Photocatalytic Decoloration of Methyl Orange by TiO2 in Slurry

The problem of water depollution is gaining importance, especially as regulatory standards concerning drinking water are increasingly strict. The different industries (textile industries) generate chemically stable pollutants such as methyl orange which make their degradation difficult. It is therefore necessary to find new, more effective techniques for the treatment of these discharges. Among the different solutions proposed to deal with this problem, we find advanced oxidation processes (POAs) which are clean and promising technologies in the field of wastewater depollution. In this regard, heterogeneous photocatalysis was used in an aqueous suspension of titanium oxide (TiO2) using a ultraviolet (UV) lamp as artificial radiation. The objective of this work is to study the influence of some operating parameters such as: the catalyst mass, the initial pollutant concentration, the volume of the solution and the pH of the solution, were examined. The results obtained showed that this photocatalyst made it possible to degrade 99.85% of the initial concentration of methyl orange (10 ppm), after 240 min of irradiation with an optimal mass of 0.50 g of TiO2 for a volume of 200 mL of methyl orange solution at pH = 3.0.

Physical and Chemical Characterizations of Rubber Latex Cup Bottom Oil

Rubber latex is an important economic resource. However, the residues from its harvesting are thrown away, even though they contain lipids that can be recycled. This recovery of the residues from the bottom of the cup requires first and foremost their characterization. The aim of this study is therefore to determine the main physical and chemical characteristics of rubber latex cup bottom oil. Oil’s physical parameters determination shows that it has a density of 951 kg∙m−3, a kinematic viscosity of 48.57 cSt and a water content of 0.0845%. Chemical parameters, meanwhile, indicate that this cup bottom residue has a fat content of 95.96%, an acid number of 2.805 mg KOH/g and an iodine number of 92.42 g I2/100g. Therefore, rubber latex cup bottom oil can be used in the formulation of biofuels, biolubricants, paints, varnishes, alkyd resins, polishing oils, soaps, and insecticides.

Distribution, Mobility, and Health Risks Assessment of Trace Metals in River Sediments from Intense Agricultural Activity Areas in West Africa

The economy of West African countries is mainly based on agriculture. However, the trace metal(loid)s contamination status in rivers is relatively unknown in the region. In this work, 45 surface sediments collected from the Bandama, Comoé, and Bia Rivers in south and south eastern Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa), were analyzed for total metal concentrations and chemical speciation. The results showed that the river sediments were considerably contaminated by Cd and moderately contaminated by As, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Significant spatial variations were observed among the stations but not between the rivers. Metals Cd and Cu were likely to cause more ecological risks. The speciation analysis unravelled that the metal(loid)s partitioned mainly in the residual fraction, with the potential mobile fraction varying from 14% to 28%. The study calls for establishment of strict policies relative to the application of fertilizers and agrochemicals and mining activities to protect the environment and human health risks.

Formulation of Motor Oil from Blends of Rubber Latex Cup Bottom Oil (RLBO) and Used Frying Oil (UFO)

Most motor oils are made from mineral oils derived from petroleum, the reserves of which are limited and exhaustible. The aim of this study is to produce and characterize motor oil formulations based on mixtures of rubber latex cup bottom oil (RLCBO) and used frying oil (UFO). The results show that these formulations have a density between 0.91 and 0.92. These densities evolve linearly with the proportion of cup bottom oil and temperature. Similarly, the kinematic viscosity of the blends follows an exponential relationship with temperature. By plotting the logarithm of these kinematic viscosities against the inverse of the temperature, we were able to determine the activation energy of the various blends and deduce that the formulations behave Newtonian.

