Stephanie MacQuarrie

Modified mesoporous materials as Pd scavengers and catalyst supports

The use of mesoporous molecular sieves (MMSs) modified by mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) to scavenge Pd is described. The ordered mesoporous material displays excellent ability to remove Pd from organic and aqueous solutions. After only one treatment, a 500-ppm solution of PdCl2 in water can be reduced to 1 ppb. In addition, the resulting material is an effective, leach-proof catalyst for the Suzuki-Miyaura and Mizoroki-Heck reactions. Thus, the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction can be conducted in water at 80 °C with as little as 3 ppb Pd leaching. Hot filtrations and three-phase tests confirm that the catalyst acts without leaching Pd from the surface.

Adsorption of Oligo-DNA on Magnesium Aluminum-Layered Double-Hydroxide Nanoparticle Surfaces: Mechanistic Implication in Gene Delivery

Magnesium aluminum-layered double-hydroxide nanoparticles (LDH NPs) are promising drug-delivery vehicles for gene therapy, particularly for siRNA interference; however, the interactions between oligo-DNA and LDH surfaces have not been adequately elucidated. Through a mechanistic study, oligo-DNA initially appears to rapidly bind strongly to the LDH outer surfaces through interactions with their phosphate backbones via ligand exchange with OH- on Mg2+ centers and electrostatic forces with Al3+. These initial interactions might precede diffusion into interlayer spaces, and this knowledge can be used to design better gene therapy delivery systems.