Self-assembly of functionalized inorganic–organic hybrids

Recent advances on the synthesis and self-assembly of hybrid inorganic–organic materials have been reviewed in terms of the synthetic strategies and emerging techniques, including in-situ self-assembly, template-induced self-assembly, evaporation-induced self-assembly, and layer-by-layer assembly for assembling functional hybrids. The perspectives and outlook on this research topic are given.     

Effect of the graft density of cellulose diacetate-modified layered perovskite nanosheets on mechanical properties of the transparent organic–inorganic hybrids bearing covalent bonds at the interface

Transparent organic–inorganic hybrids with a whitish colour were prepared from cellulose diacetate (CDA) nanosheets derived from Dion–Jacobson-type ion-exchangeable layered perovskite HLaNb₂O₇·xH₂O (HLaNb) to prepare CDA-based hybrids bearing covalent bonds between HLaNb nanosheets and CDA matrices for improved mechanical properties. An n-decoxy derivative of HLaNb (C10_HLaNb) was exfoliated in acetonitrile by ultrasonication. TEM and AFM images revealed that C10_HLaNb was exfoliated into individual nanosheets. In order to explore the local environment around HLaNb nanosheets, a very small amount of CDA was reacted with a C10_HLaNb nanosheet dispersion [molar ratio COH:(NbOH + NbOC₁₀H₂₁) = 4:1] at 80 °C, and solid-state ¹³C NMR with cross polarization and magic angle spinning techniques showed that an alcohol-exchange-type reaction was proceeded to graft the CDA chains to the HLaNb nanosheets via new Nb–O–C covalent linkages. The CDA-based hybrids were prepared by dispersing 5 mass% of HLaNb nanosheets in CDA and subsequent heating at 80 °C for 1–7 days to cause a grafting reaction, and the product prepared by a 1-day grafting reaction exhibited improved mechanical properties compared to neat CDA; the Young’s modulus, tensile strength and toughness increased by 18, 34 and 78%, respectively. The mechanical properties deteriorated with further extension of the reaction period, however. In addition, a hybrid film prepared by mixing CDA and a C10_HLaNb nanosheet dispersion exhibited only a slight improvement in mechanical properties. These results clearly indicate that formation of an appropriate number of Nb–O–C bonds at the nanosheet/CDA interfaces is effective for improving mechanical properties.     

Polysilazane as the source of silica: the formation of dense silica coatings at room temperature and the new route to organic–inorganic hybrids

Xylene solutions of perhydropolysilazane (PHPS) were used as the coating solutions for preparing silica coatings at room temperature. The PHPS-to-silica conversion was achieved by exposing the spin-on coatings to the vapor from aqueous ammonia. In order to examine the significance of the mechanical properties of the PHPS-derived silica coatings, the pencil hardness was measured, which was compared with that of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS)-derived silica coatings. The pencil hardness was over 9H at a load of 1 kg, which was much higher than that of the TEOS-derived silica gel films, and was comparable to that of the TEOS-derived films heat treated at 300 °C. Second, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)–silica hybrid coatings were prepared from xylene solutions of PMMA and PHPS via exposure to the vapor from aqueous ammonia. Crack-free, optically transparent PMMA–silica hybrid coatings could be prepared, where PHPS-to-silica conversion was confirmed by infrared absorption spectroscopy. The refractive index was around 1.42–1.50, and the contact angle with water increased from 35 to 70° with increasing PMMA content. The pencil hardness greatly increased during the PHPS-to-silica conversion, and was much higher than that of the non-heat treated TEOS-derived hybrid coatings. The durability in tetrahydrofuran (THF) was also evaluated by measuring the reduction in thickness occurring during soaking in THF. The durability decreased with increasing PMMA content, but was much higher than that of the non-heat treated TEOS-derived hybrid coatings. Both the hardness and the durability were comparable to those of the TEOS-derived coatings heated at 300 °C. The hybrid coatings could also be deposited on poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrates, where no cracks were observed at high PMMA contents even when the substrate was bent.     

