Thiolated Janus Silsesquioxane Tetrapod: New Precursors for Functional Materials.

Herein, we report synthetic strategies for the development of a bifunctional Janus T4 tetrapod (Janus ring), in which the orthogonal silsesquioxane and organic faces are independently functionalized. An all-cis T4 tetrasilanolate was functionalized to introduce thiol moieties on the silsesquioxane face and naphthyl groups on the organic face to introduce luminescent and self-organization properties. The stepwise synthesis conditions required to prepare such perfectly defined oligomers via a suite of well-defined intermediates and to avoid polymerization or reactions over all eight positions of the tetrapod are explored via 29Si, 13C and 1H NMR, FTIR and TOF-ESI mass spectroscopy. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the few reports of Janus T4 tetrapods, with different functional groups located on both faces of the molecule, thus expanding the potential range of applications for these versatile precursors.

Large Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Cages: The Isolation of Functionalized POSS with an Unprecedented Si18 O27 Core.

The synthesis of organo-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS, (R-SiO1.5 )n , Tn ) is an area of significant activity. To date, T14 is the largest such cage synthesized and isolated as a single isomer. Herein, we report an unprecedented, single-isomer styryl-functionalized T18 POSS. Unambiguously identified among nine possible isomers by multinuclear solution NMR (1 H, 13 C, and 29 Si), MALDI-MS, FTIR, and computational studies, this is the largest single-isomer functionalized Tn compound isolated to date. A ring-strain model was developed to correlate the 29 Si resonances with the number of 6-, 5-, and/or 4-Si-atom rings that each non-equivalent Si atom is part of. The model successfully predicts the speciation of non-equivalent Si atoms in other families of Tn compounds, demonstrating its general applicability for assigning 29 Si resonances to Si atoms in cage silsesquioxanes and providing a useful tool for predicting Si-atom environments.

Infrared and Raman spectroscopy of non-conventional hydrogen bonding between N,N'-disubstituted urea and thiourea groups: a combined experimental and theoretical investigation.

The variety of H bond (HB) interactions is a source of inspiration for bottom-up molecular engineering through self-aggregation. Non-conventional intermolecular HBs between N,N'-disubstituted urea and thiourea are studied in detail by vibrational spectroscopies and ab initio calculations. Raman and IR mode assignments are given. We show that it is possible to study selectively the different intermolecular bifurcated intra- and inter-dimer HBs with the two types of HB acceptors. Through the ab initio calculation, the thioamide I mode, a specific marker of N-HS[double bond, length as m-dash]C HB interactions, is unambiguously identified.

Bis-clickable Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: Straightforward Preparation of Light-Actuated Nanomachines for Controlled Drug Delivery with Active Targeting.

Bis(clickable) mesoporous silica nanospheres (ca. 100 nm) were obtained by the co-condensation of TEOS with variable amounts (2-5 % each) of two clickable organosilanes in the presence of CTAB. Such nanoparticles could be easily functionalized with two independent functions using the copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction to transform them into nanomachines bearing cancer cell targeting ligands with the ability to deliver drugs on-demand. The active targeting was made possible after anchoring folic acid by CuAAC click reaction, whereas the controlled delivery was performed by clicked azobenzene fragments. Indeed, the azobenzene groups are able to obstruct the pores of the nanoparticles in the dark whereas upon irradiation in the UV or in the blue range, their trans-to-cis photoisomerization provokes disorder in the pores, enabling the delivery of the cargo molecules. The on-command delivery was proven in solution by dye release experiments, and in vitro by doxorubicin delivery. The added value of the folic acid ligand was clearly evidenced by the difference of cell killing induced by doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles under blue irradiation, depending on whether the particles featured the clicked folic acid ligand or not.

Evaporation-induced self-structuring of organised silica nanohybrid films through cooperative physical and chemical interactions.

In this work, we develop the concept of evaporation-induced self-structuring as a novel approach for producing organised films by exploiting cooperative physical and chemical interactions under far-from-equilibrium conditions (spin-coating), using sol-gel precursors with multiple functional groups. Thin films of self-structured silsesquioxane nanohybrids have been deposited by spin coating through the sol-gel hydrolysis and condensation of a bridged organosilane bearing self-assembling urea groups. The resulting nanostructure, investigated by FTIR, AFM and SEM, is shown to be highly dependent on the catalyst used (nucleophilic or acidic), and can be further modulated by varying the spinning rate. FTIR studies revealed the presence of highly organised structures under acidic catalysis due to strong hydrogen bonding between urea groups and hydrophobic interactions between long alkylene chains. The preferential orientation of the urea cross-links parallel to the substrate is shown using polarized FTIR experiments.

Enhanced two-photon fluorescence imaging and therapy of cancer cells via Gold@bridged silsesquioxane nanoparticles.

