Facile Synthesis of Catechol Azo Dyes

An Improved Spectrophotometric Method for Toluene-4-Monooxygenase Activity

Monooxygenases, an important class of enzymes, have been the subject of enzyme engineering due to their high activity and versatile substrate scope. Reactions performed by these biocatalysts have long been monitored by a colorimetric method involving the coupling of a dye precursor to naphthalene hydroxylation products generated by the enzyme. Despite the popularity of this method, we found the dye product to be unstable, preventing quantitative readout. By incorporating an extraction step to solubilize the dye produced, we have improved this assay to the point where quantitation of enzyme activity is possible. Further, by incorporating spectral deconvolution, we have, for the first time, enabled independent quantification of the two possible regioisomeric products: 1-naphthol and 2-naphthol. Previously, such analysis was only possible with chromatographic separation, increasing the cost and complexity of analysis. The efficacy of our improved workflow was evaluated by monitoring the activity of a toluene-4-monooxygenase enzyme from Pseudomonas mendocina KR-1. Our colorimetric regioisomer quantification was found to be consistent with chromatographic analysis by HPLC. The development and validation of a quantitative colorimetric assay for monooxygenase activity that enables regioisomeric distinction and quantification represents a significant advance in analytical methods to monitor enzyme activity. By maintaining facile, low-cost, high-throughput readout while incorporating quantification, this assay represents an important alternative to more expensive chromatographic quantification techniques.

Polydentate hydrazones as multitasking catalysts in visible-light-induced coupling reactions of amines

A Cu/hydrazone catalyst has been applied in the coupling reactions of anilines for the synthesis of diarylamines and azobenzenes. The copper complex that is formed in situ plays a double duty by harnessing photon energy as a photocatalyst and then by catalysing organometallic elementary steps as a transition metal catalyst. By the selection of hydrazones and bases, the reaction selectivity of aniline can be tuned between homo-coupling and its cross-coupling with arylboronic acid, exhibiting the great potential of such hydrazones in organic synthesis.

Subnanomolar Affinity and Selective Antagonism at α7 Nicotinic Receptor by Combined Modifications of 2-Triethylammonium Ethyl Ether of 4-Stilbenol (MG624)

Modifications of the cationic head and the ethylene linker of 2-(triethylammonium)ethyl ether of 4-stilbenol (MG624) have been proved to produce selective α9*-nAChR antagonism devoid of any effect on the α7-subtype. Here, single structural changes at the styryl portion of MG624 lead to prevailing α7-nAChR antagonism without abolishing α9*-nAChR antagonism. Nevertheless, rigidification of the styryl into an aromatic bicycle, better if including a H-bond donor NH, such as 5-indolyl (31), resulted in higher and more selective α7-nAChR affinity. Hybridization of this modification with the constraint of the 2-triethylammoniumethyloxy portion into (R)-N,N-dimethyl-3-pyrrolidiniumoxy substructure, previously reported as the best modification for the α7-nAChR affinity of MG624 (2), was a winning strategy. The resulting hybrid 33 had a subnanomolar α7-nAChR affinity and was a potent and selective α7-nAChR antagonist, producing at the α7-, but not at the α9*-nAChR, a profound loss of subsequent ACh function.

Protocol for microwave-assisted synthesis of unsymmetrical azo dyes

Aromatic azo dyes bear immense commercial significance because of their extensive usage in the textile, paint, and food industries. With growing environmental concerns, developing alternative greener approaches for the synthesis of azo dyes is crucial. Herein, we describe a metal-free, microwave (MW)-assisted protocol for rapid access to a large variety of unsymmetrical azo dyes by coupling nitroarenes and aromatic amines. After MW-assisted coupling, the azo dyes are then isolated by precipitation followed by recrystallization to obtain pure azo dyes. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Thakuri et al. (2022).¹.

