Copper(II) complexes with unsymmetrical pentadentate ed3a-type diamino-tricarboxylate ligands. Crystal structures, configurational analysis and DFT study of complexes

The O–O–N–N–O-type pentadentate ligands H3ed3a, H3pd3a and H3pd3p (H3ed3a stands ethylenediamine-N,N,N′-triacetic acid; H3pd3a stands 1,3-propanediamine-N,N,N′-triacetic acid and H3pd3p stands 1,3-propanediamine-N,N,N′-tri-3-propionic acid) and the corresponding novel octahedral or square-planar/trigonal-bipyramidal copper(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized. H3ed3a, H3pd3a and H3pd3p ligands coordinate to copper(II) ion via five donor atoms (three deprotonated carboxylate atoms and two amine nitrogens) affording octahedral in case of ed3a3− and intermediate square-pyramidal/trigonal-bipyramidal structure in case of pd3a3− and pd3p3−. A six coordinate, octahedral geometry has been established crystallographically for the [Mg(H2O)6][Cu(ed3a)(H2O)]2 · 2H2O complex and five coordinate square-pyramidal for the [Mg(H2O)5Cu(pd3a)][Cu(pd3a)] · 2H2O. Structural data correlating similar chelate Cu(II) complexes have been used for the better understanding the pathway: octahedral → square-pyramidal ↔ trigonal- bipyramid geometry. An extensive configuration analysis is discussed in relation to information obtained for similar complexes. The infra-red and electronic absorption spectra of the complexes are discussed in comparison with related complexes of known geometries. Molecular mechanics and density functional theory (DFT) programs have been used to model the most stable geometric isomer yielding, at the same time, significant structural data. The results from density functional studies have been compared with X-ray data.

The effect of a curing agent on the thermal degradation of fire retardant brominated epoxy resins

The diglycidyl ether of tetrabromobisphenol A, the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and their mixture was cured by 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl methane. The pyrolysis of the obtained epoxy resins was studied by TG, DSC, TG/FTIR as well as FTIR characterization of pyrolysis residues. The gaseous and high boiling pyrolysis products were collected, characterized by GC/MS and their formation is discussed. The brominated epoxy resins are thermally less stable than the non-brominated ones. This effect is caused by the amine-containing hardener. The degradation initiation reaction is associated with the formation of hydrogen bromide which further destabilizes the epoxy network. The effect of the curing agent can be used in recycling of epoxy resins to separate brominated pyrolysis products from non-brominated ones.

The influence of surface functionalization of activated carbon on palladium dispersion and catalytic activity in hydrogen oxidation

Stone-fruit activated carbon (SAC) and modified versions containing acidic oxygen and basic nitrogen groups have been used to prepare palladium catalysts by wet impregnation. Carbon supports and catalysts are investigated by thermo-gravimetric analysis, TPD, oxygen chemisorption, TEM and XPS. The influence of the nature of the functional groups on the dispersion and oxidation state of palladium and its activity in hydrogen oxidation is investigated. Pd dispersion is found to increase with the basic strength of functional groups on the support. XPS reveals that introduction of amine groups in SAC results in an increased proportion of Pd0, resistant to re-oxidation. Palladium catalysts supported on activated carbon modified by diethylamine groups are found to exhibit the highest metal dispersion and greatest activity in hydrogen oxidation. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Covalent attachment of chiral manganese(III) salen complexes onto functionalised hexagonal mesoporous silica and application to the asymmetric epoxidation of alkenes

