On the Use of Triarylsilanols as Catalysts for Direct Amidation of Carboxylic Acids.

Triarylsilanols have been reported as the first silicon-centered molecular catalysts for direct amidation of carboxylic acids with amines as identified after a screen of silanols, silanediols, disiloxanediols, and incompletely condensed silsesquioxanes as potential homogeneous catalysts. Subsequent synthesis and testing of various electronically differentiated triarylsilanols have identified tris(p-haloaryl)silanols as more active than the parent triarylsilanol, where the bromide congener is found to be the most active. Catalyst decomposition can be observed by NMR methods, but RPKA methods reveal that product inhibition is operative, where tertiary amides are more inhibitory than secondary amides. Studies using an authentically synthesized triaryl silylester as a putative intermediate in the catalytic system enable a plausible mechanism to be proposed as supported by computationals.

Methyltrimethoxysilane (MTM) as a Reagent for Direct Amidation of Carboxylic Acids.

Methyltrimethoxysilane [MTM, CH3Si(OMe)3] has been demonstrated to be an effective, inexpensive, and safe reagent for the direct amidation of carboxylic acids with amines. Two simple workup procedures that provide the pure amide product without the need for further purification have been developed. The first employs an aqueous base-mediated annihilation of MTM. The second involves simple product crystallization from the reaction mixture providing a low process mass intensity direct amidation protocol.

Silicon compounds as stoichiometric coupling reagents for direct amidation.

Despite being one of the most frequently carried out chemical reactions in industry, there is currently no amidation protocol that is regarded as safe, high yielding, environmentally friendly and inexpensive. The direct amidation of a carboxylic acid with an amine is viewed as an inherently good solution for developing such a protocol. Since the 1960s, there has been a gradual development in the use of silicon reagents for direct amidation. This review covers the methods published to April 2021 for silicon reagent mediated direct amidation of a carboxylic acid with an amine. This review also covers the use of polymeric SiO2 to promote direct amidation.

Studies on metal-organic framework (MOF) nanomedicine preparations of sildenafil for the future treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an incurable disease, although symptoms are treated with a range of dilator drugs. Despite their clinical benefits, these drugs are limited by systemic side-effects. It is, therefore, increasingly recognised that using controlled drug-release nanoformulation, with future modifications for targeted drug delivery, may overcome these limitations. This study presents the first evaluation of a promising nanoformulation (highly porous iron-based metal-organic framework (MOF); nanoMIL-89) as a carrier for the PAH-drug sildenafil, which we have previously shown to be relatively non-toxic in vitro and well-tolerated in vivo. In this study, nanoMIL-89 was prepared and charged with a payload of sildenafil (generating Sil@nanoMIL-89). Sildenafil release was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and its effect on cell viability and dilator function in mouse aorta were assessed. Results showed that Sil@nanoMIL-89 released sildenafil over 6 h, followed by a more sustained release over 72 h. Sil@nanoMIL-89 showed no significant toxicity in human blood outgrowth endothelial cells for concentrations up to100µg/ml; however, it reduced the viability of the human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) at concentrations > 3 µg/ml without inducing cellular cytotoxicity. Finally, Sil@nanoMIL-89 induced vasodilation of mouse aorta after a lag phase of 2-4 h. To our knowledge, this study represents the first demonstration of a novel nanoformulation displaying delayed drug release corresponding to vasodilator activity. Further pharmacological assessment of our nanoformulation, including in PAH models, is required and constitutes the subject of ongoing investigations.

First example of solid-state luminescent borasiloxane-based chiral helices assembled through N-B bonds.

The reaction between differently substituted borasiloxanes and 2,5-bis(3-pyridylethynyl)thiophene provided the first example of luminescent borasiloxane-based chiral helices held together by N-B bonds. The starting building blocks and the helices were fully characterized, and the nature of the N-B bond rationalized by means of theoretical calculations.

Stable metal-organic frameworks with low water affinity built from methyl-siloxane linkers.

A tetracarboxylic acid with a methyl-substituted siloxane core (L-H4) has been prepared and applied in the construction of water stable MOFs with low water affinity. L-H4 itself crystallizes as an interpenetrated 3D hydrogen-bonded network. Reaction of L-H4 with ZrIV/HfIV gave IMP-32-Zr/Hf - both 3D MOFs of scu topology.

