A Gadolinium(III) Complex Based on the Thymine Nucleobase with Properties Suitable for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The paramagnetic gadolinium(III) ion is used as contrast agent in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to improve the lesion detection and characterization. It generates a signal by changing the relaxivity of protons from associated water molecules and creates a clearer physical distinction between the molecule and the surrounding tissues. New gadolinium-based contrast agents displaying larger relaxivity values and specifically targeted might provide higher resolution and better functional images. We have synthesized the gadolinium(III) complex of formula [Gd(thy)₂(H₂O)₆](ClO₄)₃·2H₂O (1) [thy = 5-methyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione or thymine], which is the first reported compound based on gadolinium and thymine nucleobase. 1 has been characterized through UV-vis, IR, SEM-EDAX, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques, and its magnetic and relaxometric properties have been investigated by means of SQUID magnetometer and MR imaging phantom studies, respectively. On the basis of its high relaxivity values, this gadolinium(III) complex can be considered a suitable candidate for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.     

Rational Design of Phosphorescent Iridium(III) Complexes for Selective Glutathione Sensing and Amplified Photodynamic Therapy

It is a huge challenge to avoid irreversible damage to normal tissues during irradiation in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer. An effective strategy is to develop smart photosensitizers, which exhibit amplified generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through triggering specific reaction in the tumor microenvironment. In this work, we designed a class of glutathione (GSH)-activatable photosensitizers ( Ir1 and Ir4 ) based on an effective strategy of GSH-induced nucleophilic substitution reaction. The addition of GSH, induced changes in both phosphorescence intensity and lifetime of photosensitizers with high sensitivity. Importantly, the amount of singlet oxygen generated was increased significantly by GSH-induced activation reaction. Hence, the photosensitizers can selectively distinguish cancer cells from normal cells through luminescence and lifetime imaging, and can amplify PDT effects in cancer cells, owing to the evidently higher level of GSH compared to normal cells. This work presents a novel paradigm for GSH-amplified PDT against cancer cells and provides a new avenue for smart-responsive theranostic systems that can avoid nonspecific damage to normal cells.     

Removal of Arsenic(III), Chromium(III) and Iron(III) Traces from Hydrofluoric Acid Solutions by Specialty Anion Exchangers

The removal of As(III), Fe(III), and Cr(III) at trace levels from HF solutions by means of specialty ion exchange resins has been investigated. These impurities are usually found in technical‐grade HF, and they need to be removed to prepare metal‐free HF for the semiconductor industry. It was assumed that Fe(III) and As(III) species in dilute HF were present in anionic form, while Cr(III) was probably in neutral form, CrF₃. First, a selection of specialty ion exchangers was performed. Then, fixed‐bed experiments were carried out to check the ability of selected resins to reach the impurity levels required in SEMI C29 for 5 wt.% HF (5 ppb of As, and 10 ppb of Cr and Fe). The effect of the flow rate and the HF concentration on the metal removal was studied with Purolite D‐3777 and Fuji PEI‐CS‐07 resins respectively. Fuji PEI‐CS‐07 showed the best performance for Fe(III) removal, even at high HF concentration (25 wt.%). A strong decrease in the Cr(III) and As(III) removal capacity with increasing concentration of HF was observed.     

Preparation and Bioactivity of Iridium(III) Phenanthroline Complexes with Halide Ions and Pyridine Leaving Groups

A series of half-sandwich structural iridium(III) phenanthroline (Phen) complexes with halide ions (Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻) and pyridine leaving groups ([(η⁵-Cp^X)Ir(Phen)Z](PF₆)_n, Cp^x: electron-rich cyclopentadienyl group, Z: leaving group) have been prepared. Target complexes, especially the Cp^xbiph (biphenyl-substituted cyclopentadienyl)-based one, showed favourable anticancer activity against human lung cancer (A549) cells; the best one ( Ir8 ) was almost five times that of cisplatin under the same conditions. Compared with complexes involving halide ion leaving groups, the pyridine-based one did not display hydrolysis but effectively caused lysosomal damage, leading to accumulation in the cytosol, inducing an increase in the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species and apoptosis; this indicated an anticancer mechanism of oxidation. Additionally, these complexes could bind to serum albumin through a static quenching mechanism. The data highlight the potential value of half-sandwich iridium(III) phenanthroline complexes as anticancer drugs.     

