Aspectos mecanísticos da bioatividade e toxicidade de nitrocompostos

Nitrocompounds are bioactive molecules used as antibacterial, antiparasitic and antitumoral agents. In the past of years, these molecules have been broadly studied in several fields, such as medicinal chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemical, toxicology and electrochemistry. The nitrocompounds mode of action involves the biotransformation of the nitro group, releasing intermediates in the redox process. Some of those intermediates attack enzymes, membranes and DNA, providing the basis for their biological activity and adverse effects. In this report, some aspects regarding the biological activity, mechanism of action and toxicity of nitrocompounds are explored, purposing the research of new bioactive derivatives having low toxicity.

Extração e purificação de clorofila a, da alga Spirulina maxima: um experimento para os cursos de química

This work describes a simple and economical experiment for the extraction and purification of chlorophyll a from Spirulina maxima. Extraction and purification of natural compounds can be considered one of the most illustrative experiments that can be performed in Organic Chemistry courses. Particularly, the chromatography of dyes and pigments allows students to have a better comprehension of the chromatography separations. These compounds represent an important class of organic pigments applied in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, detergent compositions, and various other fields and can be extracted from plants and algae. To extract, separate and purify chlorophyll a from associated pigments such as xanthophylls, carotenes, and pheophytins, very costly processes are reported. The present approach is perfectly adequate for use in Chemistry experiments for undergraduate students.

Óleo essencial de limão no ensino da cromatografia em camada delgada

This paper describes a simple experiment employing the essential oil of limes which can be applied in undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory classes for the teaching of thin layer chromatography (TLC). The experiment consists in submit lime peel oil to TLC separation employing hexane and dichloromethane as the eluents and five different systems for visualization of the chromatogram. In one experiment it is possible to teach the different variables of the TLC technique. This experiment may also be performed following vapor distillation and liquid-liquid extraction technique in experimental classes.

Aplicação de α-oxoceteno ditiocetais em síntese orgânica

The synthesis and reactivity of α-oxoketenes dithioacetals (S,S-acetals), general structure [(R¹C=OC(R²)=C(SR³)(SR4)], are reported. We also showed the application of S,S acetals as synthons for efficient synthesis of isoxazoles, pyrazoles, indazoles, thiophenes, dithiol thiones, pyridines, pyrimidines and other heterocycles. This work aims to review the importance of α-oxoketenes dithioacetals in organic chemistry during the past few years.

El aprendizaje basado en problemas como estrategia para el cambio metodológico en los trabajos de laboratorio

The Problem Based Learning (PBL) can be used as a strategy for methodological change in conventional learning environments. In this paper, the integration of laboratory work in PBL grounded activities during an introductory organic chemistry course is described. The most decisive issues of their implementation are discussed. The results show how this methodology favours the laboratory work contextualization in subject-matter and promotes the Science-Technology-Society-Environment relationships. Besides, it contributes to competence development like planning and organization skills, information search and selection, cooperative work, etc., the same way as the tutorial action improvement.

A Química Quântica na compreensão de teorias de Química Orgânica

Quantum chemical calculations were performed in order to obtain molecular properties such as electronic density, dipole moment, atomic charges, and bond lengths, which were compared to qualitative results based on the theories of the organic chemistry. The quantum chemistry computational can be a useful tool to support the main theories of the organic chemistry.

Síntese de fotoprotetores e sua imobilização em poli(metacrilato de metilo): um projeto integrado de química orgânica, química de polímeros e fotoquímica

Dibenzalacetone and other aldol condensation products are known sunscreens commonly used in cosmetics. This type of compounds can easily be prepared in an Organic Chemistry Lab by reaction of aldehydes with ketones in basic medium. These compounds can be incorporated in poly(methyl methacrylate) and used as UV light absorbers, for example in sunglasses. This project has the advantage of using inexpensive reagents which are readily available in Chemistry Laboratories. This experiment can also be a base starting point for discussions of organic, polymer and photochemistry topics.

Recentes aplicações sintéticas de compostos orgânicos tricloro(bromo)metila substituídos

This review presents the recent applications of some trihalomethyl carbinols, α,α,α-trihalogenated carbonyl compounds and trichloro(bromo)methyl-containing heterocycles, acting as high versatile synthetic precursors in organic chemistry, based on the last 10 years' literature.

