Sertraline (SRT) is a widely used antidepressant whose poor solubility in water limits its oral applicability. Thus, the aim of this work was the evaluation of a multi-equilibrium system based on β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and SRT. The inclusion compounds (ICs) were investigated by infrared spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and (1)H and 2D ROESY nuclear magnetic resonance experiments. SRT solubility was predicted in vitro in water and biomimetic fluids. The SRT in presence of βCD at 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios was more soluble than free SRT in all biomimetics media investigated. The FTIR-HATR showed that βCD νC-O-C stretching band was reduced in presence of SRT, suggesting the interactions between them. Additionally, titration process and Job's plot provided information on the ICs stoichiometry and evidenced the multi-equilibrium coexistence in aqueous solution. According to the ITC, SRT:βCD interaction process was spontaneous and exothermic with a high affinity binding constant (K=14,726 M(-1)). Additionally, the stoichiometry coefficient (n) was 1.63, which was comparable to that found by FITR-HATR. The (1)H and 2D ROESY verified multiple SRT sites included into the host cavity. Theoretical calculations depicted the relative energy of different proposed ICs structures, in which the 1:2 IC was the most stable.

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In the present study we evaluated the complexation of daidzein/genistein/glycitein, present in an isoflavone enriched fraction (IEF), with β-cyclodextrin and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD). Based on the increased solubility and higher complexation efficiency, IEF and HPβCD solid complexes were prepared by kneading, freeze-drying, co-evaporation, spray-drying and microwave. The solid complexes were characterized using Fourier transformed-infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the isoflavone content and solubility were determined by liquid chromatography. The results suggest that the isoflavones daidzein, genistein and glycitein may be externally associated to HPβCD as well as that isoflavones/HPβCD inclusion complexes are formed through the insertion of B-ring into the cyclodextrin cavity. Except for the freeze-dried IEF/HPβCD solid complex, all complexes showed similar content and solubility. In conclusion, the three isoflavones showed to be able to simultaneously complex with HPβCD.

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This study processed and characterized the biphasic ceramics Na 2 Ti 3 O 7 /Na 2 Ti 6 O 13 that were obtained from semi-crystalline nanoparticles synthesized using sonochemical methods. Structural characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, were used to identify the crystalline phases present. The Rietveld refinement revealed, among other structural parameters, the presence of two crystalline phases in compositions of 55.90% and 44.10% for sodium hexatitanate and trititanate, respectively. Via Raman spectroscopy, the presence of the main vibrational modes that correspond to the phases present in biphasic ceramics was confirmed. Finally, by using complex impedance spectroscopy, a decrease in the electrical resistance of both the grain (10 6 Ω-10 4 Ω) and its boundary (10 8 Ω -10 5 Ω) under increasing temperature was identified.

SummaryOrganic–inorganic magnetic hybrid materials (MHMs) combine a nonmagnetic and a magnetic component by means of electrostatic interactions or covalent bonds, and notable features can be achieved. Herein, we describe an application of a self-assembled material based on ferrite associated with β-cyclodextrin (Fe-Ni/Zn/βCD) at the nanoscale level. This MHM and pure ferrite (Fe-Ni/Zn) were used as an adsorbent system for Cr3+ and Cr2O7 2− ions in aqueous solutions. Prior to the adsorption studies, both ferrites were characterized in order to determine the particle size distribution, morphology and available binding sites on the surface of the materials. Microscopy analysis demonstrated that both ferrites present two different size domains, at the micro- and nanoscale level, with the latter being able to self-assemble into larger particles. Fe-Ni/Zn/βCD presented smaller particles and a more homogeneous particle size distribution. Higher porosity for this MHM compared to Fe-Ni/Zn was observed by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller isotherms and positron-annihilation-lifetime spectroscopy. Based on the pKa values, potentiometric titrations demonstrated the presence of βCD in the inorganic matrix, indicating that the lamellar structures verified by transmission electronic microscopy can be associated with βCD assembled structures. Colloidal stability was inferred as a function of time at different pH values, indicating the sedimentation rate as a function of pH. Zeta potential measurements identified an amphoteric behavior for the Fe-Ni/Zn/βCD, suggesting its better capability to remove ions (cations and anions) from aqueous solutions compared to that of Fe-Ni/Zn.

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