Iodinated Metallacrowns: Toward Combined Bimodal Near-Infrared and X-Ray Contrast Imaging Agents

Multimodal probes capable of combining imaging modalities within a single molecule are in high demand today as they can provide information at both molecular and anatomical levels. Herein, a study was conducted on a series of gallium(III)/lanthanide(III) bis(12-MC-4) metallacrowns (MCs) with the general composition {Ln[12-MC_Ga^III_N(shi)-4]}₂(iph)₄ ( Ln-I _x , x=0, 4, 8, 12), where shi and iph are salicylhydroximate and isophthalate ligands, respectively, or their iodinated derivatives. For Yb-I _x , the attenuation in X-ray computed tomography (XCT) imaging and near-infrared (NIR) luminescence properties can be finely tuned by controlled structural modifications based on iodo groups. Solutions of Yb-I _x appear to be 22–40 times more efficient as XCT agents in comparison to the commercially available iobitridol, while providing an intense emission signal in the NIR range with total quantum yields up to 8.6 %, which are among the highest values reported so far. Therefore, these molecules are promising potential bimodal agents for combined NIR luminescence and XCT imaging.     

[Ga3+8Sm3+2, Ga3+8Tb3+2] Metallacrowns are Highly Promising Ratiometric Luminescent Molecular Nanothermometers Operating at Physiologically Relevant Temperatures

Nanothermometry is the study of temperature at the submicron scale with a broad range of potential applications, such as cellular studies or electronics. Molecular luminescent-based nanothermometers offer a non-contact means to record these temperatures with high spatial resolution and thermal sensitivity. A luminescent-based molecular thermometer comprised of visible-emitting Ga³⁺/Tb³⁺ and Ga³⁺/Sm³⁺ metallacrowns (MCs) achieved remarkable relative thermal sensitivity associated with very low temperature uncertainty of S_r=1.9 % K⁻¹ and δT<0.045 K, respectively, at 328 K, as an aqueous suspension of polystyrene nanobeads loaded with the corresponding MCs. To date, they are the ratiometric molecular nanothermometers offering the highest level of sensitivity in the physiologically relevant temperature range.     

Ammonium, alkylammonium, and amino acid complexes of a hexacopper fluoro-metallacrown cavitand

Reaction of CuF2 with one equivalent of 3{5}-(pyrid-2-yl)-5{3}-(tertbutyl)pyrazole (HL) and excess NH4OH in MeOH affords crystalline [NH4{Cu(micro-F)(microL)}6(CH2Cl2)2]HF2 in moderate yield. This compound contains the 12-MC-6 metallacrown [{Cu(micro-F)(micro-L)}6] (1) with a NH4 + ion at its center, and CH2Cl2 molecules complexed in bowl-shaped cavities above and below the Cu6F6 ring. Similar reactions using the bases MeNH2, glycine, l-alanine or beta-alanine afforded solvated crystals of [1(H3NMe)2]Cl2, [1(gly)2], [1(l-ala)2], and [1(beta-ala)2], respectively. The metallacrown 1 in these products contains methylammonium and zwitterionic amino-acid guests in its two bowl-shaped cavities; each of the amino acids hydrogen-bonds to three F atoms. A related reaction using 1,6-diaminohexane resulted in fixation of CO2 from the air to give solvated [1(H3NC6H12NHCO2)2], again with a zwitterionic guest. NMR, ESI-MS and UV/vis measurements suggest that the metallacrown 1 retains its integrity in several organic solvents, although it is unclear to what extent guest binding takes place in solution.     

Halogen-substituted salicylhydroximate copper(II) metallacrowns: from synthesis and structures to novel applications

New halogen-substituted salicylhydroximate copper(II) metallacrowns were synthesized from Cu(OAc)₂ and the corresponding salicylhydroxamic acids. Their molecular structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds obtained represent the first members of the metallacrown family that can be used as components of active initiators for the photopolymerization of oligo-carbonate dimethacrylate by visible light.