Meta Position Research Articles

Predictive Study of the Influence of the Position of the Sulfonate Substituent on the Chemical Stability of Some Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate Isomers

Molecules from industrial formulations are used as palliative solutions in the treatment and reuse of industrial waste, with very encouraging results in developing countries. However, the lack of knowledge of the physicochemical properties of these molecules constitutes a major obstacle in the search for an effective solution. To contribute to the characterization of their physicochemical properties, twenty molecules of linear alkyl benzenesulphonate isomers of C10 and C13 homologs and their parent structures were the subject of this study. The stability and overall reactivity parameters such as the energy gap (.∆E), the chemical potential (μ), the electrophilic index (ω) as well as the molecular dipole moment (μD) are determined by the DFT method with the level B3LYP / 6-311G (d, p) / (water; IEFPCM). The results showed that the meta position of the sulfonate substituent increases overall stability and reactivity and decreases the solubility of the more stable 2C10, 4C10, 2C13 and 3C13 homologues of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates. The parent molecules (2mC10, 4mC10, 2mC13 and 3mC13) obtained more stable and less soluble are in favor of the effects observed in the treatment of industrial waste.

Molecular modifications on β-nitro-styrene derivatives increase their antioxidant capacities

• Theoretical and experimental studies using molecular calculation and DPPH evaluation were performed on β-nitro-styrene derivatives. • Four molecular modifications were proposed on benzene or alkene moieties using electron donating groups (EDGs) or electron withdrawing groups (EWGs). • Their antioxidant capacity can be increased by using EDGs substituted on β or para positions. • New derivatives can be proposed. β-Nitro-styrenes among other nitroderivatives are known due to their high electrophilicity and low electron donation capacities. A preferential molecular modification on 1-nitro-2-phenylethene was analyzed by DFT method in B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) level of theory on gas phase seeking to increase its electron donating capacity. For this, four molecular modifications were proposed showing the impact of alkene moiety, substitutions on β or para positions using electron donating groups (EDGs) or electron withdrawing groups (EWGs). The para is the preferential position for methylation when compared to ortho or meta positions. Our results show that EDGs increase the redox capacity in β and para positions and decrease the electrophilicity when compared to EWGs. The increase on electron donation capacity is in accordance with DPPH evaluation and β-nitro-phenylethene derivatives still are poor antioxidants. Therefore, the antioxidant capacity on β-nitro-phenylethene can be increased by using EDGs substituted on β or para positions.

Photodynamic control of Aedes aegypti larvae with environmentally-friendly tetra-platinated porphyrin.

This work evaluated the photosensitizing activity of isomeric tetra-cationic porphyrins with peripheral [Pt(bpy)Cl]+ to control the larval population of Aedes aegypti by photodynamic action. The photolarvicidal activity of the tetra-platinated porphyrins at meta and para position (3-PtTPyP and 4-PtTPyP) was evaluated under blue (450nm), green (525nm), and red (625nm) light illumination at 55.0Jcm-2. The meta isomer presented an efficient photolarvicidal activity even at a low concentration (1.2ppm) in the presence of light, while the para counterpart was inactive regardless of the concentration and illumination. The different responses were related to the improved optical features and higher water solubility of 3-PtTPyP compared to 4-PtTPyP. Additionally, the potential environmental toxicity of 3-PtTPyP was tested in a plant model (Allium cepa test), with no toxicity detected for all used concentrations (1.2 to 12ppm). Hence, this work reveals that 3-PtTPyP has a great potential to be employed to photodynamically control the insect vector population in an environmentally safe way.

Ortho-Substituted 2-Phenyldihydroazulene Photoswitches: Enhancing the Lifetime of the Photoisomer by ortho-Aryl Interactions.