Internalization of Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles in Human Vascular Cells: Implications for Cardiovascular Disease Therapy.

Abstract: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Alteration of endothelial cells and the underlying vasculature plays a central role in the pathogenesis of various CVDs. The application of nanoscale materials such as nanoparticles in biomedicine has opened new horizons in the treatment of CVDs. We have previously shown that the iron metal-organic framework nanoparticle, Materials Institut Lavoisier-89 (nanoMIL-89) represents a viable vehicle for future drug delivery of pulmonary arterial hypertension. In this study, we have assessed the cellular uptake of nanoMIL-89 in pulmonary artery endothelial and smooth muscle cells using microscopy imaging techniques. We also tested the cellular responses to nanoMIL-89 using molecular and cellular assays. Microscopic images showed cellular internalization of nanoMIL-89, packaging into endocytic vesicles, and passing to daughter cells during mitosis. Moreover, nanoMIL-89 showed anti-inflammatory activity without any significant cytotoxicity. Our results indicate that nanoMIL-89 formulation may offer promising therapeutic opportunities and set forth a new prototype for drug delivery not only in CVDs, but also for other diseases yet incurable, such as diabetes and cancer.

Tetramethyl Orthosilicate (TMOS) as a Reagent for Direct Amidation of Carboxylic Acids.

Tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) is shown to be an effective reagent for direct amidation of aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids with amines and anilines. The amide products are obtained in good to quantitative yields in pure form directly after workup without the need for any further purification. A silyl ester as the putative activated intermediate is observed by NMR methods. Amidations on a 1 mol scale are demonstrated with a favorable process mass intensity.

Siloxane-based linkers in the construction of hydrogen bonded assemblies and porous 3D MOFs.

A siloxane-based hexacarboxylic acid (L1-H6) has been prepared and applied in MOF construction. L1-H6 itself crystallizes as an unusual interpenetrated 3D hydrogen-bonded framework. Reaction of L1-H6 with Zn(ii) gave IMP-18 - a 3D MOF incorporating Si-O-Si functionality. Cleavage of L1-H6 gives a silanol-based triacid which is shown to give a coordination polymer (IMP-19) with Zn(ii).

Chemical and biological assessment of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) in pulmonary cells and in an acute in vivo model: relevance to pulmonary arterial hypertension therapy.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and debilitating condition. Despite promoting vasodilation, current drugs have a therapeutic window within which they are limited by systemic side effects. Nanomedicine uses nanoparticles to improve drug delivery and/or reduce side effects. We hypothesize that this approach could be used to deliver PAH drugs avoiding the systemic circulation. Here we report the use of iron metal organic framework (MOF) MIL-89 and PEGylated MIL-89 (MIL-89 PEG) as suitable carriers for PAH drugs. We assessed their effects on viability and inflammatory responses in a wide range of lung cells including endothelial cells grown from blood of donors with/without PAH. Both MOFs conformed to the predicted structures with MIL-89 PEG being more stable at room temperature. At concentrations up to 10 or 30 µg/mL, toxicity was only seen in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells where both MOFs reduced cell viability and CXCL8 release. In endothelial cells from both control donors and PAH patients, both preparations inhibited the release of CXCL8 and endothelin-1 and in macrophages inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase activity. Finally, MIL-89 was well-tolerated and accumulated in the rat lungs when given in vivo. Thus, the prototypes MIL-89 and MIL-89 PEG with core capacity suitable to accommodate PAH drugs are relatively non-toxic and may have the added advantage of being anti-inflammatory and reducing the release of endothelin-1. These data are consistent with the idea that these materials may not only be useful as drug carriers in PAH but also offer some therapeutic benefit in their own right.