Development and Demonstration of Americium (III)-Europium (III) Separation Using Diglycolamic Acid

The extraction behavior of Eu(III) and Am(III) in a solution of bis(2-ethylhexyl)diglycolamic acid (HDEHDGA) in n-dodecane (n-DD) from citric acid (CA) medium was studied as a function of various parameters. The extraction increased with increase of pH, reached a maximum at pH 2 followed by decrease. The stripping behavior of Eu(III) and Am(III) from the loaded organic phase was studied by using a solution of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and CA. The conditions needed for the efficient separation of Am(III) from Eu(III) were optimized. Based on the optimized conditions, the feasibility of separating Am(III) from Eu(III) present in CA feed solution was investigated in a 20- stage mixer-settler. Quantitative extraction of Eu(III) and Am(III) in 0.1 M HDEHDGA/n-DD was achieved in 3–4 stages, whereas the selective back extraction of Am(III) was achieved in ～20 stages upon contacting the loaded organic phase with a stripping formulation composed of DTPA-CA at pH 1.5. The results confirmed the possibility of using diglycolamic acid for the separation of trivalent actinides from the chemically similar lanthanides, which is indeed necessary for transmutation of minor actinides present in high-level liquid waste (HLLW).     

Extraction of Lanthanides(III) and Am(III) by Mixtures of Malonamide and Dialkylphosphoric Acid

Abstract

N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐dioctylhexylethoxymalonamide, DMDOHEMA, and di‐n‐hexylphosphoric acid, HDHP, are the extractants of reference for the French DIAMEX–SANEX process for the separation of trivalent actinide ions from the lanthanide ions. In this work, the extraction of Eu³⁺ and Am³⁺ by the two extractants, alone or in mixtures, has been investigated under a variety of experimental conditions. The two cations are extracted by HDHP as the M(DHP · HDHP)₃ complexes with an Eu/Am separation factor of ～10. With DMDOHEMA, Eu³⁺ and Am³⁺ are extracted as the M(NO₃)₃(DMDOHEMA)₂ disolvate species with an Am/Eu separation factor of ～2. The metal distribution ratios measured with a mixture of the two reagents indicated that almost all lanthanides are extracted equally well. The extraction of Eu³⁺ and Am³⁺ by HDHP‐DMDOHEMA mixtures exhibits a change of extraction mechanism and a reversal of selectivity taking place at ～1 M HNO₃ in the aqueous phase. Below this aqueous acidity, HDHP dominates the metal extraction by the mixture, whereas DMDOHEMA is the predominant extractant at higher aqueous acidities. Some measurements indicated apparent modest antagonism between the two extractants in the extraction of Eu³⁺ and synergism in the extraction of Am³⁺. These data were interpreted as resulting from the formation in the organic phase of mixed HDHP‐DMDOHEMA species containing two HDHP and five DMDOHEMA molecules.     

Anticancer Profile of a Series of Gold(III) (2‐phenyl)pyridine Complexes

Six phosphorescent (2‐phenyl)pyridine (ppy) gold(III) 2,4,6‐tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (FMes) complexes were synthesized and investigated for their anticancer potential. The compounds demonstrated strong antiproliferative activity, with EC₅₀ values in the low micromolar range, along with significant accumulation in HeLa cancer cells after treatment for only 6 h (up to 119 ng gold per milligram of protein as measured by high‐resolution continuum source atomic spectroscopy). Enzyme inhibition studies showed interaction of the gold(III) complexes with thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), a key homeostasis‐regulation flavoprotein. TrxR was inhibited with IC₅₀ values in the micromolar range. Furthermore, five of the complexes displayed selectivity toward TrxR against glutathione reductase (GR, a disulfide reductase structurally related to TrxR) by up to >49‐fold. Because no major differences in bioactivity were observed across the series, [(ppy)Au(FMes)(PPh₃)OTf] (complex 4 ) was chosen for further in‐depth biological characterization. Complex 4 was also found to interact with guanosine monophosphate in ¹H NMR studies under long incubation times. Interestingly, 4 induced a significant increase in intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species, which led to late apoptotic events and cytocidal effects.     