Synthesis and photochromism of catechol-containing symmetrical azobenzene compounds

Symmetrical azobenzene derivatives with two catechol groups, 1d-4d, were synthesized as kinds of novel compounds, and the structures were confirmed using mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These compounds could attain photostationary state rapidly in solution upon UV irradiation, and their photochromism had good reversibility. Substituents and their positions on azobenzene chromophore had obvious influence on the maximum absorption and photochromic performances of these as-synthesized compounds. Electron-donating group on ortho positions could contribute to the redshift π-π* band. The sulfonamide group that is bonded to dopamine molecules and azobenzene rings caused a negligible n-π* transition of cis isomer, resulting in photobleaching upon UV irradiation. Among the four compounds, 4d had the strongest electron-donating ortho-methoxy substituents and lower planarity; thus its absorption could decrease more significantly upon UV irradiation of the same intensity, and its cis-to-trans conversion could be up to 63%. Furthermore, owing to the presence of catechol groups, 4d showed an effective affinity and adhesion to substrate, and on the surface of substrate, a weak colour change could be observed upon UV irradiation, but the reversibility was poorer than that in solution.

Microwave Assisted Rapid and Sustainable Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Azo Dyes by Coupling of Nitroarenes with Aniline Derivatives

Aromatic azo dyes are of immense commercial importance, and the development of greener routes for their synthesis is imperative due to current environmental concerns. In the present study, a microwave-assisted route has been developed for rapid and convenient synthesis of unsymmetrical azo dyes in a single step. In a metal-catalyst-free approach, an aromatic amine was used as an in situ reductant to affect its direct cross-condensation with nitroarenes to afford a variety of dispersed and water-soluble azo dyes. The electronic and substituent effects were thoroughly understood by placing suitable substituents in both nitroarenes and aniline derivatives in competitive reactions. The microwave (MW) method worked better with aniline or electron-rich aromatic amines to prepare a range of unsymmetrical azo dyes in up to 97% yields within a few minutes. The method worked well in the gram-scale synthesis of commercial dye, solvent yellow 7.

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Microwave-based green synthesis of unsymmetrical azo dyes

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Catalyst-free, rapid synthesis

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Gram-scale synthesis of commercial dyes

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Efficient synthesis of water-soluble dyes

Modifying electron injection kinetics for selective photoreduction of nitroarenes into cyclic and asymmetric azo compounds

Modifying the reactivity of substrates by encapsulation is essential for microenvironment catalysts. Herein, we report an alternative strategy that modifies the entry behaviour of reactants into the microenvironment and substrate inclusion thermodynamics related to the capsule to control the electron injection kinetics and the selectivity of products from the nitroarenes photoreduction. The strategy includes the orchestration of capsule openings to control the electron injection kinetics of electron donors, and the capsule’s pocket to encapsulate more than one nitroarene molecules, facilitating a condensation reaction between the in situ formed azanol and nitroso species to produce azo product. The conceptual microenvironment catalyst endows selective conversion of asymmetric azo products from different nitroarenes, wherein, the estimated diameter and inclusion Gibbs free energy of substrates are used to control and predict the selectivity of products. Inhibition experiments confirm a typical enzymatic conversion, paving a new avenue for rational design of photocatalysts toward green chemistry.

Novel and Sustainable Colorants Developed via Incorporating Azo Chromophores into Dopamine Molecules

Inspired by the application of dopamine as an "anchor" and UV absorber, novel sustainable colorants with biscatecholic structure were synthesized through a simple incorporation of simple azo chromophores with dopamine. Their structures were confirmed using MS and NMR analyses, and their application on textile materials was investigated. Compared to the simple azo chromophores with almost no coloring ability on fabrics, the biscatecholic colorants could color different fabrics effectively, mainly through self-polymerization only in the presence of a trace amount of organic base at room temperature, which is environmentally friendly in terms of saving resources and alleviating chemical pollution. Meanwhile, the UV resistance of colored fabrics was enhanced significantly, showing the advantage of protecting wearers from UV damage.

