Synthesis of redox active large macrocyclic hosts and the recognition of secondary ammonium salts

Interconvertible macrocyclic hosts containing thiol groups or a disulfide linkage in the binding cavity have been synthesized. The binding affinities of the reduced and oxidized forms toward benzylammoium derivatives are completely reverse. Formation of pseudorotaxane is suggested upon the host-guest complexation.     

Dynamic multivalent recognition of cyclodextrin vesicles

Cyclodextrin bilayer vesicles have dynamic membranes that recognize guest molecules through efficient multivalent host-guest interaction reminiscent of multivalent binding of a ligand with receptors in a biological membrane.     

Surface plasmon resonance study on binding interactions of multivalent cyclophane hosts with immobilized guests

Guest‐binding affinities of water‐soluble cyclophane heptadecamer (1) and pentamer (2) with immobilized guests such as 1‐pyrenylmethylamine (PMA) and 2‐(1‐ naphthyl)ethylamine (NEA) were investigated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurements. As a typical example, the binding constants (K) for 1 and 2 with the immobilized PMA as a guest were evaluated to be 2.5 × 10⁷ and 2.7 × 10⁶ M^?1, respectively, and were much larger than that of a monocyclic reference cyclophane (K, 2.5 × 10⁴ M^?1). Interestingly, in the complexation of 1 and 2 with the immobilized guests, more favorable association and dissociation rate constant values (k_a and k_d, respectively) were observed in comparison with those for the monocyclic cyclophane, reflecting multivalent effects in macrocycles. The multivalent effects in macrocycles as well as molecular recognition abilities of the cyclophane oligomers were confirmed even when the guest molecules were immobilized on SPR sensor chip surfaces. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Controlled formation of gold nanoparticle dimers using multivalent thiol ligands

Approaches for the controlled formation of gold nanoparticle dimers are investigated. These are based on a locally confined surface modification of gold nanoparticles followed by bridging two particles with an organic linker. A key factor in these approaches is the use of multivalent ligands. Citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles are immobilized on a glass surface and mono- and multivalent thiol ligands are investigated regarding their ability to inactivate the nanoparticles sites facing away from the glass. A successful locally confined functionalization is only possible if multivalent ligands are used in this step. The application of monovalent ligands results in less stable particles without a permanent regioselective functionalization. This result can be explained by the dynamic equilibrium between bound and free ligands. Subsequently, the sites of the nanoparticles previously bound to the glass surface are functionalized with thiol ligands additionally bearing a reactive group. Approaches using dithiol linkers, diamine linkers, and coupling complementary functionalized particles are investigated. The highest yield of stable dimers is obtained from conditions where nanoparticles which are regioselectively functionalized with an N-hydroxysuccinimide ester are reacted with complementary amino-functionalized particles. The application of nanoparticles with activated carboxyl groups is essential since standard carboxyl activation agents induce an aggregation of the nanoparticles due to a reaction with remaining citrate molecules on the nanoparticle surface which reduces significantly electrostatic stabilization. This versatile approach using complementary regioselective with multivalent ligands functionalized nanoparticles may be also used for the coupling of particles with different size, shape, or composition, as well as a control of the interparticle distance.     

High-capacity lithium-rich cathode oxides with multivalent cationic and anionic redox reactions for lithium ion batteries

Lithium-rich cathode oxides with capability to realize multivalent cationic and anionic redox reactions have attracted much attention as promising candidate electrode materials for high energy density lithium ion batteries because of their ultrahigh specific capacity. However, redox reaction mechanisms, especially for the anionic redox reaction of these materials, are still not very clear. Meanwhile, several pivotal challenges associated with the redox reactions mechanisms, such as structural instability and limited cycle life, hinder the practical applications of these high-capacity lithium-rich cathode oxides. Herein, we review the lithium-rich oxides with various crystal structures. The multivalent cationic/anionic redox reaction mechanisms of several representative high capacity lithium-rich cathode oxides are discussed, attempting to understand the origins of the high lithium storage capacities of these materials. In addition, we provide perspectives for the further development of these lithium-rich cathode oxides based on multivalent cationic and anionic redox reactions, focusing on addressing the fundamental problems and promoting their practical applications.     

