From Waste to Green Applications: The Use of Recovered Gold and Palladium in Catalysis.

The direct use in catalysis of precious metal recovery products from industrial and consumer waste is a very promising recent area of investigation. It represents a more sustainable, environmentally benign, and profitable way of managing the low abundance of precious metals, as well as encouraging new ways of exploiting their catalytic properties. This review demonstrates the feasibility and sustainability of this innovative approach, inspired by circular economy models, and aims to stimulate further research and industrial processes based on the valorisation of secondary resources of these raw materials. The overview of the use of recovered gold and palladium in catalytic processes will be complemented by critical appraisal of the recovery and reuse approaches that have been proposed.

Combined Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy Using Polyfunctionalised Nanoparticles Bearing Robust Gadolinium Surface Units.

A robust dithiocarbamate tether allows novel gadolinium units based on DOTAGA (q=1) to be attached to the surface of gold nanoparticles (2.6-4.1 nm diameter) along with functional units offering biocompatibility, targeting and photodynamic therapy. A dramatic increase in relaxivity (r1 ) per Gd unit from 5.01 mm-1 s-1 in unbound form to 31.68 mm-1 s-1 (10 MHz, 37 °C) is observed when immobilised on the surface due to restricted rotation and enhanced rigidity of the Gd complex on the nanoparticle surface. The single-step synthetic route provides a straightforward and versatile way of preparing multifunctional gold nanoparticles, including examples with conjugated zinc-tetraphenylporphyrin photosensitizers. The lack of toxicity of these materials (MTT assays) is transformed on irradiation of HeLa cells for 30 minutes (PDT), leading to 75 % cell death. In addition to passive targeting, the inclusion of units capable of actively targeting overexpressed folate receptors illustrates the potential of these assemblies as targeted theranostic agents.

Metallostar Assemblies Based on Dithiocarbamates for Use as MRI Contrast Agents.

Two different octadentate gadolinium chelates based on DO3A and DOTAGA chelates (hydration number q = 1) have been used to prepare a series of bi-, tri-, and tetrametallic d-f mixed-metal complexes. The piperazine-based dithiocarbamate linker ensures that rotation of the gadolinium chelates is restricted, leading to enhanced relaxivity (r1) values, which increase with the overall mass and number of gadolinium units. The r1 value (at 10 MHz, 25 °C) per gadolinium unit rises from 5.0 mM-1 s-1 for the Gd-DO3A-NH2 monogadolinium chelate to 9.2 mM-1 s-1 in a trigadolinium complex with a ruthenium(III) core. Using a 1.5 T clinical scanner operating at 63.87 MHz (25 °C), an 86% increase in the relaxivity per gadolinium unit is observed for this multimetallic compound compared to clinically approved Dotarem. The gadolinium complexes based on the DOTAGA chelate also performed well at 63.87 MHz, with a relaxivity value of 9.5 mM-1 s-1 per gadolinium unit being observed for the trigadolinium d-f mixed-metal complex with a ruthenium(III) core. The versatility of dithiocarbamate coordination chemistry thus provides access to a wide range of d-f hybrids with potential for use as high-performance MRI contrast agents.

Simultaneous Detection of Carbon Monoxide and Viscosity Changes in Cells.

A new family of robust, non-toxic, water-compatible ruthenium(II) vinyl probes allows the rapid, selective and sensitive detection of endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) in live mammalian cells under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Uniquely, these probes incorporate a viscosity-sensitive BODIPY fluorophore that allows the measurement of microscopic viscosity in live cells via fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) while also monitoring CO levels. This is the first example of a probe that can simultaneously detect CO alongside small viscosity changes in organelles of live cells.

Synthesis and Application of Ruthenium(II) Alkenyl Complexes with Perylene Fluorophores for the Detection of Toxic Vapours and Gases.

A series of new ruthenium(II) vinyl complexes has been prepared incorporating perylenemonoimide (PMI) units. This fluorogenic moiety was functionalised with terminal alkyne or pyridyl groups, allowing attachment to the metal either as a vinyl ligand or through the pyridyl nitrogen. The inherent low solubility of the perylene compounds was improved through the design of poly-PEGylated (PEG=polyethylene glycol) units bearing a terminal alkyne or a pyridyl group. By absorbing the compounds on silica, vapours and gases could be detected in the solid state. The reaction of the complexes [Ru(CH=CH-PerIm )Cl(CO)(py-3PEG)(PPh3 )2 ] and [Ru(CH=CH-3PEG)Cl(CO)(py-PerIm )(PPh3 )2 ] with carbon monoxide, isonitrile or cyanide was found to result in modulation of the fluorescence behaviour. The complexes were observed to display solvatochromic effects and the interaction of the complexes with a wide range of other species was also studied. The study suggests that such complexes have potential for the detection of gases or vapours that are toxic to humans.