Two modified Jacobsen-type catalysts were anchored onto an amine functionalised hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS) using two distinct anchoring procedures: (i) one was anchored directly through the carboxylic acid functionalised diimine bridge fragment of the complex (CAT1) and (ii) the other through the hydroxyl group on the aldehyde fragment of the complex (CAT2), mediated by cyanuric chloride. The new heterogeneous catalyst, as well as the precedent materials, were characterised by elemental analyses, DRIFT, UV-vis, porosimetry and XPS which showed that the complexes were successfully anchored onto the hexagonal mesoporous silica. These materials acted as active heterogeneous catalysts in the epoxidation of styrene, using m-CPBA as oxidant, and α-methylstyrene, using NaOCl as oxidant. Under the latter conditions they acted also as enantioselective heterogeneous catalysts. Furthermore, when compared to the reaction run in homogeneous phase under similar experimental conditions, an increase in asymmetric induction was observed for the heterogenised CAT1, while the opposite effect was observed for the heterogenised CAT2, despite of CAT2 being more enantioselective than CAT1 in homogeneous phase. These results indicate that the covalent attachment of the Jacobsen catalyst through the diimine bridge leads to improved enantiomeric excess (%ee), whereas covalent attachment through one of the aldehyde fragments results in a negative effect in the %ee. Using α-methylstyrene and NaOCl as oxidant, heterogeneous catalyst reuse led to no significant loss of catalytic activity and enantioselectivity. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Asymmetric epoxidation of alkenes by a chiral manganese(III) salen complex anchored onto a functionalised hexagonal mesoporous silica

A Jacobsen-type catalyst was anchored onto an amine functionalised hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS) through the diimine bridge fragment of the complex. The new heterogeneous catalyst, as well as the precedent materials, were characterised by elemental analyses, FTIR-DRIFT, UV-vis, porosimetry and XPS which showed that the complex was successfully anchored. This material was active in the epoxidation of styrene and α-methylstyrene in dichloromethane at 0°C using, respectively, m-CPBA/NMO and NaOCl. With the former substrate no asymmetric induction was found in the epoxide, whereas with the latter substrate higher %ee was found than in homogeneous phase. Using the latter experimental conditions, catalyst reuse led to no significant loss of catalytic activity and enantioselectivity. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Phenols and aromatic amines as thermal stabilizers in polyolefin processing

Scavenging of C- and O-centered free radicals is mandatory in processing stabilization of polypropylene. Phenolic antioxidants act principally as O-radical scavengers only. Aromatic amines, N,N'-disubstituted 1,4-phenylenediamines (PD) and 4,4'disubstituted diphenylamines (DPA), scavenge both C- and O-centered radicals and have consequently a broader activity spectrum. PD cannot be used, however, in polypropylene because of formation of strongly discoloring and staining sacrificial transformation products. Such products formed from DPA have even more discoloring properties. A good processing stability and acceptable extent of discoloration can be achieved by blends of phenols with 4,4'-di-tert.octyl DPA. The effect is considered as a beneficial cooperation between the two chain-breaking antioxidants involving interactions with amine-based transformation products.

Differential control of two forms of glutamate release by group III metabotropic glutamate receptors at rat entorhinal synapses

Neurotransmitter release at CNS synapses occurs via both action potential-dependent and independent mechanisms, and it has generally been accepted that these two forms of release are regulated in parallel. We examined the effects of activation of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) on stimulus-evoked and spontaneous glutamate release onto entorhinal cortical neurones in rats, and found a differential regulation of action potential-dependent and independent forms of release. Activation of presynaptic mGluRs depressed the amplitude of stimulus-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents, but concurrently enhanced the frequency of spontaneous excitatory currents. Moreover, these differential effects on glutamate release were mediated by pharmacologically separable mechanisms. Application of the specific activator of adenylyl cyclase, forskolin, mimicked the effect of mGluR activation on spontaneous, but not evoked release, and inhibition of adenylyl cyclase with 9-tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-9H-purin-6-amine (SQ22536) blocked mGluR-mediated enhancement of spontaneous release, but not depression of evoked release. Occlusion studies with calcium channel blockers suggested that the group III mGluRs might depress evoked release through inhibition of both N and P/Q, but not R-type calcium channels. We suggest that the concurrent depression of action potential-evoked, and enhancement of action potential-independent glutamate release operate through discrete second messenger/effector systems at excitatory entorhinal terminals in rat brain. © 2007 IBRO.

