New tethered ansa‐bridged zirconium catalysts: Insights into the “self‐immobilization” mechanism

New ω‐alkenyl‐substituted ansa‐bridged bisindenyl zirconium complexes are prepared and tested as self‐immobilized catalysts for ethene polymerization. But, even at very high concentration of the tethered complexes and low pressure of ethene, there is no evidence of their insertion into the polyethene chain. A “cross polymerization” test, performed by copolymerizing the tethered complexes with ethene using rac‐Me₂Si(2‐MeBenzInd)₂ZrCl₂ ( MBI ), does not lead to their incorporation into the polyethene chain. However, the corresponding ligand proves to be a suitable comonomer for ethene, and, through copolymerization promoted by MBI, innovative poly(ethene‐co‐2,2′‐bis[(1H‐inden‐3′‐yl)‐hex‐5‐ene) copolymers are prepared and characterized by ¹³C NMR. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Synthesis,structural characterization and DNA binding affinity of new bioactive nano‐sized transition metal complexes with sulfathiazole azo dye for therapeutic applications

The azo dye ligand 4‐(5‐chloro‐2‐hydroxyphenylazo)‐N‐thiazol‐2‐ylbenzenesulfonamide (H₂L) formed by the coupling reaction of sulfathiazole and p‐chlorophenol was synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) as well as UV–visible spectra. Nano‐sized divalent Cu, Co, Ni, Mn and Zn complexes of the synthesized azo dye ligand were prepared and investigated using various spectroscopic and analytical techniques. Elemental and thermal analyses indicated the formation of the Cu(II), Ni(II) and Mn(II) complexes in a molar ratio of 1:2 (L:M) while Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes exhibited a 1:1 (M:L) ratio. FT‐IR spectral studies confirmed the coordination of the ligand to the metal ions through the phenolic hydroxyl oxygen, azo nitrogen, sulfonamide oxygen and/or thiazole nitrogen. The geometric arrangements around the central metal ions were investigated applying UV–visible and electron spin resonance spectra, thermogravimetric analysis and molar conductance measurements. X‐ray diffraction patterns revealed crystalline nature of H₂L and amorphous nature of all synthesized complexes. Transmission electron microscopy images confirmed nano‐sized particles and their homogeneous distribution over the complex surface. Antibacterial, antifungal and antitumour activities of the investigated complexes were screened compared with familiar standard drugs to confirm their potential therapeutic applications. The Cu(II) complex showed IC₅₀ of 3.47 μg ml^?1 (5.53 μM) against hepatocellular carcinoma cells, which means that it is a more potent anticancer drug compared with the standard cisplatin (IC₅₀ = 3.67 μg ml^?1 (12.23 μM)). Furthermore, the Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes displayed IC₅₀ greater than that of an applied standard anticancer agent (5‐flurouracil) towards breast carcinoma cells. Hence, these complexes can be considered as promising anticancer drugs. The mode of binding of the complexes with salmon serum DNA was determined through electronic absorption titration and viscosity studies.     

Imine‐N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes as Versatile Ligands in Ruthenium(II) p‐Cymene Anticancer Complexes: A Structure–Activity Relationship Study

A family of novel imine‐N‐heterocyclic carbene ruthenium(II) complexes of the general formula [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(C^N)Cl]PF₆⁻ (where C^N is an imine‐N‐heterocyclic carbene chelating ligand with varying substituents) have been prepared and characterized. In this imine‐N‐heterocyclic carbene chelating ligand framework, there are three potential sites that can be modified, which distinguishes this class of ligand and provides a body of flexibilities and opportunities to tune the cytotoxicity of these ruthenium(II) complexes. The influence of substituent effects of three tunable domains on the anticancer activity and catalytic ability in converting coenzyme NADH to NAD⁺ is investigated. This family of complexes displays an exceedingly distinct anticancer activity against A549 cancer cells, despite their close structural similarity. Complex 9 shows the highest anticancer activity in this series against A549 cancer cells (IC₅₀=14.36 μm ), with an approximately 1.5‐fold better activity than the clinical platinum drug cisplatin (IC₅₀=21.30 μm ) in A549 cancer cells. Mechanistic studies reveal that complex 9 mediates cell death mainly through cell stress, including cell cycle arrest, inducing apoptosis, increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Furthermore, lysosomal damage is also detected by confocal microscopy.     

