ChemPlusChem最新文献

Flavonoid–oxidovanadium(IV) (VO) complexes have been widely investigated as anticancer agents because of their ability to induce oxidative stress in tumor cells. In contrast, Zn complexes with ligands capable of reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) may exert antitumor effects through a reductive-stress mechanism. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a Zn–troxerutin complex, its interaction with bovine serum albumin (BSA), and its anticancer activity. This study aims to correlate the chemical and biological properties of the complex after replacing a redox-active metal ion with a redox-inactive one. The Zn–troxerutin complex exhibited the same coordination mode and 1:1 metal-to-ligand stoichiometry as the VO analog. It showed dose-dependent antiproliferative activity at higher concentrations in A549, MDA-MB-231, and HCT-116 cancer cells, while reducing intracellular ROS. In HCT-116 cells, reductive stress was associated with increased glutathione (GSH) levels and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. The complex displayed greater anticancer efficacy than free troxerutin and selectivity toward cancer cells over normal HEK293 cells. BSA binding studies yielded positive ΔH and ΔS values, indicating that hydrophobic interactions drive complex formation, with binding constants within the optimal range for drug transport. These findings highlight Zn–troxerutin as a promising anticancer agent acting through reductive-stress pathways.

Passive permeation across biological membranes is governed by a delicate balance of transient noncovalent interactions that are difficult to resolve experimentally or through conventional molecular dynamics (MD) analyses alone. Here, we present a perspective on the integration of the averaged modified independent gradient model (amIGM) based on promolecular density approximation and the graphic representation of the local electron energy density (GLED) with classical MD simulations to investigate the passive translocation of the cisplatin (cisPt) anticancer drug across a model membrane representative of the lipid composition of breast cancer cells. This multiscale framework combines atomistic sampling with real-space descriptors, enabling the dynamic characterization of hydrogen bonding, dispersion forces, steric effects, and local electronic stabilization trends along the permeation pathway. As a proof of concept, we analyze the supramolecular nanosolvation environment of cisPt at finite temperature in two representative states: bulk aqueous solution and membrane center, corresponding to the maximum of the potential of mean force (+16 kcal mol⁻¹). The combined amIGM/GLED approach reveals how the nature and spatial distribution of drug–water interactions evolve in response to the local membrane environment, providing mechanistic insight into the electronic and supramolecular factors that shape the free-energy landscape of passive permeation.

2,3-Dicyanopyrazine (DCNP) was first utilized as a π-acceptor to form charge-transfer complexes with strong π-donors, 3a,6a-diaza-1,4-diphosphapentalenes (RR’DDP), bearing peripheral methyl and annelated cyclohexyl substituents. The donor and acceptor molecules form mixed D–A–D–A stacks irrespective of the component ratio. The study of electron density topology indicated that each DCNP molecule accepts 0.22–0.24 electron charges in the crystal. The intermolecular interaction energy between donor and acceptor molecules ranges from 3.8 to 5.0 kcal/mol. An evaluation of the dark conductivity of the (cHexDDP•DCNP) sample showed an increase in current by ~5 orders of magnitude upon raising the temperature from 233 to 283 K. When RR’DDP interacts with acenaphthene- and cyclohexane-annelated 2,3-dicyanopyrazines, complexation is observed in solution, but CTC crystals do not form.

The development of efficient catalytic strategies for the chemical recycling and upcycling of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is of great importance for advancing sustainable polymer technologies and promoting a circular plastics economy. Herein, we describe the selective alcoholysis of PLA promoted by a commercial titanium alkoxide and a phenoxy-imine pyridine zinc complex using various diols, leading to the formation of novel lactyl-based intermediates that were employed in subsequent polycondensation reactions with dicarboxylic acids. Alcoholysis reaction of PLA in the presence of ethylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, cis-2-butene-1,4-diol and 3-allyloxy-1,2-propanediol afforded novel lactyl-containing diols, which were successfully reacted with adipic acid to produce a series of novel copolyesters. Structural characterization by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy confirmed the effective incorporation of lactyl units into the polymer backbones. Thermal analyses revealed that the introduction of lactyl moieties influences the crystallinity and thermal behavior of the resulting materials, generally leading to amorphous polymers. This approach demonstrates a straightforward and versatile route for the valorization of PLA waste into novel functional building blocks for the synthesis of potentially biodegradable polyesters with a variety of chemical features.