A two-photon photosensitizer with four triethoxysilyl groups is synthesized through the click reaction. This photosensitizer allows the design of bridged silsesquioxane (BS) nanoparticles through a sol-gel process; moreover, gold core BS shells or BS nanoparticles decorated with gold nanospheres are synthesized. An enhancement of the two-photon properties is noted with gold and the nanoparticles are efficient for two-photon imaging and two-photon photodynamic therapy of cancer cells.

Mesoporous-Silica-Functionalized Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery.

The ever-growing interest for finding efficient and reliable methods for treatment of diseases has set a precedent for the design and synthesis of new functional hybrid materials, namely porous nanoparticles, for controlled drug delivery. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) represent one of the most promising nanocarriers for drug delivery as they possess interesting chemical and physical properties, thermal and mechanical stabilities, and are biocompatibile. In particular, their easily functionalizable surface allows a large number of property modifications further improving their efficiency in this field. This Concept article deals with the advances on the novel methods of functionalizing MSNPs, inside or outside the pores, as well as within the walls, to produce efficient and smart drug carriers for therapy.

A general method for preparing bridged organosilanes with pendant functional groups and functional mesoporous organosilicas.

New organosilica precursors containing two triethoxysilyl groups suitable for the organosilica material formation through the sol-gel process were designed and synthesised. These precursors display alkyne or azide groups for attaching targeted functional groups by copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) and can be used for the preparation of functional organosilicas following two strategies: 1) the functional group is first appended by CuAAC under anhydrous conditions, then the functional material is prepared by the sol-gel process; 2) the precursor is first subjected to the sol-gel process, producing porous, clickable bridged silsesquioxanes or periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs), then the desired functional groups are attached by means of CuAAC. Herein, we show the feasibility of both approaches. A series of bridged bis(triethoxysilane)s with different pending organic moieties was prepared, demonstrating the compatibility of the first approach with many functional groups. In particular, we demonstrate that organic functional molecules bearing only one derivatisation site can be used to produce bridged organosilanes and bridged silsesquioxanes. In the second approach, clickable PMOs and porous bridged silsesquioxanes were prepared from the alkyne- or azide-containing precursors, and thereafter, functionalised with complementary model azide- or alkyne-containing molecules. These results confirmed the potential of this approach as a general methodology for preparing functional organosilicas with high loadings of functional groups. Both approaches give rise to a wide range of new functional organosilica materials.

Hybrid mesoporous silica nanoparticles with pH-operated and complementary H-bonding caps as an autonomous drug-delivery system.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) are functionalized with molecular-recognition sites by anchoring a triazine or uracil fragment on the surface. After loading these MSNPs with dyes (propidium iodide or rhodamine B) or with a drug (camptothecin, CPT) they are capped by the complementary fragments, uracil and adenine, respectively, linked to the bulky cyclodextrin ring. These MSNPs are pH-sensitive and indeed, the dye release was observed at acidic pH by continuously monitored fluorescence spectroscopy studies. On the other hand, no dye leakage occurred at neutral pH, hence meeting the non-premature requirement to minimize side effects. In vitro studies were performed and confocal microscopy images demonstrate the internalization of the MSNPs and also dye release in the cells. To investigate the drug-delivery performance, the cytotoxicity of CPT-loaded nanoparticles was tested and cell death was observed. A remarkably lower amount of loaded CPT in the MSNPs (more than 40 times less) proved to be as efficient as free CPT. These results not only demonstrate the drug release after pore opening under lysosomal pH, but they also show the potential use of these MSNPs to significantly decrease the amount of the administered drug.

A designed 5-fluorouracil-based bridged silsesquioxane as an autonomous acid-triggered drug-delivery system.

Two new prodrugs, bearing two and three 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) units, respectively, have been synthesized and were shown to efficiently treat human breast cancer cells. In addition to 5-FU, they were intended to form complexes through H-bonds to an organo-bridged silane prior to hydrolysis-condensation through sol-gel processes to construct acid-responsive bridged silsesquioxanes (BS). Whereas 5-FU itself and the prodrug bearing two 5-FU units completely leached out from the corresponding materials, the prodrug bearing three 5-FU units was successfully maintained in the resulting BS. Solid-state NMR ((29) Si and (13) C) spectroscopy show that the organic fragments of the organo-bridged silane are retained in the hybrid through covalent bonding and the (1) H NMR spectroscopic analysis provides evidence for the hydrogen-bonding interactions between the prodrug bearing three 5-FU units and the triazine-based hybrid matrix. The complex in the BS is not affected under neutral medium and operates under acidic conditions even under pH as high as 5 to deliver the drug as demonstrated by HPLC analysis and confirmed by FTIR and (13) C NMR spectroscopic studies. Such functional BS are promising materials as carriers to avoid the side effects of the anticancer drug 5-FU thanks to a controlled and targeted drug delivery.