Toward more specific inhibitor for Solanum tuberosum polyphenol oxidase through a structural insight into its activities and inhibition

To prevent enzymatic browning, applying a polyphenol oxidase (PPO) inhibitor is more desirable, especially when the freshness of the product matters. Most of the inhibition studies were done on mushroom tyrosinase (MT) while the literature indicates that MT and PPO of Solanum tuberosum (PPO_sol ) respond differently to the same modulator despite their similar active sites. This research was conducted to deepen our knowledge about PPO_sol and introduce a more specific inhibitor for this enzyme to be used in controlling the enzymatic browning of potatoes. A modified procedure was developed for PPO_sol purification. The enzyme was subjected to some essential physicochemical and kinetics studies. In parallel to the comparable physicochemical properties, homology modeling revealed high structural similarity between Solanum lycopersicum PPO (PPO_sly ) and PPO_sol except for their active site pockets. Accordingly, PPO_sol showed 5.1- and 34-fold higher affinity toward chlorogenic acid compared with two PPO_sly isozymes. Alike PPO_sly , PPO_sol showed monophenolase activity but it was inactive toward L-tyrosine and p-coumaric acid. Based on structural criteria, phthalic acid, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, and vanillin were selected and thoroughly examined for inhibition of the catecholase activity of PPO_sol . Although all these substances inhibited PPO_sol in mixed-inhibition mode, the results were strongly in favor of vanillin with IC₅₀ < 1.37 mM and K_i < 1.2 mM. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: There are subtle structural differences in the active site pockets of polyphenol oxidase (PPOs) of various fruits, vegetables, and crops. Consequently, to introduce an efficient inhibitor for hindering enzymatic browning of crop products, it is essential to have detailed knowledge about the structure and activity of its PPO as the main player of this undesirable phenomenon. Results of this study not only shed light on the physicochemical properties of PPO_sol but can also be used in making various formulations for safe controlling enzymatic browning of potatoes, especially fresh-cut and minimally processed products, and similar crops products during postharvest and the processes of products preparations.

Electrochemical Heteroatom-Heteroatom Bond Construction

Heteroatom-heteroatom linkage, with S-S bond as a presentative motif, served a crucial role in biochemicals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and material sciences. Thus, preparation of the privileged scaffold has always been attracting tremendous attention from the synthetic community. However, classic protocols suffered from several drawbacks, such as toxic and unstable agents, poor functional group tolerance, multiple steps, and explosive oxidizing regents as well as the transitional metal catalysts. Electrochemical organic synthesis exhibited a promising alternative to the traditional chemical reaction due to the sustainable electricity can be employed as the traceless redox agents. Hence, toxic and explosive oxidants and/or transitional metals could be discarded under mild reaction with high efficiency. In this context, a series of electrochemical approaches for the construction of heteroatom-heteroatom bond were reviewed. Notably, most of the cases illustrated the dehydrogenative feature with the clean energy molecules hydrogen as the sole by-product.

Oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrazines and diarylamines using a polyoxomolybdate-based iron catalyst

We report an efficient method for the oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrazines and diarylamines in aqueous ethanol using Anderson-type polyoxomolybdate-based iron(iii) as a catalyst and hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. A series of azo compounds and tetraarylhydrazines were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. The reaction conditions and substrate scopes are complementary or superior to those of more established protocols. In addition, the catalyst shows good stability and reusability in water. The preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that a radical process is involved in the reaction.

New Insight into the Interactions of Arbutin with Mushroom Tyrosinase

As a safe substitute for hydroquinone, β-arbutin, a natural plant substance, and its synthetic counterpart, α-arbutin, are used in depigmentation formulations. However, there are debatable points regarding the impact of arbutin on tyrosinase and the pigmentation process. To shed light on this issue, the effects of Pyrus biossieriana leaves extract (PbLE) and β-arbutin, extracted from PbLE, on mushroom tyrosinase (MT) were comprehensively examined. The study was focused on cresolase activity as the characteristic reaction of a tyrosinase. Kinetics studies disclosed that β-arbutin can modulate MT monophenolase activity from inhibition to activation or vice versa. β-Arbutin inhibited L-tyrosine (LTy) oxidation at concentrations < 0.3 mM but it increased (more than 400%) the enzymatic oxidation of L-tyrosine at the concentrations > 0.3 mM. An opposite pattern (activation then inhibition) was observed when a synthetic substrate was used instead of LTy. Computational studies, focused on the heavy chain of MT, indicated that β-arbutin effect could be overruled by the enzyme's ability to provide the ligand with a non-specific binding site (MTPc). A plausible mechanism was presented to show the influence of MTPc on the substrate pose in the active site. The possible determinant correlation between the findings of this research and the current studies on human tyrosinase role in the pigmentation process has been presented.

