Facile preparation of pH-responsive PEGylated prodrugs for activated intracellular drug delivery

The acid-cleavable amphiphilic prodrug DOX-PEG-DOX self-assemble to form nanoparticles and enter the cell by endocytosis for the pH-triggered intracellular delivery of DOX.     

聚乙二醇化靶向环肽的固相合成及其对阿霉素的结构修饰研究

用环肽c[CNGRC](即半胱氨酸-天冬酰胺-甘氨酸-精氨酸-半胱氨酸,其中NGR序列对肿瘤细胞有靶向作用)对阿霉素进行修饰,并且在c[CNGRC]的N端引入聚乙二醇衍生物以提高其稳定性。碘单质作为氧化剂和半胱氨酸侧链保护基的脱保护试剂,在将两个半胱氨酸的侧链保护基脱除的同时将两个巯基氧化形成二硫键,而不影响其他保护基团,从而实现在树脂上对肽的环化,为多肽环化提供了一种高效便捷的方法。多肽合成、聚乙二醇修饰及环化反应均采用固相合成法并优化了反应条件。将所制备的甲基六聚乙二醇乙酸和己酸修饰的CNGRC环肽在EDC/HOBT/NMM作用下与阿霉素连接,合成了具靶向潜力的阿霉素衍生物。     

Targeted pH-responsive polyion complex micelle for controlled intracellular drug delivery

Cancer therapy with nanoscale drug formulations has made significant progress in the past few decades. However, the selective accumulation and release of therapeutic agents in the lesion sites are still great challenges. To this end, we developed a cRGD-decorated pH-responsive polyion complex (PIC) micelle for intracellular targeted delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) to upregulate tumor inhibition and reduce toxicity. The PIC micelle was self-assembled via the electrostatic interaction between the positively charged cRGD-modified poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(l-lysine) and the anionic acid-sensitive 2,3-dimethylmaleic anhydride-modified doxorubicin (DAD). The decoration of cRGD enhanced the cell internalization of PIC micelle through the specific recognition of α_vβ₃ integrin on the membrane of tumor cells. The active DOX was released under intracellular acidic microenvironment after endocytosis following the decomposition of DAD. Moreover, the targeted PIC micelle exhibited enhanced inhibition efficacies toward hepatoma in vitro and in vivo compared with the insensitive controls. The smart multifunctional micelle provides a promising platform for target intracellular delivery of therapeutic agent in cancer therapy.     

One-pot preparation of Julia-Kocienski sulfides and sulfones from alcohols

A method for one-pot preparation of Julia-Kocienski sulfides and sulfones from alcohols and thiols is reported. A variety of primary alcohols were converted to the corresponding mesylates by methansulfonyl chloride and triethylamine in THF. After the reaction is complete, thiol (1 or 10) and either NaH or t-BuOK were added. The Julia-Kocienski sulfides 3, 9 and 11 were prepared by one-pot two steps procedure from alcohols in 76–96% yields (16 examples). Furthermore, after the sulfide formation, the reaction mixture was neutralized by p-toluenesulfonic acid and treated with H₂O₂ and ammonium molybdate in EtOH to give the Julia-Kocienski sulfones 4 in good yields except for trans-2-hexen-1-ol.     

Facile synthesis of vanadium oxide microspheres for lithium-ion battery cathodes

A simple and versatile method for preparation of non-solid and solid V₂O₅ microspheres is developed. Non-solid and solid V₂O₅ microspheres can be controllably prepared via adjusting the mixed solvent volume ratio and reaction time at low temperature. Solid V₂O₅ microspheres display higher discharge capacity and better cycling performance than non-solid V₂O₅ microspheres as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, which is ascribed to smaller charge transfer and diffusion resistance.     

Intercepted-Knoevenagel condensation for the synthesis of unsymmetrical fused-tricyclic 4H-pyrans

4H-Pyrans (4H-Pys) and 1,4-dihydropyridines (1,4-DHPs) are important classes of heterocyclic scaffolds in medicinal chemistry. Herein, an indium(III)-catalyzed one-pot domino reaction for the synthesis of highly functionalized 4H-Pys, and a model of 1,4-DHP is reported. This alternative approach to the challenging Hantzsch 4-component reaction enables the synthesis of fused-tricyclic heterocycles, and the mechanistic studies underline the importance of an intercepted-Knoevenagel adduct to achieve higher chemoselectivity towards these types of unsymmetrical heterocycles.     

An efficient protocol for synthesis of novel polyheterocyclic chromeno pyrimido[1,2-b]indazolone derivatives using [Et3NH][HSO4] as a reusable catalyst under solvent-free conditions

A convenient and highly efficient method for the synthesis of novel polyheterocyclic chromeno pyrimido[1,2-b]indazolone derivatives via a three-component condensation of 1H-indazol-3-amine, aldehydes and 4-hydroxycoumarin catalyzed by Bronsted acid ionic liquid [Et₃NH][HSO₄] under solvent-free reaction conditions is presented. This ionic liquid is air and water stable and easy to prepare from amine and acid. The main advantages of this protocol includes short reaction time, excellent yield, easy work-up, operational simplicity, a wide range of functional group tolerance and column chromatography-free method. The catalyst can be recovered and reused for at least four runs without any significant impact on the product yields.     

