Cyclodextrins 3‐Functionalized with 8‐Hydroxyquinolines: Copper‐Binding Ability and Inhibition of Synuclein Aggregation

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases are multifactorial disorders related to protein aggregation, metal dyshomeostasis, and oxidative stress. To advance understanding in this area and to contribute to therapeutic development, many efforts have been directed at devising suitable agents that can target metal ions associated with relevant biomolecules such as α‐synuclein. This paper presents a new cyclodextrin–8‐hydroxyquinoline conjugate and discusses the properties of four cyclodextrins 3‐functionalized with 8‐hydroxyquinoline as copper(II) chelators and inhibitors of copper‐induced synuclein aggregation. The encouraging results establish the potential of cyclodextrin–8‐hydroxyquinoline conjugates as chelators for the control of copper toxicity.     

Multifunctional 8‐Hydroxyquinoline‐Appended Cyclodextrins as New Inhibitors of Metal‐Induced Protein Aggregation

Mounting evidence suggests a pivotal role of metal imbalances in protein misfolding and amyloid diseases. As such, metal ions represent a promising therapeutic target. In this context, the synthesis of chelators that also contain complementary functionalities to combat the multifactorial nature of neurodegenerative diseases is a highly topical issue. We report two new 8‐hydroxyquinoline‐appended cyclodextrins and highlight their multifunctional properties, including their Cu^II and Zn^II binding abilities, and capacity to act as antioxidants and metal‐induced antiaggregants. In particular, the latter property has been applied in the development of an effective assay that exploits the formation of amyloid fibrils when β‐lactoglobulin A is heated in the presence of metal ions.     

Zinc Complexes of Cyclodextrin‐bearing 8‐Hydroxyquinoline Ligands: A Comparative Study

The mounting evidence supporting the role of metal ions in several diseases has turned metal‐ion chelation therapy into a promising treatment strategy. The design of efficient metal‐binding ligands requires in‐depth knowledge of molecular structure and stability constants of the complexes formed. This paper presents an extensive overview on the stability of zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes of a series of cyclodextrin‐8‐hydroxyquinoline conjugates. In order to explain the differences observed in the stability constants between the metal complexes of the 6‐functionalized and 3‐functionalized cyclodextrin isomers, conformational analysis and DFT simulations were also performed. Molecular simulations allowed us to clarify the binding mode and to explain the differences in the stability constants of the metal complexes of these derivatives.     

8‐Hydroxy Quinoline Derivatives as Auxiliary Ligands for Red‐Emitting Cyclic‐Platinum Phosphorescent Complexes: Synthesis and Properties

Heavy metal complexes exhibit high phosphorescent efficiency and have been used extensively for electrophosphorescent emitters in the past 16 years. In 2006, we initially reported the use of the popular ligand, 8‐hydroxyquinoline (Q) to coordinate with the heavy metal ions and obtained the red‐infrared phosphorescent emission. In this paper, 8‐hydroxyquinoline has been modified at the 5‐position by electron‐donating and attracting groups and platinum complexes based on 2‐phenylpyridine and 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives were synthesized. The electron‐withdrawing group CF ₃ and NO ₂ lowers the HOMO level of the Q ligand and results in a N^O centered enhanced red‐infrared phosphorescence emission. The complex with CF ₃ modification exhibits the highest phosphorescence quantum yield in solid state with a life time of 1.17 μs.     

New Cyclodextrin‐Bearing 8‐Hydroxyquinoline Ligands as Multifunctional Molecules

Recent investigations have rekindled interest in 8‐hydroxyquinolines as therapeutic agents for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders. Three new β‐cyclodextrin conjugates of 8‐hydroxyquinolines and their copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. In addition to improving aqueous solubility, due to the presence of the cyclodextrin moiety, the hybrid systems have interesting characteristics including antioxidant activity, and their copper(II) complexes are efficient superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimics. The ligands and their copper(II) complexes show low cytotoxicity, attributed to the presence of the cyclodextrin moiety. These compounds have potential as therapeutic agents in diseases related both to metal dyshomeostasis and oxidative stress.     

