Journal of Saudi Chemical Society最新文献

In the current study, a series of A₁–π–A₂–π–A₁ type bisisoindigo-based organic compounds (BTIND1–BTIND9) were designed via the structural tailoring of the reference compound (BTINR) at terminal acceptors for the organic solar cells (OSCs). Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) approaches were utilized to estimate the influence of end-capped engineering over their photovoltaic properties of BTIND1–BTIND9. After their structural optimization, various analyses like, open circuit voltage (V_oc), absorption spectra (λ_max), frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), density of states (DOS), binding energy (E_b) and transition density matrix (TDM) were performed at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level. The band gaps range of the engineered molecules was observed as 1.776–1.649 eV, lesser than the BTINR reference (1.812 eV). Their TDM and DOS details further revealed electronic charge transfer in the designed derivatives. The higher λ_max values were found in the visible and near-infrared regions i.e., 666.904–701.149 nm in the chloroform solvent and 661.778–895.581 nm in the gaseous phase. Furthermore, their open-circuit voltage (V_oc) was determined with PTB7 donor polymer and showed significant values. Among all, BTIND5, BTIND7 and BTIND8 compounds were investigated with remarkable photovoltaic properties. These chromophores possessed least energy gaps (1.649, 1.668 and 1.664 eV) and bathochromic shifts (698.070, 699.646 and 701.149 nm) with least binding energies and prominent V_oc results. The above-mentioned outcomes demonstrate that the end-capped modification of bisisoindigo-based molecule is an effective strategy to obtain highly efficient OSCs.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a significant global health challenge, necessitating the exploration of novel chemical entities or innovative therapeutic approaches targeting diverse signaling mechanisms. In this study, our focus was on developing a series of ureido/thioureido derivatives with a 4-phenylthiazol-2-amine scaffold to design structurally innovative candidates for HCC treatment, drawing inspiration from the structural characteristics of type II inhibitors like Sorafenib. The synthesized compounds underwent comprehensive evaluation for their antiproliferative activities against human MCF7, HepG2, QGY7703, SMMC-7721, Huh-7, and PLC cells. Additionally, investigations into the molecular targets of selected compounds were conducted. Notably, compound 31 emerged as a standout performer, displaying an IC₅₀ of 0.94 ± 0.29 μM against HepG2 cells, surpassing the efficacy of Sorafenib (1.62 ± 0.27 μM). Further investigations revealed its capability for G2/M phase arrest, apoptosis induction, and significant inhibition of cell cloning and migration in HepG2 cells. Moreover, compound 31 exhibited a notable positive effect on IGF1R, with a significant inhibitory activity of 69.22 % at a concentration of 10 μM. Molecular docking analyses revealed a stronger affinity between compound 31 and the receptor compared to the IGF1R inhibitor OZN2290. In conclusion, compound 31 emerges as a promising candidate for HCC treatment.

This method of sustainable synthesis utilizes a range of aromatic/heterocyclic aldehydes, phenylhydrazine, and ethyl acetoacetates. The TiO₂ nanoparticle catalyst facilitates cyclization reactions, yielding pyrazolone derivatives with exceptional efficiency (95–97 %) under reflux conditions at 80 °C. The current method achieves high yields of the corresponding cyclo-products in a short reaction time. A variety of physicochemical methods were employed to ascertain the chemical characteristics and structure of the synthesized heterocycles, and the geometrical structure of the well-crystallized compound (Z)-4-((5-bromofuran-2-yl)methylene)-5-methyl-2-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one was characterized by the use of single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurement. The morphology and elemental composition of TiO₂ nanoparticles were examined using SEM/EDX before and after the model reaction. A drop in the Ti (titanium) signal following the reaction indicates surface alterations. The present process provides a new and improved synthesis process for the formation of pyrazolones that is more convenient, well organized in terms of good yields, a simple handling procedure, a short reaction time, and user-friendliness compared to other surviving procedures. One of the synthesized compounds, (Z)-4-((5-bromofuran-2-yl)methylene)-5-methyl-2-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one (2), exhibited significant DNA binding activity. This was further confirmed by a molecular docking study, which revealed a binding energy of −7.2 kcal/mol, and by analyzing the mode of interaction.