Polyfunctionalised Nanoparticles Bearing Robust Gadolinium Surface Units for High Relaxivity Performance in MRI.

The first example of an octadentate gadolinium unit based on DO3A (hydration number q=1) with a dithiocarbamate tether has been designed and attached to the surface of gold nanoparticles (around 4.4 nm in diameter). In addition to the superior robustness of this attachment, the restricted rotation of the Gd complex on the nanoparticle surface leads to a dramatic increase in relaxivity (r1 ) from 4.0 mm-1 s-1 in unbound form to 34.3 mm-1 s-1 (at 10 MHz, 37 °C) and 22±2 mm-1 s-1 (at 63.87 MHz, 25 °C) when immobilised on the surface. The one-pot synthetic route provides a straightforward and versatile way of preparing a range of multifunctional gold nanoparticles. The incorporation of additional surface units for biocompatibility (PEG and thioglucose units) and targeting (folic acid) leads to little detrimental effect on the high relaxivity observed for these non-toxic multifunctional materials. In addition to the passive targeting attributed to gold nanoparticles, the inclusion of a unit capable of targeting the folate receptors overexpressed by cancer cells, such as HeLa cells, illustrates the potential of these assemblies.

Highly Sensitive and Selective Molecular Probes for Chromo-Fluorogenic Sensing of Carbon Monoxide in Air, Aqueous Solution and Cells.

Optical sensing offers a low-cost and effective means to sense carbon monoxide in air and in solution. This contribution reports the synthesis of a new series of vinyl complexes [Ru(CH=CHR)Cl(CO)(TBTD)(PPh3 )2 ] (R=aryl, TBTD=5-(3-thienyl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) and shows them to be highly sensitive and selective probes for carbon monoxide in both solution and air. Depending on the vinyl substituent, chromogenic and fluorogenic responses signalled the presence of this invisible, odourless, tasteless and toxic gas. Adsorbing the complexes on silica produced colorimetric probes for the 'naked eye' detection of CO in the gas phase with a limit of detection as low as 8 ppm in some cases, while the release of the TBTD fluorophore allowed detection at much lower concentrations through the fluorescence response. Structural data were obtained by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques, while the photophysical behaviour was explored computationally using TD-DFT experiments. The systems were also shown to be selective for CO over all other gases tested, including water vapour and common organic solvents. By introducing a poly(ethylene)glycol chain to the vinyl functionality, water compatibility was achieved and these non-cytotoxic complexes were employed in the sensing of CO in HeLa cells, offering a simple and rapid system for sensing this gasotransmitter in this challenging medium.

Ex Vivo Tracking of Endogenous CO with a Ruthenium(II) Complex.

A two-photon fluorescent probe based on a ruthenium(II) vinyl complex is capable of selectively detecting carbon monoxide in cells and ex vivo using mice with a subcutaneous air pouch as a model for inflammation. This probe combines highly selective and sensitive ex vivo detection of endogenous CO in a realistic model with facile, inexpensive synthesis, and displays many advantages over the widely used palladium-based systems.

Facile Preparation of Drug-Loaded Tristearin Encapsulated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Using Coaxial Electrospray Processing.

Naturally occurring polymers are promising biocompatible materials that have many applications for emerging therapies, drug delivery systems, and diagnostic agents. The handling and processing of such materials still constitutes a major challenge, which can limit the full exploitation of their properties. This study explores an ambient environment processing technique: coaxial electrospray (CO-ES) to encapsulate genistein (an isoflavonoid and model drug), superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs, 10-15 nm), and a fluorophore (BODIPY) into a layered (triglyceride tristearin shell) particulate system, with a view to constructing a theranostic agent. Mode mapping of CO-ES led to an optimized atomization engineering window for stable jetting, leading to encapsulation of SPIONs within particles of diameter 0.65-1.2 µm and drug encapsulation efficiencies of around 92%. Electron microscopy was used to image the encapsulated SPIONs and confirm core-shell triglyceride encapsulation in addition to further physicochemical characterization (AFM, FTIR, DSC, and TGA). Cell viability assays (MTT, HeLa cells) were used to determine optimal SPION loaded particles (∼1 mg/mL), while in vitro release profile experiments (PBS, pH = 7.4) demonstrate a triphasic release profile. Further cell studies confirmed cell uptake and internalization at selected time points (t = 1, 2, and 4 h). The results suggest potential for using the CO-ES technique as an efficient way to encapsulate SPIONs together with sensitive drugs for the development of multimodal particles that have potential application for combined imaging and therapy.

