The enzyme-amplified amperometric DNA sensor using an electrodeposited polymer redox mediator

A highly sensitive method for the detection of a breast cancer-associated BRCA-1 gene is reported. The detection is based on a classical sandwich-type assay using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a catalytic label and electrodeposited Os^2+/3+ conducting polymer (PAA-PVI-Os) as a redox mediator. Target DNA could be detected by the HRP-catalyzed reduction of H₂O₂, leading to a limit of detection as low as 10 fM. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20725516, 20704043, 20873175 & 20805055), Shanghai Municipal Commission for Science and Technology (Grant Nos. 0752nm021 & 07ZR14136), Ministry of Science and Technology (Grant Nos. 2006CB933000, 2007CB936000 & 2007AA06A406), Ministry of Health (Grant No. 2009ZX10603), and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation and Shanghai Postdoctoral Scientific Program (Grant No. 07R214160).     

An efficient chiral synthesis of (R)-N-[3-acetyl-4-(2-hydroxy-3-isopropylamino-propoxy)phenyl]-butanamide with high enantioselectivity

R-Enantiomer of the β-receptor antagonist N-[3-acetyl-4-(2-hydroxy-3-isopropylamino-propoxy)phenyl] butanamide with high enantioselectivity was synthesized from cheap starting materials and enantiopure chiral reagent through an efficient, convenient and practical synthetic strategy. Title product was detected by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and MS, and the enatiomeric excess was determined by chiral HPLC analysis using a chiracel AD-H column. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20472090 & 10576034) and PLA General Armament Department (Grant No. 9140A28010707zk7301)     

Preparation of polystyrene-grafted titanate nanotubes by <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> atom transfer radical polymerization

This work successfully prepared nanohybrids by in situ atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene from titanate nanotubes (TNTs). Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), pronton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to verify the successful graft of polystyrene (PS) chains from TNTs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) displayed that the obtained PS-g-TNTs nanohybrids had a core-shell structure of TNT core and PS shell. The grafted PS content was well controlled and increased with increasing of the monomer/initiator ratio. Further copolymerization of tert-butyl acrylate (tBA) from the surface of PS-g-TNTs was studied, illustrating the “living” characteristics of the surface-induced ATRP method used in this work. Supported by the Special Funds for Major State Basic Research Projects (Grant No. 2005CB623803), the National Basic Research Program (Grant Nos. 2007CB808000 & 2009CB930400), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 50633010 & 20874060), the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (Grant No. NCET-07-0558), the Basic Research Foundation of Shanghai Science and Technique Committee (Grant No. 07DJ14004), and Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (Grant No. B202).     

金属催化的不对称氢化反应研究进展与展望

手性过渡金属络合物催化的不对称氢化反应是合成光学活性化合物的重要方法. 本文从手性配体及手性催化剂、不对称催化新反应、新方法和新策略三个方面简要评述新世纪以来过渡金属催化的不对称氢化反应研究领域的新进展. 从新世纪初至今, 手性单磷配体得到了复兴, 出现了如MonoPhos、SiPhos、DpenPhos等高效单齿亚磷酰胺酯配体; 磷原子手性(P-手性)配体也得到了快速发展, 如BenzP*、ZhanPhos、TriFer等已成为新的高效手性双膦配体; 螺环骨架手性配体成为新世纪手性配体设计合成的亮点, 除了SiPhos、SIPHOX、SpinPHOX等高效手性螺环配体外, 手性螺环吡啶胺基磷配体SpiroPAP的铱催化剂成为目前最高效的分子催化剂. 不对称催化氢化新反应研究也取得了突破, 如非保护烯胺、杂芳环化合物及N-H亚胺的氢化等反应都实现了高对映选择性. 自组装手性催化剂、树枝状手性催化剂、铁磁性纳米负载的可回收手性催化剂, 以及“混合”配体手性催化剂等新方法和新策略也在不对称催化氢化反应中得到了应用. 然而, 手性过渡金属络合物催化的不对称氢化研究仍然充满挑战, 也期待新的突破.     

