Synthesis, density functional theory study and in vitro antimicrobial evaluation of new benzimidazole Mannich bases.

The tri-component synthesis of novel chiral benzimidazole Mannich bases, by reaction between benzimidazole, aqueous 30% formaldehyde and an amine, the biological evaluation and DFT studies of the new compounds are reported here. The 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FTIR spectra and elemental analysis confirm the structures of the new compounds. All synthesized compounds were screened by qualitative and quantitative methods for their in vitro antibacterial activity against 4 bacterial strains. DFT studies were accomplished using GAMESS 2012 software and HOMO-LUMO analysis allowed the calculation of electronic and structural parameters of the chiral Mannich bases. The geometry of 1-methylpiperazine, the cumulated Mullikan atomic charges of the two heteroatoms and of the methyl, and the value of the global electrophilicity index (ω = 0.0527) of the M-1 molecule is correlated with its good antimicrobial activity. It was found that the presence of saturated heterocycles from the amine molecule, 1-methyl piperazine and morpholine, respectively, contributes to an increased biological activity, compared to aromatic amino analogs, diphenylamino-, 4-nitroamino- and 4-aminobenzoic acid. The planarity of the molecules, specific bond lengths and localization of HOMO-LUMO orbitals is responsible for the best biological activities of the compounds.

Green light radiation effects on free radicals inhibition in cellular and chemical systems.

Free radicals generation is inhibited through green light (GL) irradiation in cellular systems and in chemical reactions. Standard melanocyte cultures were UV-irradiated and the induced cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were quantified by the fluorescence technique. The same cell cultures, previously protected by a 24h GL exposure, displayed a significantly lower ROS production. A simple chemical reaction is subsequently chosen, in which the production of free radicals is well defined. Paraffin wax and mineral oil were GL irradiated during thermal degradation and the oxidation products checked by chemiluminescence [CL] and Fourier transform infrared spectra [FT-IR]. The same clear inhibition of the radical oxidation of alkanes is recorded. A quantum chemistry modeling of these results is performed and a mechanism involving a new type of Rydberg macromolecular systems with implications for biology and medicine is suggested.