Research Articles (Chemistry)

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1D NiHPO4 nanotubes prepared using dissolution equilibrium as bifunctional electrocatalyst for high-efficiency water splitting
(Journal of Power Sources, 2021) Ji, Shan; Wang, Zining; Wu, Yutai
In this work, one-dimensional NiHPO4 nanotubes are successfully fabricated on nickel foam by hydrothermal reaction, in which a dissolution equilibrium between phosphates is controlled by tuning the proportion of the mixed solvent and amounts of KOH. As the dissolution equilibrium is broken, the morphology of NiHPO4 transfers from solid nanowires to hollow nanotubes. The resulting 1D NiHPO4 nanotubes exhibit good electrocatalytic activity and stability in oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Notably, a water-splitting voltage of 1.62 V at a current density of 10 mA cm􀀀 2 is obtained in an electrolyzer setup assembled using 1D NiHPO4 nanotubes as cathode and anode, demonstrating NiHPO4 nanotubes are promising catalysts for overall water splitting. Moreover, the revealed mechanism of forming tube morphology can be extended to fabricate other metal phosphates with hollow structures.
2-Arylnaphthoquinone analogues: Potential anti-TB and pro-apoptotic agents
(Green, I. R. et al. (2011). 2-Arylnaphthoquinone analogues: Potential anti-TB and pro-apoptotic agents. ARKIVOC, (x), 192-212. https://doi.org/10.3998/ark.5550190.0012.a16, 2011) Green, Ivan R; Sagar, Sunil; Swigelaar, Wendell
A useful library of substituted 2-arylnaphthoquinones prepared by reaction between the corresponding bromonaphthoquinones and arylboronic acids via Suzuki-Miyaura protocols has been established. Conversion of some of the products into new analogues was effected. The bisnaphthoquinone disospyrin 1 comprises two 7-methyljuglone units linked between C2 and C6. 1,2 Antimycobacterial activity studies performed on diospyrin 1 alerted the scientific community to the potential importance of this natural product3 which was soon followed by its first published synthesis by Yoshida and Mori in the same year.4 Subsequent studies, which included the synthesis and evaluation of related analogues of diospyrin 1 demonstrated the potential of this basic scaffold to be considered as an integral aspect for good antimycrobacterial activity.
4-(Dimethylamino)pyridinium chlorosulfonate: A new ionic liquid exhibiting chlorosulfonic acid action as monoprotic Brönsted acid and no sulfonating reagent
(Journal of Molecular Liquids, 2021) Titinchi, Salam
Many papers considered chlorosulfonic acid as a sulfonating and sulfating agent, whereas our previous work and a few reports showed it acts as a monoprotic Brönsted acid. Therefore, in the present work, we decided to respond to this question by investigating the reaction between chlorosulfonic acid and DMAP. First, a new ionic liquid viz. 4-dimethylaminopyridinium chlorosulfonate was obtained, which its chemical structure was elucidated using different spectroscopic techniques. Another derivative, 4-dimethylaminopyridinium hydrogen sulfate, was also synthesized, which showed a similar NMR pattern. The NMR spectra analyses of reactants, the new ionic liquid, and 4 dimethylaminopyridinium hydrogen sulfate support the formation of 4-dimethylaminopyridinium chlorosulfonate. Therefore, the formation of N-sulfonic acid-4-dimethylaminopyridinium chloride or 4-dimethylaminopyridinium sulfate and the presence of an excess of chlorosulfonic acid and sulfuric acid were ruled out based on the spectroscopic results. Finally, the new ionic liquid's thermal behavior and thermal stability were investigated, and a possible mechanism was presented for its degradation based on a TGA/DTA analysis.
