Listening to Contemporary Art Music: A Morphodynamic Model of Cognition.

This paper proposes that the perceptual and cognitive mechanisms involved when listening to certain genres within "sound-based" music, such as post-spectralism, glitch-electronica, and electroacoustic music and in various areas of sound art, are best understood within a connectionist cognitive framework described by morphodynamic theory. By analysing the specific characteristics of sound-based music, it is explored how this kind of music works at perceptual and cognitive levels. The sound patterns found in these pieces engage listeners more readily at a phenomenological level rather than through establishing long-term conceptual associations. They consist of a set of geometries in motion appearing to the listener as "image schemata", as they embody Gestalt and kinaesthetic principles portraying the forces and tensions of our being in the physical world (e.g., figure-background, near-far, superimposition, compulsion, blockage). In applying morphodynamic theory to the listening process involved in this kind of music, this paper discusses the results of a listening survey designed to investigate the functional isomorphism between sound patterns and image schemata. The results suggest that this music can be seen as a mean term within a connectionist model between the acoustic-physical world and the symbolic level. This original perspective opens up new pathways to access this kind of music and leads to a more general understanding of today's modes of listening.

Novel Methinic Functionalized and Dendritic C-Scorpionates.

The study of chelating ligands is undoubtedly one of the most significant fields of research in chemistry. The present work is directed to the synthesis of new functionalized derivatives of tripodal C-scorpionate compounds. Tris-2,2,2-(1-pyrazolyl)ethanol, HOCH2C(pz)3 (1), one of the most important derivatives of hydrotris(pyrazolyl)methane, was used as a building block for the synthesis of new functionalized C-scorpionates, aiming to expand the scope of this unexplored class of compounds. The first dendritic C-scorpionate was successfully prepared and used in the important industrial catalytic reactions, Sonogashira and Heck C-C cross-couplings.

Integration of cellular and molecular endpoints to assess the toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in HepG2 cell line.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent pollutants present in the environment with known mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. In the present study the effects of exposure to single or multiple doses of benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), pyrene (Pyr), and 3 halogenated derivatives of these compounds (1-chloropyrene, 1-bromopyrene [1-BrPyr], and 7-chlorobenzo[a]anthracene [7-ClBaA]) were evaluated in a liver-derived human cell line (HepG2). Cytotoxicity as assessed by the classic 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and neutral red assays showed a mild toxic effect in response to single or multiple dose exposure for up to 72 h, except for multiple dose exposure to BaA and 7-ClBaA (1 µM/d for 4 d) and single exposure to 10 µM BaA. Furthermore, selective mitochondrial and lysosomal toxicity was observed for Pyr and BaA series, respectively. To understand the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for this effect, reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, lysosomal pH, DNA fragmentation, and early and late apoptosis mediators were evaluated after exposure to single doses of the compounds. All compounds were able to trigger oxidative stress after 24 h as measured by catalase activity, and a good correlation was found between mitochondrial membrane depolarization, lysosomal pH increase, and MTT and neutral red assays. Evaluation of cell death mediators showed that caspase-3/7, but not annexin-V, pathways were involved in toxicity triggered by the studied compounds. The integration of all results showed that 1-BrPyr and BaA have a higher toxicity potential. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3404-3414. © 2017 SETAC.

The phenolic metabolites of the anti-HIV drug efavirenz: evidence for distinct reactivities upon oxidation with Frémy's salt.

Efavirenz (EFV) is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor administered as first line treatment against HIV-1. The major drawbacks of EFV therapy are neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity, which may result from bioactivation to reactive metabolites capable of reacting with bionucleophiles. We investigated the in vitro oxidation of the phenolic EFV metabolites, 7-hydroxy-efavirenz (7-OH-EFV) and 8-hydroxy-efavirenz (8-OH-EFV), with Frémy's salt. A quinoline derivative, 6-chloro-2-cyclopropyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)quinolin-7-ol, presumably stemming from a radical rearrangement, was selectively obtained from 7-OH-EFV in 10% yield. In contrast, when subjected to the same oxidation conditions, 8-OH-EFV was considerably more prone to oxidative degradation and yielded multiple products. Among these, a quinone-imine derivative was tentatively identified upon LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of the reaction mixture. These observations demonstrate a remarkable difference in the reactivities of the two phenolic EFV metabolites under oxidative conditions. Moreover, taking into consideration the toxicological significance of quinone-imine derivatives, these findings may explain earlier reports that 8-OH-EFV is a more potent toxicant than 7-OH-EFV in model test systems.