Ir(III) and Ru(II) Complexes in Photoredox Catalysis and Photodynamic Therapy: A New Paradigm towards Anticancer Applications

Individually, photoredox catalysis (PC) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) are well-established concepts that have experienced a remarkable resurgence in recent years, leading to significant progress in organic synthesis for PC and clinical approval of anticancer drugs for PDT. But, very recently, new photoredox catalyst systems based on Ir(III) and Ru(II) complexes have garnered significant interest because they can simultaneously be used as PDT agents apart from their demonstrated PC activity. This highlight discusses the unique PC behavior of emerging Ir(III)- and Ru(II)-based systems while also examining their potential PDT activity in cancer treatment.     

Studies on extraction and permeation of lanthanum(III) and cerium(III) using cyphos IL 104 as extractant and ion carrier

ABSTRACT

This work shows application of Cyphos IL 104 (trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinate) as the extractant and the ion carrier of Ce(III) and La(III) from aqueous solutions through polymer inclusion membranes (PIM). These membranes were used for separation of Ce(III) from solution containing La(III), Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II). The best results of the separation process were obtained for PIM containing: 20.0 wt.% CTA, 55.0 wt.% NPOE and 25.0 wt.% Cyphos IL 104 at pH 3.8 into 1 M H₂SO₄. The separation coefficients were found in order of S _Ce/La < S _Ce/Cu < S _Ce/Co < S _Ce/Ni.     

Citrate esters as plasticizers for poly(lactic acid)

Citrate esters were used as plasticizers with poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Films were extruded using a single-screw extruder with plasticizer contents of 10, 20, and 30% by weight. All of the citrate esters investigated were found to be effective in reducing the glass transition temperature and improving the elongation at break. It was observed that the plasticizing efficiency was higher for the intermediate-molecular-weight plasticizers. Hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation tests were conducted on these films. It was found that the lower-molecular-weight citrates increased the enzymatic degradation rate of PLA and the higher-molecular-weight citrates decreased the degradation rate as compared with that of unplasticized PLA. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 1507–1513, 1997     

Selective Separation of Scandium(III) and Yttrium(III) from other Rare Earth Elements using Cyanex302 as an Extractant

Abstract

Liquid‐liquid extraction and selective separation of scandium(III) and yttrium(III) with Cyanex302 (bis(2,4,4‐trimethylpentyl)monothiophosphinic acid) has been carried out by controlling the aqueous phase pH. Scandium(III) and yttrium(III) were completely recovered from the organic phase using 5.0 M and 4.0 M nitric acid respectively and determined spectrophotometrically as their complexes with Arsenazo(III). The influence of extractant concentration, equilibration time, nature of diluents, stripping agents, and diverse ions on the extraction of scandium(III) and yttrium(III) was investigated. The extractability of scandium(III), yttrium(III), and other rare earth elements was exploited for sequential separation of scandium(III)‐yttrium(III)‐lanthanum(III) and other rare earth elements viz. lanthanum(III), cerium(IV), praseodymium(III), neodymium(III), gadolinium(III), dysprosium(III), and ytterbium(III) in binary mixtures. The method presented is simple and rapid for isolation of scandium(III) and yttrium(III) from associated elements and has been successfully applied for their selective separation from complex matrices of USGS standard soil GXR‐2 and Japanese standard stream sediment sample Jsd‐3.     