Unraveling the surface properties of PMMA/azobenzene blends as coating films with photoreversible surface polarity

Various reports demonstrated that azobenzene derivatives are the chromophore of choice in photoresponsive surfaces showing reversible surface polarity. Hitherto the surface study of coating films based on polymer/azobenzene blends using contact angle measurements remained unexplored. To provide insight into the surface polarity of polymer/dye blend films, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blends containing photoresponsive 4-hydroxy-4′-methylazobenzene (AZO1) and 4,4′-dimethylazobenzene (AZO2) as coating films on clear glass substrates are investigated in this work. Contact angle measurements were carried out to unravel the role of substituents in the surface polarity and the orientation of chromophores in the coating matrices before and after UV light (λ_max = 365 nm) irradiation. Changes in water contact angles measured on the PMMA/azobenzene coating films indicated that the surface polarity is reversible as the chromophores underwent reversible trans–cis isomerisation. It has been revealed that the repeated trans–cis isomerisation led to the random reorientation and arrangement of chromophores in PMMA/AZO1 coating films. Then, to indicate the possibility of the disruption of interfacial interactions due to the repeated trans–cis isomerisation processes, as a proof of concept experiment, it is shown that the commercial acrylic-based pressure-sensitive sticker which adhered strongly to the PMMA/AZO1(13) coating film is peeled off from the coating surface after being subjected to a cycle of UV light irradiation for 12 hours, followed by dark conditions for another 12 hours within 14 days. The proof of concept study will lead to more development of smart photoresponsive coating films using simple polymer/dye blends.

A repeated trans–cis isomerisation led to the random reorientation and arrangement of chromophores in PMMA/azobenzene blends as coating films.

Hypervalent iodine(iii)-promoted rapid cascade reaction for the synthesis of unsymmetric azo compounds

A rapid three-component cascade reaction for the synthesis of unsymmetric azo compounds via a radical activation strategy has been reported. Various aryldiazonium salts and unactivated alkenes are well compatible, providing the corresponding products in good to excellent yields. This strategy gives an efficient and practical solution for the synthesis of unsymmetric azo compounds with two C-N bond formation. A free radical pathway mechanism is advised for this transformation.

Direct and Divergent Solid-Phase Synthesis of Azobenzene and Spiropyran Derivatives

Here, we report a solid-phase approach to synthesize azobenzene and spiropyran derivatives. The divergent synthesis process requires no purification steps to obtain the desired product with a 28-55% yield, depending on the specific compound. For the spiropyran compounds, solid-phase resin cleavage is performed under mild conditions to minimize spiropyran ring opening. The solid-phase method enables the synthesis of a library of azobenzene and spiropyran derivatives without the need to develop purification strategies for each derivative.

Azo synthesis meets molecular iodine catalysis

A metal-free synthetic protocol for azo compound formation by the direct oxidation of hydrazine HN-NH bonds to azo group functionality catalyzed by molecular iodine is disclosed. The strengths of this reactivity include rapid reaction times, low catalyst loadings, use of ambient dioxygen as a stoichiometric oxidant, and ease of experimental set-up and azo product isolation. Mechanistic studies and density functional theory computations offering insight into this reactivity, as well as the events leading to azo group formation are presented. Collectively, this study expands the potential of main-group element iodine as an inexpensive catalyst, while delivering a useful transformation for forming azo compounds.

The selective synthesis of N-arylbenzene-1,2-diamines or 1-arylbenzimidazoles by irradiating 4-methoxy-4'-substituted-azobenzenes in different solvents

The solvent-controllable photoreaction of 4-methoxyazobenzenes to afford 1-aryl-1H-benzimidazoles or N-arylbenzene-1,2-diamines has been studied. The irradiation of 4-methoxyazobenzenes in DMF containing 0.5 M hydrochloric acid provided N²-aryl-4-methoxybenzene-1,2-diamines as the major product, while irradiation in acetal containing 0.16 M hydrochloric acid led to 1-aryl-6-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-benzimidazoles as the major product. A possible reaction mechanism explaining the selectivity was also discussed.

A solvent-controllable photoreaction involving 4-methoxyazobenzenes has been developed to synthesize 1-aryl-1H-benzimidazoles or N-arylbenzene-1,2-diamines in moderate to good yields.