The role of competitive binding to human serum albumin on efavirenz-warfarin interaction: a nuclear magnetic resonance study.

The potential for co-prescription of the anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) drug efavirenz (EFV) and the oral anticoagulant warfarin (WAR) is currently high as EFV is a drug of choice for HIV type 1 infection and because cardiovascular disease is increasing among HIV-infected individuals. However, clinical reports of EFV-WAR interaction, leading to WAR overdosing, call for elucidation of the mechanisms involved in this drug-drug interaction. Here we present the first report demonstrating competition of the two drugs for the same binding site of human serum albumin. Using ligand-based nuclear magnetic resonance experiments, this study proves that EFV has an effect on the concentration of free WAR. This previously unidentified EFV-WAR interaction represents a potential risk factor that should be taken into account when considering treatment options.

A novel di-compartmental bis-(2-hydroxyisophtalamide) macrocyclic ligand and its mononuclear Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes.

The synthesis and characterisation of the new di-compartmental bis-(2-hydroxyisophtalamide) macrocyclic pro-ligand, LH(6), which comprises two phenol-diamide units linked by ethylene bridges, is herein reported, together with its corresponding di-phenolate salt, [NBu(4)](2)[LH(4)]. The three macrocyclic compounds, [LH(4)(OMe)(2)] (protected ligand), LH(6) and [LH(4)][NBu(4)](2) were fully characterised including X-ray crystallography for [LH(4)(OMe)(2)] and [NBu(4)](2)[LH(4)]. The results of solid-state and solution studies have indicated that the macrocycle can adopt specific conformations, which are influenced by H-bonding interactions as well as the deviation of the amide carbonyl relative to the phenol plane. LH(6) reacts with M(II)(acetate)(2)·(H(2)O)(6) (M = Ni, Cu) in a 1 : 1 ratio in the presence of 4 eq of [NBu(4)](OH) in methanol to afford the dianionic [M(LH(2))](2-) complexes, (2-) and (2-), respectively. The X-ray crystallography, EPR, NMR and UV-vis spectroscopic data, combined with DFT calculations, indicate that (2-) and (2-) are unique unsymmetrical square planar mononuclear complexes that are intramolecularly H-bonded. Thus, one macrocyclic compartment contains a M(II)-N(2)O(2) centre resulting from the tetra-anionic di-phenolato di-amidato ligation; the other compartment possesses two protonated amide N-H groups that are H-bonded the coordinated phenolate O atoms. This represents a unique example in which a phenolate is both coordinated and intramolecularly H-bonded. This H-bonding appears unusually strong as revealed by N(H/D) exchange experiments; and may be responsible for the stability of the mononuclear complex, and the difficulty in isolating the corresponding dinuclear complex [M(2)(L)](2-).

Biomimetic oxidation of aromatic xenobiotics: synthesis of the phenolic metabolites from the anti-HIV drug efavirenz.

We report the oxidation of the first line anti-HIV drug efavirenz (EFV), mediated by a bio-inspired nonheme Fe-complex. Depending upon the experimental conditions this system can be tuned either to yield the major EFV metabolite, 8-hydroxy-EFV, in enantiomerically pure form or to mimic cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity, yielding 8-hydroxy-EFV and 7-hydroxy-EFV, the two phenolic EFV metabolites reported to be formed in vivo. The successful oxidation of the anti-estrogen tamoxifen and the equine estrogen equilin into their CYP-mediated metabolites supports the general application of bio-inspired nonheme Fe-complexes in mirroring CYP activity.