Use of novel cardanol-porphyrin hybrids and their TiO₂-based composites for the photodegradation of 4-nitrophenol in water

Cardanol, a well known hazardous byproduct of the cashew industry, has been used as starting material for the synthesis of useful differently substituted "cardanol-based" porphyrins and their zinc(II), copper(II), cobalt(II) and Fe(III) complexes. Novel composites prepared by impregnation of polycrystalline TiO? powder with an opportune amount of "cardanol-based" porphyrins, which act as sensitizers for the improvement of the photo-catalytic activity of the bare TiO?, have been used in the photodegradation in water of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), which is a toxic and bio-refractory pollutant, dangerous for ecosystems and human health.     

Stepwise synthesis of two inorganic–organic hybrids based on the manganese monosubstituted Keggin polyanion chains

Two new hybrid compounds based on the manganese monosubstituted Keggin polyanion chains, [H₂bpy][Ag(bpy)]₂[HPMnMo₁₁O₃₉] (1) and [H₂bpy]₂[Hbpy][PMnMo₁₁O₃₉]·H₂O (2), (bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) have been stepwise synthesized under hydrothermal condition and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, thermogravimetry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. Structural characterization reveals that although both 1 and 2 contain manganese monosubstituted Keggin polyanion chains, the polyanion chains are not in the full consistent way. In 1, the neighboring manganese monosubstituted Keggin clusters are connected via sharing the para position oxygen atoms of the clusters to form a linear polyanion chain in which the monosubstituted Keggin clusters are further grafted by silver coordination polymer chains forming a 2D network. Whereas the polyanion chain in 2 exhibits a zigzag structure, which is formed by sharing the metaposition terminal oxygen atoms of the clusters, rather than para position terminal oxygen atoms as that in 1. Each zigzag chain contacts with four adjacent chains along four directions through short interspecies contacts, forming a 3D supramolecular framework. The protonated Hbipy⁺ and H₂bipy²⁺ molecules as the counter cations exist in voids of the supramolecular framework in 2. Furthermore, photocatalytic experiments indicate that 1 has good activities for photocatalytic degradation of RhB under UV irradiation.     

Design, synthesis and evaluation of β-lactam antigenic peptide hybrids; unusual opening of the β-lactam ring in acidic media

β-Lactam peptides were envisioned as conformational constraints in antigenic peptides (APs). Three different β-lactam tripeptides of varying flexibility were prepared in solution and incorporated in place of the central part of the altered melanoma associated antigenic peptide Leu(27)-Melan-A(26-35) using solid phase synthesis techniques. Upon TFA cleavage from the solid support, an unexpected opening of the β-lactam ring occurred with conservation of the amide bond. After adaptation of the solid phase synthesis strategy, β-lactam peptides were successfully obtained and both opened and closed forms were evaluated for their capacity to bind to the antigen-presenting class-I MHC HLA-A2 protein system. None of the closed β-lactam peptides bound to HLA-A2, but their opened variants were shown to be moderate to good HLA-A2 ligands, one of them being even capable of stimulating a Melan-A-specific T cell line.     

Synthesis and reactivity of enediyne–nucleobase hybrids: effect of intramolecular π-stacking

Three distinct classes of nucleobase-containing enediynes 1–9 with varying nature of the linker have been synthesized to explore the effect of π-stacking interaction in accelerating the rate of Bergman cyclization (BC). Chemical reactivity study, both experimental and computations demonstrated the important role that aromatic π-stacking interactions between the appended nucleobases within an enediyne frame play in lowering the activation barrier of Bergman cyclization.     

Synthesis of α,γ-peptide hybrids by selective conversion of glutamic acid units

The site-selective modification of small peptides at a glutamate residue allows the ready preparation of α,γ-hybrids. In this way, a single peptide can be transformed into a variety of hybrid derivatives. The process takes place under very mild conditions, and good global yields are obtained.     

