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    Squalenyl Hydrogen Sulfate Nanoparticles for Simultaneous Delivery of Tobramycin and an Alkylquinolone Quorum Sensing Inhibitor Enable the Eradication of P. aeruginosa Biofilm Infections
    (Weinheim : Wiley-VCH Verlag, 2020) Ho, D.-K.; Murgia, X.; De Rossi, C.; Christmann, R.; Hüfner de Mello Martins, A.G.; Koch, M.; Andreas, A.; Herrmann, J.; Müller, R.; Empting, M.; Hartmann, R.W.; Desmaele, D.; Loretz, B.; Couvreur, P.; Lehr, C.-M.
    Elimination of pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infections is challenging to accomplish with antibiotic therapies, mainly due to resistance mechanisms. Quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) interfering with biofilm formation can thus complement antibiotics. For simultaneous and improved delivery of both active agents to the infection sites, self-assembling nanoparticles of a newly synthesized squalenyl hydrogen sulfate (SqNPs) were prepared. These nanocarriers allowed for remarkably high loading capacities of hydrophilic antibiotic tobramycin (Tob) and a novel lipophilic QSI at 30 % and circa 10 %, respectively. The drug-loaded SqNPs showed improved biofilm penetration and enhanced efficacy in relevant biological barriers (mucin/human tracheal mucus, biofilm), leading to complete eradication of PA biofilms at circa 16-fold lower Tob concentration than Tob alone. This study offers a viable therapy optimization and invigorates the research and development of QSIs for clinical use.
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    Single Molecule Magnetism with Strong Magnetic Anisotropy and Enhanced Dy∙∙∙Dy Coupling in Three Isomers of Dy-Oxide Clusterfullerene Dy2O@C82
    (Chichester : John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2019) Yang, W.; Velkos, G.; Liu, F.; Sudarkova, S.M.; Wang, Y.; Zhuang, J.; Zhang, H.; Li, X.; Zhang, X.; Büchner, B.; Avdoshenko, S.M.; Popov, A.A.; Chen, N.
    A new class of single-molecule magnets (SMMs) based on Dy-oxide clusterfullerenes is synthesized. Three isomers of Dy2O@C82 with Cs(6), C3v(8), and C2v(9) cage symmetries are characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which shows that the endohedral Dy−(µ2-O)−Dy cluster has bent shape with very short Dy−O bonds. Dy2O@C82 isomers show SMM behavior with broad magnetic hysteresis, but the temperature and magnetization relaxation depend strongly on the fullerene cage. The short Dy−O distances and the large negative charge of the oxide ion in Dy2O@C82 result in the very strong magnetic anisotropy of Dy ions. Their magnetic moments are aligned along the Dy−O bonds and are antiferromagnetically (AFM) coupled. At low temperatures, relaxation of magnetization in Dy2O@C82 proceeds via the ferromagnetically (FM)-coupled excited state, giving Arrhenius behavior with the effective barriers equal to the AFM-FM energy difference. The AFM-FM energy differences of 5.4–12.9 cm−1 in Dy2O@C82 are considerably larger than in SMMs with {Dy2O2} bridges, and the Dy∙∙∙Dy exchange coupling in Dy2O@C82 is the strongest among all dinuclear Dy SMMs with diamagnetic bridges. Dy-oxide clusterfullerenes provide a playground for the further tuning of molecular magnetism via variation of the size and shape of the fullerene cage.
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    Plasma-assisted synthesis and high-resolution characterization of anisotropic elemental and bimetallic core-shell magnetic nanoparticles
    (Frankfurt, M. : Beilstein-Institut zur Förderung der Chemischen Wissenschaften, 2014) Hennes, M.; Lotnyk, A.; Mayr, S.G.
    Magnetically anisotropic as well as magnetic core-shell nanoparticles (CS-NPs) with controllable properties are highly desirable in a broad range of applications. With this background, a setup for the synthesis of heterostructured magnetic core-shell nanoparticles, which relies on (optionally pulsed) DC plasma gas condensation has been developed. We demonstrate the synthesis of elemental nickel nanoparticles with highly tunable sizes and shapes and Ni@Cu CS-NPs with an average shell thickness of 10 nm as determined with scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurements. An analytical model that relies on classical kinetic gas theory is used to describe the deposition of Cu shell atoms on top of existing Ni cores. Its predictive power and possible implications for the growth of heterostructured NP in gas condensation processes are discussed.
