Influence of the spatial distribution of copper sites on the selectivity of the oxygen reduction reaction.

Moving towards a hydrogen economy raises the demand for affordable and efficient catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. Cu-bmpa (bmpa = bis(2-picolyl)amine) is shown to have moderate activity, but poor selectivity for the 4-electron reduction of oxygen to water. To enhance the selectivity towards water formation, the cooperative effect of three Cu-bmpa binding sites in a single trinuclear complex is investigated. The catalytic currents in the presence of the trinuclear sites are lower, possibly due to the more rigid structure and therefore higher reorganization energies and/or slower diffusion rates of the catalytic species. Although the oxygen reduction activity of the trinuclear complexes is lower than that of mononuclear Cu-bmpa, the selectivity of the copper mediated oxygen reduction was significantly enhanced towards the 4-electron process due to a cooperative effect between three copper centers that have been positioned in close proximity. These results indicate that the cooperativity between metal ions within biomimetic sites can greatly enhance the ORR selectivity.

The supramolecular polymer complexes with oppositely charged calixresorcinarene: hydrophobic domain formation and synergistic binding modes.

The association of branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) with a series of octacarboxy-calixresorcinarenes bearing different low-rim substituents leads to the formation of nanosized supramolecular complexes. The PEI-macrocycle complexes have fine-tunable sizes regulated by variations in the self-association capacity of the calixresorcinarenes. In the supramolecular complexes, hydrophobic fragments of the polymer and calixresorcinarenes form cooperative hydrophobic domains which provide synergistic enhancement of guest molecule binding. The formation of the supramolecular complexes was investigated by NMR FT-PGSE, NMR 2D NOESY, DLS and TEM methods. In addition, fluorimetry and UV-vis methods were used with the help of optical probes, namely water-soluble Crystal Violet and water-insoluble Orange OT. The investigation demonstrates the first example of the formation of cooperative hydrophobic domains in supramolecular polyelectrolyte-macrocycle complexes which enhance the binding of both water-soluble and water-insoluble organic compounds. The presented supramolecular systems have potential as sensory and drug delivery systems.

Unusual nanosized associates of carboxy-calix[4]resorcinarene and cetylpyridinium chloride: the macrocycle as a glue for surfactant micelles.

The association of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) micelles in the presence of octaacetated tetraphenyleneoxymethylcalix[4]resorcinarene (CR) leads to the formation of unusual spherical supramolecular nanoparticles (SNPs). Within the range of CR/CPC molar ratios from 10/1 to 1/10 (except for 1/8), CR, acting as a counterion, decreases the critical micelle concentration of CPC by one order of magnitude and leads to the formation of SNPs with an average hydrodynamic radius of 164 nm and an average zeta potential of -60 mV. The formation of SNPs was studied by NMR FT-PGSE and 2D NOESY, DLS, TEM, fluorimetry, and UV-Vis methods. The stability of SNPs at different temperatures and pH values and in the presence of electrolytes was investigated. The specificity of the interactions of the SNPs with substrates that were preferentially bound by a macrocycle or CPC micelle was studied. The enhancement of cation dye binding in the presence of SNPs is shown. The presented supramolecular system may serve as a nanocapsule for water-soluble and water-insoluble compounds.

Amphiphilic calixresorcinarene associates as effective solubilizing agents for hydrophobic organic acids: construction of nano-aggregates.

Here we represent the first example of the formation of mixed nanoscale associates, constructed from amphiphilic calixresorcinarenes and hydrophobic carboxylic acids including drugs. The amidoamino-calixresorcinarene self-associates effectively solubilize hydrophobic carboxylic acids - drugs such as naproxen, ibuprofen, ursodeoxycholic acid and aliphatic dodecanoic acid - with the formation of the mixed aggregates with the macrocycle/substrate stoichiometry from 1/1 to 1/7. The ionization of organic acids and the peripheral nitrogen atoms of the macrocycles with the subsequent inclusion of hydrophobic acids into the macrocycle self-associates is the driving force of solubilization. In some cases, this leads to the co-assembly of the macrocycle polydisperse associates into supramolecular monodisperse nanoparticles with the diameter of about 100 nm. The efficiency of drug loading into the nanoparticles is up to 45% and depends on the structure of organic acid. The dissociation of the mixed aggregates and release of organic acid are attained by decreasing pH.