Synthesis,spectra, crystal structures and anticancer studies of 26‐membered macrocyclic dibutyltin(IV) dithiocarbamate complexes: Single‐source precursors for tin sulfide nanoparticles

Four new macrocyclic dinuclear dibutyltin(IV) dithiocarbamate complexes of the type [Bu₂Sn(dtc)]₂, where dtc = hexane‐1,6‐diylbis(4‐fluorobenzyldithiocarbamate) anion ( 1 ), hexane‐1,6‐diylbis(4‐chlorobenzyldithiocarbamate) anion ( 2 ), hexane‐1,6‐diylbis(furfuryldithiocarbamate) anion ( 3 ) and hexane‐1,6‐diylbis(pyrrole‐2‐ylmethyldithiocarbamate) anion ( 4 ), have been prepared. The dithiocarbamate ligands efficiently self‐assemble with Bu₂Sn(IV) to form bimetallic 26‐membered macrocycles. All the complexes have been characterized using elemental analysis, infrared and NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectroscopies and X‐ray crystallography. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis of all the complexes confirms the formation of the dinuclear metallomacrocycles in which dithiocarbamate ligands are asymmetrically bound to the tin atoms. The coordination sphere around the tin atom in 1 – 4 can be described as a skew trapezoidal bipyramid. The dimensions of the cavity of the macrocycles of 1 – 4 are ca 8.0 × 9.0 Å². Complexes 1 – 4 were evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activity against MCF‐7 and HL‐60 cells. Complexes 1 and 2 are more active against MCF‐7 and HL‐60. Thermal decomposition of 1 and 4 yielded tin sulfides. They were characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and UV diffuse reflectance and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopies. PXRD studies reveal that the as‐prepared tin sulfides are composed of orthorhombic phase of SnS.     

A “plug and play” polymer through biocomplementary hydrogen bonding

This article describes a DNA‐like polymer that exhibits the ability to self‐assemble through hydrogen bonding. We synthesized poly[1‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)thymine] (PVBT) and 9‐hexadecyladenine (A‐C16) through an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and alkylation, respectively. Biocomplementary PVBT/A‐C16 hierarchical supramolecular complexes formed in dilute DMSO solution through nucleobase recognition, that is, hydrogen bonding interactions between the thymine (T) groups of PVBT and the adenine (A) group of A‐C16; evidence for this molecular recognition was also gained from dynamic light scattering studies. ¹H NMR titration studies in CDCl₃ showed that T–A complexes formed rapidly on the NMR time scale with high association constants (up to 534 M^?1). Moreover, FTIR spectroscopic, differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and small‐angle X‐ray scattering analyses provided further details into the nature of the self‐assembly of these systems. In the bulk state, these complexes self‐assemble into well‐ordered lamellar structures; the changing d‐spacing distance (ranging from 4.98 to 2.32 nm) at different A‐C16 loadings reveals that the molecular structures of the PVBT/A‐C16 complexes are readily tailored. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6416–6424, 2008     

Polyelectrolyte complex formation between poly(diallyldimethyl-ammonium chloride) and copolymers of acrylamide and sodium-acrylate

 The interaction between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, in this study poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) and copolymers of acrylamide and sodium-acrylate differing in their chain length and charge density parameter (ξ) was investigated in relation to the molar charge ratio of anionic to cationic charges (n ₋/n ₊). The molecular weights of the polyelectrolytes used were 2.9·10⁵g/mol for PDADMAC and for the polyacrylamide copolymers 14 ·10⁶g/mol as well as 5·10⁵g/mol obtained by ultrasonic degradation of the high molecular weight copolymers. The charge density parameters of the polyanions used (ξ ^PR ) varied between 0.14 and 0.64. Complexation between PDADMAC and high molecular weight polyanions leads mainly to macroscopic phase separation whereas the degraded polyanions and PDADMAC formed soluble complexes as well as stable dispersions, if charge excess was available. Precipitates and dispersions were characterized by several methods such as element analysis, thermogravimetry, pyrolysis-GC/MS, PEL titration, ζ-potential measurements, determination of turbidity, particle size measurements and determination of carbon content (TOC).  All precipitated complexes include about 20% water and are of 1:1 stoichiometry concerning ionic binding. Investigations of dispersions confirm 1:1 stoichiometry of complex particles stabilized by excess polyelectrolyte and soluble complexes. It was also found that the particle size can be varied via the charge density parameter of the polyanions used in the range of negative charge excess. Received: 21 June 2001 Accepted: 9 October 2001     

