Degradation of dipyrone by electrogenerated H2O2 combined with Fe2+ using a modified gas diffusion electrode

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Sensores eletroquímicos à base de nanomateriais carbonáceos e catalisadores biomiméticos para determinação de tetraciclina em diferentes tipos de amostras

Pós-graduação em Química - IQ

Structure and antimycobacterial activity of the novel organometallic [Pd(C-bzan)(SCN)(dppp)] compound

The organometallic compound [Pd(C-bzan)(SCN)(dppp)] {bzan = N-benzylideneaniline, dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane} was synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, infrared and H-1 and P-31(H-1) NMR spectroscopies. The crystal and molecular structures of the title complex were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. In vitro antimycobacterial evaluation demonstrated that the compound [Pd(C-bzan)(SCN)(dppp)] displayed a MIC of 5.15 mu M, which is superior than those values found for some commonly used anti-TB drugs and other Pd(II) complexes. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An electrochemical gas sensor based on paper supported room temperature ionic liquids

A sensitive and fast-responding membrane-free amperometric gas sensor is described, consisting of a small filter paper foil soaked with a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), upon which three electrodes are screen printed with carbon ink, using a suitable mask. It takes advantage of the high electrical conductivity and negligible vapour pressure of RTILs as well as their easy immobilization into a porous and inexpensive supporting material such as paper. Moreover, thanks to a careful control of the preparation procedure, a very close contact between the RTIL and electrode material can be achieved so as to allow gaseous analytes to undergo charge transfer just as soon as they reach the three-phase sites where the electrode material, paper supported RTIL and gas phase meet. Thus, the adverse effect on recorded currents of slow steps such as analyte diffusion and dissolution in a solvent is avoided. To evaluate the performance of this device, it was used as a wall-jet amperometric detector for flow injection analysis of 1-butanethiol vapours, adopted as the model gaseous analyte, present in headspace samples in equilibrium with aqueous solutions at controlled concentrations. With this purpose, the RTIL soaked paper electrochemical detector (RTIL-PED) was assembled by using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide as the wicking RTIL and printing the working electrode with carbon ink doped with cobalt(II) phthalocyanine, to profit from its ability to electrocatalyze thiol oxidation. The results obtained were quite satisfactory (detection limit: 0.5 mu M; dynamic range: 2-200 mu M, both referring to solution concentrations; correlation coefficient: 0.998; repeatability: +/- 7% RSD; long-term stability: 9%), thus suggesting the possible use of this device for manifold applications.

New materials for electrochemiluminescence

The study of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) involves photophysical and electrochemical aspects. Excited states are populated by an electrical stimulus. The most important applications are in the diagnostic field where a number of different biologically-relevant molecules (e.g. proteins and nucleic acids) can be recognized and quantified with a sensitivity and specificity previously not reachable. As a matter of fact the electrochemistry, differently to the classic techniques as fluorescence and chemiluminescence, allows to control the excited state generation spatially and temporally. The two research visits into A. J. Bard electrochemistry laboratories were priceless. Dr. Bard has been one of ECL pioneers, the first to introduce the technique and the one who discovered in 1972 the surprising emission of Ru(bpy)3 2+. I consider necessary to thank by now my supervisors Massimo and Francesco for their help and for giving me the great opportunity to know this unique science man that made me feel enthusiastic. I will never be grateful enough… Considering that the experimental techniques of ECL did not changed significantly in these last years the most convenient research direction has been the developing of materials with new or improved properties. In Chapter I the basics concepts and mechanisms of ECL are introduced so that the successive experiments can be easily understood. In the final paragraph the scopes of the thesis are briefly described. In Chapter II by starting from ECL experimental apparatus of Dr. Bard’s laboratories the design, assembly and preliminary tests of the new Bologna instrument are carefully described. The instrument assembly required to work hard but resulted in the introduction of the new technique in our labs by allowing the continuation of the ECL studies began in Texas. In Chapter III are described the results of electrochemical and ECL studies performed on new synthesized Ru(II) complexes containing tetrazolate based ligands. ECL emission has been investigated in solution and in solid thin films. The effect of the chemical protonation of the tetrazolate ring on ECL emission has been also investigated evidencing the possibility of a catalytic effect (generation of molecular hydrogen) of one of the complexes in organic media. Finally, after a series of preliminary studies on ECL emission in acqueous buffers, the direct interaction with calf thymus DNA of some complexes has been tested by ECL and photoluminescence (PL) titration. In Chapter IV different Ir(III) complexes have been characterized electrochemically and photophysically (ECL and PL). Some complexes were already well-known in literature for their high quantum efficiency whereas the remaining were new synthesized compounds containing tetrazolate based ligands analogous to those investigated in Chapt. III. During the tests on a halogenated complex was unexpectedly evidenced the possibility to follow the kinetics of an electro-induced chemical reaction by using ECL signal. In the last chapter (V) the possibility to use mono-use silicon chips electrodes as ECL analitycal devices is under investigation. The chapter begins by describing the chip structure and materials then a signal reproducibility study and geometry optimization is carried on by using two different complexes. In the following paragraphs is reported in detail the synthesis of an ECL label based on Ru(bpy)3 2+ and the chip functionalization by using a lipoic acid SAM and the same label. After some preliminary characterizations (mass spectroscopy TOF) has been demonstrated that by mean of a simple and fast ECL measurement it’s possible to confirm the presence of the coupling product SAM-label into the chip with a very high sensitivity. No signal was detected from the same system by using photoluminescence.