State‐of‐the‐art applications of cyclodextrins as functional monomers in molecular imprinting techniques: a review

As a versatile tool in separation science, cyclodextrins and their derivatives, known as emerging functional monomers, have been used extensively in molecular imprinting techniques. The attributes of cyclodextrins and their derivatives are widely known to form host–guest inclusion complex processes between the polymer and template. The exploitation of the imprinting technique could produce a product of molecularly imprinted polymers, which are very robust with long‐term stability, reliability, cost‐efficiency, and selectivity. Hence, molecularly imprinted polymers have gained popularity in chemical separation and analysis. Molecularly imprinted polymers containing either cyclodextrin or its derivatives demonstrate superior binding effects for a target molecule. As noted in the previous studies, the functional monomers of cyclodextrins and their derivatives have been used in molecular imprinting for selective separation with a wide range of chemical compounds, including steroidals, amino acids, polysaccharides, drugs, plant hormones, proteins, pesticides, and plastic additives. Therefore, the main goal of this review is to illustrate the exotic applications of imprinting techniques employing cyclodextrins and their derivatives as single or binary functional monomers in synthesizing molecularly imprinted polymers in areas of separation science by reviewing some of the latest studies reported in the literature.     

Biodegradable Polymers with Specific Metal Binding Sites Based on Bipyridine‐Containing Poly(lactid acid) and Poly(ε‐caprolactone): Towards High‐Molecular Weight Polyesters

Mono‐ and difunctionalized 6,6′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridines were introduced into polyesters in order to design polymer architectures with specific metal binding units. The polymerizations were carried out using aluminium‐alkoxide derivatives prepared by a reaction between triethylaluminium and the corresponding hydroxymethyl‐functionalized bipyridine derivatives. Polymers with narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained. The incorporation of the metal binding unit could be proven by UV/VIS‐spectroscopy and NMR‐spectroscopy.     

Homo‐ and Heterodinuclear Helicates of Lanthanide(III), Zinc(II) and Aluminium(III) Based on 8‐Hydroxyquinoline Ligands

Homonuclear helicates with rare‐earth‐metal(III) ions or heteronuclear derivatives with rare‐earth‐metal and aluminium or zinc centres are obtained in alkali‐metal‐templated self‐assembly processes from isobutenylidene‐bridged homoditopic bis(2‐carbamido‐8‐hydroxyquinoline)‐derived ligands 1 ? H₂ and 2 ? H₂ or heteroditopic (8‐hydroxyquinoline)(2‐carbamido‐8‐hydroxyquinoline)‐derived ligands 3 ? H₂ and 4 ? H₂. Diamagnetic coordination compounds possess a high stability in organic solvents such as CDCl₃, [D₄]MeOH or [D₆]DMSO and can be well characterised by ¹H NMR spectroscopy by using methylene protons and the protons of the vinylic units of the ligand as stereochemical or symmetry probes, respectively. Some of the homonuclear complexes could be crystallised and were characterised by using X‐ray diffraction studies. The complexes adopt a triple‐stranded helical structure with a central templating cation encapsulated in their interior. An unusual orientation of the double bond of one spacer towards this cation is observed. The homo‐ and heterodinuclear helicates with ytterbium(III), neodymium(III) or erbium(III) of ligands 2 and 4 were of special interest owing to their near‐infrared (NIR) emitting properties, which were investigated depending on the lanthanide and on the encapsulated alkali‐metal cation.     

Characterization of complexes between phenethylamine enantiomers and β‐cyclodextrin derivatives by capillary electrophoresis—Determination of binding constants and complex mobilities

