A tutorial on potentiometric data processing. Analysis of software for optimization of protonation constants

Defining the distribution of the chemical species in a multicomponent system is a task of great importance with applications in many fields. To clarify the identity and the abundance of the species that can be formed by the interaction of the components of a solution, it is fundamental to know the formation constants of those species. The determination of equilibrium constants is mainly performed through the analysis of experimental data obtained by different instrumental techniques. Among them, potentiometry is the elective technique for this purpose. As such, a survey was run within the NECTAR COST Action - Network for Equilibria and Chemical Thermodynamics Advanced Research, to identify the most used software for the analysis of potentiometric data and to highlight their strengths and weaknesses. The features and the calculation processes of each software were analyzed and rationalized, and a simulated titration dataset of a hypothetic hexaprotic acid was processed by each software to compare and discuss the optimized protonation constants. Moreover, further data analysis was also carried out on the original dataset including some systematic errors from different sources, as some calibration parameters, the total analytical concentration of reagents and ionic strength variations during titrations, to evaluate their impact on the refined parameters. Results showed that differences on the protonation constants estimated by the tested software are not significant, while some of the considered systematic errors affect results. Overall, it emerged that software commonly used suffer from many limitations, highlighting the urgency of new dedicated and modern tools. In this context, some guidelines for data generation and treatment are also given.

Elucidation of the anti-plasmodial activity of novel imidazole and oxazole compounds through computational and in vivo experimental approaches

The development of resistance to conventional antimalarial therapies, along with the unfavorable impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global malaria fight, necessitates a greater focus on the search for more effective antimalarial drugs. Targeting a specific enzyme of the malaria parasite to alter its metabolic pathways is a reliable technique for finding antimalarial drug candidates. In this study, we used an in silico technique to test four novel imidazoles and an oxazole derivative for inhibitory potential against Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH), a unique glycolytic enzyme necessary for parasite survival and energy production. The promising imidazole compounds and the oxazole derivative were then tested for anti-plasmodial efficacy in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. With a binding energy of -6.593 kcal/mol, IM-3 had the best docking score against pLDH, which is close to that of NADH (-6.758 kcal/mol) and greater than that of chloroquine (-3.917 kcal/mol). The test compounds occupied the enzyme's NADH binding site, with IM-3 forming four hydrogen bonds with Thr-101, Pro-246, His-195 and Asn-140. Infected mice treatment with IM-3, IM-4 and OX-1 exhibited significantly reduced parasitemia over a four-day treatment period when compared to the infected untreated animals. At 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, IM-3 demonstrated the highest anti-plasmodial activity, suppressing parasitemia by 86.13, 97.71 and 94.11%, respectively. PCV levels were restored by IM-3 and IM-4, and the three selected compounds reduced the lipid peroxidation induced by P. berghei infection in mice. Thus, these compounds may be considered for further development as antimalarial medicines.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Sustainable catalysts for efficient triazole synthesis: an immobilized triazine-based copper-NNN pincer complex on TiO2

The multistep synthesis of a hybrid material based on a TiO2 core with an immobilized triazine-based copper(II)-NNN pincer complex is reported. The formation of the material was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, and the loading by copper ions was quantified by ICP/OES analysis. The properties of the hybrid material were further investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contiuous wave electron spin resonance (CW-ESR), UV-vis spectroscopy, and argon sorption. Efficient and regioselective synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles was achieved by employing the hybrid material as a catalyst in a mixture of H2O/EtOH as a green solvent with excellent catalytic activity with a TOF up to 495 h-1 at 50 °C. The reusability of the prepared hybrid material in the catalytic reaction was possible over five consecutive runs without significant loss of catalytic activity. The described method represents an effective way to ensure sustainable use of pincer complexes in catalytic systems by immobilizing them on solid supports, resulting in a hybrid organic-inorganic catalyst platform.

Defying the inverse energy gap law: a vacuum-evaporable Fe(ii) low-spin complex with a long-lived LIESST state

The novel vacuum-evaporable complex [Fe(pypypyr)₂] (pypypyr = bipyridyl pyrrolide) was synthesised and analysed as bulk material and as a thin film. In both cases, the compound is in its low-spin state up to temperatures of at least 510 K. Thus, it is conventionally considered a pure low-spin compound. According to the inverse energy gap law, the half time of the light-induced excited high-spin state of such compounds at temperatures approaching 0 K is expected to be in the regime of micro- or nanoseconds. In contrast to these expectations, the light-induced high-spin state of the title compound has a half time of several hours. We attribute this behaviour to a large structural difference between the two spin states along with four distinct distortion coordinates associated with the spin transition. This leads to a breakdown of single-mode behaviour and thus drastically decreases the relaxation rate of the metastable high-spin state. These unprecedented properties open up new strategies for the development of compounds showing light-induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) at high temperatures, potentially around room temperature, which is relevant for applications in molecular spintronics, sensors, displays and the like.

