Highly selective recognition of the Al(ClO4)3 molecule by a mono-pyrene substituted thiacalix[4]arene chemosensor.

A mono-pyrene substituted thiacalix[4]arene chemosensor (TCA-Py) was successfully synthesized in satisfactory yield. Fluorescence analysis revealed that TCA-Py exhibited a high recognition selectivity toward the Al(ClO4)3 molecule due to the synergy between the Al3+ cation and ClO4- anion. This unique ability to recognise an entire inorganic molecule broadens the field of molecular recognition.

5-Hydroxymethylcytosine and 5-formylcytosine containing deoxyoligonucleotides: facile syntheses and melting temperature studies.

An oxidation-based synthetic approach was developed for facile preparation of 5-formyl-2'-deoxycytidine and 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxycytidine phosphoramidites. Upon introducing organic solvent components and copper catalysts, C5-methyl groups of 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine and thymidine were readily oxidized to formyl and hydroxyl functionality, respectively. Standard solid phase DNA synthesis and conventional deprotection methods were applicable to synthesize 5-formyl- or 5-hydroxymethyl-cytosine containing DNA oligonucleotides, which were used to study the effect of epigenetic modifications on DNA thermal dynamic stability.

Stimuli-responsive plasmonic core-satellite assemblies: i-motif DNA linker enabled intracellular pH sensing.

We report stimuli-responsive core-satellite assemblies of binary gold nanoparticles, linked by i-motif DNA, for live cell plasmonic imaging of pH changes in the endocytic pathway.

A Pt(II)-Dip complex stabilizes parallel c-myc G-quadruplex.

A new G-quadruplex (GQ) stabilizer, [Pt(Dip)2](PF6)2 (Dip: 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline), is prepared by the microwave irradiation method. The complex can highly stabilize G-quadruplex, but has negligible interactions with duplex DNA. Aromatic anchors on the polypyridyl ligands bestow the stabilizer with a high binding preference towards parallel GQ.