Hydrophobic Shielding of Outer Surface: Enhancing the Chemical Stability of Metal–Organic Polyhedra

Metal–organic polyhedra (MOP) are a promising class of crystalline porous materials with multifarious potential applications. Although MOPs and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have similar potential in terms of their intrinsic porosities and physicochemical properties, the exploitation of carboxylate MOPs is still rudimentary because of the lack of systematic development addressing their chemical stability. Herein we describe the fabrication of chemically robust carboxylate MOPs via outer‐surface functionalization as an a priori methodology, to stabilize those MOPs system where metal–ligand bond is not so strong. Fine‐tuning of hydrophobic shielding is key to attaining chemical inertness with retention of the framework integrity over a wide range of pH values, in strong acidic conditions, and in oxidizing and reducing media. These results are further corroborated by molecular modelling studies. Owing to the unprecedented transition from instability to a chemically ultra‐stable regime using a rapid ambient‐temperature gram‐scale synthesis (within seconds), a prototype strategy towards chemically stable MOPs is reported.     

6,6′‐Di­methoxy‐2,2′‐[(1R,2R)‐cyclo­hexane‐1,2‐diyl­bis­(nitrilo­methyl­idyne)]­diphenol: three C—H⃛O hydrogen bonds generate a three‐dimensional framework

Molecules of the title compound, alternatively called (R,R)‐N,N′‐bis(3‐methoxysalicylidene)‐trans‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine, C₂₂H₂₆N₂O₄, contain two intramolecular O—H⃛N hydrogen bonds and adopt a conformation with approximate twofold rotational symmetry. The mol­ecules are linked by three C—H⃛O hydrogen bonds [H⃛O = 2.45–2.55 Å, C⃛O = 3.329 (2)–3.398 (2) Å and C—H⃛O = 142–172°] into a continuous framework.     

Modulation of the PGE2-Mediated Pathway in the Eclosion Blocking Effect of Flumethrin and Terpenoid Subfraction Isolated from Artemesia nilagirica in Rhipicephalus annulatus

Prostaglandins are a group of important cell-signaling molecules involved in the regulation of ovarian maturation, oocyte development, egg laying and associated behaviors in invertebrates. However, the presence of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), the key enzymes for PGE₂ biosynthesis and its interference by drugs were not investigated previously in the ovary of ticks. The present study was undertaken to assess the modulation of the PGE₂-mediated pathway in the eclosion blocking effect of flumethrin and terpenoid subfraction isolated from Artemisia nilagirica in Rhipicephalus annulatus ticks. The acaricidal activities and chemical profiling of the terpenoid subfraction were performed. The localization of the cyclooxygenase1 (COX1) and prostaglandin E synthase (PGES) enzymes and the quantification of PGE₂ in the ovaries of the ticks treated with methanol (control), flumethrin and terpenoid subfraction were also undertaken. In addition, the vitellogenin concentration in hemolymph was also assayed. Both flumethrin and the terpenoid subfraction of A. nilagirica elicited a concentration-dependent inhibition of fecundity and blocking of hatching of the eggs. The COX1 could not be detected in the ovaries of treated and control ticks, while there was no significant difference observed in the concentration of vitellogenin (Vg) in them. The presence of PGES in the oocytes of control ticks was confirmed while the immunoreactivities against PGES were absent in the vitellogenic oocytes of ticks treated with flumethrin and terpenoid subfraction. The levels of PGE₂ were below the detection limit in the ovaries of the flumethrin-treated ticks, while it was significantly lower in the ovaries of the terpenoid subfraction-treated ticks. Hence, the prostaglandin E synthase and PGE₂ were identified as very important mediators for the signaling pathway for ovarian maturation and oviposition in ticks. In addition, the key enzyme for prostaglandin biosynthesis, PGES and the receptors for PGE₂ can be exploited as potential drug targets for tick control. The detection of PGES by immunohistochemistry and quantification of PGE₂ by LC-MSMS can be employed as valuable tools for screening newer compounds for their eclosion blocking acaricidal effects.     

Application of TXRF for burn leach test of TRISO coated UO2 particles

A Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF) methodology, employing burn-leach test, was developed to assess the quality of SiC layer in tristructural isotropic (TRISO) coated UO₂ particles prepared in BARC. The coated particles were heated at 1,123 K for about 96 h to constant weight. The calcined particles, thus obtained, were then heated in suprapure concentrated nitric acid. The supernatant was analysed for trace elements by TXRF. No uranium was detected in this supernatant solution. The study demonstrates the good quality of SiC layer and applicability of TXRF for burn leach test of TRISO coated UO₂ particles prepared.     

Correction: A hybrid blue perovskite@metal–organic gel (MOG) nanocomposite: simultaneous improvement of luminescence and stability

Correction for ‘A hybrid blue perovskite@metal–organic gel (MOG) nanocomposite: simultaneous improvement of luminescence and stability’ by Samraj Mollick et al., Chem. Sci., 2019, 10, 10524–10530, DOI: 10.1039/C9SC03829A.

The authors regret that the formula used for the 2D perovskite EAPbBr₃ throughout the text is incorrect. The formula should read EA₂PbBr₄.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

Stabilizing Metal–Organic Polyhedra (MOP): Issues and Strategies

Metal–organic polyhedra (MOPs) are discrete, metal–organic molecular entities composed of edge‐sharing molecular polygons or connected molecular vertices. Unlike the infinite metal–organic coordination networks popularized by metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), spherical MOPs, also known as nanocages, nanospheres, nanocapsules, or nanoballs, are obtained through the self‐organization of metal–carboxylate or metal–pyridine/pyrimidine links to afford cage‐like nanoarchitectures. MOPs offer much promise as porous materials owing to their well‐defined structures and solution processability. However, these advantages become moot if their poor aqueous stability and/or guest‐removal‐induced aggregation handicaps remain unaddressed. The concise premise of this contribution limits our discussion to the design principles in action behind recent developments in stable carboxylate MOPs. To highlight the structure–property relationships between the structural and compositional features of these metal carboxylate polyhedra, related scientific challenges and state‐of‐the‐art research directions for further exploration are presented in brief.