Kink distortion of the pseudo-S4 axis in pseudotetrahedral [N2O2] bis-chelate cobalt(II) single-ion magnets leads to increased magnetic anisotropy

Two new mononuclear cobalt(II) complexes with the general formula [Co(L^1,2)₂] (1 and 2) were synthesized using bidentate Schiff base ligands with NO donor set, namely, 2-(benzothiazole-2-ylimino)methyl-5-(diethylamino)phenol (HL1) and its methyl substituted derivative 2-(6-methylbenzothiazole-2-ylimino)methyl-5-(diethylamino)phenol (HL2). X-ray structure analysis reveals a distorted pseudotetrahedral coordination sphere at the cobalt(II) ion, that cannot be described by a simple twisting of the two ligand chelate planes with respect to each other, which would imply a rotation about the pseudo-S₄ axis of the complex. Such a pseudo-rotation axis would approximately be colinear with the two vectors defined by the cobalt ion and the two centroids of the chelate ligands, where the angle κ between the two vectors would be 180° in an ideal pseudotetrahedral arrangement. For complexes 1 and 2, the observed distortion can be characterized by a significant bending at the cobalt ion with angles κ of 163.2° and 167.4°, respectively. Magnetic susceptibility and FD-FT THz-EPR measurements together with ab initio calculations reveal an easy-axis type of anisotropy for both complexes 1 and 2, with a spin-reversal barrier of 58.9 and 60.5 cm^-1, respectively. For both compounds, frequency-dependent ac susceptibility measurements show an out-of-phase susceptibility under applied static fields of 40 and 100 mT, which can be analyzed in terms of Orbach and Raman processes within the observed temperature range.

Weakening the Interchain Interactions in One Dimensional Cobalt(II) Coordination Polymers by Preventing Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding

The reaction of Co(NCS)₂ with N-methylaniline leads to the formation of [Co(NCS)₂(N-methylaniline)₂]_n (1), in which the cobalt(II) cations are octahedrally coordinated and linked into linear chains by pairs of thiocyanate anions. In contrast to [Co(NCS)₂(aniline)₂]_n (2) reported recently, in which the Co(NCS)₂ chains are linked by strong interchain N-H···S hydrogen bonding, such interactions are absent in 1. Computational studies reveal that the cobalt(II) ions in compound 1 show an easy-axis anisotropy that is lower than in 2, but with the direction of the easy axis being similar in both compounds. The high magnetic anisotropy is also confirmed by magnetic and FD-FT THz-EPR spectroscopy, which yield a consistent g_z value. These investigations prove that the intrachain interactions in 1 are slightly higher than in 2. Magnetic measurements reveal that the critical temperature for magnetic ordering in 1 is significantly lower than in 2, which indicates that the elimination of the hydrogen bonds leads to a weakening of the interchain interactions. This is finally proven by FD-FT THz-EPR experiments, which show that the interchain interaction energy in the N-methylaniline compound 1 is nine-fold smaller than in the aniline compound 2.

Improving the performance of an anionic MOF by counter cation replacement as electrode material in a full cell setup of a potassium ion capacitor

Potassium-based energy storage devices are attracting increasing attention as an alternative to lithium and sodium systems. In addition, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can be considered as promising electrode materials for this type of device due to their advantageous properties. Herein, the anionic MOF JUMP-1 and its analog with pre-loading of potassium cations, namely JUMP-1(K), were synthesized and characterized. The anionic framework of JUMP-1 is found to be extremely stable towards the exchange of the dimethylammonium cations by potassium ions. These MOFs were tested in composite electrodes in combination with conventional organic electrolytes as anode materials in a potassium-based system, including the full cell assembly of a potassium ion capacitor (KIC). The results show the significant improvement in capacity between the pristine JUMP-1 and the potassium-exchanged analog JUMP-1(K) as electrode materials. KICs containing JUMP-1(K) coupled with activated carbon (AC) display a promising stability over 4000 cycles. According to the results from these studies, the composite MOF electrode with the potassium-exchange analog JUMP-1(K) presents a promising approach, for which the electrochemical performance compared to the pristine anionic MOF is significantly enhanced.

Magnetic Anisotropy and Relaxation of Pseudotetrahedral [N2 O2 ] Bis-Chelate Cobalt(II) Single-Ion Magnets Controlled by Dihedral Twist Through Solvomorphism

The methanol solvomorph 1 ⋅ 2MeOH of the cobalt(II) complex [Co(L^Sal,2-Ph )₂ ] (1) with the sterically demanding Schiff-base ligand 2-(([1,1'-biphenyl]-2-ylimino)methyl)phenol (HL^Sal,2-Ph ) shows the thus far largest dihedral twist distortion between the two chelate planes compared to an ideal pseudotetrahedral arrangement. The cobalt(II) ion in 1 ⋅ 2MeOH exhibits an easy-axis anisotropy leading to a spin-reversal barrier of 55.3 cm^-1 , which corresponds to an increase of about 17 % induced by the larger dihedral twist compared to the solvent-free complex 1. The magnetic relaxation for 1 ⋅ 2MeOH is significantly slower compared to 1. An in-depth frequency-domain Fourier-transform (FD-FT) THz-EPR study not only allowed the direct measurement of the magnetic transition between the two lowest Kramers doublets for the cobalt(II) complexes, but also revealed the presence of spin-phonon coupling. Interestingly, a similar dihedral twist correlation is also observed for a second pair of cobalt(II)-based solvomorphs, which could be benchmarked by FD-FT THz-EPR.