Effect of lipophilicity of wingtip groups on the anticancer potential of mono N‐heterocyclic carbene silver(I) complexes: Synthesis,crystal structures and in vitro anticancer study

A series of symmetrically n ‐alkyl‐substituted mono benzimidazolium salts with steady increase in n ‐alkyl chain length have been prepared by stepwise N ‐alkylation resulting in salts ( 1 – 8 ). The mono N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–Ag(I) complexes ( 9 – 16 ) derived from the respective salts were readily accessible by in situ deprotonation using Ag₂O. All the salts and the complexes were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and elemental analyses. Furthermore, the structures of salts 3 and 7 and complex 16 were elucidated using X‐ray crystallography, which established that this mono NHC–Ag(I) complex has a linear bis‐carbene arrangement (C₂–Ag). The proligands and the respective Ag(I) complexes were studied for their in vitro anticancer potential against human colon cancer cell line (HCT‐116) using 5‐fluorouracil as a standard. From the IC₅₀ values of all the tested compounds, it can be postulated that there is an influential relationship between the increase in chain length of the wingtip n ‐alkyl groups and the anticancer potential. The proligands 4 – 8 and their respective complexes 12 – 16 with long n ‐alkyl chain lengths (n  = 6–10) showed better IC₅₀ values (0.3–3.9 μM) than the standard drug with the complexes displaying markedly better antiproliferation activity against HCT‐116 cell line than the respective proligands and the standard drug (IC₅₀ = 10.2 μM).     

Four iron(II) carbonyl complexes containing both pyridyl and halide ligands: Their synthesis,characterization, stability,and anticancer activity

Four iron(II) carbonyl complexes, fac‐[Fe (CO)₃X₂(py)] (X = I^?, 1 and Br^?, 3 ), fac‐[{Fe (CO)₃X₂}₂(bipy)] (X = I^?, 2 and Br^?, 4 ), were facilely synthesized by reacting cis‐[Fe (CO)₄X₂] (X = I^?, Br^?) with pyridine (py) and 4,4′‐dipyridine (bipy) ligands, respectively, in good yields (70%~85%). These complexes were fully characterized, and the structures of Complexes 2 and 3 were crystallographically analyzed. In dimethyl sulfoxide, they decomposed rapidly to release carbon monoxide (CO), and in methanol, they showed better stability which allowed kinetically analyzing their decomposing behaviors. The self‐decomposing in methanol fitted first‐order kinetics with a half‐time ranging from several minutes to 1 h. Our results suggested that the ligand with great conjugation (bipy) and strong electron‐donating capability (iodide) could stabilize the iron(II) carbonyl complexes. The decomposition of the iodo complexes ( 1 and 2 ) involved the production of iodine radicals. MTT (3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assessments revealed that the efficacy against human bladder carcinoma cell line (RT112) is in the following trend: 1 > 2 > 3 > 4 . The relatively strong efficacy of Complexes 1 and 2 is mainly contributed to the in situ generated iodine radicals. The combination of the cytotoxicity of the in situ generated radicals with the anticancer activity of CO as reported in literatures may lead to developing novel anticancer drugs with enhanced efficacy.     

