Metal-organic frameworks for organic transformations by photocatalysis and photothermal catalysis.

Organic transformation by light-driven catalysis, especially, photocatalysis and photothermal catalysis, denoted as photo(thermal) catalysis, is an efficient, green, and economical route to produce value-added compounds. In recent years, owing to their diverse structure types, tunable pore sizes, and abundant active sites, metal-organic framework (MOF)-based photo(thermal) catalysis has attracted broad interest in organic transformations. In this review, we provide a comprehensive and systematic overview of MOF-based photo(thermal) catalysis for organic transformations. First, the general mechanisms, unique advantages, and strategies to improve the performance of MOFs in photo(thermal) catalysis are discussed. Then, outstanding examples of organic transformations over MOF-based photo(thermal) catalysis are introduced according to the reaction type. In addition, several representative advanced characterization techniques used for revealing the charge reaction kinetics and reaction intermediates of MOF-based organic transformations by photo(thermal) catalysis are presented. Finally, the prospects and challenges in this field are proposed. This review aims to inspire the rational design and development of MOF-based materials with improved performance in organic transformations by photocatalysis and photothermal catalysis.

Protective Effects of Ethanolic Extract from Rhizome of Polygoni avicularis against Renal Fibrosis and Inflammation in a Diabetic Nephropathy Model.

Progressive diabetic nephropathy (DN) in diabetes leads to major morbidity and mortality. The major pathological alterations of DN include mesangial expansion, extracellular matrix alterations, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and glomerular sclerosis. Polygoni avicularis is widely used in traditional oriental medicine and has long been used as a diuretic, astringent, insecticide and antihypertensive. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the effects of the ethanolic extract from rhizome of Polygoni avicularis (ER-PA) on DN have not yet been assessed. The present study aimed to identify the effect of ER-PA on renal dysfunction, which has been implicated in DN in human renal mesangial cells and db/db mice and investigate its mechanism of action. The in vivo experiment was performed using Polygoni avicularis-ethanol soluble fraction (ER-PA) and was administrated to db/db mice at 10 and 50 mg/kg dose. For the in vitro experiments, the human renal mesangial cells were induced by high glucose (HG, 25 mM). The ER-PA group showed significant amelioration in oral glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance index. ER-PA significantly improved the albumin excretion and markedly reduced plasma creatinine, kidney injury molecule-1 and C-reactive protein. In addition, ER-PA significantly suppressed inflammatory cytokines. Histopathologically, ER-PA attenuated glomerular expansion and tubular fibrosis in db/db mice. Furthermore, ER-PA suppressed the expression of renal fibrosis biomarkers (TGF and Collagen IV). ER-PA also reduced the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammatory factor level. These results suggest that ER-PA has a protective effect against renal dysfunction through improved insulin resistance as well as the inhibition of nephritis and fibrosis in DN.

Microwave-Mediated Synthesis of Bulky Lanthanide Porphyrin-Phthalocyanine Triple-Deckers: Electrochemical and Magnetic Properties.

Five heteroleptic lanthanide porphyrin-bis-phthalocyanine triple-decker complexes with bulky peripheral groups were prepared via microwave-assisted synthesis and characterized in terms of their spectroscopic, electrochemical, and magnetic properties. These compounds, which were easily obtained under our preparative conditions, would normally not be accessible in large quantities using conventional synthetic methods, as a result of the low yield resulting from steric congestion of bulky groups on the periphery of the phthalocyanine and porphyrin ligands. The electrochemically investigated triple-decker derivatives undergo four reversible one-electron oxidations and three reversible one-electron reductions. The sites of oxidation and reduction were assigned on the basis of redox potentials and UV-vis spectral changes during electron-transfer processes monitored by thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry, in conjunction with assignments of electronic absorption bands of the neutral compounds. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on two derivatives containing TbIII and DyIII metal ions reveal the presence of ferromagnetic interactions, probably resulting from magnetic dipolar interactions. The TbIII derivative shows SMM behavior under an applied field of 0.1 T, where the direct and Orbach process can be determined, resulting in an energy barrier of Ueff = 132.0 K. However, Cole-Cole plots reveal the presence of two relaxation processes, the second of which takes place at higher frequencies, with the data conforming to a 1/t ∝ T7 relation, thus suggesting that it can be assigned to a Raman process. Attempts were made to form two-dimensional (2D) self-assembled networks on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface but were unsuccessful due to bulky peripheral groups on the two Pc macrocycles.

