Tong-Bu Lu

DNA-binding and cleavage studies of macrocyclic copper(II) complexes

Three hexaaza macrocyclic copper (II) complexes with different functional groups have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and infrared spectra. Absorption and fluorescence spectral, cyclic voltammetric and viscometric studies have been carried out on the interaction of [CuL(1)]Cl(2) (L(1)[double bond]3,10-bis(2-methylpyridine)-1,3,5,8,10,12-hexaazacyclotetradecane), [CuL(2)]Cl(2) (L(2)[double bond]3,10-bis(2-propionitrile)-1,3,5,8,10,12-hexaazacyclotetradecane) and [CuL(3)]Cl(2) (L(3)=3,10-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,3,5,8,10,12-hexaazacyclotetradecane) with calf thymus DNA. The results suggest that three complexes can bind to DNA by different binding modes. The spectroscopic studies together with viscosity experiments and cyclic voltammetry suggest that [CuL(1)](2+) could bind to DNA by partial intercalation via pyridine ring into the base pairs of DNA. [CuL(2)](2+) may bind to DNA by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction while [CuL(3)](2+) may be by weaker hydrogen bonding. The functional groups on the side chain of macrocycle play a key role in deciding the mode and extent of binding of complexes to DNA. Noticeably, the three complexes have been found to cleave double-strand pUC18 DNA in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol and H(2)O(2).

Three-dimensional lanthanide anionic metal-organic frameworks with tunable luminescent properties induced by cation exchange.

Three 3D lanthanide anionic metal-organic frameworks {K(5)[Ln(5)(IDC)(4)(ox)(4)]}(n) x (20H(2)O)(n) with 1D channels were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions [Ln = Gd (1), Tb (2), and Dy (3)]. The K(+) ions within the 1D channel are easily exchanged with various cations. The emission intensities of Tb(III) in 2 increased significantly upon the addition of Ca(2+) ions, while the introduction of other metal ions caused the intensities to be either unchanged or weakened.

A highly stable dynamic fluorescent metal–organic framework for selective sensing of nitroaromatic explosives

A dynamic fluorescent metal-organic framework has been constructed using triphenylene-2,6,10-tricarboxylate and Tb(3+) as building blocks, which exhibits guest-responsive structural dynamism and selective sensing of nitroaromatic explosives.

Constructions of helical coordination compounds

Helicity and chirality are essential elements of life. Many important biopolymers such as DNA and peptides possess right-handed helical structures, while the building blocks for the constructions of such biopolymers are D-ribose and L-amino acids, respectively. For better realizing the origin of the helicity of biopolymers, a tremendous expansion in research efforts has been devoted to the design of metal complexes exhibiting helical architectures in inorganic and coordination chemistry. However, to control the chirality and helicity of the entire structures at the supramolecular level is one of the major challenges in the design and synthesis of helical structures. In this highlight, we present the general approaches for the construction of helical coordination compounds, together with a few instances illustrating the correlation between the chirality of building blocks and the helicity of 1D chains, as well as the chirality transfer among the helices.

Application of nanomaterials in sample preparation.

Nanotechnology is one of the most important trends in material science. Due to the ultra-small size, nanomaterials possess unique physical and chemical properties. In this review, we summarized and discussed the recent applications of different nanomaterials, including metallic nanoparticles, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) materials, carbonaceous nanomaterials and siliceous nanoparticles, in sample preparation techniques.

Strong Hydrogen Binding within a 3D Microporous Metal-Organic Framework

A 3D microporous cadmium(II) metal-organic framework based on 1H-tetrazole exhibits strong hydrogen binding with an initial enthalpy of adsorption of 13.3 kJ/mol, due to the smaller pore sizes and the high hydrogen binding affinity of the tetrazolyl-ring-decorated inner surface of the pores.

A Luminescent Microporous Metal–Organic Framework with Highly Selective CO2 Adsorption and Sensing of Nitro Explosives

A luminescent microporous metal-organic framework based on a π-electron-rich tricarboxylate ligand and an In(3+) ion has been solvothermally obtained and characterized and exhibits highly selective CO2 adsorption over CH4 and N2 gases and selective sensing of the nitro explosive 2,4,6-trinitrophenol.

Synthesis, DNA-binding and cleavage studies of macrocyclic copper(II) complexes

Two macrocyclic copper(II) complexes, [CuL1](ClO4)2 (L1 = 2,6,9,13-tetraparacyclophane, a Schiff base) and [CuL2]Cl2 [L2 = 3,10-bis(2-benzyl)-1,3,5,8,10,13-hexaazacyclotetradecane] have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, u.v.–vis., i.r. and mass spectra. Absorption, fluorescence, circular dichroic spectra and viscosity experiments have been carried out on the interaction of the two complexes with calf thymus CT DNA. The results suggest that both complexes can bind to CT DNA by intercalation via the aromatic moiety ring in the macrocycle into the base pairs of DNA. [CuL1](ClO4)2 binds to CT DNA more strongly than [CuL2]Cl2. The position of the aromatic ring in the macrocycle plays an important role in deciding the extent of binding of the complexes to DNA. Significantly, the complexes have been found to be single-strand DNA cleavers in the presence of H2O2 or/and 2-mercaptoethanol.

Spontaneous resolution of a racemic nickel(II) complex and helicity induction via hydrogen bonding: the effect of chiral building blocks on the helicity of one-dimensional chains.

