Structure and properties of licochalcone A-human serum albumin complexes in solution: a spectroscopic, photophysical and computational approach to understand drug-protein interaction

In the present contribution we address the study of the interaction of a flavonoid-derivative licochalcone A (LA) with human serum albumin (HSA). The application of circular dichroism, UV-Vis absorption, fluorescence and laser flash photolysis combined with molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics and quantum mechanical calculations of rotational strength afforded a clear picture of the modes of association of the LA neutral molecule to HSA, evidencing specific interactions with protein amino acids and their photophysical consequences. The drug is primarily associated in subdomain IIA where a strong interaction with Trp214 is established. At least two different positions of LA with respect to tryptophan are possible, one with the phenolic ring of the drug facing the aromatic ring of Trp214 and the other with the methoxyphenolic ring of LA in proximity to Trp214. In both cases LA is at ca. 4 angstroms from Trp214. This vicinity does not affect much the S1 singlet state deactivation of the bound drug, which exhibits a slightly higher fluorescence quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime on the order of that of the free molecule. The LA triplet lifetime appears to be somewhat shortened in this site. The secondary binding site is in subdomain IIIA. Here, the carbonyl group of LA experiences a strong H-bond with the OH-phenolic substituent of Tyr411. This interaction reduces substantially the LA molecular degrees of freedom, thereby determining a decrease of both radiative and nonradiative rate constants for decay of the singlet. The overall rigidity of the structure causes a lengthening of the triplet lifetime.     

Numerical calculation of cutoff frequencies of optical fibers by a variational technique

A numerical method for calculating cutoff frequencies of modes of weakly guiding optical fibers is described. Starting from a properly constructed field representation, the method follows a variational approach to obtain an eigenvalue problem for the cutoff frequencies which can be easily solved by a standard numerical routine. The field representation uses an expansion in terms of the Laguerre–Gauss functions in the fiber core and limiting form for small arguments of modified Bessel functions in the fiber cladding. Fibers with power-law refractive index profiles and fibers with a profile showing a dip on the axis are analyzed. Results obtained for modes of arbitrary order (both azimuthal and radial) show that our method is very efficient and accurate.     

Chirality in the Absence of Rigid Stereogenic Elements: The Absolute Configuration of Residual Enantiomers of C3‐Symmetric Propellers

Two new tris(aryl)phosphane oxides existing as configurationally stable residual enantiomers have been synthesised and their racemates resolved by semipreparative HPLC on a chiral stationary phase (CSP HPLC). One of them, recognised as a conglomerate, could be resolved by fractional crystallisation at a preparative scale level. In this case, the absolute configuration of the propeller‐shaped molecule was determined by anomalous X‐ray scattering. The problem of the correlative assignment of the absolute configuration to all known C₃‐symmetric three‐bladed propeller‐shaped molecules existing as stable residual enantiomers is discussed. The configurational stability of the new chiral phosphane oxides and of the corresponding phosphanes was evaluated by CD signal decay kinetics and dynamic ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The racemisation barriers in phosphanes were found about 10 kcal mol^?1 lower than those found for the corresponding oxides, though geometry and inter‐ring gearing would be very similar in the two series. Configurational stability of residual tris(aryl)phosphanes was found to be influenced by the electronic availability of the phosphorus centre, as evaluated by electrochemical CV experiments.     

Energy transfer in hybrids based on a thiophene-substituted ethynylbipyridine dimer decorated with Re(I), Ru(II), and Os(II) units

The preparation, structural features, electrochemical behavior, and optical properties (at room temperature and at 77 K) are reported for a series of thiophene-containing hybrids based on the bent conjugated backbone of a rigid ditopic ligand, the dimeric moiety 3,4-dibutyl-2,5-bis{5'-[(3,4-dibutylthien-2-ylethynyl)-2,2'-bipyridin-5-yl]ethynyl}thiophene (TBTBT). Within the dimer, the diethynyl-2,2'-bipyridine units (bpy, the coordination sites) alternate with three 3,4-dibuthylthiophene units and coordination of the [Re(CO)3Cl], [Ru(bpy)2]2+, and [Os(bpy)2]2+ centers results in the mononuclear species RuTBTBT and OsTBTBT and the binuclear species RuTBTBTRu, OsTBTBTOs, RuTBTBTOs, and ReTBTBTOs. At room temperature, the emitting states obtained by photoexcitation are of 3MLCT nature, and vibronic analysis of the emission spectra indicates that they are largely delocalized over the TBTBT ligand. In the binuclear species, the intermetal separation is ca. 17 A, and for RuTBTBTOs, an efficient Ru --> Os excitation transfer takes place, resulting solely in an Os-based emission. The process is ascribed to double-electron transfer (Dexter), as mediated by the TBTBT ligand; a similar conclusion holds for the case of ReTBTBTOs. For RuTBTBTOs, the process is discussed in some detail also with regard to the possibility of disentangling the constituent hole and electron-transfer events.     

The unexpected reactivity of Zeise's anion in strong basic medium discloses new substitution patterns at the platinum centre

Zeise's anion in strongly basic hydroxylated solvents undergoes unprecedented nucleophilic addition of OR- (R = H, Me, Et) to the eta2-ethene giving trans-[PtCl2(eta1-C2H4OR)(OR)]2- which readily reacts with bidentate nitrogen donors N-N to give Cl- and OR- substitution and formation of [PtCl(CH2CH2OR)(N-N)]. Protonolysis of this stable organometallic species offers a versatile route to cationic [PtCl(eta2-C2H4)(N-N)]+ complexes.     