Effects of lipoic acid and dihydrolipoic acid on 4-aminophenol-mediated erythrocytic toxicity in vitro

The effects of the antioxidant lipoic acid and its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA), were studied on the process of the erythrocytic toxicity of 4-aminophenol in human erythrocytes in vitro. 4-Aminophenol alone caused a stepwise increase in methaemoglobin formation, along with a commensurate decrease in total thiols. At 10 min., in the presence of lipoic acid alone and the thiol depletor 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) alone, 4-aminophenol-mediated methaemoglobin formation was significantly increased, whilst thiol levels were significantly reduced compared with the 4-aminophenol alone. At 10 min., with DHLA and CDNB alone, 4-aminophenol was associated with significantly increased methaemoglobin formation. However, thiol levels were not significantly different in the presence of DHLA compared with 4-aminophenol alone, although thiol levels were different compared with control (4-aminophenol alone) in the incubations with CDNB alone. At 15 min., only CDNB/4-aminophenol methaemoglobin formation differed from control, whilst thiol levels were significantly lower in the presence of CDNB alone compared with 4-aminophenol alone. Lipoic acid enhanced the toxicity of 4-aminophenol in terms of increased methaemoglobin formation coupled with increased thiol depletion, whilst DHLA showed increased 4-aminophenol-mediated methaemoglobin formation without thiol depletion. Lipoic acid, and to a lesser extent its reduced derivative DHLA, acted as a prooxidant in the presence of 4-aminophenol, enhancing the oxidative stress effects of the amine in human erythrocytes. © Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology 2006.

Isopeptidase activity of human transglutaminase 2:disconnection from transamidation and characterization by kinetic parameters

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a multifunctional protein with diverse catalytic activities and biological roles. Its best studied function is the Ca2+-dependent transamidase activity leading to formation of γ-glutamyl-ε-lysine isopeptide crosslinks between proteins or γ-glutamyl-amine derivatives. TG2 has a poorly studied isopeptidase activity cleaving these bonds. We have developed and characterised TG2 mutants which are significantly deficient in transamidase activity while have normal or increased isopeptidase activity (W332F) and vice versa (W278F). The W332F mutation led to significant changes of both the Km and the Vmax kinetic parameters of the isopeptidase reaction of TG2 while its calcium and GTP sensitivity was similar to the wild type enzyme. The W278F mutation resulted in six times elevated amine incorporating transamidase activity demonstrating the regulatory significance of W278 and W332 in TG2 and that mutations can change opposed activities located at the same active site. The further application of our results in cellular systems may help to understand TG2 -driven physiological and pathological processes better and lead to novel therapeutic approaches where an increased amount of cross-linked proteins correlates with the manifestation of degenerative disorders.

