{"title":"Emerging Chemical Upcycling and Repurposing Strategies for Waste Pharmaceuticals","authors":"Letícia Ribeiro Magalhães, Lourena Mafra Veríssimo, Euzébio Guimarães Barbosa, Alessandro Kappel Jordão","doi":"10.1002/slct.74555","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.74555","url":null,"abstract":"<p>With the aging of population, improvements in health standards, and developments in the pharmaceutical industry, access to medication has become widespread, leading to accumulation of expired or unused drugs in households and, consequently a significant generation of pharmaceutical waste. When improperly disposed of, this pharmaceutical waste can contaminate soil and water, compromising the health of ecosystems. Many strategies to reduce pharmaceutical pollution have been suggested in the past, such as collecting and properly disposing of waste drugs through incineration, extending medicine expiration dates, providing a greater variety of package sizes to prevent leftovers, and better regulation of stocking and dispensing practices. However, what could be done with waste drugs besides reverse logistics and proper disposal programs? By answering this question, this review aims to provide an overview of drug repurposing strategies that can contribute to the valorization of pharmaceutical waste and integration into the circular economy. Through the literature survey, waste drugs were shown to be a valuable resource in diverse areas such as corrosion inhibition, electrochemistry, organic synthesis, fluorescence, nanotechnology, materials science, agriculture, flow improvement, surface science, and photocatalysis. This field of research is still relatively unexplored and yet promising, considering the current worldwide need for eco-friendly industrial alternatives.</p>","PeriodicalId":146,"journal":{"name":"ChemistrySelect","volume":"11 36","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/slct.74555","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148974862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Waste PET-Derived Porous Carbon for Adsorption-Coupled Nonradical Fenton-Like Degradation of Organic Dyes","authors":"Shuyao Wang, Yue Liu, Wei Zhang","doi":"10.1002/slct.74405","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.74405","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was upcycled into a bifunctional porous carbon (PET-C-1) through base-catalyzed hydrolysis followed by one-step pyrolysis. The hydrolysis-derived potassium terephthalate precursor suppressed aromatic carbon loss and promoted in situ pore development, yielding PET-C-1 with a BET surface area of 1149 m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup>, a pore volume of 1.11 cm<sup>3</sup> g<sup>−1</sup>, and partially graphitized framework. The carbonization process also generated H<sub>2</sub>- and CO-containing gas products, suggesting the possibility of additional product valorization. The PET-C-1 exhibits rapid adsorption of organic dye malachite green (MG) and acts as a metal-free catalyst for H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> activation and oxidative degradation of MG. Complete removal of 50 ppm MG from water was achieved within 8 min. Mechanistic studies suggest that the PET-C-1/H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> system proceeds mainly through a surface-mediated nonradical electron-transfer pathway rather than a conventional ·OH-dominated Fenton process. This work demonstrates a feasible route for converting waste PET into functional carbon catalysts and highlights the potential of plastic-derived carbons for adsorption-coupled oxidative water treatment.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":146,"journal":{"name":"ChemistrySelect","volume":"11 36","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148974961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Burmannic Acid With Normal Cell Safety Exhibits ROS-Mediated X-Ray-Sensitizing Effects on Oral Cancer Cells","authors":"Kun-Han Yang, Chung-Yi Chen, Ching-Yu Yen, Hsin-I Lu, Jen-Yang Tang, Tsu-Ming Chien, Fang-Rong Chang, Jiiang-Huei Jeng, Ming-Yii Huang, Hsueh-Wei Chang","doi":"10.1002/slct.74568","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.74568","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Burmannic acid (BURA), a novel Indonesian cinnamon-derived apocarotenoid, showed antiproliferative effects on oral cancer cells without combined application. The purpose of this study is to assess the potential radiosensitizing ability of BURA in oral cancer cells. ATP assay and flow cytometry were conducted to evaluate the radiosensitizing effects on antiproliferation and anti-oral cancer mechanisms, with comparisons to normal cells. Combined treatment (x-ray/BURA), exhibiting