Amidoximes and Oximes: Synthesis, Structure, and Their Key Role as NO Donors

A review on oxime functionality: an ordinary functional group with significant impacts in supramolecular chemistry

The oxime functional group is pivotal in chemistry, finding extensive applications in medical science, catalysis, organic functional group transformations, and the recognition of essential and toxic analytes. While the coordination chemistry of oxime derivatives has been thoroughly explored and several reviews have been published on this topic in reputable journals, a comprehensive review encompassing various aspects such as crystal engineering, cation and anion recognition, as well as coordination chemistry activities, is still in demand. This feature article highlights the diverse applications of oxime derivatives across multiple domains of chemistry, including medicine, agriculture, crystal engineering, coordination chemistry, and molecular recognition studies. Each of the oxime derivatives in this feature article are meticulously described in terms of their medicinal applications, crop protection, crystal engineering attributes, analyte recognition capabilities, and coordination chemistry aspects. By providing a comprehensive overview of their versatile applications, this article aims to inspire researchers to explore and develop novel oxime-based derivatives for future applications.

A new oxime synthesized from Senecio nutans SCh. Bip (chachacoma) reduces calcium influx in the vascular contractile response in rat aorta

Senecio nutans Sch. Bip is an endemic plant commonly employed in the Andes culture to counteract the effects of mountain sickness, and its bioactive molecules could provide new drugs for treating hypertension. The purpose was to determine whether the vascular response of the plant bioactive molecules, such as (5-acetyl-6-hydroxy-2-isopropenyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurane; Sn-I), could be improved by a simple structural modification to synthesize oximes (Ox-Sn-I). We characterized both compounds using IR and NMR spectroscopy and Heteronuclear Multiple Quantum Coherence (HMQC). We investigated vascular relaxation mechanisms in response to Sn-I and Ox-Sn-I using rat aorta and vascular smooth muscle cells (A7r5) as experimental models. Preincubation of aortic rings with Sn-I (10-5 M) significantly (p < 0.001) decreased the contractile effect in response to phenylephrine (PE) and potassium chloride (KCl). The sensitivity (EC50) to PE significantly (p < 0.01) decreased in the presence of Sn-I (10-5 M), but not with Ox-Sn-I. Sn-I significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the PE-induced contraction under calcium-free conditions. When A7r5 cells were preincubated with Sn-I and Ox-Sn-I (10-5 M), both compounds blunted the increase in intracellular Ca2+ induced by KCl. 2,3-Dihydrobenzofurane derived from S. nutans (Sn-I) reduces the contractile response probably by blocking Ca2+ entry through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC) in vascular smooth cells. This effect also causes relaxation in rat aorta mediated by reduction of intracellular Ca2+ concentration, rather than an increase of NO generation in endothelial vascular cells.

Synthesis, molecular docking and biological evaluation of 1,2,4-oxadiazole based novel non-steroidal derivatives against prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in men leading to second most death causing cancer in men. Despite the availability of multiple treatment still the prevalence is high for prostate cancer. Steroidal antagonists associated with poor bioavailability, side effects while non-steroidal antagonists show serious side effects like gynecomastia. Therefore, there is a need of potential candidate for the treatment of prostate cancer with better bioavailability, good therapeutic effect and minimal side effects. In the same context, we have designed the series, SP1-SP25 based 3-phenyl-5-styryl-1,2,4-oxadiazole as the core structure. We successfully synthesized all 25 molecules in this series and characterized them using 1H, 13C NMR, and mass spectroscopy. Subsequently, we conducted MTT assays using PC-3 cells and observed that all the compounds exhibited a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability. Notably, compounds SP04, SP16, and SP19 demonstrated a significant decrease in cell viability and exhibited potent activity compared to the other synthesized molecules and standard drug bicalutamide. Among them, SP04 emerged as the one of the most potent compounds with an IC50 value of 238.13 nM and an 89.99 % inhibition of PC-3 cells, compared to synthesized molecules and standard drug bicalutamide. Furthermore, we conducted ROS assays and androgen receptor inhibition assays using the potent compound SP04 and bicalutamide. The results indicated that SP04 increased ROS production and decreased androgen receptor expression dose-dependent manner. Additionally, we conducted a docking study to analyse the interaction patterns within the active site of the androgen receptor. ADMET analysis revealed that all the compounds exhibited favorable physicochemical properties and manageable toxicity profiles.