Functionalized carbon nanotube nanoelectrodes for biomolecular recognition

The objective of this research is to develop nanoscale ultrasensitive transducers for detection of biological species at molecular level using carbon nanotubes as nanoelectrodes. Rapid detection of ultra low concentration or even single DNA molecules are essential for medical diagnosis and treatment, pharmaceutical applications, gene sequencing as well as forensic analysis. Here the use of functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) as nanoscale detection platform for rapid detection of single DNA molecules is demonstrated. The detection principle is based on obtaining electrical signal from a single amine terminated DNA molecule which is covalently bridged between two ends of an SWNT separated by a nanoscale gap. The synthesis, fabrication, chemical functionalization of nanoelectrodes and DNA attachment were optimized to perform reliable electrical characterization these molecules. Using this detection system fundamental study on charge transport in DNA molecule of both genomic and non genomic sequences is performed. We measured an electrical signal of about 30 pA through a hybridized DNA molecule of 80 base pair in length which encodes a portion of sequence of H5N1 gene of avian Influenza A virus. Due the dynamic nature of the DNA molecules the local environment such as ion concentration, pH and temperature significantly influence its physical properties. We observed a decrease in DNA conductance of about 33% in high vacuum conditions. The counterion variation was analyzed by changing the buffer from sodium acetate to tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane, which resulted in a two orders of magnitude increase in the conductivity of the DNA. The fabrication of large array of identical SWNT nanoelectrodes was achieved by using ultralong SWNTs. Using these nanoelectrode array we have investigated the sequence dependent charge transport in DNA. A systematic study performed on PolyG - PolyC sequence with varying number of intervening PolyA - PolyT pairs showed a decrease in electrical signal from 180 pA (PolyG - PolyC) to 30 pA with increasing number of the PolyA - PolyT pairs. This work also led to the development of ultrasensitive nanoelectrodes based on enzyme functionalized vertically aligned high density multiwalled CNTs for electrochemical detection of cholesterol. The nanoelectrodes exhibited selectively detection of cholesterol in the presence of common interferents found in human blood.

Covalent protein adduction of nitrogen mustards and related compounds

Chemical warfare agents continue to pose a global threat despite the efforts of the international community to prohibit their use in warfare. For this reason, improvement in the detection of these compounds remains of forensic interest. Protein adducts formed by the covalent modification of an electrophilic xenobiotic and a nucleophilic amino acid may provide a biomarker of exposure that is stable and specific to compounds of interest (such as chemical warfare agents), and have the capability to extend the window of detection further than the parent compound or circulating metabolites. This research investigated the formation of protein adducts of the nitrogen mustard chemical warfare agents mechlorethamine (HN-2) and tris(2-chloroethyl)amine (HN-3) to lysine and histidine residues found on the blood proteins hemoglobin and human serum albumin. Identified adducts were assessed for reproducibility and stability both in model peptide and whole protein assays. Specificity of these identified adducts was assessed using in vitro assays to metabolize common therapeutic drugs containing nitrogen mustard moieties. Results of the model peptide assays demonstrated that HN-2 and HN-3 were able to form stable adducts with lysine and histidine residues under physiological conditions. Results for whole protein assays identified three histidine adducts on hemoglobin, and three adducts (two lysine residues and one histidine residue) on human serum albumin that were previously unknown. These protein adducts were determined to be reproducible and stable at physiological conditions over a three-week analysis period. Results from the in vitro metabolic assays revealed that adducts formed by HN-2 and HN-3 are specific to these agents, as metabolized therapeutic drugs (chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, and melphalan) did not form the same adducts on lysine or histidine residues as the previously identified adducts formed by HN-2 and HN-3. Results obtained from the model peptide and full protein work were enhanced by comparing experimental data to theoretical calculations for adduct formation, providing further confirmatory data. This project was successful in identifying and characterizing biomarkers of exposure to HN-2 and HN-3 that are specific and stable and which have the potential to be used for the forensic determination of exposure to these dangerous agents.

Síntese e caracterização de complexos de Co(II) e Ni(II) com l-dopa, carbidopa e benzimidazol

Were synthesized in this work in the following aqueous solution coordination compounds: [Ni(LDP)(H2O)2Cl2].2H2O, [Co(LDP)Cl2].3H2O, [Ni(CDP)Cl2].4H2O, [Co(CDP)Cl2].4H2O, [Ni(BDZ)2Cl2].4H2O and [Co(BDZ)2Cl2(H2O)2]. These complexes were synthesized by stoichiometric addition of the binder in the respective metal chloride solutions. Precipitation occurred after drying the solvent at room temperature. The characterization and proposed structures were made using conventional analysis methods such as elemental analysis (CHN), absorption spectroscopy in the infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction by the powder method and Technical thermoanalytical TG / DTG (thermogravimetry / derivative thermogravimetry) and DSC (differential scanning calorimetry). These techniques provided information on dehydration, coordination modes, thermal performance, composition and structure of the synthesized compounds. The results of the TG curve, it was possible to establish the general formula of each compound synthesized. The analysis of X-ray diffraction was observed that four of the synthesized complex crystal structure which does not exhibit the complex was obtained from Ldopa and carbidopa and the complex obtained from benzimidazole was obtained crystal structures. The observations of the spectra in the infrared region suggested a monodentate ligand coordination to metal centers through its amine group for all complexes. The TG-DTG and DSC curves provide important information and on the behavior and thermal decomposition of the synthesized compounds. The molar conductivity data indicated that the solutions of the complexes formed behave as a nonelectrolyte, which implies that chlorine is coordinated to the central atom in the complex.