Two novel interpenetrated zinc(II) and cadmium(II) coordination polymers based on 4-imidazole-benzoate: Syntheses,crystal structures and properties

Two novel interpenetrated coordination polymers, [Zn(IBA)₂] _n (1) and {[Cd(IBA)₂(H₂O)]·4H₂O} _n (2), have been synthesized by using 4-imidazole-benzoic acid (HIBA) as ligand under hydrothermal conditions. Complex 1 crystallizes in a chiral space group and has a two-fold interpenetrated 2D network structure with (4,4) topology, while complex 2 is a 3D porous dia network with four nets interpenetrating each other. The SHG activity of 1 and the photoluminescent property of 2 have been investigated. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20731004 & 20721002) and the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB925103)     

Enantiopure inherently chiral calix[4]arene derivatives containing quinolin-2-yl-methanol moiety: Synthesis and application in the catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde

A series of novel N,O-type chiral ligands derived from enantiopure inherently chiral calix[4]arenes containing quinolin-2-yl-methanol moiety in the cone or partial-cone conformation have been synthesized and characterized. Moreover, they have been applied to the catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde, which represents the first example that the inherently chiral calixarene can be used as the chiral ligands for the catalytic asymmetric synthesis.     

Adsorption of TTF,TCNQ and TTF-TCNQ on Au(111): An <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> ECSTM study

The adsorption and adlayer structures of tetrathiofulvalene (TTF), tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and TTF-TCNQ on Au(111) have been systematically investigated by in situ electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (ECSTM) and cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ HClO₄. All the three molecules were found to form well-ordered adlayers in the double-layer potential region of Au(111). For TTF and TCNQ adlayers, (6×3) and (4×7) structures have been observed, respectively. A structural transition was observed on TCNQ adlayer at potential negative of 0.08 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), and induced a new phase with (3 × 12) structure. On the other hand, the charge transfer complex, TTF-TCNQ, self-organized into ordered domains with a lamellar structure different from those of the pure TTF and TCNQ adlayers on Au(111). Its packing arrangement was comparable to surface structures of either single crystal or thin film of TTF-TCNQ. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20673121, 20733004 & 20821003), the National Key Project for Basic Research (Grant Nos. 2006CB806101 & 2006CB932100) and Chinese Academy of Sciences     

Colorimetric and electrochemical Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> detection by imine-bridged tetrathiafulvalene-pyridine derivatives

Imine-bridged TTF-π-pyridine derivatives, 2NTTF, 3NTTF and 4NTTF, were synthesized and the cation-binding study was performed. It is noted that with the addition of the micromolar concentration of Pb²⁺ to the solution, these compounds display remarkable changes in solution color, ¹H NMR spectra and electrochemical properties. The nitrogen atom of the imine-bridge in 2NTTF not only serves as a π-conjugated spacer but also participates in the sensing and coordinating properties. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20732007, 20728506 & 20672122), the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (Grant Nos. 2006CB806105, 2007CB808004, 2007CB936001 & 2009CB-22008) and the Bureau for Basic Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences     

Cationic conjugated polymers for homogeneous and sensitive fluorescence detection of hyaluronidase

The cationic charged water-soluble polyfluorenes containing 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (BT) units (P1–3) have been synthesized and characterized. These polymers demonstrate intramolecular energy transfer from the fluorene units to the BT sites when oppositely charged hyaluronan is added due to the formation of electrostatic complexes, followed by a shift in emission color from blue to green or brown. Upon adding hyaluronidase, the hyaluronan is cleaved into fragments. The relatively weak electrostatic interactions of hyaluronan fragments with polyfluorenes keep their main chains separated and energy transfer from the fluorene units to the BT sites is inefficient, and the polyfluorenes recover their blue emissions. The complexes of conjugated polymers/hyaluronan can be utilized as probes for sensitive and facile fluorescence assays for hyaluronidase. The new assay method interfaces with the aggregation and light harvesting properties of conjugated polymers. Supported by the “100 Talents” Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20725308 & 20721061), and 973 Project (Grant Nos. 2006CB806200 & 2006CB932100)     