A New NO-Releasing Nanoformulation for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic and progressive disease which continues to carry an unacceptably high mortality and morbidity. The nitric oxide (NO) pathway has been implicated in the pathophysiology and progression of the disease. Its extremely short half-life and systemic effects have hampered the clinical use of NO in PAH. In an attempt to circumvent these major limitations, we have developed a new NO-nanomedicine formulation. The formulation was based on hydrogel-like polymeric composite NO-releasing nanoparticles (NO-RP). The kinetics of NO release from the NO-RP showed a peak at about 120 min followed by a sustained release for over 8 h. The NO-RP did not affect the viability or inflammation responses of endothelial cells. The NO-RP produced concentration-dependent relaxations of pulmonary arteries in mice with PAH induced by hypoxia. In conclusion, NO-RP drugs could considerably enhance the therapeutic potential of NO therapy for PAH.

Structures of tetrasilylmethane derivatives (XMe2Si)2C(SiMe3)2 (X = H, Cl, Br) in the gas phase, and their dynamic structures in solution.

The structures of the molecules (XMe2Si)2C(SiMe3)2, where X = H, Cl, Br, have been determined by gas electron diffraction (GED) using the SARACEN method of restraints, with all analogues existing in the gas phase as mixtures of C1- and C2-symmetric conformers. Variable temperature (1)H and (29)Si solution-phase NMR studies, as well as (13)C NMR and (1)H/(29)Si NMR shift correlation and (1)H NMR saturation transfer experiments for the chlorine and bromine analogues, are reported. At low temperatures in solution there appear to be two C1 conformers and two C2 conformers, agreeing with the isolated-molecule calculations used to guide the electron diffraction refinements. For (HMe2Si)2C(SiMe3)2 the calculations indicated six conformers close in energy, and these were modeled in the GED refinement.

Organosilicon linkers in metal organic frameworks: the tetrahedral tetrakis(4-tetrazolylphenyl)silane ligand.

Formal substitution of the central carbon by silicon within the tetrahedral tetrakis(4-tetrazolylphenyl)methane linker in a copper-based MOF is shown to uniquely influence the structure of the resultant MOF, affecting the orientation of the metal-based nodes and leading to an increase in unit-cell volume and solvent accessible void space.

Preparation of [Al(hfip)4](-)-based ionic liquids with siloxane-functionalized cations and their physical properties in comparison with their [Tf2N]- analogues.

Two new ionic liquids (ILs) with siloxane-functionalized cations and the weakly coordinating tetraalkoxyaluminate [Al(hfip)(4)](-) (hfip=hexafluoroisopropoxy) are prepared and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy. With melting points below 0 °C they qualify as room temperature ILs (RTILs). Their temperature-dependent viscosities and conductivities, together with those of two [Tf(2)N](-) ILs with the same cations and a further siloxane-functionalized [Tf(2)N](-) IL, are measured between 0 and 80 °C, and all are described by the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) equations. We note that the [Al(hfip)(4)](-) ILs have lower viscosities than their [Tf(2)N](-) analogues at all measured temperatures and higher conductivities at room temperature.

The gas-phase equilibrium structures of Si8O12(OSiMe3)8 and Si8O12(CHCH2)8.

The equilibrium molecular structure of Si(8)O(12)(OSiMe(3))(8) has been determined in the gas phase by electron diffraction (GED). With OSi-containing substituents on the cage silicon atoms, this molecule contains a moiety, which would, if reproduced in a periodic manner, yield a zeolite-type structure. Extensive ab initio calculations were used to identify two conformers of this molecule, with D(4) and D(2) point-group symmetries; the D(4)-symmetric conformer was approximately 1.2 kJ mol(-1) lower in energy. With 132 atoms in each conformer, this is one of the largest studies to be undertaken using gas electron diffraction. Semiempirical molecular-dynamics (SE-MD) calculations were used to give amplitudes of vibration, vibrational distance corrections (differences between interatomic distances in the equilibrium structure and the vibrationally averaged distances that are given directly by the diffraction data), and anharmonic constants. The structure of Si(8)O(12)(CHCH(2))(8) has also been determined by GED. Calculations showed that the vinyl groups are fairly unhindered and rotate between three minimum-energy positions. Ultimately, all possible combinations of the vinyl groups in these low-energy positions were accounted for in the GED model.

The gas-phase structure and some reactions of the bulky primary silane (Me(3)Si)(3)CSiH(3) and the solid-state structure of the bulky dialkyl disilane [(Me(3)Si)(3)CSiH(2)](2).

