Noncovalent interactions, especially hydrogen-bonding interactions as well as electrostatic forces, confined within one macromolecule are the key to designing foldamers that adopt well-defined conformations in solution. In the context of significant recent activities in the area of triazole-connected foldamers, so-called clickamers, we present a fundamental study that compares various model compounds that bear adjacent N-, O-, or F-heteroatom substituents. The interplay of attractive and repulsive interactions leads to rotational constraints around the single bonds attached to both the 1- and 4-positions of the 1,2,3-triazole moiety and should therefore be able to induce well-defined conformational preferences in higher oligomers and polymers, that is, foldamers. Various compounds were synthesized and characterized with regard to their preferred conformations in all three aggregation states--that is, in the gas phase, in solution as well as in the solid state--by employing DFT calculations, NMR spectroscopic experiments, and X-ray crystallography, respectively. On the basis of the thus-obtained general understanding of the conformational behavior of the individual connection motifs, heterostructures were prepared from different motifs without affecting their distinct folding characteristics. Therefore, this work provides a kind of foldamer construction kit, which should enable the design of various clickamers with specific shape and incorporated functionality.

Bacterial resistance remains a significant threat and a leading cause of death worldwide, despite massive attempts to control infections. In an effort to develop biologically active antibacterial and antifungal agents, six novel aryl-substituted-1,2,3-triazoles linked to carbohydrate units were synthesized through the Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition CuAAC of substituted-arylazides with a selection of alkyne-functionalized sugars. The chemical structures of the new derivatives were verified using different spectroscopic techniques. The novel clicked 1,2,3-triazoles were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the obtained results were compared with the activity of the reference antibiotic “Ampicillin”. Likewise, in vitro antifungal activity of the new 1,2,3-triazoles was investigated against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger using “Nystatin” as a reference drug. The results of the biological evaluation pointed out that Staphylococcus aureus was more susceptible to all of the tested compounds than other examined microbes. In addition, some tested compounds exhibited promising antifungal activity.

Dynamic surfaces: The conformational transition of 2,6-bis(1-aryl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine (BTP) derivatives, triggered by a change in pH, has been observed with a sub-nm resolution by STM at the solid-liquid interface. Upon addition of trifluoroacetic acid two different BTP molecules, each forming a highly ordered physisorbed monolayer, underwent significant conformational changes from their "rosette" to their "tetragon" forms, as reflected in dramatically altered 2D self-assembly over large areas extending over hundreds of nanometers (see graphic).

Influenza A virus is a negative RNA stranded virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae, and represents a major public health threat, compounding existing disease conditions. Influenza A virus replicates rapidly within its host and the segmented nature of its genome facilitates re-assortment, whereby whole genes are exchanged between influenza virus subtypes during replication. Antiviral medications are important pharmacological tools in influenza virus prophylaxis and therapy. However, the use of currently available antiviral is impeded by sometimes high levels of resistance in circulating virus strains. Here, we identified novel anti-influenza compounds through screening of chemical compounds synthesized de novo on human lung epithelial cells. Computational and experimental screening of extensive and water soluble compounds identified novel influenza virus inhibitors that can reduce influenza virus infection without detectable toxic effects on host cells. Interestingly, the indicated active compounds inhibit viral replication most likely via interaction with cell receptors and disturb influenza virus entry into host cells. Collectively, screening of new synthesis chemical compounds on influenza A virus replication provides a novel and efficacious anti-influenza compounds that can inhibit viral replication via disturbing virus entry and indicates that these compounds are attractive candidates for evaluation as potential anti-influenza drugs.

In this work, the adsorption of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD) from treated sewage with low-cost activated carbon prepared from date palm shell waste by chemical activation method was studied. Different parameters affecting the adsorption process such as carbon dose, pH, contact time, agitation rate, and temperature were studied. Adsorption equilibrium was attained after 150 min at pH 6.0 with agitation rate of 400 rpm at 25 °C. The results showed that COD removal percentage of 95.4 and 92.8% for BOD was obtained with carbon dosage of 0.1 g/100 ml of solution. The experimental batch equilibrium results follow linear, Langmuir, and Freundlich isotherm models. The experimental data was fitted to a pseudo-second-order kinetics model controlled by pore diffusion. Thermodynamic parameter values of ΔH , ΔG, and ΔS were calculated. The obtained data indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous, endothermic nature and reflects an increased randomness and degree of disorderliness at the activated carbon/sewage interface during the adsorption process investigated in this study. Concentrations of different impurities were reduced to very small value by investigated adsorption process.