A Trinuclear High-Spin Iron(III) Complex with a Geometrically Frustrated Spin Ground State Featuring Negligible Magnetic Anisotropy and Antisymmetric Exchange

The trinuclear high-spin iron(III) complex [Fe₃Cl₃(saltag^Br)(py)₆]ClO₄ {H₅saltag^Br = 1,2,3-tris[(5-bromo-salicylidene)amino]guanidine} was synthesized and characterized by several experimental and theoretical methods. The iron(III) complex exhibits molecular 3-fold symmetry imposed by the rigid ligand backbone and crystallizes in trigonal space group P3̅ with the complex cation lying on a crystallographic C₃ axis. The high-spin states (S = ⁵/₂) of the individual iron(III) ions were determined by Mößbauer spectroscopy and confirmed by CASSCF/CASPT2 ab initio calculations. Magnetic measurements show an antiferromagnetic exchange between the iron(III) ions leading to a geometrically spin-frustrated ground state. This was complemented by high-field magnetization experiments up to 60 T, which confirm the isotropic nature of the magnetic exchange and negligible single-ion anisotropy for the iron(III) ions. Muon-spin relaxation experiments were performed and further prove the isotropic nature of the coupled spin ground state and the presence of isolated paramagnetic molecular systems with negligible intermolecular interactions down to 20 mK. Broken-symmetry density functional theory calculations are consistent with the antiferromagnetic exchange between the iron(III) ions within the presented trinuclear high-spin iron(III) complex. Ab initio calculations further support the absence of appreciable magnetic anisotropy (D = 0.086, and E = 0.010 cm^-1) and the absence of significant contributions from antisymmetric exchange, as the two Kramers doublets are virtually degenerate (ΔE = 0.005 cm^-1). Therefore, this trinuclear high-spin iron(III) complex should be an ideal candidate for further investigations of spin-electric effects arising exclusively from the spin chirality of a geometrically frustrated S = ¹/₂ spin ground state of the molecular system.

Ruthenium(II)-Dithiocarbazates as Anticancer Agents: Synthesis, Solution Behavior, and Mitochondria-Targeted Apoptotic Cell Death

The reaction of the Ru(PPh₃ )₃ Cl₂ with HL^1-3 -OH (-OH stands for the oxime hydroxyl group; HL¹ -OH=diacetylmonoxime-S-benzyldithiocarbazonate; HL² -OH=diacetylmonoxime-S-(4-methyl)benzyldithiocarbazonate; and HL³ -OH=diacetylmonoxime-S-(4-chloro)benzyl-dithiocarbazonate) gives three new ruthenium complexes [Ru^II (L^1-3 -H)(PPh₃ )₂ Cl] (1-3) (-H stands for imine hydrogen) coordinated with dithiocarbazate imine as the final products. All ruthenium(II) complexes (1-3) have been characterized by elemental (CHNS) analyses, IR, UV-vis, NMR (¹ H, ¹³ C, and ³¹ P) spectroscopy, HR-ESI-MS spectrometry and also, the structure of 1-2 was further confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The solution/aqueous stability, hydrophobicity, DNA interactions, and cell viability studies of 1-3 against HeLa, HT-29, and NIH-3T3 cell lines were performed. Cell viability results suggested 3 being the most cytotoxic of the series with IC₅₀ 6.9±0.2 μM against HeLa cells. Further, an apoptotic mechanism of cell death was confirmed by cell cycle analysis and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining techniques. In this regard, the live cell confocal microscopy results revealed that compounds primarily target the mitochondria against HeLa, and HT-29 cell lines. Moreover, these ruthenium complexes elevate the ROS level by inducing mitochondria targeting apoptotic cell death.

Targeted Suppression of Peptide Degradation in Ag-Based Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectra by Depletion of Hot Carriers

Sample degradation, in particular of biomolecules, frequently occurs in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) utilizing supported silver SERS substrates. Currently, thermal and/or photocatalytic effects are considered to cause sample degradation. This paper establishes the efficient inhibition of sample degradation using iodide which is demonstrated by a systematic SERS study of a small peptide in aqueous solution. Remarkably, a distinct charge separation-induced surface potential difference is observed for SERS substrates under laser irradiation using Kelvin probe force microscopy. This directly unveils the photocatalytic effect of Ag-SERS substrates. Based on the presented results, it is proposed that plasmonic photocatalysis dominates sample degradation in SERS experiments and the suppression of typical SERS sample degradation by iodide is discussed by means of the energy levels of the substrate under mild irradiation conditions. This approach paves the way toward more reliable and reproducible SERS studies of biomolecules under physiological conditions.

