Chemistry Commons^™

Killing Cancer: Manipulating Hydrophobic Vanadium Complexes To Improve Anti-Cancer Activity, Levi Ausherman, Debbie C. Crans, Peter A. Lay, Maggi Braasch-Turi

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Hydrophobic vanadium complexes have recently shown improved anti-cancer activities compared to cisplatin. The hydrophobicity and anti-proliferative activity of [VO(Hshed)(dtb)] ([Hshed= N-(salicylideneaminato)-N’-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine and dtb= 3,5-di(tert-butyl)catechol)]) have inspired the development of a library of hydrophobic vanadium complexes. Increasing the steric bulk of the catechol ligand has been shown to have a direct impact on hydrophobicity and anti-proliferative activities. Currently at Fort Hays State University, the Braasch-Turi group is synthesizing VO(HSHED)(dtb) to build up material to support the chemical analysis and biological assay performed by our collaborators at Colorado State University and the University of Sydney, Australia, respectively. In the future, we plan …

Unlocking The Secret To Weight Loss: Discovering The Most Effective Green Tea Products, Seoyeon Kim

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

To find the most effective green tea product that can replace

weight loss drugs, we compared the amount of catechin in six

different green tea products. The result was green tea latte

powder contained a significantly small amount of catechin

compared to other products, and the dried pearl green tea leaves

had the highest amount of catechin. Also, the unexpected result

was that green tea supplements had less amount of catechin

compared to dried leaves or even tea bags that are commonly

sold in markets.

Synthesis, Molecular Characteristics, And Antibacterial Assessment Of Marine Hydroid Aqueous Extract-Based Silver Bio-Nanoparticles, Fredryk Mandey, Aulia Rhamdani Arfan, Rugaiyah Andi Arfah

Makara Journal of Science

This investigation aims to synthesize, analyze the molecularity, and test the ability of bacterial inhibition capability of silver nanoparticles that have been synthesized by simply mixing silver nitrate and aqueous extracts of marine natural products with and without the addition of amylum as a stabilizing agent. This research, with and without the addition of amylum as a stabilizing agent, obtained 39.0 and 55.2 mg of solids of round-shaped morphology silver nanoparticles with diameters of 87.9 and 103.0 nm., respectively. In addition, the antibacterial testing assay against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli showed some considerably good results. S. aureus with the …

N–((2–Acetylphenyl)Carbamothioyl)Benzamide: Synthesis, Crystal Structure Analysis, And Theoretical Studies, Akin Oztaslar, Hakan Arslan

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

N–((2–Acetylphenyl)carbamothioyl)benzamide has been synthesized and characterized. The molecular conformation of the investigated compound is stabilized by C16–H16B⋅⋅⋅O2ⁱ (i: 1+x, y, z) intermolecular and C14–H14⋅⋅⋅S1, N2–H2⋅⋅⋅O2, and N2–H2⋅⋅⋅O1 intramolecular H–bonds. All DFT calculations have been implemented at the B3LYP level with the 6–311G(d,p) basis set. The optimized molecular structure parameters have been compared with the experimental one in the solid phase. The energy gap, global chemical reactivity descriptor parameters, MEP, Fukui functions, DoS, NLO, and NBO analysis were also computed and investigated. The intermolecular interactions and their energies are evaluated using Hirshfeld surface and energy framework analyses. To determine …

Study Of Antioxidant Activity Of The Derivatives Of Quinoline-4-Carboxylic Acids By The Modification Of Isatin Via Pfitzinger Reaction, Sakti Hidayati Fikriya, Antonius Herry Cahyana

Makara Journal of Science

In this study, a quinoline-4-carboxylic acid derivative was synthesized through Pfitzinger reaction. In this reaction, isatin is modified via its reaction with ketone and refluxed for 24 h to obtain quinoline-4-carboxylic acid. The presence of a carboxylic group was identified by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry. The results showed that the absorption peaks of C=O and O–H stretching’s were detected in the range of 1724–1708 and 3436–3242 cm⁻¹, respectively. In the UV-vis spectrum, a shift in the absorption peak was observed toward a larger wavelength, which is referred as a bathochromic shift. The formation …

Synthesis And Characterization Of New Azo Dyes Derived From Acyclovir And Sulfamethoxazole And Study Their Biological Activity, Abdul Rahman Y. Wahoud, Thanaa Shriteh, Ali Yousef, Mohammad Mazen Kondakji