Photochromic molecules are systems that undergo a photoisomerization to high-energy isomers and are attractive for the storage of solar energy in a closed-energy cycle, for example, in molecular solar thermal energy storage systems. One challenge is to control the discharge time of the high-energy isomer. Here, we show that different substituents in the ortho position of a phenyl ring at C-2 of dihydroazulene (DHA-Ph) significantly increase the half-life of the metastable vinylheptafulvene (VHF-Ph) photoisomer; thus, the energy-releasing VHF-to-DHA back-reaction rises from minutes to days in comparison to the corresponding para- and meta-substituted systems. Systems with two photochromic DHA-Ph units connected by a diacetylene bridge either at the para, meta and ortho positions and corresponding to a linear or to a cross-conjugated pathway between the two photochromes are also presented. Here, the ortho substitution was found to compromise the switching properties. Thus, irradiation of ortho-bridged DHA-DHA resulted in degradation, probably due to the proximity of the different functional groups that can give rise to side-reactions.

Preparation of macroporous ion-exchange resin organic amine composite material by using waste plastics and its application in CO2 capture

ABSTRACT Two new types of solid adsorption material (macroporous cation exchange resin (MCER) and macroporous ion-exchange resin organic amine composite material (MCER-DEA)) were prepared from waste television plastics outer shell (WTPS) and used to capture CO2 in flue gas from coal-fired power plants. The results showed that the CO2 adsorption capacity of MCER-DEA was 2.87 mmol/g, while MCER was 1.87 mmol/g. The preparation mechanism and action mechanism of MCER and MCER-DEA was studied by Fourier transform infrared and quantum chemical calculations. The results showed that the electrophilic substitution occurs in between an H atom of meta position on the benzene ring and H2SO4. The electron energy of MCER-DEA was calculated to be 1.14 ev, indicating these MCERs formed acid–base coordination with diethanolamine (DEA). Besides, the electron energy of between MCER and CO2 was 0.27 ev, and the interaction force was dominated by hydrogen bonds. The electron energy of the MCER-DEA and CO2 was 3.02 ev, and the interaction force was mainly controlled by coordination bonds. It indicated that MCER and CO2 were primarily based on physical adsorption, while MCER-DEA and CO2 were mainly based on chemisorption adsorption. Adsorption kinetics studies showed that internal diffusion was a rate-controlling step.

Iridium-Catalyzed Regioselective Borylation through C–H Activation and the Origin of Ligand-Dependent Regioselectivity Switching

Research efforts in catalytic regioselective borylation using C-H bond activation of arenes have gained considerable recent attention. The ligand-enabled regiocontrol, such as in the borylation of benzaldehyde, the selectivity could be switched from the ortho to meta position, under identical conditions, by just changing the external ligand (L) from 8-aminoquinoline (8-AQ) to tetramethylphenanthroline (TMP). The DFT(B3LYP-D3) computations helped us learn that the energetically preferred catalytic pathway includes the formation of an Ir-π-complex between the active catalyst [Ir(L)(Bpin)3] and benzaldimine, a C-H bond oxidative addition (OA) to form an Ir(V)aryl-hydride intermediate, and a reductive elimination to furnish the borylated benzaldehyde as the final product. The lowest energetic span (δEortho = 26 kcal/mol with 8-AQ) is noted in the ortho borylation pathway, with the OA transition state (TS) as the turnover-determining TS. The change in regiochemical preference to the meta borylation (δEmeta = 26) with TMP is identified. A hemilabile mode of 8-AQ participation is found to exhibit a δEortho of 24 kcal/mol for the ortho borylation, relative to that in the chelate mode (δEortho = 26 kcal/mol). The predicted regioselectivity switching is in good agreement with the earlier experimental observations.

Large Amplitude Motions in 2,3-Dimethylfluorobenzene: Steric Effects Failing to Interpret Hindered Methyl Torsion.