Elaborated spectral,modeling, QSAR,docking, thermal,antimicrobial and anticancer activity studies for new nanosized metal ion complexes derived from sulfamerazine azodye

New azodye ligand (H₂L) and its relative Cr(III)-, Mn(II)-, Fe(III)-, Co(II)-, Ni(II)-, Cu(II)-, Zn(II)- and Cd(II)-nanosized complexes were prepared. A new synthesized compounds were characterized using spectral (mass, IR, UV–Vis, XRD, and ESR) and analytical (elemental, molar conductance, thermal and magnetic moment measurements) tools. Infrared spectra showed that the ligand behaves as a monobasic bidentate, coordinating with central atoms through carbonyl oxygen and α-hydroxyl group. The geometrical structures of Cr(III) and Fe(III) complexes were found to be in octahedral configuration, whereas Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes have tetrahedral forms. XRD patterns reflect an amorphous appearance of all investigated complexes. TEM images showed nanosized particles and identical distribution over the complex surface. Molecular modeling for the drug ligand and its metal ion complexes were performed using Gaussian09 program to assert on their structural formulae. Some essential parameters were extracted using HOMO and LUMO energies. AutoDock tools 4.2 was used to simulate the interaction process with infected cell proteins to expect the experimental pathway. The inhibition activity of drug ligand and its metal ion complexes was evaluated towards different types of bacteria and fungi through in vitro antimicrobial activities. The antitumor activities of all compounds are straightened towards human liver carcinoma (HEPG2) cell lines. Fe(III) and Co(II) complexes exhibited IC₅₀ of 2.90 and 4.23 µg mL^?1, respectively, which means they are more potent anticancer drug than the standard (doxorubicin, IC₅₀ = 4.73 µg mL^?1). Therefore, the two complexes may consider promising anticancer drugs.

     

Histone‐Deacetylase‐Targeted Fluorescent Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes as Potent Anticancer Agents

Histone deacetylases inhibitors (HDACis) have gained much attention as a new class of anticancer agents in recent years. Herein, we report a series of fluorescent ruthenium(II) complexes containing N¹‐hydroxy‐N⁸‐(1,10‐phenanthrolin‐5‐yl)octanediamide ( L ), a suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) derivative, as a ligand. As expected, these complexes show interesting chemiphysical properties, including relatively high quantum yields, large Stokes shifts, and long emission lifetimes. The in vitro inhibitory effect of the most effective drug, [Ru(DIP)₂ L ](PF₆)₂ ( 3 ; DIP: 4,7‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline), on histone deacetylases (HDACs) is approximately equivalent in activity to that of SAHA, and treatment with complex 3 results in increased levels of the acetylated histone H3. Complex 3 is highly active against a panel of human cancer cell lines, whereas it shows relatively much lower toxicity to normal cells. Further mechanism studies show that complex 3 can elicit cell cycle arrest and induce apoptosis through mitochondria‐related pathways and the production of reactive oxygen species. These data suggest that these fluorescent ruthenium(II)–HDACi conjugates may represent a promising class of anticancer agents for potential dual imaging and therapeutic applications targeting HDACs.     

Bioreducible and core‐crosslinked hybrid micelles from trimethoxysilyl‐ended poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐S‐S‐poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers: Thiol‐ene click synthesis and properties

Bioreducible and core‐crosslinked hybrid micelles were for the first time fabricated from biodegradable and biocompatible trimethoxysilyl‐terminated and disulfide‐bond‐linked block copolymers poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐S‐S‐poly(ethylene oxide), which were prepared by combining thiol‐ene coupling reaction and ring‐opening polymerization. The molecular structures, physicochemical, self‐assembly, and bioreducible properties of these copolymers were thoroughly characterized by means of FTIR, ¹H NMR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy. The core‐crosslinking sol‐gel reaction was confirmed by ¹H NMR, and the core‐crosslinked hybrid micelles contained about 3 wt % of silica. The bioreducible property of both uncrosslinked and core‐crosslinked micelles in 10 mM 1,4‐dithiothreitol (DTT) solution was monitored by DLS, which demonstrated that the PEO corona gradually shedded from the PCL core. The anticancer doxorubicin drug‐loaded micelles showed nearly spherical morphology compared with blank micelles, presenting a DTT reduction‐triggered drug‐release profile at 37 °C. Notably, the core‐crosslinked hybrid micelles showed about twofold drug loading capacities and a half drug‐release rate compared with the uncross‐liked counterparts. This work provides a useful platform for the fabrication of bioreducible and core‐crosslinked hybrid micelles potential for anticancer drug delivery system. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Reduction‐responsive poly (ethylene glycol)‐dexamethasone biarm conjugate and its self‐assembled nanomicelles: Preparation,physicochemical characterization,and thiol‐triggered drug release