normal (S–G) cell safety, shows antiproliferative activity against oral cancer cells, which is alleviated by a ROS inhibitor, <i>N</i>-acetylcysteine (NAC). Mechanistically, x-ray/BURA in oral cancer cells upregulated or activated higher subG1 occurrence, apoptosis (annexin V/caspase-3), intrinsic/extrinsic caspase-8/9, cell/mitochondrial ROS, diminishment of mitochondrial membrane potential/glutathione, and oxidative DNA damage than x-ray, BURA, and that of normal cells. Moreover, NAC partially attenuated these mechanisms. In conclusion, x-ray/BURA appears to be at least partly ROS-dependent modulation of radiosensitization and antiproliferative effects in oral cancer cells, with limited adverse impact on normal cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":146,"journal":{"name":"ChemistrySelect","volume":"11 36","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/slct.74568","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148974963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Savita Gat, E. V. Venkat Shivaji Ramarao, Rana Chatterjee, Sujeet Gaware, Rambabu Dandela
{"title":"Copper(II) Acetate as a Dual-Function Reagent: A Useful Acetyl Source for the In Situ N-Acetylation of Anilines","authors":"Savita Gat, E. V. Venkat Shivaji Ramarao, Rana Chatterjee, Sujeet Gaware, Rambabu Dandela","doi":"10.1002/slct.74569","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.74569","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A practical and novel approach has been developed for the N-acetylation of anilines under mild conditions. The copper (II) acetate gratifyingly delivered the acetyl source in the presence of diphenylphosphoryl azide (DPPA) and sodium carbonate. The one-pot reaction provided a variety of amide derivatives at room temperature and under solvent-free conditions. Moreover, readily available and inexpensive starting materials, excellent functional group compatibility, rapid synthesis, good yields of the products, and mild conditions are the notable features of the present method.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":146,"journal":{"name":"ChemistrySelect","volume":"11 36","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148974861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Adelício Lucas Alberto, Sabrina Frantz Lütke, Yasmin Vieira, Cesar Aguzzoli, Salah Knani, Marcos Leandro Silva Oliveira, Luis Felipe Oliveira Silva, Guilherme Luiz Dotto
{"title":"Magnetron-Sputtered Niobium-Coated Biochar for Reusable Adsorption of Ivermectin and Diclofenac From Water","authors":"Adelício Lucas Alberto, Sabrina Frantz Lütke, Yasmin Vieira, Cesar Aguzzoli, Salah Knani, Marcos Leandro Silva Oliveira, Luis Felipe Oliveira Silva, Guilherme Luiz Dotto","doi":"10.1002/slct.74565","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.74565","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Biochar was surface-modified using the Magnetron Sputtering technique, coating it with thin films of niobium to improve its selectivity and reusability for the removal of ivermectin (IVM) and diclofenac (DCF) from water. Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of pH and temperature, adsorption kinetics and equilibrium, thermodynamic behavior, thermal regeneration, and interference from inorganic salts. The material exhibited a specific surface area of 369 m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup> and a pore volume of 0.183 cm<sup>3</sup> g<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>, while Nb deposition shifted the PZC from 6.50 to 7.40. Equilibrium data were best described by the Sips model, with maximum adsorption capacities of 171.8 mg g<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup> for IVM at 328 K and 96.2 mg g<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup> for DCF at 298 K. IVM adsorption kinetics were best described by the Elovich model, whereas the pseudo-first-order model provided the best fit for DCF. Adsorption was endothermic for IVM and exothermic for DCF, demonstrating compound-dependent interactions with the modified surface. The highest removal yields were 61.67% and 89.19%. The adsorbent maintained its removal performance for 11 adsorption–regeneration cycles, and the tested salts decreased removal selectivity by no more than 15%.</p>","PeriodicalId":146,"journal":{"name":"ChemistrySelect","volume":"11 36","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/slct.74565","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148974863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dimitrios Kiousis, Despoina Giannioti, Georgia Kalyva, Vasiliki Zogali, Maharah Binte Abdul Mahid, Kitti Wing Ki Chan, Minos-Timotheos Matsoukas, Subhash G. Vasudevan, Gerasimos Rassias
