Production and Characterization of Green Biosorbent Based on Modified Corn Cob Decorated Magnetite Nanoparticles

In most developing countries, particularly in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, corn cobs are considered as waste polluting the environment during the harvest period of this cereal. In order to valorize this agricultural waste, high-performance, inexpensive and low-energy consumption magnetic bioadsorbents were prepared from corn cobs. The chemically activated raw corn cob was magnetized by coating the surface with magnetite nanoparticles. The prepared biosorbents were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM associated with EDX, HR-TEM, TG analysis, BET surface area analysis and XPS. The maximum specific surface area of 35.22 m2/g was reached. An attempt to use of these magnetic biosorbents for the removal of heavy metal like Cr(VI) from aqueous solution was envisaged.

Design of New Thiadiazole Derivatives with Improved Antidiabetic Activity

Diabetes is a serious, long-term (or chronic) disease that occurs when a person’s blood sugar levels are high because their body cannot produce enough insulin, or does not produce enough insulin or that it cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. According to the literature, this disease has several causes, but certain types of diabetes such as type 2 diabetes are most closely linked to a metabolic disorder due to abdominal obesity. Thus, the number of individuals with type 2 diabetes is increasing. It is with this in mind that we work to improve human health. The aim of this study is to design new derivatives of 1,3,4-thiadiazole with improved antidiabetic activity by the mathematical model of multiple linear regression (MLR) established previously. The analysis of the effect on the substituents influencing the antidiabetic activity, fourteen (14) new molecules coded CDTH were generated and presenting values of the potential of inhibitory concentration higher than that of the base compound (pIC50 = 2.526). But thirteen (13) of these new compounds belong to the domain of applicability of the MLR model established previously. In addition, the thermodynamic quantities of formation formed at 298K have been calculated. Lipinski’s rule and pharmacokinetic properties proved that five (5) (TH4, TH9, TH10, TH13 and TH14) new molecules can be used as diabetes medicine.

Assessment of Soil Contamination and Human Health Risk around an Industrial Gold Mine in Côte d’Ivoire: The Case of Arsenic

The Tongon mine generates millions of tons of waste rock and tailings, which are stored in landfills in the vicinity of the mine. These tailings contain arsenic. The risk of soil contamination in this area is evident. This study assesses the arsenic contamination of soils around the mine and the health risks to the local population. Soil samples were taken from plastic bags and other materials used as working tools. Arsenic concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, after the soil samples had been concentrated and digested. Metal contamination indices were used to assess the degree of soil contamination. The results obtained indicate that soils in the industrial zone of the Tongon gold mine have very high average concentrations, well above the world average for uncontaminated soils of 6 mg/kg arsenic. Geoaccumulation index values range from 1.28 to 3.40. These values highlight severe arsenic soil contamination. The human health risk assessment revealed that exposure risks are well above the critical limit of 1 and are, in descending order, children > adult women > adult men. These results indicate an ecological risk, requiring environmental monitoring, underpinned by the development of an effective remediation strategy to reduce local pollution and contamination.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Dimensioning of an Anaerobic Digester for the Treatment of Chicken Manure and for the Production of Biogas: The Case Study of a Chicken Farm in Yaokokoroko (Côte d’Ivoire)

This study allowed us to highlight the level of pollution of a BAYA River water near several poultry farms and the sizing of an anaerobic digester that will be able to treat chicken manure from a poultry farm (BRIN FOUNDATION). To evaluate this pollution, the parameters such as ammonium (NH4+), Phosphate (PO43-), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (DBO5) and Nitrate (NO3-) were determined. For sampling point P1, the concentrations in mg/L of these parameters are (25.00 ± 4.25), (0.40 ± 0.20), (98.00 ± 6.35) and (96.00 ± 5.35), respectively. On the other hand, for sampling point P2, the concentrations in mg/L of these parameters are respectively (33.00 ± 9.05), (0.70 ± 0.12), (123 ± 7.13) and (93 ± 7.10). These values indicate a strong organic pollution of the BAYA River. The determination of the different concentrations of the organic pollution parameters allowed us to evaluate the degradation and the quality of the water of the BAYA River water, by the poultry activity. However, considering the physicochemical properties of the waste (chicken manure), which is the main source of organic pollution, we have considered an energy recovery through the production of biogas. This requires the design, sizing, and implementation of an anaerobic digester in a poultry farm. Therefore, the project would require the construction of an adapted masonry type anaerobic digester with a capacity of 10 m3.

