Cyanide Bridged Platinum-Iron Complexes as Cisplatin Prodrug Systems: Design and Computational Study

The potential role of cyanide-bridged platinum-iron complexes as an anti-cancer Pt(IV) prodrug is studied. We present design principles of a dual-function prodrug that can upon reduction dissociate and release concurrently six cisplatin units and a ferricyanide anion per prodrug unit. The prodrug molecule is a unique complex of hepta metal centers consisting of a ferricyanide core with six Pt(IV) centers each bonded to the Fe(III) core through a cyano ligand. The functionality of the prodrug is addressed through density functional theory (DFT) calculations.     

Influence of Potassium Metal-Support Interactions on Dendrite Growth

Combined synchrotron X-ray nanotomography imaging, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and modeling elucidate how potassium (K) metal-support energetics influence electrodeposit microstructure. Three model supports are employed: O-functionalized carbon cloth (potassiophilic, fully-wetted), non-functionalized cloth and Cu foil (potassiophobic, nonwetted). Nanotomography and focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) cross-sections yield complementary three-dimensional (3D) maps of cycled electrodeposits. Electrodeposit on potassiophobic support is a triphasic sponge, with fibrous dendrites covered by solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and interspersed with nanopores (sub-10 nm to 100 nm scale). Lage cracks and voids are also a key feature. On potassiophilic support, the deposit is dense and pore-free, with uniform surface and SEI morphology. Mesoscale modeling captures the critical role of substrate-metal interaction on K metal film nucleation and growth, as well as the associated stress state.     

Synthetic K+ Channels Constructed by Rebuilding the Core Modules of Natural K+ Channels in an Artificial System

Different types of natural K⁺ channels share similar core modules and cation permeability characteristics. In this study, we have developed novel artificial K⁺ channels by rebuilding the core modules of natural K⁺ channels in artificial systems. All the channels displayed high selectivity for K⁺ over Na⁺ and exhibited a selectivity sequence of K⁺≈Rb⁺ during the transport process, which is highly consistent with the cation permeability characteristics of natural K⁺ channels. More importantly, these artificial channels could be efficiently inserted into cell membranes and mediate the transmembrane transport of K⁺, disrupting the cellular K⁺ homeostasis and eventually triggering the apoptosis of cells. These findings demonstrate that, by rebuilding the core modules of natural K⁺ channels in artificial systems, the structures, transport behaviors, and physiological functions of natural K⁺ channels can be mimicked in synthetic channels.     

New green process to increase the solubility of soil fertilizer based on Potassium Nitrate (KNO3)

Fertilization is the set of operations that consists of fertilizing the soil so that the plant finds all these mineral nutrition needs, among these nutrients is found potassium nitrate (KNO₃), as an important source of two elements which are nitrogen (N) and potassium (K). The need for potassium nitrate for plants will increase dramatically as its demand for nutrition growing up. However, the application of this potassium in fertilization is limited by a physicochemical parameter which is solubility. The availability of potassium and nitrogen in ionic form, which can be assimilated by the plant, is closely related to its solubility in irrigation water. Herein, we have chosen three experimental parameters such as the KNO₃ content, the magnetization time, and the type of water, to optimize the factors which have the maximum effect on KNO₃ solubility.We adopted a model from nine experiments performed with Minitab software, which informed us that the solubility of KNO₃ in irrigation water is strongly influenced by water type, magnetization time and KNO₃ content. The best conditions which allow the best solubility of potassium nitrate are 24% KNO₃, 30 ​min of water magnetization, and salt water (SW).     

Bis(4-benzhydryl-benzoxazol-2-yl)methane – from a Bulky NacNac Alternative to a Trianion in Alkali Metal Complexes

A novel sterically demanding bis(4-benzhydryl-benzoxazol-2-yl)methane ligand 6 (^4−BzhH2BoxCH₂) was gained in a straightforward six-step synthesis. Starting from this ligand monomeric [M(^4-BzhH2BoxCH)] (M=Na ( 7 ), K ( 8₁ )) and dimeric [{M(^4-BzhH2BoxCH)}₂] (M=K ( 8₂ ), Rb ( 9 ), Cs ( 10 )) alkali metal complexes were synthesised by deprotonation. Abstraction of the potassium ion of 8 by reaction with 18-crown-6 resulted in the solvent separated ion pair [{(THF)₂K@(18-crown-6)}{bis(4-benzhydryl-benzoxazol-2-yl)methanide}] ( 11 ), including the energetically favoured monoanionic (E,E)-(^4-BzhH2BoxCH) ligand. Further reaction of ^4−BzhH2BoxCH₂ with three equivalents KH and two equivalents 18-crown-6 yielded polymeric [{(THF)₂K@(18-crown-6)}{K@(18-crown-6)K(^4-BzhBoxCH)}]_n (n→∞) ( 12 ) containing a trianionic ligand. The neutral ligand and herein reported alkali complexes were characterised by single X-ray analyses identifying the latter as a promising precursor for low-valent main group complexes.     

