Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of novel chalcone derivatives

A series of novel 3-[N, N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-amino]-chalcone derivatives 3a–3j were synthesized by the aldol condensation of [N, N-bis(2-hydroethyl)-3-amino]-acetophenone 2 with aromatic aldehydes. Their structures were further confirmed by ESI-HRMS, ¹H NMR, IR and elemental analysis. X-ray analysis reveals crystal 3b is a monoclinic system with P2₁/n space group. The antimicrobial activities of the newly synthesized chalcones in vitro were evaluated and the results indicated that most compounds presented moderate to good antimicrobial activities, especially the antifungal capability. Compounds 3a, 3d, 3f and 3g revealed obvious potency against Candida albicans with MIC values of 32 μg/mL, which were better compared with others.     

Platinum(II) complexes of reduced amino acid ester Schiff bases: synthesis, characterization, and antitumor activity

A series of platinum(II) complexes of reduced amino acid esters Schiff bases were synthesized as potential anticancer agents and characterized by ¹H NMR, EA, IR, and molar conductivity. These compounds were tested for their DNA interaction with salmon sperm DNA by ultraviolet spectrum and CD spectrum, and their in vitro anticancer activities have been validated against HL-60, KB, BGC-823, and Bel-7402 cell lines by MTT assay. The cytotoxicity of complexes 5d and 5f are better than cisplatin against Bel-7402 cell lines, and show a close cytotoxic effect against HL-60 cell line.     

Identification and releasing characteristics of β-cyclodextrin–phenylethanoid glycosides inclusion complex

β-Cyclodextrin–phenylethanoid glycosides inclusion complex was prepared and its releasing characteristic was investigated in this study. The results, obtained from Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction, indicated that phenylethanoid glycosides (PG) were able to form an inclusion complex with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). This complex exhibited different spectroscopic features, thermal stability and crystalline structure from PG. Molecular simulation results showed the benzene rings of PG incorporating into the hydrophobic cavity of β-CD during the complex formation. Furthermore, the releasing rate of the included PG in the inclusion complex was positively correlated with temperature and it was slightly higher in 0.5 % HCl solution than in water. These results suggested that the complexation technique using β-CD was a promising strategy for increasing the applications of PG in food and healthcare industries.     

Forming extremely smooth ZnO thin film on silicon substrates for growth of large and well-aligned ZnO rods with the hydrothermal method

Sol–gel zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films generally have non-uniform stripes. After annealing at high temperatures, these thin films are rough and granular. When ZnO rods are grown on such rough and non-uniform surface with the hydrothermal method, collimation, crystalline structure, and defect density are very poor. Here we explore a method to solve this problem. The ZnO thin film is first coated with an Au layer to prohibit the vertical extension of crystallization during the annealing period. As a result, the surface morphology of ZnO thin film is very flat and uniform after annealing. Afterwards, the ZnO rods are grown on the flat and uniform thin film, which gives rise to ZnO rods with very good collimation and crystalline structure. The extremely flat ZnO thin film even enables the fabrication of patterned ZnO rod arrays with regular shapes through lithography.     

A novel method to prepare polymer-ionic liquid gel under high pressure and its electrochemical properties

Sol–gel transition behavior of ionic liquid gel based on poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) and ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate [EMIM][EtSO₄] has been investigated under the pressure up to 250 MPa. The Temperature versus Pressure phase diagram of PEG/[EMIM][EtSO₄] gel is constructed, and it indicates that the melting point is an increasing function of pressure. Based on the phase diagram, the PEG/[EMIM][EtSO₄] gels are prepared by cooling under the pressure of 300 MPa and atmospheric pressure, respectively. From the differential scanning calorimetry result of the recovered samples, it is found that PEG/[EMIM][EtSO₄] gel prepared under high pressure has a higher crystallinity and smaller crystal size polymer network, comparing with under atmospheric pressure. The cyclic voltammograms and impedance spectra tests indicate that the PEG/[EMIM][EtSO₄] gel prepared under high pressure exhibit higher ionic conductivity comparing with atmospheric pressure. It could be speculated these excellent properties might be attributed to the loose gel structure and high ionic density induced by high pressure.     

用基于苯并噻二唑衍生物的比率荧光化学传感器检测氟离子

研制了一种用于灵敏、快速地检测溶液中的氟离子的基于苯并噻二唑衍生物的荧光传感器.4,7-二溴-2,1,3-苯并噻二唑与三甲基硅基乙炔通过Sonogashira偶联反应得到二取代的三甲基硅基乙炔苯并噻二唑;将该化合物用于检测氟离子,分析了检测灵敏度和选择性.结果表明,在乙腈和水(V/V=9∶1)混合溶液中,合成的苯并噻二唑衍生物的最大发射波长峰值为455nm(激发波长为376nm);就所测试的F-,Cl-,Br-,I-,ClO4-,AcO-,NO3-,H2PO3-,CN-和HSO4-等阴离子而言,仅F-可以脱除三甲基硅保护基使得该化合物荧光最大发射波长蓝移至435nm,荧光强度降低60%,且最低检测限可达4.5×10-8 mol/L.因此,二取代的三甲基硅基乙炔苯并噻二唑应用于氟离子检测具有很好的灵敏度和选择性.     