Density functional theory studies of carbon nanotube—graphene nanoribbon hybrids

Using first-principle density functional theory calculations, various junctions models constructed from (6, 0) carbon nanotube and graphene nanoribbon units via covalent linkage have been envisioned. Dipole moments, energy gaps, linking bond lengths and angles, quadrupole coupling constants are the obtained parameters. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO), molecular electrostatic potential surface (MEP) analyses and all energy calculations were performed at B3LYP/6-31G (d) level of theory.     

Discovery of spirooxindole–ferrocene hybrids as novel MDM2 inhibitors

A series of spirooxindole-ferrocene hybrids bearing five or four contiguous chiral centers were designed and synthesized via organocatalysis. In vitro protein binding and cellular proliferation assays suggested that compound 5 d was the most potent mouse double minute 2 homolog(MDM2) inhibitor. In addition,mechanistic studies indicated that compound 5 d suppressed MDM2-mediated p53 degradation, induced apoptosis and promoted oxidative damage. Molecular docking studies have suggested that 5 d binds to MDM2 by mimicking the Trp23 and Leu26 residues of p53. This work can provide a basis for the development of novel multifunctional MDM2 inhibitors. The further exploration of more derivatives from this library and additional investigation of organocatalysis application in the development of new molecules may generate new potential lead compounds for cancer-targeted therapy.     

Heavy metal removal of tri-amino-functionalized sol–gel hybrids with tailored characteristics

Adsorption of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions on tri-amino-functionalized silica hybrids with tailored structural characteristics was investigated. The adsorbents were prepared using a controllable sol–gel method with (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane or 3-[2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethylamino] propyltrimethoxysilane, polymeric polymethylhydrosilane and tetraethoxysilane as co-precursors in the absence of traditional surfactant aggregates. These as-prepared hybrids possess tailored structures with high specific surface area, large pore volumes and relatively narrow pore diameter as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen sorption results. The elemental analysis and FT-IR indicated that amino groups had been successfully introduced into the opened skeletons. The loadings of amino moieties of the amino-functionalized gels could be tuned from 5 to 40% by adjusting the molar ratio of organoalkoxysilane/silica in the synthesis system. The heavy metal adsorption experiments have been examined for Cu(II), Pb(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solution employing batch method. The results showed that the adsorption capacity of the tri-amino-functionalized adsorbents was higher than that of the mono-amino-functionalized counterparts, illustrating a good potential for environmental remediation in virtue of the combination of selective adsorption performance and large-scale synthesis character.     

Molecular modeling of cationic porphyrin-anthraquinone hybrids as DNA topoisomerase IIβ inhibitors

Human DNA Topoisomerase II has been regarded as a promising target in anticancer drug discovery. In the present study, we designed six porphyrin-anthraquinone hybrids bearing pyrazole or pyridine group as meso substituents and evaluated their potentials as DNA Topoisomerase IIβ inhibitor. First, we investigated the binding orientation of porphyrin hybrids into DNA topoisomerase IIβ employing AutoDock 4.2 and then performed 20-ns molecular dynamics simulations to see the dynamic stability of each porphyrin-Topo IIβ complex using Amber 14. We found that the binding of porphyrin hybrids occured through intercalation and groove binding mode in addition interaction with the amino acid residues constituting the active cavity of Topo IIβ. Each porphyrin-Topo IIβ complex was stabilized during 20-ns dynamics simulations. The MM-PBSA free energy calculation shows that the binding affinities of porphyrin hybrids were modified with the number of meso substituent. Interestingly, the affinity of all porphyrin hybrids to Topo IIβ was stronger than that of native ligand (EVP), indicating the potential of the designed porphyrin to be considered in experimental research.     

