A bifunctional platinum(II) complex capable of intercalation and hydrogen-bonding interactions with DNA: binding studies and cytotoxicity

The interactions of [Pt(CNN)(4-dpt)]PF(6), (1; 4-dpt=2,4-diamino-6-(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine, HCNN=6-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine) with double-stranded DNA, poly(dA-dT)(2), and poly(dG-dC)(2) were examined by spectroscopic, electrophoretic, and hydrodynamic methods. The spectroscopic data were analyzed with McGhee, van't Hoff, and Gibbs-Helmholtz equations. In a comparative study, [Pt(CNN)(py)]PF(6) (2; py=pyridine) was prepared and the nature of its binding towards DNA was investigated [preliminary results: ChemBioChem 2003, 4, 62-68]. For reactions with calf thymus DNA at 20 degrees C, the intrinsic binding constants for 1 and 2 are (4.6+/-0.2)x10(5) and (2.3+/-0.3)x10(4) mol(-1) dm(3), respectively. Results of DNA-binding reactions revealed that 1 and 2 preferentially bind to the AT sequence of duplex DNA. Intercalation is the preferred binding mode for 2, whereas both intercalation and minor-groove binding are observed for 1. Complex 1 is cytotoxic against a number of carcinoma cell lines, including KB-3-1, CNE-3, and HepG2, and remains potent against multidrug- or cisplatin-resistant KB-V-1 and CNE1 cell lines, for which the resistance ratios are 1.6 and 1.5, respectively. Importantly, 1 is almost an order of magnitude less toxic to the normal cell line CCD-19Lu (IC(50)=176+/-1.7 microM) and it selectively induced apoptosis leading to cancer cell death with less than 5 % detectable necrosis.     

Reactivity of dioxoruthenium(VI) porphyrins toward amines. Synthesis and characterization of bis(arylamine)ruthenium(II), bis(arylamido)- and bis(diphenylamido)ruthenium(IV), and oxo(tert-butylimido)ruthenium(VI) porphyrins

Reactions of dioxoruthenium(VI) porphyrins, [Ru(VI)O2(Por)], with p-chloroaniline, trimethylamine, tert-butylamine, p-nitroaniline, and diphenylamine afforded bis(amine)ruthenium(II) porphyrins, [Ru(II)(Por)(L)2] (L-p-ClC6H4NH2, Me3N, Por=TTP, 4-Cl-TPP; L=tBuNH2, Por = TPP, 3,4,5-MeO-TPP, TTP, 4-Cl-TPP, 3,5-Cl-TPP) and bis(amido)ruthenium(IV) porphyrins, [Ru(IV)(Por)(X)2] (X=p-NO2C6H4NH, Por=TTP, 4-Cl-TPP; X = Ph2N, Por = 3,4,5-MeO-TPP, 3,5-Cl-TPP), respectively. Oxidative deprotonation of [Ru(II)(Por)(NH2-p-C6H4Cl)2] in chloroform by air generated bis(arylamido)ruthenium(IV) porphyrins, [RuIV(Por)(NH-p-C6H4Cl)2] (Por=TTP. 4-Cl-TPP). Oxidation of [RuII(Por)-(NH2tBu)2] by bromine in dichloromethane in the presence of tert-butylamine and traces of water produced oxo(imido)ruthenium(VI) porphyrins, [RuVI-O(Por)(NtBu)] (Por=TPP, 3,4,5-MeO-TPP, TTP, 4-Cl-TPP, 3,5-Cl-TPP). These new classes of ruthenium complexes were characterized by 1H NMR, IR, and UV/visible spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The structure of [Ru(IV)(TTP)(NH-p-C6H4Cl)2 . CH2Cl2 was determined by X-ray crystallography. The Ru-N bond length and the Ru-N-C angle of the Ru-NHAr moiety are 1.956(7) A and 135.8(6) degrees, respectively.     

Bis axial ligation of simple imine and methyleneamido groups by ruthenium porphyrins

Bis(N-ethylideneethanamine)ruthenium(ii) porphyrins, [Ru11(Por)(N(Et)=CHMe)2] (Por=TTP, 4-Cl-TPP), were prepared by the reaction of dioxoruthenium(VI) porphyrins with triethylamine in approximately 85% yields. The reaction between dioxoruthenium(VI) porphyrins and benzophenone imine afforded bis(diphenylmethyleneamido)ruthenium(IV) porphyrins, [Ru(IV)(Por)(N=CPh2)2] (Por=TTP, 3,4,5-MeO-TPP), in approximately 65% yields. These new classes of metalloporphyrins were characterized by 1H NMR, UV/Vis, and IR spectroscopy as well as by mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The X-ray crystallographic structures of [Ru(II)(TTP)(N(Et)=CHMe)2] and [Ru(IV)(3,4,5-MeO-TPP)(N=CPh2)2] revealed an axial Ru-N bond length of 2.115(6) A for the imine complex and 1.896(8) A for the methyleneamido complex. Each of the N=CPh2 axial groups in [Ru(IV)(3,4,5-MeO-TPP)(N=CPh2)2] adopts a linear coordination mode with a corresponding Ru-N-C angle of 175.9(9)degrees. Spectral and structural studies revealed essentially single bonding character for the bis(imine) complexes but a multiple bonding character for the bis(methyleneamido) complexes with respect to their axial Ru-N bonds.     