Hadhramout University Journal of Natural & Applied Sciences

In this research, two new azo dyes, 9-(2-Hydroxy-ethoxymethyl)-2-(2-hydroxy5nitrophenylazo)-1,9-dihydro-purin-6-one and 4-(2-Hydroxy-napHthalen-1-ylazo)-N-(5-methyl-isoxazol-3-yl)-benzenesulfonamide, derived from Acyclovir and Sulfamethoxazole was synthesized. The first dye synthesis was started by diazation of acyclovir, then combined with 4-nitrophenol activated with potassium hydroxide 10%, yielding 80%, and its purity was verified by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The second dye synthesis was started by diazation of Sulfamethoxazole then combined with β-naphthol activated with potassium hydroxide 10%, yielding 87%, and its purity was verified by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The identity of the resulting pigments was determined based on spectroscopic methods such as infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum …

High Order Structures Formed By The Natural Aromatic Amino Acids, Gabriel Alexander Kupovics, Zeina Alraawi

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

Excessive concentrations of the natural aromatic amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine are characteristic of the severe genetic abnormalities known as phenylketonuria (PKU) and tyrosinemia, respectively. Within this context, this feature article authenticates claims that tryptophan can form amyloid-like supramolecular structures in vitro and is the first to propose potential mechanisms of tryptophan self-assembly, including hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence kinetics and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data suggest the formation of amyloid-like fibrillar structures by natural aromatic amino acids in vitro. Additionally, the propensity of amino acid aggregation increases in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The …

Palladium (Ii)-Catalyzed Selective Reduction Of 4’-(Phenylethynl)Acetophenone In The Presence Of A Formic Acid-Triethylamine Mixture, Suzanne Chayya, Akram Hijazi, Anis Daou, Ali Alaaeddine, Mohamad Sakr, Ghassan Younes, Mohammad El-Dakdouki

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

An efficient and straightforward palladium acetylacetonate-catalyzed hydrogen transfer of 4'- (phenylethynyl)acetophenone was developed in this study. Formic Acid was found to be the best hydrogen source in this catalytic system in the presence of triethylamine. Excellent conversions and selectivity were obtained in reducing the starting internal aromatic alkyne to either (E)-1-(4- styrylphenyl)ethanone or an interesting cyclic product, 1-(phenanthrene-3-yl)ethenone, over the ketone functional group present. Over-reduction was rarely seen. The reaction conditions were optimized in terms of the choice of the palladium catalyst, temperature, solvent, and the H-donor/base combination. Using this catalytic system, a one-step synthetic pathway of the …

Design Of Possible Organic Photovoltaic Compounds And Their Initial Computational Assessment, Albert Ochoa Castillo, Joshua Smith

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

The excessive use of fossil fuels has surged the need for alternative energy sources, such as solar energy. Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells can potentially be an alternative to silicon solar cells. OPV compounds are carbon-based and use organic electronics as a semiconductor to produce electricity from the sun. There is a large interest in OPV cells because they are strong absorbers and come at a low cost of synthesis. Herein, possible OPV compounds were designed, and theoretical computations were done to assess their efficiency. Density Functional Theory was used to calculate the HOMO-LUMO gap of the compounds designed. Semiconductors such …

Synthesis, Characterization, And Bioactivity Of 3-Substituted Coumarins As An Undergraduate Project, Karsen King, Nicholas Campbell, Ronald Okoth, Wathsala Medawala

Georgia Journal of Science

Coumarins are an important class of phytochemicals, a chemical defense presumed to be secreted by plants. More recently, Coumarins have gathered popularity for their basis in anti-cancer agents. This paper dives into the organic synthesis of two 3-substituted coumarins from o-vanillin using the Knoevenagel condensation reaction. The 3-substituted coumarin were characterized using melting point analysis, ¹H-NMR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. In addition, the anticancer activity of synthesized 3-substituted coumarin compounds were assayed against topoisomeraseIIα, which is the target enzyme of FDA approved anti-cancer drug etoposide since it is an active enzyme in cancer cell replication. The demonstrated procedures can be …

Electro-Organic Synthesis Of Schiff-Bases And Azo-Schiff Bases By Electrochemical Reduction Of The Nitro Group Group In Different Media, Siba Naseef, Deep Bakair, Rushdi Mador

Hadhramout University Journal of Natural & Applied Sciences

In this research synthesized amino is derivative of Schiff-bases by using electrolysis cell. Electrochemical reduction of para-nitroaniline and electrocatalysed condensation have been carried out at zinc electrode and anode from coal in the presence of potassium chloride as supporting electrolyte in water/methanol solution, and in the application of 20V voltage, where interaction is in two stages: the first stage involves the electrochemical reduction of nitro group and get the amino and the second phase also, azo Schiff was synthesized between para-nitroaniline and metoxybenzealdehyde by electrolysis method, which was supplied with a zinc electrode as cathode to perform electrochemical reduction in …

