Topologically non-trivial metal-organic assemblies inhibit beta(2)-microglobulin amyloidogenesis

Inhibiting amyloid aggregation through high-turnover dynamic interactions could be an efficient strategy that is already used by small heat-shock proteins in different biological contexts. We report the interactions of three topologically non-trivial, zinc-templated metal-organic assemblies, a [2]catenane, a trefoil knot (TK), and Borromean rings, with two β2-microglobulin (β2m) variants responsible for amyloidotic pathologies. Fast exchange and similar patterns of preferred contact surface are observed by NMR, consistent with molecular dynamics simulations. In vitro fibrillation is inhibited by each complex, whereas the zinc-free TK induces protein aggregation and does not inhibit fibrillogenesis. The metal coordination imposes structural rigidity that determines the contact area on the β2m surface depending on the complex dimensions, ensuring in vitro prevention of fibrillogenesis. Administration of TK, the best protein-contacting species, to a disease-model organism, namely a Caenorhabditis elegans mutant expressing the D76N β2m variant, confirms the bioactivity potential of the knot topology and suggests new developments

Synthesis, characterization and thermal decomposition of ethyl-2’-amino-5’-cyano-6’-(1H-indole-3yl)-2-oxospiro[indoline-3,4’-pyran]-3’-carboxylate under non‐isothermal condition in nitrogen atmosphere

A new compound, spiro-oxindole derivative compound namely ethyl-2ʹ-amino-5ʹ-cyano-6ʹ-(1H-indole-3yl)-2-oxospiro[indoline-3,4ʹ-pyran]-3ʹ-carboxylate (EACIOIPC) has been synthesized and characterized by microanalysis, FT-IR, mass spectrum and NMR (1H and 13C) techniques. The thermal decomposition of the compound was studied by thermogravimetric analysis under dynamic nitrogen atmosphere at different heating rates of 10, 15, 20 and 30 K/min. The kinetic parameters were calculated using model-free (Friedman’s, Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) methods) and model-fitting (Coats and Redfern (CR)) methods. The decomposition process of EACIOIPC followed a single step mechanism as evidenced from the data. Existence of compensation effect is noticed for the decomposition of EACIOIPC. Invariant kinetic parameters are consistent with the average values obtained by Friedman and KAS in conversional methods

Cobalt–Carbon Nanoparticles with Silica Support for Uptake of Cationic and Anionic Dyes from Polluted Water

Silica-supported hierarchical graphitic carbon sheltering cobalt nanoparticles Co-HGC@SiO2 (1) were prepared by pyrolysis at 850 °C of [Co(phen)(H2O)4]SO4·2H2O complex with silica in the presence of pyrene as a carbon source under nitrogen atmosphere. Nanocomposites (2) and (3) were obtained by acid treatment of (1) with HCl and HF acid, respectively. The nanocomposites showed rough hierarchical carbon microstructures over silica support decorated with irregular cobalt nanospheres and nanorods 50 to 200 nm in diameter. The nanoparticles consist of graphitic shells and cobalt cores. SEM, EDAX and TEM elemental mapping indicate a noticeable loss of cobalt in the case of (2) and loss of cobalt and silica in the case of (3) with an increase in porosity. Nanocomposite (3) showed the highest BET surface area 217.5 m2g−1. Raman spectrum shows defect D-band and graphitic G-band as expected in carbon nanostructures. PXRD reveals the presence of cobalt(0) nanoparticles. XPS indicates the presence of Co(II) oxides and the successful doping of nitrogen in the nanocomposites. Moreover, TEM elemental mapping provides information about the abundance of Si, Co, C, N and S elements in zones. Nanocomposite (1) showed maximum uptake capacity of 192.3 and 224.5 mg/g for crystal violet CV and methyl orange MO dyes, respectively. Nanocomposite (2) showed a capacity of 94.1 and 225.5 mg/g for CV and MO dyes, respectively. Nanocomposite (4) obtained after treatment of (1) with crystal violet proved successful adsorption of CV. Co-HGC (5) prepared without addition of silica has a capacity for CV equal to 192 mg/g, while it is 769.2 mg/g with MO. Electrostatics and π–π interactions of graphite and cobalt species in the nanocomposites with aromatic rings of cationic and anionic dyes are responsible for the adsorption. Yan et al. was the best model to describe column kinetics. The thomas column adsorption model showed that the maximum uptake capacity of (1) was 44.42 mg/g for CV and 32.62 mg/g for MO. for a column packed with 0.5 gm of (1) and dye concentration of 100 mg/L at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The column was recycled three times with no noticeable clogging or degradation of nanocomposites. Thus, Co-HGC@SiO2 adsorbents can be used efficiently to treat water contaminated with cationic and anionic dyes

[C–H⋯anion] interactions mediate the templation and anion binding properties of topologically non-trivial metal–organic structures in aqueous solutions

[Abstract] Two synthetic approaches—temperature variation and anion templation—allowed for the selective formation of a [2]catenane ([2]C4+) or a trefoil knot (TK6+), or for the enhanced formation of a Solomon link (SL8+), all from a simple set of starting materials (Zn(II) acetate, diformylpyridine (DFP) and a diamino-2,2′-bipyridine (DAB)) in mixed aqueous solutions. The catenane formed exclusively at 90 °C in a 1 : 1 mixed solvent of D2O and MeOD. In the presence of bromide ion as template, TK6+ formed exclusively at 50 °C in the same solvent. In the solid state, TK6+ hosts two bromide ions in its central cavity by forming six Csp2–H hydrogen bonds. In D2O, TK6+, which was originally prepared as a trifluoroacetate (TFA) salt, was found to exchange two TFA counterions for two monovalent anions of different sizes and shapes, which lodged within the knot's central cavity. In contrast to bromide, the larger triflate anion (CF3SO3−) promoted the formation of SL8+, which was characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Two dimensional heteronuclear 19F-1H-HOSEY NMR experiments detected CH⋯F interactions inside the cavity of SL8+. Thus, the product distribution of this dynamic link forming system is sensitive to temperature and the size and shape of the anion template, and one of the products, TK6+, is capable of binding a variety of monovalent anions in D2O with high affinity (with log β2 values of 4 to 6 being typical)

Metal–Organic Self-Assembled Trefoil Knots for C—Br Bond Activation

International audienceSynthesizing molecular knots that mimic the catalytic functionality of stereospecific or stereoselective enzymes are an intriguing task in chemistry. Synthetic anion receptors even with moderate halide binding affinities may catalyze chemical reactions involving carbon-halogen bond cleavage. Herein we report isostructural self-assembled trefoil molecular knots (Cu-TK, Cd-TK, Zn-TK) based on Cu(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) that are capable of binding and stabilizing bromide within their central cavity and are capable of catalyzing C-Br bond cleavage. We also describe the role of noncovalent interactions between the knots and bromide as well as the size and shape of the knots on their catalytic efficiency. Among the studied three knots, Cu-TK was found to be more effective than Zn-TK and Cd-TK in catalyzing C-Br bond cleavage. The catalytic efficiency of the knots toward C-Br bond cleavage was found to be related to a balance between their attractive electrostatic interactions with bromide as well as cavity size and shape of the knots