Reactions of Cadmium(II) Halides and Di-2-Pyridyl Ketone Oxime: One-Dimensional Coordination Polymers

The coordination chemistry of 2-pyridyl ketoximes continues to attract the interest of many inorganic chemistry groups around the world for a variety of reasons. Cadmium(II) complexes of such ligands have provided models of solvent extraction of this toxic metal ion from aqueous environments using 2-pyridyl ketoxime extractants. Di-2-pyridyl ketone oxime (dpkoxH) is a unique member of this family of ligands because its substituent on the oxime carbon bears another potential donor site, i.e., a second 2-pyridyl group. The goal of this study was to investigate the reactions of cadmium(II) halides and dpkoxH in order to assess the structural role (if any) of the halogeno ligand and compare the products with their zinc(II) analogs. The synthetic studies provided access to complexes {[CdCl2(dpkoxH)∙2H2O]}n (1∙2H2O), {[CdBr2(dpkoxH)]}n (2) and {[CdI2(dpkoxH)]}n (3) in 50-60% yields. The structures of the complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The compounds consist of structurally similar 1D zigzag chains, but only 2 and 3 are strictly isomorphous. Neighboring CdII atoms are alternately doubly bridged by halogeno and dpkoxH ligands, the latter adopting the η1:η1:η1:μ (or 2.0111 using Harris notation) coordination mode. A terminal halogeno group completes distorted octahedral coordination at each metal ion, and the coordination sphere of the CdII atoms is {CdII(η1 - X)(μ - X)2(Npyridyl)2(Noxime)} (X = Cl, Br, I). The trans-donor-atom pairs in 1∙2H2O are Clterminal/Noxime and two Clbridging/Npyridyl; on the contrary, these donor-atom pairs are Xterminal/Npyridyl, Xbridging/Noxime, and Xbridging/Npyridyl (X = Br, I). There are intrachain H-bonding interactions in the structures. The packing of the chains in 1∙2H2O is achieved via π-π stacking interactions, while the 3D architecture of the isomorphous 2 and 3 is built via C-H∙∙∙Cg (Cg is the centroid of one pyridyl ring) and π-π overlaps. The molecular structures of 1∙2H2O and 2 are different compared with their [ZnX2(dpkoxH)] (X = Cl, Br) analogs. The polymeric compounds were characterized by IR and Raman spectroscopies in the solid state, and the data were interpreted in terms of the known molecular structures. The solid-state structures of the complexes are not retained in DMSO, as proven via NMR (1H, 13C, and 113Cd NMR) spectroscopy and molar conductivity data. The complexes completely release the coordinated dpkoxH molecule, and the dominant species in solution seem to be [Cd(DMSO)6]2+ in the case of the chloro and bromo complexes and [CdI2(DMSO)4].

Amidoxime-Containing Zr and Hf Atomic Layer Deposition Precursors for Metal Oxide Thin Films

In this article, we discuss the synthesis of eight novel zirconium and hafnium complexes containing amidoxime ligands as potential precursors for atomic layer deposition (ALD). Two amidoximes, viz., (E)-N'-hydroxy-N,N-dimethylacetimidamide (mdaoH) and (Z)-N'-hydroxy-N,N-dimethylpivalimidamide (tdaoH), along with their Zr and Hf homoleptic complexes, Zr(mdao)4 (1), Hf(mdao)4 (2), Zr(tdao)4 (3), and Hf(tdao)4 (4) were prepared. We further synthesized heteroleptic compounds with different physical properties by introducing cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ligand, namely, CpZr(mdao)3 (5), CpHf(mdao)3 (6), CpZr(tdao)3 (7), and CpHf(tdao)3 (8). Thermogravimetric analysis was used for the assessment of the evaporation characteristics of complexes 1, 2, 5, and 6, and it revealed multistep weight losses with high residues. On the other hand, the thermogravimetric analysis curves of complexes 3, 4, 7, and 8 comprising tdao ligands revealed single-step weight losses with moderate residues. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of complexes 1, 3, and 7 showed that all of the complexes have monomeric molecular structures. Complex 7 exhibited a low melting point (75 °C), good volatility, and high thermal stability compared with other complexes. Therefore, an atomic layer deposition process for the growth of ZrO2 was developed by using ZrCp(tdao)3 (7) as a novel precursor.

