In Situ Formation of Polymeric Nanoassemblies Using an Efficient Reversible Click Reaction

Polymer–drug conjugates are promising as strategies for drug delivery, because of their high drug loading capacity and low premature release profile. However, the preparation of these conjugates is often tedious. In this paper, we report an efficient method for polymer–drug conjugates using an ultrafast and reversible click reaction in a post‐polymerization functionalization strategy. The reaction is based on the rapid condensation of boronic acid functionalities with salicylhydroxamates. The polymer, bearing the latter functionality, has been designed such that the reaction with boronic acid bearing drugs induces an in situ self‐assembly of the conjugates to form well‐defined nanostructures. We show that this method is not only applicable for molecules with an intrinsic boronic acid group, but also for the other molecules that can be linked to aryl boronic acids through a self‐immolative linker. The linker has been designed to cause traceless release of the attached drug molecules, the efficiency of which has been demonstrated through intracellular delivery.     

Mass spectrometric studies on the formation of chiral N-sulphonylated oxazaborolidinones

The formation of N-tosyl-2-phenyl-1,3,2-oxazaborolidin-5-one 1 as a result of a condensation reaction between N-tosyl valine 2 and phenyl boronic acid was studied as a model of the formation of chiral oxazaborolidines used as Lewis acidic catalysts for various enantioselective syntheses. Intermediates of the formation of 1 along with those arising from further reactions (of 1) were investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Results of the study indicate that one phenyl boronic acid may react with one or two molecules of 2 and/or with one or two molecules of phenyl boronic acid. In addition, side-products implying dephenylation of 1 and self-condensation of phenyl boronic acid (formation of triphenylboroxine) were found.     

Synthesis of ferrocene boronic acid-based block copolymers via RAFT polymerization and their micellization,redox responsive and glucose sensing properties

Current study is focused on the synthesis of three novel diblock copolymers poly(2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl ferrocene carboxylate-b-polymethyl vinyl amido phenyl boronic acid, poly(2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl ferrocene carboxylate-b-poly vinylamido phenyl boronic acid and poly(2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl ferrocene carboxylate-b-polystyrene boronic acid using S-methoxycarbonylphenylmethyl dithiobenzoate as reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization agent. The synthesized block copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Detailed micellization behaviour of poly(2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl ferrocene carboxylate-b-polymethyl vinyl amido phenyl boronic acid (in binary organic solvents mixture and aqueous solution) was studied. Comparative studies of micellization showed that the larger aggregates were obtained in binary organic solvents system than during dialysis in aqueous medium. The redox responsive behaviour of poly(2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl ferrocene carboxylate-b-polymethyl vinyl amido phenyl boronic acid was investigated by water soluble oxidizing (Ammonium cerium nitrate) and reducing (Sodium hydrogen sulphite) agents. Glucose binding/sensing properties of poly(2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl ferrocene carboxylate-b-polymethyl vinyl amido phenyl boronic acid were also explored by micellization. It was found that the increase in polarity and swelling of poly(2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl ferrocene carboxylate-b-polymethyl vinyl amidophenyl boronic acid micelles was due to the redox behaviour of ferrocene, while binding of glucose with boronic acids hydroxyls appears as unimers or small aggregates.     

Benchtop monitoring of reaction progress via visual recognition with a handheld UV lamp: in situ monitoring of boronic acids in the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction

[reaction: see text] Although boronic acids are widely used in metal-catalyzed reactions, it is difficult to assay their consumption. As such, we developed a reversible fluorescent sensor that is activated upon binding a boronic acid. The sensor can be used to monitor consumption of a boronic acid in Suzuki-Miyaura reactions. Importantly, only a standard handheld long-wave UV lamp (365 nm) is required and fluorescence is easily detectable with the naked eye without disturbing the reaction mixture.     