From pyrene to large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have shown that the overall size, periphery, and functionalization of PAHs are crucial parameters which significantly alter their electronic structure and chemical reactivity. Therefore, the major direction of this thesis is the synthesis and characterization of extended PAHs: (i) with different functional groups improving their processability, (ii) with different periphery changing their chemical reactivity, (iii) with inclusions of different metal ions, which influence their physical properties. • The cyclodehydrogenation reaction has been proposed for to synthesise polyphenylene ribbons with preplanarized (dibenzo[e,l]pyrene) moieties in the aromatic core with up to 10 nm linear size. The synthetic strategy employed is discussed in Chapter 2 and is based on stoichiometrically controlled DIELS-ALDER cycloaddition. All molecules possessed very good solubility in common organic solvents allowing their characterization by standard analytical techniques. • A new concept was developed to extend PAH’s core. Here the introduction of “zigzag” sites, discussed in Chpater 3 was shown to lower the HOMO-LUMO gap and to result in higher chemical reactivities. This allowed, in Chapters 3, 4 and 5, further functionalization of PAH and enlargement of their aromatic cores up to 224 atoms. Despite the size of these novel molecules, extraordinary solubilities in common organic solvents were obtained due to distortions from planarity of the aromatic cores by bulky tert-butyl groups, which hampered the usually very pronounced aggregation tendency of extended π-systems. All extended PAHs posses the small HOMO-LUMO gap together with good electron affinities making them potential candidates for application in organic FETs. • Another alternative synthetic route has been proposed to obtain extended the metal-PAH complexes. Using the quinoxaline methodology in Chapter 5 three new phenanthroline ligands (up to 60 skeletal atoms) have been synthesized and characterized. Four different (Ru(II), Cu(II) and Pt(II)) complexes were synthesized, allowing to construct a range of large metal complexes by varying the metal as well as the number and nature of ligands.