Co(NCS)2 Chain Compound with Alternating 5- and 6-Fold Coordination: Influence of Metal Coordination on the Magnetic Properties

The reaction of Co(NCS)₂ with 3-bromopyridine leads to the formation of discrete complexes [Co(NCS)₂(3-bromopyridine)₄] (1), [Co(NCS)₂(3-bromopyridine)₂(H₂O)₂] (2), and [Co(NCS)₂(3-bromopyridine)₂(MeOH)₂] (3) depending on the solvent. Thermogravimetric measurements on 2 and 3 show a transformation into [Co(NCS)₂(3-bromopyridine)₂]_n (4), which upon further heating is converted to [{Co(NCS)₂}₂(3-bromopyridine)₃]_n (5), whereas 1 transforms directly into 5 upon heating. Compound 5 can also be obtained from solution, which is not possible for 4. In 4 and 5, the cobalt(II) cations are linked by pairs of μ-1,3-bridging thiocyanate anions into chains. In compound 4, all cobalt(II) cations are octahedrally coordinated (OC-6), as is usually observed in such compounds, whereas in 5, a previously unkown alternating 5- and 6-fold coordination is observed, leading to vacant octahedral (vOC-5) and octahedral (OC-6) environments, respectively. In contrast to 4, the chains in 5 are very efficiently packed and linked by π···π stacking of the pyridine rings and interchain Co···Br interactions, which is the basis for the formation of this unusual chain. The spin chains in 4 demonstrate ferromagnetic intrachain exchange and much weaker interchain interactions, as is usually observed for such linear chain compounds. In contrast, compound 5 shows almost single-ion-like magnetic susceptibility, but the magnetic ordering temperature deduced from specific heat measurements is twice as high as that in 4, which might originate from π···π stacking and Co···Br interactions between neighboring chains. More importantly, unlike all linear Co(NCS)₂ chain compounds, a dominant antiferromagnetic exchange is observed for 5, which is explained by density functional theory calculations predicting an alternating ferro- and aniferromagnetic exchange within the chains. Theoretical calculations on the two different cobalt(II) ions present in 5 predict an easy-axis anisotropy that is much stronger for the octahedral cobalt(II) ion than for the one with the vacant octahedral coordination, with the magnetic axes of the two ions being canted by an angle of 84°. This almost orthogonal orientation of the easy axis of magnetization for the two cobalt(II) ions is the rationale for the observed non-Ising behavior of 5.

Hydroxypyridinones in nitrogen-fixing bacterial cultures: A metal buffer for molybdenum and simulation of natural conditions

Organic matter regulates the availability of important trace elements in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems by acting as a source and container for microbes. To overcome the limitation of trace elements, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, for example, release low-molecular-weight chelators (metallophores), which scavenge the essential cofactors of the nitrogenase, iron and molybdenum, via complexation and subsequent uptake. The formation of metallophores is triggered by limiting conditions, which must be replicated in the laboratory in order to study metallophores as a mediator in metal cycling. While EDTA-based buffer systems for metal cations are well established, there is limited knowledge regarding the buffering of oxoanions such as molybdate in a bacterial growth medium. To mimic the availability of molybdenum in nature under laboratory conditions, this study created a Mo-buffer system for bacterial growth media of the model organisms Azotobacter vinelandii and Frankia sp. CH37. We investigated selected hydroxypyridinones (HPs) as potential molybdenum-chelating agents, determining the amount required for efficient molybdenum complexation by calculating speciation plots of the various candidate complexes in artificial growth media at various pH values. The Mo-maltol system was identified as an ideal, non-toxic molybdenum-buffer system. In the presence of the Mo-maltol system, the growth of Frankia sp. was limited under diazotrophic conditions, whereas A. vinelandii could acquire molybdenum through the release of protochelin and subsequent molybdenum uptake. The study paves the way for unravelling molybdenum recruitment and homeostasis under limiting conditions in bacteria.

Precursor Engineering for the Synthesis of Mixed Anionic Metal (Cu, Mn) Chalcogenide Nanomaterials via Solvent-Less Synthesis

Metal-organic ligands with mixed chalcogenides are potential compounds for the preparation of mixed anionic metal chalcogenide alloys. However, only a few of such ligands are known, and their complexes are not well explored. We have prepared homo- and hetero-dichalcogenoimidodiphosphinate [(EE'PⁱPr₂NH)] (E, E' = Se, Se; S, S; S, Se) complexes of manganese and copper through metathetical reactions. The X-ray single crystal structure of [Mn{(SePⁱPr₂)₂N}₂] 1 revealed a triclinic crystal system, with a MnSe₄ core unit, whereas the crystal structure determination of [Mn{(SPⁱPr₂)(SePⁱPr₂)N}₂] 2 indicated a triclinic crystal system with a Mn(S/Se)₂ unit. Both metal centers are tetrahedral, with two deprotonated bidentate ligands forming the coordination sphere. The free ligand was found to exhibit a gauche configuration in the solid state. The energies of the various rotamers of dithio-analogue were studied by DFT calculations. The decomposition behavior of complexes with homo- and heterochalcogenides was investigated, and the complexes were employed as single-source precursors to generate manganese and copper chalcogenides through solvent-less melt reactions between 500 and 550 °C. The deposited powders were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and elemental mapping. MnS, MnSe₂, and MnSSe phases were obtained from the decomposition of respective manganese complexes. In contrast, the decomposition of copper-based complexes yielded Cu_2-xSe and the sulfur-doped Cu₃Se₂ phase from seleno- and mixed thio/seleno-complexes of Cu, respectively. The morphology ranged from random sheet-like structures to agglomerated platelets, while the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) revealed the crystalline nature of the materials. Depending on the nature of the complex and the temperature, different amounts of phosphorus were present as an impurity in the synthesized products.