Bifunctional Chalcogen Linkers for the Stepwise Generation of Multimetallic Assemblies and Functionalized Nanoparticles.

The disulfide ligand (SC6H4CO2H-4)2 acts as a simple but versatile linker for a range of group 8 transition metals through reaction of the oxygen donors. This leads to a range of homobimetallic ruthenium and osmium alkenyl compounds, [{M(CH═CHR)(CO)(PPh3)2(O2CC6H4S-4)}2] (M = Ru, Os; R = C6H4Me-4). Additional metal-based functionality can be added through the use of precursors incorporating rhenium bipyridine units (R = (bpy)ReCl(CO)3). The more robust diphosphine ligands in [{Ru(dppm)2(O2CC6H4S-4)}2]2+ (dppm = diphenylphosphinomethane) allow reduction of the disulfide bond with sodium borohydride to yield the thiol complex [Ru(O2CC6H4SH-4)(dppm)2]+. This complex reacts with [AuCl(PPh3)] to afford the bimetallic compound [Ru(dppm)2(O2CC6H4S-4)Au(PPh3)]+. However, an improved route to the same and related heterobimetallic compounds is provided by the reaction of cis-[RuCl2(dppm)2] with [Au(SC6H4CO2H-4)(L)] (L = PPh3, PCy3, PMe3, IDip) in the presence of base and NH4PF6 (IDip = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene). The heterotrimetallic compound [Au(SC6H4CO2Ru(dppm)2)2]+ is accessible through the reaction of the homoleptic gold(I) dithiolate [Au(SC6H4CO2H-4)2]PPN (PPN = bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium) with cis-[RuCl2(dppm)2]. Without departure from the same methodology, greater complexity can be incorporated into the system to provide the penta- and heptametallic assemblies [(dppf){AuSC6H4CO2Ru(dppm)2}2]2+ and [(dppf){AuSC6H4CO2Os(CH═CH-bpyReCl(CO)3)(CO)(PPh3)2}2]. The same stepwise approach provides the dinuclear organometallic complexes [(L)Au(SC6H4CO2-4)M(CH═CHC6H4Me-4)(CO)(PPh3)2] (M = Ru, Os; L = PPh3, IDip). Complexes containing three metals from different groups of the periodic table [(L)Au(SC6H4CO2-4)M{CH═CH-bpyReCl(CO)3}(CO)(PPh3)2] (M = Ru, Os) can also be prepared, with one ruthenium example (L = PPh3) being structurally characterized. In order to illustrate the versatility of this approach, the synthesis and characterization (IR and NMR spectroscopy, TEM, EDS, and TGA) of the functionalized gold and palladium nanoparticles Au@[SC6H4CO2Ru(dppm)2]+ and Pd@[SC6H4CO2Ru(dppm)2]+ is reported.

Ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) vinyl complexes as highly sensitive and selective chromogenic and fluorogenic probes for the sensing of carbon monoxide in air.

The detection of carbon monoxide in solution and air has been achieved using simple, inexpensive systems based on the vinyl complexes [M(CHCHR)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3 )2 ] (R=aryl, BTD=2,1,3-benzothiadiazole). Depending on the nature of the vinyl group, chromogenic and fluorogenic responses signalled the presence of this odourless, tasteless, invisible, and toxic gas. Solutions of the complexes in CHCl3 underwent rapid change between easily differentiated colours when exposed to air samples containing CO. More significantly, the adsorption of the complexes on silica produced colorimetric probes for the naked-eye detection of CO in the gas phase. Structural data for key species before and after the addition of CO were obtained by means of single X-ray diffraction studies. In all cases, the ruthenium and osmium vinyl complexes studied showed a highly selective response to CO with exceptionally low detection limits. Naked-eye detection of CO at concentrations as low as 5 ppb in air was achieved with the onset of toxic levels (i.e., 100 ppm), thus resulting in a remarkably clear colour change. Moreover, complexes bearing pyrenyl, naphthyl, and phenanthrenyl moieties were fluorescent, and greater sensitivities were achieved (through turn-on emission fluorescence) in the presence of CO both in solution and air. This behaviour was explored computationally using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) experiments. In addition, the systems were shown to be selective for CO over all other gases tested, including water vapour and common organic solvents. Supporting the metal complexes on cellulose strips for use in an existing optoelectronic device allows numerical readings for the CO concentration to be obtained and provision of an alarm system.