The Development of Boronic Acids as Sensors and Separation Tools

Synthetic receptors for diols that incorporate boronic acid motifs have been developed as new sensors and separation tools. Utilizing the reversible interactions of diols with boronic acids to form boronic esters under new binding regimes has provided new hydrogel constructs that have found use as dye‐displacement sensors and electrophoretic separation tools; similarly, molecular boronic‐acid‐containing chemosensors were constructed that offer applications in the sensing of diols. This review provides a somewhat‐personal perspective of developments in boronic‐acid‐mediated sensing and separation, placed in the context of the seminal works of others in the area, as well as offering a concise summary of the contributions of the co‐authors in the area. DOI 10.1002/tcr.201200006     

Direct analysis of polyols using 3-nitrophenylboronic acid in capillary electrophoresis: thermodynamic and electrokinetic principles of molecular recognition

The design of boronic acid sensors for photometric detection of carbohydrates has relied on exploiting differences in the thermodynamic stability of complex formation for molecular recognition. Herein, we introduce a direct method for analysis of sugar alcohols using 3-nitrophenylboronic acid (NPBA) as an electrokinetic probe in capillary electrophoresis (CE). Dynamic complexation of neutral polyols by NPBA during electromigration allows for their simultaneous resolution and UV detection based on formation of an anionic ternary boronate ester complex in phosphate buffer. Unlike conventional boronic acid sensors, thermodynamic and electrokinetic processes in CE allow for improved selectivity for the resolution of sugar alcohol stereoisomers having different vicinal polyol chain lengths even in cases when binding affinity is similar due to differences in their complex mobility. Three complementary approaches were investigated to compare the thermodynamics of polyol chelation with NPBA, namely direct binding assays by CE, UV absorbance spectroscopy and an indirect pK _a depression method. Overall, CE offers a convenient platform for characterization of reversible arylboronic acid interactions in free solution while allowing for direct analysis of complex mixtures of neutral/UV-transparent polyols without complicated sample handling.     

Amperometric biosensor based on immobilization of acetylcholinesterase via specific binding on biocompatible boronic acid-functionalized Fe@Au magnetic nanoparticles

A new method based on specific binding between glycoprotein acetylcholinesterase and boronic acid-functionalized Fe@Au magnetic nanoparticles was presented for the development of acetylcholinesterase biosensor. Alginate–graphene composite-modified electrode was firstly prepared as the substrate. Then, biocompatible boronic acid-functionalized Fe@Au magnetic nanoparticles were anchored by the covalence between the cis-diol of alginate and the boronic acid group on Fe@Au nanoparticles. Acetylcholinesterase was subsequently immobilized via the bonding between the glycosyl of acetylcholinesterase and the boronic acid group. The immobilized enzyme retained relatively high bioactivity and the fabricated biosensor exhibited high sensitivity and fast response to acetylthiocholine chloride. Based on enzyme inhibition, carbamate pesticide was detected using Furadan as a model compound. Two linear ranges of 0.05–15 and 15–400?ppb were obtained with a detection limit of 0.01?ppb. The biosensor also showed acceptable reproducibility and relatively good storage stability. Moreover, satisfactory results were obtained in the real sample analysis.     

Cyclization of peptoids by formation of boronate esters

Introduction of conformational constraints into peptoids (N-substituted oligoglycines) will enable new applications in molecular recognition and self-assembly. Peptoids that contain both a phenylboronic acid side chain and a vicinal diol cyclize by intramolecular condensation to form boronate esters. A fluorescent indicator of free boronic acid was used to assay esterification. A galactose moiety 2 to 5 monomer units away from a boronic acid side chain in a peptoid reacts with the boronic acid in competition with the indicator. The intramolecular reaction predominates in each case, with 80-90% of the peptoid cyclized. When the diol is a simple 2,3-dihydroxypropyl group, esterification is less favored but still appreciable.     

Switchable Surface Wettability by Using Boronic Ester Chemistry

Here, we report for the first time the use of a boronic ester as an efficient tool for reversible surface post‐functionalization. The boronic ester bond allows surfaces to be reversibly switched from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. Based on the well‐known boronic acid/glycol affinity, this strategy offers the opportunity to play with surface hydrophobic properties by adding various boronic acids onto substrates bearing glycol groups. The post‐functionalization can then be reversed to regenerate the starting glycol surface. This pathway allows for the preparation of various switchable surfaces for a large range of applications in biosensors, liquid transportation, and separation membranes.     