Enhancing Capacity and Stability of Anionic MOFs as Electrode Material by Cation Exchange

In this study we report on the characterization and use of the anionic metal-organic framework (MOF) JUMP-1, [(Me₂NH₂)₂[Co₃(ntb)₂(bdc)]]_n, alongside with its alkali-metal ion-exchanged analogs JUMP-1(Li) and JUMP-1(Na), as electrode materials for lithium and sodium batteries. Composite electrodes containing these anionic-MOFs were prepared and tested in 1 M lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) in propylene carbonate (PC) and/or 1 M sodium TFSI (NaTFSI) in PC. We showed that the ion-exchanged materials JUMP-1(Li) and JUMP-1(Na) display higher capacities in comparison with the original as-prepared compound JUMP-1 (490 mA∙h∙g⁻¹ vs. 164 mA∙h∙g⁻¹ and 83 mA∙h∙g⁻¹ vs. 73 mA∙h∙g⁻¹ in Li and Na based electrolytes, respectively). Additionally, we showed that the stability of the electrodes containing the ion-exchanged materials is higher than that of JUMP-1, suggesting a form of chemical pre-alkalation works to stabilize them prior to cycling. The results of these studies indicate that the use of designed anionic-MOFs represents a promising strategy for the realization of high performance electrodes suitable for energy storage devices.

New Series of Imidazoles Showed Promising Growth Inhibitory and Curative Potential Against Trypanosoma Infection

The Trypanosoma spp. cause animal and human trypanosomiasis characterized with appreciable health and economic burden mostly in developing nations. There is currently no effective therapy for this parasitic disease, due to poor drug efficacy, drug resistance, and unwanted toxicity, etc. Therefore, new anti-Trypanosoma agents are urgently needed. This study explored new series of imidazoles for anti-Trypanosoma properties in vitro and in vivo. The imidazoles showed moderate to strong and specific action against growth of T. congolense. For example, the efficacy of the imidazole compounds to restrict Trypanosoma growth in vitro was ≥ 12-fold specific towards T. congolense relative to the mammalian cells. Additionally, the in vivo study revealed that the imidazoles exhibited promising anti-Trypanosoma efficacy corroborating the in vitro anti-parasite capacity. In particular, three imidazole compounds (C1, C6, and C8) not only cleared the systemic parasite burden but cured infected rats after no death was recorded. On the other hand, the remaining five imidazole compounds (C2, C3, C4, C5, and C7) drastically reduced the systemic parasite load while extending survival time of the infected rats by 14 days as compared with control. Untreated control died 3 days post-infection, while the rats treated with diminazene aceturate were cured comparable to the results obtained for C1, C6, and C8. In conclusion, this is the first study demonstrating the potential of these new series of imidazoles to clear the systemic parasite burden in infected rats. Furthermore, a high selectivity index of imidazoles towards T. congolensein vitro and the oral LD₅₀ in rats support anti-parasite specific action. Together, findings support the anti-parasitic prospects of the new series of imidazole derivatives.

Computational study of the therapeutic potentials of a new series of imidazole derivatives against SARS-CoV-2

Owing to the urgent need for therapeutic interventions against the SARS-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, we employed an in silico approach to evaluate the SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory potential of newly synthesized imidazoles. The inhibitory potentials of the compounds against SARS-CoV-2 drug targets - main protease (Mpro), spike protein (Spro) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) were investigated through molecular docking analysis. The binding free energy of the protein-ligand complexes were estimated, pharmacophore models were generated and the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) properties of the compounds were determined. The compounds displayed various levels of binding affinities for the SARS-CoV-2 drug targets. Bisimidazole C2 scored highest against all the targets, with its aromatic rings including the two imidazole groups contributing to the binding. Among the phenyl-substituted 1H-imidazoles, C9 scored highest against all targets. C11 scored highest against Spro and C12 against Mpro and RdRp among the thiophene-imidazoles. The compounds interacted with HIS 41 - CYS 145 and GLU 288 – ASP 289 – GLU 290 of Mpro, ASN 501 of Spro receptor binding motif and some active site amino acids of RdRp. These novel imidazole compounds could be further developed as drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2 following lead optimization and experimental studies.

Magnetic investigations of monocrystalline [Co(NCS)2(L)2]n: new insights into single-chain relaxations

A large single crystal of a compound from the family of coordination polymer [Co(NCS)2(L)2]n chains was synthesized and its magnetic properties are reported. [Co(NCS)2(4-(3-phenylpropyl)pyridine)2]n is ferromagnetic with Tc = 3.39 K. Single-ion ab initio calculations predict an almost Ising-type magnetic anisotropy and the direction of the magnetic easy-axis nearly along the Co-Npy bond of the apical pyridine-based co-ligand. Both predictions are confirmed by single-crystal magnetic measurements. The magnetic relaxation of the single crystal sample significantly differs from the powder sample data, and clearly shows the presence of two separate relaxation processes. The process dominant below 3.2 K demonstrates a single chain magnet (SCM) behaviour, with a crossover between single-wall and two-wall processes, in spite of the fact that the system is ferromagnetically ordered. The faster process that dominates just below Tc is attributed to spin waves. Micromagnetic Monte Carlo simulations of the investigated compound show that the dipolar field cancels for some chains located at the border between 3-dimensional domains. Such chains are responsible for the measured ac signal, and demonstrate the SCM behaviour. The quantitative analysis of the SCM relaxation time is supported by preparing and examining a corresponding diamagnetically diluted compound, [CoxCd1-x(NCS)2(4-(3-phenylpropyl)pyridine)2]n (x = 0.013), which behaves as a field-induced single-ion magnet. The relaxation pathways for single Co(ii) spins are determined to be Raman, direct, and quantum tunneling processes, which were included in an improved approach to describe the magnetic relaxation in the Co(ii)-based SCM compound.

