Synthesis, characterization, and thermal investigation of some transition metal complexes of benzopyran-4-one Schiff base as thermal stabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)

New metal complexes of Schiff base (PB) prepared from condensation reaction of 2-aminopyridine and 6-formyl-5,7-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzopyran-4-one with metal ions; Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) are prepared. Different analysis tools like elemental analyses, FTIR, thermal analysis, conductivity, electronic spectra, and magnetic susceptibility measurements are all used to elucidate the structures of the newly prepared metal complexes. The free Schiff base (PB) has been examined as thermal stabilizer and co-stabilizer for rigid PVC in air, at 180 °C. Its high stabilizing efficiency is detected by its high induction period value (T _s) when compared with some of the common reference stabilizers used industrially, such as dibasic lead carbonate and calcium–zinc stearate (Ca–Zn soap). Blending Schiff base or its metal complexes with Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) ions with the reference stabilizers in different ratios had a synergistic effect on the induction period (thermal stability). The stabilizing efficiency is attributed at least partially to the ability of the stabilizer to be incorporated in the polymeric chains, thus disrupting the chain degradation process.     

Nanosensing of ATP by fluorescence recovery after surface energy transfer between rhodamine B and curcubit[7]uril-capped gold nanoparticles

The authors describe a method for functionalization of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with the supramolecular host molecule, curcubit[7]uril (CB[7]) which can bind rhodamine B (RhB). The fluorescence of RhB is quenched by the AuNPs via surface energy transfer. On addition of ATP, a dimeric RhB-ATP complex is formed and RhB is pushed out of CB[7]. Hence, fluorescence increases by a factor of 8. This fluorescence recovery effect has been utilized to develop a new detection scheme for ATP. The assay, measured at fluorescence excitation and emission wavelengths of 500 nm and 574 nm respectively, works in the 0.5–10 μM concentration range and has a 100 nM detection limit. The method is not interfered by UTP, GTP, CTP, TTP, ascorbic acid and glutathione.

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Graphical abstract Schematic of a method for determination of ATP in the 500 nM to 10 μM concentration range by using fluorescence recovery after surface energy transfer (SET) between rhodamine B (RhB) and gold nanoparticles capped with curcubit[7]uril (CB[7]).

     

Energetics of CdSxSe1−x quantum dots in borosilicate glasses

The thermodynamics of CdSe quantum dots embedded in a glass matrix is of great interest because of the numerous applications as optical materials. In this study, the energetics and stability of CdSe quantum dots in a borosilicate glass matrix is investigated as a function of size using high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. CdS_0.1Se_0.9 nanoparticles (1-40 nm) embedded in glass were analyzed by photoluminescence spectroscopy, electron microprobe, X-ray fluorescence, high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and (scanning) transmission electron microscopy using both electron energy loss and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. As CdSe particles coarsen, their heat of formation becomes more exothermic. The interfacial energy of CdSe QDs embedded in a borosilicate glass, determined from the slope of enthalpy of drop solution versus calculated surface area, is 0.56 ± 0.01 J/m².     

Novel antimicrobial organic thermal stabilizer and co-stabilizer for rigid PVC

Biologically active N-benzoyl-4-(N-maleimido)-phenylhydrazide (BMPH) was synthesized and its structure was confirmed by elemental analysis and various spectral tools. It was examined as a thermal stabilizer and co-stabilizer for rigid poly (vinyl chloride) at 180 °C in air. Blending BMPH with reference samples in different ratios greatly lengthens the thermal stability value and improves the extent of discoloration of PVC. TGA confirmed the improved stability of PVC in presence of the investigated organic stabilizer. GPC measurements were done to investigate the changes occurred in the molecular masses of the degraded samples of blank PVC and PVC in presence of the novel stabilizer. BMPH showed good antimicrobial activity towards two kinds of bacteria and two kinds of fungi.     

Facile Synthesis and Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship Study of Antitumor Active 2-(4-Oxo-thiazolidin-2-ylidene)-3-oxo-propionitriles

2-(5-Arylidene-4-oxo-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-2-ylidene)-3-oxo-propionitriles 4a-j were prepared via condensation of aromatic aldehydes with 4-thiazolidinones 3a,?b. The latter was obtained via electrophilic attack of phenylisothiocyanate on 3-oxo-propionitriles 1a,?b followed by reaction with chloroacetyl chloride under basic condition. Additionally, 2-(5-heteroalicyclic methylene) analogues 5a-h were prepared via Mannich reaction of the appropriate secondary amines and formaldehyde with 4-thiazolidinones 3a,?b. Many of the synthesized compounds exhibited promising antitumor properties against colon HCT116 and breast T47D cell lines. 3D-Pharmacophore modeling and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis were combined to explain the observed antitumor properties.     

