New atranes and similar ionic complexes. Synthesis, structure, properties

Intrinsic dynamic and static natures of APn--X+--BPn σ(3c-4e) type interactions (APn = BPn = N, P, As and Sb; X = H, F, Cl, Br and I) in bicyclo[3.3.3] and bicyclo[4.4.4] systems and their behaviour, elucidated with QTAIM dual functional analysis

The intrinsic dynamic and static natures of APn--X+--BPn (APn = BPn: N, P, As and Sb; X = H, F, Cl, Br and I) in 1a+-8c+ were elucidated with the quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules dual functional analysis (QTAIM-DFA). Species 1a+-8c+ were formed by incorporating X+ between APn and BPn of APn(CH2CH2CH2)3BPn (1-4) and APn(CH2CH2CH2CH2)3BPn (5-8). The relative stabilities between the symmetric and nonsymmetric structures along with their transition states were investigated. Various natures from typical hydrogen bonds (t-HB) to classical covalent bonds were predicted for the APn-X/BPn-X interactions in APn--X+--BPn with QTAIM-DFA. The secondary interactions of H-H and X-C were also detected. The vdW to molecular complexes through charge transfer natures were predicted for them. Natural bond orbital analysis clarified that the CT terms were caused by not only n(APn)→ σ*(X-BPn) but also σ(APn-C)→σ*(X-BPn), σ(APn-C/BPn-C)→np(X+) and n(X)→ns(Pn+). The direction and magnitude of the p-character of n(APn) were the factors that determined the types of donor-acceptor interactions. Estimating the order of the interaction strengths was attempted. The σ(3c-4e) characters of APn--X+--BPn were also examined by analysing the charge distributions on APn--X+--BPn. These results would provide fundamentally important insight into designing molecules with high functionality containing X+ in symmetric and nonsymmetric structures.

New 3-Aminopropylsilatrane Derivatives: Synthesis, Structure, Properties, and Biological Activity

The biologically active compound 3-aminopropylsilatrane (a compound with a pentacoordinated silicon atom) underwent an aza-Michael reaction with various acrylates and other Michael acceptors. Depending on the molar ratio, the reaction yielded Michael mono- or diadducts (11 examples) containing functional groups (silatranyl, carbonyl, nitrile, amino, etc.). These compounds were characterized via IR and NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis. Calculations (using in silico, PASS, and SwissADMET online software) revealed that the functionalized (hybrid) silatranes were bioavailable, druglike compounds that exhibited pronounced antineoplastic and macrophage-colony-stimulating activity. The in vitro effect of silatranes on the growth of pathogenic bacteria (Listeria, Staphylococcus, and Yersinia) was studied. It was found that the synthesized compounds exerted inhibitory and stimulating effects in high and low concentrations, respectively.

The complicating role of pnictogen bond formation in the solution-phase and solid-state structures of the heavier pnictogen atranes

The structure of the simplest stibatrane has been a mystery since it was first prepared in 1966. This study reports the preparation and characterization of two stibatranes from triethanolamine and triisopropanolamine. Solid state structures reveal macrocycles that contain favourable inter- and intramolecular pnictogen bonds. Solution studies, corroborated by DFT analysis, reveal an equilibrium mixture assigned to monomer and pnictogen-bonded dimer. This allowed for the determination of an enthalpy associated with pnictogen bond formation of -27 kJ mol^-1, in line with the supramolecular nature of these interactions.

3-Aminopropylsilatrane and Its Derivatives: A Variety of Applications

Silatranes arouse much research interest owing to their unique structure, unusual physical–chemical properties, and diverse biological activity. The application of some silatranes and their analogues has been discussed in several works. Meanwhile, a comprehensive review of the wide practical usage of silatranes is still absent in the literature. The ability of silatranes to mildly control hydrolysis allows them to form extremely stable and smooth siloxane monolayers almost on any surface. The high physiological activity of silatranes makes them prospective drug candidates. In the present review, based on the results of numerous previous studies, using the commercially available 3-aminopropylsilatrane and its hybrid derivatives, we have demonstrated the high potential of 1-organylsilatranes in various fields, including chemistry, biology, pharmaceuticals, medicine, agriculture, and industry. For example, these compounds can be employed as plant growth biostimulants, drugs, optical, catalytic, sorption, and special polymeric materials, as well as modern high-tech devices.