Three new lignan glycosides with IL-6 inhibitory activity from Akebia quinata.

Three new lignan glycosides, akeqintoside A [(7S,8S)-7,8-dihydro-8-hydroxymethyl-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1'-benzofuranpropanol 2'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside] (1), akeqintoside B [(7R,8R)-7,8-dihydro-8-hydroxymethyl-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1'-(9'-methoxy-7'-propenyl) benzofuran 2'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside] (2), and akequintoside C [7R*,8R*-dihydroxy-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-glycerol 9-O-ß-D-(6'-O-caffeoyl)-glucopyranoside] (3) were isolated from Akebia quinata along with five known compounds, syringin (4), vanilloloside (5), salidroside (6), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethyl alcohol 8-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (7), and calceolarioside B (8). The structures of the compounds were identified based on one dimensional (1D)- and 2D-NMR, including (1)H-(1)H correlation spectroscopy (COSY), heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC), heteronuclear multiple bond connectivity (HMBC) and nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) spectroscopic analyses. The inhibitory activity of these isolated compounds against interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) stimulated MG-63 cells was also examined.

Anti-inflammatory mechanism of 15,16-epoxy-3α-hydroxylabda-8,13(16),14-trien-7-one via inhibition of LPS-induced multicellular signaling pathways.

Phytochemical investigation of Leonurus japonicus has led to the isolation of a labdane diterpene derivative, 15,16-epoxy-3α-hydroxylabda-8,13(16),14-trien-7-one (1), which was tested for its in vitro anti-inflammatory effects. The results demonstrated that 1 exhibits an inhibitory effect on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The anti-inflammatory action shown by 1 suppressed LPS-induced NF-κB activation, resulting in the down-regulation of iNOS and COX-2 protein expression, attributable to the inhibitory action of LPS-induced NO and PGE(2) production. Compound 1 inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation and the degradation of inhibitory kappa B (IκBα) and decreased the nuclear translocation of p50 and p65. In addition, 1 exhibited an inhibitory effect on LPS-induced NF-κB-DNA and AP-1-DNA binding activity, using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay with NF-κB- and AP-1-specific (32)P-labeled probes. The LPS-induced mitogen-activated protein kinases (p-JNK, p-p38, and p-ERK) and p-Akt were inhibited after 30 and 10 min of LPS stimulation, respectively. In addition, TNF-α production was suppressed by 1.

The rhizomes of Alisma orientale and alisol derivatives inhibit allergic response and experimental atopic dermatitis.

The 70% ethanol extract of the rhizome of Alisma orientale (Alismatis rhizome) (AOE) was prepared and found to significantly inhibit 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX)-catalyzed leukotriene (LT) production from rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-1 cells and ß-hexosaminidase release by antigen-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. It also attenuated delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in mice. Among the three major triterpene constituents isolated (i.e., alisol B, alisol B 23-acetate, alisol C 23-acetate) as active principles, alisol B and its 23-acetate strongly and significantly inhibited LT production and ß-hexosaminidase release between 1-10 µM. On the other hand, all these alisol derivatives significantly and strongly inhibited DTH response after oral administration. In addition, AOE (200 mg/kg/d) was for the first time found to considerably alleviate hapten-induced dermatitis symptoms in NC/Nga mice, an animal model of atopic dermatitis. These results indicate that alisol derivatives possess inhibitory activities on immediate-type as well as delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions and may contribute to the anti-allergic action of AOE.