Synthesis And Complexation Of Monotosylated 4-Aminopyridine With Nickel (Ii) And Iron (Ii) Ions, Kingsley John Orie, Remy Ukachukwu Duru, Raphael I-Oro Ngochindo

Makara Journal of Science

Tosylated 4-aminopyridine and other sulfonylated compounds of amines comprise a substantial class of pharmaceutical drugs used as antibiotics in the field of medicine. This research aimed at the synthesis of tosylated 4-aminopyridine and the complexation of the tosyated 4-aminopyridine with Ni(II) and Fe(II) ions. The sulfonamide was prepared by the action of tosyl chloride on 4-aminopyridine in an aqueous alkaline medium. The complexes were synthesized by the reaction of Ni(NO₃)_2.6H₂O /Fe(NO₃)_2.6H₂O with sulfonamide derivative. These compounds were characterized through Ultraviolet Visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier Transform Infer-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, …

Records Of Enriched Uranium Atmospheric Deposition In Pond Sediments In Piketon, Oh, Brianna Herner, Brian Majestic, Michael Ketterer

DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive

The enrichment of uranium, often for nuclear weapons programs and commercial nuclear reactors, produces higher concentrations of radioactive uranium 235 (²³⁵U) than what naturally occurs, which can pose a human health hazard. The most abundant naturally occurring uranium isotope is ²³⁸U, which is still radioactive, however a higher concentration of ²³⁵U skews the observed isotopic uranium distribution. The Department of Energy Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, located near Piketon, OH, enriched uranium from 1954 to 2001 and ²³⁵U pollution has recently been detected in air and sediment samples in the surrounding community. The extent of the …

Review Of Chemoselective Reagent Based-Breath Analysis Techniques, Madeline F. Mccloud

Grawemeyer Colloquium Papers

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pose a threat due to the negative effects of many compounds on human health. VOCs of interest are specific carbonyl compounds produced exogenously and endogenously, resultant of industrial pollution and diseases such as cancer. High concentrations of these carbonyl compounds are found in exhaled breath are linked to cancer, therefore non-invasive breath tests would prove beneficial for cancer diagnosis. Usage of chemoselective cationic reagents allows for efficient testing of these concentrations. The development of these breath tests is detailed in the report.

Visualization Without Vision – How Blind And Visually Impaired Students And Researchers Engage With Molecular Structures, Croix J. Laconsay, Henry B. Wedler, Dean J. Tantillo

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

This article examines the tools and techniques currently available that enable blind and visually impaired (BVI) individuals to visualize three-dimensional objects used in learning chemistry concepts. How BVI individuals engage with and visualize molecular structure is discussed and recent tactile (or haptic) and auditory methods for visualization of various chemistry concepts are summarized. Remaining challenges for chemistry education researchers are described with the aim of highlighting the potential value of educational research in further enabling BVI students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Synthesis Of Stimuli-Responsive Programmable Polymers Through Ring-Opening–Metathesis Cross-Metathesis (Rom-Cm), Courtney S. Dziewior, Sharon M. S. Strickland, Ping Li, Ken D. Shimizu

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Stimuli-responsive polymers can change their physical and/or chemical properties in response to external stimuli. These polymers have found great success in a number of important areas including molecular gels and biomedical engineering, as well as success in applications such as targeted drug delivery and biosensors. We have been working toward the development of programmable polymers that remember the response after a stimulus is withdrawn. To this end, we set out to synthesize specific functional monomers. While different types of reactions could potentially result in the desired target monomer, we studied the ring-opening metathesis–cross-metathesis reaction (ROM-CM). Previous work of ours synthesized …

Refinement Of Production Grade Biodiesel, Campbell Axt, Robert B. Hughley Jr., Sydney Ninneman, Jillian Turner

The Corinthian

The modified Burton method for the thermal hydrogen-cracking of peanut oil has been investigated in McGill Research Group since 2009. The successful and reliable production of biodiesel has been achieved since 2014. A hydrocarbon with a viscosity similar to Production Grade Diesel will work in modern diesel engines. The current product has a viscosity significantly lower than production grade diesel. The starting material has a viscosity significantly higher than Production Grade Diesel. Current research is investigating methodologies to mix starting material and product to achieve target viscosity.