4-Oxatricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]dec-8-ene-3,5-dione derivatives as NMDA receptor- and VGCC blockers with neuroprotective potential
(MDPI, 2020) Egunlusi, Ayodeji O; Omoruyi, Sylvester I; Malan, Sarel F
The impact of excitotoxicity mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor overactivation and voltage gated calcium channel (VGCC) depolarization is prominent among the postulated processes involved in the development of neurodegenerative disorders. NGP1-01, a polycyclic amine, has been shown to be neuroprotective through modulation of the NMDA receptor and VGCC, and attenuation of MPP+-induced neurotoxicity. Recently, we reported on the calcium modulating effects of tricycloundecene derivatives, structurally similar to NGP1-01, on the NMDA receptor and VGCC of synaptoneurosomes. In the present study, we investigated novel 4-oxatricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]dec-8-ene-3,5-dione derivatives for their cytotoxicity, neuroprotective effects via attenuation of MPP+-induced neurotoxicity and calcium influx inhibition abilities through the NMDA receptor and VGCC using neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. All compounds, in general, showed low or no toxicity against neuroblastoma cells at 10–50 µM concentrations. At 10 µM, all compounds significantly attenuated MPP+-induced neurotoxicity as evident by the enhancement in cell viability between 23.05 ± 3.45% to 53.56 ± 9.29%. In comparison to known active compounds, the derivatives demonstrated mono or dual calcium modulating effect on the NMDA receptor and/or VGCC. Molecular docking studies using the NMDA receptor protein structure indicated that the compounds are able to bind in a comparable manner to the crystallographic pose of MK-801 inside the NMDA ion channel. The biological characteristics, together with results from in silico studies, suggest that these compounds could act as neuroprotective agents for the purpose of halting or slowing down the degenerative processes in neuronal cells.
Abundance of no3 derived organo-nitrates and their importance in the atmosphere
(MPDI, 2021) Foulds, Amy; Khan, M. Anwar H.; Shallcross, Dudley E.
The chemistry of the nitrate radical and its contribution to organo-nitrate formation in the troposphere has been investigated using a mesoscale 3-D chemistry and transport model, WRFChem-CRI. The model-measurement comparisons of NO2 , ozone and night-time N2O5 mixing ratios show good agreement supporting the model’s ability to represent nitrate (NO3 ) chemistry reasonably. Thirty-nine organo-nitrates in the model are formed exclusively either from the reaction of RO2 with NO or by the reaction of NO3 with alkenes. Temporal analysis highlighted a significant contribution of NO3 -derived organo-nitrates, even during daylight hours. Night-time NO3 -derived organo-nitrates were found to be 3-fold higher than that in the daytime. The reactivity of daytime NO3 could be more competitive than previously thought, with losses due to reaction with VOCs (and subsequent organo-nitrate formation) likely to be just as important as photolysis. This has highlighted the significance of NO3 in daytime organo-nitrate formation, with potential implications for air quality, climate and human health. Estimated atmospheric lifetimes of organo-nitrates showed that the organo-nitrates act as NOx reservoirs, with particularly short-lived species impacting on air quality as contributors to downwind ozone formation.
Actuation behaviour of a derivatized pyrrole accordion type polymer
(ESG, 2014) Ward, Meryck; Botha, Shanielle; Iwuoha, Emmanuel I.; Baker, Priscilla
A monomer (Phenazine-2,3-diimino(pyrrole-2-yl)–PDP) derived from the condensation reaction between 2,3-diaminophenazine and a pyrrole derivative has been synthesized as a hinge molecule in the design of a zig-zag polymer. The monomer was polymerized both chemically and electrochemically in order to produce the polymer material, phenazine-2,3-diimino(pyrrole-2-yl (PPDP). During electrochemical polymerization the system was doped using 1,4-napthaquinone sulphonic acid (NQSA) and polyvinylsulfonic acid (PVSA) respectively, to improve conductivity. Characterization of the materials by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the successful linking of the starting materials to produce the hinge molecule and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) supported the FTIR data. The electrochemistry of the polymer in the doped and undoped state was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).
Acylation of anisole with benzoyl chloride over rapidly synthesized fly ash–based hbea zeolite
(Frontiers Media, 2021) Ameh, Alechine E.; Musyoka, Nicholas M.; Oyekola, Oluwaseun
Stable HBEA zeolite with high surface area and strong acid sites was synthesized from coal fly ash–based silica extract via indirect hydrothermal synthesis. The rapid HBEA hydrothermal crystallization times of 8, 10, and 12 h were achieved through a reduced molar water fraction in the synthesis composition. The HBEA zeolites prepared from fly ash silica extract exhibited well-defined spheroidal-shaped crystal morphology with uniform particle sizes of 192, 190, or 239 nm obtained after 8, 10, or 12 h of synthesis time, respectively. The high surface area and the microporous area of 702 and 722 m2 /g were achieved as a function of shorter hydrothermal synthesis durations (10 and 24 h, respectively) compared to 48 or 72 h, which resulted in HBEA zeolites with lower surface areas of 538 and 670 m2 /g. Likewise, temperature-programmed desorption measurements of fly ash–based HBEA zeolites revealed the presence of weak and strong acid sites in the zeolite.
Acylphloroglucinol derivatives from the South African helichrysum niveum and their biological activities
(MDPI, 2015) Popoola, Olugbenga K.; Marnewick, Jeanine L.; Rautenbach, Fanie; Iwuoha, Emmanuel I.; Hussein, Ahmed A.
