Hyper-Cross-Linked Polypyrene Spheres Functionalized with 3-Aminophenylboronic Acid for the Electrochemical Detection of Diols

A sensor for the determination of diols using 3-aminophenylboronic acid (APBA)-functionalized hyper-cross-linked polypyrene (PPy) (APBA@PPy) is presented. The uniform (∼1 μm in diameter) and highly porous (628 m2 g-1 in specific surface area) PPy spheres are fabricated via a one-pot protocol that consists of ZnBr2-catalyzed alkylation of pyrene, a subsequent cross-linking reaction, and concomitant self-assembly. The PPy spheres formed within a few minutes at mild conditions are featured by an excellent structural integrity and inertness to organic solvents. Thus, the APBA@PPy composites (∼1 μm in diameter; 458 m2 g-1 in specific surface area) are prepared simply by substituting unreacted bromomethyl groups on the surface of PPy spheres for APBA. The APBA@PPy composites are successfully applied for the electrochemical sensing of d-glucose and dopamine. A dye displacement assay is also performed using alizarin red dye conjugated to boronic acid in glucose buffer solution.

Synthetic "smart gel" provides glucose-responsive insulin delivery in diabetic mice

Although previous studies have attempted to create "electronics-free" insulin delivery systems using glucose oxidase and sugar-binding lectins as a glucose-sensing mechanism, no successful clinical translation has hitherto been made. These protein-based materials are intolerant of long-term use and storage because of their denaturing and/or cytotoxic properties. We provide a solution by designing a protein-free and totally synthetic material-based approach. Capitalizing on the sugar-responsive properties of boronic acid, we have established a synthetic polymer gel-based insulin delivery device confined within a single catheter, which exhibits an artificial pancreas-like function in vivo. Subcutaneous implantation of the device in healthy and diabetic mice establishes a closed-loop system composed of "continuous glucose sensing" and "skin layer"-regulated insulin release. As a result, glucose metabolism was controlled in response to interstitial glucose fluctuation under both insulin-deficient and insulin-resistant conditions with at least 3-week durability. Our "smart gel" technology could offer a user-friendly and remarkably economic (disposable) alternative to the current state of the art, thereby facilitating availability of effective insulin treatment not only to diabetic patients in developing countries but also to those patients who otherwise may not be strongly motivated, such as the elderly, infants, and patients in need of nursing care.

Direct detection of fluoride ions in aquatic samples by surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Given the strong hydration propensity of fluoride ions, it is difficult to detect fluoride, especially inorganic fluoride, in aqueous samples. Resolving the issue of fluoride detection in aqueous samples is a scientific undertaking of great practical significance. Herein, we propose a new method for the sensitive and selective detection of fluoride in aqueous samples without the addition of organic solvents. The method involves surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy using 1,4-diketo-3,6-diphenylpyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole (DPP) compounds and Ag nanoparticles. The method is based on a diketopyrrolopyrrole compound linked to 1-butyl iodide (DPP1), which can sense fluoride sensitively and selectively. When DPP1 was combined with Ag NPs and reacted with tetrabutylammonium fluoride or inorganic fluoride in aqueous samples, an obvious Raman enhancement was obtained at the excitation wavelength of 633nm. This response arises because the introduction of fluoride anions into the system changes the molecular orientation of DPP1 on the Ag NP substrate from horizontal to vertical, inducing a signal enhancement in the Raman spectrum. This system can detect inorganic fluoride at concentrations as low as 1.0μmolL^-1 (0.018ppm), which is far below the public health service recommended levels for drinking water (0.7-1.2ppm). Furthermore, using the proposed method, a linear response for fluoride in the concentration range of 1.0 × 10^-3-1.0 × 10^-6molL^-1 was obtained, which makes fluoride detection possible in practical samples, such as fluoride-containing toothpaste.

Anion and sugar recognition by 2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide bis-boronic acid derivatives

Two 2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide derivatives containing arylboronic acid fragments were prepared and fully characterized including X-ray crystal diffraction analysis of a pinacol ester. These compounds are potential bifunctional receptors for sugars and anions. Acid dissociation and stability constants for complexation of both receptors with glucose and fructose were determined by potentiometric titrations in aqueous DMSO. Also, binding of alizarin red S indicator was studied spectrophotometrically and a highly sensitive detection of fructose by an indicator displacement assay was proposed. Complexation with anions was studied by 1H NMR titrations in DMSO-d6. Binding of acetate anion occurs only via hydrogen bonding to OH groups of boronic acid fragments and does not affect signals of NH protons but chloride anion induces large shift of the signals of NH protons and small shifts of the signals of OH groups. This behavior makes possible anion discrimination based on preference in the type of binding site rather than simply on anion basicity as is typical for majority of neutral hydrogen bonding anion receptors.