Divergent synthesis of unsymmetrical azobenzenes via Cu-catalyzed C–N coupling

Efficient, one-pot, and low-cost metal-catalyzed tandem Chan–Lam coupling/deprotection and Ullmann/Chan–Lam/deprotection reactions to access unsymmetrical azobenzenes are disclosed.

Co–Nx catalyst: an effective catalyst for the transformation of nitro compounds into azo compounds

The selective hydrogenation of nitro compounds into their corresponding azo compounds is challenging in organic synthesis.

Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Hydrazobenzenes toward Azo Compounds Catalyzed by tert-Butyl Nitrite in EtOH

We describe a tert-butyl nitrite-catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrazobenzenes for producing azobenzenes. This method proceeds at ambient temperature and under an atmospheric environment by employing eco-friendly EtOH as the medium, representing a mild, general route to the synthesis of various symmetrical and nonsymmetrical azobenzenes in excellent yields with broad functional group tolerance.

TEMPO catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrazobenzenes to azobenzenes

A metal-free direct oxidative dehydrogenation approach for the synthesis of azobenzenes from hydrazobenzenes has been developed by using TEMPO as an organocatalyst for the first time. The reaction proceeded in open air under mild reaction conditions. A wide range of hydrazobenzenes readily undergo dehydrogenation to give the corresponding azobenzenes in excellent yields.

A new sensitive spectrophotometric method for determination of saliva and blood glucose

There is an increasing need for accurate and inexpensive glucometers as the world moves toward personalized medicine. Among the existing technologies, photometric based devices are more desired due to the cost-effectiveness, ease-of-use and the potential to be adopted in the smart-phone technology for remote sensing and self-monitoring purposes. However, the accuracy, precision, and reproducibility of the results of these devices are heavily dependent on the details of the chosen glucose measuring method. Considering the delicate problems with the current spectrophotometric methods, a new method was developed for more precise, accurate, and fast measurement of blood glucose via the coupled reactions of glucose oxidase and peroxidase using 4-[(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) azo]-benzenesulfonic acid (GASA) as the substrate. Stability of GASA and its oxidized products along with its direct and fast consumption by peroxidase, made it possible to determine blood glucose concentration in <20 s with high reproducibility. The low detection limit of GASA method (0.36 mg dL^-1) with a linear range from 0.36 to 399.6 mg.dL^-1 also allowed determination of salivary glucose concentration (SGC). As compared with the blood samples, the SGC results were more dispersed, especially for the diabetic participants, assumingly due to the diverse nature of salivary samples. However, a good correlation coefficient of 0.81 for non-diabetic individuals showed that it is accurate enough to recognize non-diabetic from diabetic condition. Results of this study disclose the potential application of GASA method as a reliable alternative for the current spectrophotometric methods with the ability to be adopted in miniaturized glucometers.

A practical route to azo compounds by metal-free aerobic oxidation of arylhydrazides using an NOx system

Metal-free aerobic oxidation of aryl hydrazides catalyzed by NO_x was developed for the practical and environment friendly synthesis of azo compounds.

Tying the alkoxides together: an iron complex of a new chelating bulky bis(alkoxide) demonstrates selectivity for coupling of non-bulky aryl nitrenes

New chelating bis(alkoxide) ligand H₂[OO]^Ph and its iron(ii) complex Fe[OO]^Ph(THF)₂ are described. The coordination of the ligand to the metal center is reminiscent of the coordination of two monodentate alkoxides in previously reported Fe(OR)₂(THF)₂ species. Fe[OO]^Ph(THF)₂ catalyzes selective and efficient dimerization of non-bulky aryl nitrenes to yield the corresponding azoarenes.

Immobilized antimony species on magnetite: a novel and highly efficient magnetically reusable nanocatalyst for direct and gram-scale reductive-coupling of nitroarenes to azoarenes

In this study, magnetic nanoparticles of Fe3O4@SbF x from the immobilization of SbF3 on magnetite were synthesized. The prepared nanocomposite system was then characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Next, the catalytic activity of Fe3O4@SbF x MNPs was highlighted by one-pot reductive-coupling of aromatic nitro compounds to the corresponding azoarene materials with NaBH4. The reactions were carried out in refluxing EtOH within 6-25 min to afford the products in high yields. The reusability of the Sb-magnetite system was also studied for 6 consecutive cycles without significant loss of catalytic activity. This synthetic protocol provided several advantages in terms of introducing a novel catalytic system based on antimony species for direct and gram-scale preparation of azoarenes from nitroarenes, low loading of the nanocatalyst, mild reaction conditions, using ethanol as a green and economic solvent and high yield of the products.

