Discipline: Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
Subcategory: Chemistry (not Biochemistry)
Session: 1
Lashunda Fletcher - Xavier University of Louisiana
Co-Author(s): Vladimir Kolesnichenko, Galina Goloverda, Ezinne Agwaramgbo, and Yen Tran
Metal oxide nanoparticles have had a profound impact in medical diagnostic, imaging, and drug delivery techniques. Their potential to reduce the invasiveness of many procedures while improving accuracy and sensitivity have been well noted. Their effectiveness is determined significantly by how well the particles are stabilized in solution. The purpose of our research is to improve the downfalls linked to polymers by attempting to develop a non-polymeric organic coat. To do this, organic ligands are prepared to (1) aid in their hydrophilicity, (2) prevent aggregation which can lead to an embolus formation in the bloodstream, and (3) have a variable chain that can bind to drugs and help deliver them to specific tissues in the body. The ligand must have two distinct properties: a coordinating head and a bulky substituent with the reactive functional group on its end. The coordinating head must have donor atoms that are equally spread out in order to attach to a molecule such as a drug. Previously in our group we explored the capability of 2-hydroxyisophthalic acid to bind to metal oxide surfaces and to stabilize their colloids. This acid was found superior to the reference salicylic and isophthalic acids, which made it promising for a linker design application. The project explores the novel synthesis of 2,5-dihydroxy isophthalic acid, which has been used as the ligand core that attaches directly to the nanoparticle.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): National Institute of Health: RCMI 5G12MD007595 and NIGMS-BUILD 8UL1GM118967 Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium
Faculty Advisor: Galina Goloverda, gzgolove@xula.edu
Role: My primary responsibility regarding this project is to synthesize the newly explored acid, 2-hydroxyisophthalic acid, while aiding in its purification utilizing the rotary evaporator system and recrystallization methodology. The goal is to increase the overall percent and theoretical yield of the compound by monitoring and reworking observed data. With the desired percent yield, I am now assisting in the attachment of a ligand through column chromatography.