Benzaldehyde is a vital intermediate for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Traditional chemical synthesis methods are costly and cause environmental pollution. Therefore, developing novel green synthesis approaches is growing increasingly important. A photoelectrochemical (PEC) system was constructed using a WO₃/SnO₂ n–n heterojunction photoanode, with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) acting as a selective hydrogen-atom-transfer mediator. The preparation parameters were optimized, and the material was characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. PEC properties and catalytic performance were evaluated. The optimized WO₃/SnO₂ exhibited extended light absorption and efficient charge separation. Under ambient conditions, the PEC system delivered 98% yield and 100% selectivity for benzaldehyde without using hazardous oxidants or causing substrate overoxidation. This work provides a green and efficient approach for benzaldehyde synthesis, offering theoretical and technical support for the PEC production of high-value fine chemicals and pharmaceutical intermediates.

This study presents an integrated, waste-based route to produce chemically purified cellulose (CPC), cellulose nanofibers (CNF), cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), and carbon dots (CDs) from Tectona grandis (teak) leaves. CPC was obtained by sequential dewaxing, chlorite bleaching, sulfite treatment, and alkaline extraction. CNFs were prepared by high-shear processing and sonication, while CNCs were produced by controlled sulfuric-acid hydrolysis. CDs, including sulfur- and nitrogen-doped variants, were synthesized via hydrothermal carbonization of leaf powder. Materials were characterized by proximate/ultimate (elemental) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy, UV–vis/fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering/zeta potential (ζ), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Proximate/ultimate analysis indicates the leaves are a suitable feedstock (C ≈ 40.42 wt%, holocellulose ≈ 42.19 wt%, α-cellulose ≈ 18.18 wt%). XRD analysis yields a CNC crystallinity index of ≈63.19%. Microscopy confirms rod-like CNC morphology and nanoscale CDs. TGA shows thermal behavior consistent with a stable cellulose fraction, and preliminary antibacterial testing (Escherichia coli) was performed using the pour-plate method. The presented water-based procedures convert a combustible forest residue into value-added nanomaterials.

Advanced oxidation processes are among the mainstream and high-efficiency technologies for treating pharmaceutically active compounds and other water pollutants. However, most current electro-Fenton (EF) processes still rely on the use of Fe²⁺ and oxidizing agents, and the secondary pollution problem caused by metal ion leaching resulting therefrom has not yet been effectively addressed. Herein, we report a dual-system four-electrode EF cell that requires no addition of chemical reagents. The system employs a 300-nm-thick NiFeMnCu (NFMC) thin film, which not only functions as an OER collector for oxygen generation from both Anode I and Anode II, but also serves as a working electrode with a two-electron pathway to produce H₂O₂ through the electrochemical reduction of O₂ at Cathode I. Furthermore, by integrating the Cathode II, NFMC cathode for the second-step sequential electrocatalytic reaction, the generation of H₂O₂ and its conversion to ·OH can be achieved. This catalytic system can effectively avoid problems such as metal sludge accumulation. When cefadroxil is used as the target pollutant, its removal can be completed within 30 min. Owing to the adoption of low-cost, durable, and scalable electrode materials, this process possesses high feasibility for practical application.