A Hydrogen-Deficient Nickel–Cobalt Double Hydroxide for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting

Developing highly efficient and low-cost photocatalysts for overall water splitting has long been a pursuit for converting solar power into clean hydrogen energy. Herein, we demonstrate that a nonstoichiometric nickel–cobalt double hydroxide can achieve overall water splitting by itself upon solar light irradiation, avoiding the consumption of noble-metal co-catalysts. We employed an intensive laser to ablate a NiCo alloy target immersed in alkaline solution, and produced so-called L-NiCo nanosheets with a nonstoichiometric composition and O²⁻/Co³⁺ ions exposed on the surface. The nonstoichiometric composition broadens the band gap, while O²⁻ and Co³⁺ ions boost hydrogen and oxygen evolution, respectively. As such, the photocatalyst achieves a H₂ evolution rate of 1.7 μmol h⁻¹ under AM 1.5G sunlight irradiation and an apparent quantum yield (AQE) of 1.38 % at 380 nm.     

Redox Dyshomeostasis Strategy for Hypoxic Tumor Therapy Based on DNAzyme-Loaded Electrophilic ZIFs

Redox homeostasis is one of the main reasons for reactive oxygen species (ROS) tolerance in hypoxic tumors, limiting ROS-mediated tumor therapy. Proposed herein is a redox dyshomeostasis (RDH) strategy based on a nanoplatform, FeCysPW@ZIF-82@CAT Dz, to disrupt redox homeostasis, and its application to improve ROS-mediated hypoxic tumor therapy. Once endocytosed by tumor cells, the catalase DNAzyme (CAT Dz) loaded zeolitic imidazole framework-82 (ZIF-82@CAT Dz) shell can be degraded into Zn²⁺ as cofactors for CAT Dz mediated CAT silencing and electrophilic ligands for glutathione (GSH) depletion under hypoxia, both of which lead to intracellular RDH and H₂O₂ accumulation. These “disordered” cells show reduced resistance to ROS and are effectively killed by ferrous cysteine-phosphotungstate (FeCysPW) induced chemodynamic therapy (CDT). In vitro and in vivo data demonstrate that the pH/hypoxia/H₂O₂ triple stimuli responsive nanocomposite can efficiently kill hypoxic tumors. Overall, the RDH strategy provides a new way of thinking about ROS-mediated treatment of hypoxic tumors.     

Porous Tantalum Nitride Single Crystal at Two-Centimeter Scale with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance

Porous tantalum nitride (Ta₃N₅) single crystals, combining structural coherence and porous microstructure, would substantially improve the photoelectrochemical performance. The structural coherence would reduce the recombination of charge carriers and maintain excellent transport properties while the porous microstructure would not only reduce photon scattering but also facilitate surface reactions. Here, we grow bulk-porous Ta₃N₅ single crystals on a two-centimeter scale with (002), (023), and (041) facets, respectively, and show significantly enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. We show the preferential facet growth of porous crystals in a lattice reconstruction strategy in relation to lattice match and lattice channel. We present the facet engineering to enhance light absorption, exciton lifetime and transport properties. The porous Ta₃N₅ single crystal boosts photoelectrochemical oxidation of alcohols with the (002) facet showing the highest performance of >99 % alcohol conversion and >99 % aldehyde/ketone selectivity.     

Doped Zero-Dimensional Cesium Zinc Halides for High-Efficiency Blue Light Emission

All-inorganic zero-dimensional (0D) metal halides have recently received increasing attention due to their excellent photoluminescence (PL) performance and high stability. Herein, we present the successful doping of copper(I) into 0D Cs₂ZnBr₄. The incorporating of Cu⁺ cations enables the originally weakly luminescent Cs₂ZnBr₄ to exhibit an efficient blue emission centered at around 465 nm, with a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 65.3 %. Detailed spectral characterizations, including ultrafast transient absorption (TA) techniques, were carried out to investigate the effect of Cu⁺ dopants and the origin of blue emission in Cs₂ZnBr₄:Cu. To further study the role of the A-site cation and halogen, A₂ZnCl₄:Cu (A=Cs, Rb) were also synthesized and found to generate intense sky-blue emission (PLQY≈73.1 %). This work represents an effective strategy for the development of environmentally friendly, low-cost and high-efficiency blue-emitting 0D all-inorganic metal halides.