The microwave spectrum of 2,3-dimethylfluorobezene, one of the six isomers of dimethylfluorobenzene, was recorded using a pulsed molecular jet Fourier transform microwave spectrometer operating in the frequency range from 2 to 26.5 GHz. The internal rotations of two inequivalent methyl groups, causing splittings of up to several hundred MHz of all rotational energy levels into quintets, were analyzed and modeled. The torsional barriers of the methyl groups at the ortho and the meta positions were determined to be 215.5740(56) cm-1 and 488.53(11) cm-1. A comparison with the barrier heights observed for the two isomers 2,6-dimethylfluorobenzene and 3,4-dimethylfluorobenzene has shown that the methyl group at the meta position seems to be invisible to its neighboring ortho-methyl group, while the meta-methyl group clearly senses the ortho one. Steric effects are not able to explain this observation, and electrostatic effects are most probably the reason. Highly accurate molecular parameters determined experimentally were compared with those obtained from quantum chemical calculations at different levels of theory.

Lead Optimization and Structure-Activity Relationship Studies on Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 Inhibitor.

The pivotal role of the myeloid ecotropic viral integration site 1 (MEIS1) transcriptional factor was reported in cardiac regeneration and hematopoietic stem-cell (HSC) regulation with our previous findings. MEIS1 as a promising target in the context of pharmacological inhibition, we identified a potent myeloid ecotropic viral integration site (MEIS) inhibitor, MEISi-1, to induce murine and human HSC expansion ex vivo and in vivo. In this work, we performed lead optimization on MEISi-1 by synthesizing 45 novel analogues. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed the significance of a para-methoxy group on ring A and a hydrophobic moiety at the meta position of ring B. Obtained biological data were supported by inhibitor docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies. Eleven compounds were depicted as potent inhibitors demonstrating a better inhibitory profile on MEIS1 and target genes Meis1, Hif-1α, and p21. Among those, 4h, 4f, and 4b were the most potent inhibitors. The predicted pharmacokinetics properties fulfill drug-likeness criteria. In addition, compounds exerted neither cytotoxicity on human dermal fibroblasts nor mutagenicity.

Characterization of Toxicological and Neurophysiological Effects of Natural Product Based Chromenes to Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda.

We previously extracted and purified a chromene amide from Amyris texana and found this scaffold is moderately insecticidal and thus, this study aimed to test the insecticidal properties of 13 synthetically derived chromene analogs to the fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda). Microinjection of chromenes with alcohol or aldehydes substitutions at the meta position on the benzopyran moiety led to moderate toxicity that was approximately 2- to 3-fold less toxic when compared to permethrin, yet microinjection of differently substituted chromenes exhibited little to no toxicity. Similarly, chromenes with alcohol or aldehydes substitutions at the meta position on the benzopyran moiety were among the most toxic chromenes studied through ingested exposure. In addition to acute toxicity, select chromenes significantly increased the percentage of developmental defects upon eclosion that prevented adult moths from being capable of flight, suggesting these compounds alter development. Interestingly, microinjection yielded differing signs of intoxication between alcohol and aldehyde substitutions where the alcohol resulted in flaccid paralysis and lethargy whereas aldehyde led to tonic contractions and hyperactivity. These contrasting signs of intoxication were also observed in electrophysiological assays where alcohol substitutions led to the depression of central neuron firing activity and aldehyde substitutions led to hyperexcitation of central neurons. In summary, the chromene amides led to acute lethality and/or altered developmental trajectories of FAW, yet the high doses required for acute mortality suggest these scaffolds hold relatively little promise for development into FAW-directed insecticides but may represent novel growth regulators for FAW.

Synthesis of Multifunctional Charge-Transfer Agents: Toward Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Defined Covalent Functionality and Preserved π System

