Muhammad Naveed Zafar

Pyridine and related ligands in transition metal homogeneous catalysis

This review provides a broad overview of the literature related to the importance of pyridine and related ligands in homogeneous catalysis. In particular, it describes the various ways by which this ligand can stabilised the metal within a complex for homogeneous catalysis. We surveyed the important transition metal homogenous catalysts containing pyridine and related ligand acting as backbone for other ligands in homogeneous catalytic reactions explicitly from 2011 up to early 2014 and summarized their comparative catalytic activities.

Synthesis, structure–activity relationship and molecular docking of 3-oxoaurones and 3-thioaurones as acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors

The present study describes efficient and facile syntheses of varyingly substituted 3-thioaurones from the corresponding 3-oxoaurones using Lawessons reagent and phosphorous pentasulfide. In comparison, the latter methodology was proved more convenient, giving higher yields and required short and simple methodology. The structures of synthetic compounds were unambiguously elucidated by IR, MS and NMR spectroscopy. All synthetic compounds were screened for their inhibitory potential against in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes. Molecular docking studies were also performed in order to examine their binding interactions with AChE and BChE human proteins. Both studies revealed that some of these compounds were found to be good inhibitors against AChE and BChE.

Synthesis, structure-activity relationship and molecular docking studies of 3- O -flavonol glycosides as cholinesterase inhibitors

The prime objective of this research work is to prepare readily soluble synthetic analogues of naturally occurring 3-O-flavonol glycosides and then investigate the influence of various substituents on biological properties of synthetic compounds. In this context, a series of varyingly substituted 3-O-flavonol glycosides have been designed, synthesized and characterized efficiently. The structures of synthetic molecules were unambiguously corroborated by IR, 1H, 13C NMR and ESI-MS spectroscopic techniques. The structure of compound 22 was also analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis. All the synthetic compounds (21-30) were evaluated for in vitro inhibitory potential against cholinesterase enzymes. The results displayed that most of the derivatives were potent inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with varying degree of IC50 values. The experimental results were further encouraged by molecular docking studies in order to explore their binding behavior with the active pocket of AChE and BChE enzymes. The experimental and theoretical results are in parallel with one another.

Biotechnology: A powerful tool for the removal of cadmium from aquatic systems

The prime objective of the present research work was to evaluate the efficiency of bio-machine for the removal of Cadmium (Cd) from aquatic systems. Aspergillus niger fungus was used as bio-machine to remove Cd from aquatic systems. Twenty three different strains (IIB-1 to IIB-23) were isolated from industrial effluents and the Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied to the best Cadmium removal strain IIB-23 in order to obtain the adsorption parameters. Different parameters such as pH, temperatur e, contact time, initial metal concentratio, and biomass dosage on the biosorption of Cd were studied. The percent removal of Cd initially increased with an increase in pH ranging from 5.5-6.5 and then decreased by increasing pH from 7.0-7.5. An optimized pH used for Cd removal from aquatic systems was found to be 6.5. Additionally, an optimum amount of biomass was 1.33 g for the maximum removal of Cd from the aqueous solutions with initial metal concentration of 75 mg/L. The results obtained thus indicated that Langmuir model is the best suited for the removal of Cd from aquatic systems.

Corrigendum to “Synthesis, structure-activity relationship and molecular docking studies of 3- O -flavonol glycosides as cholinesterase inhibitors” [Bioorg. Med. Chem. 26 (12) (2018) 3696–3706]

a Department of Chemistry, University of Gujrat, Gujrat 50700, Pakistan Department of Chemistry, Govt. College Women University, Sialkot 51300, Pakistan c Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan d Department of Chemistry, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan e Department of Physics, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan g Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Development of some important nitrogen donor ligands for transition metal homogeneous catalysis

This review provides a broad overview of the literature related to the importance of ligands in homogeneous catalysis. In particular, it describes the types of nitrogen donor ligands that have typically been used for homogeneous catalysis. We surveyed the important transition metal homogenous catalysts explicitly from 2011 up to early 2014 and summarize their comparative catalytic activities. Generally, the main factors observed are the ligand structure, electron donor property and steric bulk which can affect the catalytic activity. Electron count and inductive effect can also influence the efficiency of homogeneous catalyst.