O ensino superior de química: reflexões a partir de conceitos básicos para a química orgânica

We live in a context in which knowledge develops continuously and rapidly. This generates a social dynamics that demands constant adaptation from those living in society and also from educational institutions. Education for this new society needs to be rethought. Universities, anchored in tradition, still use a transmission/reception model of education. A data-collecting instrument applied to undergraduate chemistry students at the end of the course in organic chemistry investigated some concepts essential to the education of a chemist, such as interatomic and intermolecular interactions and Lewis structure. We observed that students have difficulty dealing with these concepts, and we believe that this is related to the type of class they had/have and to the way the concepts are presented in the college textbooks.

Investigando cinza da casca do arroz como fase estacionária em cromatografia: uma proposta de aula experimental nos cursos de graduação

This article describes an experiment that involves the extraction and separation of the pigments of spinach extract by column chromatography using the silica obtained from rice husk ash as a stationary phase. The experimental procedure is very simple to apply in the chemistry laboratory, and allowed to illustrate some concepts of organic chemistry: structure of organic molecules, solubility, polarity, extraction, partition coefficient, adsorption and retention factor (Rf), as well as objectives and fundamentals of chromatographic methods. The experiment can be carried out in a 4 h period.

Biomassa em aula prática de Química Orgânica Verde: cravo-da-índia como fonte simultânea de óleo essencial e de furfural

This work presents an optimized integrated experiment for isolation of clove bud essential oil, rich in eugenol, and subsequent utilization of the solid residue for furfural synthesis. The operationally simple laboratory protocols and utilization of water as a solvent in both operations, plus the use of biomass as the starting material for preparation of versatile intermediates in organic synthesis, make the experiments attractive for undergraduate experimental organic chemistry courses in the context of green chemistry. In addition, this is the first description of the use of biomass (clove bud) in the simultaneous preparation of two chemical feedstocks, eugenol and furfural, on experimental organic chemistry courses.

Condensação de Knoevenagel de aldeídos aromáticos com o ácido de Meldrum em água: uma aula experimental de Química Orgânica Verde

This work describes an undergraduate experiment for the synthesis of Knoevenagel adduct of Meldrum's acid with nine aromatic aldehydes, using water as the solvent, in an adaptation of a previously reported synthetic protocol. The synthesis was straightforward, requiring a period of two hours, and is suitable for undergraduate experimental courses on green chemistry. In addition, quantitative analyses of the relative reactivity of p-nitro-benzaldehyde and p-metoxi-benzaldehyde was evaluated through the competitive reaction of equimolar amounts of these aldehydes with one equivalent of Meldrum's acid, using gas chromatography to quantify the composition of the reaction mixture.

Adição de anilinas à naftoquinona em água e em fase sólida

Considering all the aspects of the principles of green chemistry, we present herein the addition reactions of amines to 1,4-naphthoquinone in water as solvent and also in solid phase. These reactions resulted in very colorful products that were easily monitored by thin layer chromatography and consequently easy to separate. Therefore, they are interesting experiments for experimental organic chemistry in the classrooms or in the laboratories.

Síntese da Epoxone a partir de D-frutose: um experimento didático em laboratório de Química Orgânica com foco nos princípios da Química Verde

In recent years, the introduction of the Green Chemistry concepts in undergraduate chemistry classes has been intensively pursued. In this regard, the two-step preparation of Epoxone (an organocatalyst developed by Shi & col.) from commercial D-fructose, through ketalization of vicinal diols followed by oxidation of a sterically congested secondary alcohol, involves important topics in Organic Chemistry and employs inexpensive and nontoxic reagents. The reactions are easy to perform and the products from both steps are readily obtained as crystalline solids after simple procedures, thus facilitating their chemical characterization.

Reações multicomponentes de Biginelli e de Mannich nas aulas de química orgânica experimental: uma abordagem didática de conceitos da química verde

The introduction of Mannich and Biginelli multicomponent reactions in a practical Organic Chemistry course is presented in this article. Procedures described in the literature were adapted for use under the simple conditions available in undergraduate laboratories and were selected on the basis of Green Chemistry principles and practicality of synthesis. The reactions are easy to carry out and all products are readily isolated as crystalline solids with yields ranging from moderate to high.