The attachment of well-defined charge transfer agents to the surface of nanomaterials is an efficient strategy to control their charge density and also to tune their optical, electrical, and physicochemical properties. Particularly interesting are charge transfer agents that either donate or withdraw electrons depending on the arrangements of their building units and that promise a non-destructive attachment to delicate nanomaterials like sp$^2$ compounds. In this work, we rationally synthesize molecular moieties with versatile functionalities. A reactive anchor group allows to attach them to carbon nanotubes as defined charge transfer agents while preserving the tube $\pi$-conjugation. The charge transfer agents were synthesized through the stepwise nucleophilic substitution of either one (monosubstituted series) or two chlorine (disubstituted series) atoms of cyanuric chloride by aniline derivatives containing one, two or three methoxy groups in the para and meta positions. Variation in the number and position of methoxy as an electron transferring group help us to manipulate the electronic and optical properties of the molecular probes and their charge transfer to the SWNTs systematically. The correlation between the optical properties of these molecular probes and their functionality was investigated by experiments and quantum chemical calculations. While the optoelectronic properties of the conjugated charge transfer agents were dominated by the aniline segments, the triazine warrants the ability to nondestructively attach to the surface of SWNTs. This study is one step ahead towards the production of SWNTs with desired optical and electrical properties by covalent $\pi$-preserving functionalization.

Isolation and Identification of Pseudo Seven-Coordinate Ru(III) Intermediate Completing the Catalytic Cycle of Ru-bda Type of Water Oxidation Catalysts

Isolation and Identification of Pseudo Seven-Coordinate Ru(III) Intermediate Completing the Catalytic Cycle of Ru-bda Type of Water Oxidation Catalysts

Photo-damage promoted by tetra-cationic palladium(II) porphyrins in rapidly growing mycobacteria

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has gained prominence in microbiology, especially in treating non-invasive infections. Diseases such as mycobacteriosis, which causes localized infections and has a slow treatment, tend to be future targets for this type of technology. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the action of two isomeric Pd(II)-porphyrins on fast-growing mycobacterial strains (RGM). Tetra-cationic porphyrins (4-PdTPyP and 3-PdTPyP) were synthesized and applied against standard strains of Mycobacteroides abscessus subsp. abscessus (ATCC 19977), Mycolicibacterium fortuitum (ATCC 6841), Mycolicibacterium smegmatis (ATCC 700084), and Mycobacteroides abscessus subsp. massiliense (ATCC 48898). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers were used in an attempt to determine possible ROS produced by the photosensitizers (PS) under study. Moreover, the impact of porphyrin on the mycobacterial surface was further evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and we observed significant damage on cells walls and altered nanomechanical and electrostatic adhesion properties. The results presented herein show that the positively charged porphyrin at the meta position (3-PdTPyP) was the most efficient PS against the RGM strains, and its bactericidal activity was proven in two irradiation sessions, with singlet oxygen species being the main ROS involved in this process. This study demonstrated the therapeutic potential of porphyrins, especially the 3-PdTPyP derivative

Replacing two As atoms in silicene nanoribbons in the presence of an external electric field

With the continuous development of nanotechnology and science, its life application is extremely large. Silicene nanoribbons (SiNR) are nanostructures with many advantages, replacing another element in SiNR helps to create new materials with many outstanding properties. This work studies the doping of two arsenic (As) atoms at different positions in the unit lattice cell of SiNR, the system is placed in an electric field. The presence of an electric field in the system causes changes in the energy band structure and the density of the state. There are three sites to be doped in here, namely the meta, ortho, and para position. One of these three positions will be the most optimal, the position at which the formation energy is the lowest. The structure diagrams of the energy region and state density will be drawn, compared, and examined.

Quinone Reduction by Organo-Osmium Half-Sandwich Transfer Hydrogenation Catalysts