Spin-Electric Coupling in a Cobalt(II)-Based Spin Triangle Revealed by Electric-Field-Modulated Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy

A cobalt(II)-based spin triangle shows a significant spin-electric coupling. [Co3 (pytag)(py)6 Cl3 ]ClO4 ⋅3 py crystallizes in the acentric monoclinic space group P21 . The intra-triangle antiferromagnetic interaction, of the order of ca. -15 cm-1 (H=-JSa Sb ), leads to spin frustration. The two expected energy-degenerate ground doublets are, however, separated by a few wavenumbers, as a consequence of magnetic anisotropy and deviations from threefold symmetry. The Co3  planes of symmetry-related molecules are almost parallel, allowing for the determination of the spin-electric properties of single crystals by EFM-ESR spectroscopy. The spin-electric effect detected when the electric field is applied in the Co3  plane was revealed by a shift in the resonance field. It was quantified as ΔgE /E=0.11×10-9  m V-1 , which in terms of frequency corresponds to approximately 0.3 Hz m V-1 . This value is comparable to what was determined for a Cu3  triangle despite the antiferromagnetic interaction being 20 times larger for the latter.

Iron Coordination Properties of Gramibactin as Model for the New Class of Diazeniumdiolate Based Siderophores

Gramibactin (GBT) is an archetype for the new class of diazeniumdiolate siderophores, produced by Paraburkholderia graminis, a cereal-associated rhizosphere bacterium, for which a detailed solution thermodynamic study exploring the iron coordination properties is reported. The acid-base behavior of gramibactin as well as its complexing ability toward Fe3+ was studied over a wide range of pH values (2≤pH≤11). For the latter the ligand-competition method employing EDTA was used. Only two species are formed: [Fe(GBT)]- (pH 2 to 9) and [Fe(GBT)(OH)2 ]3- (pH≥9). The formation of [Fe(GBT)]- and its occurrence in real systems was confirmed by LC-HRESIMS analysis of the bacteria culture broth extract. The sequestering ability of gramibactin was also evaluated in terms of the parameters pFe and pL0.5 . Gramibactin exhibits a higher sequestering ability toward Fe3+ than EDTA and of the same order of magnitude as hydroxamate-type microbial siderophores, but smaller than most of the catecholate-type siderophores and much higher than the most known phytosiderophores.

New Bidentate N-Sulfonyl-Substituted Aromatic Amines as Chelate Ligand Backbones: Pd Catalyst Generation in C–C Coupling via In Situ and Precatalyst Modes

A series of six new, bidentate ligands based on N-(2-(R-sulfonamido)benzyl)R-sulfonamide have been isolated as dianionic or monoanionic chelators via condensation of 2-(aminomethyl)aniline with sulfonyl chloride reagents; R=methyl (1 and 1′), tolyl (2 and 2′), 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl (3), or 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl (4). Complexes of ligands 2–4 reacted at room temperature with palladium(ii) acetate in the presence of various monodentate N-donor co-ligands to form complexes Pd2(2dmap), Pd2′(OAc.py), Pd3(2acn), Pd3(2py), Pd4(2acn), and Pd4(2py), which were structurally confirmed by three X-ray crystal analyses. Results of catalysis studies in water showed high turnover frequencies and yields of up to 98% within 10min and at 0.2 mol-% palladium catalyst loading. Relative to ligand-free catalysis in the presence of only Pd(OAc)2, the ligand-supported palladium species clearly possess positive catalytic advantage. Furthermore, Suzuki coupling efficiencies by 1:1 ‘Pd(OAc)2+ligand’ yielded notably better outcomes than for the 1:2 ‘Pd(OAc)2+ligand’ insitu catalyst generation, which reveals that coordinative saturation is undesirable. The size of the complementing monodentate co-ligand was observed to influence the catalytic efficiency such that bulkier co-ligands consistently yielded improved turnover frequency values, which leads to the conclusion that steric repulsion between the synthesised ligands and the bulkier co-ligands aided the generation of vacant coordination sites for the more active complexes. Moderate Heck coupling activity was recorded for the complexes and better activities appear to correlate with moderate bulkiness of ligand 3.

Thermodynamically metastable chain and stable layered Co(NCS)2 coordination polymers: thermodynamic relations and magnetic properties

Reaction of Co(NCS)2 with 4-bromopyridine leads to the formation of discrete complexes with the composition Co(NCS)2(4-bromopyridine)4·(CH3CN)0.67 (1), Co(NCS)2(4-bromopyridine)2(H2O)2 (2), Co(NCS)2(4-bromopyridine)2(CH3OH)2 (3) and Co(NCS)2(4-bromopyridine)2(CH3CN)2 (4). Upon heating compounds 2 and 4 transform into a crystalline product with the composition Co(NCS)2(4-bromopyridine)2 (5-I) that also can easily be obtained from solution. In this compound, the Co cations are linked by single μ-1,3-bridging thiocyanate anions into layers. Thermal decomposition of 3 leads to a second isomer (5-II), which is thermodynamically metastable and can also be synthesized from solution under kinetic control. In contrast to 5-I, the Co cations are linked by pairs of anionic ligands into linear chains. The magnetic exchange is very weak in 5-I, but much stronger and ferromagnetic along the linear chains in 5-II. AF ordering in 5-II is reached at 3.05 K, and magnetic relaxation is observed at the metamagnetic transition with an Arrhenius barrier of 17.1(3) cm-1. Ab initio computational studies reveal a different type of magnetic anisotropy to be present in the two crystallographically - independent Co centers in 5-II.