Persistent hydrogen-bonded and non-hydrogen-bonded phenoxyl radicals.

The production of stable phenoxyl radicals is undoubtedly a synthetic chemical challenge. Yet it is a useful way to gain information on the properties of the biological tyrosyl radicals. Recently, several persistent phenoxyl radicals have been reported, but only limited synthetic variations could be achieved. Herein, we show that the amide-o-substituted phenoxyl radical (i.e. with a salicylamide backbone) can be synthesised in a stable manner, thereby permitting easy synthetic modifications to be made through the amide bond. To study the effect of H-bonding on the properties of the phenolate/phenoxyl radical redox couple, simple H-bonded and non-H-bonded o,p-tBu-protected salicylamidate compounds have been prepared. Their redox properties were examined by cyclic voltammetry and showed a fully reversible one-electron oxidation process to the corresponding phenoxyl radical species. Remarkably, the redox potential appears to be correlated, at least partially, with H-bond strength, as relatively large differences (ca. 300 mV) in the redox potential between H-bonded and non-H-bonded phenolate salts are observed. The corresponding phenoxyl radicals produced electrochemically are persistent at room temperature for at least an hour; their UV/Vis and EPR characterisation is consistent with that of phenoxyl radicals, which makes them excellent models of biological tyrosyl radicals. The analyses of the experimental data coupled with theoretical calculations indicate that both the deviation from planarity of the amide function and intramolecular H-bonding influence the oxidation potential of the phenolate. The latter H-bonding effect appears to be predominantly exerted on the phenolate and not (or only a little) on the phenoxyl radical. Thus, in these systems the H-bonding energy involved in the phenoxyl radical appears to be relatively small.

Synthesis and coordination chemistry of a new N4-polydentate class of pyridyl-functionalized scorpionate ligands: complexes of Fe(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), V(IV), Pd(II) and use for heterobimetallic systems.

The new potentially N(4)-multidentate pyridyl-functionalized scorpionates 4-((tris-2,2,2-(pyrazol-1-yl)ethoxy)methyl)pyridine (TpmPy, (1)) and 4-((tris-2,2,2-(3-phenylpyrazol-1-yl)ethoxy)methyl)pyridine (TpmPy(Ph), (2)) have been synthesized and their coordination behavior toward Fe(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), Pd(II), and V(III) centers has been studied. Reaction of (1) with Fe(BF(4))(2) x 6 H(2)O yields [Fe(TpmPy)(2)](BF(4))(2) (3), that, in the solid state, shows the sandwich structure with trihapto ligand coordination via the pyrazolyl arms, and is completely low spin (LS) until 400 K. Reactions of 2 equiv of (1) or (2) with Zn(II) or Ni(II) chlorides give the corresponding metal complexes with general formula [MCl(2)(TpmPy*)(2)] (M = Zn, Ni; TpmPy* = TpmPy, TpmPy(Ph)) (4-7) where the ligand is able to coordinate through either the pyrazolyl rings (in case of [Ni(TpmPy)(2)]Cl(2) (5)) or the pyridyl-side (for [ZnCl(2)(TpmPy)(2)] (4), [ZnCl(2)(TpmPy(Ph))(2)] (6) and [NiCl(2)(TpmPy(Ph))(2)] (7)). The reaction of (1) with VCl(3) gives [VOCl(2)(TpmPy)] (8) that shows the N(3)-pyrazolyl coordination-mode. Moreover, (1) and (2) react with cis-[PdCl(2)(CH(3)CN)(2)] to give the disubstituted complexes [PdCl(2)(TpmPy)(2)] (9) and [PdCl(2)(TpmPy(Ph))(2)] (10), respectively, bearing the scorpionate coordinated via the pyridyl group. Compounds (9) and (10) react with Fe(BF(4))(2) to give the heterobimetallic Pd/Fe systems [PdCl(2)(mu-TpmPy)(2)Fe](BF(4))(2) (11) and [PdCl(2)(mu-TpmPy(Ph))(2)Fe(2)(H(2)O)(6)](BF(4))(4) (13), respectively. Compound (11) can also be formed from reaction of (3) with cis-[PdCl(2)(CH(3)CN)(2)], while reaction of (3) with Cu(NO(3))(2) x 2.5 H(2)O generates [Fe(mu-TpmPy)(2)Cu(NO(3))(2)](BF(4))(2) (12), confirming the multidentate ability of the new chelating ligands. The X-ray diffraction analyses of compounds (1), (3), (4), (5), and (9) are also reported.