Organo-osmium(II) 16-electron complexes [OsII(η6-arene)(R-PhDPEN)] (where η6-arene = para-cymene or biphenyl) can catalyze the reduction of prochiral ketones to optically pure alcohols in the presence of a hydride source. Such complexes can achieve the conversion of pyruvate to unnatural d-lactate in cancer cells. To improve the catalytic performance of these osmium complexes, we have introduced electron-donor and electron-acceptor substituents (R) into the para (R1) or meta (R2) positions of the chiral R-phenyl-sulfonyl-diphenylethylenediamine (R-PhDPEN) ligands and explored the reduction of quinones, potential biological substrates, which play a major role in cellular electron transfer chains. We show that the series of [OsII(η6-arene)(R-PhDPEN)] derivatives exhibit high turnover frequencies, enantioselectivities (>92%), and conversions (>93%) for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of acetophenone-derived substrates and reduce duroquinone and menadione to their di-alcohol derivatives. Modeling of the catalysis using density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggests a mechanism involving formic acid deprotonation assisted by the catalyst amine groups, phenyl-duroquinone stacking, hydride transfer to OsII, possible CO2 coordination, and tilting of the η6-arene ring, followed by hydride transfer to the quinone. These findings not only reveal subtle differences between Ru(II) and Os(II) catalysts, but also introduce potential biological applications.

S,O‐Ligand‐Promoted Pd‐Catalyzed C−H Olefination of Anisole Derivatives

AbstractThe C−H olefination of substituted anisole derivatives by a Pd/S,O‐ligand catalyst is reported. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions with a broad range of substituted aryl ethers bearing both electron donating and withdrawing substituents at ortho, meta and para positions. Aryl ethers are used as limiting reagents and good yields and site selectivities are observed. The methodology is operationally simple and can be performed under aerobic conditions.

Molecular Docking Compounds of Cinnamaldehyde Derivatives as Anticancer Agents

Objective:Cinnamaldehyde (CM) has a molecular structure with the main reaction center of an aromatic ring which the bioactivity can be modified as an anticancer agent by substituting the groups in the ortho (o), meta (m), and para (p) position. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation of the cluster region that was substituted in CM on its activity for various anticancer receptors. Methods:The receptor types used in the test were 5FL6, 1HOV, 4GY7, 5EAM, 4XCU, 4EL9, and 4PQW. The suitability of the hydroxy (OH) and methoxy (OMe) groups, which were substituted, was studied based on the value of Ki, their interactions with metal cofactors, and the type of amino acid residues that function as cancer receptor inhibitors. The docking was conducted using AutoDock 4. Results:The study results showed that all derivative compounds (o, m, and p) –OH and –OMe CM commonly had better anticancer activities than CM. o-OH CM has the best activity against receptors 5FL6, 1HOV, 4GY7, 5EAM, and 4XCU, and m-OMe CM has better activity against the 4EL9 receptors when compared with other CM derivatives. Conclusion:Based on this study, the compound derived from CM, i.e. OHC, tends to show the best anticancer activity.

Insights into the Antioxidant Mechanism of Newly Synthesized Benzoxazinic Nitrones: In Vitro and In Silico Studies with DPPH Model Radical.

Synthetic nitrone spin-traps are being explored as therapeutic agents for the treatment of a wide range of oxidative stress-related pathologies, including but not limited to stroke, cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this context, increasing efforts are currently being made to the design and synthesis of new nitrone-based compounds with enhanced efficacy. The most researched nitrones are surely the ones related to α-phenyl-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) derivatives, which have shown to possess potent biological activity in many experimental animal models. However, more recently, nitrones with a benzoxazinic structure (3-aryl-2H-benzo[1,4]oxazin-N-oxides) have been demonstrated to have superior antioxidant activity compared to PBN. In this study, two new benzoxazinic nitrones bearing an electron-withdrawing methoxycarbonyl group on the benzo moiety (in para and meta positions respect to the nitronyl function) were synthesized. Their in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by two cellular-based assays (inhibition of AAPH-induced human erythrocyte hemolysis and cell death in human retinal pigmented epithelium (ARPE-19) cells) and a chemical approach by means of the α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, using both electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and UV spectrophotometry. A computational approach was also used to investigate their potential primary mechanism of antioxidant action, as well as to rationalize the effect of functionalization on the nitrones reactivity toward DPPH, chosen as model radical in this study. Further insights were also gathered by exploring the nitrone electrochemical properties via cyclic voltammetry and by studying their kinetic behavior by means of EPR spectroscopy. Results showed that the introduction of an electron-withdrawing group in the phenyl moiety in the para position significantly increased the antioxidant capacity of benzoxazinic nitrones both in cell and cell-free systems. From the mechanistic point of view, the calculated results closely matched the experimental findings, strongly suggesting that the H-atom transfer (HAT) is likely to be the primary mechanism in the DPPH quenching.