Influence of the Coligand onto the Magnetic Anisotropy and the Magnetic Behavior of One-Dimensional Coordination Polymers

Reaction of Co(NCS)₂ with different coligands leads to the formation of three compounds with the general composition [Co(NCS)₂(L)₂]_n (L = aniline (1), morpholine (2), and ethylenethiourea (3)). In all of these compounds the cobalt(II) cations are octahedrally coordinated by two trans thiocyanate N and S atoms and the apical donor atoms of the coligands and are linked into linear chains by pairs of anionic ligands. The magnetic behavior was investigated by a combination of static and dynamic susceptibility as well as specific-heat measurements, computational studies, and THz-EPR spectroscopy. All compounds show antiferromagnetic ordering as observed for similar compounds with pyridine derivatives as coligands. In contrast to the latter, for 1-3 significantly higher critical temperatures and no magnetic single-chain relaxations are observed, which can be traced back to stronger interchain interactions and a drastic change in the magnetic anisotropy of the metal centers. These results are discussed and compared with those of the pyridine-based compounds, which provides important insights into the parameters that govern the magnetic behavior of such one-dimensional coordination polymers.

8-Hydroxyquinoline-2-Carboxylic Acid as Possible Molybdophore: A Multi-Technique Approach to Define Its Chemical Speciation, Coordination and Sequestering Ability in Aqueous Solution

8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (8-HQA) has been found in high concentrations (0.5–5.0 mmol·dm⁻³) in the gut of Noctuid larvae (and in a few other lepidopterans), in which it is proposed to act as a siderophore. Since it is known that many natural siderophores are also involved in the uptake and metabolism of other essential elements than iron, this study reports some results on the investigation of 8-HQA interactions with molybdate (MoO₄²⁻, i.e., the main molybdenum form in aqueous environments), in order to understand the possible role of this ligand as molybdophore. A multi-technique approach has been adopted, in order to derive a comprehensive set of information necessary to assess the chemical speciation of the 8-HQA/MoO₄²⁻ system, as well as the coordination behavior and the sequestering ability of 8-HQA towards molybdate. Chemical speciation studies have been performed in KCl_(aq) at I = 0.2 mol·dm⁻³ and T = 298.15 K by ISE-H⁺ (glass electrode) potentiometric and UV/Vis spectrophotometric titrations. CV (Cyclic Voltammetry), DP-ASV (Differential Pulse-Anodic Stripping Voltammetry), ESI-MS experiments and quantum mechanical calculations have been also performed to derive information about the nature and possible structure of species formed. These results are also compared with those reported for the 8-HQA/Fe³⁺ system in terms of chemical speciation and sequestering ability of 8-HQA.

Solid Acid Resin Amberlyst 45 as a Catalyst for the Transesterification of Vegetable Oil

Commercial transesterification of vegetable oil to biodiesel using alkaline hydroxides requires expensive refined vegetable oil and anhydrous alcohols to avoid saponification. These issues are not present in the acid-catalyzed process; however, the challenge still lies in developing stable and active solid acid catalysts. Herein, Amberlyst 45, a resin for high-temperature application, was efficiently used for biodiesel production by the methanolysis or ethanolysis of vegetable oil. Yields of up to 80 and 84% were obtained for the fatty acid methyl ester and the fatty acid ethyl ester, respectively. Two processes are proposed and showed to be efficient: (i) incremental addition of alcohol along with the reaction for both methanolysis and ethanolysis; or (ii) one-pot reaction for ethanolysis using oil/ethanol molar ratio of 1/18. The catalytic system used also showed to be compatible with used oil (2.48 ± 0.03 mg_NaOHgoil-1) and to the presence of water (10–20 wt. % based on the alcohol), allowing the use of waste oil and hydrated alcohol.

Variation of the Chain Geometry in Isomeric 1D Co(NCS)2 Coordination Polymers and Their Influence on the Magnetic Properties