The reactions of a racemic four-coordinated nickel(II) complex [Ni(alpha-rac-L)](ClO4)2 (containing equal amount of SS and RR enantiomers) with l- and d-phenylalanine in acetonitrile/water gave two less-soluble six-coordinated enantiomers of {[Ni( f-SS-L)(l-Phe)](ClO4)}n (Delta-1) and {[Ni(f- RR-L)(d-Phe)](ClO4)}n (Lambda-1), respectively. Evaporation the remaining solutions gave two six-coordinated diastereomers of {[Ni 3(f- RR-L)3(l-Phe)2(H 2O)](ClO4)4}n (a-2) and {[Ni3(f- SS-L)3(d-Phe)2(H2O)](ClO4)4}n (b-2), respectively (L = 5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, Phe(-) = phenylalanine anion). The reaction of [Ni(alpha-rac-L)](ClO4)2 with dl-Phe(-) gave a conglomerate of c-1; in which, the SS and RR enantiomers preferentially coordinate to l- and d-Phe(-) respectively to give a racemic mixture of Delta-1 and Lambda-1, and the spontaneous resolution occurs during the reaction, in which each crystal crystallizes to become enantiopure. Removing Phe(-) from Delta-1 and Lambda-1 using perchloric acid gave two enantiomers of [Ni(alpha-SS-L)](ClO4)2 (S-3) and [Ni(alpha-RR-L)](ClO4)2 (R-3). Dissolving S-3 and R-3 in acetonitrile gave two six-coordinated enantiomers of [Ni( f-SS-L)(CH3CN)2](ClO4)2 (S-4) and [Ni( f- RR-L)(CH3CN)2](ClO4)2 (R-4), while dissolving [Ni(alpha-rac-L)](ClO4)2 in acetonitrile gave a racemic twining complex [Ni(f-rac-L)(CH3CN)2](ClO4)2 (rac-4). Delta-1 and Lambda-1 belong to supramolecular stereoisomers, which are constructed via hydrogen bond linking of [Ni( f-SS-L)(l-Phe)](+) and [Ni(f-RR-L)(d-Phe)](+) monomers to form 1D homochiral right-handed and left-handed helical chains, respectively. The reaction of S-3 with d-Phe(-) gave {[Ni(f-SS-L)(d-Phe)](ClO4)}n (5), which shows a motif of a 1D hydrogen bonded zigzag chain instead of a 1D helical chain. Compound a-2/ b-2 contains dimers of [{Ni(f-RR-L)}2(l-Phe)(H2O)](3+)/[{Ni( f- SS-L)}2(d-Phe)(H2O)](3+) and 1D zigzag chains of {[Ni(f-RR-L)(l-Phe)](+)}n /{[Ni(f-SS-L)(d-Phe)](+) n . The homochiral nature of Delta-1/Lambda-1, a-2/b-2, S-3/R-3, and S-4/R-4 are confirmed by the results of circular dichroism (CD) spectra measurements.

The Supramolecular Isomerism Based on Argentophilic Interactions: The Construction of Helical Chains with Defined Right-Handed and Left-Handed Helicity

The reactions of racemic and enantiopure macrocyclic compounds [Ni(alpha-rac-L)](ClO(4))(2) (containing equal amounts of SS and RR enantiomers), [Ni(alpha-SS-L)](ClO(4))(2), and [Ni(alpha-RR-L)](ClO(4))(2) with K[Ag(CN)(2)] in acetonitrile/water afford three 1D helical chains of {[Ni(f-rac-L)][Ag(CN)(2)](2)}(n) (1), {[Ni(f-SS-L)](2)[Ag(CN)(2)](4)}(n) (Delta-2), and {[Ni(f-RR-L)](2)[Ag(CN)(2)](4)}(n) (Lambda-2); one dimer of [Ni(f-rac-L)][Ag(CN)(2)](2) (3); and one trimer of [Ni(f-rac-L)Ag(CN)(2)](3).(ClO(4))(3) (4) (L = 5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane). Compounds 1, Delta-2, Lambda-2, and 3, which are supramolecular isomers, are constructed via argentophilic interactions. In 1, [Ni(f-RR-L)][Ag(CN)(2)](2) enantiomers alternately connect with [Ni(f-SS-L)][Ag(CN)(2)](2) enantiomers through intermolecular argentophilic interactions to form a 1D meso-helical chain, and the 1D chains are further connected through the interchain hydrogen bonds to generate a 2D network. When chiral [Ni(alpha-SS-L)](ClO(4))(2) and [Ni(alpha-RR-L)](ClO(4))(2) were used as building blocks, two supramolecular stereoisomers of Delta-2 and Lambda-2 were obtained, which show the motif of homochiral right-handed and left-handed helical chains, respectively, and the 1D homochiral helical chains are linked by the interchain hydrogen bonds to form a 3D structure. In 3, a pair of enantiomers of [Ni(f-RR-L)][Ag(CN)(2)](2) and [Ni(f-SS-L)][Ag(CN)(2)](2) connect with each other through intermolecular argentophilic interactions to form a dimer. The reaction of [Ni(alpha-rac-L)](ClO(4))(2) with K[Ag(CN)(2)] in acetonitrile gives a trimer of 4; each trimer is chiral with unsymmetrical RR, RR, and SS, or RR, SS, and SS configurations. The homochiral nature of Delta-2 and Lambda-2 was confirmed by the results of solid circular dichroism spectra measurements. The solid samples of 1-4 show strong fluorescent emissions at room temperature.