Surface modification of magnetic nanoparticle via Cu(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide [2 + 3] cycloaddition

The Cu(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide [2 + 3] cycloaddition has been demonstrated to be an effective and orthogonal conjugation reaction to covalently immobilize biomolecules on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The azido group on the MNP surface provides better conjugation efficiency with alkynated molecules. Moreover, the C-terminal alkynated protein was site-specifically immobilized on MNP. The protein binding activity presented by site-specific immobilization is higher than that by random amide bond formation.     

Ionic liquid/PPh3 promoted cleavage of diphenyl disulfide and diselenide: a straight-forward metal-free one-pot route to the synthesis of unsymmetrical sulfides and selenides

A metal-free cleavage of diphenyl disulfide and diphenyl diselenide has been achieved using ionic liquid/triphenyl phosphine (PPh₃) and a convenient protocol for the one-pot synthesis of unsymmetrical sulfides and selenides by condensing ‘in situ’ generated thiolate or selenate anion with alkyl halides has been developed. In addition, 1,4-conjugate addition of the generated thiolate anions to activated alkenes has also been demonstrated. The ionic liquid, 1-methyl-3-pentyl imidazolium bromide, [pmIm]Br plays a crucial role in promoting the course of the reactions and shows superior activity and selectivity compared to other solvents. The [pmIm]Br has been reused for at least five times without appreciable loss of activity.     

Investigating a Boronate-Affinity-Guided Acylation Reaction for Labelling Native Antibodies

The excellent molecular recognition capabilities of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have opened up exciting opportunities for biotherapeutic discovery. Taking advantage of the full potential of this tool necessitates affinity ligands capable of conjugating directly with small molecules to a defined degree of biorthogonality, especially when modifying natural Abs. Herein, a bioorthogonal boronate-affinity-based Ab ligand featuring a 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine and an S-aryl thioester to label full-length Abs is reported. The photoactivatable linker in the acyl donor facilitated purification of azide-labelled Ab (N₃-Ab) was quantitatively cleaved upon brief exposure to UV light while retaining the original Ab activity. Click reactions enabled the precise addition of biotin, a fluorophore, and a pharmacological agent to the purified N₃-Abs. The resulting immunoconjugate showed selectivity against targeted cells. Bioorthogonal traceless design and reagentless purification allow this strategy to be a powerful tool to engineer native antibodies amenable to therapeutic intervention.     

Alumina-supported Cu(II), a versatile and recyclable catalyst for regioselective ring opening of aziridines and epoxides and subsequent cyclization to functionalized 1,4-benzoxazines and 1,4-benzodioxanes

An easily accessible catalyst, alumina-supported copper(II), efficiently catalyzes the ring opening of aziridines and epoxides followed by cyclization of the corresponding intermediate to produce a variety of functionalized 1,4-benzoxazines and 1,4-benzodioxanes, respectively, in one pot without any ligand in high yields. The ring cleavages of aziridines and epoxides are highly regioselective. The catalyst is inexpensive, non-air-sensitive, environmentally friendly, and recyclable. The function of the catalyst and the reaction pathway are postulated. This protocol is successfully utilized for the formation of three carbon-heteroatom bonds, namely, C-O, C-N, and C-S, in one pot.     

Total Synthesis of an Immunomodulatory Phosphoglycolipid from Thermophilic Bacteria

A method for the stereocontrolled synthesis of a bacterial phosphoglycolipid (PGL 1 ) isolated from thermophilic bacteria is described. The key features of the synthesis include a highly α‐selective glycosylation reaction between a trichloroacetimidate donor and a D ‐lyxose‐derived primary alcohol acceptor and the late‐stage incorporation of the phospholipid.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Surfactant Molecules Based on Amphiphilic Polymers

Twelve amphiphilic polymers were synthesized using poly(ethylene glycols) (PEGs) of different molecular weights, viz. 300, 600 and1000 as hydrophilic block and aliphatic diacids namely glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid and suberic acid as hydrophobic block in presence of catalyst Conc. H₂SO₄. Synthesized polyesters were characterized by using ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and IR spectroscopy. Micellar sizes of the polymers were determined using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) which ranged from 127.5–354 nm. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) results confirm the findings of DLS. Critical Micelle Concentrations (CMC) of the synthesized polymers were determined using electrical conductivity meter which ranged from 112 to 155 mg L^?1.     

Rh(III)‐Catalyzed Denitrogenative [4+2] Annulation of Benzamides and 3‐Diazoindolin‐2‐imines: Expedient Access to Indolo[2,3‐c] isoquinolin‐5‐ones

An effective and pragmatic strategy for the synthesis of structurally diverse indolo[2,3‐c]isoquinolin‐5‐ones has been developed via a Rh(III)‐catalyzed C?H activation and [4+2] annulation reaction of N‐methoxybenzamides and 3‐diazoindolin‐2‐imines. The reaction involves the efficient formation of two new (one C?C and one C?N) bonds under operationally simple conditions and has the benefits of a broad substrate scope.     

Mimicking the Energy Funnel of the Photosynthetic Unit Using a Dendrimer-Dye Supramolecular Assembly

Photosynthesis involves light-harvesting complexes where an array of antenna pigment channels the absorbed solar energy to the reaction centre of a photosystem. This work reports a supramolecular dendrimer-dye assembly that mimics the natural light-harvesting mechanism. A dendrimeric molecule based on two-fluorophores has been constructed with three coumarin units at the end of three long arms and a 7-diethylaminocoumarin unit at the interior. The molecule self-aggregates in water into spherical micelles, which can encapsulate a rose-bengal dye (RB). On excitation, peripheral coumarin units shuttled the energy to the loaded RB dye reaction center via a two-step cascade resonance energy transfer (RET). The energy absorbed in the periphery is funnelled efficiently, resulting in a strong emission from the dye that resembles an energy funnel. The energy transfer cascade has been studied with both steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Molecular dynamics simulations of the self-assembled aggregates in water were also in agreement with the experimental observations.     

Cobalt-catalyzed preparation of arylindium reagents from aryl and heteroaryl bromides

A cobalt-bathophenanthroline catalyst has been developed for the direct preparation of a variety of arylindium reagents from the corresponding aryl and heteroaryl bromides in the presence of indium metal and lithium chloride. The thus-formed arylindium reagents undergo efficient palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with aryl iodides, tolerating various functional groups including hydroxy and free amino groups.