Visible-light Excited and Highly Photostable Organic Fluorophore with dual-state Emission.

Organic fluorophores with dual-state emission (DSE) are rare or difficult to observe because most of them display either aggregation-induced emission (AIE) or aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ). Amazing works have been accomplished, yet most of the DSE compounds were excited by UV light which limits their wide application in bioimaging. In this work, we achieved a visible-light excited DSE fluorophore and realized its imaging in SKOV-3 cells and zebrafish. The naphtho[2',3':4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (NIP) core ensures its emission in dilute solution. Meanwhile, the twisted phenyl ring blocks fluorescence quenching induced by the π-π stacking and leads to the emission of the solid. The fluorescence intensity is steady even after 6 h of continuous intense sunlight. More importantly, photostability of NIP in cells is much better than commercial dye (mitochondrial green).

Practical chemoselective aromatic substitution: the synthesis of N-(4-halo-2-nitrophenyl)benzenesulfonamide through the efficient nitration and halogenation of N-phenylbenzenesulfonamide.

A novel route involving the metal-promoted tandem nitration and halogenation of N-phenylbenzenesulfonamide to synthesize N-(4-halo-2-nitrophenyl)benzenesulfonamide derivatives has been developed. The method shows highly practical chemoselective and functional group compatibility. In addition, it employs insensitive and inexpensive Cu(NO3)2·3H2O, Fe(NO3)3·9H2O, and NH4NO3 as the nitration reagents, and it provides a direct approach for the preparation of 4-halo-2-nitroaniline, which is a crucial intermediate for the synthesis of benzimidazoles and quinoxaline derivatives.

Preparation of a Novel pH-responsive Fluorescent Probe Based on an Imidazo[1,2-a]indole Fluorophore and its Application in Detecting Extremely Low pH in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A novel pH-responsive probe based on an imidazo[1,2-a]indole fluorophore architecture is reported. The probe was highly selective to strongly acidic pH (pKa = 3.56) with high sensitivity and a fast response time (within 30 s). The probe did not demonstrate any fluorescence changes in the presence of interfering metal ions, and it featured excellent reversibility under strongly acidic conditions. The mechanism of detection of the probe was determined to be based on intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) at different pH. The probe was also able to be used for imaging for detecting acidic pH in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Iron-catalyzed ortho trifluoromethylation of anilines via picolinamide assisted photoinduced C-H functionalization.

A convenient, oxidant-free protocol was developed for the ortho trifluoromethylation of aniline via picolinamide assisted Fe-promoted C-H functionalization under ultraviolet irradiation. In this transformation acetone essentially acted as both a solvent to dissolve reactants and a low-cost radical initiator to efficiently generate a CF3 radical from Langlois' reagent. A broad substrate scope was tolerated and picolinamide bearing strong electron withdrawing groups also could be transformed into the corresponding products with acceptable yields. Furthermore, the value of this method has been highlighted via the efficient synthesis of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug floctafenine.

Silver-catalyzed C2-selective direct alkylation of heteroarenes with tertiary cycloalkanols.

A silver-catalyzed regioselective C2-alkylation of heteroarenes with tertiary cycloalkanols under radical conditions was developed. This tandem process, which includes selective C-H activation, C(sp3)-C(sp3) bond cleavage, and C(sp3)-C(sp2) bond formation, affords a novel and environmentally friendly approach for the production of carbonyl-containing alkyl-substituted heteroarenes with moderate to good yields.

Aromatic Hydrocarbon Based and Space Interactions Induced Color-tunable Single-component Organic Phosphorescence.

Construction of new system and exploration of new approach are of great importance for the improvement of their photophysical properties to meet the growing various uses of phosphorescent materials. Triphenylmethane (TPM), composed only of carbon and hydrogen, exhibits excellent color tunable phosphorescence in air, with ultralong lifetime (836 ms), and wide color-tunable range (from cyan to green, then to yellow and finally to orange, 525 nm-616 nm). Through careful comparison with the single crystal diffraction structure of tetraphenylmethane (TTPM) and theoretical calculation analysis, we believe that various clusters formed through space interactions are crucial for color-tunable phosphorescence.

Ethyl 1-(4-chloro-benz-yl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C(19)H(17)ClN(2)O(2), the pyrazole ring makes dihedral angles of 6.97 (5) and 79.25 (1)°, respectively, with the phenyl and chlorophenyl rings, respectively. In the crystal, C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are observed.

3-(4-Bromo-phen-yl)-1-(4-chloro-benz-yl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carbaldehyde.

The title compound, C(17)H(12)BrClN(2)O, was synthesized by oxidation of [3-(4-bromo-phen-yl)-1-(4-chloro-benz-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]methanol under mild conditions. The pyrazole ring makes dihedral angles of 3.29 (9) and 74.91 (4)°, respectively, with the bromo-phenyl and chloro-phenyl rings.

Access to 6-hydroxy indolizines and related imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines through the SN2 substitution/condensation/tautomerization cascade process.

A simple and efficient cascade reaction was developed for the construction of hydroxy substituted indolizines from pyrrole-2-carbaldehydes and commercially available 4-halogenated acetoacetic esters. Their optical properties were also evaluated.

Ethyl 8-(4-nitro-phen-yl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-7-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C(16)H(13)N(3)O(4), the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine and benzene rings make a dihedral angle of 56.21 (2)°. The crystal packing is stabilized by weak π-π stacking inter-actions [centroid-centroid distances = 3.787 (2) Å] and C-H⋯O inter-molecular hydrogen-bonding inter-actions.

