Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Cytotoxicity of New Aminophosphonic Acid Diesters in Human Leukemia Cells

A series of novel fluoroaminophosphates 4a-4j were synthesized by one-pot method in presence of tetramethylguanidine (TMG) as a catalyst and were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, H-1, C-13, P-31, F-19 NMR, and mass spectra. All the title compounds were evaluated forin vitro cytotoxicity against leukemic cell line derived from T-cells of leukemia patient (CEM cells) by Trypan blue exclusion and MTT assays, and these were found to exert concentration dependent cytotoxic effects. Among them 4f, 4g & 4j possessed marked cytotoxicity. 4g (with IC50 value of 6 mu M) had emerged as lead compound.

Evaluation of solute-solvent interactions from solvent blue-shifts of n → π* transitions of C=O, C=S, NO2 and N=N groups: hydrogen bond energies of various donor-acceptor systems

Effects of non-polar, polar and proton-donating solvents on the n → π* transitions of C=O, C=S, NO2 and N=N groups have been investigated. The shifts of the absorption maxima in non-polar and polar solvents have been related to the electrostatic interactions between solute and solvent molecules, by employing the theory of McRAE. In solvents which can donate protons the solvent shifts are mainly determined by solute-solvent hydrogen bonding. Isobestic points have been found in the n → π* bonds of ethylenetrithio-carbonate in heptane-alcohol and heptane-chloroform solvent systems, indicating the existence of equilibria between the hydrogen bonded and the free species of the solute. Among the different proton-donating solvents studied water produces the largest blue-shifts. The blue-shifts in alcohols decrease in the order 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and t-butanol, the blue-shift in trifluoroethanol being nearly equal to that in water. This trend is exactly opposite to that for the self-association of alcohols. It is suggested that electron-withdrawing groups not merely decrease the extent of self-association of alcohols, but also increase the ability to donate hydrogen bonds. The approximate hydrogen-bond energies for several donor-acceptor systems have been estimated. In a series of aliphatio ketones and nitro compounds studied, the blue-shifts and consequently the hydrogen bond energies decrease with the decrease in the electron-withdrawing power of the alkyl groups. It is felt that electron-withdrawing groups render the chromophores better proton acceptors, and the alcohols better donors. A linear relationship between n → π* transition frequency and the infrared frequency of ethylenetrithiocarbonate has been found. It is concluded that stabilization of the electronic ground states of solute molecules by electrostatic and/or hydrogen-bond interactions determines the solvent shifts.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of bile acid-based molecular tweezers

A family of bile acid-based molecular tweezers (7-9) has been constructed readily from simple precursors. Binding experiments with various electron deficient aromatic compounds showed that tweezer 8 binds trinitrofluorenone 10e with an association constant of 220 M(-1) in CDCl3. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of compound 8 shows aromatic-aromatic interactions producing a two-dimensional lattice of pyrene units. Tweezer 8 was immobilized on Merrifield resin, and binding studies have shown that these data compare well with those of the solution state studies.

Thermal analysis of metalorganic complexes of copper for evaluation as CVD precursors

Metalorganic complexes of copper have been synthesized by modifying the ligand in the beta-diketonate class of compounds. Detailed thermal analysis of several beta-diketonate complexes of copper has been carried out to evaluate their suitability as precursors for chemical vapor deposition (CVD). A comparison of their relative volatilities has been made by determining their sublimation rates at different temperatures. Thermal analyses of these complexes reveal significant differences among their volatilities and decomposition patterns.