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    Dinuclear lanthanide complexes supported by a hybrid salicylaldiminato/calix[4]arene-ligand: Synthesis, structure, and magnetic and luminescence properties of (HNEt3)[Ln2(HL)(L)] (Ln = SmIII, EuIII, GdIII, TbIII)
    (London : Soc., 2019) Ullmann, Steve; Hahn, Peter; Blömer, Laura; Mehnert, Anne; Laube, Christian; Abel, Bernd; Kersting, Berthold
    The synthesis, structures, and properties of a new calix[4]arene ligand with an appended salicylaldimine unit (H4L = 25-[2-((2-methylphenol)imino)ethoxy]-26,27,28-trihydroxy-calix[4]arene) and four lanthanide complexes (HNEt3)[Ln2(HL)(L)] (Ln = SmIII (4), EuIII (5), GdIII (6), and TbIII (7)) are reported. X-ray crystallographic analysis (for 4 and 6) reveals an isostructural series of dimeric complexes with a triply-bridged NO3Ln(μ-O)2(OH⋯O)LnO3N core and two seven coordinated lanthanide ions. According to UV-vis spectrometric titrations in MeCN and ESI-MS the dimeric nature is maintained in solution. The apparent stability constants range between logK = 5.8 and 6.3. The appended salicylaldimines sensitize EuIII and TbIII emission (λexc 311 nm) in the solid state or immersed in a polycarbonate glass at 77 K (for 5, 7) and at 295 K (for 7). © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2019.
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    Mixed-ligand lanthanide complexes supported by ditopic bis(imino-methyl)-phenol/calix[4]arene macrocycles: synthesis, structures, and luminescence properties of [Ln2(L2)(MeOH)2] (Ln = La, Eu, Tb, Yb)
    (London : Soc., 2020) Ullmann, Steve; Hahn, Peter; Mini, Parvathy; Tuck, Kellie L.; Kahnt, Axel; Abel, Bernd; Gutierrez Suburu, Matias E.; Strassert, Cristian A.; Kersting, Berthold
    The lanthanide binding ability of a macrocyclic ligand H6L2 comprising two bis(iminomethyl)phenol and two calix[4]arene units has been studied. H6L2 is a ditopic ligand which provides dinuclear neutral complexes of composition [Ln2(L2)(MeOH)2] (Ln = La (1), Eu (2), Tb (3), and Yb (4)) in very good yield. X-ray crystal structure analyses for 2 and 3 show that (L2)6- accommodates two seven coordinated lanthanide ions in a distorted monocapped trigonal prismatic/octahedral coordination environment. UV-vis spectroscopic titrations performed with La3+, Eu3+, Tb3+ and Yb3+ ions in mixed MeOH/CH2Cl2 solution (I = 0.01 M NBu4PF6) reveal that a 2 : 1 (metal : ligand) stoichiometry is present in solution, with log K11 and K21 values ranging from 5.25 to 6.64. The ratio α = K11/K21 of the stepwise formation constants for the mononuclear (L2 + M = ML2, log K11) and the dinuclear complexes (ML2 + M = M2L2, log K21) was found to be invariably smaller than unity indicating that the binding of the first Ln3+ ion augments the binding of the second Ln3+ ion. The present complexes are less luminescent than other seven-coordinated Eu and Tb complexes, which can be traced to vibrational relaxation of excited EuIII and TbIII states by the coligated MeOH and H2O molecules and/or low-lying ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) states. © 2020 The Royal Society of Chemistry.
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    Continuous synthesis of diethyl carbonate from ethanol and CO2 over Ce–Zr–O catalysts
    (London : RSC Publ., 2015) Prymak, Iuliia; Kalevaru, Venkata Narayana; Wohlrab, Sebastian; Martin, Andreas
    CexZr1−xO2 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.0) solids were prepared by a citrate method and characterized by various techniques such as N2-adsorption (BET-SA), XRD, XPS, TEM, H2-TPR, NH3- and CO2-TPD. The catalytic performance of these solids was evaluated for the direct synthesis of diethyl carbonate (DEC) from ethanol and CO2 in continuous mode using a plug-flow reactor (PFR). According to thermodynamic data, the reaction is favourable at low reaction temperatures and high reaction pressures. Thus, the catalytic experiments were carried out at reaction temperatures ranging from 80 to 180 °C and at reaction pressures from 80 to 180 bar. The CexZr1−xO2 catalysts exhibited significant differences in their performance mainly depending on (i) their Ce : Zr ratio and (ii) the different acid–base characteristics. Among the series Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 (C80Z) and Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 (C50Z) catalysts displayed the most efficient performance. Moreover, C80Z, pretreated at 700 °C, yielded DEC at the equilibrium conversion level of YDEC ~ 0.7% at 140 °C and 140 bar at a CO2 : ethanol ratio of 6 : 1 at a LHSV of 42 Lliq kgcat−1 h−1.