Study of the Viscosity and Specific Gravity of the Ternary Used Frying Oil (UFO)-Bioethanol-Diesel System

Fossil fuels cover around 80% of global energy consumption. However, the problems linked to their use justify the choice of using biofuel. In order to reduce as much as possible, diesel rate, an increase in the number of additives may be considered. Thus, in this work, the study of the used frying oil (UFO), bioethanol and diesel ternary system was undertaken. It emerges from this study that the addition of bioethanol reduces the viscosity and the density of the ternary system and permits a 90% substitution rate for diesel between the UFO and bioethanol. Finally, the percentage of oil becomes 40% after adding alcohol compared to the binary diesel crude vegetable oil mixture where this rate is 30%.

Quantitative Structure Anti-Cancer Activity Relationship (QSAR) of a Series of Ruthenium Complex Azopyridine by the Density Functional Theory (DFT) Method

A series of ruthenium azopyridine complexes have recently been investigated due to their potential cytotoxic activities against renal cancer (A498), lung cancer (H226), ovarian cancer (IGROV), breast cancer (MCF-7) and colon cancer (WIDR). Thus, in order to predict the cytotoxic potentials of these compounds, quantitative structure-activity relationship studies were carried out using the methods of quantum chemistry. Five Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) models were obtained from the determined quantum descriptors and the different activities. The models present the following statistical indicators: regression correlation coefficient R2 = 0.986 - 0.905, standard deviation S = 0.516 - 0.153, Fischer test F = 106.718 - 14.220, correlation coefficient of cross-validation = 0.985- 0.895 and = 0.010 - 0.001. The statistical characteristics of the established QSAR models satisfy the acceptance and external validation criteria, thereby accrediting their good performance. The models developed show that the variation of the free enthalpy of reaction , the dipole moment μ and the charge of the ligand in the complex Ql, are the explanatory and predictive quantum descriptors correlated with the values of the anti-cancer activity of the studied complexes. Moreover, the charge of the ligand is the priority descriptor for the prediction of the cytotoxicity of the compounds studied. Furthermore, QSAR models developed are statistically significant and predictive, and could be used for the design and synthesis of new anti-cancer molecules.

NBO Population Analysis and Electronic Calculation of Four Azopyridine Ruthenium Complexes by DFT Method

The molecular structure, the Natural Bond orbital (NBO) and the Time Dependent-DFT of both isomers cis or γ-Cl and trans or δ-Cl of RuCl2(L)2, where L stands respectively for 2-phenylazopyridine (Azpy), 2,4-dimethyl-6-[phenylazo]pyridine (Dazpy), 2-[(3,5-dimethylphenyl)azopyridine] (Mazpy) and 2-pyridylazonaphtol (Nazpy) were calculated with DFT method at B3LYP/LANL2DZ level. The prediction of the frontier orbitals (Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital or HOMO and Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital or LUMO) shows that the most active complexes suitable for electronic reactions are admitted to be the trans isomers. Moreover, δ-RuCl2 (Azpy)2 is discovered to react more actively as photo-sensitizer since its energy gap is the minimum. Besides, electronic structures of all complexes through NBO calculation indicate that Ru-N bonds are made of delocalization of occupancies from lone pair orbital of N atoms to the ruthenium. Moreover, Ru was assumed to have almost the same charge regardless the structure of the azopyridine ligands in the complex indicating that the ligands provide only a steric effect that is responsible for the ruthenium’s selectivity. Concerning the transition state, NBO analysis also highlights that the transition LP(Ru) π*(N1-N2) does correspond to t2g?π*(L). This transition is assumed to correspond to Metal to Ligand Charge Transfer (MLCT) that is responsible for the photo-sensitiveness of the metallic complex. Besides, TDDFT calculation of complexes showed that δ-RuCl2(Nazpy)2 displays the largest band during the absorption. For that reason, it is admitted to be the best photosensitizer due to a large system of conjugation provided by Nazpy ligand.