Selective Binding and Isomerization of Oximes in a Self-Assembled Capsule

A series of straight-chain (C7-C13) alkyl-O-methyl aldoximes (R-C(H)═NOMe) were synthesized with various functional groups at the remote ends (alkenes, halogen, -COOH, and NH₂). Their isomers about the C═N bond showed ∼60-40% E-Z-ratio in organic solutions. Surprisingly, their confinement in a water-soluble capsule with benzoselenodiazole walls shows high selectivity for the cis-/Z-isomer. Their relative affinities for the chalcogen-bonded capsule at room temperature depend mainly on the guest chain length and functional groups. A chain length of 14 heavy atoms showed especially high E- to Z-isomer selectivity (>99%) and was used in separation. The E-Z isomerization occurred only in the capsular cavity at room temperature and was accelerated 10-fold by sonication. The Z-isomer selective binding, separation, and E-Z isomerization are supported by NMR, DOSY, and computational studies.

A Nucleophilic Activity-Based Probe Enables Profiling of PLP-Dependent Enzymes

PLP-dependent enzymes represent an important class of highly "druggable" enzymes that perform a wide array of critical reactions to support all organisms. Inhibition of individual members of this family of enzymes has been validated as a therapeutic target for pathologies ranging from infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis to epilepsy. Given the broad nature of the activities within this family of enzymes, we envisioned a universally acting probe to characterize existing and putative members of the family that also includes the necessary chemical moieties to enable activity-based protein profiling experiments. Hence, we developed a probe that contains an N-hydroxyalanine warhead that acts as a covalent inhibitor of PLP-dependent enzymes, a linear diazirine for UV crosslinking, and an alkyne moiety to enable enrichment of crosslinked proteins. Our molecule was used to study PLP-dependent enzymes in vitro as well as look at whole-cell lysates of M. tuberculosis and assess inhibitory activity. The probe was able to enrich and identify LysA, a PLP-dependent enzyme crucial for lysine biosynthesis, through mass spectrometry. Overall, our study shows the utility of this trifunctional first-generation probe. We anticipate further optimization of probes for PLP-dependent enzymes will enable the characterization of rationally designed covalent inhibitors of PLP-dependent enzymes, which will expedite the preclinical characterization of these important therapeutic targets.

Opportunities for Nitric Oxide in Potentiating Cancer Immunotherapy

Despite nearly 30 years of development and recent highlights of nitric oxide (NO) donors and NO delivery systems in anticancer therapy, the limited understanding of exogenous NO's effects on the immune system has prevented their advancement into clinical use. In particular, the effects of exogenously delivered NO differing from that of endogenous NO has obscured how the potential and functions of NO in anticancer therapy may be estimated and exploited despite the accumulating evidence of NO's cancer therapy-potentiating effects on the immune system. After introducing their fundamentals and characteristics, this review discusses the current mechanistic understanding of NO donors and delivery systems in modulating the immunogenicity of cancer cells as well as the differentiation and functions of innate and adaptive immune cells. Lastly, the potential for the complex modulatory effects of NO with the immune system to be leveraged for therapeutic applications is discussed in the context of recent advancements in the implementation of NO delivery systems for anticancer immunotherapy applications. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Despite a 30-year history and recent highlights of nitric oxide (NO) donors and delivery systems as anticancer therapeutics, their clinical translation has been limited. Increasing evidence of the complex interactions between NO and the immune system has revealed both the potential and hurdles in their clinical translation. This review summarizes the effects of exogenous NO on cancer and immune cells in vitro and elaborates these effects in the context of recent reports exploiting NO delivery systems in vivo in cancer therapy applications.