Gas plasma exposure and plasma-activated water (PAW) containing long-lived reactive oxygen species (H₂O₂) and nitrogen species (NO₂^‒, NO₃^‒) generated by a multielectrode cylindrical dielectric barrier discharge plasma effectively inactivated oral bacteria Streptococcus mutans, opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, and foodborne or intestinal Escherichia coli strains, which were used as comparator organisms. Gas plasma exposure to the water alters the water pH, H₂O₂, and NO_x (Combined NO₂^‒ & NO₃^‒) concentrations. Gas Plasma (NO_x and O₃) achieved a 4–6 log reduction of bacteria within 16 min, while PAW induced a 5–6 log reduction within 3 days and reduced biofilm formation by 50 ± 0.21% ~ 40 ± 8.65%. These results show that bacteria, surface morphology, live/dead and RONS imaging, and flow cytometry consistently demonstrate that biocompatible plasma treatment significantly controls oral pathogens. Plasma gas and both distilled and tap-water PAW effectively inhibited S. mutans, with higher selectivity than that of other bacteria. This study highlights the potential of PAW as a novel, biocompatible strategy to mitigate the virulence of oral bacteria.

Sertraline (SRT) is a widely prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor used for the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Accurate and sensitive determination of SRT is essential for therapeutic drug monitoring, dose optimization, pharmacokinetic studies, and the prevention of adverse effects associated with inappropriate drug exposure. In this study, a simple and sensitive electrochemical sensing platform was developed for the determination of SRT, achieving a detection limit at nanomolar levels. The sensor was fabricated by modifying the SPCE surface with feather-like Au−Ag−CoO_x-based multicomponent composite materials, which provided an enhanced electroactive interface for SRT oxidation. The structural and morphological properties of the prepared material were characterized using SEM, XRD, and AFM, while its electrochemical performance was investigated by voltammetric techniques. The Au−Ag−CoO_x/SPCE sensor exhibited a markedly enhanced oxidation signal for SRT relative to the bare SPCE, confirming the electrocatalytic contribution of the Au−Ag−CoO_x surface architecture. Under optimized conditions, the proposed sensor showed a linear response across the two linear ranges, from 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ M and 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 2.0 × 10⁻⁴ M, with a detection limit of 6.1 × 10⁻⁸ M. The sensor also exhibited good selectivity against the testing interfering species, along with excellent repeatability and reproducibility, with RSD values of 1.46% and 1.75%, respectively, and acceptable long-term stability by retaining approximately 85% of its initial response after 30 days. The practical applicability of the method was demonstrated through the analysis of SRT in pharmaceutical tablets, human serum, and water samples, yielding recovery values of 98.71%–102.35%, 97.45%–104.29%, and 100.80%–104.00%, respectively. Overall, the developed Au−Ag−CoO_x/SPCE platform offers a reliable, cost-effective, and sensitive approach for SRT determination in pharmaceutical, biological, and environmental samples.

Paper artifacts are irreplaceable carriers of human history and culture, yet they are inherently vulnerable to degradation through acidification, hydrolysis, and oxidation. Conventional conservation approaches, such as immersion and spraying, introduce liquid media and additives that can disturb fiber microstructure and alter appearance. Here we report a dry, depth-programable vapor-phase molecular infiltration strategy for paper-based cultural heritage conservation. Using diethylzinc as a precursor, we achieve either surface-confined or depth-controlled zinc incorporation within cellulose fibers by tuning exposure kinetics, yielding zinc-modified Xuan paper (Zn-X). At the molecular level, zinc coordinates with oxygen-containing functional groups in cellulose, forming Zn–O–cellulose linkages that reinforce the cellulose network. This atomic-scale modification, in synergy with the hierarchical fiber structure, imparts deacidification, hydrophobicity, improved mechanical strength, and antibacterial activity, while also reducing flame spread with enhanced char formation and post-burn legibility—all without compromising the original morphology and visual appearance. Furthermore, we demonstrate practical utility on a historical Qing-dynasty manuscript, achieving increased hydrophobic protection with minimal color change and preserved text legibility. This work establishes a precise, minimally invasive, and multifunctional platform for the sustainable conservation of paper-based cultural heritage.