Copper(II) 2,2-Bis(Hydroxymethyl)Propionate Coordination Compounds with Hexamethylenetetramine: From Mononuclear Complex to One-Dimensional Coordination Polymer.

Three new copper coordination compounds derived from 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (dmpa) and hexamethylenetetramine (hmta) were obtained and their crystal structures were determined. The stoichiometry of the reagents applied in the syntheses reflects the metal to ligand molar ratio in the formed solid products. Due to the multiple coordination modes of the used ligands, wide structural diversity was achieved among synthesized compounds, i.e., mononuclear [Cu(dmp)2(hmta)2(H2O)] (1), dinuclear [Cu2(dmp)4(hmta)2] (2), and 1D coordination polymer [Cu2(dmp)4(hmta)]n (3). Their supramolecular structures are governed by O-H•••O and O-H•••N hydrogen bonds. The compounds were characterized in terms of absorption (UV-Vis and IR) and thermal properties. The relationships between structural features and properties were discussed in detail. Owing to discrepancies in the coordination mode of a dmp ligand, bidentate chelating in 1, and bidentate bridging in 2 and 3, there is a noticeable change in the position of the bands corresponding to the stretching vibrations of the carboxylate group in the IR spectra. The differences in the structures of the compounds are also reflected in the nature and position of the UV-Vis absorption maxima, which are located at lower wavelengths for 1.

Exploiting the unique specialty of hydrazone functionality: Synthesis of a highly sensitive UV-Vis active solvatochromic probe.

The unique physico-chemical attributes of the hydrazone functionality have been extensively studied for a diverse range of chemical, biological and analytical applications. The synthesis of a highly sensitive hydrazone based UV-Vis active solvatochromic probe that exhibits excellent sensitivity toward sensing of solvent polarity, microstructural changes and onset of micellization in aqueous systems was carried out. Specifically, synthesis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl-2-(2-nitrobenzylidene)hydrazone (DNPNBH), through an easy to carry, atom economical, one-pot single step approach via use of low-cost precursors viz. ortho-nitrobenzaldehyde and 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine is presented. The UV-Vis absorption features of the synthesized hydrazone exhibit excellent sensitivity toward the polarity of its immediate microenvironment. The microenvironment polarity sensing potential of DNPNBH is demonstrated for some single solvent systems and DMF-Water mixture as a model binary solvent system and the results are supported by quantum mechanical calculations. Use of the DNPNBH as a probe (at concentrations many orders lower than required for conventional probes) to precisely reflect the onset of micellization and estimation of critical micelle concentration (CMC) of amphiphilic molecules (5.25 mM for SDS, 1.53 mM for CTAB and 0.055 mM for Brij56) in aqueous solutions is also demonstrated. The results clearly qualify the synthesized hydrazone as a highly sensitive UV-Vis probe that can be employed for reliable sensing of solvent polarity, composition dependence of physicochemical attributes in mixed solvent systems and the estimation of CMC of surfactant systems via spectrophotometry.

A novel series of mixed-ligand M(II) complexes containing 2,2'-bipyridyl as potent α-glucosidase inhibitor: synthesis, crystal structure, DFT calculations, and molecular docking.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common degenerative disease and characterized by high blood glucose levels. Since the effective antidiabetic treatments attempt to decrease blood glucose levels, keeping glucose under control is very important. Recent studies have demonstrated that α-glucosidase inhibitor improves postprandial hyperglycemia and then reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in patients. Therefore, the design and synthesis of high affinity glucosidase inhibitors are of great importance. In this regard, novel series of mixed-ligand M(II) complexes containing 2,2'-bipyridyl {[Hg(6-mpa)2(bpy)(OAc)]·2H2O, (1), [Co(6-mpa)2(bpy)2], (2), [Cu(6-mpa)(bpy)(NO3)]·3H2O, (3), [Mn(6-mpa)(bpy)(H2O)2], (4), [Ni(6-mpa)(bpy)(H2O)2]·H2O, (5), [Fe(6-mpa)(bpy)(H2O)2]·2H2O, (6), [Fe(3-mpa)(bpy)(H2O)2]·H2O, (7)} were synthesized as potential α-glucosidase inhibitors. Their effects on α-glucosidase activity were evaluated. All synthesized complexes displayed α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values ranging from 0.184 ± 0.015 to > 600 µM. The experimental spectral analyses were carried out using FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques for these complexes characterized by XRD and LC-MS/MS. Moreover, the calculations at density functional theory approximation were used to obtain optimal molecular geometries, vibrational wavenumbers, electronic spectral behaviors, and major contributions to the electronic transitions for the complexes 1-7. Finally, to display interactions between the synthesized complexes and target protein (the template structure Saccharomyces cerevisiae isomaltase), the molecular docking study was carried out.