Extraction of lanthanides(III) from Perchlorate Solutions with Carbamoyl- and Phosphorylmethoxymethylphosphine Oxides and Tetrabutyldiglycolamide

The solvent extraction of Ln(III) ions from perchlorate aqueous solutions into an organic phase containing neutral polyfunctional organophosphorus ligands R₂P(O)CH₂OCH₂C(O)NBu₂ R = Bu (I), R = Ph (II) and R₂P(O)CH₂OCH₂P(O)R¹₂ R = R¹ = Bu (III); R = Bu, R¹ = Ph (IV); R = R¹ = Ph(V) has been studied. Their extraction behavior was compared with that of tetrabutyldiglycolamide (TBDGA), tetrabutylmethylenediphosphine dioxide (VI), P,P-dibutyl-P’P’-diphenylmethylenediphosphine dioxide (VII), tetraphenylmethylenediphosphine dioxide (VIII), dibutyl-N,N-dibutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (IX) and diphenyl-N,N-dibutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (X). The extraction equilibrium was investigated, and the equilibrium constants were calculated. It was found that the lanthanide(III) ions are extracted with the studied extractants from perchlorate solutions as LnL₃(ClO₄)₃ complexes. In the NaClO₄ media, TBDGA was found to possess a higher extraction efficiency towards Ln(III) ions than other neutral donor ligands studied. A successive replacement of the C(O)NBu₂ groups in the diglycolamide extractant molecule by phosphoryl ones leads to a decrease in the extraction efficiency of Ln(III) ions. In the NaClO₄ media, compounds II, IV and V with phenyl radicals at the P(O) group demonstrate a lower extraction efficiency towards Ln(III) ions than their butyl-substituted analogs. In contrast, phenyl-substituted diphosphine dioxides VIII, VII and carbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (X) extract Ln(III) ions more effectively than their butyl-substituted analogs VI and IX. The extraction of Ln(III) ions from HClO₄ solutions is accompanied by HClO₄ interaction with neutral donor extractants, which leads to a decrease of the free extractant concentration in the organic phase. By this reason, an increase in the HClO₄ concentration higher than 0.1 M is accompanied by a decrease of the Ln(III) extraction with TBDGA. In the 3 M HClO₄ system, diphosphine dioxide VIII outperforms TBDGA at the Ln(III) extraction.     

Novel Diglycolamic Acid Functionalized Iron Oxide Particles for the Mutual Separation of Eu(III) and Am(III)

Iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) particles functionalized with diglycolamic acid (Fe-DGAH) were synthesized and characterized by TG-DTA, X-Ray diffraction,¹H NMR, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The extraction behavior of Am(III) and Eu(III) in Fe-DGAH was studied from dilute nitric acid medium to examine the feasibility for the mutual separation of trivalent actinides and lanthanides using Fe-DGAH. For this purpose, the effect of various parameters such as the duration of equilibration and concentrations of europium, nitric acid, and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) in the aqueous phase on the distribution ratio (K_d) of Am(III) and Eu(III) was studied. The conditions needed for the efficient separation of Am(III) from Eu(III) were optimized using DTPA. The distribution ratio of ?10⁴ mL/g was obtained for both Am(III) and Eu(III) at pH 3, and it decreased with an increase in the concentration of nitric acid. However, a separation factor of Eu(III) over Am(III) of ?150 was achieved in the presence of DTPA. Rapid sorption of metal ions in the initial stages of equilibration followed by the establishment of equilibrium occurred within 2 h. The sorption data were fitted to the Langmuir adsorption model, and the apparent europium sorption capacity was determined to be ?50 mg/g. The study indicated the feasibility of using Fe-DGAH particles for magnetic separation of Eu(III) from Am(III) with high separation factors.     