Nicht-wässrige Emulsionspolymerisationen

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Darstellung von Latexpartikeln in nicht-wässrigen Emulsionssystemen. Hintergrund der Untersuchungen war die Frage, ob es durch die Anwendung von nicht-wässrigen Emulsionen ermöglicht werden kann, sowohl wassersensitive Monomere als auch feuchtigkeitsempfindliche Polymerisationen zur Darstellung von Polymer-Latexpartikeln und deren Primärdispersionen einzusetzen. Das Basiskonzept der Arbeit bestand darin, nicht-wässrige Emulsionen auf der Basis zweier nicht mischbarer organischer Lösungsmittel unterschiedlicher Polarität auszubilden und anschließend die dispergierte Phase der Emulsion zur Synthese der Latexpartikel auszunutzen. Hierzu wurden verschiedene nicht-wässrige Emulsionssysteme erarbeitet, welche als dispergierte Phase ein polares und als kontinuierliche Phase ein unpolares Lösungsmittel enthielten. Auf Basis dieser Ergebnisse wurde in den nachfolgenden Untersuchungen zunächst die Anwendbarkeit solcher Emulsionen zur Darstellung verschiedener Acrylat- und Methacrylatpolymerdispersionen mittels radikalischer Polymerisation studiert. Um zu zeigen, dass die hier entwickelten nicht-wässrigen Emulsionen auch zur Durchführung von Stufenwachstumsreaktionen geeignet sind, wurden ebenfalls Polyester-, Polyamid- und Polyurethan-Latexpartikel dargestellt. Die Molekulargewichte der erhaltenen Polymere lagen bei bis zu 40 000 g/mol, im Vergleich zu wässrigen Emulsions- und Miniemulsions¬polymerisationssystemen sind diese um den Faktor fünf bis 30 höher. Es kann davon ausgegangen werden, dass hauptsächlich zwei Faktoren für die hohen Molekulargewichte verantwortlich sind: Zum einen die wasserfreien Bedingungen, welche die Hydrolyse der reaktiven Gruppen verhindern, und zum anderen die teilweise erfüllten Schotten-Baumann-Bedingungen, welche an der Grenzfläche zwischen dispergierter und kontinuierlicher Phase eine durch Diffusion kontrollierte ausgeglichene Stöchiometrie der Reaktionspartner gewährleisten. Somit ist es erstmals möglich, hochmolekulare Polyester, -amide und -urethane in nur einem Syntheseschritt als Primär¬dispersion darzustellen. Die Variabilität der nicht-wässrigen Emulsionen wurde zudem in weiteren Beispielen durch die Synthese von verschiedenen elektrisch leitfähigen Latices, wie z.B. Polyacetylen-Latexpartikeln, aufgezeigt. In dieser Arbeit konnte gezeigt werden, dass die entwickelten nicht-wässrigen Emulsionen eine äußerst breite Anwendbarkeit zur Darstellung von Polymer-Latexpartikeln aufweisen. Durch die wasserfreien Bedingungen erlauben die beschriebenen Emulsionsprozesse, Latexpartikel und entsprechende nicht-wässrige Dispersionen nicht nur traditionell radikalisch, sondern auch mittels weiterer Polymerisationsmechanismen (katalytisch, oxidativ oder mittels Polykondensation bzw. -addition) darzustellen.

Mechanistic study of the effects of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) on reporter gene expression in mammalian cells

DNA damage causes replication errors, leading to genetic instability or cell death. Besides that, many types of DNA base modifications have been shown to interfere with transcriptional elongation if they are located in the transcribed DNA strand of active genes, acting as roadblocks for RNA polymerases. It is widely assumed that transcription blockage by endogenous DNA damage is responsible for the early cell senescence in organs and accelerated ageing observed in individuals with compromised nucleotide excision repair.rnThe aims of this work were to design new experimental systems for testing transcription blocking potentials of DNA base modifications in an individual gene and to apply these test systems to the investigation of the effects of a frequent endogenously generated base modification, namely 8-oxo-7,8-hydroxyguanine (8-oxoG), on the gene transcription in cells. Several experimental strategies were employed for this purpose. First, I constructed an episomal vector encoding for a short-lived EGFP-ODC fusion protein and measured expression of the reporter gene in permanently transfected clonal cell lines exposed to DNA damaging agents. Second, the expression of plasmid-borne EGFP gene damaged with photosensitisers to obtain one or several oxidative purine modifications per plasmid molecule was determined in transiently transfected human and mouse host cells in an approach known as “host cell reactivation”. As a prerequisite for these experiments, a robust method of precise quantitative measurement of the EGFP gene expression in transiently transfected cells by flow cytometry was developed and validated. Third, I elaborated a very efficient procedure for insertion of synthetic oligonucleotides carrying 8-oxoG into plasmid DNA, avoiding any unwanted base damage and strand breaks. The consequences of 8-oxoG placed in defined positions in opposing DNA strands of the EGFP gene for transcription were measured by host cell reactivation in cells with functional 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) gene and in OGG1 null cells.rnThe results obtained in Ogg1-/- cells demonstrated that unrepaired 8-oxoG, even if situated in the transcribed DNA strand, does not have any negative effect on the reporter gene transcription. On the other hand, as few as one 8-oxoG was sufficient to cause a significant decrease of the gene expression in OGG1-proficient cell lines, i.e. in the presence of base excision repair. For two analysed positions of 8-oxoG in the plasmid DNA, the inhibition of gene transcription by the base modification correlated with the efficiency of its excision by purified OGG1 protein under cell-free conditions. Based on these findings, it has to be concluded that the observed decrease of transcription is mediated by excision of the base modification by OGG1 and probably caused by the repair-induced single-strand breaks. The mechanism of transcription inhibition by 8-oxoG is therefore clearly distinct from stalling of elongating RNA polymerase II complexes at the modified base.

