Molecular Encapsulation of Trimeric Chromium Carboxylate Clusters in Metal–Organic Frameworks and Propylene Sorption

Oxo-bridged trimeric chromium acetate clusters [Cr₃O(OOCCH₃)₆(H₂O)₃]NO₃ have been encapsulated for the first time in the mesoporous cages of the chromium terephthalate MIL-101(Cr). The isolated clusters in MIL-101(Cr) have increased affinity towards propylene compared to propane, due to generation of a new kind of pocket-based propylene-binding site, as supported by DFT calculations.     

Y沸石和多级孔Y沸石封装CuPhen配合物催化性能的比较

选用常规Y沸石和经后处理法制备的多级孔Y沸石为主体,采用自由配体法将铜菲咯啉(CuPhen)配合物封装在不同Y沸石中,制备了CuPhen/Y复合催化材料。采用X射线衍射、TEM、紫外-可见光谱、N_2吸附-脱附、ICP和TG等手段对所制备复合催化材料的物化性质进行了较为详细的表征,并对封装在不同Y沸石主体中的铜配合物在不同尺寸大小反应底物中的催化氧化性能进行了比较研究。结果表明,在以双氧水为氧化剂的反应体系中,封装于多级孔Y沸石中的铜配合物在不同环烷烃氧化反应中的催化活性均高于封装在常规Y沸石中的催化活性,体现出多级孔Y沸石更为优越的主体性能。此外,同封装于常规Y沸石中的铜配合物一样,封装在多级孔Y沸石主体中的金属配合物催化剂也具有良好的稳定性。     

A study of binding interactions between terpyridine derivatives and cucurbit[10]uril

The binding interactions of a series of 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (TPY) derivatives and their metal complexes with cucurbit[10]uril (CB[10]) were investigated by ¹H NMR, UV/Vis, emission spectroscopy, and ESI mass spectrometry. ¹H NMR titrations revealed CB[10] could encapsulate methylated TPY (MTPY), and the binding ratio between guest MTPY and host was 1:1 and 2:1 via ESI-MS characterization. For the transition metal complexes composed of Fe(II) or Ru(II) or Rh(III) and TPY derivatives, the octahedral TPY?metal?TPY core can be included in the cavity of CB[10]. Three binding modes (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) have been detected for the binding of the metal?MPTY complexes with CB[10] by ESI-MS.     

Spherical and Worm‐Like Micelles from Fructose‐Functionalized Polyether Block Copolymers

This paper presents the synthesis and characterization of d ‐fructose modified poly(ethylene glycol) (Fru‐PEG) and fructose modified poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(ethyl hexyl glycidyl ether) (Fru‐PEG‐b‐PEHG) that are both prepared by initiation with isopropyliden protected fructose, followed by deprotection of the sugar. The block copolymers are self‐assembled into micelles, and are subsequently characterized by cryo‐TEM and dynamic light scattering. The fluorescent dye Nile red is encapsulated as a model hydrophobic compound and fluorescent marker to perform initial uptake tests with breast cancer cells. The uptake of sugar and nonsugar decorated micelles is compared.     

Targeted Gastrointestinal Delivery of Nutraceuticals with Polysaccharide‐Based Coatings

Oral delivery is one of the facile methods for the administration of active ingredients (AIs) like nutraceuticals and drugs. However, its intrinsic disadvantages include poor absorption and bioavailability, degradation of the AI during transit through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and a lack of action specificity. Hence, a delivery system for targeted gastrointestinal delivery of AI using polysaccharide‐based polymers, that are generally recognized as safe and approved for use as a direct food additive, is proposed. In this regard, mucoadhesive chitosan nanoparticles that could adhere to the mucosa of the GIT are fabricated and encapsulated with AI. These particles are subsequently coated with polysaccharides that have different enzymatic susceptibilities, to allow for specific degradation in the small or large intestines. It is observed that the polysaccharide coating efficiently retarded the nonspecific release of the encapsulated agent until it is exposed to its intended environment of release. The cytotoxicity and uptake of chitosan nanoparticles is further evaluated on Caco2 cells. In conclusion, these polysaccharide‐coated nanoparticles can potentially be targeted to different organs in the GIT and to be taken up by the enterocytes for improved oral bioavailability.     

Complexation and Fluorescence of Tricyclic Basic Dyes Encapsulated in Cucurbiturils

Tricyclic basic dyes (proflavine, acridine orange, pyronine, pyronine Y, oxonine, thionine and methylene blue) often form one‐to‐one or two‐to‐one complexes with CB[7] and CB[8], respectively. In the case of pyronine Y, the complexes with CB[7] and CB[8] have a one‐to‐one and three‐to‐one stoichiometry, respectively. The binding constants for CB[7] complexes range from 3.07×10⁶ to 1.70×10⁷ m ^?1. In the case of CB[8], the association constant varies between 3.24×10¹³ and 2.50×10¹⁶ m ^?2. Overall, these binding constants are four orders of magnitude higher than those reported for the same dyes in β and γ‐cyclodextrins. Formation of the host–guest complexes leads to an increase in the fluorescence quantum yields in the case of CB[7], while the dimeric or trimeric dye encapsulated in CB[8] are remarkably less fluorescent than the same dye in diluted solutions.     

无皂乳液聚合法制备聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯包覆厚度可控的纳米核-壳二氧化硅微球

用改进的Stöber法和无皂乳液聚合法制备窄分布的二氧化硅/PMMA核-壳纳米微球. 用改进的Stöber法将3-乙氧基甲基丙烯酸丙基硅烷(MPS)修饰在纳米的二氧化硅表面后, 用无皂乳液聚合法制备核-壳纳米微球. 该法简单有效且得到厚度均匀的聚合物包覆层. 随着单体MMA用量的增加, 用动态光散射法测量, PMMA壳层的厚度从6.4 nm增加到96.3 nm. 热重分析表明, PMMA的含量从22.25%增加到93.41%. 扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜结果表明, 得到的是包覆良好、表面光滑的核-壳无机/聚合物纳米微球.     

Gelation Kinetics and Mechanical Properties of Thiol-Tetrazole Methylsulfone Hydrogels Designed for Cell Encapsulation

Hydrogel precursors that crosslink within minutes are essential for the development of cell encapsulation matrices and their implementation in automated systems. Such timescales allow sufficient mixing of cells and hydrogel precursors under low shear forces and the achievement of homogeneous networks and cell distributions in the 3D cell culture. The previous work showed that the thiol-tetrazole methylsulfone (TzMS) reaction crosslinks star-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels within minutes at around physiological pH and can be accelerated or slowed down with small pH changes. The resulting hydrogels are cytocompatible and stable in cell culture conditions. Here, the gelation kinetics and mechanical properties of PEG-based hydrogels formed by thiol-TzMS crosslinking as a function of buffer, crosslinker structure and degree of TzMS functionality are reported. Crosslinkers of different architecture, length and chemical nature (PEG versus peptide) are tested, and degree of TzMS functionality is modified by inclusion of RGD cell-adhesive ligand, all at concentration ranges typically used in cell culture. These studies corroborate that thiol/PEG-4TzMS hydrogels show gelation times and stiffnesses that are suitable for 3D cell encapsulation and tunable through changes in hydrogel composition. The results of this study guide formulation of encapsulating hydrogels for manual and automated 3D cell culture.