Ruthenium(III) Complexes of Heterocyclic Tridentate (ONN) Schiff Base: Synthesis,Characterization and its Biological Properties as an Antiradical and Antiproliferative Agent

The current work reports the synthesis, spectroscopic studies, antiradical and antiproliferative properties of four ruthenium(III) complexes of heterocyclic tridentate Schiff base bearing a simple 2′,4′-dihydroxyacetophenone functionality and ethylenediamine as the bridging ligand with RCHO moiety. The reaction of the tridentate ligands with RuCl₃·3H₂O lead to the formation of neutral complexes of the type [Ru(L)Cl₂(H₂O)] (where L = tridentate NNO ligands). The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, UV-vis, conductivity measurements, FTIR spectroscopy and confirmed the proposed octahedral geometry around the Ru ion. The Ru(III) compounds showed antiradical potentials against 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, with DPPH scavenging capability in the order: [(PAEBOD)RuCl₂] > [(BZEBOD)RuCl₂] > [(MOABOD)RuCl₂] > [Vit. C] > [rutin] > [(METBOD)RuCl₂], and ABTS radical in the order: [(PAEBOD)RuCl₂] < [(MOABOD)RuCl₂] < [(BZEBOD)RuCl₂] < [(METBOD)RuCl₂]. Furthermore, in vitro anti-proliferative activity was investigated against three human cancer cell lines: renal cancer cell (TK-10), melanoma cancer cell (UACC-62) and breast cancer cell (MCF-7) by SRB assay.     

Separation of La(III), Eu(III), and Ho(III) with Sorbents Impregnated by Mixtures of Acidic Phosphoryl Podands and Amines in Nitric Acid Solutions

ABSTRACT

The possibility of separation of La(III), Eu(III), and Ho(III) as respective individual representatives of light, medium, and heavy rare earth elements was studied using sorbents impregnated by mixtures of acidic phosphoryl podands derived from diethylene glycol and octyl, dioctyl, and trioctyl amines from nitric acid solutions of various concentrations. The influence of the phosphoryl podands structure, their percentage content, and proportion in a sorbent and the nature of an acid on the efficiency of separation of La(III), Eu(III), Ho(III) was studied. It is shown that the greater is the concentration of HNO₃, the smaller are the separation factors of REEs, and remarkably so. The most efficient separation is achieved with the concentration of HNO₃ not over 0.04 mol/L. The optimal conditions of separation of La(III), Eu(III), and Ho(III) with the developed sorbent were found. Repeated use of the sorbent for the separation of La(III), Eu(III), and Ho(III) after its regeneration with 0.04 mol/L HNO₃ was estimated. It was found that the efficiency of separation of REEs with the sorbents impregnated by a mixture of 1,5-bis(2-oxyethoxyphosphoryl-4-ethylphenoxy)-3-oxapentane and trioctylamine (TOA) exceeds markedly that made of a mixture of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (DEHPA) and TOA.     

Chiral NCN Pincer Rhodium(III) Complexes with Bis(imidazolinyl)phenyl Ligands: Synthesis and Enantioselective Catalytic Alkynylation of Trifluoropyruvates with Terminal Alkynes

A series of new chiral C₂‐symmetrical NCN pincer rhodium(III) complexes with bis(imidazolinyl)phenyl ligands have been conveniently synthesized from easily available materials. The complexes were subsequently applied in the enantioselective addition of terminal alkynes to trifluoropyruvates. With catalyst loading of 1.5–3.0 mol%, the alkynylation of ethyl or methyl trifluoropyruvate with a variety of electronically and structurally diverse terminal alkynes gave the optically active trifluoromethyl‐substituted tertiary propargylic alcohols with enantioselectivities of up to >99% ee and high yields. Although good to excellent enantioselectivities (85–98% ee) could be achieved only for some of the aliphatic terminal alkynes under the optimized conditions, the enantioselectivities were consistently excellent (94% to >99% ee) in the case of aromatic as well as heteroaromatic alkynes and enynes.     

