Antioxidant quinonemethide triterpenes from Salacia campestris

A new quinonemethide triterpene named as salacin, has been isolated from the root bark of Salacia campestris in addition to the known pristimerin, maytenin, 20 alpha-hydroxymaytenin, and netzahualcoyene. Salacin was identified on the basis of NMR-spectral and mass spectrometric analysis. The free-radical scavenging activities of the quinonemethide triterpenes salacin (1), pristimerin (2), maytenin (3), 20a-hydroxymaytenin (4), and netzahualcoyene (5) towards DPPH have been evaluated and showed absorbance variation (AA) of 19, 20, 39, 28, 55, and 10%, respectively, having rutin (74% at 50 pm) and BHT (7% at 50 mu M) as standard compounds.

Synthesis, structure and redox properties of an unexpected trinuclear copper(II) complex with aspartame: [Cu(apm)(2)Cu(mu-N,O : O '-apm)(2)(H2O)Cu(apm)(2)(H2O)]center dot 5H(2)O

Structural, magnetic and spectroscopic data of a new trinuclear copper(II) complex with the ligand aspartame (apm) are described. [Cu(apm)(2)CU(mu-N,O:O'-apm)(2)(H2O)Cu(apm)(2)(H2O)]-5H(2)O crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1 (#1) with a = 7.3300(1) angstrom, b = 15.6840(1) angstrom, c = 21.5280(1) angstrom, alpha = 93.02(1)degrees, beta = 93.21 (1)degrees, gamma = 92.66(1)degrees and Z = 1. Aspartame coordinates to Cu(II) through the carboxylate and beta-amino groups. The carboxylate groups of the two central ligands act as bidentate bridges in a syn-anti conformation while the carboxylate groups of the four peripheral ligands are monodentate in a syn conformation. The central copper ion is in a distorted square pyramidal geometry with the apical position being occupied by one oxygen atom of the water molecule. The two terminal copper(II) atoms are coordinated to the ligands in the same position but their coordination sphere differs from each other due to the fact that one copper atom has a water molecule in an apical position leading to an octahedral coordination sphere while the other copper atom is exclusively coordinated to aspartame ligands forming a distorted square pyramidal coordination sphere. Thermal analysis is consistent with the X-ray structure. EPR spectra and CV curves indicate a rupture of the trinuclear framework when this complex is dissolved in ethanol or DMF, forming a mononuclear species, with a tetragonal structure. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of a highly sensitive amperometric biosensor with low cholinesterase charge immobilized on a chemically modified carbon paste electrode for trace determination of carbamates in fruit, vegetable and water samples

A highly sensitive amperometric biosensor for determination of carbamate pesticides directly in water, fruit and vegetable samples has been evaluated, electrochemically characterized and optimized. The biosensor strip was fabricated in screen printed technique on a ceramic support using silver-based paste for reference electrode, and platinum-based paste for working and auxiliary electrodes. The working electrode was modified by a layer of carbon paste mixed with cobalt(II) phthalocyanine and acetylcellulose. Cholinesterase (ChE) enzymes with low enzymatic charge were immobilized on this layer. The operational simplicity of the biosensor consists in that a small drop (similar to 50 mu l) of substrate or sample is deposited on a horizontally positioned biosensor strip representing the microelectrochemical cell. The working potential of the biosensor was 370 mV versus Ag/AgI on a ship reference electrode preventing the interference of electroactive species which are oxidable at more positive potentials. The biosensor was applied to investigate the degradation of two reference ChE inhibitors in freeze dried water under different storage conditions and for direct determination of some N-methylcarbamates (NMCs) in fruit and vegetable samples at ppb concentration levels without any sample pretreatment. A comparison of the obtained results for the total carbamate concentration was done against those obtained using HPLC measurements. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Self-assembly of Pd(II) pyrazolyl complexes to 1-D hydrogen-bonded coordination polymers

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of two novel Pd(II) pyrazolyl complexes of the type [PdX2(HdmPz)(2)](n) {X=SCN- (1), N-3(-) (2); HdmPz=3,5-dimethylpyrazole} that self-assemble through N-H...NCS or N-H...NNN hydrogen bonds to yield infinite one-dimensional chains, as confirmed by single crystal X-ray study on 1. The expected solid state polymeric structure for 2 is slowly broken up in CHCl3 Solution, leading to an equilibrium mixture of cis and trans-[Pd(N-3)(2)(HdmPz)(2)] monomers, as demonstrated by time-dependent IR and NMR studies. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and X-ray structure of the dinuclear platinum(II) complex with saccharin {K[Pt(sac)(3)(H2O)] center dot H2O}(2): Studies on its antiproliferative activity in aqueous solution

