Quantitative studies on the paramagnetic behavior of ruthenium dioxide-titanium dioxide (anatase) powders catalytically active in water oxidation

Understanding the interface of six-shell cuboctahedral and icosahedral palladium clusters on reduced graphene oxide: experimental and theoretical study

Studies on noble-metal-decorated carbon nanostructures are reported almost on a daily basis, but detailed studies on the nanoscale interactions for well-defined systems are very rare. Here we report a study of reduced graphene oxide (rGOx) homogeneously decorated with palladium (Pd) nanoclusters with well-defined shape and size (2.3 ± 0.3 nm). The rGOx was modified with benzyl mercaptan (BnSH) to improve the interaction with Pd clusters, and N,N-dimethylformamide was used as solvent and capping agent during the decoration process. The resulting Pd nanoparticles anchored to the rGOx-surface exhibit high crystallinity and are fully consistent with six-shell cuboctahedral and icosahedral clusters containing ~600 Pd atoms, where 45% of these are located at the surface. According to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, the Pd clusters exhibit an oxidized surface forming a PdO(x) shell. Given the well-defined experimental system, as verified by electron microscopy data and theoretical simulations, we performed ab initio simulations using 10 functionalized graphenes (with vacancies or pyridine, amine, hydroxyl, carboxyl, or epoxy groups) to understand the adsorption process of BnSH, their further role in the Pd cluster formation, and the electronic properties of the graphene-nanoparticle hybrid system. Both the experimental and theoretical results suggest that Pd clusters interact with functionalized graphene by a sulfur bridge while the remaining Pd surface is oxidized. Our study is of significant importance for all work related to anchoring of nanoparticles on nanocarbon-based supports, which are used in a variety of applications.

Emanation Thermal Analysis Study of the Preparation of Ruthenia–Titania-Based Finely Dispersed Powders

Emanation thermal analysis (ETA), thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for the characterization of thermal behavior of hydrous oxides (RuO(2))(x)-(TiO(2))(1-x).nH(2)O and dehydrated oxides (RuO(2)) (x)-(TiO(2))(1-x), respectively (x=1, 0.9, and 0.7) on heating in argon and argon +10% hydrogen, respectively. The samples were heated in the range 20-600 degrees C at the constant heating rate 6 K/min. From the TG and DTA results the temperature intervals of dehydration and/or reduction of ruthenium dioxide into Ru metal were determined. ETA (based on the measurement of radon previously incorporated into the sample) brought about the information about surface area development and microstructure changes in the near surface layers up to 80 nm under in situ conditions of the heating. The temperature intervals of the annealing of near surface and structure defects serving as diffusion paths for radon were determined from the ETA results.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel arachidonic acid derivatives as highly potent and selective endocannabinoid transporter inhibitors

In the present work, we have designed and synthesized a series of arachidonic acid derivatives of general structure I which have been characterized as highly potent and selective inhibitors of anandamide transporter (IC(50) = 24-0.8 microM, K(i) > 1000-5000 nM for CB(1) and CB(2) cannabinoid receptors and vanilloid VR(1) receptor). Among them, N-(3-furylmethyl)eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenamide deserves special attention as being the most potent endocannabinoid transporter inhibitor (IC(50) = 0.8 microM) described to date.

A streamlined synthesis for 2,3-dihydroxyterephthalamides

[reaction: see text]. 2,3-Dihydroxyterephthalamides have been synthesized through a route that avoids the protection and deprotection of the phenol groups. The procedure allows for symmetric and unsymmetric amide linkages. This synthetic sequence significantly decreases the time and cost of preparation and increases the overall yield of this class of metal chelators.

Novel analogues of arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide): affinities for the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors and metabolic stability

Several analogues of the endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide) were synthesized and evaluated in order to study (a) the structural requirements for high-affinity binding to the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors and (b) their hydrolytic stability toward anandamide amidase. The series reported here was aimed at exploring structure-activity relationships (SAR) primarily with regard to stereoelectronic requirements of ethanolamido headgroup for interaction with the cannabinoid receptor active site. Receptor affinities, reported as Ki values, were obtained by a standard receptor binding assay using [3H]CP-55,940 as the radioligand, while stability toward the amidase was evaluated by comparing the Ki of each analogue in the presence and absence of phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), a serine protease blocker and inhibitor of anandamide amidase. Introduction of a methyl group in the 1'- and 2'-positions or substitution of the ethanolamido headgroup with a butylamido group gave analogues with vastly improved biochemical stability. This is accomplished in some cases with increased receptor affinity. Conversely, oxazolyl and methyloxazolyl headgroups led to low-affinity analogues. Substitution of the hydroxyl group with electronegative substituents such as fluoro, chloro, allyl, and propargyl groups significantly increased receptor affinity but did not influence the biochemical stability. The 2'-chloro analogue of anandamide was found to have the highest affinity for CB1. Additionally, reversing the positions of the carbonyl and NH in the amido group produces retro-anandamides possessing considerably higher metabolic stability. Replacement of the arachidonyl tail with oleyl or linoleyl results in analogues with low affinities for both receptors. All of the analogues in this study showed high selectivity for the CB1 receptor over the peripheral CB2 receptor. The most potent analogues were tested for their ability to stimulate the binding of [35S]GTPgammaS to G-proteins and were shown to be potent cannabimimetic agonists. The results are discussed in terms of pharmacophoric features affecting receptor affinity and enzymatic stability.

