Discipline: Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
Subcategory: Chemistry (not Biochemistry)
Whitney B.E. Jenkins - Howard University
Zeolites are microporous structures containing cavities that allow small molecules to inhabit and pass (Sherman). Natural zeolites, discovered in 1756, have been synthesized to create zeolites with uniform cavities for specific jobs (Bekkum 1).
Zeolite Y, a synthetically made Zeolite, has an equal ratio of aluminum and silicon interlinked atoms containing a more uniform cavity (Auerbach 5). Zeolite Y is a perfect candidate for drug delivery systems and can promote a more effective route to transport medicines to targeted areas. Drug Delivery Systems (DDS) is the process of administering drugs to targeted areas (Tiwari 1). Accounting for almost 40% of US marketed drug products, DDS assists in the treatment of human diseases by using nasal and pulmonary pathways (Tiwari). Zeolites slow release due to it?s tetrahedra formation can lead a great advancement in DDS.
The recrystallization, separation, and purification of ISA-bz, ISA-ety, ISA-cyx, and ISA-but was conducted to obtain a pure compound that will be entrapped in zeolites. Although the recrystallization of ISA-cyx and ISA-but was unsuccessful, IR spectra was conducted from the solids formed from these solutions. The IR spectra distinguished the differences between ISA, ISA-cyx, and ISA-but all previously synthesized (Bernadel). The IR spectra showed peaks at 3500 for an aromatic ring of ISA and ISA-but, and showed two peaks at 3500-3700 for the two aromatic rings in ISA-cyx. The similar peaks in the three IR spectras conducted verifies ISA-cyx and ISA-but contained ISA. Further investigation will be conducted ISA-cyx and ISA-but to receive a crystal.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): This study was supported, in part, by a grant from the National Science Foundation awarded to Wayne Patterson, PhD, Investigator of the Global Education & Awareness Research Undergraduate Program (GEAR-UP), Howard University, Washington D.C., USA.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Salam Titinchi, stitinchi@uwc.ac.za
Role: I did the research under the guidance of my advisor.