In this study, a reduction‐responsive poly (ethylene glycol)‐dexamethasone biarm conjugate was synthesized as intracellular targeted drug delivery carriers. The hydroxyl end group of methoxy poly (ethylene glycol) (mPEG) was modified to introduce a biarm structure with bioreducible disulfide bond and amine end groups. Dexamethasone (Dex) as a nuclear targeting moiety was conjugated to the amine end groups of mPEG biarm derivatives, mPEG‐(NH₂)₂ or mPEG‐(ss‐NH₂)₂, with or without bioreducible disulfide bonds. The bioreducible and nonreducible mPEG‐Dex biarm conjugates, R‐mPEG‐Dex and N‐mPEG‐Dex, were synthesized and characterized by various analytical methods, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR), Fourier transform infraredspectroscopy (FT‐IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and fluorescence measurements. Amphiphilic mPEG‐Dex conjugates self‐assembled in aqueous solutions to form nanoparticles (NPs) with a size range of 130 to 150 nm, and their critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) were determined to be 12.4 and 15.3 mg/L, respectively, for bioreducible and nonreducible ones. The R‐mPEG‐Dex NPs maintained good colloidal stability in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) for more than 1 week but demonstrated a significant change in colloidal stability in the presence of dithiothreitol (DTT). In DTT‐containing phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), the bioreducible NPs showed not only reduction‐responsive destabilization with PEG shedding but also thiol‐dependent drug release profile. Our observations indicated that the R‐mPEG‐Dex NPs have a promising prospective as an efficient nanocarrier for intracellular targeted delivery of various anticancer drugs.     

Nonstoichiometric interpolyelectrolyte complexes as colloidal dispersions based on NaPAMPS and their interaction with colloidal silica particles

Preparation and characterization of some nonstoichiometric interpolyelectrolyte complexes (NIPECs) as stable colloidal dispersions by the interaction between poly(sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate) (NaPAMPS) and three strong polycations bearing quaternary ammonium salt centres in the backbone, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) and two polycations containing N,N-dimethyl-2-hydroxypropyleneammonium chloride units (PCA₅ and PCA₅D₁), have been followed in this study as a function of the polycation structure and polyelectrolyte concentration. Complex characteristics were followed by polyelectrolyte titration, turbidity and quasi-ellastic light scattering. Almost monodisperse NIPECs nanoparticles with a good storage stability were prepared when total concentration of polyelectrolyte was varied in the range 0.85-6.35 mmol/L, at a ratio between charges (n⁻/n⁺) of 0.7. NIPECs as a new kind of flocculants were used to flocculate a stable monodisperse silica suspension. The main advantage of NIPECs as flocculants is the broad flocculation window, which is a very important aspect for industrial applications.     

Preparation and Characterization of GCE Coatings Combining DDDMAB and PDADMAC with FAD and HCM for Electrocatalytic Detection of Oxygen and Sulfur Oxoanions

Electrochemically active hybrid coatings based on cationic films, didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDDMAB), and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) are prepared on glassy carbon electrode surface by cycling the film‐covered electrode repetitively in a pH 7 solution containing flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), and anionic hexacyanometalate (HCM) complexes, Fe(CN)₆^3? and Ru(CN)₆^4?. Cyclic voltammetric features of hybrid coatings resemble that of electron transfer process of surface‐confined redox species. Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) was used to monitor the deposition of FAD on DDDMAB film. Cyclic voltammetric peak potentials of modified electrode were found to be shifted to more negative region with increasing pH of contacting solution with a slope value of 63.3mV per pH unit. The electrocatalytic behavior of FAD‐modified DDDMAB‐coated GCE and hybrid film electrodes was tested towards reduction of oxygen, S₂O₈^2?, SO₅^2? and oxidation of SO₃^2?. The application of FAD‐modified DDDMAB‐coated GCE for S₂O₈^2? estimation was demonstrated in amperometric mode. The sensitivity and detection limit (S/N=3) were 267.6 μA mM^?1 and 2×10^?6 M, respectively.     