Antioxidant Activity Evaluation in a Series of Heterocyclic Compounds Derived from 1,8-Diaminonaphthalene

From (2,3-dihydro-1H-perimidin-2-yl)-phenyl, the substitution of OH group in ortho or para position on the phenyl ring, allows us to synthesize the studied compounds. These three compounds have been characterized by conventional spectroscopic methods (NMR and MS). The interest of this work is to review the antioxidant activity of our compounds. The antioxidant activity screening carried out according to FRAP and DPPH methods revealed significant anti-free radical properties for compounds 1 and 2 even at low concentrations. In contrast to the compound 2, compound 3 for which the OH group is substituted in para position has the lowest activity in both cases. Therefore the para position seems to be the least sensitive position to increase the antioxidant activity of this pharmacophore.

Erratum to “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” [Computational Chemistry 5 (2017) 113-128]

The original online version of this article (Kouadio Valery Bohoussou1, Anoubilé Benié2, Mamadou Guy-Richard Koné1, Affi Baudelaire Kakou2, Kafoumba Bamba1, Nahossé Ziao1) Theoretical Study of the Reaction of (2, 2)-Dichloro (Ethyl) Arylphosphine with Bis (2, 2)-Dichloro (Ethyl) Arylphosphine by Hydrophosphination Regio selective by the DFT Method. Computational Chemistry 5 (2017) 113-128. DOI: 10.4236/cc.2017.53010) unfortunately contains a mistake. The author wishes to correct the errors from Table 3 to Table 4, on pages 121 and the beginning of page 122.

Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Activity Evaluation of Schiff Bases Derived from 1,8-Diaminonaphtalène

The compounds have been synthesized and characterized by routine MS, IR and NMR spectrometry methods. The compounds are all active on bacterial strains with the exception of Salmonella typhimirium, with a MIC value of 7.5 mg/mL. They show a percentage of anti-radical activity of 75.476 ± 5.070 for the compound DAN-S and of 68.142 ± 6.539 for the compound DAN-OV. The compounds are sensitive to the two champions used. DAN-S compound is then the most active.

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.

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, 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.

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.

Studies of the Chemical Reactivity of a Series of Rhodanine Derivatives by Approaches to Quantum Chemistry

This theoretical chemical reactivity study was conducted using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) method, at computational level B3LYP/6-31G (d). It involved a series of six (06) 5-arylidene rhodanines and allowed to predict the chemical reactivity of these compounds. DFT global chemical reactivity descriptors (HOMO and LUMO energies, chemical hardness, softness, electronegativity) were examined to predict the relative stability and reactivity of rhodanin derivatives. Thus, the compound 6 which has an energy gap between the orbitals of ΔEgap = 3.004 eV is the most polarizable, the most reactive, the least stable, the best electron donor and the softest molecule. Calculation of the local indices of reactivity as well as dual descriptors revealed that the sulfur heteroatom of the Rhodanine ring is the privileged site of electrophilic attack in a state of sp3 hybridization and privileged site of nucleophilic attack in a state of sp2 hybridization.

Cathodic Using of ZrB2-αSiC and TiB2-αSiC for PEM Electrolysis and Water Electrolysis at Low Temperature

39 mol% SiC of ceramic pellets ZrB2-αSiC and TiB2-αSiC were synthesized by the reactive hot pressure RHP process at 1850°C under 40 Mpa in vacuum. The XR diffraction displays the absence of other reagents apart from ZrB2, SiC and TiB2 confirming the purity of the pellets. The cathodic exploitation of both of them through electrochemical study shows that TiB2-αSiC is the most active for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) and Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction (HOR) in 0.5 M of H2SO4 solution at room temperature. Moreover, the kinetic exploitation shows that for both pellets the system is controlled by mass transport when they are used as HER. However, in the case of HOR, the system is controlled by the electron transfer.