Mechanism of Reactions of 1-Substituted Silatranes and Germatranes, 2,2-Disubstituted Silocanes and Germocanes, 1,1,1-Trisubstituted Hyposilatranes and Hypogermatranes with Alcohols (Methanol, Ethanol): DFT Study

The mechanism of reactions of silatranes and germatranes, and their bicyclic and monocyclic analogues with one molecule of methanol or ethanol, was studied at the Density Functional Theory (DFT) B3PW91/6-311++G(df,p) level of theory. Reactions of 1-substituted sil(germ)atranes, 2,2-disubstituted sil(germ)ocanes, and 1,1,1-trisubstituted hyposil(germ)atranes with alcohol (methanol, ethanol) proceed in one step through four-center transition states followed by the opening of a silicon or germanium skeleton and the formation of products. According to quantum chemical calculations, the activation energies and Gibbs energies of activation of reactions with methanol and ethanol are close, their values decrease in the series of atranes–ocanes–hypoatranes for interactions with both methanol and ethanol. The reactions of germanium-containing derivatives are characterized by lower activation energies in comparison with the reactions of corresponding silicon-containing compounds. The annular configurations of the product molecules with electronegative substituents are stabilized by the transannular N→X (X = Si, Ge) bond and different intramolecular hydrogen contacts with the participation of heteroatoms of substituents at the silicon or germanium.

Study of the Effect of a Biologically Active Compound Tris(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium 4-Chlorophenylsulfanylacetate on the Growth of Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus

Background. Development of nutrient media ensuring the maximum growth rate of pathogens of dangerous infectious diseases while preserving their biological properties is extremely important. A promising direction in this area seems to be the use of synthetic microbial growth biostimulants.

The aim of the work is to study the possibility of improving nutrient media for the cultivation of Listeria and Staphylococcus using a biologically active compound tris(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium 4-chlorophenylsulfanylacetate.

Materials and methods. The object of the study was experimental nutrient medium for the cultivation of Listeria used for the culturing of the test strain Listeria monocytogenes 766. As a comparison medium, commercial medium Fraser broth to which agar was added at a concentration of 1.5 %, was used. The test strain Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538-P (FDA 209-P) was cultivated on meat-peptone agar with 1% glucose. The compound tris(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium (4-chlorophenyl)sulfanylacetate at a concentration of 10–4 wt. % was studied as a growth stimulator. A nutrient medium without a stimulant served as a control. The specific activity of nutrient media (germination rate, medium sensitivity, growth rate and stability of the main biological properties of microorganisms) was evaluated by the microbiological method.

Results. Studies have shown that the addition of a growth stimulator to nutrient media contributes to the growth of colonies (by 10–50 %) and a decrease in the time of their development. When growth stimulator was added to the nutrient medium for the cultivation of Listeria, the initial growth of colonies of the L. monocytogenes 766 test strain after 12 hours of cultivation and growth of colonies of the test strain S. aureus ATCC 6538-P after 6 hours of cultivation on the meat-peptone agar with 1% glucose was observed.

Conclusion. Thus, the addition of a growth biostimulator tris(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium 4-chlorophenylsulfanyl acetate at a concentration of 10–4 wt. % in the nutrient medium accelerates the growth of Listeria and Staphylococcus, allows to reduce the time of issuance of the analysis result in half.

Protatranes, effective growth biostimulants of hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria from Lake Baikal, Russia

Under natural conditions, biodegradation processes proceed slowly, especially in regions with low temperature. To activate vital processes in hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms at low temperatures, biologically active compounds can be employed as growth stimulants. A low-temperature (10 °C) study has shown that tris-(2 hydroxyethyl) ammonium arylchalcogenylacetates, "protatranes" exert an effect on the growth of hydrocarbon-oxidizing strains of Rhodococcus erythropolis and Pseudomonas fluorescens, isolated from natural oil seepage on Lake Baikal. It has been found that "protatranes", at microconcentrations, increase the growth rate of R. erythropolis bacteria by 2-16 times. It has been established that compounds slightly effect the growth of P. fluorescens. The positive effect of "protatranes" compounds on the growth rate of hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms at low positive temperatures can be used for the development of environmentally benign methods for the restoration of natural objects after their contamination with oil.