Light and pH dual‐sensitive biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles for controlled release of cargos

In this article, a light and pH dual‐sensitive block copolymer PEG‐b‐poly(MPC‐Azo/DEA) was facilely prepared for the first time by azide‐alkyne click chemistry between amphiphilic block copolymer bearing pendant alkynyl group poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly(5‐methyl‐5‐propargylxycarbonyl‐1,3‐dioxane‐2‐one) (PEG‐b‐poly(MPC)) and two azide‐containing compounds azobenzene derivative (Azo‐N₃) and 2‐azido‐1‐ethyl‐diethylamine (DEA‐N₃). Light response of the polymeric nanoparticles benefits from the azobenzene segments and pH responsiveness is attributed to DEA moieties. The prepared copolymer could self‐assemble into spherical micelle particles. The morphological changes of these particles in response to dual stimuli were investigated by UV/vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nile Red (NR) was utilized as probe, and fluorescence spectroscopy was served as an evidence for the enhanced release of cargos from polymeric nanoparticles under combined stimulation. Anticancer drug, DOX was loaded into the nanoparticles and the loaded‐DOX could be released from these nanoparticles under dual stimuli. MTT assays further demonstrated that PEG‐b‐poly(MPC) and PEG‐b‐poly(MPC‐Azo/DEA) were of biocompatibility and low toxicity against HepG2 cells as well as SMCC‐7721 cells. More importantly, the prepared DOX‐loaded nanoparticles exhibited good anticancer ability for the two cells. The synthesized light and pH dual‐sensitive biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles were expected to be platforms for precisely controlled release of encapsulated molecules. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 1773–1783     

Solid polymer electrolytes. IV. Preparation and characterization of novel crosslinked epoxy‐siloxane polymer complexes as polymer electrolytes

Two series of novel crosslinked siloxane‐based polymers and their complexes with lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) were prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid‐state NMR (¹³C, ²⁹Si, and ⁷Li nuclei), and differential scanning calorimetry. Their thermal stability and ionic conductivity of these complexes were also investigated by thermogravimetric and AC impedance measurements. In these polymer networks, poly(propylene oxide) chains with different molecular weights were introduced through self‐synthesized epoxy‐siloxane precursors cured with two curing agents. The glass‐transition temperature (T_g) of these copolymers is dependent on the length of the ether units. The dissolution of LiClO₄ considerably increases the T_g of the polyether segments. The dependence of the ionic conductivity was investigated as a function of temperature, LiClO₄ concentration, and the molecular weight of the polyether segments. The ion‐transport behavior was affected by the combination of the ionic mobility and number of carrier ions. The ⁷Li solid‐state NMR line shapes of these polymer complexes suggest a significant interaction between Li⁺ ions and the polymer matrix, and temperature‐ and LiClO₄ concentration‐dependent chemical shifts are correlated with ionic conductivity. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1226–1235, 2002     

仿生制备有机-无机复合微囊固定化葡萄糖氧化酶

将层层自组装技术与仿生矿化技术相结合,由聚苯乙烯磺酸钠、聚二甲基二烯丙基氯化铵和二氧化硅成功制备(聚苯乙烯磺酸钠-聚二甲基二烯丙基氯化铵)₂-二氧化硅复合微囊.采用扫描电子显微镜、红外光谱和热重对微囊的形貌和化学结构进行了表征.以该复合微囊作为理想载体固定化葡萄糖氧化酶.结果表明,固定于复合微囊中的葡萄糖氧化酶的热稳定性、pH稳定性、操作稳定性得到了提高;在最适条件下,复合微囊固定化葡萄糖氧化酶的酶活回收率为72.85%,米氏常数是游离葡萄糖氧化酶的2.21倍.复合微囊在化学/生物催化、药物/基因传递系统和生物传感器应用方面具有一定的潜能.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes containing 4‐methoxybenzhydrazone ligands: synthesis,characterization, DNA binding,DNA cleavage,radical scavenging and in vitro cytotoxic activity

