Hydrophobic and hydrophilic yoctowells

Recent Advances in Aggregation-Induced Emission Active Materials for Sensing of Biologically Important Molecules and Drug Delivery System

The emergence and development of aggregation induced emission (AIE) have attracted worldwide attention due to its unique photophysical phenomenon and for removing the obstacle of aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) which is the most detrimental process thereby making AIE an important and promising aspect in various fields of fluorescent material, sensing, bioimaging, optoelectronics, drug delivery system, and theranostics. In this review, we have discussed insights and explored recent advances that are being made in AIE active materials and their application in sensing, biological cell imaging, and drug delivery systems, and, furthermore, we explored AIE active fluorescent material as a building block in supramolecular chemistry. Herein, we focus on various AIE active molecules such as tetraphenylethylene, AIE-active polymer, quantum dots, AIE active metal-organic framework and triphenylamine, not only in terms of their synthetic routes but also we outline their applications. Finally, we summarize our view of the construction and application of AIE-active molecules, which thus inspiring young researchers to explore new ideas, innovations, and develop the field of supramolecular chemistry in years to come.

Complex molecular surfaces and interfaces: concluding remarks

This paper is derived from our concluding remarks presentation and the ensuing conversations at the Faraday Discussions meeting on Complex Molecular Surfaces and Interfaces, Sheffield, UK, 24th-26th July 2017. This meeting was comprised of sessions on understanding the interaction of molecules with surfaces and their subsequent organisation, reactivity or properties from both experimental and theoretical perspectives. This paper attempts to put these presentations in the wider context and focuses on topics that were debated during the meeting and where we feel that opportunities lie for the future development of this interdisciplinary research area.

Self-assembling oligothiophene–bolaamphiphiles for loading and controlled release of doxorubicin into living cells

Symmetric mannose-functionalized oligothiophenes for efficient transport and release of the anti-tumour drug doxorubicin.

Cooperative self-assembly of porphyrins with polymers possessing bioactive functions

This review covers recent research on design strategies for the cooperative self-assembly of porphyrins with polymers and its implementation as bioactive assembly.

Porphyrin assemblies and their scaffolds

The chlorophyll and heme molecules of chloroplasts and mitochondria are brought to life by "the global fold of the protein scaffolds". Proteins in hydrophobic cell regions touch the dye platelets from both sides, pushing and orienting them according to their life-spending activities in light and electron transfers. The conjugated π-electron systems or planarity of the porphyrin macrocycles are never disturbed. Most artificial porphyrin assemblies contain meso-tetraphenylporphyrins (TPPs), because the four phenyl groups rotate freely and carry their substituents above or below the macrocycle. A single porphyrin molecule can, for example, be attached to an anionic surface with ammonium groups on its 2,3-carbons, be located within a hydrophobic membrane with its alkyl chains on the 4-position, and then fixate a cationic polymer with 4,5-sulphonates. Charged TPPs also show unique spectroscopic changes at different pH values and a reversible loss of the macrocycle's planarity. On smooth silicate, graphite, or gold scaffolds TPPs have been attached irreversibly as single molecules, as extended non-covalent H or J aggregates as well as acetylene or thiophene-linked polymers. Soft, mobile porphyrin ladders conduct excited electrons ("excitons") better than rigid porphyrin wires ("polarons").

Yoctowells as a simple model system for the encapsulation and controlled release of bioactive molecules

The development of nanosized drug delivery systems to transport drugs to target cells, are promising tools to improve the drug therapeutic index. Transport systems should have a simple design to control the release of loaded drug to the target areas, thereby increasing concentration and prolonging retention. Herein, we demonstrate the use of yoctoliter wells (1 yL = 10(-24) L) as simple model systems for the encapsulation and release of biologically active molecules, by manipulating pH. The drug molecule employed here is doxorubicin, which diffuses into the bottom of yoctowells from a bulk solution at pH 7. Capping of the yoctowells is achieved by addition of an anionic-porphyrin by electrostatic interaction. Furthermore, controlled release of the Doxorubcin and capping agent from the yoctowells is achieved by pH control. The effectiveness of the sustain release of the bioactive molecule from yoctowells, provides potential for development of a new generation of drug-delivery system for practical application.

Light-induced electron transfer over distances of 5, 10, and 15 Å within water-filled yoctowells

A small series of variable-depth yoctowell cavities with 'functional' walls on aminated silica particles and gold electrodes has been established. The dimensions of the gaps formed were 2.2 nm in diameter with varying 'functional' depths of 5, 10, and 15 Å, depending on the length of bolaphiles applied and the position of the positive rim; these gaps were prepared through a Michael addition of the incorporated ene-amide groups. Using this construct and electrostatic interactions between the positive rim and anionic quinones as a means of immobilization, a porphyrin-quinone dyad system has been prepared. The distance between the donor and acceptor was changed systematically in aqueous solution, whilst maintaining a similar environment in each case. Upon photoexcitation of the porphyrin, efficient electron transfer occurs between the porphyrin and quinone units in a distance-dependent manner on the nanosecond timescale.

Binding mechanisms in supramolecular complexes

Supramolecular chemistry has expanded dramatically in recent years both in terms of potential applications and in its relevance to analogous biological systems. The formation and function of supramolecular complexes occur through a multiplicity of often difficult to differentiate noncovalent forces. The aim of this Review is to describe the crucial interaction mechanisms in context, and thus classify the entire subject. In most cases, organic host-guest complexes have been selected as examples, but biologically relevant problems are also considered. An understanding and quantification of intermolecular interactions is of importance both for the rational planning of new supramolecular systems, including intelligent materials, as well as for developing new biologically active agents.

Designing functionalized porphyrins capable of pseudo-2D self-assembly on surfaces

A crystallography-instructed strategy to highly ordered layering of porphyrins with different topologies on HOPG is developed based on meso-tetraarylporphyrins bearing 2-ethoxyethanol side chains as "sticky ends". These sticky ends are capable of displaying directive hydrogen bonding motifs with the inherent D4h symmetry of the porphyrins. Solvent effects are shown to have an important role in fabricating the adsorption. Metalation and subsequent axial ligation was a key controlling factor in the topology of the layer, leading to pseudo-2D structures on HOPG.