Multimetallic complexes based on a diphosphine-dithiocarbamate "Janus" ligand.

The HCl salt of the aminodiphosphine ligand HN(CH2CH2PPh2)2 reacts with [M(CO)4(pip)2] (M = Mo, W; pip = piperidine) to yield [M{κ(2)-HN(CH2CH2PPh2)2}(CO)4]. The molybdenum analogue readily loses a carbonyl ligand to form [Mo{κ(3)-HN(CH2CH2PPh2)2}(CO)3], which was structurally characterized. The same ligand backbone is used to form the new bifunctional ligand, KS2CN(CH2CH2PPh2)2, which reacts with nickel and cobalt precursors to yield [Ni{S2CN(CH2CH2PPh2)2}2] and [Co{S2CN(CH2CH2PPh2)2}3]. Addition of [AuCl(tht)] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) to [Ni{S2CN(CH2CH2PPh2)2}2] leads to formation of the pentametallic complex, [Ni{S2CN(CH2CH2PPh2AuCl)2}2]. In contrast, addition of [PdCl2(py)2] (py = pyridine) to [Ni{S2CN(CH2CH2PPh2)2}2] does not lead to a trimetallic complex but instead yields the transmetalated cyclic compound [Pd{S2CN(CH2CH2PPh2)2}]2, which was structurally characterized. The same product is obtained directly from [PdCl2(py)2] and KS2CN(CH2CH2PPh2)2. In contrast, the same reaction with [PtCl2(NCPh)2] yields the oligomer, [Pt{S2CN(CH2CH2PPh2)2}]n. Reaction of KS2CN(CH2CH2PPh2)2 with cis-[RuCl2(dppm)2] provides [Ru{S2CN(CH2CH2PPh2)2}(dppm)2](+), which reacts with [AuCl(tht)] to yield [Ru{S2CN(CH2CH2PPh2AuCl)2}(dppm)2](+). Addition of [M(CO)4(pip)2] (M = Mo, W) to the same precursor leads to formation of the bimetallic compounds [(dppm)2Ru{S2CN(CH2CH2PPh2)2}M(CO)4](+), while treatment with [ReCl(CO)5] yields [(dppm)2Ru{S2CN(CH2CH2PPh2)2}ReCl(CO)3](+). Reaction of KS2CN(CH2CH2PPh2)2 with [Os(CH═CHC6H4Me-4)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] (BTD = 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) provides [Os(CH═CHC6H4Me-4){S2CN(CH2CH2PPh2)2}(CO)(PPh3)2], but reaction with the analogous ruthenium precursor fails to yield a clean product.

A chromo-fluorogenic synthetic "canary" for CO detection based on a pyrenylvinyl ruthenium(II) complex.

The chromo-fluorogenic detection of carbon monoxide in air has been achieved using a simple, inexpensive system based on ruthenium(II). This probe shows exceptional sensitivity and selectivity in its sensing behavior in the solid state. A color response visible to the naked eye is observed at 5 ppb of CO, and a remarkably clear color change occurs from orange to yellow at the onset of toxic CO concentrations (100 ppm) in air. Even greater sensitivity (1 ppb) can be achieved through a substantial increase in turn-on emission fluorescence in the presence of carbon monoxide, both in air and in solution. No response is observed with other gases including water vapor. Immobilization of the probe on a cellulose strip allows the system to be applied in its current form in a simple optoelectronic device to give a numerical reading and/or alarm.

Multimetallic complexes and functionalized nanoparticles based on unsymmetrical dithiocarbamate ligands with allyl and propargyl functionality.