Three ruthenium(II) hydrazone complexes of composition [RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂L] were synthesized from the reactions of [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃] with hydrazones derived from 4‐methoxybenzhydrazide and 4‐formylbenzoic acid (HL¹), 4‐methylbenzaldehyde (HL²) and 2‐bromobenzaldehyde (HL³). The synthesized hydrazone ligands and their metal complexes were characterized using elemental analysis and infrared, UV–visible, NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P) and mass spectral techniques. The hydrazone ligands act as bidentate ones, with O and N as the donor sites, and are predominantly found in the enol form in all the complexes studied. The molecular structures of the ligands HL¹, HL² and HL³ were determined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The interactions of the ligands and the complexes with calf thymus DNA were studied using absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry which revealed that the compounds could interact with calf thymus DNA through intercalation. The DNA cleavage activity of the complexes was evaluated using a gel electrophoresis assay which revealed that the complexes act as good DNA cleavage agents. In addition, all the complexes were subjected to antioxidant assay, which showed that they all possess significant scavenging activity against 2,2‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, OH and NO radicals. The in vitro cytotoxic effect of the complexes examined on cancerous cell lines (HeLa and MCF‐7) showed that the complexes exhibit substantial anticancer activity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biomineralization of Versatile CuS/Gd2O3 Hybrid Nanoparticles for MR Imaging and Antitumor Photothermal Chemotherapy

The versatile application of nanoparticles in integrating imaging and therapy has aroused extensive research interest in precision medicine. Of the various nanoparticles that have been studied, CuS has shown great potential in the construction of multifunctional agents, owing to its excellent photothermal heating properties. Herein, we report a facile one‐pot biomineralization approach for the preparation of versatile bovine‐serum‐albumin‐conjugated CuS/Gd₂O₃ hybrid nanoparticles (BSA?CuS/Gd₂O₃ HNPs), which simultaneously possessed strong longitudinal relaxivity, an outstanding photothermal effect, high drug‐loading capacity, and pH/temperature‐responsive drug release. The versatile nanoparticles were used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and antitumor photothermal chemotherapy, both in vitro and in vivo. In vivo MRI showed that the BSA?CuS/Gd₂O₃ HNPs had a long circulation time and effective passive tumor‐uptake ability. More importantly, combined in vitro and in vivo therapy demonstrated that drug‐loaded BSA?CuS/Gd₂O₃ HNPs offered outstanding synergistic therapeutic efficacy for tumor inhibition.     

Effect of inert diluent segment on the miscibility behavior of poly(vinylphenol) with poly(acetoxystyrene) blends

Polymer blends of poly(vinylphenol) (PVPh) and poly(styrene‐co‐vinylphenol) with poly(p‐acetoxystyrene) (PAS) were prepared by solution casting from tetrahydrofuran solution. The thermal properties and hydrogen bonding of the blends were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Although hydrogen bonding existed between the PVPh and PAS segments, the experimental results indicated that PVPh is immiscible with PAS as shown by the existence of two glass‐transition temperatures over the entire composition range by DSC. This phenomenon is attributed to the strong self‐association of PVPh, intramolecular screening, and functional group accessibility effects of the PVPh/PAS blend system. However, the incorporation of an inert diluent moiety such as styrene into the PVPh chain renders the modified polymer to be miscible with PAS. Copolymers containing between 16 and 51 mol % vinylphenol were fully miscible with PAS according to DSC studies. These observed results were caused by the reduction of the strong self‐association of PVPh and the increase of the interassociation between PVPh and PAS segments with the incorporation of styrene on the PVPh chain. According to the Painter‐Coleman association model, the interassociation equilibrium constant of PVPh/PAS blends was determined by a model compound and polymer blend. Good correlation between these two methods was obtained after considering the intramolecular screening and functional group accessibility effect in the polymer blend. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1661–1672, 2002