Evaluation of the Quality of Drinking Water in Kerala State, India

The quality of tap water from water supplies from 14 districts of Kerala state, India was studied. Parameters like pH, water temperature, total dissolved solids, salinity, nitrates, chloride, hardness, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, fluoride, sulphate, phosphates, and coliform bacteria were enumerated. The results showed that all water samples were contaminated by coliform bacteria. About 20% of the tap water samples from Alappuzha and 15% samples from Palakkad district are above desirable limits prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standards. The contamination of the source water (due to lack of community hygiene) and insufficient treatment are the major cause for the coliform contamination in the state. Water samples from Alappuzha and Palakkad have high ionic and fluoride content which could be attributed to the geology of the region. Water supplied for drinking in rural areas are relatively free of any contamination than the water supplied in urban area by municipalities, which may be attributed higher chances of contamination in urban area due to mismanagement of solid and liquid wastes. The study highlights the need for regular bacteriological enumeration along with water quality in addition to setting up decentralised region specific improved treatment system.

Potentiometric determination of the Gibbs free energy of formation of cadmium and magnesium chromites

The standard Gibbs free energy of formation of magnesium and cadmiumchromites have been determined by potentiometric measurements on reversiblesolid-state electrochemical cells [dformula (Au-5%Cd, , Au-5%Cd; Pt, + , CaO-ZrO[sub 2], + ,Pt; CdO, , CdCr[sub 2]O[sub 4] + Cr[sub 2]O[sub 3])] in the temperature range 500°–730°C, and [dformula Pt, Cr + Cr[sub 2]O[sub 3]/Y[sub 2]O[sub 3]-ThO[sub 2]/Cr + MgCr[sub 2]O[sub 4] + MgO, Pt] in the temperature range 800°–1200°C. The temperature dependence of the freeenergies of formation of the ternary compounds can be represented by theequations [dformula CdO(r.s.) + Cr[sub 2]O[sub 3](cor) --> CdCr[sub 2]O[sub 4](sp)] [dformula Delta G[sup 0] = - 42,260 + 7.53T ([plus-minus]400) J] and [dformula MgO(r.s.) + Cr[sub 2]O[sub 3](cor) --> MgCr[sub 2]O[sub 4](sp)] [dformula Delta G[sup 0] = - 45,200 + 5.36T ([plus-minus]400) J] The entropies of formation of these spinels are discussed in terms of cationdisorder and extent of reduction of Cr3+ ions to Cr2+ ions. Thermodynamicdata on the chromates of cadmium and magnesium are derived by combiningthe results obtained in this study with information available in the literatureon high temperature, high pressure phase equilibria in the systems CdO-Cr2O3-O2 and MgO-Cr2O3-O2.

Evaluation of the role of disordered organic fluorine in crystal packing: insights from halogen substituted benzanilides

The determination of the crystal and molecular structures of a large number of compounds containing the C(sp(2))-F bond has been investigated in detail in halogenated benzanilides and also in liquids, namely the fluorinated amines. It has been observed that when the fluorine atom is present in the ortho or meta position with respect to the amide functionality in benzanilides or the amino group in fluorinated amines which are liquids at room temperature, the fluorine atom exhibits positional disorder. This is associated with changes in patterns of intermolecular interactions which affect crystal packing. Furthermore, the presence of a fluorine atom on the benzanilide framework, in the presence of a heavier halogen (chloro, bromo and iodo), meta or ortho to the amide group does not eliminate the disorder associated with these molecules. In this article, we highlight the salient features present in halogenated compounds exhibiting disorder in the position of organic fluorine with concomitant changes in crystal packing. This feature is also compared with related compounds exhibiting similarity in electronic features, namely positional disorder.

Synthesis and an Evaluation of Molecular Conformation and Crystal Packing in Two Substituted 4-Phenylquinolines