Efficient asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes using 3‐hydroxyazetidine derivatives as chiral ligands

A new series of chiral 3‐hydroxyazetidines has been prepared from (S)‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)ethylamine. These ligands have shown excellent catalytic activities and enantiomeric selectivities in asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Catalytic activity correlation of Ni(II), Co(II) and Pd(II) complexes to metal atom net charge

The metal atom net charge correlation (MANCC) method was developed in prediction of catalyst activity of asymmetric late-transition metal complexes, 2-quinoxalinyl-6-iminopyridine Ni (II), 2-imino-1, 10-phenanthroline Co(II) and 2-methoxycarbonyl-6-iminopyridine Pd(II) complexes, from the net charge of the metal atom for ethylene polymerization. Dreiding force field was modified according to the X-ray diffraction data. We found that the asymmetric structure of the complexes resulted in a charge difference between two halogen atoms coordinated to the metal atom. In order to remove such contribution we introduced the effective charge Q _eff, which was obtained by the charge equilibration (QEq) approach. The results verified the successful introduction of Q _eff and showed that the catalytic activities of different complexes are related to central metal atom effective charge. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 90612015, 20674090, and 20474073), and 973 Project (Grant No. 2004CB720606)     

手性二胺的合成及其在催化不对称反应中的应用

手性二胺作为具有良好催化活性和对映选择性的手性配体或手性辅助剂, 在多种催化不对称反应中已经得到广泛应用, 并取到了很好的研究成果. 目前, 手性二胺化学的研究已成为催化不对称化学领域中一个十分活跃和引人注目的研究热点. 综述了手性二胺化学近几年的研究进展.     

Single molecule fluorescence fluctuations of the cyanine dyes linked covalently to DNA

The intersystem crossing and isomerization dynamics of free-Cy3, Cy3-ssDNA, free-Cy5 and Cy5-ssDNA are obtained through simple analysis of rapid on/off blinking from single molecule fluorescence intensity time-traces and the fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). The on- and off-times observed in fluorescence time traces of single cyanine dyes are due to the formation of the triplet state and isomerization, where both the interaction with DNA and long central polymethine chain of cyanine dyes increase the barriers of isomerization, leading to long off-time. The results indicate that the single molecule fluorescence fluctuation together with the resulting second autocorrelation analysis are powerful methods for determining the triplet state and isomerization dynamics, which could be the simple techniques and complementary to other spectroscopic techniques, such as fluorescence decay measurement and laser flash photolysis to study the photophysical processes of complex molecules. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20773139, 20833008 & 20825314), and State Key Project for Fundamental Research (Grant Nos. 2006CB806000 & 2007CB815200)     

Complexation of two non-fully hydrogen bonded aromatic hydrazide heptamers toward <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-octyl-α-L-glucopyranoside in chloroform

Two aromatic hydrazide haptamers have been prepared, with both consisting of two hydrogen bonded folded segments. Compared to their fully hydrogen bonded analogues, the flexibility of their backbones increases due to lack of one or two intramolecular hydrogen bonds at the middle aromatic unit. (2D) ¹H NMR, circular dichroism and fluorescent studies revealed that both oligomers moderately complex n-octyl-α-L-glucopyranoside in chloroform. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos. 20732007, 20621062, 20872167, and 20672137), the National Basic Research Project (Grant No. 2007CB808000) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KJCX2-YW-H13)     

联萘衍生物作为手性配体在二烷基锌和醛不对称加成反应中的应用

光学活性的联萘衍生物作为优异的手性配体应用到不对称催化中已取得了巨大进展,显示出广阔的应用前景,综述了近年来联萘衍生物小分子、树枝状大分子和高分子作为手性配体和其金属络合物作为手性催化剂在二烷基锌和醛不对称加成反应中的应用.     

