Porous Zirconium Metal–Organic Framework Constructed from 2D → 3D Interpenetration Based on a 3,6-Connected kgd Net

A new porous zirconium metal–organic framework (Zr MOF), Zr₆(μ₃-O)₄(μ₃-OH)₄(OH)₆(H₂O)₆(BTB)₂·6DMF·H₂O (<b>1</b>; H₃BTB = 5′-(4-carboxyphenyl)­[1,1′:3′,1″-terphenyl]-4,4″-dicarboxylic acid), based on Zr₆ clusters and tricarboxylate ligands has been constructed and characterized. The Zr₆ clusters were linked by BTB ligands to generate a 2D network of kgd topology. The interpenetrations among the 2D networks gave rise to a 3D porous framework, which represents the first Zr MOF constructed from 2D → 3D interpenetration. The gas uptake and catalytic properties for <b>1</b> have also been studied

Novel Derivative of Bardoxolone Methyl Improves Safety for the Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy

Currently, no effective and safe medicines are available to treat diabetic nephropathy (DN). Bardoxolone methyl (CDDO-Me) has displayed promising anti-DN activity as well as serious side effects in clinical trials, probably because the highly reactive α-cyano-α,β-unsaturated ketone (CUK) in ring A of CDDO-Me can covalently bind to thiol functionalities in many biomacromolecules. In this study, we designed and synthesized a γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)-based and CUK-modified derivative of CDDO-Me (<b>2</b>) to address this issue. <b>2</b> can be specifically cleaved by GGT, which is highly expressed in the kidney, to liberate CDDO-Me in situ. It should be noted that <b>2</b> exhibited anti-DN efficacy comparable to that of CDDO-Me with much less toxicity in cells and <i>db</i>/<i>db</i> mice, suggesting that its safety is better than CDDO-Me. Our findings not only reveal the therapeutic potential of <b>2</b> but also provide a strategy to optimize other synthetic molecules or natural products bearing a pharmacophore like CUK to achieve safer pharmaceutical drugs

A Zn Metal–Organic Framework with High Stability and Sorption Selectivity for CO₂

A three-dimensional porous Zn metal–organic framework (<b>UPC-12</b>) with high thermal and chemical stability was isolated in high yield and purity from a hydrothermal reaction. <b>UPC-12</b> exhibits high selectivity for CO₂ due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between CO₂ molecules and the −COOH groups exposed inside the channels and the effective π–π interactions between CO₂ molecules and the pillared bipyridine moieties of the MOF. The adsorption–desorption process was studied, for the first time, by both ¹³C CP-TOSS NMR spectroscopy and in situ DRIFTS