Novel Oxime Synthesized from a Natural Product of Senecio nutans SCh. Bip. (Asteraceae) Enhances Vascular Relaxation in Rats by an Endothelium-Independent Mechanism

Senecio nutans Sch. Bip. and its constituents are reported to have antihypertensive effects. We isolated metabolite−1, a natural compound from S. nutans (4-hydroxy-3-(isopenten-2-yl)-acetophenone), and synthesized novel oxime − 1 (4-hydroxy-3-(isopenten-2-yl)-acetophenoxime) to evaluate their effect on vascular reactivity. Compounds were purified (metabolite−1) or synthetized (oxime−1) and characterized using IR and NMR spectroscopy and Heteronuclear Multiple Quantum Coherence (HMQC). Using pharmacological agents such as phenylephrine (PE) and KCl (enhancing contraction), acetylcholine (ACh), L-NAME (nitric oxide (NO) and endothelial function), Bay K8644-induced CaV1.2 channel (calcium channel modulator), and isolated aortic rings in an organ bath setup, the possible mechanisms of vascular action were determined. Pre-incubation of aortic rings with 10−5 M oxime−1 significantly (p < 0.001) decreased the contractile response to 30 mM KCl. EC50 to KCl significantly (p < 0.01) increased in the presence of oxime−1 (37.72 ± 2.10 mM) compared to that obtained under control conditions (22.37 ± 1.40 mM). Oxime−1 significantly reduced (p < 0.001) the contractile response to different concentrations of PE (10−7 to 10−5 M) by a mechanism that decreases Cav1.2-mediated Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space and reduces Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. At a submaximal concentration (10−5 M), oxime−1 caused a significant relaxation in rat aorta even without vascular endothelium or after pre-incubate the tissue with L-NAME. Oxime−1 decreases the contractile response to PE by blunting the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and blocking of Ca2+ influx by channels. Metabolite−1 reduces the contractile response to KCl, apparently by reducing the plasma membrane depolarization and Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space. These acetophenone derivates from S. nutans (metabolite−1 and oxime−1) cause vasorelaxation through pathways involving an increase of the endothelial NO generation or a higher bioavailability, further highlighting that structural modification of naturally occurring metabolites can enhance their intended pharmacological functions.

FDA-Approved Oximes and Their Significance in Medicinal Chemistry

Despite the scientific advancements, organophosphate (OP) poisoning continues to be a major threat to humans, accounting for nearly one million poisoning cases every year leading to at least 20,000 deaths worldwide. Oximes represent the most important class in medicinal chemistry, renowned for their widespread applications as OP antidotes, drugs and intermediates for the synthesis of several pharmacological derivatives. Common oxime based reactivators or nerve antidotes include pralidoxime, obidoxime, HI-6, trimedoxime and methoxime, among which pralidoxime is the only FDA-approved drug. Cephalosporins are β-lactam based antibiotics and serve as widely acclaimed tools in fighting bacterial infections. Oxime based cephalosporins have emerged as an important class of drugs with improved efficacy and a broad spectrum of anti-microbial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Among the several oxime based derivatives, cefuroxime, ceftizoxime, cefpodoxime and cefmenoxime are the FDA approved oxime-based antibiotics. Given the pharmacological significance of oximes, in the present paper, we put together all the FDA-approved oximes and discuss their mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and synthesis.

Photocatalyzed Triplet Sensitization of Oximes Using Visible Light Provides a Route to Nonclassical Beckmann Rearrangement Products

Oximes are valuable synthetic intermediates for the preparation of a variety of functional groups. To date, the stereoselective synthesis of oximes remains a major challenge, as most current synthetic methods either provide mixtures of E and Z isomers or furnish the thermodynamically preferred E isomer. Herein we report a mild and general method to achieve Z isomers of aryl oximes by photoisomerization of oximes via visible-light-mediated energy transfer (EnT) catalysis. Facile access to (Z)-oximes provides opportunities to achieve regio- and chemoselectivity complementary to those of widely used transformations employing oxime starting materials. We show an enhanced one-pot protocol for photocatalyzed oxime isomerization and subsequent Beckmann rearrangement that enables novel reactivity with alkyl groups migrating preferentially over aryl groups, reversing the regioselectivity of the traditional Beckmann reaction. Chemodivergent N- or O- cyclizations of alkenyl oximes are also demonstrated, leading to nitrones or cyclic oxime ethers, respectively.