A Schiff-Base Modified Pt Nano-Catalyst for Highly Efficient Synthesis of Aromatic Azo Compounds

A Schiff-base modified Pt nano-catalyst was prepared via one-pot aldimine condensation and then impregnation-reduction of a platinum precursor, in which the Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with an average size of 2.3 nm were highly dispersed on the support. The as-prepared catalyst exhibited excellent activity and selectivity in the hydrogenation coupling synthesis of aromatic azo compounds from nitroaromatic under mild conditions. The strong metal–support interaction derived from the coordination of nitrogen sites on Schiff-base to Pt NPs enables stabilizing the Pt NPs and achieving the catalytic recyclability. The scheme can also tolerate various functional groups and offer an efficient method for the green synthesis of aromatic azo compounds.

Two-Step, One-Pot Synthesis of Visible-Light-Responsive 6-Azopurines

The first general two-step, one-pot synthetic route to 6-azopurines is presented. Microwave-assisted nucleophilic aromatic substitution of protected 6-chloropurines with hydrazines or hydrazides, followed by metal-free oxidation with oxygen, gives 6-azopurines in high to excellent yields. Photophysical studies revealed intensive n-π* absorption band that makes trans-to-cis photoswitching possible using visible light (λ = 530 nm).

Azobenzene-derived tris-β-diketonate lanthanide complexes: reversible trans-to-cis photoisomerization in solution and solid state

Novel azobenzene-derived β-diketonates (4,4,5,5,6,6,6-heptafluoro-1-azobenzene-1,3-hexanedione (LA), 4,4,5,5,6,6,6-heptafluoro-1-(4-dimethylamino)azobenzene-1,3-hexanedione (LB)) were designed and their complexes with lanthanide cations (La(3+), Eu(3+), Gd(3+), Yb(3+)) were prepared and characterized by (1)H NMR, FT-IR, and elemental analysis. Three of the complexes were crystallized successfully and identified by X-ray diffraction. It was significant to find that LA showed remarkably reversible trans-to-cis isomerization properties, however, LB, bearing an electron donor compared with LA, slowed down the isomerization to an extent. The presence of Ln(iii) enhanced the reversible trans-to-cis isomerization properties of both LA and LB a little upon photoirradiation in organic solvents, and amazingly increased the fatigue resistance. In addition, the complexes doped in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) films produced a similar phenomenon as well as when in solution. Theoretical calculations based on time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) were performed for geometry optimization and to determine the excitation energies of LA and LB to gain further insight into the electronic structure of the complexes, and the data were consistent with the experimental results. The excellent reversible photoisomerization properties of the newly designed Ln(iii) complexes can offer important advantages that will help with the further study of these materials to reach their full potential in applications such as molecular switching devices.

Non-specific binding sites help to explain mixed inhibition in mushroom tyrosinase activities

Inhibition and activation studies of tyrosinase could prove beneficial to agricultural, food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Although non-competitive and mixed-inhibition are frequent modes observed in kinetics studies on mushroom tyrosinase (MT) activities, the phenomena are left unexplained. In this study, dual effects of phthalic acid (PA) and cinnamic acid (CA) on MT during mono-phenolase activity were demonstrated. PA activated and inhibited MT at concentrations lower and higher than 150 μM, respectively. In contrast, CA inhibited and activated MT at concentrations lower and higher than 5 μM. The mode of inhibition for both effectors was mixed-type. Complex kinetics of MT in the presence of a modulator could partly be ascribed to its mixed-cooperativity. However, to explain mixed-inhibition mode, it is necessary to demonstrate how the ternary complex of substrate/enzyme/effector is formed. Therefore, we looked for possible non-specific binding sites using MT tropolone-bound PDB (2Y9X) in the computational studies. When tropolone was in MTPa (active site), PA and CA occupied different pockets (named MTPb and MTPc, respectively). The close Moldock scores of PA binding posed in MTPb and MTPa suggested that MTPb could be a secondary binding site for PA. Similar results were obtained for CA. Ensuing results from 10 ns molecular dynamics simulations for 2Y9X-effector complexes indicated that the structures were gradually stabilized during simulation. Tunnel analysis by using CAVER Analyst and CHEXVIS resulted in identifying two distinct channels that assumingly participate in exchanging the effectors when the direct channel to MTPa is not accessible.

