A Borane Platinum Complex Undergoing Reversible Hydride Migration in Solution

Reaction of [Pt­(κ²-<i>C</i>,<i>N</i>-ppy)­(dmso)­Cl], <b>1</b> (Hppy = 2-phenylpyridine), with Na­[H₂B­(mb)₂] (Hmb = 2-mercapto-benzimidazole) smoothly afforded the complex {[(κ³-<i>S</i>,<i>B</i>,<i>S</i>-HB­(mb)₂]­Pt­(κ²-<i>C</i>,<i>N</i>-ppy)­H}, <b>2</b>, featuring a strong reverse-dative Pt → B σ interaction in the solid state. When dissolved in thf (or acetone) solution, <b>2</b> undergoes a reversible Pt–H bond activation, establishing an equilibrium between the hexacoordinated <b>2</b> and the tetracoordinate complex {[(κ²-<i>S</i>,<i>S</i>-H₂B­(mb)₂]­Pt­(κ²-<i>C</i>,<i>N</i>-ppy)}, <b>3</b>, as ascertained by multinuclear NMR. Hydrolysis of the B–N bond in <b>2</b>/<b>3</b> resulted ultimately in the formation of a dimeric half-lantern platinum­(II,II) complex [{Pt­(κ²-<i>C</i>,<i>N</i>-ppy)­(μ₂-κ²-<i>N</i>,<i>S</i>-mb)}₂], <b>4</b>. The SC-XRD structures of <b>2</b> and <b>4</b> are reported

Biocompatible 3D Liquid Crystal Elastomer Cell Scaffolds and Foams with Primary and Secondary Porous Architecture

3D biodegradable and highly regular foamlike cell scaffolds based on biocompatible side-chain liquid crystal elastomers have been prepared. Scaffolds with a primary porosity characterized by spatially interlaced, interconnected microchannels or an additional secondary porosity featuring interconnected microchannel networks define the novel elastomeric scaffolds. The macroscale morphology of the dual porosity 3D scaffold resembles vascular networks observed in tissue. 3D elastomer foams show four times higher cell proliferation capability compared to conventional porous templated films and within the channels guide spontaneous cell alignment enabling the possibility of tissue construct fabrication toward more clinically complex environments