SARs Investigation of α-, β-, γ-, δ-, ε-RuCl2(Azpy)2 Complexes as Antitumor Drugs

Structure Activity-Relationships (SARs) of the five possible isomers of RuCl2(Azpy)2 were predicted thanks to DFT method. Azpy stands for 2-phenylazopyridine and the structure of the isomers α-RuCl2(Azpy)2, β-RuCl2(Azpy)2, γ-RuCl2(Azpy)2, δ-RuCl2(Azpy)2 and ε-RuCl2(Azpy)2 call respectively α-Cl, β-Cl, γ-Cl, δ-Cl and ε-Cl are defined according to chlorine atoms orientations. Hence, they are divided into two groups. In the first group comprising α-Cl, β-Cl and ε-Cl, both chlorine atoms are in cis position and Azpy ligands are intervertical. Whereas the two others isomers (γ-Cl and δ-Cl), they form the second group. Here, both chlorine are in trans position and Azpy are planar. The five synthesized isomers were investigated as potential antitumor agents. Then, regarding the DNA, its bases are stacked by pair. Therefore, complexes are assumed to insert and to stack on them through intercalative mode. So the electronic and geometric structures become more important to describe their SARs. Consequently, group 2 regarding γ-Cl and δ-Cl presents the best structure to allow intercalation between DNA base-pairs. Besides, the energy order of the lower unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the isomers is ELUMO(β-Cl) > ELUMO(α-Cl) > ELUMO(ε-Cl) > ELUMO(γ-Cl) > ELUMO(δ-Cl). The energy gap between LUMO and HOMO was also sorted as Δ(L-H)(β-Cl) > Δ(L-H)(α-Cl) > Δ(L-H)(ε-Cl) > Δ(L-H)(γ-Cl) > Δ(L-H)(δ-Cl). In addition, the total dipole moment was classified as μ(ε-Cl) > μ(β-Cl) > μ(α-Cl) > μ(γ-Cl) > μ(δ-Cl). Finally, net charge of the ligand Azpy was also classified as QL(δ-Cl) > QL(γ-Cl) > QL(ε-Cl) > QL(α-Cl) > QL(β-Cl). All those parameters show that δ-Cl isomer displays the highest activity as antitumor drug when intercalating between the DNA basepairs Cytosine-Guanine/Cytosine-Guanine (CG/CG).

Quantum Chemistry Prediction of Molecular Lipophilicity Using Semi-Empirical AM1 and <i>Ab Initio</i>HF/6-311++G Levels

Reliable prediction of lipophilicity in organic compounds involves molecular descriptors determination. In this work, the lipophilicity of a set of twenty-three molecules has been determined using up to eleven quantum various descriptors calculated by means of quantum chemistry methods. According to Quantitative Structure Property Relationship (QSPR) methods, a first set of fourteen molecules was used as training set whereas a second set of nine molecules was used as test set. Calculations made at AM1 and HF/6-311++G theories levels have led to establish a QSPR relation able to predict molecular lipophilicity with over 95% confidence.

Theoretical Studies of Photodynamic Therapy Properties of Azopyridine <i>δ</i>-OsCl₂(Azpy)₂Complex as a Photosensitizer by a TDDFT Method

Photochemical reactions have an important place in photodynamic treatments. A good use of this therapeutic method requires a good mastery of the mechanisms of the reactions involved. Therefore, we have explored in this work the photosensitization mechanism of an organometallic complex of azopyridine δ-OsCl2(Azpy)2 through a calculation with the method of Time Dependent Density Functional Theory TDDFT. First, we evaluated the effect of polar and non-polar solvents on the triplet and singlet excited states of this complex. Then secondly, we highlighted the photosensitization mechanism to understand how the complex acts over the diseased cells. These investigations have shown that the δ-OsCl2(Azpy)2 complex is likely to develop photodynamic activity according to two mechanisms: on one hand, it can generate damage to DNA bases or target tissues indirectly through the production of singlet oxygen in water and in DMSO. On the second hand, through the production of the anionic superoxide radical in water can act directly or indirectly on these substrates. In addition, polar solvents are assumed to better carry out the photochemical reactions of this azopyridine complex of osmium.