Organic thermal stabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride). Part XII: N-phenyl-3-substituted-5-pyrazolone derivatives

N-phenyl-3-substituted-5-pyrazolone derivatives have been examined as thermal stabilizers or co-stabilizers for rigid PVC in air, at 180 °C. Their high stabilizing efficiency is detected by their high induction period values (T_s) when compared with some of the common reference stabilizers used industrially, such as dibasic lead carbonate, calcium-zinc soap and n-octyl tin mercaptide. Blending these derivatives with some of the reference stabilizers in different ratios had a synergistic effect on both the induction period and the dehydrochlorination rate.A probable mechanism for the stabilizing mode of N-phenyl-3-substituted-5-pyrazolone derivatives has been proposed. The stabilizing efficiency is attributed at least partially to the ability of the organic stabilizer to be incorporated in the polymeric chains, thus disrupting the chain degradation.     

Anthraquinone derivatives as organic stabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride) against photo-degradation

Anthraquinone derivatives have been prepared and investigated as photo-stabilizers for rigid PVC by measuring the extent of weight loss (%), the amount of gel formation as well as the intrinsic viscosity of the soluble fractions of the degraded polymer. The results indicated a reasonable stabilizing effect of these derivatives compared with UV-commercially used stabilizers. A synergistic effect is achieved when the anthraquinone derivatives are mixed with UV-absorbers in a weight ratio of 75% of investigated organic stabilizer and 25% of reference stabilizer.A probable radical mechanism is proposed to account for the stabilizing action of the organic investigated materials.     

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity and Biotransformation of Opuntia Ficus Fruit: The Effect of In Vitro and Ex Vivo Gut Microbiota Metabolism

Opuntia ficus-indica biological effects are attributed to several bioactive metabolites. However, these actions could be altered in vivo by biotransformation reactions mainly via gut microbiota. This study assessed gut microbiota effect on the biotransformation of O. ficus-indica metabolites both in vitro and ex vivo. Two-time aliquots (0.5 and 24 h) from the in vitro assay were harvested post incubation of O. ficus-indica methanol extract with microbial consortium, while untreated and treated samples with fecal bacterial culture from the ex vivo assay were prepared. Metabolites were analyzed using UHPLC-QTOF-MS, with flavonoid glycosides completely hydrolyzed in vitro at 24 h being converted to two major metabolites, 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid and phloroglucinol, concurrent with an increase in the gallic acid level. In case of the ex vivo assay, detected flavonoid glycosides in untreated sample were completely absent from treated counterpart with few flavonoid aglycones and 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid in parallel to an increase in piscidic acid. In both assays, fatty and organic acids were completely hydrolyzed being used as energy units for bacterial growth. Chemometric tools were employed revealing malic and (iso)citric acids as the main discriminating metabolites in vitro showing an increased abundance at 0.5 h, whereas in ex vivo assay, (iso)citric, aconitic and mesaconic acids showed an increase at untreated sample. Piscidic acid was a significant marker for the ex vivo treated sample. DPPH, ORAC and FRAP assays were further employed to determine whether these changes could be associated with changes in antioxidant activity, and all assays showed a decline in antioxidant potential post biotransformation.     

New lanostane triterpene lactones from the Vietnamese mushroom Ganoderma colossum (FR.) C. F. BAKER

Four new lanostane triterpene lactones (colossolactone I, colossolactone II, colossolactone III and colossolactone IV) were isolated from the Vietnamese mushroom Ganoderma colossum (FR.) C. F. BAKER along with five known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of MS, NMR and circular dichroism.     

Glutathione-capped CuO nanoparticles for the determination of cystine using resonance Rayleigh scattering spectroscopy

Microchimica Acta - A porous hydrophilic affinity bead consisting of graphene oxide and chitosan (pGC) with the honeycomb-biomimetic microchannels has been synthesized and applied as...