Synthetic hosts for molecular recognition of ureas

Four hosts (7-10) containing 2,6-bisamidopyridine- and 2,5-bisamidopyrrole-bearing pyridyl or 1,8-naphthyridyl groups have been prepared and their structures studied by a combination of multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Their behavior in molecular recognition of urea derivatives, including (+)-biotin methyl ester, has been approached by molecular modeling (Monte Carlo conformational search, AMBER force field). The minimum energy values for the complexes are correlated with the experimental binding energies determined by means of (1)H NMR titrations.     

Surface recognition of biomacromolecules using nanoparticle receptors

Nanoparticles present a versatile scaffold to target biomacromolecule surfaces via complementary interactions. This review highlights some unique features of nanoparticles that make them particularly attractive resources for biomacromolecular recognition, and displays their use in modulation of structure and function of biomacromolecules.     

Self-assembled nanoparticle probes for recognition and detection of biomolecules

Colloidal gold nanocrystals have been used to develop a new class of nanobiosensors that is able to recognize and detect specific DNA sequences and single-base mutations in a homogeneous format. At the core of this biosensor is a 2.5-nm gold nanoparticle that functions as both a nano-scaffold and a nano-quencher (efficient energy acceptor). Attached to this core are oligonucleotide molecules labeled with a thiol group at one end and a fluorophore at the other. This hybrid bio/inorganic construct is found to spontaneously assemble into a constrained arch-like conformation on the particle surface. Binding of target molecules results in a conformational change, which restores the fluorescence of the quenched fluorophore. Unlike conventional molecular beacons with a stem-and-loop structure, the nanoparticle probes do not require a stem, and their background fluorescence increases little with temperature. In comparison with the organic quencher Dabcyl (4,4'-dimethylaminophenyl azo benzoic acid), metal nanoparticles have unique structural and optical properties for new applications in biosensing and molecular engineering.     

Competition between addition and redox processes in reactions of Nitroarenes with Lithium-dithianes

The reaction of 2-lithio-1,3-dithianes with nitroarenes gives 2-(or 4-)[(1,3-dithian)-2'-y1]cyclohexa-3,5(or 2,5-)-diene-1-nitronate compounds (conjugate-addition products), free nitroarene radical anions (redox products), 1,3-dithianes and 2,2'-bis-(1,3-dithianes). The conjugate -addition and redox products were converted in the respective nitroaromatic compounds by oxidation in situ with O₂ or DDQ. The ratio between addition and redox products increases with decrease of temperature. 2-H-2-Lithio-1,3-dithiane can give both 1,4- and 1,6-addition products, while 2-methyl- and 2-phenyl derivatives give only 1,6-addition products. A mechanism involving an s.e.t. from lithium dithianes to nitroarenes followed by various decay routes is suggested for the two radical species.     

Enhancing cell recognition by scrutinizing cell surfaces with a nanoparticle array

We report a dual-ligand nanoparticle array approach for discerning cells that have different surface receptor profiles surrounding a common primary receptor expressed at high or low levels. The achieved differentiation provides nanoparticles the ability for potential applications in treatment of patients at a personalized medicine level for drug delivery and radiation therapy with a much better safety profile.     

The role of solvation in redox processes

In studying the role of solvation in redox processes we consider the influence of geometrical modifications in the discharge of monosolvated anion CN^?-H₂O. We define as “efficient” those modifications whose energy cost is less than the lowering which is produced in the ionization potential. we conclude that in the above-mentioned species the redox process is enhanced by desolvation. We try to generalise the results for the “stable” anions and cations.     

Interactions between multivalent ions and exponentially growing multilayers: dissolution and exchange processes

The interactions between multivalent ions (small ions or polyelectrolytes) and two exponentially growing polyelectrolyte multilayers, namely, (HA-PLL)(n)() and (HA-PAH)(n)() films, are investigated (HA = hyaluronic acid, PLL = poly-l-lysine, PAH = poly(allylamine)). Ferrocyanide and ferricyanide ions are used as small ion probes. The most striking finding is that, even though these two ions differ only by one charge unit, the ferrocyanide ions induce a partial dissolution of both multilayers whereas these films remain stable in the presence of ferricyanide ions. The dissolution process of (HA-PLL)(n)() films is more rapid than that of (HA-PAH)(n)() films, indicating a stronger interaction between HA and PAH compared to HA and PLL. This is confirmed by polyelectrolyte exchange experiments: when an (HA-PLL)(n)() multilayer film is put into contact with a PAH solution, PLL is quantitatively exchanged with the PAH chains and transformed into an HA-PAH film, whereas an (HA-PAH)(n)() multilayer remains stable in the presence of a PLL solution.     