Erectile Function and Sexual Behavior: A Review of the Role of Nitric Oxide in the Central Nervous System

Nitric oxide (NO), the neuromodulator/neurotransmitter formed from l-arginine by neuronal, endothelial and inducible NO synthases, is involved in numerous functions across the body, from the control of arterial blood pressure to penile erection, and at central level from energy homeostasis regulation to memory, learning and sexual behavior. The aim of this work is to review earlier studies showing that NO plays a role in erectile function and sexual behavior in the hypothalamus and its paraventricular nucleus and the medial preoptic area, and integrate these findings with those of recent studies on this matter. This revisitation shows that NO influences erectile function and sexual behavior in males and females by acting not only in the paraventricular nucleus and medial preoptic area but also in extrahypothalamic brain areas, often with different mechanisms. Most importantly, since these areas are strictly interconnected with the paraventricular nucleus and medial preoptic area, send to and receive neural projections from the spinal cord, in which sexual communication between brain and genital apparatus takes place, this review reveals that central NO participates in concert with neurotransmitters/neuropeptides to a neural circuit controlling both the consummatory (penile erection, copulation, lordosis) and appetitive components (sexual motivation, arousal, reward) of sexual behavior.

The Synthesis and Evaluation of Amidoximes as Cytotoxic Agents on Model Bacterial E. coli Strains

The biological research on newly synthesized amidoximes, Boc-protected amidoximes and Boc-derived amidines, obtained by a reduction of the parent amidoximes is reported, herein. Due to the presence of a free amino group in both amidines and amidoximes, these compounds can undergo various chemical reactions such as N-alkylation and N-acylation. One such reaction is Boc-protection, often used in organic synthesis to protect the amino and imino groups. Until now, Boc-protected amidoximes have not been tested for biological activity. Amidoxime derivatives were tested on bacterial E. coli strains. Initial cellular studies tests and digestion with Fpg after the modification of bacterial DNA, suggest that these compounds may have greater potential as antibacterial agents compared to antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (ci), bleomycin (b) and cloxacillin (cl). The described compounds are highly specific for pathogenic E. coli strains on the basis of the model strains used and may be used in the future as new substitutes for commonly used antibiotics in clinical and hospital infections in the pandemic era.

Water-Soluble Ruthenium (II) Complex Derived From Optically Pure Limonene and Its Microencapsulation Are Efficient Tools Against Bacterial Food Pathogen Biofilms: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enteroccocus faecalis, and Listeria monocytogenes

Bioactive aminooxime ligands based on optically pure (R)-limonene have been synthesized in two steps. Their ruthenium (II) cationic water-soluble complex was prepared by a reaction between dichloro (para-cymene) ruthenium (II) dimers and aminooxime ligands in a 1:2 molar ratio. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of the synthetized complex were assessed against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Enterococcus faecalis. The results revealed that the ruthenium (II) complex has higher antibacterial and antibiofilm activities in comparison with free ligands or the enantiopure (R)-limonene. Moreover, microencapsulation of this complex reduced its cytotoxicity and improved their minimum inhibitory concentration and antibiofilm activity toward the considered bacteria. The ruthenium (II) complex targets the bacterial cell membrane, which leads to rapid leakage of intracellular potassium. Our study suggests that the developed ruthenium (II) complexes could be useful as an alternative to conventional disinfectants.

