emerging as a premiere class of materials for fabricating modern electronic devices. The interest in 2D layered transition metal dichalcogenides is especially high. Particularly, 2D MoS₂ is being heavily researched due to its novel functionalities and its suitability for a wide range of electronic and optoelectronic applications. In this article, the progress in mono/few layer(s) MoS₂ research is reviewed by focusing primarily on the layer dependent evolution of crystal, phonon, and electronic structure. The review includes extensive detail into the methodologies adapted for single or few layer(s) MoS₂ growth. Further, the review covers the versatility of 2D MoS₂ for a broad range of device applications. Recent advancements in the field of van der Waals heterostructures are also highlighted at the end of the review.     

One-pot multicomponent diastereoselective synthesis of novel dihydro-1H-furo[2,3-c]pyrazoles

An efficient method was developed for the diastereoselective synthesis of novel fused dihydro-1H-furo[2,3-c]pyrazole by a one-pot, four-component reaction of β-keto ester, hydrazine, aromatic aldehyde, and pyridinium ylide in the presence of triethylamine under microwave irradiation in solvent-free conditions in good yields. The merits of this cascade Knoevenagel condensation/Michael addition/cyclization sequence include its high atom economy, good yields, and efficiency of producing three new bonds (two C–C and one C–O) and two stereocenters in a single operation.     

Antihyperglucolipidaemic and anticarbonyl stress properties in green,yellow and red sweet bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.)

Effect of aqueous methanol extract of different colour sweet bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) on parameters of diabesity and carbonyl stress was analysed in vitro. Yellow pepper displayed significantly (p < 0.001) higher intestinal α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than green and red pepper. Porcine pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity was significantly (p < 0.01) high in yellow and red pepper than in green pepper. Green and red pepper inhibited vesperlysine-type advanced glycation end products (AGEs) more potently than yellow pepper; however, pentosidine-type AGEs were similarly inhibited by all three peppers. Yellow and red pepper inhibited lipid peroxidation more potently (p < 0.01) than green pepper. Total polyphenol content and free radicals scavenging activities in yellow and red bell peppers were higher than in green pepper. Total flavonoid content was high in green pepper than that present in yellow and red peppers. Green pepper displayed presence of proanthocyanins; however, oligomeric anthocyanins were detected in yellow and red peppers.     

Line-bundle-valued ternary quadratic forms over schemes

We study degenerations of rank 3 quadratic forms and of rank 4 Azumaya algebras, and extend what is known for good forms and Azumaya algebras. By considering line-bundle-valued forms, we extend the theorem of Max-Albert Knus that the Witt-invariant—the even Clifford algebra of a form—suffices for classification. An algebra Zariski-locally the even Clifford algebra of a ternary form is so globally up to twisting by square roots of line bundles. The general, usual and special orthogonal groups of a form are determined in terms of automorphism groups of its Witt-invariant. Martin Kneser’s characteristic-free notion of semiregular form is used.     

Understanding guest and pressure‐induced porosity through structural transition in flexible interpenetrated MOF by Raman spectroscopy

Interpenetrating metal organic frameworks are interesting functional materials exhibiting exceptional framework properties. Uptake or exclusion of guest molecules can induce sliding in the framework making it porous or non‐porous. To understand this dynamic nature and how framework interaction changes during sliding, metal organic framework (MOF) 508 {Zn(BDC)( 4,4′‐Bipy)_0.5 · DMF(H₂O)_0.5} was selected for study. We have investigated structural transformation in MOF‐508 under variable conditions of temperature, pressure and gas loading using Raman spectroscopy and substantiated it with IR studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Conformational changes in the organic linkers leading to the sliding of the framework result in changes in Raman spectra. These changes in the organic linkers are measured as a function of high pressure and low temperature, suggesting that the dynamism in MOF‐508 framework is driven by ligand conformation change and inter‐linker interactions. The presence of Raman signatures of adsorbed CO₂ and its librational mode at 149 cm⁻¹ suggests cooperative adsorption of CO₂ in the MOF‐508 framework, which is also confirmed from DFT calculations that give a binding energy of 34 kJ/mol. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.