{"title":"Design and Synthesis of a Potent, Cell Active Purine-Based Amidoxime Against the Dengue Virus","authors":"Dimitrios Kiousis, Despoina Giannioti, Georgia Kalyva, Vasiliki Zogali, Maharah Binte Abdul Mahid, Kitti Wing Ki Chan, Minos-Timotheos Matsoukas, Subhash G. Vasudevan, Gerasimos Rassias","doi":"10.1002/slct.74553","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.74553","url":null,"abstract":"<p>According to WHO, the dengue virus (DENV) is a global health threat and major risk for a pandemic with an estimated 2.5 billion people in more than 100 tropical and subtropical countries at risk of infection. Despite this significant burden, no antiviral drugs are currently approved, thus prompting extensive research efforts pursuing dengue antivirals. Following from our previous work on allosteric inhibitors of the dengue protease, we synthesized novel inhibitors with improved potency and drug-like characteristics while maintaining the pharmacophore domains of two arylamidoxines and a bromobenzyl substituent. Iterative scaffold hopping and morphing, exemplified purine derivative <b>4</b> (<b>SP-835G</b>) with DENV2 EC<sub>50</sub> 0.1 µM, CC<sub>50</sub>>100 µM and clogP 3.61. Docking studies support that the corresponding active diamidine <b>SP-835A</b> shares the same allosteric binding at the dengue protease as our previous hit diamidine <b>SP-471</b>. The synthesis of the purine core was optimized to perform at gram scale without need for chromatography including Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling, Buchwald–Hartwig <i>Ν</i>-arylation and nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions.</p>","PeriodicalId":146,"journal":{"name":"ChemistrySelect","volume":"11 36","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/slct.74553","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148974864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Variation of Tetrahedrons and Cations Regulates LIDTs in 3D-DL Structure MIR-NLO Crystals","authors":"Chaoyi Zhu","doi":"10.1002/slct.74544","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.74544","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The incomplete understanding of the relationship between structural changes and laser-induced damage thresholds (LIDTs) in mid-infrared nonlinear-optical (MIR-NLO) crystals considerably restricts the design and synthesis of MIR-NLO crystals with high LIDTs. This review summarizes the structures of 87 types of three-dimensional diamond-like (3D-DL) structure MIR-NLO crystals and their LIDTs. Specifically, their LIDTs were measured under specific pump laser conditions (approximately 1.06 µm). These 3D-DL structure MIR-NLO crystals were first categorized into three major categories according to their optical band gaps: 1.17 eV ≤ <i>E</i><sub>g</sub> ≤ 2.33 eV, 2.34 eV ≤ <i>E</i><sub>g</sub> ≤ 3.50 eV, 3.51 eV ≤ <i>E</i><sub>g</sub> ≤ 4.66 eV. Within each major category, they were subsequently discussed in the order of structural types (β-ZnS structure, defect β-ZnS structure, A-ions-substituted β-ZnS structure, α-ZnS structure, defect α-ZnS structure, and A-ions-substituted α-ZnS structure). The final statistical results reveal that the types of tetrahedrons and cations, their arrangement patterns, and dimensional reduction effects across different structures all play a decisive role in the magnitude of LIDT improvement.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":146,"journal":{"name":"ChemistrySelect","volume":"11 36","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148974958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wenjing Li, Baoshuai Du, Zhicheng Yan, Shengcheng Shu, Guoxin Ma, Bingrong Guo, Siwei Li
{"title":"Recent Advances in Metal Oxide-Supported Low-Iridium Catalysts for Acidic Water Oxidation","authors":"Wenjing Li, Baoshuai Du, Zhicheng Yan, Shengcheng Shu, Guoxin Ma, Bingrong Guo, Siwei Li","doi":"10.1002/slct.74535","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.74535","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is a promising route to sustainable hydrogen production, but large-scale deployment is limited by sluggish anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics and scarce iridium (Ir). Metal oxide supports can lower Ir demand by improving its dispersion and utilization and by regulating the coordination and electronic structure of active sites. This review classifies representative supports into two nonexclusive families: redox-responsive, electronically adaptive oxides and structurally robust, electronically tunable oxides. Their functions are compared through lattice anchoring and confinement, interfacial charge transfer and redox buffering, vacancy-mediated oxygen migration and spillover, and regulation of adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM), lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM), oxide pathway mechanism (OPM), and related pathways. Particular emphasis is placed on strong metal oxide–support interactions and the coupled effects of Ir─O─M bonding, charge redistribution, coordination distortion, and spatial confinement. Benefits are assessed alongside trade-offs in conductivity, site accessibility, vacancy dynamics, and support degradation. Catalyst Ir content, half-cell loading, and MEA anode loading are distinguished, with half-cell and device-level performance evaluated separately. This framework links fundamental interfacial chemistry with catalyst-level metrics and realistic device requirements for practical PEMWE implementation. Finally, priorities are identified for operando characterization, dissolution analysis, standardized benchmarking, descriptor-guided support design, and durable low-Ir MEAs.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":146,"journal":{"name":"ChemistrySelect","volume":"11 36","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148974959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Şenay Akkar, Samet Öz, F. Zehra Küçükbay, Güldeniz Şekerci, Houssem Boulebd, Suat Tekin, Hasan Küçükbay
{"title":"Synthesis of Dipeptide–Tryptamine Conjugates: Evaluating Antioxidant, Cytotoxic Properties and Molecular Docking Studies","authors":"Şenay Akkar, Samet Öz, F. Zehra Küçükbay, Güldeniz Şekerci, Houssem Boulebd, Suat Tekin, Hasan Küçükbay","doi":"10.1002/slct.74550","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.74550","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In this study, tryptamine containing an indole ring was selected, and its dipeptide derivatives were prepared to investigate their potential physiological properties. Eight new dipeptide–tryptamine derivatives were synthesized, their structures elucidated using NMR, IR, and elemental analysis, and their physical properties determined. The anticancer properties of the compounds were evaluated against human prostate (LNCaP), breast (MCF-7), ovarian (A2780), and colon (Caco-2) cell lines using the MTT assay. The compound exhibiting the highest effectiveness against LNCaP cells was compound <b>8</b>, with a LogIC<sub>50</sub> of 0.81. For MCF-7 cells, the most effective compound was compound <b>5</b>, with a LogIC<sub>50</sub> of −0.58. In A2780 cells, compound <b>4</b> demonstrated the highest efficacy, with a LogIC<sub>50</sub> of 1.99. For Caco-2 cells, compound <b>7</b> was the most effective, showing a LogIC<sub>50</sub> of −0.62.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":146,"journal":{"name":"ChemistrySelect","volume":"11 36","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148974960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Acetate-Promoted Catecholase Activity of a Manganese–Schiff Base Complex: A Spectroscopic Elucidation","authors":"Surama Meher, Pratap Kumar Deheri, Sohini Sarkar","doi":"10.1002/slct.74523","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.74523","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Synthesis, characterizations, and catecholase activity of a manganese complex (<b>1</b>) have been reported. The complex was derived from a Schiff base, H<sub>2</sub>L (a condensed product of 3-chlorosalicylaldehyde and ethylenediamine), using manganese(II) acetate and was found as a bio-functional model of catechol oxidase. Different spectroscopic techniques, like, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), electronic spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy have been utilized for characterization purpose. The complex may be a mononuclear species with one Mn<sup>3+</sup> and a coordinated acetate moiety. However, the results of elemental analysis and HRMS indicate the possible formation of a trinuclear species. <b>1</b> has been found as a bio-mimic of catechol oxidase in acetonitrile. The turnover number was observed as 613.12 h<sup>−1</sup>. <sup>1</sup>H-NMR spectral result indicates that almost complete conversion of 3,5- di <i>tert</i> butyl catechol (3,5-DTBC) to 3,5-di <i>tert</i> butyl quinone (3,5-DTBQ) is possible in five minutes. Based on EPR and ESI-MS studies with the substrate-<b>1</b> mixtures, a tentative metal-centric (probably stemming from Mn<sup>3+</sup>) mechanism has been interpreted. The acetate (playing both as an auxiliary ligand and a base) is probably responsible for the quick oxidation process in comparison to the other Mn complexes, prepared from the same ligand.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":146,"journal":{"name":"ChemistrySelect","volume":"11 36","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148974962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}