Ionic Liquid Promoted Diazenylation of N-Heterocyclic Compounds with Aryltriazenes under Mild Conditions

An efficient, mild, and metal-free approach to direct diazenylation of N-heterocyclic compounds with aryltriazenes using Brønsted ionic liquid as a promoter has been developed for the first time. Many N-heterocyclic azo compounds were synthesized in good to excellent yields at room temperature under an open atmosphere. Notably, the promoter 1,3-bis(4-sulfobutyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium hydrogen sulfate could be conveniently recycled and reused with the same efficacies for at least four cycles.

Harnessing the Versatility of Continuous-Flow Processes: Selective and Efficient Reactions

There is a great need for effective transformations and a broad range of novel chemical entities. Continuous-flow (CF) approaches are of considerable current interest: highly efficient and selective reactions can be performed in CF reactors. The reaction setup of CF reactors offers a wide variety of possible points where versatility can be introduced. This article presents a number of selective and highly efficient gas-liquid-solid and liquid-solid reactions involving a range of reagents and immobilized catalysts. Enantioselective transformations through catalytic hydrogenation and organocatalytic reactions are included, and isotopically labelled compounds and pharmaceutically relevant 1,2,3-triazoles are synthesized in CF reactors. Importantly, the catalyst bed can be changed to a solid-phase peptide synthesis resin, with which peptide synthesis can be performed with the utilization of only 1.5 equivalents of the amino acid.

Rapid and direct spectrophotometric method for kinetics studies and routine assay of peroxidase based on aniline diazo substrates

Peroxidases are ubiquitous enzymes that play an important role in living organisms. Current spectrophotometrically based peroxidase assay methods are based on the production of chromophoric substances at the end of the enzymatic reaction. The ambiguity regarding the formation and identity of the final chromophoric product and its possible reactions with other molecules have raised concerns about the accuracy of these methods. This can be of serious concern in inhibition studies. A novel spectrophotometric assay for peroxidase, based on direct measurement of a soluble aniline diazo substrate, is introduced. In addition to the routine assays, this method can be used in comprehensive kinetics studies. 4-[(4-Sulfophenyl)azo]aniline (λmax = 390 nm, ɛ = 32 880 M(-1) cm(-1) at pH 4.5 to 9) was introduced for routine assay of peroxidase. This compound is commercially available and is indexed as a food dye. Using this method, a detection limit of 0.05 nmol mL(-1) was achieved for peroxidase.

A mild CuBr–NMO oxidative system for the coupling of anilines leading to aromatic azo compounds

An efficient methodology was developed for the synthesis of aromatic azo derivatives under mild reaction conditions utilizing CuBr with N-methylmorpholine N-oxide as an oxidant.

Spectroscopy and solvatochromism studies along with antioxidant and antibacterial activities investigation of azo-azomethine compounds 2-(2-hydroxyphenylimino)methyl)-4-phenyldiazenyl)phenol

The azo-azomethine compounds 2-(2-hydroxyphenylimino)methyl)-4-phenyldiazenyl)phenol (2a-d) were prepared from the reaction of 2-aminophenol with 2-hydroxy-5-(aryldiazenyl)benzaldehyde (1a-d). The structures of all compounds were then characterized by elemental analysis, mass, infrared, UV-vis, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. The electronic absorption spectra indicated enol-keto tautomeric and positive solvatochromism in compounds (2a-d), which is dependent on the substitution, nature of solvent, pH and environment temperature. The compounds (2a-d) were also evaluated for antibiotic activities by disc diffusion method. Compounds 2a and 2b exhibited antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, but 2c and 2d were found to have no remarkable antibacterial activity. All the compounds (2a-d) also showed antioxidant activity as determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) method.