Mesoporous organosilicas with thiol functionalised pores: multifunctional dendrimers as sacrificial building block and template.

The synthesis of multifunctional poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM)-based dendrimers containing a cleavable disulfide linker within each arm of the dendrimer, together with condensable triethoxysilyl groups on the periphery of the dendrimer, is described. The dendrimers were mixed with 1,4-bis(triethoxysilyl)benzene and subsequently transformed into silsesquioxane gels or periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) to generate materials with dendrimers covalently embedded within the interior of the silsesquioxane networks. Subsequent treatment of the gels with dithiothreitol enabled the core of the dendrimers to be selectively cleaved at the disulfide site, thus generating thiol functions localised within the pores. The effect of different dendrimer generations on the reactivity of the pendant thiol functions was probed by impregnation with gold salts, which were reduced to obtain gold nanoparticles within the pore networks of the gels and PMOs. The gels yielded polydisperse gold nanoparticles (2 to 70 nm) with dimensions modulated by the generation of the dendrimer, together with well-defined gold/thiolate clusters with Au⋯S distances of 2.3 Å. Such clusters were also observed in the PMO system, together with monodispersed gold nanoparticles with diameters comparable to that of the organised pores in the PMO. The role of surface functionalisation in controlling the formation of gold clusters and/or nanoparticles is discussed.

Functionalised polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane with encapsulated fluoride - first observation of fluxional SiF interactions in POSS.

The synthesis of a styryl functionalised POSS incorporating an encapsulated fluoride ion within a (SiO1.5)8 cage (T8-F) is reported. It was characterised by single crystal XRD, MALDI-MS, FTIR, solution (29Si, 19F, 13C, 1H) and solid state (29Si, 19F) NMR. In the absence of 1H decoupling, the 29Si solution NMR spectrum exhibited a triplet of doublets. In contrast, 1H, 19F and 1H/19F double-decoupling resulted in two, three and one signal, respectively, being consistent with a single Si site whose 29Si NMR signal is modulated by both the proximal aromatic-ring protons and fluoride. The associated SiF coupling constant (2.5 Hz) is substantially lower than expected for a covalent Si-F bond and arises from a fluxional SiF covalent effect in which the F- interacts equivalently with all eight Si atoms. Additional variable temperature NMR studies demonstrated a threshold at -5 °C below which no SiF interactions are observed, and above which an increasing SiF covalent character occurs.

Sequential delivery of synergistic drugs by silica nanocarriers for enhanced tumour treatment.

Herein hybrid silica nanoparticles have been engineered to direct the sequential delivery of multiple chemotherapeutic drugs in response to external stimuli such as variations in pH. The nanocarriers consist of conventional MCM-41-type nanoparticles, which have been functionalised with an organic ligand (or stalk) grafted onto the external surface. The stalk is designed to "recognise" a complementary molecule, which serves as a "cap" to block the pores of the nanoparticles. First, camptothecin is introduced into the pores by diffusion prior to capping the pore apertures via molecular recognition. The cap, which is a derivative of 5-fluorouracil, serves as a second cytotoxic drug for synergistic chemotherapy. In vitro tests revealed that negligible release of the drugs occurred at pH 7.4, thus avoiding toxic side effects in the blood stream. In contrast, the stalk/cap complex is destabilised within the endolysosomal compartment (pH 5.5) of cancer cells, where release of the drugs was demonstrated. Furthermore, this environmentally responsive system exhibited a synergistic effect of the two drugs, where the pH-triggered release of the cytotoxic cap followed by diffusion-controlled release of the drug cargo within the pores led to essentially complete elimination of breast cancer cells.

Silylated melamine and cyanuric acid as precursors for imprinted and hybrid silica materials with molecular recognition properties.

Two monotrialkoxysilylated compounds that consist of complementary fragments of melamine (M) and cyanuric acid (CA) have been synthesised. The molecular recognition properties of the M and CA fragments through complementary hydrogen bonds (DAD and ADA; D=donor, A=acceptor) are the key factor used to direct the formation of hybrid silica materials by using a sol-gel process. These materials were synthesised following two methods: First, an organo-bridged silsesquioxane was obtained by the hydrolysis of the two complementary monotrialkoxysilylated melamine and cyanuric acid derivatives, with fluoride ions as a catalyst. The hydrogen-bonding interactions between the two organic fragments are responsible for the formation of the bridging unit. The transcription of the assembly into the hybrid material was characterised and evidenced by solid-state NMR (29Si, 13C) and FTIR spectroscopic experiments. Second, the molecular recognition was exploited to synthesise an imprinted hybrid silica. This material was prepared by co-condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) with the monosilylated cyanuric acid derivative (CA) templated by nonsilylated melamine. The melamine template was completely removed by treating the solid material with hydrochloric acid. The reintroduction of the template was performed by treating the resulting material with an aqueous suspension of melamine. These steps were monitored and analysed by several techniques, such as solid-state NMR (29Si, 13C) and FTIR spectroscopic analysis and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms.