Nitrile-Functionalized Poly(2-oxazoline)s as a Versatile Platform for the Development of Polymer Therapeutics

In recent years, polymers bearing reactive groups have received significant interest for biomedical applications. Numerous functional polymer platforms have been introduced, which allow for the preparation of materials with tailored properties via post-polymerization modifications. However, because of their reactivity, many functional groups are not compatible with the initial polymerization. The nitrile group is a highly interesting and relatively inert functionality that has mainly received attention in radical polymerizations. In this Article, a nitrile-functionalized 2-oxazoline monomer (2-(4-nitrile-butyl)-2-oxazoline, BuNiOx) is introduced, and its compatibility with the cationic ring-opening polymerization is demonstrated. Subsequently, the versatility of nitrile-functionalized poly(2-oxazoline)s (POx) is presented. To this end, diverse (co)polymers are synthesized and characterized by nuclear resonance spectroscopy, size-exclusion chromatography, and mass spectrometry. Amphiphilic block copolymers are shown to efficiently encapsulate the hydrophobic drug curcumin (CUR) in aqueous solution, and the anti-inflammatory effect of the CUR-containing nanostructures is presented in BV-2 microglia. Furthermore, the availability of the BuNiOx repeating units for post-polymerization modifications with hydroxylamine to yield amidoxime (AO)-functionalized POx is demonstrated. These AO-containing POx were successfully applied for the complexation of Fe(III) in a quantitative manner. In addition, AO-functionalized POx were shown to release nitric oxide intracellularly in BV-2 microglia. Thus nitrile-functionalized POx represent a promising and robust platform for the design of polymer therapeutics for a wide range of applications.

Synthesis, In Silico Studies, and Evaluation of Syn and Anti Isomers of N-Substituted Indole-3-carbaldehyde Oxime Derivatives as Urease Inhibitors against Helicobacter pylori

Gastrointestinal tract infection caused by Helicobacter pylori is a common virulent disease found worldwide, and the infection rate is much higher in developing countries than in developed ones. In the pathogenesis of H. pylori in the gastrointestinal tract, the secretion of the urease enzyme plays a major role. Therefore, inhibition of urease is a better approach against H. pylori infection. In the present study, a series of syn and anti isomers of N-substituted indole-3-carbaldehyde oxime derivatives was synthesized via Schiff base reaction of appropriate carbaldehyde derivatives with hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The in vitro urease inhibitory activities of those derivatives were evaluated against that of Macrotyloma uniflorum urease using the modified Berthelot reaction. Out of the tested compounds, compound 8 (IC₅₀ = 0.0516 ± 0.0035 mM) and compound 9 (IC₅₀ = 0.0345 ± 0.0008 mM) were identified as the derivatives with potent urease inhibitory activity with compared to thiourea (IC₅₀ = 0.2387 ± 0.0048 mM). Additionally, in silico studies for all oxime compounds were performed to investigate the binding interactions with the active site of the urease enzyme compared to thiourea. Furthermore, the drug-likeness of the synthesized oxime compounds was also predicted.

Sustainable Functionalization of PAN to Improve Tinctorial Capacity

This study may open a new way to obtain the coloration of a polymer during functionalization. Two polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymers in the form of textile fibers (Melana and Dralon L) were subjected to functionalization treatments in order to improve the dyeing capacity. The functionalizations determined by an organo-hypervalent iodine reagent developed in situ led to fiber coloration without using dyes. KIO3 was formed in situ from the interaction of aqueous solutions of 3-9% KOH with 3-9% I2, at 120 °C. The yellow-orange coloration appeared as a result of the transformations in the chemical structure of each functionalized polymer, with the formation of iodinehydrin groups. The degree of functionalization directly influenced the obtained color. The results of the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Map and Temogravimetric Analysis (TG) plus Differential Thermal (DTA) analyses indicated the presence of new functional groups, such as iodine-oxime. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the change of the crystalline/amorphous ratio in favor of the former. The new groups introduced by functionalization make it possible to dye with classes of dyes specific to these groups, but not specific to PAN fibers, thus improving their dyeing capacity.

A Perspective Review on the Application of Polyacrylonitrile-Based Supports for Laccase Immobilization

The use of laccases applied in bioremediation processes has been increasingly studied, given the urgent need to overcome the environmental problems caused by emerging contaminants. It is known that immobilized enzymes have better operational stability under reaction conditions, allowing for greater applicability. However, given the lack of commercially available immobilized laccases, the search for immobilization materials and methods continues to gain effort. The use of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) to immobilize enzymes has been investigated since it is a low-cost material and can be modified and functionalized to well interact with the enzyme. This polymer can be used with different morphologies such as fibers, beads, and core-shell, presenting as an easily applicable alternative. This review presents the missing link between polymer and enzyme through an overview of PAN's current use as support for laccase immobilization and polymer functionalization methods, considering the importance of immobilized laccases in several industrial sectors.