The molecular structure of the bulky primary silane, (Me(3)Si)(3)CSiH(3), in the gas phase has been determined by electron diffraction. Photolysis of (Me(3)Si)(3)CSiH(3) affords a convenient route to the bulky dialkyl disilane, [(Me(3)Si)(3)CSiH(2)](2), which is the first 1,2-dialkyldisilane to be structurally characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The disilane has an unusually large Si-Si-C angle of 120.05(9)°.

The gas-phase structure of octaphenyloctasilsesquioxane Si8O12Ph8 and the crystal structures of Si8O12(p-tolyl)8 and Si8O12(p-ClCH2C6H4)8.

The equilibrium molecular structure of octaphenyloctasilsesquioxane Si(8)O(12)Ph(8) in the gas phase has been determined by electron diffraction. It was found to have D(4) point-group symmetry, with Si-O bond lengths of 1.634(15)-1.645(19) A, and a narrow range [147.5(45)-149.8(24) degrees] of Si-O-Si angles. The structures of Si(8)O(12)(p-tolyl)(8) and Si(8)O(12)(p-ClCH(2)C(6)H(4))(8) have been determined by X-ray diffraction and are found to have Si(8)O(12) cages significantly distorted from the symmetry found for Si(8)O(12)Ph(8) in the gas phase. Thus, Si-O-Si angles range between 144.2(2)-151.64(16) degrees for Si(8)O(12)(p-tolyl)(8), and between 138.8(2)-164.2(2) degrees for Si(8)O(12)(p-ClCH(2)C(6)H(4))(8). These three structures show how much a Si(8)O(12) cage may be distorted away from an ideal structure, free from intermolecular forces, by packing forces in a crystalline lattice.

Understanding siloxane functionalised ionic liquids.

In this paper we use ab initio theoretical methods in combination with experimental studies to investigate ion-pairs of the ionic liquid (IL) 1-methyl-3-pentamethyldisiloxymethylimidazolium chloride [(SiOSi)C(1)C(1)im]Cl, in order to deepen our understanding of the effects of functionalisation on an IL. In addition, we focus on the effect of the siloxy group on the viscosity. We establish that the ion-pairing energies of [(SiOSi)C(1)C(1)im]Cl are similar to those of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [C(4)C(1)im]Cl, because the anion interacts primarily with the imidazolium ring. A large range of ion-pair structural configurations is possible with different anion positions and chain orientations, contributing to a significant entropy. A H-bonded network forms, however the siloxy chain can shield the Cl(-) or key C-H sites thus introducing defects. Despite a significant increase in mass relative to [C(4)C(1)im](+), the combined barriers to rotation within the substituent chain are substantially reduced in [(SiOSi)C(1)C(1)im](+), this is primarily due to the flexibility of the siloxane linkage, and free rotation of the Si-Me methyl groups. The most important effect is a coupling of rotational motions within the chain which leads to dynamic inter-conversion of cation conformers, and facilitates movement of the anion around the cation, these will contribute to enhanced transport properties and a reduced viscosity. In addition, a longer charge arm is expected to enhance rotational and rotational-translational coupling in electric fields. Thus, for [(SiOSi)C(1)C(1)im]Cl ion-pair association is very similar to that of [C(4)C(1)im]Cl, but "dynamic" properties relating to torsional motion, a dynamic H-bonded network, and cation response to an external electric field are enhanced.

trans-Bis(1,1,1,5,5,5-hexa-fluoro-pentane-2,4-dionato-κO,O')bis-(4-methyl-1,2,3-selenadiazole-κN)copper(II).

In the title compound, [Cu(C(5)HF(6)O(2))(2)(C(3)H(4)N(2)Se)(2)], the Cu(II) atom (site symmetry ) is coordinated by two O,O'-bidentate 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexa-fluoro-2,4-penta-nedione (hp) ligands and two 4-methyl-1,2,3-selenadiazole mol-ecules, resulting in a slightly distorted trans-CuN(2)O(4) octa-hedral geometry in which the cis angles deviate by less than 3° from 90°. The selenadiazole plane is canted at 73.13 (17)° to the square plane defined by the penta-nedionate O atoms. The F atoms of one of the hp ligands are disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.66 (3):0.34 (3) ratio. There are no significant inter-molecular inter-actions in the crystal.