Síntese e caracterização de complexos de Co(II) e Ni(II) com l-dopa, carbidopa e benzimidazol

Were synthesized in this work in the following aqueous solution coordination compounds: [Ni(LDP)(H2O)2Cl2].2H2O, [Co(LDP)Cl2].3H2O, [Ni(CDP)Cl2].4H2O, [Co(CDP)Cl2].4H2O, [Ni(BDZ)2Cl2].4H2O and [Co(BDZ)2Cl2(H2O)2]. These complexes were synthesized by stoichiometric addition of the binder in the respective metal chloride solutions. Precipitation occurred after drying the solvent at room temperature. The characterization and proposed structures were made using conventional analysis methods such as elemental analysis (CHN), absorption spectroscopy in the infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction by the powder method and Technical thermoanalytical TG / DTG (thermogravimetry / derivative thermogravimetry) and DSC (differential scanning calorimetry). These techniques provided information on dehydration, coordination modes, thermal performance, composition and structure of the synthesized compounds. The results of the TG curve, it was possible to establish the general formula of each compound synthesized. The analysis of X-ray diffraction was observed that four of the synthesized complex crystal structure which does not exhibit the complex was obtained from Ldopa and carbidopa and the complex obtained from benzimidazole was obtained crystal structures. The observations of the spectra in the infrared region suggested a monodentate ligand coordination to metal centers through its amine group for all complexes. The TG-DTG and DSC curves provide important information and on the behavior and thermal decomposition of the synthesized compounds. The molar conductivity data indicated that the solutions of the complexes formed behave as a nonelectrolyte, which implies that chlorine is coordinated to the central atom in the complex.

Novel surface-tethered estrogen polymeric platforms in cardiovascular regenerative medicine

