Our expedition in the construction of fluorescent supramolecular metallacycles

This review summarized our efforts in the development of fluorescent supramolecular metallacycles.     

Our expedition in the construction of fluorescent supramolecular metallacycles

During the past few years, the construction of fluorescent supramolecular metallocycles has attracted extensive attention due to their diverse applications such as sensing, photoelectric devices, and mimicking complicated natural photo-processes. In this review, we will discuss how we entered the field of fluorescent supramolecular metallacycles and what we investigated in this field. The preparation of various fluorescent supramolecular metallacycles and their applications in monitoring the dynamics of coordination-driven self-assembly, sensing, catalysts, and supramolecular gels will be summarized.     

Synthesis, characterization, and supramolecular properties of a hydrophilic porphyrin--beta-cyclodextrin conjugate

Reductive amination of 6-deoxy-6-formyl-beta-cyclodextrin with 5-(p-aminophenyl)-10,15,20-tris(p-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin in the presence of an excess of sodium cyanoborohydride affords the hydrophilic cyclodextrin-porphyrin conjugate 3 in 23% yield. The structure of 3 was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry techniques. Compound 3 showed a marked tendency to dimerize in aqueous conditions via the formation of intermolecular porphyrin-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes and/or through electrostatic interactions. Information on the structure of these aggregates has been obtained by the use of circular dichroism and UV-vis spectroscopy. Aggregation can be avoided by the use of heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (TM beta CD) that forms a 1:1 inclusion complex with compound 3.     

BioSimGrid: towards a worldwide repository for biomolecular simulations

BioSimGrid is a database for biomolecular simulations, or, a "Protein Data Bank extended in time" for molecular dynamics trajectories. We describe the implementation details: architecture, data schema, deposition, and analysis modules. We encourage the simulation community to explore BioSimGrid and work towards a common trajectory exchange format.     

Organocuprate conjugate addition: structural features of diastereomeric and supramolecular pi-intermediates

In the reaction pathway of conjugate additions with organocuprate reagents, Cu(I) pi-complexes and Cu(III) sigma-complexes have been identified as central, NMR-detectable intermediate species. However, no experimental evidence for the structures of pi-intermediates with extensive chiral enones or the principal aggregation level and aggregate structure of pi-complexes in diethyl ether has been available so far. Furthermore, the structural characteristics of pi-complexes which are essential for their high reactivities and diastereoselectivities have not yet been rationalized experimentally. Therefore, the pi-intermediates of 4,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-4a-methyl-naphthalen-2(3H)-one and Me2CuLi or Me2CuLi x LiX (X = I, CN) in diethyl ether are investigated in detail. For the first time, the formation of two intermediate cuprate enone pi-complexes on both sides of the double bond is observed. In addition, the conformation of the enone adopted in the major beta-face pi-complex rationalizes the exclusive syn addition observed in the synthetic product. For the investigation of the aggregation level and structure, a NMR screening of pi-complexes with Me2CuLi x LiX (X = I, CN) and three achiral enones is performed, which simplifies the spectra by the generation of enantiotopic pi-complexes. Thus, NMR diffusion experiments on cuprate intermediates and the detection of scalar couplings across copper without isotope labeling are possible for the first time. Extensive NMR studies, including those of cyclohexanone complexes, show that, in principle, salt-free dimethylcuprate is able to complex the carbonyl group. However, in the presence of salt, the carbonyl-complexing aggregates are composed of salt and cuprate moieties. These mixed aggregates cause the formation of large supramolecular pi-intermediate structures which control their reactivity. The pi-complexing cuprate units show a bent geometry as a general structural feature that is unaffected by the presence or kind of salt and the type of enone. Thus, the high diastereoselectivity and the reactivity of organocuprate 1,4-addition reactions are for the first time rationalized on the basis of structural characteristics of selected pi-intermediates.     

Imaging cellular distribution of fluorescent supramolecular nanofibers

In this study, we used the 4-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD) as an aromatic capping group for a peptide to construct the supramolecular nanofibers. Taking the advantage of the fluorescence property of NBD, we could directly observe the cellular distribution of the self-assembled nanofibers. We found that the distributions of the nanofibers of NBD-FFETIGGY are different in four mammalian cells and two plant cells. The nanofibers are mainly located at the surface of two mammalian cells and one plant cell, while in the intracellular space of other cells. Different distributions of nanofibers lead to different protein binding patterns of the nanofibers in two different cell lines. We believe that a useful and versatile platform has been offered to the image cellular distribution of nanofibers, which can provide useful information to the biological functions of the self-assembled nanostructures.     

Aldehyde responsive supramolecular hydrogels: towards biomarker-specific delivery systems

A reactive supramolecular hydrogel sensitive to the presence of aldehydes is reported. Its fast disassembly in the presence of hydrophobic aldehydes allows the use for the release of substances (i.e. drugs) entrapped within the gel network.     

Live cell imaging of a fluorescent gentamicin conjugate

Understanding cellular mechanisms of ototoxic and nephrotoxic drug uptake, intracellular distribution, and molecular trafficking across cellular barrier systems aids the study of potential uptake blockers that preserve sensory and renal function during critical life-saving therapy. Herein we report the design, synthesis characterization and evaluation of a fluorescent conjugate of the aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin. Live cell imaging results show the potential utility of this new material. Related gentamicin conjugates studied to date quench in live kindney cells, and have been largely restricted to use in fixed (delipidated) cells.     