Heavy Metals Removal from Water by Efficient Adsorbents

Natural occurrence and anthropogenic practices contribute to the release of pollutants, specifically heavy metals, in water over the years. Therefore, this leads to a demand of proper water treatment to minimize the harmful effects of the toxic heavy metals in water, so that a supply of clean water can be distributed into the environment or household. This review highlights several water treatment methods that can be used in removing heavy metal from water. Among various treatment methods, the adsorption process is considered as one of the highly effective treatments of heavy metals and the functionalization of adsorbents can fully enhance the adsorption process. Therefore, four classes of adsorbent sources are highlighted: polymeric, natural mineral, industrial by-product, and carbon nanomaterial adsorbent. The major purpose of this review is to gather up-to-date information on research and development on various adsorbents in the treatment of heavy metal from water by emphasizing the adsorption capability, effect of pH, isotherm and kinetic model, removal efficiency and the contact of time of every adsorbent.

Oximes: Novel Therapeutics with Anticancer and Anti-Inflammatory Potential

Oximes have been studied for decades because of their significant roles as acetylcholinesterase reactivators. Over the last twenty years, a large number of oximes have been reported with useful pharmaceutical properties, including compounds with antibacterial, anticancer, anti-arthritis, and anti-stroke activities. Many oximes are kinase inhibitors and have been shown to inhibit over 40 different kinases, including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK), serine/threonine kinases glycogen synthase kinase 3 α/β (GSK-3α/β), Aurora A, B-Raf, Chk1, death-associated protein-kinase-related 2 (DRAK2), phosphorylase kinase (PhK), serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK), Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK), and multiple receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases. Some oximes are inhibitors of lipoxygenase 5, human neutrophil elastase, and proteinase 3. The oxime group contains two H-bond acceptors (nitrogen and oxygen atoms) and one H-bond donor (OH group), versus only one H-bond acceptor present in carbonyl groups. This feature, together with the high polarity of oxime groups, may lead to a significantly different mode of interaction with receptor binding sites compared to corresponding carbonyl compounds, despite small changes in the total size and shape of the compound. In addition, oximes can generate nitric oxide. This review is focused on oximes as kinase inhibitors with anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Oximes with non-kinase targets or mechanisms of anti-inflammatory activity are also discussed.

Role of surface functional groups of hydrogels in metal adsorption: From performance to mechanism

Hydrogels have been studied quite intensively in recent decades regarding whether their metal adsorption abilities may be modified or even enhanced via functionalization (i.e., functionalizing the surfaces of hydrogels with specific functional groups). Studies have found that functionalizing hydrogels can in fact give them higher adsorptive power. This enhanced adsorptive performance is articulated in this paper through critically reviewing more than 120 research articles in such terms as the various techniques of synthesizing functionalized hydrogels, the roles that specific functional groups play on adsorption performance, selectivity, reusability, as well as on adsorption mechanism. Moreover, this critical review offers insight into future designs of functionalized hydrogels with specific metal adsorption capabilities.

A New Enrichment Method for Quantification of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural by Indirect Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry in Honey and Jam Samples

Background

Because of increasing amounts of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) in processed foods and the complexity of the matrix, monitoring of trace 5-HMF requires accurate and reliable methods. Hence, an efficient sample pretreatment procedure is necessary for extraction and preconcentration of 5-HMF from the matrix.

Objective

In this study, a new and efficient sample preparation method utilizing ultrasound-assisted-cloud point extraction (UA-CPE), indirectly followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), was introduced for the monitoring of trace amounts of 5-HMF in honey and jam samples.