Amentoflavone stimulates mitochondrial dysfunction and induces apoptotic cell death in Candida albicans.

Amentoflavone was isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of the whole plant of Selaginella tamariscina. It is a traditional herb for the therapy of chronic trachitis and exhibits some anti-tumor activity. Previously, we confirmed the antifungal effects of amentoflavone. The objective of this study was to investigate the antifungal mechanism(s) of amentoflavone, such as mitochondria-mediated apoptotic cell death. The cells that were treated with amentoflavone exhibited a series of cellular changes that were consistent with apoptosis: externalization of phosphatidylserine, DNA and nuclear fragmentation, accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydroxyl radicals, and activation of metacaspase. In addition, diagnostic markers of apoptosis, including the reduction of mitochondrial inner-membrane potential and the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, were observed. These phenomena are important changes in mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, the effect of thiourea as hydroxyl radical scavenger on amentoflavone-induced apoptosis was evaluated. A hydroxyl radical is a more active ROS species. Mitochondrial dysfunction was inhibited, which was indicated by decreased levels of intracellular hydroxyl radicals. Taken together, our results present the first evidence that amentoflavone induces apoptosis in C. albicans cells and is associated with the mitochondrial dysfunction. Besides, amentoflavone-induced hydroxyl radicals may play a significant role in mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.

A Novel Cerium(IV)-Based Metal-Organic Framework for CO2 Chemical Fixation and Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting.

Cerium (IV)-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly desirable due to their unique potential in fields such as redox catalysis and photocatalysis. However, due to the high reduction potential of CeIV species in solution, it is still a great challenge to synthesize CeIV -MOFs with novel structures, which are extremely dominated by the hexanuclear Ce-O cluster inorganic building units (IBUs). Herein, a Ce-O IBU chain containing CeIV -MOF, CSUST-3 (CSUST: Changsha University of Science and Technology), was successfully prepared using the kinetic stabilization study of UiO-66(Ce)-NDC (H2 NDC=2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid). Furthermore, owing to the superior redox activity, Lewis acidity and semiconductor-like behavior owing to Ce4+ , activated CSUST-3 was demonstrated to be an excellent catalyst for CO2 chemical fixation. One-pot synthesis of styrene carbonate from styrene and CO2 was achieved under mild conditions (1 atm CO2 , 80 °C, and solvent free). Moreover, activated CSUST-3 was shown to be a remarkable co-catalyst-free photocatalyst for overall water splitting (OWS), rendering 59 µmol g-1 h-1 of H2 and 22 µmol g-1 h-1 of O2 under simulated sunlight irradiation (Na2 S-Na2 SO3 as sacrificial agent).

Biflavonoids are superior to monoflavonoids in inhibiting amyloid-ß toxicity and fibrillogenesis via accumulation of nontoxic oligomer-like structures.

Polymerization of monomeric amyloid-ß peptides (Aß) into soluble oligomers and insoluble fibrils is one of the major pathways triggering the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Using small molecules to prevent the polymerization of Aß peptides can, therefore, be an effective therapeutic strategy for AD. In this study, we investigate the effects of mono- and biflavonoids in Aß42-induced toxicity and fibrillogenesis and find that the biflavonoid taiwaniaflavone (TF) effectively and specifically inhibits Aß toxicity and fibrillogenesis. Compared to TF, the monoflavonoid apigenin (AP) is less effective and less specific. Our data show that differential effects of the mono- and biflavonoids in Aß fibrillogenesis correlate with their varying cytoprotective efficacies. We also find that other biflavonoids, namely, 2',8''-biapigenin, amentoflavone, and sumaflavone, can also effectively inhibit Aß toxicity and fibrillogenesis, implying that the participation of two monoflavonoids in a single biflavonoid molecule enhances their activity. Biflavonoids, while strongly inhibiting Aß fibrillogenesis, accumulate nontoxic Aß oligomeric structures, suggesting that these are off-pathway oligomers. Moreover, TF abrogates the toxicity of preformed Aß oligomers and fibrils, indicating that TF and other biflavonoids may also reduce the toxicity of toxic Aß species. Altogether, our data clearly show that biflavonoids, possibly because of the possession of two Aß binders separated by an appropriate size linker, are likely to be promising therapeutics for suppressing Aß toxicity.

