Mario R. Meneghetti

Transformação de triglicerídeos em combustíveis, materiais poliméricos e insumos químicos: algumas aplicações da catálise na oleoquímica

The use of biomass as raw-material for obtaining chemicals, polymers and fuels is emerging as a clever alternative solution for the increasing energy demand, environmental awareness and petroleum shortage. In this work, some attempts in order to develop catalytic systems suitable for triglyceride transformation into fuels, polymers and intermediates are reviewed.

A very low potential electrochemical detection of L-cysteine based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes/gold nanorods

A nanohybrid platform built with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and gold nanorods, prepared via a cationic surfactant-containing seed-mediated sequential growth process, in aqueous solution, on a glassy carbon substrate has been successfully developed to be used in the electrocatalytic oxidation of L-cysteine (Cys). The nanohybrid was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements. Cyclic voltammetry results had shown that the modified electrode allows the oxidation of Cys at a very low anodic potential (0.00 V vs. Ag/AgCl). The kinetic constant kcat for the catalytic oxidation of Cys was evaluated by chronoamperometry and provided a value of 5.6×10(4) L mol(-1) s(-1). The sensor presents a linear response range from 5.0 up to 200.0 µmol L(-1), detection limit of 8.25 nmol L(-1) and a sensitivity of 120 nA L µmol(-1).

Nonlinear optical properties of Au nanoparticles colloidal system: Local and nonlocal responses

Z-scan revealed thermal and electronic contributions for the nonlinear refractive index of highly stable colloid containing different concentrations of gold nanoparticles. Large enhancement factors were observed for values of n2 and dn∕dT of the colloid, due to the presence of the nanoparticles. Our results suggest that thermal effects will play an important role in the development of photonic applications involving nanostructured materials and in the investigation of nonlocal nonlinear phenomena.

Experimental demonstration of novel effects on the far-field diffraction patterns of a Gaussian beam in a Kerr medium

We report on the experimental observation of the effects on the far-field patterns obtained when a divergent or convergent beam interacts with a thin self-defocusing material. The measurements were performed using a CW laser beam propagated through a cell containing a colloidal system that presents a very large nonlinear refractive index. The high nonlinearity of the colloid allowed for the observation of patterns never investigated before, revealing a quite different behaviour on the far field from a convergent or a divergent beam due to the opposite interaction with the negative Kerr nonlinearity of the medium. An unpredicted relation between the number of generated rings and the nonlinear phase-shift is obtained in the case of a convergent beam. Our results are in good agreement with a model for thin nonlinear media.

Nonlocal optical nonlinearity of ionic liquids

The nonlinear optical properties of two ionic liquids, 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMI]BF4) and 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMI]PF6), have been investigated using the Z-scan technique. These compounds are liquid at room temperature and present a strong ionic nature. Nonlinear refraction and absorption, and thermo-optical measurements for both ionic liquids were performed using two different laser wavelengths, 514 nm and 810 nm, in the continuous wave and femtosecond regimes, respectively. It was observed that those specimens have large negative nonlinear refractive indexes and thermo-optical coefficients, but nonlinear absorption was not observed. Different dispersion relations were observed depending on the ionic liquid anion, which may be related to the distinct structures of these compounds. This result indicates that ionic liquids are suitable media for the investigation of nonlocal nonlinear phenomena.

Sn(IV)-based organometallics as catalysts for the production of fatty acid alkyl esters

This paper discusses mechanistic aspects and applications of organotin(IV) catalysts. Particularly, these complexes are employed in a series of industrial reactions in which esters are obtained via (trans)esterification, e.g., polyesters and lactones. Due to the recent results pointed out in the literature, the potential application of this type of catalyst in the synthesis of fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAEs) is also presented.

Antimalarial activity and mechanisms of action of two novel 4-aminoquinolines against chloroquine-resistant parasites

Chloroquine (CQ) is a cost effective antimalarial drug with a relatively good safety profile (or therapeutic index). However, CQ is no longer used alone to treat patients with Plasmodium falciparum due to the emergence and spread of CQ-resistant strains, also reported for P. vivax. Despite CQ resistance, novel drug candidates based on the structure of CQ continue to be considered, as in the present work. One CQ analog was synthesized as monoquinoline (MAQ) and compared with a previously synthesized bisquinoline (BAQ), both tested against P. falciparum in vitro and against P. berghei in mice, then evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxicity and ability to inhibit hemozoin formation. Their interactions with residues present in the NADH binding site of P falciparum lactate dehydrogenase were evaluated using docking analysis software. Both compounds were active in the nanomolar range evaluated through the HRPII and hypoxanthine tests. MAQ and BAQ derivatives were not toxic, and both compounds significantly inhibited hemozoin formation, in a dose-dependent manner. MAQ had a higher selectivity index than BAQ and both compounds were weak PfLDH inhibitors, a result previously reported also for CQ. Taken together, the two CQ analogues represent promising molecules which seem to act in a crucial point for the parasite, inhibiting hemozoin formation.

Oblique interaction of spatial dark-soliton stripes in nonlocal media

We report what we believe to be the first experimental observation of a large spatial lateral shift in the interaction of obliquely oriented spatial dark-soliton stripes. We demonstrate by numerical simulations that this new effect can be attributed to the specific features of optical media with a nonlocal nonlinear response.

Large spatial self-phase modulation in castor oil enhanced by gold nanoparticles

Spatial self-phase modulation was observed when a CW laser beam propagated along a cell containing castor oil. The minimum power needed to excite this effect decreases when the sample length is increased, as well as when the laser wavelength approaches to the absorption band of the medium. The same phenomenon was also observed when a laser beam interacts with a colloidal solution of gold nanoparticles in castor oil. For this system the self-phase modulation minimum power decreased dramatically, which indicates that the nonlinear refractive index for this system is enhanced due to the gold nanoparticles. Moreover, for laser wavelength near to the plasmon resonance of the gold nanoparticles, this enhancement factor is even higher. Although the large value of those media nonlinearity, its temporal response is slow. This fact suggests that this phenomenon is due to thermal effects mainly.

Design, synthesis, molecular docking and biological evaluation of thiophen-2-iminothiazolidine derivatives for use against Trypanosoma cruzi

In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of thiophen-2-iminothiazolidine derivatives from thiophen-2-thioureic with good anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity. Several of the final compounds displayed remarkable trypanocidal activity. The ability of the new compounds to inhibit the activity of the enzyme cruzain, the major cysteine protease of T. cruzi, was also explored. The compounds 3b, 4b, 8b and 8c were the most active derivatives against amastigote form, with significant IC50 values between 9.7 and 6.03μM. The 8c derivative showed the highest potency against cruzain (IC50=2.4μM). Molecular docking study showed that this compound can interact with subsites S1 and S2 simultaneously, and the negative values for the theoretical energy binding (Eb=-7.39kcal·mol(-1)) indicates interaction (via dipole-dipole) between the hybridized sulfur sp(3) atom at the thiazolidine ring and Gly66. Finally, the results suggest that the thiophen-2-iminothiazolidines synthesized are important lead compounds for the continuing battle against Chagas disease.