Method

With this method, hydroxylamine was used as a derivatizing agent in the presence of Mn(II) and an anionic surfactant, SDS for extraction of 5-HMF at pH 9.0. For dispersing reagents in sample solution, low amounts of mixed surfactant, triton X-45 and SDS were mixed and fast-injected into the extraction media. A cloudy solution formed, and after reaction of 5-HMF with reagents, the cloudy solution was centrifuged. The extracted 5-HMF in the surfactant-rich phase was dissolved in acidic acetone and indirectly analyzed by FAAS.

Results

The method showed a detection limit of 1.27 μg/L in linear working range of 4–240 μg/L, good precision (2.3–6.5%), and recovery rates (93.5–97%) after preconcentration of 70-fold.

Conclusions

Within this study, an accurate and reliable method for the indirect quantification of 5-HMF in selected samples was successfully developed with a sensitivity improvement factor of 30.6.

Highlights

The figures of merit for the developed indirect method were appropriate. The applicability of the method for the analysis of 5-HMF in processed foods was excellent.

OxymaPure Coupling Reagents: Beyond Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis

OxymaPure [ethyl 2-cyano-2-(hydroxyimino)acetate] is an exceptional reagent with which to suppress racemization and enhance coupling efficiency during amide bond formation. The tremendous popularity of OxymaPure has led to the development of several Oxyma-based reagents. OxymaPure and its derived reagents are widely used in solid- and solution-phase peptide chemistry. This review summarizes the recent developments and applications of OxymaPure and Oxyma-based reagents in peptide chemistry, in particular in solution-phase chemistry. Moreover, the side reaction associated with OxymaPure is also discussed.

1 Introduction

2 Oxyma-Based Coupling Reagents

2.1 Aminium/Uronium Salts of OxymaPure

2.2 Phosphonium Salts of OxymaPure

2.3 Oxyma-Based Phosphates

2.4 Sulfonate Esters of OxymaPure

2.5 Benzoate Esters of OxymaPure

2.6 Carbonates of OxymaPure Derivatives

3 OxymaPure Derivatives

4 Other Oxime-Based Additives and Coupling Reagents

5 Side Reactions Using OxymaPure Derivatives

6 Conclusion

7 List of Abbreviations

Reactivity of Coordinated 2-Pyridyl Oximes: Synthesis, Structure, Spectroscopic Characterization and Theoretical Studies of Dichlorodi{(2-Pyridyl)Furoxan}Zinc(II) Obtained from the Reaction between Zinc(II) Nitrate and Pyridine-2-Chloroxime

This work reports our first results in the area of the reactivity of coordinated chloroximes. The 1:2:2:2 Zn(NO3)2∙6H2O/Eu(NO3)3∙6H2O/ClpaoH/Et3N reaction mixture in MeOH, where ClpaoH is pyridine-2-chloroxime, resulted in complex [ZnCl2(L)] (1); L is the di(2-pyridyl)furoxan [3,4-di(2-pyridyl)-1,2,5-oxadiazole-2-oxide] ligand. The same complex can be isolated in the absence of the lanthanoid. The direct reaction of ZnCl2 and pre-synthesized L in MeOH also provides access to 1. In the tetrahedral complex, L behaves as a Npyridyl,N′pyridyl-bidentate ligand, forming an unusual seven-membered chelating ring. The Hirshfeld Surface analysis of the crystal structure reveals a multitude of intermolecular interactions, which generate an interesting 3D architecture. The complex has been characterized by FTIR and Raman spectroscopies. The structure of 1 is not retained in DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) solution, as proven by NMR (1H, 13C, 15N) spectroscopy and its molar conductivity value. Upon excitation at 375 nm, solid 1 emits blue light with a maximum at 452 nm; the emission is of an intraligand character. The geometric and energetic profiles of possible pathways involved in the reaction of ClpaoH and Zn(NO3)2∙6H2O in MeOH in the presence of Et3N has been investigated by DFT (Density Functional Theory) computational methodologies at the PBE0/Def2-TZVP(Cr)∪6-31G(d,p)(E)/Polarizable Continuum Model (PCM) level of theory. This study reveals an unprecedented cross-coupling reaction between two coordinated 2-pyridyl nitrile oxide ligands.