Gold nanoparticles stabilized by cationic carbosilane dendrons: synthesis and biological properties

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and polycationic macromolecules are used as gene carriers. Their behaviour is dependent on several factors, such as the size and type of the framework, charge, etc. We have combined both types of systems and prepared AuNPs covered with cationic carbosilane dendrons with the aim to evaluate their biocompatibility. Water soluble dendronized cationic AuNPs were prepared following a straightforward procedure from dendrons, a gold precursor and a reducing agent in water and were characterized by ¹H NMR, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), and zeta potential (ZP). The biological properties of dendrons and AuNPs were determined by hemolysis, platelet aggregation and lymphocyte proliferation. These assays reflect modification of dendron properties when covering nanoparticles. For dendrons, hemolysis and platelet aggregation are generation dependent whilst, for AuNPs these properties are related to the bigger size of NPs. On the other hand, none of the systems induced lymphocyte proliferation. Selected cationic dendrons and AuNPs were chosen for gene delivery experiments employing a small interference RNA (siRNA Nef) against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Bifunctional Phosphorus Dendrimers and Their Properties

Dendrimers are hyperbranched and monodisperse macromolecules, generally considered as a special class of polymers, but synthesized step-by-step. Most dendrimers have a uniform structure, with a single type of terminal function. However, it is often desirable to have at least two different functional groups. This review will discuss the case of bifunctional phosphorus-containing dendrimers, and the consequences for their properties. Besides the terminal functions, dendritic structures may have also a function at the core, or linked off-center to the core, or at the core of dendrons (dendritic wedges). Association of two dendrons having different terminal functions leads to Janus dendrimers (two faces). The internal structure can also possess functional groups on one layer, or linked to one layer, or on several layers. Finally, there are several ways to have two types of terminal functions, besides the case of Janus dendrimers: either each terminal function bears two functions sequentially, or two different functions are linked to each terminal branching point. Examples of each type of structure will be given in this review, as well as practical uses of such sophisticated structures in the fields of fluorescence, catalysis, nanomaterials and biology.

Dendronized Anionic Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, and Antiviral Activity

Anionic carbosilane dendrons decorated with sulfonate functions and one thiol moiety at the focal point have been used to synthesize water-soluble gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) through the direct reaction of dendrons, gold precursor, and reducing agent in water, and also through a place-exchange reaction. These nanoparticles have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, TEM, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV/Vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and zeta-potential measurements. The interacting ability of the anionic sulfonate functions was investigated by EPR spectroscopy with copper(II) as a probe. Different structures and conformations of the AuNPs modulate the availability of sulfonate and thiol groups for complexation by copper(II). Toxicity assays of AuNPs showed that those produced through direct reaction were less toxic than those obtained by ligand exchange. Inhibition of HIV-1 infection was higher in the case of dendronized AuNPs than in dendrons.

DFT study of Raman spectra of hexakis(4-N'(-di(4-oxyphenethylamino)-(thio)phosphonyl)-N'-methyl-diazobenzene)cyclotriphosphazene

The FT-Raman spectrum of the hexakis(4-N'(-di(4-oxyphenethylamino)-(thio)phosphonyl)-N'-methyl-diazobenzene)cyclotriphosphazene which is the first generation dendrimer G1 built from the cyclotriphosphazene core, six arms -O-C6H4-CH=N-N(CH3)-P(S)< and twelve 4-oxyphenethylamino terminal groups -O-C6H4-(CH2)2-NH2 G1 has been recorded. The structural optimization and normal mode analysis were performed for model compound C, consisting of cyclotriphosphazene core, one arm -O-C6H4-CH=N-N(CH3)-P(S)< and two 4-oxyphenethylamino terminal groups -O-C6H4-(CH2)2-NH2 on the basis of the density functional theory (DFT) at the PBE/TZ2P level. The calculated geometrical parameters and harmonic vibrational frequencies are predicted in good agreement with the experimental data. It was found that G1 has a concave lens structure with planar -O-C6H4-CH=N-N(CH3)-P(S)< fragments and slightly non-planar cyclotriphosphazene core. The 4-oxyphenethylamino groups attached to different arms show significant deviations from a symmetrical arrangement relative to the local planes of repeating units. The experimental Raman spectra of G1 dendron was interpreted by means of potential energy distribution. Relying on DFT calculations, as well as on experimental information, a spectral interpretation was proposed.

DFT study of Raman spectra of phosphorus-containing dendrons built from cyclotriphosphazene core with terminal carbamate and ester groups

The FT Raman spectra of the zero (Gv0) and first generations (Gv1) of phosphorus-containing dendrons with terminal carbamate groups and one ester function and [2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (C) have been recorded and analyzed. The lines of free ν(C=O) bonds are not observed in the experimental Raman spectrum of C and thus association of carbamate groups by hydrogen bonds occur. The frequencies of ν(C=O) lines in the experimental Raman spectrum reveal the presence of the different types of H-bonds in the amorphous state of Gv0. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of C gave geometrical parameters for the t-g-, g-g-, tg-, gg-conformers. The most stable is the gg-conformer. The structural optimization and normal mode analysis were performed for dendrons on the basis of the DFT. The calculated geometrical parameters, harmonic vibrational frequencies and Raman intensities are predicted in a good agreement with the experimental data. The experimental Raman spectra of dendrons were interpreted by means of potential energy distribution. Relying on DFT calculations the lines of a core, repeating units and terminal groups of dendrons were assigned. The polarizabilities and lipophilicity of dendrons were estimated.