Synthesis of fluorescent carboxylic acid ligands for construction of monolayers on nanostructures

Two new long-chain carboxylic acids (1, 2) bearing strong fluorescent group pyrene as ligands for Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) have been synthesized. The multistep targeted synthesis is accomplished by use of Pyren-1-yl methylamine hydrochloride and employing simplified synthetic protocols. Compound 2 contains a chiral center purposely introduced along the atom chain in order to make it suitable for chiro-optical studies of the resulting SAMs.      

Controlled self-assembly of carbohydrate conjugate rod-coil amphiphiles for supramolecular multivalent ligands

Carbohydrate conjugate rod-coil amphiphiles were synthesized and their self-assembling behavior in aqueous solution was investigated. These amphiphiles were observed to self-assemble into supramolecular structures that differ significantly depending on the molecular architecture. The rod-coil amphiphiles based on a short coil (1) self-assemble into a vesicular structure, while the amphiphiles with a long coil (2) show a spherical micellar structure. In contrast, 3, based on a twin-rod segment, was observed to aggregate into cylindrical micelles with twice the diameter of molecular length scale. As a means to determine the binding activity to protein receptors of these supramolecular objects, hemagglutination inhibition assay was performed. The experiments showed that the supramolecular architecture has a significant effect on the binding activity. In addition, incubation experiments with Escherichia coli showed that mannose-coated objects specifically bind to the bacterial pili of the ORN 178 strain. These results demonstrate that precise control of the nano-objects in shape and size by molecular design can provide control of the biological activities of the supramolecular materials.     

Synthesis of supramolecular fullerene-porphyrin-Cu(phen)(2)-ferrocene architectures. A heteroleptic approach towards tetrads

Four supramolecular fullerene-porphyrin-Cu(phen)(2)-ferrocene architectures were accessed by a twofold coordination strategy. At first, the phenanthroline-linked zinc porphyrins , conceived as supramolecular synthons, were combined with a ferrocene module, 3,8-(diferrocenylethynyl)phenanthroline, by a Cu(i)-mediated heteroleptic bisphenanthroline complexation (HETPHEN) protocol to furnish the porphyrin-Cu(phen)(2)-ferrocene aggregates . Subsequently, the fullerene module was incorporated by axial pyridyl coordination to the zinc porphyrin, affording . Their suitability as tetrads was interrogated using electrochemical and photophysical data.     

Extending the horizon: towards the efficient modeling of large biomolecular complexes in atomic detail

The application of evaluation of implicit solvent methods for the simulation of biomolecules is described. Detailed comparisons with explicit solvent are described for the modeling of peptide and proteins in continuum aqueous solvent. In addition, we are presenting new data on the simulation of DNA with implicit solvent and describe the development of a heterogeneous dielectric model for the simulation of integral membranes. The performance of implicit solvent simulations based on the GBMV generalized Born method is compared with explicit solvent simulations, and implications for the simulation of very large biomolecular complexes is discussed. We are anticipating that the work described herein will lead to new, efficient modeling tools that will allow the simulation of longer timescales and larger system sizes in order to meet current and future challenges by the experimental community.     

DNA-based supramolecular hydrogels: From construction strategies to biomedical applications

DNA-based supramolecular hydrogels are important and promising biomaterials for various applications due to their inherent biocompatibility and tunable physicochemical properties. The three-dimensional supramolecular matrix of DNA formed by non-covalently dynamic cross-linking provides exceptional adaptability, self-healing, injectable and responsive properties for hydrogels. In addition, DNA hydrogels are also ideal bio-scaffold materials owing to their tissue-like mechanics and intrinsic biological functions. Technically, DNA can assemble into supramolecular networks by pure complementary base pairing; it can also be combined with other building blocks to construct hybrid hydrogels. This review focuses on the development and construction strategies of DNA hydrogels. Assembly and synthesis methods, diverse responsiveness and biomedical applications are summarized. Finally, the challenges and prospects of DNA-based supramolecular hydrogels are discussed.     

Syntheses of fluorescent thiocyanate supramolecular compounds with unusual two-dimensional structures

Three novel thiocyanate supramolecular compounds have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction and fluorescent spectra. Compound [pipH]₂[Co(NCS)₄] (pip=piperazine) 1 possesses a two-dimensional layer connected by the combination of N-H?N hydrogen bonds and weak S?S contacts. Under the same conditions, using nickel salt instead of cobalt salt as a starting material, we obtained a different two-dimensional supramolecular layer [pipH]₂[Ni(NCS)₄] 2 connected by unusual N-H?S hydrogen bonds and weak S?S contacts. In order to observe the influence of the dimension of ligand on the self-assembly structure, dabco was used for substituting pip, and compound [dabcoH]₂[Ni(NCS)₄] (dabco=1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2] octane) 3 was gained, which constructed two-dimensional, highly wavy network with hourglass-shaped cavities only through N-H?S hydrogen bonds.     

基于咔唑衍生物的荧光化学传感器的合成及其对金属离子的选择性识别性能

以咔唑为原料合成了2个荧光化学传感器,所得化合物的组成和结构经元素分析以及质谱、红外光谱、核磁共振氢谱验证.通过在25℃下进行荧光光谱滴定,研究了传感器在体积比为1∶1的二甲基亚砜/水缓冲溶液[三羟甲基氨基甲烷盐酸盐(Tris-HCl),pH=7.4]中对Cu2+和Fe3+的选择性识别作用.结果表明,所合成的传感器与Cu2+和Fe3+形成1∶1的配合物并导致荧光猝灭,并对Cu2+离子和Fe3+离子具有较高的选择性识别和荧光传感性能.     

Synthesis of a triterpene-spermidine conjugate

Three synthetic approaches to triterpene-spermidine conjugate coupled at the C³ atom have been tested. The best yield was obtained by reductive amination of betulonic acid methyl ester with spermidine.