Investigation of the triplet excited state and application of cationic meso-tetra(cisplatin)porphyrins in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy

In this manuscript, we report, the photophysical study of triplet excited states and antimicrobial photoinactivation of positively charged tetra-cisplatin porphyrin derivatives against Gram + and Gram ‒ bacterial strains. Isomeric cisplatin-porphyrins were used and applied in aPDT assays in the bacilli Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram negative) and a cocci Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive) strains. The results show that compound substituted at meta position (3-cis-PtTPyP) is the more efficient photosensitizer against bacteria culture. In this way, tetra-cationic porphyrins containing cisplatin derivatives might be promising aPDT agents with potential applications in clinical infections.

Optical investigations and photoactive solar energy applications of new synthesized Schiff base liquid crystal derivatives

New homologues series of liquid crystalline materials namely, (E)-3-methoxy-4-[(p-tolylimino)methyl]phenyl 4-alkloxybenzoates (I-n), were designed and evaluated for their mesomorphic and optical behavior. The prepared series constitutes three members that differ from each other by the terminally attached alkoxy chain group, these vary between 6 and 12 carbons. A laterally OCH3 group is incorporated into the central benzene ring in meta position with respect to the ester moiety. Mesomorphic characterizations of the prepared derivatives are conducted using differential scanning-calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical-microscopy (POM). Molecular structures were elucidated by elemental analyses and NMR spectroscopy. DSC and POM investigations revealed that all the synthesized derivatives are purely nematogenic exhibiting only nematic (N) mesophase, except for the longest chain derivative (I-12) that is dimorphic possesses smectic A and N phases. Moreover, all members of the group have a wide mesomorphic range with high thermal nematic stability. A comparative study was established between the present derivative (I-6) and their previously prepared isomer. The results indicated that the location exchange of the polar compact group (CH3) influences the N mesophase stability and range. The electrical measurements revealed that all synthesized series I-n show Ohmic behaviors with effective electric resistances in the GΩ range. Under white light illumination, the effective electric conductivity for the compound I-8 is five times that obtained in dark conditions. This derivative also showed two direct optical band gaps in the UV and visible light range. In addition, I-6 has band energy gaps of values 1.07 and 2.79 eV, which are suitable for solar energy applications.

Unveiling the intermediates/pathways towards photocatalytic dechlorination of 3,3′,4,4′-trtrachlorobiphenyl over Pd /TiO2(B) nanosheets

This work reports the rapid and effective photocatalytic dechlorination of 3,3′,4,4′-trtrachlorobiphenyl (PCB77) with highly dispersed Pd nanoclusters loaded two-dimensional (2D) TiO2(B) nanosheets (Pd/TiO2(B)) under visible light irradiation, achieving a dechlorination efficiency of 100 % with H2O used as an H-donor source. The ultra-thin TiO2(B) nanosheets provide a good platform for studying the dechlorination intermediates/pathways of PCB77 at the molecular level. It is proved that the dechlorination of PCB77 is a stepwise process, in which chlorines at the para positions are much more susceptible than those at the meta positions due to the activation of the CCl bond in the presence of Pd nanoclusters. Furthermore, in-situ FTIR results of D2O absorption suggest that the TiO2(B) nanosheets with abundant surface defects greatly promote the activation of water molecules via the formation of surficial complexes by hydrogen bonds. Finally, a synergistic mechanism is proposed for photocatalytic dechlorination of PCB77 over Pd/TiO2(B). The study provides an efficient method for complete dechlorination of PCB77 and an in-depth understanding photocatalyzed dechlorination reaction mechanism at the molecular level, which may extend to other photocatalytic dehalogenation reactions of halogenated pollutants.