Facile assembly of mesoporous silica nanoparticles with hierarchical pore structure for CO2 capture

In the work, we propose an efficient one-pot approach for synthesis of a new type of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). That can be successfully realized by using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylenediamine (TSD) as the silica precursors and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as the structure-directing agent through a facile assembly process. The as-synthesized MSNs possess a spherical morphology with about 230 nm, a relatively high surface area of 133 m²/g, and a hierarchical pore size distribution. When applied as the sorbents, the amine-functioned MSNs demonstrate the enhanced adsorption capacity for CO₂ capture (at 1 bar, 15 vol% CO₂, up to 80.5 mg/g at 75 °C), high selectivity, and good cycling durability, benefiting from the suitable modification of polyethyleneimine.     

Facile synthesis of calcium carbonate/polyacrylic acid hydrogels for pH-responsive delivery of cytarabine

Cytarabine (Cyt) encapsulated calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanospheres were facilely synthesized through a simple co-precipitation method, and the Cyt encapsulated CaCO₃ nanospheres (CaCO₃/Cyt) were modified by polyacrylic acid (PAA) hydrogels through in situ polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) monomer on the surface of the CaCO₃/Cyt. Successful preparation of the Cyt loaded CaCO₃/PAA hydrogels were confirmed by the characterization of SEM, TEM and FT-IR. Premature release of Cyt in acidic medium (pH = 1.2) could be effectively circumvented by the introduction of the PAA hydrogels. More importantly, pH-responsive delivery of Cyt from the as-prepared CaCO₃/PAA hydrogels could be achieved due to the pH-sensitivity of the PAA. Although the highest swelling ratio of PAA was obtained at pH 7.3 (27.7), the highest cumulative release of Cyt from the carrier was achieved at pH 5.3 (86.75%), which might be attributed to the high stability of CaCO₃ at pH 7.3. That is to say, the highest cumulative release of Cyt at pH 5.3 was a compromise by considering the relatively high swelling ratio of PAA and the relatively low stability of CaCO₃.     

Total synthesis of the proposed structure of xylarolide

A total synthesis of a proposed structure of xylarolide is described. The key features of the synthesis include Sharpless asymmetric reaction, Wittig olefination, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, Still-Gennari olefination and Yamaguchi lactonization. The differences in the spectroscopic data of the synthetic and natural product indicate a revision of the assigned structure.     

Novel preparation of N-arylmethyl-N-arylmethyleneamine N-oxides from benzylic bromides with zinc and isobutyl nitrite

Treatment of benzylic bromides with Zn and LiCl, followed by the reaction with i-butyl nitrite gave N-arylmethyl-N-arylmethyleneamine N-oxides in moderate yields. The present reaction is a novel and simple method for the preparation of nitrones from benzylic bromides, although the yields are moderate.     

The preparation and properties of polyimide films modified by octa(aminopropylsilsesquioxane)

A number of polyimide films incorporated with different amounts of octa(aminopropylsilsesquioxane) (POSS-NH₂) were prepared from 1,2,4,5-Benzenetetracarboxylic anhydride, 4,4′-Oxydianiline and POSS-NH₂. The structure and properties of the hybrid polyimide films were characterized and evaluated. It is found that, compared with pure polyimide without POSS-NH₂, the thermal stabilities and electrical capabilities of hybrid polyimide films are improved. Meanwhile, the incorporation of POSS-NH₂ also brings improvement in the flexibility of polyimide films.     

Improved synthesis of key fragments for the preparation of natural product incednine

A shorter and more efficient synthesis of three key fragments that have been previously described for the preparation of the polyenic macrolactam aglycon of natural product incednine isolated from Actinomyces sp. has been developed. These fragments have been prepared with higher levels of selectivity when compared to the already published procedure.     

The concept of dual roles design in clean organic preparation

Herein we summarized some clean preparation examples to emphasize the concept of dual roles design (or named as “two birds one stone strategy”) in green and sustainable chemistry. In those examples, the reactants and/or solvent play dual roles rendering a cleaner organic preparation process. Consequently, both the chemical waste and manufacturing cost could be reduced.     

Synthesis of self-assemble pH-responsive cyclodextrin block copolymer for sustained anticancer drug delivery

Well-defined p H-responsive poly(ε-caprolactone)-graft-β-cyclodextrin-graft-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate)-co-poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate amphiphilic copolymers(PCL-g-β-CD-g-P(DMAEMA-co-PEGMA)) were synthesized using a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP),ring opening polymerization(ROP) and "click" chemistry.Successful synthesis of polymers was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),proton nuclear magnetic resonance(1H-NMR),and gel permeation chromatography(GPC).Then,the polymers could selfassemble into micelles in aqueous solution,which was demonstrated by dynamic light scattering(DLS) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The p H-responsive self-assembly behavior of these copolymers in water was investigated at different p H values of 7.4 and 5.0 for controlled doxorubicin(DOX) release,and these results revealed that the release rate of DOX could be effectively controlled by altering the p H,and the release of drug loading efficiency(DLE) was up to 88%(W/W).CCK-8 assays showed that the copolymers had low toxicity and possessed good biodegradability and biocompatibility,whereas the DOX-loaded micelles remained with high cytotoxicity for He La cells.Moreover,confocal laser scanning microscopy(CLSM) images revealed that polymeric micelles could actively target the tumor site and the efficient intracellular DOX release from polymeric micelles toward the tumor cells further confirmed the anti-tumor effect.The DOX-loaded micelles could easily enter the cells and produce the desired pharmacological action and minimize the side effect of free DOX.These results successfully indicated that p H-responsive polymeric micelles could be potential hydrophobic drug delivery carriers for cancer targeting therapy with sustained release.     