Electrocatalytic reduction of organohalides mediated by the dihalo-molybdenum phosphinic complexes trans-[MoX(2)(Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2))(2)] (X = I, Br)-A mechanistic study by cyclic voltammetry digital simulation.

trans-[MoX(2)(dppe)(2)] (X = I, Br) act as inner-sphere electron-transfer mediators for the electrocatalytic reduction of organohalides RX to R + X(-), at both Mo(II)--> Mo(I) and Mo(I)--> Mo(0) reduction processes, each of them involving a cathodically induced heterolytic metal-halide bond cleavage with liberation of X(-) that is followed by addition of RX to the metal. Digital simulation of cyclic voltammetry at a wide range of scan rates allowed to estimate the rate constants of the various chemical steps for both electrocatalytic cycles, which were compared in terms of Mo-X bond dissociation energies, electronic and stereochemical effects.

Switching between kappa(2) and kappa(3) bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetate ligands by tuning reaction conditions: synthesis, spectral, electrochemical, structural, and theoretical studies on arene-Ru(II) derivatives of bis(azol-1-yl)acetate ligands.

New (arene)ruthenium(II) derivatives containing neutral HL or anionic L(-) ligands (arene = p-cymene or benzene, HL in general, in particular HL(1) = bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetic acid and HL(2) = bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetic acid) have been synthesized and analytically and spectrally characterized. The ligands in neutral form coordinate ruthenium in a chelating kappa(2)-N,N'-bidentate fashion affording 1:1 derivatives of formula [Ru(arene)(HL)Cl]Cl, where the inner Cl can be replaced by a phosphine. These derivatives show very high conductance values in water, due to the contribution of H(3)O(+) produced by deprotonation of the -COOH fragment in HL ligands and consequent formation of 1:2 electrolytes such as [Ru(arene)(kappa(3)-N,N',O-L)]Cl(2) species. However, the remaining derivatives contain monoanion L(-) ligands coordinating in the tripodal kappa(3)-N,N',O-tridentate fashion. The solid-state X-ray structure of the complex [Ru(eta(6)-p-cymene)(kappa(3)-N,N',O-L(1))]PF(6) confirmed such behavior. The redox properties of those compounds have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential electrolysis, which, on the basis of their measured Ru(II/III) oxidation potentials, have allowed for the ordering of the HL and L(-) ligands according to their electron-donor character. This is accounted for by DFT calculations, which show a relevant contribution of L ligand orbitals to the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) when they are coordinated in the monoanionic tridentate form, while for derivatives containing neutral HL ligands, the main contribution to the HOMOs comes from orbitals of the metal and chlorine atoms, the overall contribution from the bidentate HL ligand orbitals being small. Values of the Lever electrochemical E(L) ligand parameter (a measure of the net electron donor character of a ligand) have been estimated for the above and related acylpyrazolonate ligands, as well as for the eta(6)-coordinated benzene and cymene.

Cu(II) complexes bearing the 2,2,2-tris(1-pyrazolyl)ethanol or 2,2,2-tris(1-pyrazolyl)ethyl methanesulfonate scorpionates. X-Ray structural characterization and application in the mild catalytic peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane.