Lipoplexes of dicationic gemini surfactants with DNA: Structural features of DNA compaction and transfection efficiency.

The internal structure of DNA lipoplexes with hydroxyethylated alkylammonium gemini surfactants (GS) with high transfection activity was studied by circular dichroism. It was shown that the efficiency of transfection of HEK293T cells with the pEGFP-N1 circular plasmid was different from zero only in the region of existence of chiral supramolecular DNA-GS complexes and reaches a maximum at concentrations at which the spontaneous aggregation of components is observed.

Amphiphilic macrocycles bearing biofragment: molecular design as factor controlling self-assembly.

Two novel macrocyclic 6-methyluracilic amphiphiles (uracilophanes) with four (UP1) and two (UP2) uracil moieties and ammonium groups have been synthesized. Tetracationic multi-uracilophane is composed of two macrocyclic units bridged each other with an external methylene spacer, while in the cryptand-like dicationic uracilophane pyrimidinic moieties are connected with an internal methylene spacer. This internal spacer provided a conformational rigidity to the macrocycle. The self-assembly of the uracilophanes is studied and compared with a reference dicationic uracilophane (UP3) with no spacer fragment. Compounds UP1 and UP3 are capable of aggregating, which is characterized by the analogous critical micelle concentration of 1mM, although the former has four decyl tails versus two decyl tails in UP3 molecule. NMR self-diffusion, fluorimetry and DLS techniques revealed that bimodal size distribution occurs in the UP1 solution, with small (≤2nm) and large (ca. 30-50 nm) aggregates contributed. Unexpectedly, the cryptand-like uracilophane UP2 with the same hydrophobicity as UP3 does not form aggregates. The balance of the geometry and energetic factors was analyzed and compared with those contributing to the aggregation of the reference compound UP3. It was established that it is the geometry that controls the packing of the cryptand-like uracilophanes upon aggregation, while hydrophobic effect plays a minor role. In contrast, both factors control the aggregation of oligomeric macrocycle, with energetic factor prevailing. These findings are of importance for (i) the understanding the diverse structural behavior of bioamphiphiles that have very similar chemical structure, but different conformations; and (ii) the design of amphiphiles with controlled model of self-assembly. Supramolecular systems studied can be recommended for biotechnological applications.

Molecular tectonics: anion control of dimensionality and connectivity in meta-pyridyl appended tetramercaptotetrathiacalix[4]arene based silver coordination networks.

The combination of the same organic tecton 1, a meta-pyridyl appended tetramercaptotetrathiacalix[4]arene in 1,3-alternate conformation offering four pyridyl units and eight thioether groups, with three silver salts AgX (X = BF4(-), NO3(-) and SbF6(-)) leads, under identical conditions (concentration, temperature and solvent system), to the formation of different silver coordination networks. Both the connectivity and the dimensionality of the three silver coordination networks depend on the nature of the anion used as a counter ion. Whereas the weakly coordinating BF4(-) anion does not participate in the formation of the non-tubular 1D coordination network, the coordinating NO3(-) anion is bound to the metal cation and this leads to the formation of a tubular 1D silver coordination network. In both cases, the eight S atoms of the tecton 1 do not take part in the binding of the cation. In marked contrast, when the SbF6(-) anion is used as a counter ion, the organic tecton 1 behaves as a tetrakismonodentate through its four meta-pyridyl moieties and as a bischelating unit of the SCCS type leading thus to the formation of a porous 3D diamondoid-type network.