L’estradiol (E2) est une hormone femelle qui joue un rôle essentiel, à la fois dans la régulation et dans la détermination de certaines conditions physiologiques in vivo, telle que la différenciation et la prolifération cellulaire. Lorsque l’E2 est donné en supplément, par exemple dans le cas de thérapie hormonale, deux effets sont observés, un effet génomique et un effet non-génomique, de par son interaction avec les récepteurs à œstrogène du noyau ou de la membrane cellulaire, respectivement. L’effet non-génomique est plus difficile à étudier biologiquement parce que l’effet se produit sur une échelle de temps extrêmement courte et à cause de la nature hydrophobe de l’E2 qui réduit sa biodisponibilité et donc son accessibilité aux cellules cibles. C’est pourquoi il est nécessaire de développer des systèmes d’administration de l’E2 qui permettent de n’étudier que l’effet non-génomique de l’œstrogène. Une des stratégies employée consiste à greffer l’E2 à des macromolécules hydrophiles, comme de l’albumine de sérum bovin (BSA) ou des dendrimères de type poly(amido)amine, permettant de maintenir l’interaction de l’E2 avec les récepteurs d’œstrogène de la membrane cellulaire et d’éviter la pénétration de l’E2 dans le noyau des cellules. Toutefois, ces systèmes macromolécules-E2 sont critiquables car ils sont peu stables et l’E2 peut se retrouver sous forme libre, ce qui affecte sa localisation cellulaire. L’objectif de cette thèse est donc de développer de nouvelles plateformes fonctionnalisées avec de l’E2 en utilisant les approches de synthèses ascendantes et descendantes. Le but de ces plateformes est de permettre d’étudier le mécanisme de l’effet non-génomique de l’E2, ainsi que d’explorer des applications potentielles dans le domaine biomédical. L’approche ascendante est basée sur un ligand d’E2 activé, l’acide 17,α-éthinylestradiol-benzoïque, attaché de façon covalente à un polymère de chitosan avec des substitutions de phosphorylcholine (CH-PC-E2). L’estradiol est sous forme de pro-drogue attachée au polymère qui s’auto-assembler pour former un film. L’effet biologique de la composition chimique du film de chitosan-phosphorylcholine a été étudié sur des cellules endothéliales. Les films de compositions chimiques différentes ont préalablement été caractérisés de façon physicochimique. La topographie de la surface, la charge de surface, ainsi que la rhéologie des différents films contenant 15, 25, ou 40% molaires de phosphorylcholine, ont été étudiés par microscopie à force atomique (AFM), potentiel zêta, résonance plasmonique de surface et par microbalance à cristal de quartz avec dissipation (QCM-D). Les résultats de QCM-D ont montré que plus la part molaire en phosphorylcholine est grande moins il y a de fibrinogène qui s’adsorbe sur le film de CH-PC. Des cellules humaines de veine ombilicale (HUVECs) cultivées sur des films de CH-PC25 et de CH-PC40 forment des amas cellulaire appelés sphéroïdes au bout de 4 jours, alors que ce n’est pas le cas lorsque ces cellules sont cultivées sur des films de CH-PC15. L’attachement de l’estradiol au polymère a été caractérisé par plusieurs techniques, telles que la résonance magnétique nucléaire de proton (1H NMR), la spectroscopie infrarouge avec transformée de Fourier à réfraction totale atténuée (FTIR-ATR) et la spectroscopie UV-visible. La nature hydrogel des films (sa capacité à retenir l’eau) ainsi que l’interaction des films avec des récepteurs à E2, ont été étudiés par la QCM-D. Des études d’imagerie cellulaires utilisant du diacétate de diaminofluoresceine-FM ont révélé que les films hydrogels de CH-PC-E2 stimulent la production d’oxyde nitrique par les cellules endothéliales, qui joue un rôle protecteur pour le système cardiovasculaire. L’ensemble de ces études met en valeur les rôles différents et les applications potentielles qu’ont les films de type CH-PC-E2 et CH-PC dans le cadre de la médecine cardiovasculaire régénérative. L’approche descendante est basée sur l’attachement de façon covalente d’E2 sur des ilots d’or de 2 μm disposés en rangées et espacés par 12 μm sur un substrat en verre. Les ilots ont été préparés par photolithographie. La surface du verre a quant à elle été modifiée à l’aide d’un tripeptide cyclique, le cRGD, favorisant l’adhésion cellulaire. L’attachement d’E2 sur les surfaces d’or a été suivi et confirmé par les techniques de SPR et de QCM-D. Des études d’ELISA ont montré une augmentation significative du niveau de phosphorylation de la kinase ERK (marqueur important de l’effet non-génomique) après 1 heure d’exposition des cellules endothéliales aux motifs alternant l’E2 et le cRGD. Par contre lorsque des cellules cancéreuses sont déposées sur les surfaces présentant des motifs d’E2, ces cellules ne croissent pas, ce qui suggère que l’E2 n’exerce pas d’effet génomique. Les résultats de l’approche descendante montrent le potentiel des surfaces présentant des motifs d’E2 pour l’étude des effets non-génomiques de l’E2 dans un modèle in vitro.

La combinaison de l'UDCA ou du NCX-1000 avec des antioxydants liposolubles procure une meilleure protection aux hépatocytes de souris contre la toxicité de l'amiodarone

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.