Antioxidant activity of methimazole-copper(II) bioactive species and spectroscopic investigations on the mechanism of its interaction with Bovine Serum Albumin

Free radical-mediated oxidative stress has been implicated in numerous autoimmune disorders including Graves’ disease. Hyperthyroidism results in a marked increase in intracellular antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase. The later activity is significantly increased in untreated Graves’ patients while treatment with methimazole results in normalization of the free radical and antioxidant activity indices. In this context, and considering the findings mentioned above, the aim of the present study was to evaluate unknown biological activities of methimazole and its methimazole-copper(II) complex investigating their superoxide scavenger power. Under the applied experimental conditions, methimazole did not show superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity while the copper complexes exhibited a strong superoxide radical scavenging capacity. Bearing in mind that the capacity of drugs to bind and/or interact with albumin is essential for their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, a complete investigation of the binding ability of both compounds by using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Raman and Fluorescence spectroscopies, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry was included. Besides, in order to probe the copper ligand environment the EPR spectra of such compounds were analyzed.     

Effect of hydrogen doping in ZnO thin films by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering

This study examined the role of hydrogen impurities in highly oriented ZnO thin films. Hydrogen intentionally incorporated was found to play an important role as a donor in n-type conduction, improving the free carrier concentration. The increase in the conductivity of ZnO thin films was attributed to the two centers assigned to isolated hydrogen atoms in the anti-bonding sites as well as bond-centered interstitial hydrogen located between the Zn–O bonds and Zn vacancy passivated by one or two hydrogen atoms. Micro Raman spectroscopy showed two additional modes at approximately 501 and 573 cm⁻¹. These two peaks were attributed to damage to the crystal lattice, which could be explained by the optical-phonon branch at the zone boundary and host lattice defects, such as vacancy clusters, respectively.     

Characterization of selected paper documents from the archives of Palazzo Ducale (Venice), Italy using various analytical techniques

The paper manufacturing process remained unchanged for many centuries, until, in the nineteenth century, the crisis of rags led industrialized countries to patent new production processes with different raw materials. This study deals with this period of transition by analyzing four samples stored at the archives of Superintendency Beni Architettonici per il Paesaggio e per il Patrimonio Storico Artistico ed Etnoantropologico (BAPPDAD) of Venice Lagoon, based in the Palazzo Ducale.The samples were analyzed by FT-IR (ATR), SEM-EDS, HPLC-MS/MS and Py-GC/MS. These techniques allow the characterization of various raw materials and adhesives used in various stages of paper production.These analyses have found a gradual introduction of ground wood in the composition of papers from the mid-nineteenth century, and the use of rosin as glue only in more recent documents.     

Influence of aliphatic spacer group on adsorption mechanisms of phosphonate derivatives of l-phenylalanine: Surface-enhanced Raman, Raman, and infrared studies

The nature of phosphonopeptides containing N-terminal l-phenylalanine (l-Phe), namely l-Phe-dl-NH-CH(CH(CH₃)₂)-PO₃H₂ (A), l-Phe-l-NH-CH(CH₃)-PO₃H₂ (B), and l-Phe-dl-NH-CH(CH₂CH₂COOH)-PO₃H₂ (C) (Fig. 1 presents molecular structure of these molecules), adsorbed on electrochemically roughened and colloidal silver surfaces has been explored by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). To reveal adsorption mechanism of these species on the basis of their SERS spectra at first Fourier-transform Raman (FT-RS) and absorption infrared (FT-IR) spectra of non-adsorbed molecules were measured. Examination of enhancement, frequency shifts, and changes in relative intensities of SERS bands due to adsorption and surface roughens variation reveals that the tilted compounds adsorb on the electrochemically roughened silver substrate in similar way, while they behave differently on the colloidal silver surface. A stronger enhancement of in-plane ring vibrations of the l-Phe ring, i.e., ν₃ and ν_18b (B₂), over these of the A₂ symmetry in all SERS spectra on the electrochemically roughened silver substrate suggests that the ring interacts with this surface adopting slightly deflect orientation from the perpendicular one. Also, enhancement of PO and -CH₂-/-CH₃ fragments vibrations points out that they are involved in adsorption process on this substrate. This conclusion was drawn on the basis of the enhancement of 1274-1279 and 1138-1152 (ν(PO)), 1393-1400 (δ(CH) + ρ_b(CNH₂) + ν(C-C_O) + δ(CH₃)), ∼1455 (δ(CCH₃/CCH₂) + ρ_b(CH₃/CH₂), and 1505-1512 cm⁻¹ (δ(CH₂) + Phe(ν_19a)) bands. Although a relative intensity ratio of these bands in the presented SERS spectra is different. On the other hand, on the colloidal silver nanoparticles, the aromatic ring of all molecules is lying flat or takes almost parallel orientation to this surface. Besides, A interacts also via P-terminal group (568, 765, 827, 1040, and 1150 cm⁻¹), whereas B mainly through NH₂-C-(CO)-CNH-(712 and 1255 cm⁻¹). In the case of C, it adsorbs on the silver colloidal surface mainly through the aromatic ring of l-Phe, while other fragments of the molecule are in close proximity to this surface as comes off the weak enhancement of bands due to the aliphatic vibrations.     