Reactions between CuCl2 and the functionalized scorpionate 2,2,2-tris(1-pyrazolyl)ethanol HOCH2C(pz)3 1 (pz = pyrazolyl) or 2,2,2-tris(1-pyrazolyl)ethyl methanesulfonate CH3SO2OCH2C(pz)3 2 yield the corresponding water soluble CuII complexes [CuCl2{HOCH2C(pz)3}] 3 or [CuCl2{CH3SO2OCH2C(pz)3}]2 4. In 3 the scorpionate ligand shows the typical N,N,N-coordination mode, whereas in the dinuclear complex 4 it binds the metal as a bidentate species. Compounds 1-4 have been characterized by IR, far-IR, elemental analysis and (for 2-4) single crystal X-ray diffraction. The new scorpionate complexes 3 and 4 are shown to act as catalyst precursors for the peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol (main product) and cyclohexanone, under mild conditions (at room temperature and using an aqueous solution of H2O2) reaching TON values up to 186 in NCMe/H2O. Their hydrosolubility allows them to operate also in pure aqueous media (without any organic solvent, although less effectively), a rare feature of significance towards a green alkane oxidation process.

Cu(I) complexes bearing the new sterically demanding and coordination flexible tris(3-phenyl-1-pyrazolyl)methanesulfonate ligand and the water-soluble phosphine 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane or related ligands.

The new sterically hindered scorpionate tris(3-phenylpyrazolyl)methanesulfonate (Tpms(Ph))(-) has been synthesized and its coordination behavior toward a Cu(I) center, in the presence of 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA), N-methyl-1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane tetraphenylborate ((mPTA)[BPh4]) or hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) has been studied. The reaction between Li(Tpms(Ph)) (1) and [Cu(MeCN)4][PF6] yields [Cu(Tpms(Ph))(MeCN)] (2) which, upon further acetonitrile displacement on reaction with PTA, HMT, or (mPTA)[BPh4], gives the corresponding complexes [Cu(Tpms(Ph))(PTA)] (3), [Cu(Tpms(Ph))(HMT)] (4), and [Cu(Tpms(Ph))(mPTA)][PF6] (5). All the compounds have been characterized by (1)H, (31)P, (13)C, COSY or HMQC-NMR, IR, elemental analysis, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the complexes (3) and (5), which bear a phosphine ligand (i.e., PTA and mPTA, respectively), the new scorpionate ligand shows the typical N, N, N-coordination mode, whereas in (2) and (4), bearing a N-donor ligand (i.e., MeCN and HMT, respectively), it binds the metal via the N,N,O chelating mode, involving the sulfonate moiety.

Areneruthenium(II) 4-acyl-5-pyrazolonate derivatives: coordination chemistry, redox properties, and reactivity.

Areneruthenium(II) molecular complexes of the formula [Ru(arene)(Q)Cl], containing diverse 4-acyl-5-pyrazolonate ligands Q with arene = cymene or benzene, have been synthesized by the interaction of HQ and [Ru(arene)Cl(micro-Cl)]2 dimers in methanol in the presence of sodium methoxide. The dinuclear compound [{Ru(cymene)Cl}2Q4Q] (H2Q4Q = bis(4-(1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone)dioxohexane), existing in the RRuSRu (meso form), has been prepared similarly. [Ru(cymene)(Q)Cl] reacts with sodium azide in acetone, affording [Ru(cymene)(Q)N3] derivatives, where Cl- has been replaced by N3-. The reactivity of [Ru(cymene)(Q)Cl] has also been explored toward monodentate donor ligands L (L = triphenylphosphine, 1-methylimidazole, or 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole) and exo-bidentate ditopic donor ligands L-L (L-L = 4,4'-bipyridine or bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) in the presence of silver salts AgX (X = SO3CF3 or ClO4), new ionic mononuclear complexes of the formula [Ru(cymene)(Q)L]X, and ionic dinuclear complexes of the formula [{Ru(cymene)(Q)}2L-L]X2 being obtained. The solid-state structures of a number of complexes were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies. Their redox properties have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential electrolysis, which, on the basis of their measured RuII/III reversible oxidation potentials, have allowed the ordering of the bidentate acylpyrazolonate ligands according to their electron-donor character and are indicative of a small dependence of the HOMO energy upon the change of the monodentate ligand. This is accounted for by DFT calculations, which show a relevant contribution of acylpyrazolonate ligand orbitals to the HOMOs, whereas that from the monodentate ligand is minor.