Jelena Rogan

Mixed ligand Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes containing terephthalato ligands. Crystal structures of diaqua(2,2′-dipyridylamine)(terephthalato)metal(II) trihydrates (metal=cobalt or nickel)

Abstract A series of nine ternary Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with some aromatic diamines and dianion of terephthalic acid (tpht) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility measurements, IR and diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy. All compounds were obtained as microcrystalline solids, stable in air and insoluble in common solvents. Two of them, [M(tpht)(dipya)(H 2 O) 2 ]·3H 2 O [M=Co(II), Ni(II); dipya=2,2′-dipyridylamine], were obtained as single crystals and their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray structure analysis. Both structures consist of discrete [M(tpht)(dipya)(H 2 O) 2 ] 2+ complex units with two H 2 O molecules in the trans position. Three additional H 2 O molecules together with coordinated H 2 O and O atoms from COO groups make a three-dimensional network of hydrogen bonds. Terephthalato ligands are coordinated by only one COO group, which acts as a chelating ligand. Central metal ions are in a distorted octahedral environment. Based on the above-mentioned analysis and known crystal structures, the possible structures and geometry of the complexes are discussed. All Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes are pseudooctahedral and mononuclear, with only one of the tpht COO groups coordinated in a chelate mode. Cu(II) complexes have probably distorted octahedral geometry with bridging role of tpht ions and monodentate or strongly asymmetric coordination of COO groups.

Comparison of structural, textural and thermal characteristics of pure and acid treated bentonites from Aleksinac and Petrovac (Serbia)

Bentonite samples collected from vicinity of Petrovac and Aleksinac were treated with different sulfuric acid molarities. Acid attack dissolved the octahedral sheets by interlayer and edge attack. The effects of the H(2)SO(4) acid caused an exchange of Al(3+), Fe(3+) and Mg(2+) with H(+) ions leading to a modification of the smectite crystalline structure. The Mg and Fe substitution in the octahedral sheets promoted the dispersion of corresponding layers and formation of amorphous silicon. The activated bentonites, after the treatment of sulfuric acid, exhibited a lower cation-exchange capacity (CEC) and significant increase of specific surface area from 6 to 387 m(2) g(-1) (bentonite from Petrovac) and from 11 to 306 m(2) g(-1) (bentonite from Aleksinac). The acid reaction caused a splitting of particles within the octahedral sheet which led to an increase in specific surface area and decrease in CEC in both bentonites.

Electrodeposition of Zn–Mn alloys at high current densities from chloride electrolyte

The Zn–Mn alloy electrodeposition on a steel electrode in chloride electrolyte was investigated with the aim of obtaining deposits with as high as possible Mn percent. It was found that the deposition current density and concentration of Mn2+ ion in the chloride electrolyte significantly affect the Mn content in the alloy coating as well as the coating surface morphology. There was a transition from dendritic and spongy to smooth, bright, and amorphous structure of Zn–Mn deposits, when some critical deposition current density was reached, probably due to the metal oxyhydroxide inclusion in the coatings. Several plating additives were tested in order to decrease the hydroxide content and to improve surface appearance of the deposits. The 4-hydroxy-benzaldehyde was found to decrease oxygen and increase Mn percent in the coatings, and to significantly improve their surface morphology.

New derivatives of hydantoin as potential antiproliferative agents: biological and structural characterization in combination with quantum chemical calculations

Two new series of hydantoin derivatives, 3-(4-substituted benzyl)-5,5-diphenyl- and 3-(4-substituted benzyl)-5-ethyl-5-phenylhydantoins, were synthesized and their antiproliferative activity was tested against human colon cancer HCT-116 and breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell lines. The presence of different substituents on both hydantoin and benzyl moieties changed the antiproliferative activity of the investigated hydantoins, whereby most of the compounds showed superior antiproliferative activity against MDA-MB-231 than against the HCT-116 cell line. The structure of three compounds was studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The general structural characteristic is the presence of N–H···O hydrogen bonds in crystal packings. The molecular geometry and bonding features of the investigated hydantoins in the ground states were calculated using the density functional method. The relationship between structure and antiproliferative activity was discussed. The data presented in this investigation afford guidelines for the preparation of new hydantoin derivatives with greater antiproliferative activity.Graphical Abstract

Influence of the chemical structure of poly(urea-urethane-siloxane)s on their morphological, surface and thermal properties

Segmented poly(urethane-urea-siloxane)s (PUUS) were synthesized using 4,4′-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and ethylene diamine (ED) as the hard segment components and hydroxypropyl-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) as the soft segment component, where the hard segment content ranged from 38 to 65 wt%. Segmented PUUSs were prepared by a two-step polymerization procedure in tetrahydrofuran/N-methylpyrrolidone (THF/NMP) mixture with a large proportion of polar solvent. The structure, composition and hard segment length were determined by 13C NMR and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy. Thermal, mechanical, small-angle X-ray scattering and hydrogen bonding analyses indicated the formation of the microphase-separated copolymers with high tensile strength. Globular superstructures observed in the copolymer films by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were probably arisen from the microstructural organization of the MDI-ED segments, depending on their content and length. The PUUS copolymers showed high water resistance and became more hydrophobic with increasing weight fraction of PDMS.