Synthesis of meso-pyrrole-substituted 22-oxacorroles by a "3+2" approach.

Unsymmetrical 22-oxacorrole containing two aryl groups and one pyrrole group at the meso position was synthesized by condensing one equivalent of 16-oxatripyrrane with one equivalent of meso aryl dipyromethane under mild acid-catalyzed conditions followed by oxidation with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ). This [3+2] condensation approach was expected to yield meso-free 25-oxasmaragdyrin but unexpectedly afforded unsymmetrical meso-pyrrole-substituted 22-oxacorrole. We demonstrated the versatility of the reaction by synthesizing four new meso-pyrrole-substituted 22-oxacorroles. The reactivity of α-position of meso-pyrrole was tested by carrying out various functionalization reactions such as bromination, formylation, and nitration and obtained the functionalized meso-pyrrole-substituted 22-oxacorroles in decent yields. The X-ray structure obtained for one of the functionalized meso-pyrrole substituted 22-oxacorrole revealed that the macrocycle was nearly planar and the meso-pyrrole was in the perpendicular orientation with respect to the macrocyclic plane. The meso-pyrrole-substituted 22-oxacorroles absorb strongly in 400-700 nm region with one strong Soret band and four weak Q bands. The 22-oxacorroles are strongly fluorescent and showed emission maxima at ≈650 nm with decent quantum yields and singlet-state lifetimes. The 22-oxacorroles are redox-active and exhibited three irreversible oxidations and one or two reversible reduction(s). A preliminary biological study indicated that meso-pyrrole corroles are biocompatible.

Carbon nanotubes for delivery of small molecule drugs.

In the realm of drug delivery, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have gained tremendous attention as promising nanocarriers, owing to their distinct characteristics, such as high surface area, enhanced cellular uptake and the possibility to be easily conjugated with many therapeutics, including both small molecules and biologics, displaying superior efficacy, enhanced specificity and diminished side effects. While most CNT-based drug delivery system (DDS) had been engineered to combat cancers, there are also emerging reports that employ CNTs as either the main carrier or adjunct material for the delivery of various non-anticancer drugs. In this review, the delivery of small molecule drugs is expounded, with special attention paid to the current progress of in vitro and in vivo research involving CNT-based DDSs, before finally concluding with some consideration on inevitable complications that hamper successful disease intervention with CNTs.

Magnetic materials as sorbents for metal/metalloid preconcentration and/or separation. A review.

The use of magnetic materials in solid phase extraction has received considerable attention in recent years taking into account many advantages arising from the inherent characteristics of magnetic particles. Magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) methodology overcomes problems such as column packing and phase separation, which can be easily performed by applying an external magnetic field. The use of magnetic particles in automatic systems is growing over the last few years making the on-line operation of MSPE a promising technique in the frame of green chemistry. This article aims to provide all recent progress in the research of novel magnetic materials as sorbents for metal preconcentration and determination coupled with different detection systems as well as their implementation in sequential injection and microfluidic systems. In addition, a description of preparation, characterization as well as applications of various types of magnetic materials, either with organic or inorganic coating of the magnetic core, is presented. Concluding remarks and future trends are also commented.

FT-IR, micro-Raman and UV-vis spectroscopic and quantum chemical investigations of free 2,2'-dithiodipyridine and its metal (Co, Cu and Zn) halide complexes.

In this study the elemental analysis results, molecular geometries, vibrational and electronic absorption spectra of free 2,2'-dithiodipyridine(C10H8N2S2), (or DTDP) (with synonym, 2,2'-dipyridyl disulfide) and M(C10H8N2S2)Cl2 (M=Co, Cu and Zn) complexes have been reported. Vibrational wavenumbers of free DTDP and its metal halide complexes have been calculated by using DFT/B3LYP calculation method with 6-31++G(d,p) and Lanl2DZ basis sets, respectively, in the ground state, for the first time. The calculated fundamental vibrational frequencies are in a good agreement with experimental data. The HOMO, LUMO and MEP analyses of all compounds are performed by DFT method.