Boron-based small molecules in disease detection and treatment (2013–2016)

Recent years have seen tremendous development in the design and synthesis of boron-based compounds as potential therapeutics and for detection applications. The present review highlights the most recent development of these boron-based small molecules, covering clinically used ixazomib, tavaborole, crisaborole and other molecules from 2013 to 2016.

Reversible Photothermal Isomerization of Carborane-Fused Azaborole to Borirane: Synthesis and Reactivity of Carbene-Stabilized Carborane-Fused Borirane

A fully reversible photothermal isomerization between carborane-fused trigonal-planar azaborole (dark-purple) and tetrahedral borirane (pale-yellow) has been observed, leading to the isolation and structural characterization of the first example of carborane-fused borirane. DFT calculations indicate that the azaborole is thermodynamically more stable than the borirane by 11.2 kcal mol^-1 , and the energy barrier for the thermal conversion from azaborole to borirane is 35.5 kcal mol^-1 . The reactivity studies show that the B-C(cage) bond in borirane can be broken in the reaction with CuCl, HCl, or elemental sulfur.

Phenylboronic Acid-Functionalized Layer-by-Layer Assemblies for Biomedical Applications

Recent progress in the development of phenylboronic acid (PBA)-functionalized layer-by-layer (LbL) assemblies and their biomedical applications was reviewed. Stimuli-sensitive LbL films and microcapsules that exhibit permeability changes or decompose in response to sugars and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) have been developed using PBA-bearing polymers. The responses of PBA-modified LbL assemblies arise from the competitive binding of sugars to PBA in the films or oxidative decomposition of PBA by H₂O₂. Electrochemical glucose sensors have been fabricated by coating the surfaces of electrodes by PBA-modified LbL films, while colorimetric and fluorescence sensors can be prepared by modifying LbL films with boronic acid-modified dyes. In addition, PBA-modified LbL films and microcapsules have successfully been used in the construction of drug delivery systems (DDS). Among them, much effort has been devoted to the glucose-triggered insulin delivery systems, which are constructed by encapsulating insulin in PBA-modified LbL films and microcapsules. Insulin is released from the PBA-modified LbL assemblies upon the addition of glucose resulting from changes in the permeability of the films or decomposition of the film entity. Research into insulin DDS is currently focused on the development of high-performance devices that release insulin in response to diabetic levels of glucose (>10 mM) but remain stable at normal levels (~5 mM) under physiological conditions.

4,7-Bis[3-(dimesitylboryl)thien-2-yl]benzothiadiazole: Solvato-, Thermo-, and Mechanochromism Based on the Reversible Formation of an Intramolecular B-N Bond

4,7-Bis-[3-(dimesitylboryl)thien-2-yl]benzothiadiazole (1) and monoborylated derivative 2 were synthesized and their chromic behavior was investigated. Photophysical measurements, single-crystal XRD analysis, and theoretical calculations revealed that an intramolecular B-N coordination bond formed reversibly. The equilibrium of this reversible bond formation depends on the solid-state structure, solvent, temperature, and mechanical forces, and leads to significant changes in the electronic structure and chromic behavior of these molecules. The responsiveness toward external stimuli, resulting in the reversible formation of open and closed forms of this system, is achieved through weak intramolecular B-N coordination bonds induced by the steric bulk of the mesityl groups on the boron centers.

A two-photon fluorescent probe for specific detection of hydrogen sulfide based on a familiar ESIPT fluorophore bearing AIE characteristics

A two-photon fluorescent probe based on an ESIPT fluorophore bearing AIE characteristics was utilized to detect H₂S.

Reaction-based indicator displacement assay (RIA) for the colorimetric and fluorometric detection of hydrogen peroxide

Reaction-based indicator displacement assay for the optical cycle-monitoring of hydrogen peroxide.

β-Dicyanovinyl substituted porphyrinogen: synthesis, a reversible sensor for picric acid among explosives and a unique sensor for cyanide and fluoride ions by switching between various porphyrinoid states

Oxp-MN (1) acts as a multifunctional sensor for the simultaneous colorimetric detection of picric acid (PA) among other nitroaromatics, F⁻ and CN⁻ ions when “hidden” within a mixture of other anions under unrestricted queue assay.