FeNbO₄ monoclinic nanocomposite semiconductors were synthesised using hydrothermal and sol gel methods; photocatalysts were then calcined at 800 °C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–Vis spectroscopy (UV/Vis) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) technologies were used to investigate crystallinity, morphology and optical properties of the photocatalysts. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to determine the functional groups of both treated and untreated FeNbO₄. It was found that the S. molle extract-treated FeNbO₄ prepared using the hydrothermal method (FeNbO₄-HT + S. molle) has the smallest nanoparticles (22.8 nm) with the smallest band gap energy (2.78 eV). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy verified the presence of the elements of FeNbO₄ as well as their oxidation states. The photodegradation reactions of 10-ppm methyl orange dye solutions using FeNbO₄-sol gel, FeNbO₄-HT and FeNbO₄-HT + S. molle were carried out under visible light (>420 nm) for 50 min. The reactions resulted in degradation percent of 74 %, 78 % and 96 % by using FeNbO₄-sol gel, FeNbO₄-HT and FeNbO₄-HT + S. molle respectively. The photocatalytic activity of FeNbO₄ treated with S. molle extract demonstrated superior light absorption and photostability, which is attributed to the consistency in the photocatalysts’ morphology, optical band gap, particle size distribution, and porosity. The photocatalysts remained stable and effective for five degradation cycles.

Recently, tungsten disulfide (WS₂) has received considerable attention in aspects of electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reactions (OER). However, due to the restricted number of active sites, WS₂ nanoflower has a high overpotential in OER. Thus, we provide herein a doping approach for doping WS₂ nanoflower with non-noble aluminum (Al) metal to increase active sites in an effort to enhance the OER activity of WS₂. The positive electrocatalytic effect of Al-doping on WS₂ material results in a lower OER operating overpotential. In comparison to undoped WS₂, the skeleton-like structure (0.04 %) Al-doped WS₂ nanoflowers significantly enhanced OER catalytic activity with an overpotential of 650 mV at the current density of 6 mA cm⁻². Furthermore, the impact of different mass loadings of (0.04 %) Al-WS₂ on the OER performance has been examined using electrochemical analysis. The success of using aluminum dopants to improve OER performance would have a significant impact on the development and production of non-noble metal sulfide-based electrocatalysts for OER.

Converting waste fish bones into bioactive materials presents an innovative and eco-friendly approach to materials science. Fish bones, often discarded as waste in the seafood industry, are rich in calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P), making them ideal precursors for Calcium phosphate (CaP) materials. In this study, different kinds of CaP materials were successfully extracted from diverse fish bone types like Carp fish (CF), Atlantic bonito (AB) and Gilt-head bream (GB) using a heat treatment method. The extracted white powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques and the outcomes compared the most popular phase of CaP material like β -tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and Hydroxyapatite (HA) which they are synthesized using microwave refluxing equipment. The XRD pattern of the CF sample closely corresponded with the HA phase, while the AB and GB samples aligned with the biphasic calcium phosphate (HA/β-TCP) phase. The FTIR spectra analysis identified the presence of phosphate, hydroxyl, and carbonate groups. The XPS spectra determined the Ca/P ratio to range between 1.32 and 1.57. In vitro degradation studies were performed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 37 °C over 1, 3, 7, and 14 days. The ion release profiles of Ca²⁺ and P⁵⁺ were monitored, revealing the most significant degradation rate occurred between 7 and 14 days. The highest leaching levels of Ca ions were observed in the AB fish bones, with concentrations reaching approximately 87.35 mg/L after 14 days of immersion. Based on the results, it is concluded that the biphasic calcium phosphate derived from AB, along with its Ca, P, and other minerals content, exhibits a higher degradation rate than other samples. This indicates its potential as a promising bioactive material suitable for use as a bone tissue substitute.

