Design of a Rubbery Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Polyacrylic Acid Hydrogel via Visible‐Light‐Triggered Polymerization

Hydrogels, as soft and wet materials, have attracted great attention in the field of functional biomaterials. Most recently, the designed hydrogels, according to the energy dissipation principle, overcome the low mechanical strength, poor toughness, and limited recoverability of common hydrogels and show excellent mechanical properties. However, most of these novel designed hydrogels are lacking of instantaneous recovery and antifatigue properties. In this study, a mesoscopic inhomogeneous hydrogel consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose and polyacrylic acid is synthesized through a facile, one‐pot, visible‐light‐triggered polymerization. The prepared hydrogel can be stretched over 700% with fracture strength as high as 850 kPa, and shows a high elastic modulus (180 kPa). The microgel aggregated structure endows an efficient energy dissipation mechanism to the hydrogel. After the internal network structure stabilizing, the hydrogel exhibits a recovery time within 10 ms and over 92% resilience during impact and cyclic tensile tests, respectively. The hydrogel with such excellent mechanical properties can extend its application in biomaterial fields.

     

金属配合物抗癌活性的研究进展

自从发现顺铂具有抗癌活性以来,金属配合物作为新一类抗癌药物引起了人们的广泛关注。综述了近年来铂类配合物、钌类配合物和席夫碱配合物在抗癌药物中的研究进展,重点阐述了铂类配合物抗癌活性的研究现状及作用原理,并对金属配合物抗癌活性的研究进展进行总结,为金属配合物抗癌药物研究提供参考和依据。     

Synthesis of Quinolines by Visible‐Light Induced Radical Reaction of Vinyl Azides and α‐Carbonyl Benzyl Bromides

A visible‐light induced radical reaction of vinyl azides and α‐carbonyl benzyl bromides was developed, which provides an efficient route to polysubstituted quinolines via a C C and C N bond formation sequence.

     

Phenanthrene Synthesis by Eosin Y‐Catalyzed,Visible Light‐ Induced [4+2] Benzannulation of Biaryldiazonium Salts with Alkynes

A metal‐free, visible light‐induced [4+2] benzannulation of biaryldiazonium salts with alkynes was developed. With eosin Y as photoredox catalyst, a variety of 9‐substituted or 9,10‐disubstituted phenanthrenes were obtained via a cascade radical addition and cyclization sequence.     

Visible Light‐Induced Aerobic Oxyamidation of Indoles: A Photocatalytic Strategy for the Preparation of Tetrahydro‐5H‐indolo[2,3‐b]quinolinols

A visible light‐induced, aerobic oxyamidation reaction of indoles, using air as the sole oxidant, has been developed. This process serves as a photocatalytic strategy to generate efficiently tetrahydro‐5H‐indolo[2,3‐b]quinolinols, which may have interesting biological and pharmacological activities owing to their privileged indoline structure.     

Coordination Complexes as a New Generation Photosensitizer for Photodynamic Anticancer Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has become an alternative to standard cancer treatment methods such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The uniqueness of this method relies on the possibility of using various photosensitizers (PS) that absorb and convert light emission in radical oxygen-derived species (ROS). They can be present alone or in the presence of other compounds such as metal organic frameworks (MOFs), non-tubules or polymers. The interaction between DNA and metal-based complexes plays a key role in the development of new anti-cancer drugs. The use of coordination compounds in PDT has a significant impact on the amount ROS generated, quantum emission efficiency (Φem) and phototoxic index (PI). In this review, we will attempt to systematically review the recent literature and analyze the coordination complexes used as PS in PDT. Finally, we compared the anticancer activities of individual coordination complexes and discuss future perspectives. So far, only a few articles link so many transition metal ion coordination complexes of varying degrees of oxidation, which is why this review is needed by the scientific community to further expand this field worldwide. Additionally, it serves as a convenient collection of important, up-to-date information.     

Anticancer Profile of a Series of Gold(III) (2‐phenyl)pyridine Complexes

Six phosphorescent (2‐phenyl)pyridine (ppy) gold(III) 2,4,6‐tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (FMes) complexes were synthesized and investigated for their anticancer potential. The compounds demonstrated strong antiproliferative activity, with EC₅₀ values in the low micromolar range, along with significant accumulation in HeLa cancer cells after treatment for only 6 h (up to 119 ng gold per milligram of protein as measured by high‐resolution continuum source atomic spectroscopy). Enzyme inhibition studies showed interaction of the gold(III) complexes with thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), a key homeostasis‐regulation flavoprotein. TrxR was inhibited with IC₅₀ values in the micromolar range. Furthermore, five of the complexes displayed selectivity toward TrxR against glutathione reductase (GR, a disulfide reductase structurally related to TrxR) by up to >49‐fold. Because no major differences in bioactivity were observed across the series, [(ppy)Au(FMes)(PPh₃)OTf] (complex 4 ) was chosen for further in‐depth biological characterization. Complex 4 was also found to interact with guanosine monophosphate in ¹H NMR studies under long incubation times. Interestingly, 4 induced a significant increase in intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species, which led to late apoptotic events and cytocidal effects.     