Syntheses, Structures, and Complexation Studies of Tris(organostannyl)methane Derivatives

The syntheses of tris(organostannyl)methanes HC(SnX n Ph(3-n))3 (1, n=0; 2, n=1, X=I; 3, n=1, X =F; 4, n=1, X=Cl; 5, n=1, X=OAc; 6, n=2, X=I; 7, n=2, X=Cl) and the organostannate complexes Et4N[HC(SnIPh2)3⋅F] (8), Ph4P[HC(SnClPh2)3⋅Cl] (9), and [Ph4P]2[HC(SnCl2Ph)3⋅2 Cl] (10) are reported. The compounds were characterized by 1H, 13C, 19F, and 119Sn NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, electrospray mass spectrometry, and (with the exception of 3) single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. From the reaction between 2 and AgClO4 resulted the unprecedented hexanuclear organotin oxocluster [HC{Sn(ClO4)2Ph2}2Sn(OH)2Ph]2 (11), the molecular structure of which was elucidated by using X-ray crystallography.

Anion-Controlled Positional Switching of a Phenyl Group about the Dinuclear Core of a AuSb Complex

As part of our continuing interest in redox-active, anion-responsive main-group transition-metal platforms, we have investigated the effect of chloride by fluoride anion substitution on the core structure of a dinuclear AuSb platform. Starting from [(o-(iPr2P)C6H4)2Cl2SbPh]AuCl (2) in which the antimony-bound phenyl group is positioned trans to the gold atom, we found that the introduction of fluoride anions, as in [(o-(iPr2P)C6H4)2F2SbPh]AuCl (3) and [(o-(iPr2P)C6H4)2ClFSbPh]AuCl (4), produces structures in which the phenyl group switches to a perpendicular direction with respect to the gold atom. Replacement of the gold-bound chloride anion in 3 by a fluoride anion can be achieved by successive treatment with TlPF6 and [nBu4N][Ph3SiF2]. These reactions, which proceed via the intermediate zwitterionc gold antimonate complex [o-(iPr2P)C6H4)2F3SbPh]Au (6), trigger migration of the phenyl group to gold and afford [(o-(iPr2P)C6H4)2F3Sb]AuPh (7). Because the phenyl group in 7 is orthogonal to that in 3 and opposite to that in 2, the title AuSb platform can be regarded as a molecular analogue of a mechanical three-way switch in which the switching element is a phenyl group. Finally, while all complexes involved retain a Au → Sb interaction, this interaction is no longer present in the zwitterionic derivative 6 because of the neutralization of the Lewis acidity of the antimony center.

A Comparison of the Structure and Bonding in the Aliphatic Boronic R-B(OH)2 and Borinic R-BH(OH) acids (R=H; NH2, OH, and F): A Computational Investigation

Boronic acids, R-B(OH)2, play an important role in synthetic, biological, medicinal, and materials chemistry. This investigation compares the structure and bonding surrounding the boron atoms in the simple aliphatic boronic acids, R-B(OH)2 (R = H; NH2, OH, and F) and the analogous borinic acids, R-BH(OH). Geometry optimizations were performed using second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) with the Dunning-Woon aug-cc-pVTZ, aug-cc-pVQZ and aug-cc-pV5Z basis sets; single-point CCSD(FC)/aug-cc-pVTZ//MP2(FC)/aug-cc-pVTZ level calculations were used to generate a QCI density for Natural Bond Orbital analyses of the bonding. The optimized boron-oxygen bond lengths for the X-B-Ot-H trans-branch of the endo-exo form of the boronic acids and for the X-B-O-H cis-branch of the boronic and borinic acids (X = N, O, and F respectively) decrease as the electronegativity of X increases. The boron-oxygen bond lengths are generally longer in the endo-exo or anti forms of the boronic acids than in the corresponding borinic acids. NBO analyses suggest the boron-oxygen bond in H2BOH is a double bond; the boron-oxygen bonding in the remaining boronic and borinic acids in this study have a significant contribution from dative pπ-pπ bonding. Values for [Formula: see text] for the highly balanced reaction, R-B(OH)2 + R-BH2 → 2 R-BH(OH), suggest that the bonding surrounding the boron atom is stronger in the borinic acid than in the corresponding boronic acid.