Theoretical Determination of Influence of the Metallic State of Oxidation toward Cytotoxic Activity: Case of Ruthenium Complexes

Ruthenium complexes present two states of oxidation that are Ru(II) and Ru(III). Both are assumed to present cytotoxic activity at ground state. On the purpose of highlighting their differences, DFT, TD-DFT and NBO have been performed at both Wb97xd/Lanl2dz and B3lyp/Lanl2dz levels. NBO program shows that both groups of ruthenium complexes present almost the same charge of Ru atom. Moreover, they display nearly the same structure of valence orbitals of the ruthenium. However, when it comes to compare their frontier orbitals HOMO and LUMO, we notice that the chloride atom has a great influence on their energy. The lack of Chloride atoms reduces the energy of frontier orbitals regardless of the functional. And the more the number of chloride atoms, the higher the energy. Also, RuCl3Terpy and α-RuCl2(Azpy)2 have been discovered to display the best energy suitable for reaction as cytotoxic agents. Yet, both are from groups different. Thus, at ground state, there is practically no difference between both groups. However, regarding TDDFT prediction with the determination of vertical electronic affinity VEA and vertical ionization potential VIP both at ground state S and at exciting T1 state, we notice that Ru(II) complexes are not active either in the presence or absence of 3O2 molecule. Here, only Ru(III) complexes are able to react on Guanine through their radical cations or by generating the superoxide radical anion . Therefore, the Ru(III) complexes are assumed to be active both at a fundamental state and under the effect of light for photodynamic therapy. We come to conclude that Ru(II) complexes are not active by excitation as their valence electrons are paired thereby making these complexes more stable. Besides, , a Ru(II) molecule that is not active at ground state owing certainly to its C3 symmetry or Azpy ligand presents all the same a difficult activity on generating . For the coming paper, we intend to check whether Ru(II) complex can be active under the effect of light if it is in a triplet charge state.

Theoretical and Electrochemical Characterization of δ-RuCl2(Nazpy)2: Application to Oxidation of D-Glucose

The heterogenized δ-RuCl2(Nazpy)2 deposited on carbon toray (CT) was studied for the first time as electrochemical catalyst. Before, it was characterized by visible-ultraviolet spectra and theoretically by TDDFT method at B3LYP/Lanl2DZ level. It displayed an MLCT t2geg → π* transition where t2geg due to the structure of Nazpy that considerably reduces energy between d AOs of Ru represents the HOMO of the complex and π* is identified as the LUMO. Electrochemistry study shows two redox ranges in both negative and positive sides of the potential. The positive side that corresponds to the couple RuIV/RuIII of catalyst appears to be active for oxidation of D-glucose in carbonate buffer with a high turnover. Therefore, Keto-2-gluconic and gluconic acids were the two main products obtained with respectively 80% and 17.6% of selectivity. Moreover, a small amount of tartaric and glycol acids coming from the c-c bond cleavage due to non-protection of the anomeric carbon of D-glucose were also observed.

Design and Characterization of a Horizontal Double Impinging Jet Cell: Determination of Flow Modes at the Surface of a Flat Electrode

An electrochemical cell consisting of a double horizontal Impinging Jet Cell (IJC) has been conceived and characterized. The purpose of this system is the simultaneous electrodeposition of a composite metal/particle coating on both surfaces of a metal sheet. The silica particles imprint in the nickel matrix has allowed to distinguish four different flow areas onto the electrode namely the stagnation area, the radial flow area characterized by a higher flow speed, the return flow area that involves gravity effect, and the drainage area with a constant draining speed. Based on the limiting current evolution as a function of the Reynolds number, three flow modes were extracted: the Laminar Low Flow (LLF), the Laminar High Flow (LHF) and the Disturbance. The IJC investigated ensures a laminar flow for a large range of flow rate from a nozzle-to-sample distance of 19 mm and creates an laminar flow ovoid plan merged with the sample for the high flows.