Highly efficient control of thrombin activity by multivalent nanoparticles

We have demonstrated that the incorporation of sulfated galactose acid (sulf-Gal) into thrombin-binding-aptamer (TBA)-conjugated gold nanoparticles (TBA-AuNPs) enables highly effective inhibition of thrombin activity toward fibrinogen. AuNP bioconjugates (TBA(15)/TBA(29)/sulf-Gal-AuNPs) were prepared from 13 nm AuNPs, 15-mer thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA(15)), 29-mer thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA(29)), and sulf-Gal. The numbers of TBA and sulf-Gal molecules per AuNP proved to have a strong impact on inhibitory potency. The best results were observed for 15-TBA(15)/TBA(29)/sulf-Gal-AuNPs (with 15 TBA(15) and 15 TBA(29) molecules per AuNP), which, because of their particularly flexible conformation and multivalency, exhibited ultrahigh binding affinity toward thrombin (K(d)=3.4×10(-12) M) and thus extremely high anticoagulant (inhibitory) potency. Compared to the case without inhibitors (the "normal" value), their measured thrombin clotting time (TCT) was 91 times longer, whereas for TBA(15) alone it was only 7.2 times longer. Their anticoagulant activity was suppressed by TBA-complementary-sequence (cTBA)-modified AuNPs (cTBA(15)/cTBA(29)-AuNPs) at a rate that was 20 times faster than that of free cTBA(15)/cTBA(29). Thus, easily prepared, low-cost, multivalent AuNPs show great potential for biomedical control of blood clotting.     

RNA-mediated control of metal nanoparticle shape

RNA sequences previously isolated by in vitro selection were further characterized for their ability to control palladium particle growth. Five pyridyl-modified RNA sequences (Pdases) representing each of the different evolved families were found to form hexagonal plates with a high degree of shape specificity. However, a sixth nonrelated pyridyl-modified RNA sequence was found to form exclusively cubic particles under identical conditions. Replacing pyridyl-modified RNA with native RNA resulted in a complete loss of RNA function. Removing the 3'-fixed sequence region from the Pdase had little effect on particle growth; however, further truncations into the variable region resulted in a significant loss of activity and particle shape control. These Pdases were selected using the organometallic precursor complex tris(dibenzylideneacetone) dipalladium(0) ([Pd2(DBA)3]). Changing the metal center and ligand of the group VIII organometallic precursor complex revealed a strong dependence of particle growth and shape on the DBA ligands. Changing the metal center from Pd to Pt while retaining the DBA ligands gave predominantly hexagonal Pt, but with a decrease in shape control. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that the full-length Pdases contain active sites capable of highly specific molecular recognition of organometallic complexes as particle formation reagents.     

Disentangling interfacial redox processes of proteins by SERR spectroscopy

Surface-enhanced resonance-Raman spectroelectrochemistry represents a powerful approach for studying the structure and reaction dynamics of redox proteins immobilized on biocompatible electrodes in fundamental and applied sciences. Using this approach it has been recently shown that electric fields of biologically relevant magnitude are able to influence crucial parameters for the functioning of a variety of soluble and membrane bound heme proteins. Electric field effects discussed in this tutorial review include modulation of redox potentials, reorganization energies, protein dynamics and redox-linked structural changes.     

Binding and templation of nanoparticle receptors to peptide alpha-helices through surface recognition

Nanoparticles featuring highly flexible sidechains template to peptides, demonstrating substantial pre-organization of the particle monolayer.     

Polymer-supported cationic templates for molecular recognition of anionic hosts in water

Translocating solution-phase molecular recognition of oppositely charged hosts and guests to the solid phase represents a major challenge; we report a successful immobilisation strategy which allows selective host-guest interactions in water unencumbered by unwanted ion exchange-type interactions.