Towards functional fluorous surfactants. Synthesis of hydrophilic fluorous 1,2,3-triazolylmethyl ethers and di(1,2,3-triazolylmethyl) ethers

A zwitterionic solution for smart ionic liquids to evade cytotoxicity

By linking the cation and anion motifs of ionic liquids (ILs), zwitterionic liquids (ZILs) exhibit at least 146-2740 and 112-1550 folds less cytotoxicity in human gastric and colon cells than those of the structurally related ILs. Computer simulation shows that ZIL molecules hardly penetrate the cell membranes in contrast to ILs. These findings reveal a novel mechanism for ZILs to evade cytotoxicity, establishing a structure-based design principle for the next generation of sustainable ZILs.

Synthesis and application of non-bioaccumulable fluorinated surfactants: a review

Abstract

Due to negative effects of conventional fluorinated surfactants with long perfluorocarbon chain (CxF2x+ 1, x≥7) like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), these conventional long perfluorocarbon chain surfactants have been restricted in many industrial applications. Nowadays, their potential non-bioaccumulable alternatives have been developed to meet the requirements of environmental sustainable development. In this paper, the recent advances of potential non-bioaccumulable fluorinated surfactants with different fluorocarbon chain structures, including the short perfluorocarbon chain, the branched fluorocarbon chain, and the fluorocarbon chain with weak points, are reviewed from the aspects of synthesis processes, properties, and structure-activity relationships. And their applications in emulsion polymerization of fluorinated olefins, handling membrane proteins, and leather manufacture also are summarized. Furthermore, the challenges embedded in the current non-bioaccumulable fluorinated surfactants are also highlighted and discussed with the hope to provide a valuable reference for the prosperous development of fluorinated surfactants.

Graphical abstract

Chemo-Enzymatic Synthesis of Perfluoroalkyl-Functionalized Dendronized Polymers as Cyto-Compatible Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery Applications

Among amphiphilic polymers with diverse skeletons, fluorinated architectures have attracted significant attention due to their unique property of segregation and self-assembly into discrete supramolecular entities. Herein, we have synthesized amphiphilic copolymers by grafting hydrophobic alkyl/perfluoroalkyl chains and hydrophilic polyglycerol [G2.0] dendrons onto a co-polymer scaffold, which itself was prepared by enzymatic polymerization of poly[ethylene glycol bis(carboxymethyl) ether]diethylester and 2-azidopropan-1,3-diol. The resulting fluorinated polymers and their alkyl chain analogs were then compared in terms of their supramolecular aggregation behavior, solubilization capacity, transport potential, and release profile using curcumin and dexamethasone drugs. The study of the release profile of encapsulated curcumin incubated with/without a hydrolase enzyme Candida antarctica lipase (CAL-B) suggested that the drug is better stabilized in perfluoroalkyl chain grafted polymeric nanostructures in the absence of enzyme for up to 12 days as compared to its alkyl chain analogs. Although both the fluorinated as well as non-fluorinated systems showed up to 90% release of curcumin in 12 days when incubated with lipase, a comparatively faster release was observed in the fluorinated polymers. Cell viability of HeLa cells up to 95% in aqueous solution of fluorinated polymers (100 μg/mL) demonstrated their excellent cyto-compatibility.

Fluorous 1,2,3-Triazol-4-ylmethyl Amines and Amine Derivatives for Novel Surfactant Applications

A series of fluorous surfactants with additional functionality were generated through the attachment of substituents at the amino nitrogen atom of the surfactant moiety. Examples of molecules containing one and two triazole ring systems were synthesized through N-alkylation and N-acylation strategies.

One-pot synthesis of Au@SiO(2) catalysts: a click chemistry approach

Using the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition "click" reaction, a library of triazole amphiphiles with a variety of functional polar "heads" and hydrophobic or superhydrophobic "tails" was synthesized. The amphiphiles were evaluated for their ability to stabilize small Au nanoparticles, and, at the same time, serve as templates for nanocasting porous SiO2. One of the Au@SiO2 materials thus prepared was found to be a highly active catalyst for the Au nanoparticle-catalyzed regioselective hydroamination of alkynes.