Modeling and Optimization of Two Clays Acidic Activation for Phosphate Ions Removal in Aqueous Solution by Response Surface Methodology

This work deals with phosphate ions removal in aqueous solution by adsorption carried out using two clays, both in activated form. One, non-swelling clay, rich in kaolinite, is associated with illite and quartz. The other, swelling, richer in montmorillonite, is associated with kaolinite, illite and quartz. Seven factors including these two clays were taken into account in a series of experimental designs in order to model and optimize the acidic activation process favoring a better phosphate removal. In addition to the choice of clay nature, the study was also interested in the identification of the mineral acid, between hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid, which would promote this acidic activation. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used for this purpose by sequentially applying Plackett and Burman Design and Full Factorial Design (FD) for screening. Then, a central composite design (CCD) was used for modeling the activation process. A mathematical surface model has been successfully established. Thus, the best acidic activation conditions were obtained by activating the montmorillonite clay with a 2N sulfuric acid solution, in an acid/clay mass ratio of 7.5 at 100°C for 16H. The phosphate removal maximum rate obtained was estimated at 89.32% ± 0.86%.

ONIOM Method Characterization of Hydrogen Bonding Sites of Mycolactone A/B, a Buruli Ulcer Toxin

Mycolactone molecules are responsible of Buruli ulcer disease. In this work, we are interested in the geometric, energetic and spectroscopic characterization of the hydrogen bonding interactions in mycolactone A/B, using quantum chemical method, especially ONIOM(HF/6-311+G(d,p):AM1) and ONIOM (B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p):AM1) levels. ONIOM two layers method has been used because mycolactones compounds are very large, taking into account diffuse and polarization functions are important whenever the matter is intermolecular interactions. Geometric, energetic and spectroscopic parameters of hydrogen bonding reaction on each of the nine oxygen heteroatoms of mycolactone A/B have revealed that the O5sp2 heteroatom is far away the hydrogen bonding site. The identification of such a site constitutes a tool for working out a methodology for the annihilation of the destruction effects of mycolactones.

Quantum Chemical Characterization of Hydrogen Bonding Sites in Three 4-(4-Halo-Phenyl)-6-(Furan-2-yl) Pyrimidin-2-Amine Derivatives

Hydrogen bonding (HB) sites in three pyrimidine compounds derivatives (DP), namely 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-(furan-2-yl) pyrimidin-2-amine (DP-1), 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-6-(furan-2-yl) pyrimidin-2-amine (DP-2) and 4-(4-bromophenyl)-6-(furan-2-yl) pyrimidin-2-amine (DP-3), have been investigated by quantum chemistry methods, especially at HF/6-311+G(d,p) and B3PW91/6-311+G(d,p) levels. Hydrogenfluori deserved as probe for hydrogen bonding complexes. Molecular electrostatic potential maps, geometricparameters of HB complexes, as well as energetic parameters of the complexation reactions have been computed. Finally, one out of two nitrogen atoms of pyrimidine nucleus has been identified as the major hydrogen bonding site in the three pyrimidine derivatives, with respective percentages of around 83.0% and 93.2% at HF/6-311+G(d,p) and B3PW91/6-311+G(d,p) levels.