Expeditious convergent procedure for the preparation of bis(POC) prodrugs of new (E)-4-phosphono-but-2-en-1-yl nucleosides

A series of unsaturated acyclonucleoside bis(POC) prodrugs of E configuration were synthesized through an expeditious, highly efficient and stereoselective one-step procedure from corresponding bis(POC)allylphosphonate through Ru catalyzed cross-coupling metathesis reaction. The [RuCl₂(PCy₃)(SIPr)(Indenylidene)] and [RuCl₂(PCy₃)(IMes)(benzylidene)] catalysts were employed; the unsaturated ANP were used bore C5-halovinyl uracil, C5-dihalovinyluracil or furanopyrimidine motifs. The chemical cleavage of biolabile (POC) group is a useful pathway to acid phosphonate derivatives.     

Facile one-pot synthesis of novel highly functionalized dihydro-1H-pyrrole derivatives catalyzed by molecular iodine

An efficient, environmentally benign and molecular iodine promoted protocol was described for cascade synthesis of two kinds of novel dihydro-1H-pyrrole derivatives, 5 and 7. Compounds 5 were prepared via four-component reaction between diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DEAD), aromatic amines and phenylglyoxal monohydrate catalyzed by 10 mol% of iodine in ethanol at room temperature. In addition, using same reaction conditions, a three-component reaction between (E)-N-methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-nitroethenamine (NMSM), aromatic amines and arylglyoxal monohydrate was performed to access product 7. These transformations apparently proceed through an imine intermediate followed by iodine induced Mannich reaction and subsequent intra-molecular cyclization sequences. The protocol involves the formation of CN, CC and OH bonds leading to the preparation of a hexa substituted five membered ring with two stereo centres. The syntheses avoid the use of traditional column chromatography and recrystallization purification methods and, hence, follow the group-assisted purification (GAP) chemistry process.     

NIR-triggered drug delivery system based on phospholipid coated ordered mesoporous carbon for synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy of cancer cells

Chemo-photothermal treatment is one of the most efficient strategies for cancer therapy. However, traditional drug carriers without near-infrared absorption capacity need to be loaded with materials behaving photothermal properties, as it results in complicated synthesis process, inefficient photothermal effects and hindered NIR-mediated drug release. Herein we report a facile synthesis of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) linked liposome (PEG-liposomes) coated doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) nanocomponents (PEG-LIP@OMC/DOX) by simply sonicating DOX and OMC in PEG-liposomes suspensions. The as-obtained PEG-LIP@OMC/DOX exhibits a nanoscale size (600 ± 15 nm), a negative surface potential (−36.70 mV), high drug loading (131.590 mg/g OMC), and excellent photothermal properties. The PEG-LIP@OMC/DOX can deliver loaded DOX to human MCF-7 breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and the cell toxicity viability shows that DOX unloaded PEG-LIP@OMC has no cytotoxicity, confirming the PEG-LIP@OMC itself has excellent biocompatibility. The NIR-triggered release studies demonstrate that this NIR-responsive drug delivery system enables on-demand drug release. Furthermore, cell viability results using human MCF-7 cells demonstrated that the combination of NIR-based hyperthermal therapy and triggered chemotherapy can provide higher therapeutic efficacy than respective monotherapies. With these excellent features, we believe that this phospholipid coating based multifunctional delivery system strategy should promote the application of OMC in nanomedical applications.     

New approaches to the synthesis of benzo[h]pyrroloisoquinoline derivatives

An effective strategy for the synthesis of benzo[h]pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives has been developed. The process can be described as a one-pot domino reaction that consists of an initial Michael addition, intramolecular cyclization, and subsequent transformations leading to the formation of the desired products. A wide range of structurally diverse hydrogenated benzo[h]pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines were obtained in 34–98% yield. This strategy represents an efficient catalyst-free procedure that allows the synthesis of previously inaccessible compounds.     

First synthesis of both enantiomers of pseudohygrophorone A12, an anti-fungal cyclohexenone derivative isolated from Hygrophorus abieticola

Pseudohygrophorone A¹², a highly oxygenated cyclohexenone derivative isolated from Hygrophorus abieticola, exhibits anti-fungal activity against several phytopathogenic fungi and oomycete. The first synthesis of both enantiomers of pseudohygrophorones A¹² was accomplished starting from an optically active sulfoxide. In our approach, the diastereoselective Michael?aldol cascade reaction was featured as the key step.