Self-assembly morphology and packing structures depend on the ‘head’ of organic cations anchored on polyoxometalate anions in hybrids

Two organic-polyoxometalates (organic-POMs) hybrids were constructed by fan-shaped 1-methyl-3-[3, 4, 5-tris(octadecyloxy) benzyl]imidazolium salts (labelled as I–Cl) and triethyl-[3, 4, 5-tris (octadecyloxy) benzyl] ammonium salts (labelled as Q–Cl) and Keggin anions [SiW₁₂O₄₀]^4? by electrostatic interaction. Self-assembled behaviours of two aggregates in organic solvent and solid state were investigated in detail by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray analysis. The mixed solution of chloroform–methanol or chloroform–acetone provided the stable environment for aggregates and aggregates showed a uniform micron size. X-ray analysis results showed that flower-like aggregates morphology of I₄[SiW₁₂O₄₀] based on imidazole ring as ‘head’ in organic cations was formed by the stacking of multilamellar discs and kept the lamellar structure in solid state. Bulk thorn spheres appeared in Q₄[SiW₁₂O₄₀] aggregates, which were formed by closely interspersed of lots flatted blocks with hexagonal structure characteristics in solid state. The comprehension for the self-assembly morphology and solid structure of organic-polyoxometalate hybrids would help us to use easily modified organic moiety and functional inorganic polyoxoanions as blocks to build novel and giant supramolecular architecture.     

Silica–gelatin hybrids for tissue regeneration: inter-relationships between the process variables

Owing to their diverse range of highly tailorable material properties, inorganic/organic hybrids have the potential to meet the needs of biodegradable porous scaffolds across a range of tissue engineering applications. One such hybrid platform, the silica–gelatin sol–gel system, was examined and developed in this study. These hybrid scaffolds exhibit covalently linked interpenetrating networks of organic and inorganic components, which allows for independent control over their mechanical and degradation properties. A combination of the sol–gel foaming process and freeze drying was used to create an interconnected pore network. The synthesis and processing of the scaffolds has many variables that affect their structure and properties. The focus of this study was to develop a matrix tool that shows the inter-relationship between process variables by correlating the key hybrid material properties with the synthesis parameters that govern them. This was achieved by investigating the effect of the organic (gelatin) molecular weight and collating previously reported data. Control of molecular weight of the polymer is as an avenue that allows the modification of hybrid material properties without changing the surface chemistry of the material, which is a factor that governs the cell and tissue interaction with the scaffold. This presents a significant step forward in understanding the complete potential of the silica–gelatin hybrid system as a medical device.     

“On-water” catalyst-free,one-pot synthesis of quaternary centered and spiro-tetrahydrothiophene-barbiturate hybrids

A green and efficient method have been developed for the synthesis of quaternary centered and spiro-barbiturate-tetrahydrothiophene hybrids via Knoevenagel condensation,1,4-thia-Michael and intramolecular Aldol reactions using “on water” concept under catalyst-free conditions. Systematic studies were carried out to find the role of the water and total reaction concentration (0.086 M) to promote the reaction in two steps (one-pot). The use of water as a reaction medium, catalyst-free conditions, broad substrate scope, one-pot approach for the creation of quaternary centered and spiro molecules are the advantages of this method.     

Construction of the Skeleton of Phthalascidin, Mechanism of the Formation of the Key Tricyclic Lactam Intermediate

Phthalascidin is a structurally simplified version of Et-743, which is a potent anti-tumor marine natural product isolated from Ecteinascidia turbinata. Its antiproliferative activity is greater than that of the agents taxol, camptothecin, adriamycin, mitomycin C, cisplatin, bleomycin, and etoposide by 1-3 orders of magnitude. An elegant synthesis of Et-743 and phthalascidin has been reported by E. J. Corey and co-workers1,2. As part of our continuing program, we have also engaged in dev…     

Thermal stability of sol–gel derived methacrylate oligosiloxane-based hybrids for LED encapsulants

Methacrylate oligosiloxane-based hybrid materials (methacrylate hybrimers) were fabricated by curing the methacrylate oligosiloxane resins synthesized by sol–gel condensation reaction of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MPTS) and diphenylsilanediol (DPSD) for the LED encapsulant application. The fabricated hybrimers are optically transparent and have a high refractive index up to 1.565 depending on the precursor composition. The lower DPSD content hybrimer, which is the more polymerized and heated in a vacuum to remove the non-polymerized methacrylate groups, produces higher optical transmittance and thermal stability. This behavior is interpreted by thermal degradation of methacylate groups in the hybrimers.