钛酸四丁酯催化合成柠檬酸三丁酯

以柠檬酸和正丁醇为原料,钛酸四丁酯为催化剂,酯化合成柠檬酸三丁酯。确定了优惠反应条件:酸醇比为1:4.1,反应温度为150℃,反应时间为4.5h,催化剂用量为柠檬酸质量的1.2%,酯化率达到99%以上,用GC/MS色质联用仪检测产品纯度在99.5%以上。     

Selective extraction of In(III), Ga(III) and Zn(II) using a novel extractant with phenylphosphinic acid

A new extractant, [N,N-di(2-ethylhexyl)amino]methylphenylphosphinic acid (DEAPP), was synthesized to de-velop the mutual separation techniques of In(III), Ga(III) and Zn(II). The extraction selectivity for In(III), Ga(I I) and Zn(II) with DEAPP was higher than that of the commercial phosphorus acid extractants such as D2EHPA and PC-88A. The extraction selectivity for metal ions in 1 mol·L?1 aqueous ammonium nitrate solution with DEAPP was in the following order:In(III) N Ga(III) N Zn(II). These selective extraction behaviors indicate that the amino moiety of DEAPP plays an important role in the mutual separation of In(III), Ga(III) and Zn(II). The extraction equilibria of In(I I), Ga(II ) and Zn(II) with DEAPP (=HR) were expressed by the following reactions:In3++2eHRT2?InR3eHRT+3H+, Ga3++1.5eHRT2+NO3??GaR2eHRTeNO3T+2H+, and Zn2++2eHRT2?ZnR2eHRT 2 + 2H+. The extraction equilibrium constants of In(III), Ga(III) and Zn(II) with DEAPP were determined to be Kex,M=1.7 × 104 [dm3·mol?1], 4.17 [(dm3·mol?1)0.5], and 1.55 x 10?2 [–], respectively.     

Separation and concentration processes of solutions of Co(II), Ni(II), Cr(III), Fe(III) and Mn(II) by extraction with toluene-dissolved rosin

The extraction and stripping of Co(II), Ni(II), Cr(III) and Fe(III) from aqueous solutions by rosin dissolved in toluene has been investigated. Results obtained show that rosin is better extractant than abietic or n-lauric acids under comparable conditions. From these results, and the data of Mn(II) solvent extraction studied previously under the same conditions, a separation and concentration process for these five cations in aqueous solutions has been designed. Saturated solutions of Fe(III), Cr(III), Mn(II) and finally Co(II) and Ni(II) have been obtained successively by extraction and stripping, by addition of ammonium hydroxide to obtain the appropriate pH value, and by modifying adequately the organic phase/aqueous phase volume ratio.     

Self-assembled bright luminescent hierarchical materials from a tripodal benzoate antenna and heptadentate Eu(III) and Tb(III) cyclen complexes

The europium heptadentate coordinatively unsaturated (Eu(III)) and the terbium (Tb(III)) 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (cyclen) complexes 1 and 2 were used in conjunction with ligand 3 (1,3,5-benzene-trisethynylbenzoate) to form the supramolecular self-assembly structures 4 and 5;this being investigated in both the solid and the solution state. The resulting self-assemblies gave rise to metal centered emission (both in the solid and solution) upon excitation of 3, confirming its role as a sensitizing antenna. Drop-cased examples of ligand 3, and the solid forms of 4 and 5, formed from both organic and mixture of organic-aqueous solutions, were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy, which showed significant changes in morphology;the ligand giving rise to one dimensional structures, while both 4 and 5 formed amorphous materials that were highly dense solid networks containing nanoporous features. The surface area (216 and 119 m2·g^-1 for 4 and 5 respectively) and the ability of these porous materials to capture and store gases such as N2 investigated at 77 K. The self-assembly formation was also investigated in diluted solution by monitoring the various photophysical properties of 3–5. This demonstrated that the most stable structures were that consisting of a single antennae 3 and three complexes of 1 or 2 (e.g., 4 and 5) in solution. By monitoring the excited state lifetimes of the Eu(III) and Tb(III) ions in H2O and D2O respectively, we showed that their hydration states (the q-value) changed from -2 to 0, upon formation of the assemblies, indicating that the three benzoates of 3 coordinated directly to the each of the three lanthanide centers. Finally we demonstrate that this hierarchically porous materials can be used for the sensing of organic solvents as the emission is highly depended on the solvent environment;the lanthanide emission being quenched in the presence of acetonitrile and THF, but greatly enhanced in the presence of methanol.