Antifungal activity of lariciresinol derived from Sambucus williamsii and their membrane-active mechanisms in Candida albicans.

Lariciresinol is an enterolignan precursor isolated from the herb Sambucus williamsii, a folk medicinal plant used for its therapeutic properties. In this study, the antifungal properties and mode of action of lariciresinol were investigated. Lariciresinol displays potent antifungal properties against several human pathogenic fungal strains without hemolytic effects on human erythrocytes. To understand the antifungal mechanism of action of lariciresinol, the membrane interactions of lariciresinol were examined. Fluorescence analysis using the membrane probe 3,3'-diethylthio-dicarbocyanine iodide (DiSC(3)-5) and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), as well as a flow cytometric analysis with propidium iodide (PI), a membrane-impermeable dye, indicated that lariciresinol was associated with lipid bilayers and induced membrane permeabilization. Therefore, the present study suggests that lariciresinol possesses fungicidal activities by disrupting the fungal plasma membrane and therapeutic potential as a novel antifungal agent for the treatment of fungal infectious diseases in humans.

Recent advances in black phosphorus-based electrochemical sensors: A review.

Since the discovery of liquid-phase-exfoliated black phosphorus (BP) as a field-effect transistor in 2014, BP, with its 2D layered structure, has attracted significant attention, owing to its anisotropic electroconductivity, tunable direct bandgap, extraordinary surface activity, moderate switching ratio, high hole mobility, good biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Several pioneering research efforts have explored the application of BP in different types of electrochemical sensors. This review summarizes the latest synthesis methods, protection strategies, and electrochemical sensing applications of BP and its derivatives. The typical synthesis methods for BP-based crystals, nanosheets, and quantum dots are discussed in detail; the degradation of BP under ambient conditions is introduced; and state-of-the-art protection methodologies for enhancing BP stability are explored. Various electrochemical sensing applications, including chemically modified electrodes, electrochemiluminescence sensors, enzyme electrodes, electrochemical aptasensors, electrochemical immunosensors, and ion-selective electrodes are discussed in detail, along with the mechanisms of BP functionalization, sensing strategies, and sensing properties. Finally, the major challenges in this field are outlined and future research avenues for BP-based electrochemical sensors are highlighted.

Oxygen Vacancy-Rich Mixed-Valence Cerium MOF: An Efficient Separator Coating to High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Mixed-valence metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have exhibited unique potential in fields such as catalysis and gas separation. However, it is still an open challenge to prepare mixed-valence MOFs with isolated Ce(IV, III) arrays due to the easy formation of CeIII under the synthetic conditions for MOFs. Meanwhile, the performance of Li-S batteries is greatly limited by the fatal shuttle effect and the slow transmission rate of Li+ caused by the inherent characteristics of sulfur species. Here, we report a mixed-valence cerium MOF, named CSUST-1 (CSUST stands for Changsha University of Science and Technology), with isolated Ce(IV, III) arrays and abundant oxygen vacancies (OVs), synthesized as guided by the facile and elaborate kinetic stability study of UiO-66(Ce), to work as an efficient separator coating for circumventing both issues at the same time. Benefiting from the synergistic function of the Ce(IV, III) arrays (redox couples), the abundant OVs, and the open Ce sites within CSUST-1, the CSUST-1/CNT composite, as a separator coating material in the Li-S battery, can remarkably accelerate the redox kinetics of the polysulfides and the Li+ transportation. Consequently, the Li-S cell with the CSUST-1/CNT-coated separator exhibited a high initial specific capacity of 1468 mA h/g at 0.1 C and maintained long-term stability for a capacity of 538 mA h/g after 1200 cycles at 2 C with a decay rate of only 0.037% per cycle. Even at a high sulfur loading of 8 mg/cm2, the cell with the CSUST/CNT-coated separator still demonstrated excellent performance with an initial areal capacity of 8.7 mA h/cm2 at 0.1 C and retained the areal capacity of 6.1 mA h/cm2 after 60 cycles.