Synthesis and X-ray structure of a dinuclear platinum(II) complex with the ligand saccharin(sac) are described. The structure shows two approximately square-planar platinum centers. Each platinum atom is coordinated to one water molecule and three N-bonded saccharinate ligands. The two centers are linked through two potassium atoms. Each potassium atom interacts with six oxygen atoms from hydration and coordinated water molecules and from carbonyl and sulfonate groups of the ligands. It is suggested that, in aqueous solution, the dimeric structure of the complex is dissociated and the monomeric species K[Pt(sac)(3)(H2O)] is formed. The complex was dissolved in water and submitted to in vitro cytotoxic analyses using HeLa cells (human cervix cancer). It was shown that the monomeric complex elicited a potent cytotoxic activity when compared to the vehicle-treated cells. The IC50 value for the monomeric complex is 6.8 mu M, a little bit higher than that obtained for cisplatin. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structure determination of an organometallic 1-(diazenylaryl)ethanol: A novel toxin subclass from the web of the spider Nephila clavipes

A novel chemical subclass of toxin, [1-(3-diazenylphenyl) ethanol]iron, was identified among the compounds present in the web of the spider Nephila clavipes. This type of compound is not common among natural products, mainly in spider-venom toxins; it was shown to be a potent paralytic and/or lethal toxin applied by the spider over its web to ensure prey capture only by topical application. The structure was elucidated by means of ESI mass spectrometry, H-1-NMR spectroscopy, high-resolution (HR) mass spectrometry, and ICP spectrometry. The structure of [1-( 3-diazenylphenyl)ethanol] iron and the study of its insecticidal action may be used as a starting point for the development of new drugs for pest control in agriculture.

Determination of the vinylsulphone azo dye, remazol brilliant orange 3R, by cathodic stripping voltammetry

Remazol brilliant orange 3R shows only a voltammetric peak for the reduction of the azo group. No peak was observed for the reduction of the sulfatoethylsulfone or vinylsulfone reactive groups. The reduction of a pre-protonated ate group involving a two-electron process, gives a hydrate derivative in acidic solution. In alkaline solution the reduction process occurs at more negative potential with the formation of an unstable hydrate compound which decomposes via HN-NH bond cleavage and loss of a sulfate group. Optimum conditions are given for the cathodic stripping voltammetric determination of dir: dye in aqueous solution. The optimum accumulation potential and time were 0 V and up to 60 s, respectively. Linear calibration graphs were obtained from 30 to 300 ng ml(-1) in pH 4 and 6.2 to 62 ng ml(-1) in pH 10. The limit of determination obtained was 1.5 ng ml(-1) (pH 10). The coefficient of variation was 2.6% (n = 7) at 62 ng ml(-1) of the reactive dye. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Use of diffusive gradients in thin films and tangential flow ultrafiltration for fractionation of Al(III) and Cu(II) in organic-rich river waters

Diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) and tangential-flow ultrafiltration (TF-UF) were combined for fractionation of Al and Cu in river water containing high content of dissolved organic carbon. A procedure based on ultrafiltration data is proposed to determine diffusion coefficients of the analytes in water samples and model solutions containing both free metal (M) and complex (metal - humic substance). Aiming to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed approach, the DGT results were compared with those from a protocol for determination of labile Al and Cu based on solid phase extraction (SPE). Good agreement between data from DGT and SPE were attained for model solutions. For analysis of real organic-rich water samples, differences between DGT and SPE measurements were consistent with the time-scales of the techniques. The concentration of labile Al determined by DGT were lower than the total dissolved concentrations (determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) and exceeded the ultrafiltered concentration, indicating that inorganic Al species (species small enough to pass through 1 kDa membrane) were minor species as compared with Al organic complexes. For both Al and Cu, there were species not measured by DGT as they are not sufficiently labile. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sorption and preconcentration of metal ions on silica gel modified with 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole

Silica gel, chemically modified with 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole [=Si(CH2)(3)-NC2HNS3], abbreviated as SiB, was used to adsorb metal ions from ethanol by both batch and column techniques. Elution of Cu(II) was done with a solvent mixture of acetone and hydrochloric acid (9:1 v/v). Zn(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Co(II) and Fe(III) were eluted with 0.5 mol l(-1) HC1 in ethanol solution. The modified silica was applied in the preconcentration of metal ions from commercial ethanol, normally used as engine fuel. The method is suitable for quantifying these metals at low mu g l(-1) levels.

Determination of carbamate residues in crop samples by cholinesterase-based biosensors and chromatographic techniques

An amperometric biosensor based on cholinesterase (ChE) has been used for the determination of selected carbamate insecticides in vegetable samples. The linear range of the biosensor for the N-methylcarbamates (aldicarb, carbaryl, carbofuran, methomyl and propoxur) varied from 5 x 10(-5) to 50 mg kg(-1). Limits of detection were calculated on the basis that the ChE enzymes were 10% inhibited and varied, depending of the combination ChE (as acetyl- or butyrylcholinesterase) vs. inhibitor (pesticide), from 1 x 10(-4) to 3.5 mg kg(-1). The biosensor-based carbamate determination was compared to liquid chromatography/UV methods. Three vegetable samples were spiked with carbofuran and propoxur at 125 mu g kg(-1) followed by conventional procedures. Good correlations were observed for carbofuran in the vegetable extracts (79, 96 and 91% recoveries for potato, carrot and sweet pepper, respectively), whereas for propoxur unsatisfactory results were obtained. Potato and carrot samples were spiked with 10, 50 and 125 mu g kg(-1) carbofuran, followed by direct determination by the amperometric biosensor. The fortified sampler; resulted in very high inhibition values, and recoveries were: 28, 34 and 99% for potato, and 140, 90 and 101% for carrot, respectively, at these three fortification levels. (C) 1998 Elsevier B.V. B.V.