Dual-Target Inhibitors Based on HDACs: Novel Antitumor Agents for Cancer Therapy.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play an important role in regulating target gene expression. They have been highlighted as a novel category of anticancer targets, and their inhibition can induce apoptosis, differentiation, and growth arrest in cancer cells. In view of the fact that HDAC inhibitors and other antitumor agents, such as BET inhibitors, topoisomerase inhibitors, and RTK pathway inhibitors, exert a synergistic effect on cellular processes in cancer cells, the combined inhibition of two targets is regarded as a rational strategy to improve the effectiveness of these single-target drugs for cancer treatment. In this review, we discuss the theoretical basis for designing HDAC-involved dual-target drugs and provide insight into the structure-activity relationships of these dual-target agents.

2-Cyclo-hexyl-4-[(3,5-dimethyl-piperidin-1-yl)meth-yl]-5-methyl-phenol.

The title compound, C(21)H(33)NO, crystallizes with three independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. The cyclo-hexane and piperidine rings adopt chair conformations. The crystal packing is stabilized by inter-molecular O-H⋯N and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, and by weak π-π stacking inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.876 (2) Å].

A FRET ratiometric fluorescent probe for detection of Hg2+ based on an imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-rhodamine system.

A novel imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-rhodamine ratiometric fluorescent probe IP-Hg for Hg2+ based on a fluorescence resonance energy transfer mechanism has been developed. The probe has been proved to show high sensitivity and high selectivity toward Hg2+. Furthermore, it could be used for imaging Hg2+ in cells and in polluted water.

A pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine-based ratiometric fluorescent probe for sensing Cu2+ in cell.

Ratiometric fluorescent probes based on FRET mechanism have attracted great attention due to their large pseudo-Stokes shifts and built-in correction for environmental effects. However, most donors failed to meet the requirement that the emission of the donor must overlap well with the absorption of the acceptor. Therefore, searching for new fluorophore to construct FRET system is in great need. In this paper, a new fluorescent dye pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine was synthesized and used as a donor in the FRET system for ratiometric sensing of Cu2+. The probe is based on FRET and PET mechanism. It shows high selectivity and sensitivity toward Cu2+ (detection limit 30 nM). Furthermore, it was successfully used to detect Cu2+ in Glioma cells.

2-(2-Methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethyl N-methyl-carbamate.

In the title compound, C(8)H(12)N(4)O(4), the essentially planar methyl-carbamoyloxymethyl group [maximum deviation 0.038 (3) Å] and the imidazole ring make a dihedral angle of 48.47 (3)°. The crystal packing is stabilized by inter-molecular N-H⋯N and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which link the mol-ecules into infinite ribbons running along the a axis, and by weak π-π stacking inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.894 (2) Å].

11H-Dibenzo[b,e]azepine-6-carbonitrile.

The title compound, C(15)H(10)N(2), crystallizes with two independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. The two benzene rings make dihedral angles of 60.32 (2) and 61.35 (3)°. The crystal packing is stabilized by weak π-π stacking inter-actions [centroid-to-centroid distances = 3.673 (4) and 3.793 (4) Å].

A novel pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine fluorophore and its application to detect pH in cells.

A new fluorescent probe based on pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine was synthesized and used to monitor the pH in cells. This probe exhibited a fast response to acidic pH (less than 10 s), a high quantum yield (φ = 0.64), and high selectivity and sensitivity. The response mechanism of the fluorescent probes relies on the ICT change.

Visible-Light-Mediated Nickel(II)-Catalyzed C-N Cross-Coupling in Water: Green and Regioselective Access for the Synthesis of Pyrazole-Containing Compounds.

A regioselective green approach for the nickel(II)-catalyzed C-N cross-coupling between arylamines and pyrazoles through a photoredox process is reported. Moderate to good yield was observed for this reaction, performed in water under air at room temperature. This strategy provides a powerful tool for the green synthesis of pyrazole-containing bioactive molecules. In addition, a single-electron-transfer mechanism is proposed in this report.

In vivo tumor-targeted dual-modal fluorescence/CT imaging using a nanoprobe co-loaded with an aggregation-induced emission dye and gold nanoparticles.

As an intensely studied computed tomography (CT) contrast agent, gold nanoparticle has been suggested to be combined with fluorescence imaging modality to offset the low sensitivity of CT. However, the strong quenching of gold nanoparticle on fluorescent dyes requires complicated design and shielding to overcome. Herein, we report a unique nanoprobe (M-NPAPF-Au) co-loading an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) red dye and gold nanoparticles into DSPE-PEG(2000) micelles for dual-modal fluorescence/CT imaging. The nanoprobe was prepared based on a facile method of "one-pot ultrasonic emulsification". Surprisingly, in the micelles system, fluorescence dye (NPAPF) efficiently overcame the strong fluorescence quenching of shielding-free gold nanoparticles and retained the crucial AIE feature. In vivo studies demonstrated the nanoprobe had superior tumor-targeting ability, excellent fluorescence and CT imaging effects. The totality of present studies clearly indicates the significant potential application of M-NPAPF-Au as a dual-modal non-invasive fluorescence/X-ray CT nanoprobe for in vivo tumor-targeted imaging and diagnosis.