Photophysics of Carbon Nanotubes: from Dispersion to Supramolecular Systems

The aim of this PhD thesis is the investigation of the photophysical properties of materials that can be exploited in solar energy conversion. In this context, my research was mainly focused on carbon nanotube-based materials and ruthenium complexes. The first part of the thesis is devoted to carbon nanotubes (CNT), which have unique physical and chemical properties, whose rational control is of substantial interest to widen their application perspectives in many fields. Our goals were (i) to develop novel procedures for supramolecular dispersion, using amphiphilic block copolymers, (ii) to investigate the photophysics of CNT-based multicomponent hybrids and understand the nature of photoinduced interactions between CNT and selected molecular systems such as porphyrins, fullerenes and oligo (p-phynylenevinylenes). We established a new protocol for the dispersion of SWCNTs in aqueous media via non-covalent interactions and demonstrated that some CNT-based hybrids are suitable for testing in PV devices. The second part of the work is focussed on the study of homoleptic and heteroleptic Ru(II) complexes with bipyridine and extended phenanthroline ligands. Our studies demonstrated that these compounds are potentially useful as light harvesting systems for solar energy conversion. Both CNT materials and Ru(II) complexes have turned out to be remarkable examples of photoactive systems. The morphological and photophysical characterization of CNT-based multicomponent systems allowed a satisfactory rationalization of the photoinduced interactions between the individual units, despite several hurdles related to the intrinsic properties of CNTs that prevent, for instance, the utilization of laser spectroscopic techniques. Overall, this work may prompt the design and development of new functional materials for photovoltaic devices.

Synthesis of new bioactive β-lactam compounds

New biologically active β-lactams were designed and synthesized, developing novel antibiotics and enzymatic inhibitors directed toward specific targets. Within a work directed to the synthesis of mimetics for RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) sequence able to interact with αvβ3 and α5β1-type integrins, new activators were developed and their Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR) analysis deepened, enhancing their activity range towards the α4β1 isoform. Moreover, to synthesize novel compounds active both against bacterial infections and pulmonary conditions of cystic fibrosis patients, new β-lactam candidates were studied. Among the abundant library of β-lactams prepared, mainly with antioxidant and antibacterial double activities, it was identified a single lead to be pharmacologically tested in vivo. Its synthesis was optimized up to the gram-scale, and pretreatment method and HPLC-MS/MS analytical protocol for sub-nanomolar quantifications were developed. Furthermore, replacement of acetoxy group in 4-acetoxy-azetidinone derivatives was studied with different nucleophiles and in aqueous media. A phosphate group was introduced and the reactivity exploited using different hydroxyapatites, obtaining biomaterials with multiple biological activities. Following the same kind of reactivity, a small series of molecules with a β-lactam and retinoic hybrid structure was synthesized as epigenetic regulators. Interacting with HDACs, two compounds were respectively identified as an inhibitor of cell proliferation and a differentiating agent on steam cells. Additionally, in collaboration with Professor L. De Cola at ISIS, University of Strasbourg, some new photochemically active β-lactam Pt (II) complexes were designed and synthesized to be used as bioprobes or theranostics. Finally, it was set up and optimized the preparation of new chiral proline-derived α-aminonitriles through an enantioselective Strecker reaction, and it was developed a chemo-enzymatic oxidative method for converting alcohols to aldehydes or acid in a selective manner, and amines to relative aldehydes, amides or imines. Moreover, enzymes and other green chemistry methodologies were used to prepare Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).

