Stereoisomeric bis(phenylglycinol)malonamide gelators: rare examples of gelling meso-compounds

Metal-bio functionalized bismuthmagnetite [Fe3-x Bi x O4/SiO2@l-ArgEt3 +I-/Zn(ii)]: a novel bionanocomposite for the synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-2,4-dioxobenzo[b][1,4]diazepine malononitriles and malonamides at room temperature and under sonication

In this work, a new magnetized composite of bismuth (Fe_3−xBi_xO₄) was prepared and functionalized stepwise with silica, triethylargininium iodide ionic liquid, and Zn(ii) to prepare a multi-layered core–shell bio-nanostructure, [Fe_3−xBi_xO₄/SiO₂@l-ArgEt₃⁺I⁻/Zn(ii)]. The modified bismuth magnetic amino acid-containing nanocomposite was characterized using several techniques including Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), thermogravimetric/differential scanning calorimetric (TGA/DSC) analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The magnetized bionanocomposite exhibited high catalytic activity for the synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-2,4-dioxobenzo[b][1,4]diazepine malononitriles via five-component reactions between 1,2-phenylenediamines, Meldrum's acid, malononitrile, aldehydes, and isocyanides at room temperature in ethanol. The efficacy of this protocol was also examined to obtain malonamide derivatives via pseudo six-component reactions of 1,4-phenylenediamine, Meldrum's acid, malononitrile, aldehydes, and isocyanides. When the above-mentioned MCRs were repeated under the same conditions with the application of sonication, a notable decrease in the reaction time was observed. The recovery and reusability of the metal-bio functionalized bismuthmagnetite were examined successfully in 3 runs. Furthermore, the characteristics of the recovered Fe_3−xBi_xO₄/SiO₂@l-ArgEt₃⁺I⁻/Zn(ii) were investigated though FESEM and EDAX analysis.

In this work, a new magnetized composite of bismuth (Fe_3−xBi_xO₄) was prepared and functionalized stepwise with silica, triethylargininium iodide ionic liquid, and Zn(ii) to prepare a multi-layered core–shell bio-nanostructure, [Fe_3−xBi_xO₄/SiO₂@l-ArgEt₃⁺I⁻/Zn(ii)].

Hybrid hydrogels derived from renewable resources as a smart stimuli responsive soft material for drug delivery applications

The design and synthesis of amphiphilic molecules play a crucial role in fabricating smart functional materials via self-assembly. Especially, biologically significant natural molecules and their structural analogues have inspired chemists and made a major contribution to the development of advanced smart materials. In this report, a series of amphiphilic N-acyl amides were synthesized from natural precursors using a simple synthetic protocol. Interestingly, the self-assembly of amphiphiles 6a and 7a furnished a hydrogel and oleogel in vegetable oils. Morphological analysis of gels revealed the existence of a 3-dimensional fibrous network. Thermoresponsive and thixotropic behavior of these gels were evaluated using rheological analysis. A composite gel prepared by the encapsulation of curcumin in the hydrogel formed from 7a displayed a gel–sol transition in response to pH and could act as a dual channel responsive drug carrier.

The design and synthesis of amphiphilic molecules play a crucial role in fabricating smart functional materials via self-assembly.

Unexpected isomerism in cis-2 bis(pyrrolidino)[60]fullerene diastereomers

Similar yet different: A one-step regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of three new bis(pyrrolidine)[60]fullerenes, one cis-1 and two unprecedented cis-2 diastereoisomers, is reported. The compounds are easily purified using simple chromatographic techniques, and were fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques and X-ray crystallography. A mechanism for the isomeric conversion observed is proposed.

Synthesis of novel series of malonamides derivatives via a five-component reaction

A one-pot, five-component condensation reaction of isocyanide, Meldrum's acid, arylidene malononitrile, and two amine molecules in CH2Cl2 at ambient temperature to give malonamide derivatives is described.

Versatile low-molecular-weight hydrogelators: achieving multiresponsiveness through a modular design

Multiresponsive low-molecular-weight hydrogelators (LMWHs) are ideal candidates for the development of smart, soft, nanotechnology materials. The synthesis is however very challenging. On the one hand, de novo design is hampered by our limited ability to predict the assembly of small molecules in water. On the other hand, modification of pre-existing LMWHs is limited by the number of different stimuli-sensitive chemical moieties that can be introduced into a small molecule without seriously disrupting the ability to gelate water. Herein we report the synthesis and characterization of multistimuli LMWHs, based on a modular design, composed of a hydrophobic, disulfide, aromatic moiety, a maleimide linker, and a hydrophilic section based on an amino acid, here N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). As most LMWHs, these gelators experience reversible gel-to-sol transition following temperature changes. Additionally, the NAC moiety allows reversible control of the assembly of the gel by pH changes. The reduction of the aromatic disulfide triggers a gel-to-sol transition that, depending on the design of the particular LMWH, can be reverted by reoxidation of the resulting thiol. Finally, the hydrolysis of the cyclic imide moieties provides an additional trigger for the gel-to-sol transition with a timescale that is appropriate for use in drug-delivery applications. The efficient response to the multiple external stimuli, coupled to the modular design makes these LMWHs an excellent starting point for the development of smart nanomaterials with applications that include controlled drug release. These hydrogelators, which were discovered by serendipity rather than design, suggest nonetheless a general strategy for the introduction of multiple stimuli-sensitive chemical moieties, to offset the introduction of hydrophilic moieties with additional hydrophobic ones, in order to minimize the upsetting of the critical hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance of the LMWH.

Positionally isomeric organic gelators: structure-gelation study, racemic versus enantiomeric gelators, and solvation effects

Low molecular weight gelator molecules consisting of aliphatic acid, amino acid (phenylglycine), and omega-aminoaliphatic acid units have been designed. By varying the number of methylene units in the aliphatic and omega-aminoaliphatic acid chains, as defined by descriptors m and n, respectively, a series of positionally isomeric gelators having different positions of the peptidic hydrogen-bonding unit within the gelator molecule has been obtained. The gelation properties of the positional isomers have been determined in relation to a defined set of twenty solvents of different structure and polarity and analyzed in terms of gelator versatility (G(ver)) and effectiveness (G(eff)). The results of gelation tests have shown that simple synthetic optimizations of a "lead gelator molecule" by variation of m and n, end-group polarity (carboxylic acid versus sodium carboxylate), and stereochemistry (racemate versus optically pure form) allowed the identification of gelators with tremendously improved versatility (G(ver)) and effectiveness (G(eff)). Dramatic differences in G(eff) values of up to 70 times could be observed between pure racemate/enantiomer pairs of some gelators, which were manifested even in the gelation of very similar solvents such as isomeric xylenes. The combined results of spectroscopic ((1)H NMR, FTIR), electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction studies suggest similar organization of the positionally isomeric gelators at the molecular level, comprising parallel beta-sheet hydrogen-bonded primary assemblies that form inversed bilayers at a higher organizational level. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies of selected enantiomer/racemate gelator pairs and their o- and p-xylene gels revealed the simultaneous presence of different polymorphs in the racemate gels. The increased gelation effectiveness of the racemate compared to that of the single enantiomer is most likely a consequence of its spontaneous resolution into enantiomeric bilayers and their subsequent organization into polymorphic aggregates of different energy. The latter determine the gel fiber thickness and solvent immobilization capacity of the formed gel network.