Abstract: Phytochemical investigation of aerial parts of Helichrysum niveum (H. niveum) using different chromatographic methods including semi-preparative HPLC afforded three new (1–3) and six known (4–10) acylphloroglucinols alongside a known dialcohol triterpene (11). The structures of the isolated compounds were characterized accordingly as 1-benzoyl-3 (3-methylbut-2-enylacetate)-phloroglucinol (helinivene A, 1), 1-benzoyl-3 (2S-hydroxyl-3- methylbut-3-enyl)-phloroglucinol (helinivene B, 2), 8- (2-methylpropanone)-3S, 5, 7-trihydroxyl- 2,2-dimethoxychromane (helinivene C, 3), 1-(2-methylbutanone)-4-O-prenyl-phloroglucinol (4), 1-(2-methylpropanone)-4-O-prennyl-phloroglucinol (5), 1-(butanone)-3-prenyl-phloroglucinol (6), 1- (2-methylbutanone)-3-prenyl-phloroglucinol (7), 1-butanone-3- (3-methylbut-2-enylacetate)- phloroglucinol (8), 1-(2-methylpropanone)-3-prenylphloroglucinol (9), caespitate (10), and 3β-24-dihydroxyterexer-14-ene (11). Excellent total antioxidant capacities were demonstrated by helinivenes A and B (1 and 2) when measured as oxygen radicals absorbance capacity (ORAC), ferric-ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), trolox equivalent absorbance capacity (TEAC) and including the inhibition of Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation (IC50 = 5.12 ± 0.90; 3.55 ± 1.92) µg/mL, while anti-tyrosinase activity at IC50 = 35.63 ± 4.67 and 26.72 ± 5.05 µg/mL were also observed for 1 and 2, respectively. This is the first chemical and in vitro biological study on H. niveum. These findings underpin new perspectives for the
Advances in nanotechnology towards development of silver nanoparticle-based wound-healing agents
(MPDI, 2021) Nqakala, Zimkhitha B.; Sibuyi, Nicole R. S.; Fadaka, Adewale O.
Since antiquity, silver-based therapies have been used in wound healing, wound care and management of infections to provide adequate healing. These therapies are associated with certain limitations, such as toxicity, skin discolouration and bacterial resistance, which have limited their use. As a result, new and innovative wound therapies, or strategies to improve the existing therapies, are sought after. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have shown the potential to circumvent the limitations associated with conventional silver-based therapies as described above. AgNPs are effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms and are less toxic, effective at lower concentrations and produce no skin discolouration. Furthermore, AgNPs can be decorated or coupled with other healingpromoting materials to provide optimum healing. This review details the history and impact of silver-based therapies leading up to AgNPs and AgNP-based nanoformulations in wound healing. It also highlights the properties of AgNPs that aid in wound healing and that make them superior to conventional silver-based wound treatment therapies.
Aerosol mass and size‑resolved metal content in urban Bangkok, Thailand
(Springer, 2022) Matthews, James C.; Navasumrit, Panida; Shallcross, Dudley E.
Inhalable particulate matter (PM) is a health concern, and people living in large cities such as Bangkok are exposed to high concentrations. This exposure has been linked to respiratory and cardiac diseases and cancers of the lung and brain. Throughout 2018, PM was measured in northern Bangkok near a toll road (13.87°N, 100.58°E) covering all three seasons (cool, hot and rainy). PM10 was measured in 24- and 72-h samples. On selected dates aerodynamic size and mass distribution were measured as 3-day samples from a fxed 5th foor inlet. Particle number concentration was measured from the 5th foor inlet and in roadside survey measurements. There was a large fraction of particle number concentration in the sub-micron range, which showed the greatest variability compared with larger fractions. Metals associated with combustion sources were most found on the smaller size fraction of particles, which may have implications for associated adverse health outcomes because of the likely location of aerosol deposition in the distal airways of the lung. PM10 samples varied between 30 and 100 μg m−3, with highest concentrations in the cool season.
Alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities, molecular docking, and antioxidant capacities of plectranthus ecklonii constituents
(MDPI, 2022) Etsassala, Ninon G. E. R.; Badmus, Jelili A.; Iwuoha, Emmanuel. I.
