Discipline: Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
Subcategory: Chemistry (not Biochemistry)
Session: 1
Room: Park Tower 8217
Daisy Díaz-Rohena - University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus
Co-Author(s): Sara M. Delgado-Rivera, M. S., University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, PR; Dalice M. Piñero-Cruz, Ph. D., University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, PR; Abel Baerga, Ph. D., University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR; Ingrid Montes, Ph. D., University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, PR
Upon formation of a pharmaceutical salt, minimal changes are induced to the molecule of the active ingredient. However, it is important to consider the counterion when evaluating the product. Counterions have shown to affect physicochemical properties such as solubility, bioavailability and biological activity, among others. Previously, our laboratory has reported the synthesis of novel ammonium and pyridinium ferrocenyl chalcone salt derivatives, with alkylsulfate as their counterion. Some exhibited good potential as antioxidants, and others inhibited the growth of cervix and hormone-independent breast cancer. In contrast to most ferrocenyl chalcone derivatives, they showed high solubility in water, an important property of most orally administered drugs. This research is focused on the evaluation of the effect of the counterions on the biological activity of the aforementioned organometallic salts. The selection of the organic counterions has been based on the previously reported biological activity of their free acid forms, under the hypothesis that they will contribute to the enhancement of the salts. To further our interest, salts paired with halides and the organic counterions have been prepared through ion exchange chromatography. Techniques such as halide-to-anion exchange have been applied, and other methods for the use of divalent counterions are being considered. The successful counterion exchanges have been confirmed through 1H and 13C NMR. The crystal structure of some of the salts will be presented. The characterization, along with the results of antioxidant assays have been compared to those of the corresponding alkylsulfate salts. Future works include the completion of the biological assays regarding the anticancer activity of the salts.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): Funding provided by PR-LSAMP
Faculty Advisor: Ingrid Montes, Ph. D., ingrid.montes2@upr.edu
Role: For this research, I selected the counterions based on the literature found about the biological activity of their free acid forms. I conducted all of the counterion exchanges of the ferrocenyl chalcone derivatives under study by applying ion exchange chromatography. I conducted the characterization of the salts by 1H and 13C NMR, and IR.