Ionic liquids are being used to increase the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Ionic liquids not only help to enlarge grain size of perovskite due to their high thermal stability and low volatility, but also passivate defects on the perovskite surface, increasing the stability and efficiency. 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetracyanoborate ionic liquid is one of the excellent ionic liquids, which greatly increased the growth of perovskite crystal particles and enhanced the stability of PSCs. From calculation by Gaussian 09 program, electron density of N in the B(CN)₄⁻ ion is about 6.3. So, B(CN)₄⁻ can form chelate bonds or hydrogen bonds with Pb²⁺ or I⁻. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the three-layer structured PSCs fabricated using this ionic liquid was 13.8 % for the maximum, and it was maintained above 80 % of the initial efficiency under full-spectrum sunlight at 60–65 °C in air with relative humidity ranging from 40 to 50 % after 240 h.

The present study was designed to improve the aqueous solubility and dissolution rate of citreorosein, a poorly water soluble drug, by producing its nanoparticles (NPs) using an “antisolvent precipitation with a syringe pump” (APSP) method. Various process parameters including flow rate, stirring speed, temperature, drug concentration and solvent-antisolvent ratio were investigated and optimized to obtain the smallest particle size of citreorosein. The prepared NPs were subjected to different analytical techniques such as SEM, FTIR, XRD and DLS. The NPs were tested for different dissolution parameters including difference (f₁) and similarity factors (f₂), dissolution efficiency (DE) and mean dissolution time (MDT). The antioxidant potential of citreorosein and its NPs were evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP models, while their cytotoxicity was tested on various cancer cell lines such as breast (MDA-MB-231), lung (A549) and liver (HepG2), using the MTT assay. The specificity of the test compound was investigated against two normal human primary epithelial cells including renal (HRPTEpiC) and alveolar (HPAEpiC) cells. DLS analysis revealed that the prepared NPs were less than 200 nm in size while SEM and XRD confirmed their rod shape and amorphous nature, respectively. Citreorosein-NPs exhibited enhanced solubility and dissolution rate in all medias as compared to pure citreorosein. The NPs displayed significant antioxidant effects against ABTS, DPPH and FRAP models, with IC₅₀ values of22.6, 21.45 and 27.30 µg/ml, respectively. Moreover, it showed significant cytotoxic activity against MDA-MB-231, A549 and HepG2 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 3.45, 4.5 and 6.23 µg/ml, respectively. Furthermore, the NPs demonstrated high selectivity index values for the aforementioned cell lines as compared to reference drugs. This study demonstrated that APSP method successfully produced citreorosein-NPs and hence, showed better aqueous solubility, dissolution rate, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities than the pure compound.

Structural diversity guided steroidal thiazolidin-4-one conjugates were designed and synthesized based on six steroid skeletons mainly including androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, dehydroepiandrosterone, epiandrosterone, androst-1,4-diene-3,17-dione, dienedione and 9α-hydroxy-androst-4-ene-3,17-dione. Their in vitro inhibition activities against cell proliferation were fully investigated, and some of which exhibited good antiproliferative activities as potential CDK1 inhibitor. The detailed analysis of structure–activity relationships (SARs) based on the inhibition activities, kinase assay, and molecular docking model demonstrated that the structure of different steroidal core ring skeleton as well as the N substituents of the thiazolidin-4-one ring influenced the inhibitory activity on cancer cell lines. Especially, compounds 15c and 16c have certain inhibitory effects on the tyrosine protein kinases CDK1/CyclinA2, ALK, CDK6/CyclinD1, FGFR1 and PIM2. Compounds 16c displayed highest inhibitory effect on the kinases of CDK1/CyclinA2 with inhibition rate 56.38 % at the concentration of 10 μM, which induced cell death in A875 cells at least partly (initially), by apoptosis.

A simple method for Michael addition at C-5 of Camptothecin has been developed to construct 5-CPT derivatives. The addition products were obtained with moderate yields, and the structures of the target compounds were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS spectra. The feasibility of various Michael addition acceptors for this reaction has also been investigated.