To optimize chiral separation conditions and to improve the knowledge of enantioseparation, it is important to know the binding constants K between analytes and cyclodextrins and the electrophoretic mobilities of the temporarily formed analyte‐cyclodextrin‐complexes. K values for complexes between eight phenethylamine enantiomers, namely ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, methylephedrine and norephedrine, and four different β‐cyclodextrin derivatives were determined by affinity capillary electrophoresis. The binding constants were calculated from the electrophoretic mobility values of the phenethylamine enantiomers at increasing concentrations of cyclodextrins in running buffer. Three different linear plotting methods (x ‐reciprocal, y ‐reciprocal, double reciprocal) and nonlinear regression were used for the determination of binding constants with β‐cyclodextrin, (2‐hydroxypropyl)‐β‐cyclodextrin, methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin and 6‐O‐α‐maltosyl‐β‐cyclodextrin. The cyclodextrin concentration in a 50 mM phosphate buffer pH 3.0 was varied from 0 to 12 mM. To investigate the influence of the binding constant values on the enantioseparation the observed electrophoretic selectivities were compared with the obtained K values and the calculated enantiomer‐cyclodextrin‐complex mobilities. The different electrophoretic mobilities of the temporarily formed complexes were crucial factors for the migration order and enantioseparation of ephedrine derivatives. To verify the apparent binding constants determined by capillary electrophoresis, a titration process using ephedrine enantiomers and β‐cyclodextrin was carried out. Furthermore, the isothermal titration calorimetry measurements gave information about the thermal properties of the complexes.     

Fast separation of warfarin and 7‐hydroxywarfarin enantiomers by cyclodextrin‐assisted capillary electrophoresis

The enantioseparation of warfarin and its main metabolite has been achieved using several cyclodextrin types and buffers at different pH, including conditions that have not been attempted so far. Methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin, highly sulfated‐β‐cyclodextrin and highly sulfated‐γ‐cyclodextrin were the most efficient chiral selectors. The pH range, within which particular cyclodextrins support chiral separation, has been approximately determined for the first time. By shortening the effective capillary length to 10 cm, the time of analysis has been vastly reduced <2 min. Hence, baseline separations of warfarin and 7‐hydroxywarfarin enantiomers have been achieved in times unreported for those species until now. The established conditions are promising for the further development of new highly selective and fast methods involving warfarin, its derivatives, as well as the same cyclodextrin types.     

Influence of substituent position and cavity size of the regioisomers of monocarboxymethyl‐α‐, β‐, and γ‐cyclodextrins on the apparent stability constants of their complexes with both enantiomers of Tröger's base

Enantiomers of Tröger's base were separated by capillary electrophoresis using 2^I‐O‐, 3^I‐O‐, and 6^I‐O‐carboxymethyl‐α‐, β‐, and γ‐cyclodextrin and native α‐, β‐, and γ‐cyclodextrin as chiral additives at 0–12 mmol/L for β‐cyclodextrin and its derivatives and 0–50 mmol/L for α‐ and γ‐cyclodextrins and their derivatives in a background electrolyte composed of sodium phosphate buffer at 20 mmol/L concentration and pH 2.5. Apparent stability constants of all cyclodextrin–Tröger's base complexes were calculated based on capillary electrophoresis data. The obtained results showed that the position of the carboxymethyl group as well as the cavity size of the individual cyclodextrin significantly influences the apparent stability constants of cyclodextrin–Tröger's base complexes.     

Simultaneous enantioseparation of methcathinone and two isomeric methylmethcathinones using capillary electrophoresis assisted by 2‐hydroxyethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin

Methcathinone (ephedrone), 4‐methylmethcathinone (mephedrone), and 3‐methylmethcathinone (metaphedrone) are toxicologically‐important cathinone derivatives used commonly as designer drugs. In this work we show the first method allowing to separate simultaneously all these molecules in a chiral medium, ensuring good resolution between all enantiomers. Eight cyclodextrins have been tested as potential chiral selectors, the best results were obtained with 2‐hydroxyethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin, unreported so far for efficient separation of cathinones. After optimization, the method was calibrated and validated with and without the use of internal standard. The addition of standard improved an overall repeatability and precision, the use of electrophoretic mobility ratio was especially favorable (RSD < 1%). It was demonstrated that the method may be easily extended by introducing the additional cathinone‐related drugs to the sample, maintaining satisfactory separation efficiency.     