Single‐Molecule Determination of the Isomers of d‐Glucose and d‐Fructose that Bind to Boronic Acids

Monosaccharides, such as d ‐glucose and d ‐fructose, exist in aqueous solution as an equilibrium mixture of cyclic isomers and can be detected with boronic acids by the reversible formation of boronate esters. The engineering of accurate, discriminating and continuous monitoring devices relies on knowledge of which cyclic isomer of a sugar binds to a boronic acid receptor. Herein, by monitoring fluctuations in ionic current, we show that an engineered α‐hemolysin (αHL) nanopore modified with a boronic acid reacts reversibly with d ‐glucose as the pyranose isomer (α‐d ‐glucopyranose) and d ‐fructose as either the furanose (β‐d ‐fructofuranose) or the pyranose (β‐d ‐fructopyranose). Both of these binding modes contradict current binding models. With this knowledge, we distinguished the individual sugars in a mixture of d ‐maltose, d ‐glucose, and d ‐fructose.     

New fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensors based on the rhodamine and boronic acid groups for the detection of Hg

Novel rhodamine B (RB) derivatives bearing mono and bis-boronic acid groups were investigated as Hg²⁺ selective fluorescent and colorimetric sensors. These derivatives are first examples of reversible fluorescent chemosensors for Hg²⁺ which utilized boronic acid groups as binding sites. Two new RB-boronic acid derivatives displayed selective ‘Off-On’-type fluorescent enhancements and distinct color changes with Hg²⁺. Selective fluorescent enhancement of two rhodamine derivatives was attributed to ring opening from the spirolactam (nonfluorescent) to ring-opened amide (fluorescent).     

Substitution and condensation reactions with poly(anilineboronic acid): reactivity and characterization of thin films

Poly(anilineboronic acid) thin films are treated under various conditions to achieve substitution or condensation reactions involving the boronic acid moiety. These reactions are studied with polarization modulated infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results suggest the single-step formation of substituted polyanilines, such as poly(hydroxyaniline), halogenated polyanilines, and mercury chloride-substituted polyaniline. A condensation reaction of poly(anilineboronic acid) with cis-diol compounds in aqueous solution, as well as with phenylenebisboronic acid and salycilamide in THF, indicates the formation of boronic esters. The latter reactions appear to be a good entry point for the formation of complex or supramolecular polymer structures.     

“Clickable” affinity ligands for effective separation of glycoproteins

In this paper, we present a new modular approach to immobilize boronic acid ligands that can offer effective separation of glycoproteins. A new “clickable” boronic acid ligand was synthesized by introducing a terminal acetylene group into commercially available 3-aminophenyl boronic acid. The clickable ligand, 3-(prop-2-ynyloxycarbonylamino)phenylboronic acid (2) could be easily coupled to azide-functionalized hydrophilic Sepharose using Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction under mild condition. Compared to other boronic acid affinity gels, the new affinity gel displayed superior effectiveness in separating model glycoproteins (ovalbumin and RNase B) from closely related bovine serum albumin and RNase A in the presence of crude Escherichia coli proteins. Because of the simplicity of the immobilization through “click chemistry”, the new ligand 2 is expected to not only offer improved glycoprotein separation in other formats, but also act as a useful building block to develop new chemical sensors for analysis of other glycan compounds.     

Regio- and stereoselective glycosylation of 2-(o-dihydroxyborylbenzyl) thioglucoside and unprotected methyl glycosides

A highly regio- and stereoselective glycosylation of a boronic acid-containing thioglucoside and unprotected methyl glycosides is described. A boronic acid moiety was installed at the ortho-position of the 2-O-benzyl group of a thioglucosyl donor. This provides transient partial protection for the unprotected glycosyl acceptor upon condensation and concomitantly prearranged the acceptor with respect to the donor for the ensuing intramolecular glycosylation.     

