P. S. Pereira Silva

Structure and NIR-luminescence of ytterbium(III) beta-diketonate complexes with 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline ancillary ligand: assessment of chain length and fluorination impact

Seven new tris(β-diketonear-nate)ytterbium(III) complexes with the general formula [Yb(β-diketonate)3(5NO2phen)] (where the β-diketone is either 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-naphthyl)-1,3-butanedione, 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-furyl)-1,3-butanedione, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-pentanedione, 1,1,1-trifluoro-5,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexanedione, 1,1,1,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-decafluoro-2,4-heptanedione, 2,4-hexanedione or 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-heptanedione, and 5NO2phen = 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Single crystal X-ray structures have been determined for three fluorinated complexes and ground state geometries of the other four complexes have been predicted using the Sparkle/PM6 model. These experimental structures and those designed by semi-empirical models reveal octacoordination around the Yb(3+) ion. Photoluminescence studies and lifetime measurements show that the increase in the fluorinated β-diketonate chain length is associated with a decrease in Yb(3+) luminescence intensity of the (2)F5/2→(2)F7/2 transition at around 980 nm and the (2)F5/2 excited state lifetime, while the ligand lifetime value remains almost unaffected. Finally, fluorination of the ligands is only advised when the complexes are to be used for co-doping with isostructural Er(3+) complexes for optical amplifiers, since it leads to a slight decrease in luminescence intensity for the same β-diketonate chain length.

Amplification of the linear and nonlinear optical response of a chiral molecular crystal

We have observed large second-order nonlinear optical and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) responses in a charge-transfer-type L-Histidinium salt. Using X-ray Diffraction, VCD spectroscopy, and time-dependent density functional theory to characterize the compound, we employ a two-level model to explain and quantify the strongly enhanced optical signals. We find that both linear and nonlinear optical responses are greatly enhanced by a single low-lying charge-transfer state.

A new nonconjugated naphthalene derivative of meso-tetra-(3-hydroxy)-phenyl-porphyrin as a potential sensitizer for photodynamic therapy.

A new 5,10,15,20‐tetra‐(phenoxy‐3‐carbonyl‐1‐amino‐naphthyl)‐porphyrin was prepared by an isocyanate condensation reaction and its photophysical properties fully evaluated, both in terms of photostability and singlet oxygen production. It shows considerably enhanced photostability when compared with the parent 5,10,15,20‐tetra‐(3‐hydroxy‐phenyl)‐porphyrin, with the photodegradation quantum yields for T(NAF)PP and T(OH)PP being 4.65 × 10−4 and 5.19 × 10−3, respectively. Its photodynamic effect in human carcinoma HT‐29 cells was evaluated. The new porphyrin showed good properties as a sensitizer in photodynamic therapy with an in vitro cytotoxicity IC50 value of 6.80 μg mL−1 for a 24 h incubation. In addition to the potential of this compound, the synthetic route used provides possibilities of extension to a wide range of new sensitizers.

Slow magnetic relaxation and photoluminescent properties of a highly coordinated erbium(III) complex with dibenzoylmethane and 2,2′-bipyridine

A new Er(III) β-diketonate complex, tris(dibenzoylmethanate)mono(2,2′-bipyridine) erbium(III) or [Er(dbm)3(bipy)], has been synthesized and its structural, thermal, photophysical and low temperature magnetic properties have been characterized. In the new complex, Er(III) ions are coordinated by six O atoms and two N atoms in a distorted square antiprismatic geometry. The Er(III) complex exhibits out-of-phase (χM′′) ac susceptibility signals, when a static magnetic field is applied, signaling that at zero field a quantum tunneling regime occurs. The nearly semi-circular and symmetrical shape of the Cole–Cole plots sustains the existence of a single magnetic relaxation process. The solid state luminescent studies show an intense, sharp and narrow emission band in the near infrared region. The combined results demonstrate the ability of dbm and bipy to provide an environment that yields both interesting magnetic and optical properties.

Two new phenolic compounds from Ficus rumphii and their antiproliferative activity

Two new compounds 2 and 4, along with two known compounds 1 and 3, were isolated for the first time from 95% ethanolic extract of the leaves of Ficus rumphii. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physical evidences (elemental analysis, UV, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectra) and comparison with the literature compounds. Structural authentication of compound 4 was further validated by single-crystal X-ray analysis and DFT calculations. The compounds 1–4 were screened for in vitro cytotoxicity against cancer and non-cancer cells and also tested for genotoxicity (comet assay). Compounds 2 and 4 displayed significant activity against HL-60 with IC50 values of 3.3 and 2.3 μM, respectively. The results revealed that compound 4 has better prospectus to act as cancer chemotherapeutic candidate which warrants further in vivo anticancer investigations.

