Ion Transport in Glyme- and Sulfolane-Based Highly Concentrated Electrolytes.

Highly concentrated electrolytes (HCEs) have a similarity to ionic liquids (ILs) in high ionic nature, and indeed some of HECs are found to behave like an IL. HCEs have attracted considerable attention as prospective candidates for electrolyte materials in future lithium secondary batteries owing to their favorable properties both in the bulk and at the electrochemical interface. In this study, we highlight the effects of the solvent, counter anion, and diluent of HCEs on the Li+ ion coordination structure and transport properties (e. g., ionic conductivity and apparent Li+ ion transference number measured under anion-blocking conditions, t L i a b c ${{t}_{{\rm L}{\rm i}}^{{\rm a}{\rm b}{\rm c}}}$ ). Our studies on dynamic ion correlations unveiled the difference in the ion conduction mechanisms in HCEs and their intimate relevance to t L i a b c ${{t}_{{\rm L}{\rm i}}^{{\rm a}{\rm b}{\rm c}}}$ values. Our systematic analysis of the transport properties of HCEs also suggests the need for a compromise to simultaneously achieve high ionic conductivity and high t L i a b c ${{t}_{{\rm L}{\rm i}}^{{\rm a}{\rm b}{\rm c}}}$ values.

Quantitative Structure-Cytotoxicity Relationship of Newly Synthesized Piperic Acid Esters.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Eleven piperic acid esters were subjected to quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis based on their cytotoxicity and tumor-specificity, in order to find their new biological activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytotoxicity against four human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines and three oral normal mesenchymal cells was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Tumor specificity (TS) was evaluated by the ratio of the mean 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) against normal cells to that against tumor cell lines. Potency-selectivity expression (PSE) value was calculated by dividing the TS value by CC50 against tumor cells. Apoptosis markers were detected by western blot analysis. Physicochemical, structural and quantum-chemical parameters were calculated based on the conformations optimized by force-field minimization. RESULTS: One phenylmethyl ester and five phenylethyl esters showed relatively higher cytotoxicity and tumor specificity, that were significantly modified by introduction of hydroxyl and methoxy groups. On the other hand, phenylpropyl ester, phenylbutyl ester and decyl ester were essentially inactive. (2E,4E)-5-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2,4-pentadienoic acid 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl ester [4] had the highest TS and PSE values. This compound also stimulated the cleavage of caspase-3, suggesting the induction of apoptosis. TS values were correlated with molecular size, ionization potential, molecular shape, ionization potential and electronegativity. None of the compounds had any anti-HIV activity. CONCLUSION: Chemical modification of the lead compound may be a potential choice for designing a new type of anticancer drugs.