Qualitative and quantitative ATR-FTIR analysis and its application to coal char of different ranks

This paper analyzes the coal to char stages of char formation of six coals of different ranks by using Fourier transform infrared coupled w ith attenuated total reflectance(ATR-FTIR).The chars w ere obtained by coal pyrolysis carried out at temperature range of 450~700℃.The data obtained show s the pragmatic disappearance of the aliphatic hydrogen content w ith increasing char formation temperature.Numerical evaluation of the spectra enabled the determination of aromaticity,fa.The aromaticity w as found to be betw een 0.66~0.79 for lignite,0.75~0.90 for sub-bituminous,0.84~1.00 for low volatile bituminous,0.83~1.00 for high volatile bituminous,0.94~1.00 for semi-anthracite,and 0.97~1.00 for anthracite respectively.With increasing rank of coal samples,spectra exhibit rising aromaticity and enhanced condensation of aromatic rings,w hereas the aliphatic chain lengths decrease.     

水/Triton X-100/正丁醇/环己烷反相微乳液体系中水结构的FT-IR研究

用FT-IR法研究了水/辛烷基苯酚聚氧乙烯醚（Triton X-100）/正丁醇/环己烷组成的反相微乳液体系水池中存在的束缚、结合和自由3种不同的水的状态.分别考察了水与表面活性剂物质的量之比（Rw）、水油比φ（水与环己烷的质量比）、助剂正丁醇的含量对3种状态水含量的影响.发现在φ=2.8、m正丁醇/mTriton X...     

FT-Raman, FT-IR spectra and total energy distribution of 3-pentyl-2,6-diphenylpiperidin-4-one: DFT method

FT-Raman and FT-IR spectra were recorded for 3-pentyl-2,6-diphenylpiperidin-4-one (PDPO) sample in solid state. The equilibrium geometries, harmonic vibrational frequencies, infrared and the Raman scattering intensities were computed using DFT/6-31G(d,p) level. Results obtained at this level of theory were used for a detailed interpretation of the infrared and Raman spectra, based on the total energy distribution (TED) of the normal modes. Molecular parameters such as bond lengths, bond angles and dihedral angles were calculated and compared with X-ray diffraction data. This comparison was good agreement. The intra-molecular charge transfer was calculated by means of natural bond orbital analysis (NBO). Hyperconjugative interaction energy was more during the π–π* transition. Energy gap of the molecule was found using HOMO and LUMO calculation, hence the less band gap, which seems to be more stable. Atomic charges of the carbon, nitrogen and oxygen were calculated using same level of calculation.     

Spectral-optical-electrical-thermal properties of deposited thin films of nano-sized calcium(II)-8-hydroxy-5,7-dinitroquinolate complex

Spectral–optical–electrical–thermal properties of deposited thin films of nano-sized calcium(II)-8-hydroxy-5,7-dinitroquinolate complex, Ca[((NO₂)₂-8HQ)₂], were explored, studied and evaluated in this work. Thin films of Ca[((NO₂)₂-8HQ)₂] were assembled by using a direct, simple and efficient layer-by-layer (LBL) chemical deposition technique. The optical properties of thin films were investigated by using spectrophotometric measurements of transmittance and reflectance at normal incidence in the wavelength range 200–2500 nm. The refractive index, n, and the absorption index, k, of Ca[((NO₂)₂-8HQ)₂] films were determined from the measured transmittance and reflectance. The real and imaginary dielectric constants were also determined. The analysis of the spectral behavior of the absorption coefficient in the intrinsic absorption region reveals a direct allowed transition with band gaps of 1.1 eV and 2.4 eV for the optical and transport energy gaps, respectively. The current–voltage characteristics of Ca[((NO₂)₂-8HQ)₂] showed a trap-charge limited conduction in determining the current at the intermediate and high bias regimes. Graphical representation of the current–voltage characteristics yields three distinct linear parts indicating the existence of three conduction mechanisms. Structural characterization and identification were confirmed by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also used to image the surface morphology of the deposited nano-sized metal complex and such study revealed a high homogeneity in surface spherical particle distribution with average particles size in the range 20–40 nm. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was also studied for [(NO₂)₂-8HQ] and Ca[((NO₂)₂-8HQ)₂] to evaluate and confirm the thermal stability characteristics incorporated into the synthesized nano-sized Ca[((NO₂)₂-8HQ)₂] complex.     

Density functional theory calculations and vibrational spectral analysis of 3,5-(dinitrobenzoic acid)

The FT-IR and Raman spectra of 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (DNBA) have been recorded and analyzed. The equilibrium geometry, various bonding and harmonic vibrational wavenumbers have been calculated with the help of density functional theory (DFT) method. Most of the vibrational modes are observed in the expected range. Mulliken population analysis shows the interactions C-N-O?H-C and C-O?H-C. The most possible interaction is explained using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The strengthening and polarization of the CO bond increases due to the degree of conjugation. HOMO-LUMO energy and the thermodynamic properties are also evaluated.     

Vibrational Spectroscopic Studies on the Dicyclopropylaminecadmium(II)Tetracyanometallate(II) Benzene Clathrates

ABSTRACT

New Hofmann–T_d-type clathrates of the forms Cd(CPA)₂M(CN)₄.C₆H₆ (CPA = cyclopropylamine; M?Cd or Hg) prepared in powder form and characterized by FT-IR, FT-Raman, far-IR spectra, X-ray diffraction, and elemental analyses are reported. Vibrational assignments are proposed for the bands of the host lattice and guest molecule. It is shown that the spectra are consistent with a proposed crystal structure for the compounds derived from X-ray diffraction measurements. The C, H, and N analyses were carried out for all the compounds. All the vibrational modes of coordinated CPA are characterized. The spectral features suggest that these compounds are similar in structure to the Hofmann–T_d-type clathrates.