[Aqueous and salt solutions of quinine of low concentrations: self-organization, physicochemical properties and actions on the electrical characteristics of neurons].

Self-organization, the physicochemical properties of aqueous and salt solutions of quinine and the effects of salt quinine solutions in a wide range of concentrations (1 x 10(-22) - 1 x 10(-3) M) on the electrical characteristics of the edible snail's identified neurons were studied. Similar non-monotonic concentration dependencies of physicochemical properties of aqueous and salt quinine solutions at low concentrations are obtained. This allows of predicting the occurrence of biological effects at low concentrations of quinine solutions. Intrinsic (within 5% of the interval) changes in membrane potential, the amplitude and duration of the neuron action potential under the influence of quinine salt solutions at concentrations of quinine of 1 x 10(-20), 1 x 10(-18), 1 x 10(-10) M are found. For these concentrations the extreme values of specific conductivity and pH are shown.

[Forming the nanosized molecular assemblies (nanoassociates) is a key to understand the properties of highly diluted aqueous solutions].

In the present study it was shown that biological effects of highly diluted aqueous solutions were due to the formation of nano-sized (up to 400 nm) molecular assemblies, called nanoassociates mainly consisting of aqueous molecules (up to 500 million) under the influence of two effectors: solute and external electromagnetic fields.

Molecular tectonics: control of the dimensionality in tetramercaptothiacalixarenes based coordination networks.

Combinations of tetramercaptotetrathiacalix[4]arene pyridyl-appended positional isomers with HgCl2 lead to the formation of neutral coordination networks with their dimensionality imposed by the position of the N atom on the pyridyl group.

Molecular tectonics: p-H-thiacalix[4]arene pyridyl appended positional isomers as tectons for the formation of 1D and 2D mercury coordination networks.

Three p-H-thiacalix[4]arene pyridyl appended coordinating tectons (2-4) in a 1,3-alternate conformation have been prepared and structurally characterised in the solid state. These compounds are positional isomers differing only by the position of the nitrogen atom on the pyridyl ring. Their combinations with HgCl2 lead to the formation of 1- and 2-D neutral mercury coordination networks. Whereas for tecton 2 (ortho isomer) a 2D architecture resulting from the bridging of consecutive tectons by the mononuclear HgCl2 unit is obtained, for tecton 3 (meta isomer) again a 2D network is formed. However, in that case, the interconnection of consecutive organic tectons 3 takes place through a binuclear Hg2Cl4 species. Finally, in the case of tecton 4 (para position), a 1D ribbon type double chain arrangement resulting from the bridging of consecutive tectons by trinuclear Hg3Cl6 units followed by the interconnection of two chains through the fusion of the trinuclear centres into a hexanuclear node is observed.

Molecular tectonics: pyridyl containing thiacalix[4]arene based tectons for the generation of 2- and 3-D silver coordination networks.

Three new organic tectons (2­4) based on the p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene backbone, blocked in the 1,3-alternate conformation, bearing four pyridyl coordinating moieties, have been synthesised and characterised in the solid state. The ligands are positional isomers and differ by the position of the N atom on the pyridyl unit (ortho for 2, meta for 3 and para for 4). Their combination with the Ag+ cation leads, reproducibly, to the formation of 2- and 3-D infinite silver coordination networks. Independent of the nature of the anion, the combination of 2 offering four (N,S) type chelates with the Ag+ cation affords an unprecedented diamond type 3D network. Both 3 and 4, behaving as tetrakis monodentate ligands, lead to the formation of 2-D architectures.

Antianemic activity of water-soluble Na,Ca,Fe-polygalacturonate.

A pronounced antianemic effect of water-soluble Na,Ca,Fe-polygalacturonate is demonstrated. The drug in solution is more effective than in the solid form; it promotes absorption of nutrient calcium and iron. During this treatment, consumed calcium does not impair iron absorption.