Recent progress in electrochemical biosensors based on phenylboronic acid and derivatives

This review provides an overview of recent progress made in the development of electrochemical biosensors based on phenylboronic acid (PBA) and its derivatives. PBAs are known to selectively bind 1,2- and 1,3-diols to form negatively charged boronate esters in neutral aqueous media and have been used to construct electrochemical glucose sensors because of this selective binding. PBA-modified metal and carbon electrodes have been widely studied as voltammetric and potentiometric glucose sensors. In some cases, ferroceneboronic acid or ferrocene-modified phenylboronic acids are used as sugar-selective redox compounds. Another option for sensors using PBA-modified electrodes is potentiometric detection, in which the changes in surface potential of the electrodes are detected as an output signal. An ion-sensitive field effect transistor (FET) has been used as a signal transducer in potentiometric sensors. Glycoproteins, such as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), avidin, and serum albumin can also be detected by PBA-modified electrodes because they contain hydrocarbon chains on the surface. HbA1c sensors are promising alternatives to enzyme-based glucose sensors for monitoring blood glucose levels over the preceding 2-3months. In addition, PBA-modified electrodes can be used to detect a variety of compounds including hydroxy acids and fluoride (F(-)) ions. PBA-based F(-) ion sensors may be useful if reagentless sensors can be developed.

Development of Ion Chemosensors Based on Porphyrin Analogues

Sensing of metal ions and anions is of great importance because of their widespread distribution in environmental systems and biological processes. Colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensors based on organic molecular species have been demonstrated to be effective for the detection of various ions and possess the significant advantages of low cost, high sensitivity, and convenient implementation. Of the available classes of organic molecules, porphyrin analogues possess inherently many advantageous features, making them suitable for the design of ion chemosensors, with the targeted sensing behavior achieved and easily modulated based on their following characteristics: (1) NH moieties properly disposed for binding of anions through cooperative hydrogen-bonding interactions; (2) multiple pyrrolic N atoms or other heteroatoms for selectively chelating metal ions; (3) variability of macrocycle size and peripheral substitution for modulation of ion selectivity and sensitivity; and (4) tunable near-infrared emission and good biocompatibility. In this Review, design strategies, sensing mechanisms, and sensing performance of ion chemosensors based on porphyrin analogues are described by use of extensive examples. Ion chemosensors based on normal porphyrins and linear oligopyrroles are also briefly described. This Review provides valuable information for researchers of related areas and thus may inspire the development of more practical and effective approaches for designing high-performance ion chemosensors based on porphyrin analogues and other relevant compounds.

A Nanoplatform with Precise Control over Release of Cargo for Enhanced Cancer Therapy

The development of a nanocarrier delivery system having both sufficient stability in blood circulation and a rapid drug release profile at target sites remains a major challenge in cancer therapy. Here, a multifunctional star-shaped micellar system with a precisely spatiotemporal control of releasing encapsulated agents is developed by mixing a photoinitiated crosslinking amphiphilic copolymer with a phenylboronic acid (PBA)-functionalized redox-sensitive amphiphilic copolymer for the first time. The combination of the functional polymers effectively resolves the contradiction that the micellar system cannot release the rapid drug release in cells when it possesses an extreme stability that is often required in blood circulation. In this system, the inner core polymers are photo-crosslinked, endowing a stable micelle matrix structure; the end groups of the hydrophilic segments are decorated with PBA ligands, providing an active targeting ability; disulfide bonds in the micellar matrix impart a redox-responsive trigger for the prompt intracellular release of drugs. As a result, with a relatively low DOX dosage (2 mg kg(-1) per injection) the in vivo antitumor effect on H22-bearing BALB/c mice shows that the micelles have a high therapeutic efficacy against solid tumors while minimal side effects against normal tissues.

An anion sensor based on an organic field effect transistor

We propose an organic field effect transistor (OFET)-based sensor design as a new and innovative platform for anion detection. OFETs could be fabricated on low-cost plastic film substrates using printing technologies, suggesting that OFETs can potentially be applied to practical supramolecular anion sensor devices in the near future.

Imaging agents

Guest editors Christopher J. Chang, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson and Tony D. James introduce the Imaging Agents issue of Chemical Society Reviews

Eight membered cyclic-borasiloxanes: synthesis, structural, photophysical, steric strain and DFT calculations

A series of eight membered cyclic borasiloxanes were synthesized and structurally characterized. The photophysical properties were investigated. HOMO–LUMO, hyperpolarizability and steric strain were computed by B3LYP/6-31+G** method.

Survey, fluorescence spectra, and solubility of liquid cyanine dyes

Four liquid cyanine dyes were produced. The fluorescence of these liquid derivatives in neat form at −196 °C was significantly more intense than that at 25 °C.

Saccharide-induced modulation of photoluminescence lifetime in microgels

Sugar-responsive microgels based on boronic acid derivative and incorporating [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ as a luminescent reporter, exhibit very long lifetimes and unusually high quantum yields, which decrease upon saccharide addition.