[Et3NH][HSO4]-mediated functionalization of hippuric acid: an unprecedented approach to 4-arylidene-2-phenyl-5(4H)-oxazolones

A facile, green and stereoselective approach for the synthesis of azlactones/oxazolones 3(a–q) has been developed. The protocol involves reaction of hippuric acid and substituted heterocyclic/aromatic aldehydes in ionic liquid [Et3NH][HSO4] to yield the desired 4-arylidene-2-phenyl-5(4H)-oxazolones in excellent yields (94–97%) with a high degree of purity. The remarkable feature of this pathway is that the ionic liquid eliminates the use of toxic and expensive acetic anhydride and is endowed with catalytic and medium engineering ability. This eco-friendly approach improved synthetic efficiency (94–97% yield), minimizing the production of chemical waste without using highly toxic reagents for the synthesis and more notably, it promoted the selectivity for Z-azlactones/oxazolones. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the Z-isomer of compound 3a is stabilised by 2.32 kcal mol−1 more than the E-isomer. This synthetic scheme possesses diverse applicability and is compatible to a range of functional groups (electron donating/electron withdrawing).

Solvent-free, [Et3NH][HSO4] catalyzed facile synthesis of hydrazone derivatives

In the present study, a library of hydrazone analogues 2(a–j) and 4(a–e) were synthesized, which were typically accessed via a solvent-free facile nucleophilic addition between hydrazine hydrate and appropriately substituted aromatic aldehydes 1(a–j) and 3-formylchromones 3(a–e). The molecular structure of compound (2f) was well supported by single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis and also verified by DFT calculations. This new synthetic, eco-friendly, sustainable protocol resulted in a remarkable improvement in the synthetic efficiency (90–98% yield), high purity, using [Et3NH][HSO4] as a catalyst and an environmentally benign solvent eliminating the need for a volatile organic solvent and additional catalyst. This ionic liquid is air and water stable and easy to prepare from cheap amine and acid. The present methodology is a green protocol offering several advantages such as, excellent yield of products, minimizing production of chemical wastes, shorter reaction profile, mild reaction conditions, simple operational procedure, easy preparation of catalyst and its recyclability up to five cycles without any appreciable loss in catalytic activity. The optimization conditions carried out in the present study revealed that 20 mol% of ionic liquid catalyst under solvent-free condition at 120 °C are the best conditions for the synthesis of hydrazone derivatives in excellent yields.

Synthesis, bioassay, crystal structure and ab initio studies of Erlenmeyer azlactones.

Several 4-arylidene-2-phenyl-5(4H)-azlactones have been synthesized via Erlenmeyer method. The synthesized compounds have been characterized on the basis of systematic spectral studies (IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and MS). The compound (4Z)-4-(3,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)-2-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-5(4H)-one, C(18)H(15)NO(4), (5), crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with a=5.6793(3) Å, b=15.2038(7) Å, c=17.6919(10) Å, Mr=309.31, V=1527.64(14) Å(3), Z=4 and R=0.0547. The compound (4Z)-2-phenyl-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene)-1,3-oxazol-5(4H)-one, C(19)H(17)NO(5), (6) crystallizes in triclinic geometry with space group P-1, having unit cell parameters a=7.3814(3) Å, b=8.1446(3) Å, c=13.9845(5) Å, α=86.918(3), β=83.314(2), γ=82.462(3), Mr=339.34, V=827.16(5) Å(3), Z=2 and R=0.0433. The DFT calculations of compounds (5) and (6) have been carried out to ascertain the stability of Z-conformer. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of all the compounds (1-6) was evaluated by the disk diffusion method against gram +ve and gram -ve microorganism and fungal strains. The MIC of the synthesized compounds was determined by agar well diffusion method in 96-well microtiter plate. All the synthesized compounds were also screened for their free radical scavenging activity by DPPH method.

Guanidinium 4-amino­benzoate

In the title compound, CH6N3 +·C7H6NO2 −, the cation and anion lie on crystallographic mirror planes. The 4-aminobenzoate anion is almost in a planar conformation with a maximum deviation of 0.024 (2) Å for the N atom. The bond length in the deprotonated carboxyl group is intermediate between those of normal single and double Csp2=O bonds, indicating delocalization of the charge over both O atoms of the COO− group. In the crystal, N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds assemble the ions in layers propagating in the bc plane. This structure is very similar to that of guanidinium benzoate.

N,N',N''-Triphenyl-guanidinium 5-nitro-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-pyrimidin-1-ide.

In the title compound, C19H18N3 +.C4H2N3O4 −, the dihedral angles between the phenyl rings and the plane defined by the central guanidinium fragment are in the range 41.3 (1)–66.6 (1)°. The pyrimidine ring of the anion is distorted towards a boat conformation and the nitro group is rotated 11.4 (2)° out of the uracil plane. Hydrogen bonds assemble the ions in infinite helical chains along the b axis.