Histidine‐Rich Oligopeptides To Lessen Copper‐Mediated Amyloid‐β Toxicity

Brain copper imbalance plays an important role in amyloid‐β aggregation, tau hyperphosphorylation, and neurotoxicity observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, the administration of biocompatible metal‐binding agents may offer a potential therapeutic solution to target mislocalized copper ions and restore metallostasis. Histidine‐containing peptides and proteins are excellent metal binders and are found in many natural systems. The design of short peptides showing optimal binding properties represents a promising approach to capture and redistribute mislocalized metal ions, mainly due to their biocompatibility, ease of synthesis, and the possibility of fine‐tuning their metal‐binding affinities in order to suppress unwanted competitive binding with copper‐containing proteins. In the present study, three peptides, namely HWH , HK^CH , and HAH , have been designed with the objective of reducing copper toxicity in AD. These tripeptides form highly stable albumin‐like complexes, showing higher affinity for Cu^II than that of Aβ(1‐40). Furthermore, HWH , HK^CH , and HAH act as very efficient inhibitors of copper‐mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and prevent the copper‐induced overproduction of toxic oligomers in the initial steps of amyloid aggregation in the presence of Cu^II ions. These tripeptides, and more generally small peptides including the sequence His‐Xaa‐His at the N‐terminus, may therefore be considered as promising motifs for the future development of new and efficient anti‐Alzheimer drugs.     

The empirical comparison of cyclofructans and cyclodextrins as chiral selectors in capillary electrophoretic separation of atropisomers of R,S‐1,1’‐binaphthalene‐2,2’‐diyl hydrogen phosphate

Native cyclofructans and their isopropyl derivatives were studied as chiral selectors in capillary electrophoresis and compared with α‐ and β‐cyclodextrin. R,S‐1,1’‐Binaphthalene‐2,2’‐diyl hydrogen phosphate was used as a model chiral compound. The empirical observation of the enantioselectivity of native cyclofructans and isopropyl derivatives of cyclofructans was described and compared with the cyclodextrins. The influence of methanol and acetonitrile, as the most commonly used organic solvents, and sodium dodecyl sulfate as a micelle forming additive on the separation of R,S‐1,1’‐binaphthalene‐2,2’‐diyl hydrogen phosphate atropisomers was achieved. The different enantiorecognition abilities resulting from unlike interaction mechanism with R,S‐1,1’‐binaphthalene‐2,2’‐diyl hydrogen phosphate were observed for the studied cyclodextrins and cyclofructans, especially when methanol or sodium dodecyl sulfate were used as modifiers of the separation conditions.     

A Typical Metal‐Ion‐Responsive Color‐Tunable Emitting Insulated π‐Conjugated Polymer Film

We report the synthesis of an insulated π‐conjugated polymer containing 2,2′‐bipyridine moieties as metal coordination sites. Metal coordination to the polymer enabled easy and reversible tuning of the luminescent color without changes to the main chain skeleton. The permethylated α‐cyclodextrin (PM α‐CD)‐based insulation structure allowed the metalated polymers to demonstrate efficient emission even in the solid state, with identical spectral shapes to the dilute solutions. In addition, the coordination ability of the metal‐free polymer was maintained in the solid state, resulting in reversible changes in the luminescent color in response to the metal ions. The synthesized polymer is expected to be suitable for application in recyclable luminescent sensors to distinguish different metal ions.     

Comparative analysis of the full set of methylated β‐cyclodextrins as chiral selectors in capillary electrophoresis

The chiral separation ability of the full library of methylated‐β‐cyclodextrins towards pharmacologically significant racemic drugs including basic compounds was studied by chiral CE. The syntheses of all the methylated, single isomer β‐cyclodextrins were revised and optimized and the aqueous solubility of the derivatives was unambiguously established. The three most relevant commercially available methylated isomeric mixtures were also included in the screening, so a total of ten various methylated CDs were investigated. The effects of the selector concentration on the enantiorecognition properties at acidic pH were investigated. Among the dimethylated β‐cyclodextrins, the heptakis (2,6‐di‐O‐methyl)‐β‐cyclodextrin isomer (2,6‐DIMEB) resulted to be the most versatile chiral selector. Terbutaline was selected as a model compound for the in‐depth investigation of host‐guest enantiodiscrimination ability. The association constants between the two terbutaline enantiomers and 2,6‐DIMEB were determined in order to support that the enantioseparation is driven by differences is host‐guest binding. The migration order of the enantiomers was confirmed by performing spiking experiments with the pure enantiomers. 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy was applied to the 2,3‐, and 2,6‐DIMEB/terbutaline systems to rationalize at molecular level the different enantioseparation ability of the dimethylated β‐cyclodextrin selectors.     