Light‐Induced Bulk Architecturation of PDMS Membranes

One major challenge of biomaterial engineering is to mimic the mechanical properties of anisotropic, multifunctional natural soft tissues. Existing solutions toward controlled anisotropy include the use of oriented reinforcing fillers, with complicated interface issues, or UV‐curing processing through patterned masks, that makes use of harmful photosensitive molecules. Here, a versatile process to manufacture biocompatible silicone elastomer membranes by light degradation of the platinum catalyst prior to thermal cross‐linking is presented. The spatial control of network density is demonstrated by experimental and theoretical characterizations of the mechanical responses of patterned cross‐linked membranes, with a view to mimic advanced implantable materials.

     

Visible‐Light‐Induced Degradation of Methylene Blue by SrBi3VO8 Nanoparticles

Nanosized particles of strontium bismuth vanadate SrBi₃VO₈ were prepared via the Pechini method on the base of citrate‐complexation route. The samples were characterized using X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectra (EDX), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS), and UV–vis absorption spectrum. This bismuth‐containing vanadate presents an efficient absorption in the UV–visible light wavelength region with a narrow band‐gap energy of 2.36 eV and an indirect allowed electronic transition. It is well‐known that hybridization of the 6s and 6p orbitals of Bi³⁺ could result in lone electron pair and yield some very interesting properties. The photocatalytic activities of SrBi₃VO₈ nanoparticles were evaluated by the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation in air atmosphere. These results indicate that SrBi₃VO₈ could be a potential photocatalyst driven by visible light. To understand the charge generation and separation process, the luminescence as well as the decay lifetimes was investigated in the same samples for photocatalysis.     

Anticancer Organometallic Osmium(II)‐p‐cymene Complexes

Osmium compounds are attracting increasing attention as potential anticancer drugs. In this context, a series of bifunctional organometallic osmium(II)‐p‐cymene complexes functionalized with alkyl or perfluoroalkyl groups were prepared and screened for their antiproliferative activity. Three compounds from the series display selectivity toward cancer cells, with moderate cytotoxicity observed against human ovarian carcinoma (A2780) cells, whereas no cytotoxicity was observed on non‐cancerous human embryonic kidney (HEK‐293) cells and human endothelial (ECRF24) cells. Two of these three cancer‐cell‐selective compounds induce cell death largely via apoptosis and were also found to disrupt vascularization in the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Based on these promising properties, these compounds have potential clinical applications.     

Visible Light‐Mediated Metal‐Free Synthesis of Vinyl Sulfones from Aryl Sulfinates

Visible light and eosin Y catalyze the synthesis of vinyl sulfones from aryl sulfinates and alkenes by a photoredox process. The reaction scope is broad in aryl sulfinates and alkenes and the general and simple procedure provides a metal‐free alternative for the synthesis of synthetically valuable vinyl sulfones.

     

Phototoxic Activity and DNA Interactions of Water‐Soluble Porphyrins and Their Rhenium(I) Conjugates

In the search for alternative photosensitizers for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT), herein we describe two new water‐soluble porphyrins, a neutral fourfold‐symmetric compound and a +3‐charged tris‐methylpyridinium derivative, in which either four or one [1,4,7]‐triazacyclononane (TACN) units are connected to the porphyrin macrocycle through a hydrophilic linker; we also report their corresponding tetracationic Re^I conjugates. The in vitro (photo)toxic effects of the compounds toward the human cell lines HeLa (cervical cancer), H460M2 (non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma), and HBL‐100 (non‐tumorigenic epithelial cells) are reported. Three of the compounds are not cytotoxic in the dark up to 100 μm , and the fourfold‐symmetric couple revealed very good phototoxic indexes (PIs). The intracellular localization of all derivatives was studied in HeLa cells by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Although low nuclear localization was observed for some of them, it still prompted us to investigate their capacity to bind both quadruplex and duplex DNA; we observed significant selectivity in the tris‐methylpyridinium derivatives for G‐quadruplex interactions.     

Metal Complexes for Cancer Sonodynamic Therapy

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) for cancer treatment is gaining attention owing to its non-invasive property and ultrasound‘s (US) deep tissue penetration ability. In SDT, US activates the sonosensitizer at the target deep-seated tumors to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which ultimately damage tumors. However, drawbacks such as insufficient ROS production, aggregation of sonosensitizer, off-target side effects, etc., of the current organic/nanomaterial-based sonosensitizers limit the effectiveness of cancer SDT. Very recently, metal complexes with tunable physiochemical properties (such as sonostability, HOMO to LUMO energy gap, ROS generation ability, aqueous solubility, emission, etc.) have been devised as effective sonosensitizers, which could overcome the limitations of organic/nanomaterial-based sonosensitizers. This concept introduces all the reported metal-based sonosensitizers and delineates the prospects of metal complexes in cancer sonodynamic therapy. This new concept of metal-based sonosensitizer can deliver next-generation cancer drugs.     