Synergistic Effect of Boron Nitride and Carbon Domains in Boron Carbide Nitride Nanotube Supported Single-Atom Catalysts for Efficient Nitrogen Fixation

Developing the low-cost and efficient single-atom catalysts (SACs) for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is of great importance while remains as a great challenge. The catalytic activity, selectivity and durability are all fundamentally related to the elaborate coordination environment of SACs. Using first-principles calculations, we investigated the SACs with single transition metal (TM) atom supported on defective boron carbide nitride nanotubes (BCNTs) as NRR electrocatalysts. Our results suggest that boron-vacancy defects on BCNTs can strongly immobilize TM atoms with large enough binding energy and high thermal/structural stability. Importantly, the synergistic effect of boron nitride (BN) and carbon domains comes up with the modifications of the charge polarization of single-TM-atom active site and the electronic properties of material, which has been proven to be the essential key to promote N₂ adsorption, activation, and reduction. Specifically, six SACs (namely V, Mn, Fe, Mo, Ru, and W atoms embedded into defective BCNTs) can be used as promising candidates for NRR electrocatalysts as their NRR activity is higher than the state-of-the art Ru(0001) catalyst. In particular, single Mo atom supported on defective BCNTs with large tube diameter possesses the highest NRR activity while suppressing the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction, with a low limiting potential of −0.62 V via associative distal path. This work suggests new opportunities for driving NH₃ production by carbon-based single-atom electrocatalysts under ambient conditions.     

Intramolecular Nitrene Insertion into Saturated C−H-Bond-Mediated C−N Bond Cleavage of a Coordinated NHC Ligand

Ruthenium(II) complexes bearing a tridentate bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) ligand reacted with iminoiodanes (PhI=NR) resulting in the formation of isolable ruthenium(III)–amido intermediates, which underwent cleavage of a C−N bond of the tridentate ligand and formation of an N-substituted imine group. The Ru^III–amido intermediates have been characterized by ¹H NMR, UV/Vis, ESI-MS, and X-ray crystallography. DFT calculations were performed to provide insight into the reaction mechanism.     

Synthesis and proton conductivity of sulfonated,multi‐phenylated poly(arylene ether)s

A series of sterically‐encumbered, sulfonated, poly(arylene ether) copolymers were synthesized and their proton conductivity examined. The series was prepared by copolymerizing a novel monomer, 2″,3″,5″,6″‐tetraphenyl‐[1,1′:4',1″:4″,1″':4″',1″″‐quinquephenyl]‐4,4″″‐diol, with 4,4'‐difluorobenzophenone and bisphenol A. Subsequent sulfonation and solution casting provided membranes possessing ion exchange capacities of 1.9 to 2.7 mmol/g and excellent mechanical properties (Young's modulus, 0.2–1.2 GPa; tensile strength, 35–70 MPa; elongation at break, 62–231%). Water uptake ranged from 34 to 98 wt% at 80 °C/100% RH. Proton conductivities ranged between 0.24 to 16 mS/cm at 80 °C/60% RH, and 3 to 167 mS/cm at 80 °C/95% RH. TEM analysis of the polymers, in the dehydrated state, revealed isolated spherical aggregates of ions, which presumably coalesce when hydrated to provide highly conductive pathways. The strategy of using highly‐encumbered polymer frameworks for the design of mechanically‐robust and dimensionally‐stable proton conducting membranes is demonstrated. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2579‐2587     

Double‐crosslinked reversible redox‐responsive hydrogels based on disulfide–thiol interchange

We present novel redox‐responsive hydrogels based on poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) or poly(acrylamide), consisting of a reversible disulfide crosslinking agent N,N′‐bis(acryloyl)cystamine and a permanent crosslinking agent N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide for microfluidic applications. The mechanism of swelling/deswelling behavior starts with the cleavage and reformation of disulfide bonds, leading to a change of crosslinking density and crosslinking points. Raman and ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy confirm that conversion efficiency of thiol–disulfide interchange up to 99%. Rheological analysis reveals that the E modulus of hydrogel is dependent on the crosslinking density and can be repeatedly manipulated between high‐ and low‐stiffness states over at least 5 cycles without significant decrease. Kinetic studies showed that the mechanical strength of the gels changes as the redox reaction proceeds. This process is much faster than the autonomous diffusion in the hydrogel. Moreover, cooperative diffusion coefficient (D_coop) indicates that the swelling process of the hydrogel is affected by the reduction reaction. Finally, this reversibly switchable redox behavior of bulky hydrogel could be proven in microstructured hydrogel dots through short‐term photopatterning process. These hydrogel dots on glass substrates also showed the desired short response time on cyclic swelling and shrinking processes known from downsized hydrogel shapes. Such stimuli‐responsive hydrogels with redox‐sensitive crosslinkers open a new pathway in exchanging analytes for sensing and separating in microfluidics applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 2590–2601     

The high response organic ultraviolet photodetectors based on 2-TNATA as donor

Organic ultraviolet photodetectors (OUV-PDs) were fabricated utilizing 2-TNATA as an electron donor with Bphen and TPBi as electron acceptors. A high sensitivity of OUV-PDs to UV light was obtained in the range of 300–420 nm. The optimized OUV-PDs composed of Bphen as the acceptor offered a photocurrent density up to 336 µA/cm² at ?8 V with 365 nm UV light at a power of 1.2 mW/cm². The high response is attributed to the excellent electron transport ability of Bphen and the matched energy level between 2-TNATA and Bphen.