Unprecedented synthesis of chiral calix[4](aza)crowns and its potent encapsulating methanol

Unprecedented synthesis of chiral (aza)crown ethers of calix[4]arene derivatives bearing a carboxyl amide bridge was described. The synthesis proceeds through condensation of the corresponding dinitriles with optically active 1,2-aminoalcohols,and is catalyzed by the ZnCl2 Lewis acid at elevated temperature in a very efficient one-pot process. The cavity of calix[4](aza)crowns can encapsulate methanol molecules by O—H...π interaction,which has been confirmed by X-ray crystal structures and ESI-MS.     

不对称催化氢甲酰化中高效手性配体的进展

比较系统地总结了应用于不对称催化氢甲酰化方面各类配体的合成、设计思路及性能,侧重于评述高效配体的最新进展.     

A new fluorescent sensor selective for Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> in water capable of two-photon-induced fluorescence measurement

A new fluorescent sensor (1) for Pb²⁺ containing a 1,4-dicyano-2,5-bis(styryl)benzene fluorophore and 2-(N,N′-bis(carboxylmethyl))amino-1-carboxylmethoxylbenzene as receptor has been synthesized. The sensor selectively responds to Pb²⁺ in the aqueous environment, and brings about similar and significant changes in one- and two-photon excited emission spectra: λ _max red-shift from 460 (519) to 590 nm. The selective response is pH-independent in a large physiological pH range, and two-photon action cross section (ϕδ) is 51 GM (1 GM = 1×10⁻⁵⁰ cm⁴·s·photon⁻¹·molecule⁻¹) at 740 nm. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20705621 & 20706008), the National Basic Research Project of China (Grant No. 2009CB724706), the Ministry of Education of China, Changjiang Scholars Innovative Research Team in University (Grant No. IRT0711) and Cultivation Fund of the Key Scientific and Technical Innovation Project (Grant No. 707016)     

Alkali-hydrolysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis>-glucono-delta-lactone studied by chiral Raman and circular dichroism spectroscopies

The alkali-hydrolysis of D-glucono-delta-lactone (GDL) was investigated by chiral Raman and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies in combination with density functional theory calculation. Based on the characteristic CD bands of GDL and its hydrolysis product, the dynamics of hydrolysis was studied using stopped-flow CD method. Using chiral Raman spectroscopy (CRS), the stereochemical change of GDL owing to the hydrolysis reaction was discussed on the vibrational scale. The CRS results show that the ring-opening due to hydrolysis has a great influence on the chiral structure around the carbonyl group, which was evidenced by the disappearance of the CRS band at 1735 cm 1 (C=O stretching vibrational mode). In addition, the change of positions and intensity of CRS bands was also observed, which was ascribed to the perturbation around the C2, C3, C4 and C5 carbons due to ring-opening. It is worthy to note that the stereochemistry of C2, C3, C4 and C5 had no fundamental change during the hydrolysis reaction, which was reflected in the maintenance of the signs of the CRS bands. Our results demonstrate that in comparison with CD technique, CRS may provide more detailed structural information of chiral molecules and open up new vistas of research for chiral reactions. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20621063, 20773123, and 20673110) and Programme for Strategic Scientific Alliances between China and the Netherlands (Grant No. 2008DFB50130) 1) In some reference, chiral Raman spectroscopy (CRS) is also called Raman optical activity (ROA).     

Design of artificial nucleases and studies of their interaction with DNA

The design of artificial nucleases and nuclease mimics has attracted extensive attention and made great progress due to their significant scientific meanings and potential application in the field of gene medicine and molecular biology. This paper reviews recent progress in the investigation of artificial nuclease, including “bifunctional cooperative catalysis”, “dinuclear synergistic catalysis”, “metal-free catalysis”, and especially, the studies of aza-crown ethers as artificial nucleases and their interaction with DNA. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20872061 & 20372032) and the National Basic Research of China (Grant No. 2007CB925103)