Inequality, Rubber, And Thermodynamics In Indonesia, Ernest M. Oleksy

The Downtown Review

Intersectionality has led the charge in ensuring that workplace justice is assured to all people, irrespective of their identities. While intersectionality is a useful theory for explaining inequality, what must not be understated is the contributions that postcolonialism and the blue-collar working identity can have on harsh working conditions. Particularly, miners in Indonesia have had to work in very hostile environments where they are at-risk for sulfur poisoning as they mine for materials to vulcanize rubber. This article serves two purposes. The first is to call attention to how place can help explain the differential experiences of miners in the …

Amidoalkylation Of Aromatic Compounds, Mukhabbat Yuldasheva, Khurshida Turaeva, Tursunali Kholiqov

Bulletin of National University of Uzbekistan: Mathematics and Natural Sciences

As the result of systematical investigation of amidomethylation reaction benzene, toluene, isomeric xylenes, benzodioxane-1,4, mono- and dimethyl ethers of resorcinole, dimethyl ethers of hydroquinone with methylol and ethylol derivatives amides and imides, acetonitrile, benzonitrile and paraform the amidomethyl derivatives have been obtained and also influence of different factors on their yields and direction of investigated reactions was determined. Synthesis of amidomethyl derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons, ethers dihydricpenols and most probable reaction mechanism was proposed.

Synthesis Of A Bipyridine Ligand For Metal-Triggered Supramolecular Polymers, Andrew D. Gould

DePaul Discoveries

Intermolecular forces, such as H-bonding, ionic interactions and metal chelation between small molecules, can lead to the assembly of higher-order supramolecular nanostructures. A metal chelator, 2-(Pyridin-2-yl) pyridine-5-carboxylic Acid (a bipyridine derivative), is expected to aid in the formation of supramolecular structures as part of amphiphilic molecules that self-assemble in solution in the presence of metal ions. The bipyridine ligand currently under synthesis can be prepared through a five-step synthesis scheme. The second reaction of this synthesis (the coupling of two pyridine rings) resulted in a combination of the desired 1,2,5-isomer, as well as an unforeseen 1,2,3-isomer. Future research will therefore …

Progress Toward Phidianidine Analogues Containing A 1,2,3-Triazole Ring, David Laws Iii, Dillon King, Bryan H. Wakefield

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Phidianidines are a class of compound that has been extracted from the sea mollusk Phidianis militaris. These compounds have been shown to exhibit a variety of useful properties such as antihistamine effects, anti-cancer activity, agonism of the µ-opioid receptor and neuroprotection. The biological activities are thought to be caused by the 1,2,4- oxadiazole ring found within the molecule. The goal of this project is to synthesize analogues of phidianidine that contain a 1,2,3-triazole instead of the 1,2,4 oxadiazole ring using a method that will allow for other regions of the molecule to be changed. This will help to elucidate …

Synthesis Of A Small Molecule Nitrosocysteine Inhibitor To Reduce The Activity Of Caspase-1, Catherine A. Shamblen, Caitlin E. Karver

DePaul Discoveries

Caspase-1 is an enzyme that is overactive in autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases cleaving pro-interleukin-1β to the cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β), which leads to inflammatory symptoms. The inhibition of caspase-1 will cause a decrease in the concentration of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), resulting in the reduction of inflammatory symptoms. Recent research has revealed that the appending of a nitric oxide (NO) or nitroxyl (HNO) donating group to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduced, or avoided, the side effects caused by currently available treatments. A small molecule based on a known caspase-1 inhibitor with a nitrosocysteine appended on was synthesized to look at the effect of …

Serendipitous Discovery Of A New Method For The Catalytic Synthesis Of Indole-Fused Benzazepanes, Edward Gluzman, Paul A. Vadola

DePaul Discoveries

We report here on our investigations into the application of 1,5-hydride transfer cyclization mechanisms to the synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted benzofurans and indoles. We found that PtI₄ in MeCN at 120 ºC was indeed capable of activating the alkyne, however, the expected 2,3-disubstituted indole product was not observed. Instead we isolated an indolyl-3-benzazepane via an unexpected intramolecular Steven’s rearrangement/ring expansion. While this transformation has been previously reported our method may prove to have increased substrate scope and more practical reaction conditions. Further studies are underway to optimize the reaction conditions and to fully explore the scope and mechanism of the …

A Bond Length – Bond Valence Relationship For Carbon – Nitrogen Bonds, C. Harris, F. D. Hardcastle