Review of semi-dry electrodes for EEG recording.

Developing reliable and user-friendly electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes remains a challenge for emerging real-world EEG applications. Classic wet electrodes are the gold standard for recording EEG; however, they are difficult to implement and make users uncomfortable, thus severely restricting their widespread application in real-life scenarios. An alternative is dry electrodes, which do not require conductive gels or skin preparation. Despite their quick setup and improved user-friendliness, dry electrodes still have some inherent problems (invasive, relatively poor signal quality, or sensitivity to motion artifacts), which limit their practical utilization. In recent years, semi-dry electrodes, which require only a small amount of electrolyte fluid, have been successfully developed, combining the advantages of both wet and dry electrodes while addressing their respective drawbacks. Semi-dry electrodes can collect reliable EEG signals comparable to wet electrodes. Moreover, their setup is as fast and convenient similar to that of dry electrodes. Hence, semi-dry electrodes have shown tremendous application prospects for real-world EEG acquisition. Herein, we systematically summarize the development, evaluation methods, and practical design considerations of semi-dry electrodes. Some feasible suggestions and new ideas for the development of semi-dry electrodes have been presented. This review provides valuable technical support for the development of semi-dry electrodes toward emerging practical applications.

Erratum: Yoon, J.J., et al. Dianthus superbus Improves Glomerular Fibrosis and Renal Dysfunction in Diabetic Nephropathy Model. Nutrients 2019, 11, 553.

The authors have requested that the following changes be made to their paper [...].

Lesson from Nature: Biomimetic Self-Assembling Phthalocyanines for High-Efficient Photothermal Therapy within the Biological Transparent Window.

Development of a facile but high-efficient small organic molecule-based photothermal therapy (PTT) in the in vivo transparent window (800-900 nm) has been regarded as a minimally invasive and most promising strategy for potential clinical cancer treatment. Phthalocyanine (Pc) molecules with remarkable photophysical and photochemical properties as well as high extinction coefficients in the near-infrared region are highly desirable for PTT, but as far satisfying single-component Pc-based PTT within the in vivo transparent window (800-900 nm) has very rarely been reported. Herein, inspired by the self-assembly algorithm of natural bacteriochlorophylls c, d, and e, biomimetic self-assembling tetrahexanoyl Pc Bio-ZnPc with outstanding light-harvesting capacity was demonstrated to exhibit excellent PTT efficacy evidenced by both in vitro and in vivo results, within the biological transparent window.

Dianthus superbus Improves Glomerular Fibrosis and Renal Dysfunction in Diabetic Nephropathy Model.

Glomerular fibrosis is caused by an accumulation of intercellular spaces containing mesangial matrix proteins through either diffused or nodular changes. Dianthus superbus has been used in traditional medicine as a diuretic, a contraceptive, and an anti-inflammatory agent. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Dianthus superbus-EtOAc soluble fraction (DS-EA) on glomerular fibrosis and renal dysfunction, which has been implicated in diabetic nephropathy in human renal mesangial cells and db/db mice. DS-EA was administered to db/db mice at 10 or 50 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks. DS-EA treatment significantly ameliorated blood glucose, insulin, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, and HbA1c in diabetic mice. DS-EA decreased albumin excretion, creatinine clearance (Ccr), and plasma creatinine levels. DS-EA also ameliorated the levels of kidney injury molecules-1 (KIM-1) and C-reactive protein. DS-EA reduced the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining intensity and basement membrane thickening in glomeruli of the diabetic nephropathy model. In addition, DS-EA suppressed transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß)/Smad signaling. Collagen type IV, a glomerular fibrosis biomarker, was significantly decreased upon DS-EA administration. DS-EA pretreatment attenuated levels of inflammation factors such as intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). DS-EA inhibited the translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in Angiotensin II (Ang II)-stimulated mesangial cells. These findings suggest that DS-EA has a protective effect against renal inflammation and fibrosis. Therefore, DS-EA may serve as a potential therapeutic agent targeting glomerulonephritis and glomerulosclerosis, which lead to diabetic nephropathy.

