Metal-organic supramolecular nanoarchitectures by Ru(II) bis-(terpyridine)-bridged pillar[5]arene dimers with triphenylamine

Probing the serum albumin binding site of fenamates and photochemical protein labeling with a fluorescent dye

Human serum albumin (HSA) can bind with numerous drugs, leading to a significant influence on drug pharmacokinetics as well as undesirable drug-drug interactions due to competitive binding. Probing the HSA drug binding site thus offers great opportunities to reveal drug-HSA binding profiles. In the present study, a fluorescent probe (E)-4-(2-(5-(4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)thiophen-2-yl)vinyl)-1-propylpyridin-1-ium (TTPy) has been prepared, which exhibits enhancement of deep-red to near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence upon HSA binding. The competitive binding assay indicated that TTPy can target the HSA binding site of fenamates, a group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), with moderate binding affinity (1.95 × 10⁶ M^-1 at 303 K). More interestingly, TTPy enables fluorescent labeling of HSA upon visible light irradiation. This study provides promising ways for HSA drug binding site identification and photochemical protein labeling.

Supramolecular systems prepared using terpyridine-containing pillararene

Recent progresses about the preparation of terpyridine-containing pillararene, as well as the utilization of those building blocks for making external stimulud-responsive supramolecular systems were summarized in this review.

Covalently bridged pillararene-based oligomers: from construction to applications

Covalently bridged pillararene-based oligomers (CBPOs) are formed by covalent bonding of pillararene monomers, and they play a critical role in expanding the multi-disciplinary application of pillararenes due to their excellent molecular complexing ability, specially designed geometry and multifunctional linking groups. This article provides a comprehensive review of the synthesis and applications of CBPOs. The design and synthetic strategies of a series of CBPOs (dimers, trimers, tetramers and others) are first introduced. Many CBPOs with multi-cavities and unique geometry are very attractive and efficient building blocks for constructing novel smart supramolecular polymers (SPs) with different topological structures through host-guest interactions. We describe the methods of constructing various SPs based on CBPOs in detail. Furthermore, the extensive applications of CBPOs and CBPO-based SPs in recognition and detection of ions and organic small molecules, selective adsorption and separation, artificial light-harvesting systems, catalysis, drug delivery systems, and others are systematically introduced. Finally, the future challenges and perspectives for CBPOs are also highlighted.