(5,10,15,20-Tetra(4-pyridil)porphinato)manganes(III) acetate modified by four mu(3)-oxo-triruthenium acetate clusters: synthesis, characterization, electrochemical behavior and catalytic activity

A novel supermolecule constituted by four mu(3)-oxo-triruthenium acetate clusters coordinated to manganese(III)-meso -tetra(4-pyridil)porphyrin acetate ([MnTPyP]CH3COO) has been synthesized. Characterization has been performed by UV-Vis and H-1 NMR spectroscopy. The electrochemical behavior (cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry) in N,N'-dimethylformamide has been analyzed in terms of five redox processes: three related to peripheral clusters (Ru-IV,Ru-III,Ru-III/Ru-III,Ru-III,Ru-III/Ru-III,Ru-II,Ru-II) and two centered on the Mn-porphyrin core ((MnP)-P-III/(MnP)-P-II/(MnP2-)-P-II). A direct comparison has been performed between MnTCP and MnTPyP as catalysts for the cyclooctene and cyclohexane oxidation reactions. The improved selectivity exhibited by the supramolecular catalyst for cyclohexane oxidation has been ascribed to electronic effects on the oxomanganese(V) porphyrin species induced by the four peripheral clusters, in the formal (RuRuRuIII)-Ru-IV-Ru-III oxidation state. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. S.A. All rights reserved.

Screening Brazilian C gasoline quality: Application of the SIMCA chemometric method to gas chromatographic data

A total of 2400 samples of commercial Brazilian C gasoline were collected over a 6-month period from different gas stations in the São Paulo state, Brazil, and analysed with respect to 12 physicochemical parameters according to regulation 309 of the Brazilian Government Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP). The percentages (v/v) of hydrocarbons (olefins, aromatics and saturated) were also determined. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was employed to select 150 representative samples that exhibited least similarity on the basis of their physicochemical parameters and hydrocarbon compositions. The chromatographic profiles of the selected samples were measured by gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection and analysed using soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) method in order to create a classification scheme to identify conform gasolines according to ANP 309 regulation. Following the optimisation of the SIMCA algorithm, it was possible to classify correctly 96% of the commercial gasoline samples present in the training set of 100. In order to check the quality of the model, an external group of 50 gasoline samples (the prediction set) were analysed and the developed SIMCA model classified 94% of these correctly. The developed chemometric method is recommended for screening commercial gasoline quality and detection of potential adulteration. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SYNTHESIS AND CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF THE NOVEL CYCLOPALLADATED COMPLEX DI(MU,N-S-ETA(2)-QUINOLINE-2-THIOLATE)-BIS[(N,N-DIMETHYLBENZYLAMINE-C(2),N) PALLADIUM(II)]

The compound di(mu,N-Seta2-2-quinoline-2-thiolate)-bis[(N,N-dimethylbenzylamine-C2,N)palladium(II)] was synthesized and studied by IR, NMR and X-ray diffraction: monoclinic, a = 20.138(3), b = 10.831(1), c = 14.973(2) angstrom, beta = 98.04(1)-degrees, Z = 4, space group P2(1)/c, R = 0.032. The compound is dimeric with the two [Pd(N,N-dimethylbenzylamine)]moieties being connected by the two vicinal bridging eta2-N,S-quinoline-2-thiolate anions in a square-planar coordination geometry for the palladium atoms.

Gold nanoelectrode ensembles for direct trace electroanalysis of iodide

A procedure for the standardization of ensembles of gold nanodisk electrodes (NEE) of 30 nm diameter is presented, which is based on the analytical comparison between experimental cyclic voltammograms (CV) obtained at the NEEs in diluted solutions of redox probes and CV patterns obtained by digital simulation. Possible origins of defects sometimes found in NEEs are discussed. Selected NEEs are then employed for the study of the electrochemical oxidation of iodide in acidic solutions. CV patterns display typical quasi-reversible behavior which involves associated chemical reactions between adsorbed and solution species. The main CV characteristics at the NEE compare with those observed at millimeter sized gold disk electrodes (Au-macro), apart a slight shift in E1/2 values and slightly higher peak to peak separation at the NEE. The detection limit (DC) at NEEs is 0.3 mu M, which is more than one order of magnitude lower than DL at the Au-macro (4 RM). The mechanism of the electrochemical oxidation of iodide at NEEs is discussed. Finally, NEEs are applied to the direct determination of iodide at micromolar concentration levels in real samples, namely in some ophthalmic drugs and iodized table salt. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.