Dioxazaborocanes: old adducts, new tricks

Dioxazaborocanes are boronic adducts obtained by condensation of diethanolamine derivatives with boronic compounds. They were first described in the mid-1950's as a practical way to isolate a boronic adduct. Their use has for a long time been restricted to this purpose for the isolation and characterisation of either a final product or a boronic intermediate. Only recently have they been directly involved in chemical transformations in which they proved equivalent or superior to their acid counterpart. In the meantime they have also been used as protected boronic acids. We wish to show in this report that they will likely represent a fluoride-free alternative to organotrifluoroborate salts and therefore an area of intense development.     

Structural transformations of carboxyl acids networks induced by concentration and oriented external electric field

The effects of concentration and an oriented external electric field on the transformations of hydrogenbonded structures of trimesic acid(TMA) and terephthalic acid(TPA) have been investigated at a liquidsolid interface by scanning tunneling microscopy(STM).The triangular periodic TMA framework can be transformed into a flower-like structure by changing the STM sample bias sign in situ.Networks of TMA and TPA are porous at a negative substrate bias,but typically change to relatively compact forms when the polarity of the applied bias is reversed.This change is reversible if the applied bias is reversed.The effects have potentials to locally control the capture and release of analytes in host-guest systems and the 2D morphology in multicomponent layers.     

一种含氧供电基团的染料合成及其光伏性能

以对溴苯酚为原料,经碘丁烷的烷基化后,与硼酸三甲酯反应生成对丁氧基苯硼酸.环戊二噻吩经N-溴代丁二酰亚胺(NBS)的溴化和Vilsmeier-Haack反应,再与对丁氧基苯硼酸偶联、氰基乙酸缩合,生成目标化合物环戊二噻吩基光敏染料(L1).该化合物是一种以含氧基团为给体,环戊二噻吩作为共轭桥的有机染料,将其制备成有机染料敏化太阳能电池,在AM 1.5,100 mW/cm2的光强下,电池的单色光的光电转换效率(IPCE)值达到62%,开路电压(Voc)为535mV,短路电流密度(Jsc)为6.4mA·cm-2,填充因子(FF)为0.60,总光电转换效率为2.1%.     

The effect of boronic acid acidity on performance of viologen-based boronic acids in a two-component optical glucose-sensing system

A two-component saccharide sensing system using the fluorescent dye, hydroxypyrene trisulfonic acid, combined with a boronic acid functional viologen as a receptor/quencher in pH 7.4 buffer solution has been further investigated. The effect of substituents on the acidity of the boronic acid was measured. The boronic acid pK_a changed in the expected manner when electron donating or withdrawing groups were present. The glucose binding constants were dependent on pK_a, but no simple correlation was observed for the Stern-Volmer quenching constants and the fluorescence signal modulation.     

Triple responsive block copolymers combining pH‐responsive,thermoresponsive, and glucose‐responsive behaviors

Polymers with multiple tunable responses were achieved by incorporating boronic acid functionality along the backbone of a thermoresponsive polymer. The inherent Lewis acidity and diol‐sensitivity of boronic acid moieties allowed these polymers to respond to changes in pH and glucose concentration. Through reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer copolymerization of boronic acid‐containing monomers with N‐isopropylacrylamide, well‐defined block copolymers were synthesized containing a hydrophilic N,N‐dimethylacrylamide block and a second, responsive block with temperature‐dependent water solubility, making the resulting polymers capable of self‐assembly into nanostructures upon heating. By incorporating boronic acids within the thermoresponsive block, the cloud point of the polymer depended on the solution conditions, including pH and diol concentration, allowing tunable cloud point ranges. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2309–2317     

Ethylene polymerization catalyzed by nickel-based complex combined with various modified EBAOs

A series of novel aluminoxanes, ethyl-isobutylalulminoxanes (EBAO) modified with n-butaneboronic acid, phenylboronic acid and 4-fluorobenzeneboronic acid are synthesized. The ethylene polymerization activity of [diacetyl-bis(2,6-diisopropylanil)] NiBr₂(1)/different aluminoxanes were investigated. It is found that boronic acid greatly affects the catalytic activity of modified EBAO. Bulky substituted boronic site of EBAO improved ethylene polymerization activity of nickel complex.