Fullerene‐Promoted Singlet‐Oxygen Photochemical Oxygenations in Glass‐Polymer Microstructured Reactors

In this paper we report the fabrication of thiolene‐based microstructured reactors (MRs) that have been specifically designed to include solid‐supported reagents within the microchannels network. We propose a convenient solution to realize reversible press‐fit, leak‐proof interconnects that greatly simplify the MR coupling to the external environment such as capillary tubing, sample reservoirs and pumps. The MRs have been used to carry out the oxidation of α‐terpinene and methionine using [60]fullerene, covalently linked to Tentagel^® and silica gel matrices, as a singlet oxygen sensitizer. High conversions have been observed for both substrates although, in the case of α‐terpinene, a partial photodegradation of the endo‐peroxide product was detected. Interestingly, in the case of methionine, a quantitative conversion to the corresponding sulfoxides was achieved in about 40 seconds, using low‐power, white LED illumination. The reaction time is considerably shorter when compared to the batch procedure that requires, for the same process, about one hour illumination and the use of a 300‐W tungsten halogen lamp.     

Synthesis of Ag/g‐C3N4 Composite as Highly Efficient Visible‐Light Photocatalyst for Oxidative Amidation of Aromatic Aldehydes

In this contribution, an Ag/g‐C₃N₄ nanocomposite was synthesized and utilized as highly efficient and green photocatalyst for organic reactions under visible light irradiation. A layered, porous g‐C₃N₄ was synthesized following a modified solvothermal‐roasting process by using melamine and cyanuric chloride as precursor. Silver nanoparticles (NPs) were well anchored on g‐C₃N₄ nanosheets, which were prepared by a facile impregnation–roasting method. The inexpensive, stable g‐C₃N₄ coupled with the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of Ag NPs exhibited high photocatalytic activities toward aerobic oxidative amidation of aromatic aldehydes under visible light irradiation. Good to excellent yields were achieved for various substrates under the light of a 25 W compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb in air. The operationally easy procedure provides an economical, green, and mild alternative for the formation of amide bonds.

     

Photooxygenation Catalysis with a Polyol‐Decorated Disc‐Shaped Porphyrin Sensitizer: Shell‐Recognition Effects

Polar meso‐tetraarylporphyrins 2 – 4 were synthesized from tetrakis‐4‐hydroxyphenylporphyrin 1 as the central building block by consecutive base‐induced reactions with glycidol. The decorating units form a polar hydrogen‐bonded shell around the sensitizer core which is proposed as the binding site for polar substrates in photocatalyzed oxygenation reactions. As substrate, the polarity‐sensor mesitylol ( 5 ) was applied and the reaction constrained in a polystyrene matrix. Increasing shell dimensions lead to increased diastereoselectivities for the allylic hydroperoxides 6 and thus clearly demonstrate the concept of shell‐induced substrate stereoselectivity in singlet oxygen reactions.     

Synthesis of 2‐Substituted Benzothiazoles by Visible Light‐Driven Photoredox Catalysis

An efficient method for synthesis of the widely applicable 2‐substituted benzothiazoles has been developed. The process requires only 0.1 mol% [Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂], O₂, and visible light irradiation with substrates: 2‐aminothiophenol and a variety of aldehydes. We established an oxidative quenching of the photoredox catalyst as being the key process in this photoelectrocatalytic cycle.     

Visible‐Light‐Induced Metal‐Free Allylic Oxidation Utilizing a Coupled Photocatalytic System of g‐C3N4 and N‐Hydroxy Compounds

Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) and N‐hydroxy compounds can function as a non‐metal photocatalytic system to activate O₂ for the selective allylic oxidation under mild conditions, avoiding the employment of any metal derivative or organic oxidizing agents. Interestingly, the novel photocatalytic system affords a remarkably high selectivity towards the formation of aldehydes, especially in the oxidation of toluene. By combining the unique nature of g‐C₃N₄ (surface basicity, semiconductor features, high stability) and the remarkable catalytic oxidation reactivity of nitroxyl radicals, this photocatalytic system opens up a mild and efficent access for C H bond activation.     

Rational Design of Phosphorescent Iridium(III) Complexes for Selective Glutathione Sensing and Amplified Photodynamic Therapy

It is a huge challenge to avoid irreversible damage to normal tissues during irradiation in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer. An effective strategy is to develop smart photosensitizers, which exhibit amplified generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through triggering specific reaction in the tumor microenvironment. In this work, we designed a class of glutathione (GSH)-activatable photosensitizers ( Ir1 and Ir4 ) based on an effective strategy of GSH-induced nucleophilic substitution reaction. The addition of GSH, induced changes in both phosphorescence intensity and lifetime of photosensitizers with high sensitivity. Importantly, the amount of singlet oxygen generated was increased significantly by GSH-induced activation reaction. Hence, the photosensitizers can selectively distinguish cancer cells from normal cells through luminescence and lifetime imaging, and can amplify PDT effects in cancer cells, owing to the evidently higher level of GSH compared to normal cells. This work presents a novel paradigm for GSH-amplified PDT against cancer cells and provides a new avenue for smart-responsive theranostic systems that can avoid nonspecific damage to normal cells.