New Furano-sesquiterpenoids from Mediterranean Sponges

A mixture of sponges of the East Pyrenean Mediterranean is shown to contain the known sponge products longifolin ( 1 ), avarol ((+)- 3 ), and avarone ( 4 ) and the terrestrial-plant product sesquirosefuran ( 2 ), besides to the new furano-sesquiterpenoids tavacfuran (= 3-methyl-2-[(3′Z)-3′-methyl-4″-methyl-2″-furyl-3′-butenyl]furan; ( 5 ) and tavacpallescensin (= 5,10-dihydro-6,9-dimethyl-4H-benzo[5,6]cyclohepta[1,2-b]furan; 6 ) and the new furano-butenolide sesquiterpenoids tavacbutenolide-1 (= (±-4-ethoxy-2-methyl-4-)[(2′E)-2′-methyl-4′-(3″-methyl-2″-furyl)-2′-butenyl]-2-buten-4-olide; (±)- 7 ) and tavacbutenolide-2 (= (±)-4-ethoxy-3-methyl-4-[2′E)-3′-methyl-4′-(4″-methyl-2″-furyl)-2′-butenyl]-2-buten-4-olide; (±)- 8 ). Structural assignments are based on NMR data and on the synthesis of the (E)-isomer of 5 . The sponge Dysidea tupha of the same area is also shown to contain the two sesquiterpenoids ent-furodysinin ((?)- 14 ), which is enantiomeric to a product of a Dysidea sp. of Australian waters, and tuphabutenolide ((+)- 15 ).     

Progress,highlights and perspectives on NiO in perovskite photovoltaics

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of NiO based perovskite solar cells has recently hit a record 22.1% with a hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite composition and a PCE above 15% in a fully inorganic configuration was achieved. Moreover, NiO processing is a mature technology, with different industrially attractive processes demonstrated in the last few years. These considerations, along with the excellent stabilities reported, clearly point towards NiO as the most efficient inorganic hole selective layer for lead halide perovskite photovoltaics, which is the topic of this review. NiO optoelectronics is discussed by analysing the different doping mechanisms, with a focus on the case of alkaline and transition metal cation dopants. Doping allows tuning the conductivity and the energy levels of NiO, improving the overall performance and adapting the material to a variety of perovskite compositions. Furthermore, we summarise the main investigations on the NiO/perovskite interface stability. In fact, the surface of NiO is commonly oxidised and reactive with perovskite, also under the effect of light, thermal and electrical stress. Interface engineering strategies should be considered aiming at long term stability and the highest efficiency. Finally, we present the main achievements in flexible, fully printed and lead-free perovskite photovoltaics which employ NiO as a layer and provide our perspective to accelerate the improvement of these technologies. Overall, we show that adequately doped and passivated NiO might be an ideal hole selective layer in every possible application of perovskite solar cells.

The power conversion efficiency of NiO based perovskite solar cells has recently hit a record 22.1%. Here, the main advances are reviewed and the role of NiO in the next breakthroughs is discussed.     

Superior Antibacterial Activity of Integral Lemon Pectin Extracted via Hydrodynamic Cavitation

Pectin extracted via hydrodynamic cavitation in water only from waste lemon peel and further isolated via freeze drying displays significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram positive pathogen which easily contaminates food. The antibacterial effect of the new IntegroPectin is largely superior to that of commercial citrus pectin, opening the way to advanced applications of a new bioproduct now obtainable in large amounts and at low cost from citrus juice industry's waste.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of homobimetallic Rh(I) and Ir(I) complexes of s- and as-indacene-diide

The Rh(COD) and Ir(COD) homobimetallic complexes of s-indacene-diide, 2,6-dimethyl-s-indacene-diide, as-indacene-diide, and 2,7-dimethyl-as-indacene-diide have been synthesized from the di-lithium salts of the dianions and metal dimers [M(μ-Cl)L₂]₂ (M = Rh, Ir; L₂ = COD, NBD, (ethylene)₂, (CO)₂ as mixtures of syn and anti isomers. The syn/anti ratio depends on the nature of the ancillary ligands at the metal and on the s or as geometry of the bridging ligand. In the reaction of the 2,7-dimethyl-as-indacene-diide-[M(COD)]₂ species with CO, the higher reactivity of the syn isomers has been justified on the basis of a greater instability of the ground state due to steric interactions between the COD groups. Bis-η¹ metal-bonded intermediates have been identified in the carbonylation of iridium derivatives; on the other hand, the formation of the bis-η⁵ mixed complexes syn and anti-{2,7-dimethyl-as-indacene-diide-[Rh(COD)][Rh(CO)₂]} and their reactivity strongly support the existence of metal---metal interaction in the rhodium derivatives.     

Asymmetric Synthesis in the Presence of Cyclodextrins

Oxidative couplings of 2-naphthol, 6-bromo-2-naphthol and2-naphthylamine were achieved at room temperature in the presence of H₂O₂, horseradish peroxidase and a suitable cyclodextrin.2-Thionaphthol behaved differently, yielding the corresponding disulfide. Yields of binaphthyl derivatives were generally excellent, and a fairly good enantiomeric excess was observed. Under similar reaction conditions methyl 2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl) propanoate, when treated with esterase in the presence of cyclodextrin, yielded naproxen (a well-known anti-inflammatory drug) with a good enantiomeric excess. No reaction product was detected in the absence of cyclodextrin. Cyclodextrins do not act as simple transfer agents.