New tri- and tetra-substituted pyrroles via quinazolinium N1-ylides

New tri-and tetra-substituted N-arylpyrroles were synthesized by one-pot reaction of 3,7-disubstituted quinazolinonium bromides with substituted alkynes having at least one electron-withdrawing substituent in 1,2-epoxybutane acting both as solvent and hydrogen bromide scavenger. Structural characterization of the new compounds was based on IR and NMR spectroscopy as well as on single crystal X-ray analysis

Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of new Ni(II), Pd(II) and Cr(III) complex compounds with chlorhexidine

Six new coordination compounds of Ni(II), Pd(II) and Cr(III) with chlorhexidine, 1,1′-hexamethylenebis[5-(4-chlorophenyl)biguanide], were prepared, characterized and examined for their potential as antimicrobial agents, as well as for their antioxidant activity. The metal complexes correspond to the formulas: [Ni(CHX)]Cl2·2H2O, [Ni(CHX)]Br2·2H2O, [Ni(CHX)](CH3COO)2·C2H5OH, [Pd(CHX)][PdCl4]·2H2O, [Pd(CHX)](CH3COO)2 and [Cr(CHX)Cl2](CH3COO), where CHX = chlorhexidine. Investigations on the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the complexes indicated that all have high activity against the tested bacteria, but are less active against fungi. Among the six complexes, those of Pd(II) showed the highest antibacterial activity, [Pd(CHX)][PdCl4]·2H2O being more active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria than chlorhexidine diacetate. The antioxidant activity of the metal complexes was investigated by photochemiluminescence and the results showed that the palladium( II) complexes have high antioxidant activities

Enhancing the helical distortion in pyrrolo[1,2-a]phenanthrolines

The International Society for Burns Injuries (ISBI) has published guidelines for the management of multiple or mass burns casualties, and recommends that 'each country has or should have a disaster planning system that addresses its own particular needs.' The need for a national burns disaster plan integrated with national and provincial disaster planning was discussed at the South African Burns Society Congress in 2009, but there was no real involvement in the disaster planning prior to the 2010 World Cup; the country would have been poorly prepared had there been a burns disaster during the event. This article identifies some of the lessons learnt and strategies derived from major burns disasters and burns disaster planning from other regions. Members of the South African Burns Society are undertaking an audit of burns care in South Africa to investigate the feasibility of a national burns disaster plan. This audit (which is still under way) also aims to identify weaknesses of burns care in South Africa and implement improvements where necessary