Antipsoriatic anthrones with modulated redox properties. 4. Synthesis and biological activity of novel 9,10-dihydro-1,8-dihydroxy-9-oxo-2-anthracenecarboxylic and -hydroxamic acids

A novel series of carboxylic and hydroxamic acids based on 1,8-dihydroxy-9(10H)-anthracenone were synthesized from 8-hydroxy-1-methoxy-9,10-anthracenedione as the key intermediate and evaluated both in the bovine polymorphonuclear leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) assay and in the HaCaT keratinocyte proliferation assay for their enzyme inhibitory and antiproliferative activity, respectively. The most potent inhibitors in both assays were the N-methylated hydroxamic acids 5d-8d with straight chain alkyl spacers. Incorporation of these structural features on the anthracenone pharmacophore resulted in increased inhibitory activity against 5-LO while the antiproliferative activity was retained. In addition, prooxidant properties as measured by deoxyribose degradation and cytotoxicity as assessed by LDH release were largely reduced as compared with the antipsoriatic anthralin. Contrary to anthralin, antioxidant properties were observed as documented by the reactivity of the novel compounds against free radicals and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in model membranes.

Structure-activity relationships of N-hydroxyurea 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors

The discovery of second generation N-hydroxyurea 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors was accomplished through the development of a broad structure-activity relationship (SAR) study. This study identified requirements for improving potency and also extending duration by limiting metabolism. Potency could be maintained by the incorporation of heterocyclic templates substituted with selected lipophilic substituents. Duration of inhibition after oral administration was optimized by identification of structural features in the proximity of the N-hydroxyurea which correlated to low in vitro glucuronidation rates. Furthermore, the rate of in vitro glucuronidation was shown to be stereoselective for certain analogs. (R)-N-[3-[5-(4-Fluorophenoxy)-2-furyl]-1-methyl-2-propynyl]-N-hydroxyure a (17c) was identified and selected for clinical development.

Structural requirements for binding of anandamide-type compounds to the brain cannabinoid receptor

In order to establish the structural requirements for binding to the brain cannabinoid receptor (CB1), we have synthesized numerous fatty acid amides, ethanolamides, and some related simple derivatives and have determined their Ki values. A few alpha-methyl- or alpha, alpha-dimethylarachidonoylalkylamides were also examined. In the 20:4, n-6 series, the unsubstituted amide is inactive; N-monoalkylation, at least up to a branched pentyl group, leads to significant binding. N,N-Dialkylation, with or without hydroxylation on one of the alkyl groups, leads to elimination of activity. Hydroxylation of the N-monoalkyl group at the omega carbon atom retains activity. In the 20x, n-6 series, x has to be either 3 or 4; the presence of only two double bonds leads to inactivation. In the n-3 series, the limited data reported suggest that the derived ethanolamides are either inactive or less active than comparable compounds in the n-6 series. Alkylation or dialkylation of the alpha carbon adjacent to the carbonyl group retains the level of binding in the case of anandamide (compounds 48, 49); however, alpha-monomethylation or alpha,alpha-dimethylation of N-propyl derivatives (50-53) potentiates binding and leads to the most active compounds seen in the present work (Ki values of 6.9 +/- 0.7 to 8.4 +/- 1.1 nM). We have confirmed that the presence of a chiral center on the N-alkyl substituent may lead to enantiomers which differ in their levels of binding (compounds 54, 57 and 55, 56).

Bicyclic N-hydroxyurea inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase: pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and in vitro metabolic studies characterizing N-hydroxy-N-(2,3-dihydro-6-(phenylmethoxy)-3-benzofuranyl)urea

A series of N-hydroxyurea derivatives have been prepared and examined as inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. Oral activity was established by examining the inhibition of LTB4 biosynthesis in an ex vivo assay in the mouse. The pharmacodynamic performance in the mouse of selected compounds was assessed using an ex vivo LTB4 assay and an adoptive peritoneal anaphylaxis assay at extended pretreat times. Compounds with an extended duration of action were re-examined as the individual enantiomers in the ex vivo assay, and the (S) enantiomer of N-hydroxy-N-[2,3-dihydro-6-(phenylmethoxy)-3-benzofuranyl]urea, (+)-1a (SB 202235), was selected as the compound with the best overall profile. Higher plasma concentrations and longer plasma half-lives were found for (+)-1a relative to its enantiomer in the mouse, monkey, and dog. In vitro metabolic studies in mouse liver microsomes established enantiospecific glucuronidation as a likely mechanism for the observed differences between the enantiomers of 1a. Enantioselective glucuronidation favoring (-)-1a was also found in human liver microsomes.