Isomeric Fe(II) MOFs: from a diamond-framework spin-crossover material to a 2D hard magnet

Two Fe(II) coordination polymers formed from isomeric ligands give a diamond-like 3D network exhibiting a gradual SCO and a 2D hard magnet with a large coercive field.     

A versatile and modular approach to functionalisation of deep-cavity cavitands via"click" chemistry

The surface modification of deep-cavity cavitands has been demonstrated by using the azide-alkyne "click" coupling to attach dendritic macromolecules or linear polymers onto their periphery. The resulting set of macromolecular cavitands exhibited tuneable solubility yet retained the ability to encapsulate guest molecules.     

Discovery of novel anti-HIV active G-quadruplex-forming oligonucleotides

A series of d((5')TGGGAG(3')) sequences, 5'-conjugated with a variety of aromatic groups through phosphodiester linkages, were synthesized, showing CD spectra diagnostic of parallel-stranded, tetramolecular G-quadruplex structures. When tested for anti-HIV-1 and HIV-2 activity, potent inhibition of HIV-1 infection in CEM cell cultures was found, associated with high selectivity index values. Surface Plasmon Resonance assays revealed specific binding to HIV-1 gp120 and gp41.     

A "by-productless" cellulose foaming agent for use in imidazolium ionic liquids

Cellulose foams, or sponges, are produced from solutions in ionic liquids by the aqueous acid mediated decomposition of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-2-carboxylates, where the alkyl group and acid may be selected such that the by-product is the ionic liquid solvent: a by-productless foaming.     

Solvent and hydrogen confinement in molecular capsules-Hirshfeld surface and molecular simulation analysis

Hirshfeld surface analysis of the 'ordered' inner phase of the molecular capsule complex, [(chloroform)(6)@C-n-butylpyrogallol[4]arene)(6)], provides insight into the intermolecular contacts and orientation of the solvent molecules. Molecular simulations show that adding two or three hydrogen molecules to the six solvent molecules is energetically favoured, and this correlates with NMR studies.     

pKas of the conjugate acids of N-heterocyclic carbenes in water

pK(a) values of 19.8-28.2 are reported for the conjugate acids of a large series of NHCs in water. The effects of ring size, N-substituent and C(4)-C(5) saturation on pK(a) are discussed.     

Absence of quenching by [Fe(CN)6]4- is not proof of DNA intercalation

The quenching of the (3)MLCT emission of three Ru(II) complexes of known DNA binding mode is compared. This work shows that relative binding constants dictate whether quenching is observed in the presence of DNA rather than protection of the probe by intercalation, as has been commonly stated.     

Covalent ladder formation becomes kinetically trapped beyond four rungs

Scrambling experiments suggest that the self-assembly of 2D ladders via imine metathesis is kinetically trapped at four or more rungs. Consequently, ladders containing five or more rungs cannot be synthesized in high yield under the conditions used, as misaligned out-of-register byproducts cannot self-correct.     

Engineering of a redox protein for DNA-directed assembly

Engineered enzyme conjugate of the small laccase enzyme from Streptomyces coelicolor and zinc finger DNA binding domain from Zif268 is demonstrated to bind double stranded DNA in a site specific manner while retaining enzymatic activity.     

Thermal analyses of organic powders made from precipitation polymerization of triallyl monomers

Organic solids have been prepared from radical-initiated activation of solutions composed of tetradecane and triallyl trimesate (TAM) monomer or triallyl phosphate (TAP) monomer using a recently developed variation of precipitation polymerization methods. The powders, which comprise fused aggregates, are shown to be rich in monomer (83–88 wt% TAM or 86–92 wt% TAP), and are believed to be formed by a combination of hydrocarbon addition and allyl group oligomerization. TAM-g-tetradecane primary particles are on the order of 500 nm in diameter, while TAP-g-tetradecane particles are on the order of 100–200 nm diameter. These products are thermochemically assessed using a combination of differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry and pyrolysis combustion flow calorimetry. The phosphorus-containing TAP-g-tetradecane shows exothermic activity around 230 °C, likely due to thermal decomposition of the trialkyl phosphate moiety, and may find use in advanced materials applications.