Cu2O-Catalyzed Conversion of Benzyl Alcohols Into Aromatic Nitriles via the Complete Cleavage of the C≡N Triple Bond in the Cyanide Anion

Nitrogen transfer from cyanide anion to an aldehyde is emerging as a promising method for the synthesis of aromatic nitriles. However, this method still suffers from a disadvantage that a use of stoichiometric Cu(II) or Cu(I) salts is required to enable the reaction. As we report herein, we overcame this drawback and developed a catalytic method for nitrogen transfer from cyanide anion to an alcohol via the complete cleavage of the C≡N triple bond using phen/Cu₂O as the catalyst. The present condition allowed a series of benzyl alcohols to be smoothly converted into aromatic nitriles in moderate to high yields. In addition, the present method could be extended to the conversion of cinnamic alcohol to 3-phenylacrylonitrile.     

Sulfonyl Ketenimines as Key Intermediates in One‐Pot Synthesis of N‐Sulfonyl‐2‐alkaneimidoyl Selenocyanates

Sulfonyl‐ketenimine intermediates, generated by the addition of Cu acetylides to sulfonyl azides, are trapped by KSeCN to afford N‐sulfonyl‐2‐alkaneimidoyl selenocyanates in moderate‐to‐good yields.     

Interaction parameters and (solid + liquid) equilibria calculation for KCl–H2O–HCl–C2H5OH,K2SO4–H2O–H2SO4 and K2SO4–H2O–C2H5OH mixed solvent-electrolyte systems

This work deals with the prediction and experimental measurements of the (solid + liquid) equilibrium (SLE) in acid medium for industrial purposes. Specific systems including KCl–ethanol–water–HCl and K₂SO₄–water–H₂SO₄ were analyzed. At first, a critical discussion of SLE calculations was given, based on the well-known UNIQUAC extended and LIQUAC models. Two new proposals were derived, considering the explicit necessity of a new reference state for SLE calculations for the studied (solvents + acid) mixtures. The solubility of KCl in water–ethanol–HCl mixed solvents was measured in the temperature range of 300.15 to 315.15 K using an analytical gravimetric method. These results combined with some other experimental data reported in the open literature let us to propose a set of parameters for the new models. They included the interaction parameters between ethanol and the H⁺ ion. The prediction capability of the new models, for calculations in acid medium, was illustrated. Experimentally, it was observed that the (K₂SO₄ + water + H₂SO₄) system presented the unusual behavior of increasing K₂SO₄ solubility with an increase in the sulfuric acid concentration. This was accurately predicted by the newly proposed models.     

基于DNA酶催化增敏的微流控顺序注射化学发光法检测钾离子的研究

基于G-四联体/血红素形成的DNA酶催化增敏鲁米诺-H2O2发光反应原理,建立了微流控顺序注射化学发光检测K+的新方法。在K+的促进作用下,富含鸟嘌呤的寡核苷酸PS5.M折叠成G-四联体,并对血红素表现出较高的亲合力,形成DNA酶,显著地增强血红素的类辣根过氧化物酶活性,催化鲁米诺-H2O2化学发光反应。在优化的实验条件下,化学发光检测K+的线性范围为1.0~700μmol·L-1,检出限为0.54μmol·L-1,用100μmol·L-1的K+形成的DNA酶连续测定10次,相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.61%。常见的碱金属和碱土金属离子均无显著干扰。该方法可用于真实水样中K+的分析,测定结果与原子吸收法一致。     

磷酸钾缓冲溶液与模型细胞膜相互作用的和频光谱

利用和频光谱技术详细研究了磷酸钾缓冲溶液与带负电荷的生物仿生膜(d₅₄-DMPG磷脂双层膜)相互作用的实时过程．通过监控CD₂、CD₃、磷脂分子头部的磷酸根以及羰基官能团的光谱信号随加入磷酸钾缓冲溶液的实时变化,获得了磷脂双层膜分子结构的动力学变化．结果表明K⁺能够结合到细胞膜上,并且很快地引起了CD₂、CD₃、磷脂头部磷酸根以及羰基官能团信号的变化．根据各官能团的和频信号响应,磷酸钾缓冲溶液很可能是通过在双层膜中形成环形气孔来与磷脂双层膜发生作用．该结果可以很好地解释磷酸钾缓冲溶液环境下的离子协助蛋白质的跨膜过程．