1,2-Bis(2-benzimidazolyl)-1,2-ethanediol, a chiral, tridentate, facially coordinating ligand

The ligand 1,2-bis(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-1,2-ethanediol, 1, and its methylated derivative 2 are readily synthesized from tartaric acid, and act as chiral, facially coordinating tridentate ligands, forming complexes of composition ML2 with octahedral transition metals. The copper(II) complexes show distorted 4 + 2 coordination with benzimidazoles occupying the equatorial sites and alcohol functions weakly binding in the axial sites. Nickel(II) complexes in three different states of protonation show regular octahedral geometry with the alcohols mutually cis. Deprotonation of the coordinated alcohol produces little structural change but the monodeprotonated complex forms a hydrogen bonded dimer. Magnetic measurements show the hydrogen bonded bridge to offer a pathway for weak antiferromagnetic coupling. UV-Visible spectroscopy shows the ligand to have a field intermediate between water and pyridine. The diastereoselectivity of complexation depends on the geometry: nickel(II) shows a weak preference for the homochiral complex, whereas copper(II) forms almost exclusively homochiral complexes.

Synthesis and Structural Characterizations of New Coordination Polymers Generated by the Interaction Between the Trinuclear Triangular SBU [Cu 3 (μ 3 -OH)(μ-pz) 3 ] 2+ and 4,4′-Bipyridine. 3°

The reactions of 4,4′-bipyridine with selected trinuclear triangular copper(II) complexes, [Cu3(μ3-OH)(μ-pz)3(RCOO)2Lx], [pz = pyrazolate anion, R = CH3(CH2)n (2 ≤ n ≤ 5); L = H2O, MeOH, EtOH] yielded a series of 1D coordination polymers (CPs) based on the repetition of [Cu3(μ3-OH)(μ-pz)3] secondary building units joined by bipyridine. The CPs were characterized by conventional analytical methods (elemental analyses, ESI-MS, IR spectra) and single crystal XRD determinations. An unprecedented 1D CP, generated through the bipyridine bridging hexanuclear copper clusters moieties, two 1D CPs presenting structural analogies, and two monodimensional tapes having almost exactly superimposable structures, were obtained. In one case, the crystal packing makes evident the presence of small, not-connected pores, accounting for ca. 6% of free cell volume.

Chemical composition of mineral phases of serpentinized and steatized peridotite from the Mid Atlantic Ridge (15°20'N Fracture Zone, ODP Leg209)

Serpentinization of abyssal peridotites is known to produce extremely reducing conditions as a result of dihydrogen (H2,aq) release upon oxidation of ferrous iron in primary phases to ferric iron in secondary minerals by H2O.We have compiled and evaluated thermodynamic data for Fe-Ni-Co-O-S phases and computed phase relations in fO2,g-fS2,g and aH2,aq-aH2S,aq diagrams for temperatures between 150 and 400°C at 50MPa.We use the relations and compositions of Fe-Ni-Co-O-S phases to trace changes in oxygen and sulfur fugacities during progressive serpentinization and steatitization of peridotites from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the 15°20'N Fracture Zone area (Ocean Drilling Program Leg 209). Petrographic observations suggest a systematic change from awaruite- magnetite-pentlandite and heazlewoodite-magnetite-pentlandite assemblages forming in the early stages of serpentinization to millerite-pyrite-polydymite-dominated assemblages in steatized rocks. Awaruite is observed in all brucite-bearing partly serpentinized rocks. Apparently, buffering of silica activities to low values by the presence of brucite facilitates the formation of large amounts of hydrogen, which leads to the formation of awaruite. Associated with the prominent desulfurization of pentlandite, sulfide is removed from the rock during the initial stage of serpentinization. In contrast, steatitization indicates increased silica activities and that highsulfur-fugacity sulfides, such as polydymite and pyrite-vaesite solid solution, form as the reducing capacity of the peridotite is exhausted and H2 activities drop. Under these conditions, sulfides will not desulfurize but precipitate and the sulfur content of the rock increases. The co-evolution of fO2,g-fS2,g in the system follows an isopotential of H2S,aq, indicating that H2S in vent fluids is buffered. In contrast, H2 in vent fluids is not buffered by Fe-Ni-Co-O-S phases, which merely monitor the evolution of H2 activities in the fluids in the course of progressive rock alteration.The co-occurrence of pentlandite- awaruite-magnetite indicates H2,aq activities in the interacting fluids near the stability limit of water. The presence of a hydrogen gas phase would add to the catalyzing capacity of awaruite and would facilitate the abiotic formation of organic compounds.