DFT Study of Dimerization Sites in Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl-chalcone Series

Quantum chemistry methods were performed in order to characterize the chemical reactivity on series of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl-chalcone (IPC). In particular, the B3LYP/6-311G(d) theory level has been used to determine parameters which characterize the global and local reactivity on five molecules of the series. These compounds differ from one to another with the aryl groups. There are: 1-(2-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-one, 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(2-methylimidazo [1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one, 3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1-(2-methylimidazo [1,2-a]pyridin- 3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one, 3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-(2-methylimidazo [1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one, 3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-(2-methylimidazo [1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one. All results lead to finding out that local nucleophilicity and electrophilicity of compounds are not substituent-dependant contrarily to their global nucleophilicity which prove to be more sensitive to the electron-donating character of the substituents. 3-[4-(Dimethylamino) phenyl]-1-(2-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one was identified as the unique nucleophile compound by global reactivity. Respectively, the carbon atoms C5 and C14 are the prediction sites of electrophilic and nucleophilic attacks in the molecular skeleton of both molecules. Identification of interactions centres on IPC series is of great importance for organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry where the molecular hybridization strategy is very often used to improve biological activities of interesting therapeutic systems.

Theoretical Study by Density Functional Theory Method (DFT) of Stability, Tautomerism, Reactivity and Prediction of Acidity of Quinolein-4-One Derivatives

A theoretical study of the reactivity of quinoline-4-one derivatives is undertaken in order to understand the involved mechanisms. The calculations were carried out in gas phase and in N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) solution. The Density Functional Theory (DFT) with B3LYP functional associated to 6-311G (d) and 6-311+G (d) bases is used to perform these calculations. The results of the thermodynamic parameters showed that there is an equilibrium relation between the different tautomers. This equilibrium can be used to explain the failure to obtain tetrahydroquinoline from 5,8-dimethoxy-quinolin-4-one. Reactivity analysis from Frontier Molecular Orbitals theory and Fukui function calculations revealed that ketone forms are less reactive than enol ones. The methoxyl substituent decreases the acidity of the nitrogen and oxygen atoms of quinolin-4-one while the bromine increases the acidity of the same sites. These results foresee that nitrogen deprotonation in the case of the brominated compound is easier than in the case of methoxylated ones.

DFT Study, Linear and Nonlinear Multiple Regression in the Prediction of HDAC7 Inhibitory Activities on a Series of Hydroxamic Acids

In this work, we conducted a QSAR study on 18 molecules using descriptors from the Density Functional Theory (DFT) in order to predict the inhibitory activity of hydroxamic acids on histone deacetylase 7. This study is performed using the principal component analysis (PCA) method, the Ascendant Hierarchical Classification (AHC), the linear multiple regression method (LMR) and the nonlinear multiple regression (NLMR). DFT calculations were performed to obtain information on the structure and information on the properties on a series of hydroxamic acids compounds studied. Multivariate statistical analysis yielded two quantitative models (model MLR and model MNLR) with the quantum descriptors: electronic affinity (AE), vibration frequency of the OH bond (ν(OH)) and that of the NH bond (ν(NH)). The LMR model gives statistically significant results and shows a good predictability R2 = 0.9659, S = 0.488, F = 85 and p-value . Electronic affinity is the priority descriptor in predicting the activity of HDAC7 inhibitors in this study. The results obtained suggest that the descriptors derived from the DFT could be useful to predict the activity of histone deacetylase 7 inhibitors. These models were evaluated according to the criteria of Tropsha et al.

Theoretical Study of the Reaction of (2, 2)-Dichloro (Ethyl) Arylphosphine with Bis (2, 2)-Dichloro (Ethyl) Arylphosphine by Hydrophosphination Regioselective by the DFT Method

For this work, we have selected two reactions for the formation of (2,2)-dichloro (ethyl) Arylphosphine and bis (2,2)-dichloro(ethyl)arylphosphine compounds by hydrophosphination. Global and local reactivity parameters, thermodynamic parameters of reactions, Transition states, the Fukui function, the local softness, the local electrophility index, and nucleophility index, Natural population analyses (NPA) and Mulliken (MK) were calculated with DFT method at B3LYP/6-311+G(d, p) level. The analysis of potential energy surfaces and the nature of the reaction mechanism have been determined. The various results obtained revealed that the addition of Arylphosphine is regiospecific. The phenylphosphine is more stable than the thiophenylphosphine. The theoretical results are consistent with experience.