Dynamic self-assembly of charge-transfer nanofibers of tetrathiafulvalene derivatives with F4TCNQ

One-dimensional charge-transfer nanostructures were constructed by the supramolecular coassembly of amphiphilic (Amph-TTF) and hydrophobic (TDD-TTF) tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) donor derivatives with the acceptor 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F(4)TCNQ), in appropriate solvent composition mixtures. Microscopic analyses show that TDD-TTF retains its self-assembled fibrillar morphology even in the charge-transfer state, whereas Amph-TTF undergoes a spherical to nanorod transition upon coassembly. Time-dependent optical spectroscopy studies have shown a spontaneous change in molecular organization in TDD-TTF-based donor-acceptor costacks, which suggests a dynamic behavior, in contrast to the kinetically stable amphiphilic TTF assemblies. We have also tried to get an insight into the observed time-dependent change in molecular packing of these nanostructures through spectroscopic analyses by commenting on whether the TTF-TCNQ pair is cofacially arranged or present in the classical herringbone (orthogonal) fashion. Furthermore, our two-probe electrical measurements showed that these charge-transfer fibers are conducting. A supramolecular approach that yields 1D charge-transfer nanostructures of donor and acceptor molecules will be an alternative to existing crystalline substances with high conductivity and hence can be a viable tool for nanoelectronics.     

An automatic reaction control chemical ionization technique in ion trap detector for quantitative plasma profding of arecoline in treated alzheimer patients

An automatic reaction control chemical ionization technique in an ion trap detector (lTD) was used to quantitate the levels of the cholinergic drug, arecoline, in plasma of treated patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The chemical ionization reaction was carried out with acetonitrile. The protonated molecules of arecoline (m I z 156) and the internal standard, homoarecoline (m / z 170), were monitored. Human plasma samples were extracted with a readily evaporable solvent mixture, the residues reconstituted and injected along with a tertiary amine-carrier into a capillary gas chromatograph interfaced with the ITD. Standard curves for plasma-extracted arecoline between 20-ng/mL and 156-pg/mL levels were linear (r> 0.9980). Satisfactory precision (relative standard deviation < 20%) and accuracy (relative error < 15%) at the limit of quantitation, 156 pg/mL arecoline, were achieved. Optimal conditions for handling of blood samples obtained by venipuncture were determined. The assay was successfully applied for the therapeutic monitoring of Alzheimer patients treated intravenously with arecoline.     

Study of the interaction between fluoxetine hydrochloride and bovine serum albumin in the imitated physiological conditions by multi-spectroscopic methods

The mechanism of interaction of an antidepressant, fluoxetine hydrochloride (FLX) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been studied by different spectroscopic techniques under physiological conditions. FLX was found to quench the intrinsic fluorescence of protein by static quenching mechanism. The binding constant ‘K’ was found to be 7.06×10³ M⁻¹ at 296 K. The value of ‘n’ close to unity revealed that the BSA has a single class of binding site for FLX. Based on thermodynamic parameters, hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces were proposed to operate between BSA and FLX. The change in conformation of protein was noticed upon its interaction with the drug. From displacement studies it was concluded that the FLX bound to protein at site I. The effects of various common metals ions on the binding were also investigated.     

An unusual reaction of benzalaminoacetals in trifluoroacetic acid: facile synthesis of 2-benzylpyrazines

Benzalaminoacetals (1), upon refluxing with trifluoroacetic acid, lead to 2-benzylpyrazines, rather than the expected isoquinolines. This unusual reaction represents another useful way to prepare a variety of 2-benzylpyrazines from the corresponding benzaldehydes.     

Probing the binding of fluoxetine hydrochloride to human serum albumin by multispectroscopic techniques

The interaction between human serum albumin (HSA) and fluoxetine hydrochloride (FLX) have been studied by using different spectroscopic techniques viz., fluorescence, UV–vis absorption, circular dichroism and FTIR under simulated physiological conditions. Fluorescence results revealed the presence of static type of quenching mechanism in the binding of FLX to HSA. The values of binding constant, K of FLX-HSA were evaluated at 289, 300 and 310 K and were found to be 1.90 × 10³, 1.68 × 10³ and 1.45 × 10³ M^?1, respectively. The number of binding sites, n was noticed to be almost equal to unity thereby indicating the presence of a single class of binding site for FLX on HSA. Based on the thermodynamic parameters, ΔH⁰ and ΔS⁰ nature of binding forces operating between HSA and FLX were proposed. Spectral results revealed the conformational changes in protein upon interaction. Displacement studies indicated the site I as the main binding site for FLX on HSA. The effect of common ions on the binding of FLX to HSA was also investigated.