Palladium complexes derived from N,N-bidentate NH-iminophosphorane ligands: synthesis and use as catalysts in the Sonogashira reaction

The addition of primary amines to the C=C bond of diphenylalkenyl iminophosphoranes yielded a new subtype of N,N-bidentate ligands bearing N=P(V)-C-C-NH backbones. These donor ligands reacted with PdCl(2)(COD) to give the corresponding σN,σN-palladium complexes containing secondary amino groups, bearing an intrinsically chiral nitrogen atom, and iminophosphorane units. These new complexes have been fully characterized by the use of spectroscopic techniques and X-ray crystallography. The comparison of the data extracted from their solution NMR spectra with their solid state structures demonstrated the conformational stability of their six-membered chelate ring and also the configurational stability of the chiral nitrogen atom, thus ruling out an arm-off racemization process. The addition of the chiral, racemic α-methylbenzylamine to the prochiral P-alkenyl iminophosphoranes yielded mixtures of the two expected diasteroisomeric ligands in low diastereoisomeric ratios. One of these mixtures was resolved into their components, each one in turn giving rise to a pair of diasteromeric palladium complexes epimeric at the amino nitrogen atom. One selected example of the new complexes efficiently catalyzes the copper- and amine-free Sonogashira reaction of aryl halides with acetylenes.

DFT study of structure, IR and Raman spectra of the first generation dendron built from cyclotriphosphazene core with terminal carbamate and ester groups

The FTIR and FT-Raman spectra of the first generation dendron built from the cyclotriphosphazene core, five arms -O-C(6)H(4)-CH=N-N(CH(3))-P(S) 2 bonds on the righthand side with ten carbamate terminal groups and one ester function G(v1) have been recorded. The IR and Raman spectra of the zero generation dendron G(v0) and first generation dendrimer G(1) with the same core and terminal groups were also examined. The structural optimization and normal mode analysis were performed for dendron G(v1) on the basis of the density functional theory (DFT). The calculated geometrical parameters and harmonic vibrational frequencies are predicted in a good agreement with the experimental data. It was found that G(v1) has a concave lens structure with planar -O-C(6)H(4)-CH=N-N(CH(3))-P(S) 2 bonds on the righhand side fragments and slightly non-planar cyclotriphosphazene core. The carbamate groups attached to different arms show significant deviations from a symmetrical arrangement relative to the local planes of repeating units. The experimental IR spectrum of G(v1) dendron was interpreted by means of potential energy distributions. The strong band 1604 cm(-1) shows marked changes of the optical density in dependence of the carbamate, ester or azomethyne substituents in the aromatic ring. The frequencies of ν(N-H) and ν(C=O) bands in the IR spectra reveal the presence of the different types of H-bonds in the studied dendrimers.

Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Phosphole-Cored Dendrimers

Phosphole-cored dendrimers having poly(benzyl ether) units through the third generation have been synthesized. The dendrimers display intense blue photoluminescence, the quantum yield increasing with the increasing generation of the dendron units. The optical properties are easily tuned by oxidation of the phosphorus atom of the phosphole ring.

Silver(i) complexes of N-thiophosphorylated bis(iminophosphorane) ligands: From monomers to polymers

Treatment of diphosphines Ph(2)P(CH2)nPPh2 (n = 1, 2, 4, 6) and [Fe(eta5-C(5)H(4)PR'2)2] (R' = Ph, (i)Pr) with a two-fold excess of (RO)2P(=S)N3 (R = Et, Ph) results in the high-yield formation of the N-thiophosphorylated bis(iminophosphorane) derivatives (CH2)n[P{=NP(=S)(OR)2}Ph2]2 and Fe(eta5-C(5)H(4)[P{=NP(=S)(OR)2}R'2])2, respectively. The reactions of these ligands with AgSbF(6) in a 1 : 1 molar ratio have been investigated. The resulting silver(I) complexes, derived from the selective coordination of the P=S units, have been characterized by IR, NMR and MS (FAB) spectroscopy and, in selected cases, by X-ray crystallography. Monomeric, dimeric and polymeric solid-state structures, depending on the nature of the ligand backbone, have been found.

Supramolecular Self-Organization of “Janus-like” Diblock Codendrimers: Synthesis, Thermal Behavior, and Phase Structure Modeling

We report on the design and synthesis of three series of segmented amphiphilic block codendrimers, and on their self-organizing behavior in liquid-crystalline mesophases. Connecting two prefunctionalized monodendrons, each differing in their chemical constitution and generation number, yielded these diblock supermolecules. One wedge of the codendrimer was made hydrophobic, and is based on a branched poly(benzyl ether) monodendron functionalized at the periphery by lipophilic aliphatic fragments (also known as Percec dendrons). The other segment was made hydrophilic by the grafting of hydroxyl-containing moieties onto the focal functions of the former dendrons. Both types of dendrons were prepared independently by convergent methods and then joined in the ultimate stage of the synthetic procedure by cross-coupling reactions. In this way, the proportion of the dendritic blocks was varied independently to allow control of the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance (HHB), the hydrogen-bonding ability, and consequently the capacity to tune the mesomorphic properties of the resulting "superamphiphiles" was anticipated. Essentially all the dendritic compounds display a thermotropic mesomorphism directly at or near room temperature as determined by using X-ray diffraction, polarized optical microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The nature and the supramolecular organization of the mesophases, namely columnar and cubic phases, are correlated to the size of the respective block monodendrons and the chemical structures of the dendromesogens. The molecular organization within the cubic phases can be geometrically described and well understood by the space-filling polyhedron model.