Two different isomers of [Co(NCS)₂(4-chloropyridine)₂]_n (3C and 3L) were synthesized from solution and by thermal decomposition of Co(NCS)₂(4-chloropyridine)₂(H₂O)₂ (2), which show a different metal coordination leading to corrugated chains in 3C and to linear chains in 3L. Solvent mediated conversion experiments prove that 3C is thermodynamically stable at room temperature where 3L is metastable. Magnetic measurements reveal that the magnetic exchange in 3L is comparable to that observed for previously reported related chain compounds, whereas in 3C with corrugated chains, the ferromagnetic interaction within the chains is strongly suppressed. The magnetic ordering takes place at 2.85 and 0.89 K, for 3L and 3C, respectively, based on specific heat measurements. For 3L the field dependence of magnetic relaxations in antiferromagnetically ordered ferromagnetic chains is presented. In addition, 3L is investigated by FD-FT THz-EPR spectroscopy, revealing a ground to first excited state energy gap of 14.0 cm^-1. Broken-symmetry DFT calculations for 3C and 3L indicate a ferromagnetic intrachain interaction. Ab initio CASSCF/CASPT2/RASSI-SO computational studies reveal significantly different single-ion anisotropies for the crystallographically independent cobalt(II) centers in 3C and 3L. Together with the geometry of the chains this explains the magnetic properties of 3C and 3L. The ab initio results also explain the weaker exchange interaction in 3C and 3L as compared to previously reported [Co(NCS)₂(L)₂]_n compounds with linear chains.

Imidazole derivatives as antiparasitic agents and use of molecular modeling to investigate the structure-activity relationship

Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Limitations of available treatments motivate the search for better therapies for toxoplasmosis. In this study, we synthesized a series of new imidazole derivatives: bis-imidazoles (compounds 1-8), phenyl-substituted 1H-imidazoles (compounds 9-19), and thiopene-imidazoles (compounds 20-26). All these compounds were assessed for in vitro potential to restrict the growth of T. gondii. To explore the structure-activity relationships, molecular analyses and bioactivity prediction studies were performed using a standard molecular model. The in vitro results, in combination with the predictive model, revealed that the imidazole derivatives have excellent selectivity activity against T. gondii versus the host cells. Of the 26 compounds screened, five imidazole derivatives (compounds 10, 11, 18, 20, and 21) shared a specific structural moiety and exhibited significantly high selectivity (> 1176 to > 27,666) towards the parasite versus the host cells. These imidazole derivatives are potential candidates for further studies. We show evidence that supports the antiparasitic action of the imidazole derivatives. The findings are promising in that they reinforce the prospects of imidazole derivatives as alternative and effective antiparasitic therapy as well as providing evidence for a probable biological mechanism.

Single-Chain Magnet Based on Cobalt(II) Thiocyanate as XXZ Spin Chain

The cobalt(II) in [Co(NCS)₂ (4-methoxypyridine)₂ ]_n are linked by pairs of thiocyanate anions into linear chains. In contrast to a previous structure determination, two crystallographically independent cobalt(II) centers have been found to be present. In the antiferromagnetic state, below the critical temperature (T_c =3.94 K) and critical field (H_c =290 Oe), slow relaxations of the ferromagnetic chains are observed. They originate mainly from defects in the magnetic structure, which has been elucidated by micromagnetic Monte Carlo simulations and ac measurements using pristine and defect samples. The energy barriers of the relaxations are Δ_τ1 =44.9(5) K and Δ_τ2 =26.0(7) K for long and short spin chains, respectively. The spin excitation energy, measured by using frequency-domain EPR spectroscopy, is 19.1 cm^-1 and shifts 0.1 cm^-1 due to the magnetic ordering. Ab initio calculations revealed easy-axis anisotropy for both Co^II centers, and also an exchange anisotropy J_xx /J_zz of 0.21. The XXZ anisotropic Heisenberg model (solved by using the density renormalization matrix group technique) was used to reconcile the specific heat, susceptibility, and EPR data.

Spin Transition of an Iron(II) Organoborate Complex in Different Polymorphs and in Vacuum-Deposited Thin Films: Influence of Cooperativity

Two polymorphic modifications (1-I and 1-II) of the new spin crossover (SCO) complex [Fe{H₂B(pz)(pypz)}₂] (pz = pyrazole, pypz = pyridylpyrazole; 1) were prepared and investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), magnetic measurements, Mößbauer, vibrational, and absorption spectroscopy as well as single-crystal and X-ray powder diffraction. DSC measurements reveal that upon heating the thermodynamically metastable form 1-II to ∼178 °C it transforms into 1-I in an exothermic reaction, which proves that these modifications are related by monotropism. Both forms show thermal SCO with T_1/2 values of 390 K (1-II) and 270 K (1-I). An analysis of the crystal structures of 1-II and the corresponding Zn(II) (2) and Co(II) (3) complexes that are isotypic with 1-I reveals that form II consists of dimers coupled by strong intramolecular π···π interactions, which is not the case for 1-I. In agreement with these findings, investigations of thin films of 1, where significant π···π interactions should be absent, reveal SCO behavior similar to that of 1-I. These results underscore the importance of cooperativity for the spin-transition behavior of this class of complexes.

Single-Chain Magnet Based on Cobalt(II) Thiocyanate as XXZ Spin Chain

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Michał Rams at Jagiellonian University (Kraków, Poland) and colleagues at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin. The image represents a 1D coordination polymer with Co(II) spins that are flipped by photons during an EPR experiment. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201903924.

Octanuclear nickel phosphonate core forming extended and molecular structures

Three new nickel(ii) phosphonate complexes {[Na₂Ni₈(L)₆]·nSolv}_m (L = SAA³⁻ (1), BSAA³⁻ (2), NAA³⁻ (3); Solv = H₂O, MeOH; m = ∞ (1, 2), 1 (3)) possessing a new octanuclear {Ni₈} phosphonate core were obtained and studied in detail.