Shortage in insulin secretion or degradation of produced insulin is the principal characteristic of the metabolic disorder of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, because the current medications for the treatment of DM have many detrimental side effects, it is necessary to develop more effective antidiabetic drugs with minimal side effects. Alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitors are directly implicated in the delay of carbohydrate digestion. Pharmacologically, these inhibitors could be targeted for the reduction in glucose absorption rate and, subsequently, decreasing the postprandial rise in plasma glucose and the risk for long-term diabetes complications. The main objectives of this research study were to isolate different phytochemical constituents present in the methanolic extract of Plectranthus ecklonii and evaluate their alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities and antioxidant capacity.
Alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities, molecular docking, and antioxidant capacities of salvia aurita constituents
(MPDI, 2020) Etsassala, Ninon G.E.R.; Badmus, Jelili A.; Marnewick, Jeanine L.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most dangerous metabolic diseases with a high rate of mortality worldwide. It is well known that insulin resistance and deficiency in insulin production from pancreatic β-cells are the main characteristics of DM. Due to the detrimental side effects of the current treatment, there is a considerable need to develop new effective antidiabetic drugs, especially alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitors with lesser adverse effects. These inhibitors are known to be directly involved in the delay of carbohydrate digestion, resulting in a reduction of glucose absorption rate and, consequently, reducing the postprandial rise of plasma glucose, which can reduce the risk of long-term diabetes complications. Furthermore, natural products are well-known sources for the discovery of new bioactive compounds that can serve as scaffolds for drug discovery, including that of new antidiabetic drugs. The phytochemical investigation of Salvia aurita collected from Hogobach Pass, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa (SA), yielded four known abietane diterpenes namely carnosol (1), rosmanol (2), 7-methoxyrosmanol (3), 12-methoxycarnosic acid (4), and one flavonoid named 4,7-dimethylapigenin (5)
Amorphous Pt@dCu/CNT catalyst for methanol elextrooxidation
(South African Chemical Institute (SACI), 2013) Wang, Hui; Ji, Shan; Wang, Wei; Wang, Rongfang
A multi-walled carbon nanotube-supported, Pt decorated nano-sized amorphous PdCu alloy cores (denoted as Pt@PdCu/CNT) catalyst with lower Pt loading is synthesized via a galvanic displacement reaction. The structure is examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrochemical activity of the Pt@PdCu/CNT catalyst is tested by cyclic voltammogrametry (CV) and compared to that of PtRu/CNT catalysts. The results show that amorphous Pt@PdCu/CNT catalyst exhibits better electro-catalytic performances for methanol oxidation than its crystalline counterpart.
Analyzing chemical data in more than two dimensions: A tutorial on factor and cluster analysis
(Journal of chemical education, 1990) Auf der Heyde, Thomas P. E
This tutorial is intended to introduce factor and cluster analysis at a level that will afford a senior student-and the practicing chemist, for that matter-some insights into the workings of the computer packages employing these methods, without overwhelming him or her with mathematical detail in the process.
Anode materials for lithium-ion batteries: A review
(Elsevier, 2022) Iwuoha, E.I
The need for eco-friendly and portable energy sources for application in electrical, electronic, automobile and even aerospace industries has led to an ever-increasing research and innovation in lithium-ion battery technology. Owing to the research and discoveries in recent years, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have stood out as the most suitable device for the storage of electrical power for application in mobile appliances and electric vehicles. This is as a result of the very attractive properties inherent in LIBs, which include lightweight, high energy density, small-scale size, few memory effects, long cycle life and low pollution. In this review article, recent advances in the development of anode materials for LIBs will be discussed, along with their advantages and disadvantages. New approaches for alleviating the drawbacks associated with LIB anode materials will also be highlighted.
Antibacterial activities of bacteria isolated from the marine sponges Isodictya compressa and Higginsia bidentifera collected from Algoa Bay, South Africa
(MDPI AG, 2017) Matobole, Relebohile Matthew; van Zyl, Leonardo Joaquim; Parker-Nance, Shirley; Davies-Coleman, Michael T.; Trindade, Marla
Due to the rise inmulti-drug resistant pathogens and other diseases, there is renewed interest in marine sponge endosymbionts as a rich source of natural products (NPs). The South African marine environment is rich in marine biota that remains largely unexplored and may represent an important source for the discovery of novel NPs.We first investigated the bacterial diversity associated with five South African marine sponges, whose microbial populations had not previously been investigated, and select the two sponges (Isodictya compressa and Higginsia bidentifera) with highest species richness to culture bacteria. By employing 33 different growth conditions 415 sponge-associated bacterial isolates were cultured and screened for antibacterial activity. Thirty-five isolates showed antibacterial activity, twelve of which exhibited activity against the multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli 1699, implying that some of the bioactive compounds could be novel. Genome sequencing of two of these isolates confirmed that they harbour uncharacterized biosynthetic pathways that may encode novel chemical structures.
Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of Syzygium jambos L. (Alston) and isolated compounds on acne vulgaris
(BioMed Central, 2013) Sharma, Richa; Kishore, Navneet; Hussein, Ahmed
Acne vulgaris is a chronic skin disorder leading to inflammation as a result of the production of reactive oxygen species due to the active involvement of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) in the infection site of the skin. The current study was designed to assess the potential of the leaf extract of Syzygium jambos L. (Alston) and its compounds for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity against the pathogenic P. acnes. The broth dilution method was used to assess the antibacterial activity. The cytotoxicity investigation on mouse melanocyte (B16-F10) and human leukemic monocyte lymphoma (U937) cells was done using sodium 3’-[1-(phenyl amino-carbonyl)-3,4-tetrazolium]-bis-[4-methoxy-6-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid hydrate (XTT) reagent. The non-toxic concentrations of the samples was investigated for the suppression of cytokines interleukin 8 (IL 8) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF α) by testing the supernatants in the co-culture of the human U937 cells and heat killed P. acnes using enzyme immunoassay kits (ELISA). The statistical analysis was done using the Graph Pad Prism 4 program.
Antibacterial and photodegradation of organic dyes using lamiaceae-mediated zno nanoparticles: A review
(MDPI, 2022) Mutukwa, Dorcas; Taziwa, Raymond T.; Khotseng, Lindiwe
The green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using plant extracts has been receiving tremendous attention as an alternative to conventional physical and chemical methods. The Lamiaceae plant family is one of the largest herbal families in the world and is famous for its aromatic and polyphenolic biomolecules that can be utilised as reducing and stabilising agents during the synthesis of ZnO NPs. This review will go over the synthesis and how synthesis parameters affect the Lamiaceae-derived ZnO NPs. The Lamiaceae-mediated ZnO NPs have been utilised in a variety of applications, including photocatalysis, antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, solar cells, and so on. Owing to their optical properties, ZnO NPs have emerged as potential catalysts for the photodegradation of organic dyes from wastewater. Furthermore, the low toxicity, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity of ZnO against various bacteria have led to the application of ZnO NPs as antibacterial agents. Thus, this review will focus on the application of Lamiaceae-mediated ZnO NPs for the photodegradation of organic dyes and antibacterial applications.
Anticorrosion coated stainless steel as durable support for C-N-TiO2 photo catalyst layer
(MDPI, 2020) Mouele, Emile Salomon Massima; Dinu, Mihaela; Parau, Anca Constantina
The development of durable photocatalytic supports resistant in harsh environment has become challenging in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) focusing on water and wastewater remediation. In this study, stainless steel (SS), SS/Ti (N,O) and SS/Cr-N/Cr (N,O) anticorrosion layers on SS meshes were dip-coated with sol gel synthesised C-N-TiO2 photo catalysts pyrolysed at 350◦C for 105 min, using a heating rate of 50◦C/min under N2 gas. The supported C-N-TiO2 ﬁlms were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diﬀraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that C-N-TiO2 was successfully deposited on anticorrosion coated SS supports and had diﬀerent morphologies. The amorphous C and TiO2 were predominant in C-N-TiO2 over anatase and rutile phases on the surface of Scandent corrosion supports. TheC-N-TiO2 coated ﬁlms showed enhanced photocatalytic activity for the discoloration of O.II dye under both solar and UV radiations. The fabricated C-N-TiO2 ﬁlms showed signiﬁcant antibacterial activities in the dark as well as in visible light. Herein, we demonstrate that SS/Ti(N,O) and SS/Cr-N/Cr(N,O) anticorrosion coatings are adequate photocatalytic and corrosion resistant supports. The C-N-TiO2 photo catalytic coatings can be used for water and wastewater decontamination of pollutants and microbes.
Antimicrobial activity of the secondary metabolites isolated from a South African red seaweed, laurencia corymbosa
(MDPI, 2023) Fakee, Jameel; Bolton, John J.; Antunes, Edith
South Africa’s highly diverse marine biota includes several endemic marine red algae of the Laurencia genus. Cryptic species and morphological variability make the taxonomy of Laurencia plant challenging, and a record of the secondary metabolites isolated from South African Laurencia spp. can be used to assess their chemotaxonomic significance. In addition, the rapid development of resistance against antibiotics, coupled with the inherent ability of seaweeds to resist pathogenic infection, supported this first phycochemical investigation of Laurencia corymbosa J. Agardh.

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