Synthesis, structural and biological characterization of 5-phenylhydantoin derivatives as potential anticonvulsant agents

Considering the importance of hydantoin derivatives in treatment of status epilepticus, four 5-phenylhydantoins, whose lipophilicities were estimated to be similar to that of phenytoin, were synthesized. Evaluation of their anticonvulsant activities was performed on rats by subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol seizure test and intravenous pentylenetetrazol threshold test, and spontaneous locomotor activity test was used to assess possible sedative effects. X-ray analysis of three compounds suggested that certain analogies might be drawn between interactions in crystal packing and biological interactions responsible for their anticonvulsant activity. It was found that 5-ethyl-5-phenyl-3-propylhydantoin exhibits the most favorable pharmacological properties among the synthesized compounds, i.e., anticonvulsant activity comparable to phenytoin with lower liability for induction of sedation in rats.Graphical Abstract

Nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) supported by natural and acid-activated sepiolites: the effect of the nZVI/support ratio on the composite properties and Cd 2+ adsorption

Natural (SEP) and partially acid-activated (AAS) sepiolites were used to prepare composites with nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) at different (SEP or AAS)/nZVI ratios in order to achieve the best nZVI dispersibility and the highest adsorption capacity for Cd2+. Despite the higher surface area and pore volume of AAS, better nZVI dispersibility was achieved by using SEP as the support. On the other hand, a lower oxidation degree was achieved during the synthesis using AAS. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of the composite with the best nZVI dispersibility, before and after Cd2+ adsorption, confirmed that the surface of the nZVI was composed of oxidized iron species. Metallic iron was not present on the surface, but it was detected in the subsurface region after sputtering. The content of zerovalent iron decreased after Cd2+ adsorption as a result of iron oxidation during Cd2+ adsorption. The XPS depth profile showed that cadmium was present not only at the surface of the composite but also in the subsurface region. The adsorption isotherms for Cd2+ confirmed that the presence of SEP and AAS decreased the agglomeration of the nZVI particles in comparison to the pure nZVI, which provided a higher adsorption capacity. The results showed that the prevention of both aggregation and oxidation during the synthesis was necessary for obtaining an SEP/AAS–nZVI composite with a high adsorption capacity, but oxidation during adsorption was beneficial for Cd2+ removal. The formation of strong bonds between Cd2+ and the adsorbents sites of different energy until monolayer formation was proposed according to modeling of the adsorption isotherms.

Influence of a low content of PEO segment on the thermal, surface and morphological properties of triblock and diblock PCL copolymers

Two series, one of triblock (PCL/PEO/PCL) and the other of diblock (PCL/PEO) copolymers were prepared by ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone catalized with tin(II) octoate and by using dihydroxy or monohydroxy poly(ethylene oxide) as the macroinitiator. The PEO block length was fixed (Mn 1,000 g/mol) and the PCL block lengths (Mn 10,000-40,000 g/mol) were tailored by changing weight ratio of ε-CL/PEO. The copolymers’ structure was confirmed by 1H and quantitative 13C NMR spectroscopy while their molecular weights were determined by GPC analysis. The thermal properties and the degree of crystallinity of the copolymers were investigated and compared by using DSC and WAXS. Both types of copolymers were semicrystalline with the orthorhombic PCL crystal lattice. The surface morphology of the copolymer films was investigated by using optical microscopy and AFM analysis, which confirmed the spherulitic lamellar structure with spherulites of different diameters. Data indicated that a low content of PEO segment had an influence on thermal degradation behavior, crystallinity and morphology of copolymers. Roughness of copolymer films was affected by the content of PEO and correlated with the spherulites’ diameter. The small changes in water and moisture absorption properties of copolymers compared to homopolymer PCL were observed.

Thermal stability and degradation of binuclear hexaaqua-bis(ethylenediamine)-( μ 2 -pyromellitato)dinickel(II) tetrahydrate

Thermal degradation of ternary transition metal complex containing tetraanion of pyromellitic acid, pyr, and ethylenediamine, en, [Ni2(en)2(H2O)6(pyr)]·4H2O, 1, was investigated under non-isothermal conditions. The mechanism of thermal degradation, which occurs in three steps, was clarified by TG/DSC measurements in conjunction with FT-IR spectroscopy and XRPD analysis. The complexity of all degradation steps has been revealed using isoconversional methods. Dehydration comprises the loss of ten water molecules in a relatively narrow temperature interval, resulting in a very complicated reaction mechanism. In addition, density functional theory calculations have been applied for better understanding of dehydration. The second degradation step, related to loss of en, was separated into two single-step processes with Fraser–Suzuki function. The obtained individual steps were described by Johnson–Mehl–Avrami A2 model and Šesták–Berggren model, respectively. Validation of the proposed kinetic triplets for individual steps was performed using master plot and Pérez-Maqueda criteria. The third degradation step is related to the fragmentation of pyr ion most likely followed with the release of a number of gaseous products.

Enhanced activity in ethanol oxidation of Pt3Sn electrocatalysts synthesized by microwave irradiation

High surface area carbon supported Pt and Pt3Sn catalysts were synthesized by microwave irradiation and investigated in the ethanol electro-oxidation reaction. The catalysts were obtained using a modified polyol method in an ethylene glycol solution and were characterized in terms of structure, morphology and composition by employing XRD, STM and EDX techniques. The diffraction peaks of Pt3Sn/C catalyst in XRD patterns are shifted to lower 2θ values with respect to the corresponding peaks at Pt/C catalyst as a consequence of alloy formation between Pt and Sn. Particle size analysis from STM and XRD shows that Pt and Pt3Sn clusters are of a small diameter (∼2 nm) with a narrow size distribution. Pt3Sn/C catalyst is highly active in ethanol oxidation with the onset potential shifted for ∼150 mV to more negative values and with ∼2 times higher currents in comparison to Pt/C.