Electrochemical and ESR study of 5-nitrofuryl-containing thiosemicarbazones antiprotozoal drugs

Cyclic voltammetry and electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques were used in the investigation of several potential antiprotozoal thiosemicarbazones nitrofurane derivatives. A self-protonation process involving the protonation of the nitro group due to the presence of an acidic proton in the thiosemicarbazone moiety was observed in the first step of a CEE(rev) reduction mechanism of these derivatives. ESR spectra of the free radicals obtained by electrolytic reduction were characterized and analyzed. AM1 methodology was used to obtain the optimized geometries and UB3LYP calculations were performed to obtain the theoretical hyperfine coupling constants. The theoretical study exhibited an unusual assignment of the spin densities showing a free radical centered in the thiosemicarbazone moiety rather than the nitro which are in agreement with the experimental hyperfine pattern.     

Electrochemical oxidation of substituted pyrroles. III. Anodic oxidation of 2,5-diphenyl-3-acetylpyrrole

The electrochemical oxidation of 2,5-diphenyl-3-acetylpyrrole (I) is described. The cyclic derivative 1,6a-dihydro-2,5,6a-triphenyl-3,4-diacetylbenzo[g]pyrrolo[3,2-e]indole (II) was obtained in very good yield. However, when water was present in the reaction medium, a different derivative, 4-acetyl-2-hydroxy-2,5-diphenyl-3-(4′-acetyl-2′,5′-diphenyl-3′-yl)-2H-pyrrole (III) , was obtained as the main product. 2,2′,5,5′-Tetraphenyl-4,4′-diacetyl-3,3′-dipyrryl (IV) , a potentially useful intermediate for the synthesis of condensed pyrroles, was synthesized by zinc reduction of III.     

Electrolytic formation of technetium complexes with π-acceptor ligands

Electrolytic reduction of pertechnetate was performed in aqueous solution containing -acceptor ligands. Cyanide and 1,10-phenanthroline were the selected ligands. In both cases, electrolyses produced a cathodic TcO₂ deposit and soluble Tc complexes. When cyanide was the ligand, the complexes formed were [Tc (CN)₆]^5– and [TcO₂ (CN)₄]^3–. When working with the amine, [Tc (phen)₃]²⁺ and another positively charged species were found after reaction. Results are compared with previous studies with amines, and the usefulness of the electrolytic route to obtain Tc complexes is evaluated.     

Acetylenic derivatives of metal carbonyls of the triad Fe,Ru, Os—XI Mass spectra of some binuclear complexes

The mass spectra of the following acetylenic derivatives of iron, ruthenium and osmium carbonyls are reported: the iron compounds Fe₂(CO)₆[C₂(C₆H₅)s₂]₂, Fe₂(CO)₆[C₂(CH₃)₂]₂ and Fe₂(CO)₆[C₂(C₂H₅)₂]₂, the ruthenium compounds Ru₂(CO)₆[C₂(C₆H₅)₂]₂, and Ru₂(CO)₆[C₂(CH₃)₂]₂ and the osmium compounds Os₂(CO)₆[C₂(C₆H₅)₂]₂, Os₂(CO)₆[C₂HC₆H₅]₂ and Os₂(CO)₆[C₂(CH₃)₂]₂. Iron compounds exhibit breakdown schemes where binuclear, mononuclear and hydrocarbon ions are present. On the other hand, ruthenium and osmium compounds fragment in a similar way and give rise to singly and doubly charged binuclear ions. Phenylic derivatives of ruthenium and osmium also give weak triply charged ions. The results are discussed in terms of relative strengths of the metal-metal and metal-carbon bonds.     

Isomerism and decoherence

In the present paper we address the problem of optical isomerism embodied in the socalled “Hund’s paradox”, which points to the difficulty to account for chirality by means of quantum mechanics. In particular, we explain the answer to the problem proposed by the theory of decoherence. The purpose of this article is to challenge this answer on the basis of a conceptual analysis of the phenomenon of decoherence, that reveals the limitations of the theory of decoherence to solve the difficulties posed by optical isomerism and, in general, by quantum measurement.     

A Rapid,Highly Sensitive and Selective Phosgene Sensor Based on 5,6-Pinenepyridine

The toxicity of phosgene (COCl₂) combined with its extensive use as a reactant and building block in the chemical industry make its fast and accurate detection a prerequisite. We have developed a carboxylic derivative of 5,6-pinenepyridine which is able to act as colorimetric and fluorimetric sensor for phosgene in air and solution. For the first time, the formation of a pyrido-[2,1-a]isoindolone was used for this purpose. In solution, the sensing reaction is extremely fast (under 5 s), selective and highly sensitive, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 9.7 nM/0.8 ppb. When fixed on a solid support, the sensor is able to detect the presence of gaseous phosgene down to concentrations of 0.1 ppm, one of the lowest values reported to date.     

Pomegranate By-Products as Natural Preservative to Prolong the Shelf Life of Breaded Cod Stick

This work evaluated the efficacy of pomegranate byproducts, specifically peel powder, as valid preservatives for food quality. Ready-to-cook cod sticks breaded with pomegranate peel powder were prepared. Shelf-life tests were conducted on breaded cod sticks during refrigerated storage (17 days) at 4 °C, monitoring the pH, microbiological and sensory quality. In addition, the nutritional quality of both the breaded and control samples was assessed. The results highlighted that active samples showed higher phenol and flavonoid content and higher antioxidant activity compared to the control fish, suggesting that pomegranate peel powder was responsible for a significant increase in cod stick nutritional quality. Furthermore, the cod stick active breading led to a delay in microbial growth without affecting the sensory properties; rather, it helped slow down the sensory attribute decline during the refrigerated storage. The data suggest that using pomegranate byproducts in breaded cod stick was effective in prolonging its shelf life, as well as improving its nutritional quality. Therefore, pomegranate peel powder can be considered as a potential resource as natural food preservative.