Molecular Recognition Studies on Modified Cyclodextrins

This account describes our research progress in recent years in the areas of the molecular recognition studies on modified cyclodextrins, including positively charged cyclodextrins, cyclodextrin derivatives with hydrophobic substituent, and dimeric cyclodextrins. Calorimetric titration and various spectrometric techniques were employed to determine the complex stability constants, as well as the thermodynamic parameters, for their inclusion complexation with diverse guest molecules. The results obtained have been discussed from the viewpoint of size/shape‐matching, induced‐fit, geometric compensation, and multiple recognition. Thermodynamically, the compensatory relationship between ΔH and TΔS was found to be exhibited in the inclusion complexation of modified cyclodextrin.     

Affinity capillary electrophoresis method for investigation of bile salts complexation with sulfobutyl ether‐β‐cyclodextrin

Sulfobutyl ether‐β‐cyclodextrin (SBEβCD) is utilized in preformulation and drug formulation as an excipient for solubilization of drugs with poor aqueous solubility. Approximately seven negative charges of SBEβCD play a role with respect to solubilization and complexation, but also have an influence on the ionic strength of the background electrolyte when the cyclodextrin is used in capillary electrophoresis. Mobility‐shift affinity capillary methods for investigation of the complexation of taurocholate and taurochenodeoxycholate with the negatively charged cyclodextrin derivative applying constant power and ionic strength conditions as well as constant voltage and varying ionic strength were investigated. A new approach for the correction of background electrolyte ionic strength was developed. Mobility‐shift affinity capillary electrophoresis experiments obtained at constant voltage and constant power settings were compared and found to provide binding parameters that were in good agreement upon correction. The complexation of taurochenodeoxycholate with SBEβCD was significantly stronger than the corresponding interaction involving taurocholate. The obtained stability constants for the bile salts were in the same range as those previously reported for the interaction with neutral β‐cyclodextrins derivatives, i.e. the positions of the negative charges on SBEβCD and the bile salts within the complex did not lead to significant electrostatic repulsion.     

Crystal Structures of β‐Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes with 7‐Hydroxycoumarin and 4‐Hydroxycoumarin and Substituent Effects on Inclusion Geometry

Two inclusion complexes of β‐cyclodextrin‐7‐hydroxycoumarin ( 1 ) and β‐cyclodextrin‐4‐hydroxycoumarin ( 2 ) were prepared and their crystal structures were investigated by single crystal X‐ray crystallography under cryogenic condition. Both structures consist of stacks of face‐to‐face cyclodextrin dimers arranged in brickwork‐like pattern along the crystallographic a‐axis. For complex 1 , each of the two dimeric β‐cyclodextrins includes one 7‐hydroxycoumarin molecule that penetrates deeply into the cyclodextrin dimer and locates its lactonering at the center of the dimer cavity. For complex 2 , each cyclodextrin dimer accommodates three 4‐hydroxycoumarin molecules. One of them is sandwiched between two units of the cyclodextrin dimer, the other two are shallowly included in the cavities of the dimeric cyclodextrins respectively and protrude their lactone rings from the primary end of the cyclodextrin. The substituent effects of guest molecules on inclusion geometry of various coumarin molecules in β‐cyclodextrin were examined.     

Development of a Metal‐Ion‐Mediated Base Pair for Electron Transfer in DNA

A new C‐nucleoside structurally based on the hydroxyquinoline ligand was synthesized that is able to form stable pairs in DNA in both the absence and the presence of metal ions. The interactions between the metal centers in adjacent Cu^II‐mediated base pairs in DNA were probed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The metal–metal distance falls into the range of previously reported values. Fluorescence studies with a donor–DNA–acceptor system indicate that photoinduced charge‐transfer processes across these metal‐ion‐mediated base pairs in DNA occur more efficiently than over natural base pairs.