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

In a recent study, Pauling’s relationship between bond length and valence was derived along with a definition for his fitting parameter b that incorporates the orbital exponents for each atom contributing to the bond of interest. The values of b for various bonds, including C-N bonds, were calculated using the orbital exponent data. In this study, Pauling’s correlation between bond length and bond valence, as well as his valence sum rule, were used with the recently-derived definition for b in order to produce a relationship specifically applicable to C-N bonds. The resulting equation was checked against published x-ray diffraction data …

A General Valence-Length Correlation For Determining Bond Orders: Application To Carbon-Carbon And Carbon-Hydrogen Chemical Bonds, F. D. Hardcastle

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

A quantum-mechanical LCAO approach was used to derive Pauling’s popular empirical bond valencelength relationship s = exp((R₀-R)/b), where s is the bond order or bond valence associated with bond length R, and R₀ and b are fitting parameters. An expression for the b “empirical” fitting parameter is derived in terms of atomic orbital exponents. The b parameters calculated from the atomic orbital exponents are consistent with optimized b parameters. In general, atomic orbital exponents may be used to determine bond valence-length relationships for any chemical bond regardless of valence state, oxidation number, physical or chemical environment. In this study, almost …

Assessing The Impacts Of Inorganic And Organic Fertilizer On Crop Performance Under A Microirrigation-Plastic Mulch Regime, Niyi S. Omidire, Raymon Shange, Victor Khan, Russell Bean, Jewel Bean

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

This study was conducted at S & B Farm located in Eufaula, AL in 2014. The treatments were Inorganic fertilizer/“Farmer’s Mix” (NPK 13:13:13 + ammonium nitrate mixed in 3:1 ratio); Inorganic fertilizer/“Farmer’s Mix” (NPK 13:13:13 + ammonium nitrate mixed in 3:1 ratio + Bio-grow) plus microbe mix; and Organic Fertilizer – Mighty Grow (4-3-4) with a microbe mix. All fertilizers were applied prior to mulch application after which the following crops squash (Cucurbita pepo L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) were directly seeded in a complete randomized …

Understanding The Backlog Problems Associated With Requests For Continued Examination Practice, Sean Tu

Duke Law & Technology Review

One of the greatest problems facing the current patent administration is a long patent pendency period. This study focuses on Request for Continued Examination (RCE) practice, and its effects on the current patent application backlog problem. RCEs are used to continue prosecution after a patent examiner has issued a final rejection. However, now that RCEs are placed on an examiner’s special docket, some examiners may pick up prosecution one to two years after the last action. Accordingly, there are great inefficiencies that may be created by this delay, such as relearning issues and questions from the previous action, diminished value …

Diol-Mediated Versus Water-Mediated Proton Transfer Reactions, Angela Moses

DePaul Discoveries

The triple-proton-transfer reactions of 8H-1,8-naphthyridin-2-one (8H-naph) have been investigated by employing different ab initio quantum mechanical methods. The proton transfer reactions studied were facilitated through an adjacent 1,3-propanediol molecule or two adjacent water molecules. Identical proton transfer reactions were studied using a model system of 8H-naph to investigate the validity of computational approaches that use model systems to study more complex systems. The solvent effects on the structures were investigated for comparison to the initial gas phase calculations. The potential energy, reaction force, and work profiles were studied along the intrinsic reaction coordinate to monitor the developing proton transfer reactions.

Wave Profile For Anti-Force Waves With Maximum Possible Currents, M. Hemmati, R. Horn, W. P. Childs, A. K. Meredith

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

In the theoretical investigation of the electrical breakdown of a gas, we apply a one-dimensional, steady state, constant velocity, three component fluid model and consider the electrons to be the main element in propagation of the wave. The electron gas temperature, and therefore the electron gas partial pressure, is considered to be large enough to provide the driving force. The wave is considered to have a shock front, followed by a thin dynamical transition region. Our set of electron fluid-dynamical equations consists of the equations of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy, plus the Poisson's equation. The set of equations …

Bond Length - Bond Valence Relationships For Carbon - Carbon And Carbon - Oxygen Bonds, C. Harris, F. D. Hardcastle

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

In the present study, relationships are developed for determining bond orders (also referred to as bond valences or bond numbers) from published bond lengths for carbon-carbon (C-C) and carbon-oxygen (C-O) bonds. The relationships are based on Pauling’s empirical formula s = exp((Ro-R)/b)), where s is the bond order, R is the corresponding bond length, Ro is the unit valence bond length, and b is a fitting parameter. We use a recently derived relationship for the b parameter in terms of the bonding atoms’ published atomic orbital exponents. The resulting equations were checked against published x-ray diffraction (XRD) data for 176 …