Mechanistic studies on the asymmetric alkylation of amino ester enolates using a copper(II)salen catalyst

Hammett data indicate that the asymmetric alkylation of enolates catalysed by copper(II)salen complex 1, proceeds by an asynchronous S(N)2 reaction and that the role of the catalyst is to enhance the nucleophilicity of the enolate.     

Antiproliferative activity and apoptosis induction,of organo-antimony(III)–copper(I) conjugates,against human breast cancer cells

Molecular Diversity - Three known organo-antimony(III)–copper(I), mixed-metal small bioactive molecules (SBAMs) of formula [Cu(tpSb)3Cl] (1), [Cu2(tpSb)4Br2] (2) and [Cu2(tpSb)4I2] (3)...     

Synthesis, characterization, and ab initio theoretical study of a molecularly imprinted polymer selective for biosensor materials

Despite the complex phenomena involved in encoding template molecule information within stable synthetic polymers to yield selective and efficient molecular recognition processes, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) are increasingly finding broad areas of application. Molecular interactions, both during the polymerization of the functional monomers in the presence of the template and during the processes of specific recognition after template removal, are key determinants of an effective MIP. Covalent and noncovalent template imprinting have been employed to achieve specific recognition sites. In the present study, a molecularly imprinted biocompatible polymer, having a high capacity and affinity for the dye template, nickel(II) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid, has been prepared. UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and ICP analysis were used to investigate the aspects of the synthesis, binding capacity, and adsorption kinetics of the system. Poly(allylamine) cross-linked with epichlorohydrin has been used to represent an amino-functional receptor. Binding isotherms and capacities were correlated with the degree of template removal. Kinetic studies of binding allowed diffusion mechanisms to be evaluated for the fine particulate MIP. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations were performed using Hartree-Fock, MP2, and density functional theory methods to determine the most likely mechanisms of molecular imprinting. Suitable theoretical models have been constructed to mimic the interactions between the template molecule and the polymer. Simulation of the vibrational spectra was also undertaken to make meaningful assignments to experimentally determined spectral bands resulting from these template MIP receptor interactions.     

Ene-yne metathesis of polyunsaturated norbornene derivatives

Norbornene derivatives bearing endo-substituents in the 5- and 6-positions were studied as substrates for ene-yne metathesis cascades. Substrates which contained an internal alkyne and a terminal alkene or alkyne in each sidechain were found to undergo a metathesis cascade leading to pentacyclic bis-dienes and bis-trienes. Attempts to extend the chemistry further to sidechains containing two internal alkynes or two internal alkynes and a terminal alkene were not successful with the first generation Grubbs' catalyst. However, the substrate containing two internal alkynes did react with the second generation Grubbs' catalyst to give a tetra-diene containing product.     

On testing quality and traceability of virgin olive oil by calorimetry

Extra Virgin olive oils (7 samples) originating from different areas of Tuscany, defective olive oils (5 samples), commercial edible seed oils (4 samples) and two commercial samples of olive oil (one declared ‘extra virgin olive oil’ and one ‘olive oil’) were studied by different calorimetric techniques: high sensitivity isothermal, differential scanning, and modulated scanning calorimetry. The temperature interval (–60) – (+30)°C was explored for monitoring: i) the main features of the liquid↔solid phase transitions, ii) the nucleation and growth rate of the polymorphous crystalline phases of the triacylglicerols, and iii) the melting process. This investigation was planned for verifying the utility and effectiveness of calorimetry for screening quality and origin of olive oil. To this end, the main calorimetric operation modes have been applied, the experimental results reported and their utility for developing an effective and reliable screening protocol discussed.     

The periodic table of urea derivative: small molecules of zinc(II) and nickel(II) of diverse antimicrobial and antiproliferative applications

Molecular Diversity - Two complexes of Zn(II) and Ni(II) ions with the urea derivative, 2-benzimidazolyl-urea (BZIMU), of formulae [ZnBZIMU)2(H2O)](NO3)2 (1) and [Ni(BZIMU)2(CH3CH2OH)2](NO3)2 (2)...     

Stereoselective synthesis of chiral 3-aryl-1-alkynes from bromoallenes and heterocuprates

The synthesis of chiral 3-aryl-1-alkynes 3 via cross-coupling of 3-alkyl- and 3,3-dialkyl-1-bromo-1,2-dienes 1 and arylbromocuprates (RCuBr)MgBr.LiBr 2 was examined. With phenylcopper reagents and its para-substituted derivatives, as well as with 2-naphthyl cuprates, the reaction gave compounds 3 with high regioselectivity and good yields on the chemically pure product. On the contrary, when ortho-substituted phenyl reagents and 1-naphthyl cuprates were used, the regioselectivity of the process was very dependent upon the steric requirements of the alkyl substituents on the bromoallenic substrate. When the steric bulk was increased, remarkable quantities of isomeric arylallenes 4 were also observed in the reaction mixtures. The high 1,3-anti stereoselectivity of the coupling process allowed us to obtain enantiomerically enriched 3-aryl-1-alkynes from optically active allenic substrates, thus indicating a simple pathway toward the synthesis of quaternary stereogenic centers characterized by an aryl group. A possible cross-coupling mechanism was also suggested to explain the regio- and stereochemical data. For the preparation of omega-functionalized 3-phenyl-1-alkynes, the reaction of 1-bromo-3-phenylpropadiene with Knochel reagents RCu(CN)ZnCl.2LiCl was also studied; this reaction led to the acetylenic compounds in high yields mainly when the R group (also omega-functionalized) on the copper reagent was primary.     

The enantiospecific synthesis of chromanes and isochromanes using a variant of an intramolecular Nicholas reaction

The enantiospecific synthesis of chromanes and isochromanes obtained from an intramolecular Nicholas cyclisation reaction is discussed. During the course of this study we observed the formation of chroman-4-ones from a CAN deprotection step of a dioxolane and this is also discussed.     

Silver Nanoparticles Using Eucalyptus or Willow Extracts (AgNPs) as Contact Lens Hydrogel Components to Reduce the Risk of Microbial Infection

Eucalyptus leaves (ELE) and willow bark (WBE) extracts were utilized towards the formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs(ELE), AgNPs(WBE)). AgNPs(ELE) and AgNPs(WBE) were dispersed in polymer hydrogels to create pHEMA@AgNPs(ELE)_2 and pHEMA@AgNPs(WBE)_2 using hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (HEMA). The materials were characterized in a solid state by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRPD), thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DTG/DSC) and attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy in solution. The antimicrobial potential of the materials was investigated against the Gram-negative bacterial strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and the Gram-positive bacterial strain of the genus Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), which are involved in microbial keratitis. The percentage of bacterial viability of P. aeruginosa and S. epidermidis upon their incubation over the pHEMA@AgNPs(ELE)_2 discs is interestingly low (28.3 and 6.8% respectively), while the inhibition zones (IZ) formed are 12.3 ± 1.7 and 13.2 ± 1.2 mm, respectively. No in vitro toxicity of this material towards human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC) was detected. Despite its low performance against S. aureus, pHEMA@AgNPs(ELE)_2 could be an efficient candidate towards the development of contact lenses that reduces microbial infection risk.