Combining the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, rapamycin, with resveratrol has a synergistic effect in multiple myeloma.

Rapamycin is known to inhibit the mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC)1 signaling pathway, but it is unable to effectively inhibit mTORC2, resulting in activation of protein kinase B in multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines. Additionally, certain studies have suggested that resveratrol has an effect on human MM cells, and that rapamycin in combination with resveratrol may be useful in cancer therapy. The present study aimed to investigate the combined treatment effect of resveratrol and rapamycin on the MM MM1.S cell line. The results demonstrated that combined treatment with rapamycin and resveratrol effectively inhibited cell viability in the MM1.S cell line through inhibition of the mTORC1 and mTORC2 signaling pathways, compared with resveratrol or rapamycin monotherapy. In addition, cyclin D1 levels were decreased and the activation of caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase was increased. These results suggested that downregulation of the mTOR signaling cascades is likely to be a crucial mediator in the impairment of viability and the induction of apoptosis resulting from combined therapy with resveratrol and rapamycin in MM1.S cells.

A new indole glycoside from the seeds of Raphanus sativus.

A new indole glycoside, ß-D-glucopyranosyl 2-(methylthio)-1H-indole-3-carboxylate, named raphanuside A (1), as well as eight known compounds, ß-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 â†’ 1)-(6-O-sinapoyl)-α-D-glucopyranoside (2), (3-O-sinapoyl)-ß-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 â†’ 1)-α-D-glucopyranoside (3), (3-O-sinapoyl)-ß-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 â†’ 1)-(6-O-sinapoyl)-α-D-glucopyranoside (4), (3,4-O-disinapoyl)-ß-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 â†’ 1)-(6-O-sinapoyl)-α-D-glucopyranoside (5), isorhamnetin 3,4'-di-O-ß-D-glucoside (6), isorhamnetin 3-O-ß-D-glucoside-7-O-α-L-rhamnoside (7), isorhamnetin 3-O-ß-D-glucoside (8) and 3'-O-methyl-(-)-epicatechin 7-O-ß-D-glucoside (9) were isolated from the seeds of Raphanus sativus. Furthermore, compounds 1-3 and 6-9, were isolated from this plant for the first time. The structures of compounds 1-9 were identified using 1D and 2D NMR, including (1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY spectroscopic analyses. The inhibitory activity of these isolated compounds against interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in TNF-α stimulated MG-63 cells was also examined.

A new megastigmane glycoside from Akebia quinata.

A new megastigmane glycoside, 8S*,9R*-megastigman-3-one-4,6-diene-8,9-diol-9-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, named akequintoside D (1), as well as six known compounds, roseoside II (2), 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3), methyl-3-O-caffeoylquinate (4), 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside (5), cuneataside D (6), 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-6-O-(α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (7) were isolated from the stem of Akebia quinata. The structures of compounds (1-7) were identified based on 1D and 2D NMR, including (1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY spectroscopic analyses. The inhibitory activity of these isolated compounds against interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in TNF-α stimulated MG-63 cells was also examined.

Biomimetic self-assembling acylphthalocyanines.

We synthesized a series of biomimetic self-assembling phthalocyanines equipped with carbonyl groups as recognition motifs, a central zinc atom and diverse solubilizing alkyl chains mimicking for the first time with these robust pigments the natural chlorosomal bacteriochlorophylls. Upon self-assembly a very broad and red-shifted Q-band absorption extending to over 900 nm is put into evidence.