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    Ligand electronic fine-tuning and its repercussion on the photocatalytic activity and mechanistic pathways of the copper-photocatalysed aza-Henry reaction
    (London : RSC Publ., 2020) Li, Chenfei; Dickson, Robert; Rockstroh, Nils; Rabeah, Jabor; Cordes, David B.; Slawin, Alexandra M.Z.; Hünemörder, Paul; Spannenberg, Anke; Bühl, Michael; Mejía, Esteban; Zysman-Colman, Eli; Kamer, Paul C.J.
    A family of six structurally related heteroleptic copper(i) complexes of the form of [Cu(N^N)(P^P)]+ bearing a 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline diimine (N^N) ligand and a series of electronically tunable xantphos (P^P) ligands have been synthesized and their optoelectronic properties characterized. The reactivity of these complexes in the copper-photocatalyzed aza-Henry reaction of N-phenyltetrahydroisoquinoline was evaluated, while the related excited state kinetics were comprehensively studied. By subtlety changing the electron-donating properties of the P^P ligands with negligible structural differences, we could tailor the photoredox properties and relate them to the reactivity. Moreover, depending on the exited-state redox potential of the catalysts, the preferred mechanism can shift between reductive quenching, energy transfer and oxidative quenching pathways. A combined study of the structural modulation of copper(i) photocatalysts, optoelectronic properties and photocatalytic reactivity resulted in a clearer understanding of both the rational design of the photocatalyst and the complexity of competing photoinduced electron and energy transfer mechanisms. © The Royal Society of Chemistry.
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    Unprecedented selective homogeneous cobalt-catalysed reductive alkoxylation of cyclic imides under mild conditions
    (Cambridge : RSC, 2017) Cabrero-Antonino, Jose R.; Adam, Rosa; Papa, Veronica; Holsten, Mattes; Junge, Kathrin; Beller, Matthias
    The first general and efficient non-noble metal-catalysed reductive C2-alkoxylation of cyclic imides (phthalimides and succinimides) is presented. Crucial for the success is the use of [Co(BF4)2·6H2O/triphos (L1)] combination and no external additives are required. Using the optimal cobalt-system, the hydrogenation of the aromatic ring of the parent phthalimide is avoided and only one of the carbonyl groups is selectively functionalized. The resulting products, N- and aryl-ring substituted 3-alkoxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindolin-1-one and N-substituted 3-alkoxy-pyrrolidin-2-one derivatives, are prepared under mild conditions in good to excellent isolated yields. Intramolecular reductive couplings can also be performed affording tricyclic compounds in a one-step process. The present protocol opens the way to the development of new base-metal processes for the straightforward synthesis of functionalized N-heterocyclic compounds of pharmaceutical and biological interest.
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    Azapeptide activity-based probes for the SARS-CoV-2 main protease enable visualization of inhibition in infected cells
    (Cambridge : RSC, 2023) Vanhoutte, Roeland; Barniol-Xicota, Marta; Chiu, Winston; Vangeel, Laura; Jochmans, Dirk; De Jonghe, Steven; Zidane, Hadeer; Barr, Haim M.; London, Nir; Neyts, Johan; Verhelst, Steven H. L.
    The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the vulnerability of the modern, global society. With expected waves of future infections by SARS-CoV-2, treatment options for infected individuals will be crucial in order to decrease mortality and hospitalizations. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease is a validated drug target, for which the first inhibitor has been approved for use in patients. To facilitate future work on this drug target, we designed a solid-phase synthesis route towards azapeptide activity-based probes that are capped with a cysteine-reactive electrophile for covalent modification of the active site of Mpro. This design led to the most potent ABP for Mpro and one of the most potent inhibitors reported thus far. We demonstrate that this ABP can be used to visualize Mpro activity and target engagement by drugs in infected cells.
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    Facile synthesis of supported Ru-Triphos catalysts for continuous flow application in selective nitrile reduction
    (Cambridge : RSC, 2019) Konrath, Robert; Heutz, Frank J.L.; Steinfeldt, Norbert; Rockstroh, Nils; Kamer, Paul C.J.
    The selective catalytic hydrogenation of nitriles represents an important but challenging transformation for many homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. Herein, we report the efficient and modular solid-phase synthesis of immobilized Triphos-type ligands in very high yields, involving only minimal work-up procedures. The corresponding supported ruthenium-Triphos catalysts are tested in the hydrogenation of various nitriles. Under mild conditions and without the requirement of additives, the tunable supported catalyst library provides selective access to both primary amines and secondary imines. Moreover, the first application of a Triphos-type catalyst in a continuous flow process is presented demonstrating high catalyst life-time over at least 195 hours without significant activity loss. © 2019 The Royal Society of Chemistry.