The title compounds, namely Methyl 2-methyl-4 -phenylquinoline-3-carboxylate (I), C18H15NO2, and (2E)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-(2-methyl-4 -phenylquinolin-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (II), C27H23NO3, comprising of the phenyl ring, exhibit differences in conformational behaviour with respect to the plane of the quinoline fragment. (I) contains the methyl ester moiety whereas (II) contains the chalcone fragment, consisting of a double bond and phenyl group containing dimethoxy groups as substituents. The dihedral angles between the phenyl group and the quinoline ring is 82.77 (7)A degrees in (I), and 79.02 (8)A degrees in (II) respectively. It is the weak C-H center dot center dot center dot O=C H-bond and C-H center dot center dot center dot pi interactions which dictate packing of molecules in (I). In (II), it is C-H center dot center dot center dot N and C-H center dot center dot center dot pi, involving the dimethoxy ring, which controls packing of molecules in the crystal lattice. In addition, pi center dot center dot center dot pi aromatic stacking interactions involving the quinoline fragment is present in all the molecules. The title compounds, namely methyl-2-methyl-4 -phenylquinoline-3-carboxylate (I), C18H15NO2, and (2E)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-(2-methyl-4 -phenylquinolin-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (II), C27H23NO3, comprising of the phenyl ring, exhibit differences in conformational behaviour with respect to the plane of the quinoline fragment. (I) contains the methyl ester moiety whereas (III) contains the chalcone fragment, consisting of a double bond and phenyl group containing dimethoxy groups as substituents. The dihedral angles between the phenyl group and the quinoline ring is 82.77 (7)A degrees in (I), and 79.02 (8)A degrees in (II) respectively. It is the weak C-H center dot center dot center dot O=C H-bond and C-H center dot center dot center dot pi interactions which dictate packing of molecules in (I). In (II), it is C-H center dot center dot center dot N and C-H center dot center dot center dot pi, involving the dimethoxy ring, which controls packing of molecules in the crystal lattice. In addition, pi center dot center dot center dot pi aromatic stacking interactions involving the quinoline fragment is present in all the molecules.

Synthesis and evaluation of 2,5-di(4-aryloylaryloxymethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles as anti-cancer agents

A series of 2,5-di(4-aryloylaryloxymethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles 9a-j were obtained via multistep synthesis from hydroxybenzophenones 4a-e. The cytotoxicity of compounds 9a-j was evaluated against human leukemia cell lilies (K562 and CEM). The compounds exhibited moderate to good anti-cancer activity with compounds 9b and 9i having a chloro group exhibiting the best activity (IC50 = 10 mu M). Compound 9i exhibited activity against both the cell lines and 9b only exhibited activity against CEM. Further, a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and DNA fragmentation studies of the compounds 9a-j were also performed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Triarylborane-dipyrromethane conjugates bearing dual receptor sites: the synthesis and evaluation of the anion binding site preference

The synthesis and optical properties of four new triarylborane-dipyrromethane (TAB-DPM) conjugates (3a-d) containing dual binding sites (hydrogen bond donor and Lewis acid) have been reported. The new compounds exhibit a selective fluorogenic response towards the F-ion. The NMR titrations show that the anions bind to the TAB-DPM conjugates via the Lewis acidic triarylborane centre in preference to the hydrogen bond donor (dipyrromethane) units.

Effect of nanoscale boron carbide particle addition on the microstructural evolution and mechanical response of pure magnesium

In this study, the effect of nano-B4C addition on the microstructural and the mechanical behavior of pure Mg are investigated. Pure Mg-metal reinforced with different amounts of nano-size B4C particulates were synthesized using the disintegrated melt deposition technique followed by hot extrusion. Microstructural characterization of the developed Mg/x-B4C composites revealed uniform distribution of nano-B4C particulates and significant grain refinement. Electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) analyses showed presence of relatively more recrystallized grains and absence of fiber texture in Mg/B4C nanocomposites when compared to pure Mg. The evaluation of mechanical properties indicated a significant improvement in tensile properties of the composites. The significant improvement in tensile ductility (similar to 180% increase with respect to pure Mg) is among the highest observed when compared to the pure Mg based nanocomposites existing in the current literature. The superior mechanical properties of the Mg/B4C nanocomposites are attributed to the uniform distribution of the nanoparticles and the tendency for texture randomization (absence of fiber texture) achieved due to the nano-B4C addition. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of benzothiophene carboxamides as analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents

Nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) represent standard therapy for the alleviation of pain and inflammation. At present various classes of compounds have been reported as selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). However, they are associated with adverse side effects. To address these issues, we report here a new class of compounds that exhibit potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory response. Substituted bromo-benzothiophene carboxamides (4-11) were examined for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Our findings demonstrate that newly synthesized bromo-benzothiophene carboxamide derivatives 4, 6, and 8 attenuate nociception and inflammation at lower concentration than classical NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen. These compounds act by selectively inhibiting COX-2 and by disrupting the prostaglandin-E2-dependent positive feedback of COX-2 regulation, which was further substantiated by reduction in the levels of cytokines, chemokines, neutrophil accumulation, synthesis of prostaglandin-E2, expression of COX-2, and neutrophil activation at lower concentration than the classic NSAID ibuprofen. Toxicological study reveals that these compounds are well tolerated and metabolized to avoid any toxicity. Thus, these molecules represent a new class of analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents. (c) 2014 IUBMB Life, 66(3):201-211, 2014

Titanium nitride thin film anode: chemical and microstructural evaluation during electrochemical studies

TIN thin films with (200) fibre texture are deposited on Cu substrate at room temperature using reactive magnetron sputtering. They exhibit a discharge capacity of 172 mu Ah cm(-2) mu m(-1) (300 mAh g(-1)) in a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a Li salt. There is a graded decrease in discharge capacity when cycled between 0.01 and 3.0 V. Electron microscopy investigations indicate significant changes in surface morphology of the cycled TiN electrodes in comparison with the as deposited TiN films. From XPS depth profile analysis, it is inferred that Li intercalated TIN films consist of lithium compounds, hydroxyl groups, titanium sub oxides and TiN. Lithium diffusivity and reactivity decrease with increase in depth and the major reaction with lithium takes place at film surface and grain boundaries. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of the sponge Jaspis diastra collected from Mauritius Waters on HeLa cells

Objectives Based on previous screening results, the cytotoxic effect of the hexane (JDH) and ethyl acetate extracts (JDE) of the marine sponge Jaspis diastra were evaluated on HeLa cells and the present study aimed at determining their possible mechanism of cell death. Methods Nuclear staining, membrane potential change, flow cytometry analysis of cell cycle distribution and annexin V staining were undertaken to investigate the effects of JDE and JDH. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance were used to characterize an isolated bioactive molecule. Key findings JDE displayed an IC50 25 times more significant than the JDH. Flow cytometry analysis revealed JDE induced apoptosis in HeLa cells accompanied by the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential. Fractionation of JDE resulted in the isolation of the known cytotoxic cyclodepsipeptide, Jaspamide. Conclusions Taking our results together suggest that JDE can be valuable for the development of anticancer drugs, especially for cervical cancer. Further investigations are currently in progress with the aim to determine and isolate other bioactive compounds from this extract.

Nano-ZnO particle addition to monolithic magnesium for enhanced tensile and compressive response

In this study, the effects of nanoscale ZnO reinforcement on the room temperature tensile and compressive response of monolithic Mg were studied. Experimental observations indicated strength properties improvement due to nanoscale ZnO addition. A maximum increment in tensile yield strength by similar to 55% and compressive yield strength by 90% (with reduced tension-compression asymmetry) was achieved when 0.8 vol.% ZnO nanoparticles were added to Mg. While the fracture strain values under tensile loads were found to increase significantly (by similar to 95%, in case of Mg-0.48ZnO), it remained largely unaffected under compressive loads. The microstructural characteristics studied in order to comprehend the mechanical response showed significant grain refinement due to grain boundary pinning effect of nano-ZnO particles which resulted in strengthening of Mg. Texture analysis using X-ray and EBSD methods indicated weakening of basal fibre texture in Mg/ZnO nanocomposites which contributed towards the reduction in tension-compression yield asymmetry and enhancement in tensile ductility when compared to pure Mg. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.