Nanostructuring of hybrid silicas through a self-recognition process.

The hydrolysis and condensation of a silylated derivative of ureidopyrimidinone led to nanostructured hybrid silica, such as that depicted, as clearly shown by powder XRD studies. The nanostructuring was directly related to molecular recognition through hydrogen bonding. By combining FTIR, solution and solid-state NMR spectroscopic data, the transcription of the hydrogen-bonding networks from the precursor to the final product was clearly evidenced.

Porphyrin-based bridged silsesquioxane nanoparticles for targeted two-photon photodynamic therapy of zebrafish xenografted with human tumor.

BACKGROUND: Bridged silsesquioxane nanoparticles (BSNs) recently described represent a new class of nanoparticles exhibiting versatile applications and particularly a strong potential for nanomedicine. AIMS: In this work, we describe the synthesis of BSNs from an octasilylated functional porphyrin precursor (PORBSNs) efficiently obtained through a click reaction. These innovative and very small-sized nanoparticles were functionalized with PEG and mannose (PORBSNs-mannose) in order to target breast tumors in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS: The structure of these nanoparticles is constituted of porphyrins J aggregates that allow two-photon spatiotemporal excitation of the nanoparticles. The therapeutic potential of such photoactivable nanoparticles was first studied in vitro, in human breast cancer cells in culture and then in vivo on zebrafish embryos bearing human tumors. These animal models were intravenously injected with 5 nL of a solution containing PORBSNs-mannose. An hour and half after the injection of photoactivable and targeted nanoparticles, the tumor areas were excited for few seconds with a two-photon beam induced focused laser. We observed strong tumor size decrease, with the involvement of apoptosis pathway activation. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the high targeting, imaging, and therapeutic potential of PORBSNs-mannose injected in the blood stream of zebrafish xenografted with human tumors.

Large-Pore Periodic Mesoporous Organosilicas as Advanced Bactericide Platforms.

Despite the versatility of periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs), the bactericide capacity of these hybrid platforms has seldom been explored. Herein, we describe the synthesis of large-pore phenylene-bridged PMOs, mesostructured by polyion complex (PIC) micelles (PICPMOs) incorporating an antibiotic, neomycin B. A key feature of this approach is that the bioactive molecules are directly encapsulated within the PICPMOs during their formation. The engineered PICPMOs exhibit a well-ordered hexagonal mesophase with a molecular-scale crystallinity and large mesopores (8 nm), which facilitates pH-triggered delivery of the drug. The results obtained with a pathogenic Escherichia coli strain clearly demonstrate the potential of such PICPMOs for antibacterial applications.

Porphyrin- or phthalocyanine-bridged silsesquioxane nanoparticles for two-photon photodynamic therapy or photoacoustic imaging.

Porphyrin- or phthalocyanine-bridged silsesquioxane nanoparticles (BSPOR and BSPHT) were prepared. Their endocytosis in MCF-7 cancer cells was shown with two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) imaging. With two-photon excited photodynamic therapy (TPE-PDT), BSPOR was more phototoxic than BSPHT, which in contrast displayed a very high signal for photoacoustic imaging in mice.

Better chemistry through ceramics: the physical bases of the outstanding chemistry of ORMOSIL.

Twenty years after their invention, sol-gel organically modified silicates (ORMOSIL) are finding a number of impressive applications that range from efficient deliver of genes into mouse brains to self-ordered helices of interest to fields as diverse as optics, catalysis, molecular recognition, and chromatography. The physical bases of this mulifaceted chemistry, therefore, are of immense importance to scientists working toward new applications such as photovoltaics and catalysis that are crucially important in making sustainable global development. The purpose of this article is to provide a general picture of ORMOSIL's physical chemistry that will be useful in the creative development of new materials capable to solve a number of relevant open problems.

Insights into the self-directed structuring of hybrid organic-inorganic silicas through infrared studies.

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has been used to probe the organization of the organic fragments in lamellar bridged silsesquioxanes with organic substructures based on alkylene chains of various lengths and urea groups [O1.5Si(CH2)3NHCONH(CH2)nNHCONH(CH2)3SiO1.5] (n = 6, 8-12). The structure and intermolecular interactions (hydrophobic and H-bonding) of these well-defined self-structured hybrid silicas are discussed in relation to their powder X-ray diffraction patterns. The degree of structural order is determined by the length and parity of the alkylene spacer. A concomitant enhancement in the degree of condensation of the inorganic component and a decrease in the strength of the hydrophobic interactions between the organic components are demonstrated. The strength and directionality of the H-bonding are directly correlated to the crystalllinity of the organic-inorganic hybrid materials.