The new, unsymmetrical dithiocarbamate ligands, KS2CN(CH2CH═CH2)Me and KS2CN(CH2C≡CH)Me, are formed from the respective amines on reaction with KOH and carbon disulfide. The homoleptic complexes [Ni{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)Me}2] and [M{S2CN(CH2C≡CH)Me}2] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) are formed on reaction with suitable metal precursors. Conversion between the two pendant functionalities was confirmed by hydrogenation of [Ni{S2CN(CH2C≡CH)Me}2] to yield [Ni{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)Me}2]. The monodithiocarbamate compounds of group 8, 10, and 11 metals, [Ru{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)Me}(dppm)2](+), [Ru(CH═CHC6H4Me-4){S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)Me}(CO)(PPh3)2], [Ni{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)Me}(dppp)](+), and [Au{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)Me}(PPh3)] were formed successfully. Using KS2CN(CH2C≡CH)Me, the complex [Ru{S2CN(CH2C≡CH)Me}(dppm)2](+) was obtained from cis-[RuCl2(dppm)2]. One palladium example, [Pd{S2CN(CH2C≡CH)Me}(PPh3)2](+), was also isolated in low yield. However, under the typical conditions employed, a rearrangement reaction prevented isolation of further group 10 propargyl-dithiocarbamate products. Over the extended reaction time required, Me(HC≡CCH2)NCS2(-) was found to undergo a remarkable, atom-efficient cyclization to form the thiazolidine-2-thione, H2C═CCH2N(Me)C(═S)S, in high yield, with MeC═CHN(Me)C(═S)S as the minor product. The reactivity of the pendant triple bonds in [Ni{S2CN(CH2C≡CH)Me}2] was probed in the reaction with [RuH(CO)(S2P(OEt)2)(PPh3)2] to form the trimetallic example [Ni{S2CN(Me)CH2CH═CHRu(CO)(S2P(OEt)2)(PPh3)2}2], while the copper(I) catalyzed reaction with benzylazide yielded the triazole product, [Ni{S2CN(Me)CH2(C2HN3)Bz}2]. KS2CN(CH2C≡CH)Me was also used to prepare the gold nanoparticles, Au@S2CN(CH2C≡CH)Me. Structural studies are reported for [Ru(CH═CHC6H4Me-4){S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)Me}(CO)(PPh3)2] and [Ru{S2CN(CH2C≡CH)Me}(dppm)2]PF6.

Ring-closing metathesis and nanoparticle formation based on diallyldithiocarbamate complexes of gold(I): synthetic, structural, and computational studies.

The gold(I) complexes [Au{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}(L)] [L = PPh3, PCy3, PMe3, CN(t)Bu, IDip] are prepared from KS2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2 and [(L)AuCl]. The compounds [L2(AuCl)2] (L2 = dppa, dppf) yield [(L2){AuS2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}2], while the cyclic complex [(dppm){Au2S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}]OTf is obtained from [dppm(AuCl)2] and AgOTf followed by KS2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2. The compound [Au2{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}2] is prepared from [(tht)AuCl] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) and the diallyldithiocarbamate ligand. This product ring-closes with [Ru(═CHPh)Cl2(SIMes)(PCy3)] to yield [Au2(S2CNC4H6)2], whereas ring-closing of [Au{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}(PR3)] fails. Warming [Au2{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}2] results in formation of gold nanoparticles with diallydithiocarbamate surface units, while heating [Au2(S2CNC4H6)2] with NaBH4 results in nanoparticles with 3-pyrroline dithiocarbamate surface units. Larger nanoparticles with the same surface units are prepared by citrate reduction of HAuCl4 followed by addition of the dithiocarbamate. The diallydithiocarbamate-functionalized nanoparticles undergo ring-closing metathesis using [Ru(═CHC6H4O(i)Pr-2)Cl2(SIMes)]. The interaction between the dithiocarbamate units and the gold surface is explored using computational methods to reveal no need for a countercation. Preliminary calculations indicate that the Au-S interactions are substantially different from those established in theoretical and experimental studies on thiolate-coated nanoparticles. Structural studies are reported for [Au{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}(PPh3)] and [Au2{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}2]. In the latter, exceptionally short intermolecular aurophilic interactions are observed.

Multimetallic complexes and functionalized gold nanoparticles based on a combination of d- and f-elements.

The new DO3A-derived dithiocarbamate ligand, DO3A-(t)Bu-CS2K, is formed by treatment of the ammonium salt [DO3A-(t)Bu]HBr with K2CO3 and carbon disulfide. DO3A-(t)Bu-CS2K reacts with the ruthenium complexes cis-[RuCl2(dppm)2] and [Ru(CH═CHC6H4Me-4)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] (BTD = 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) to yield [Ru(S2C-DO3A-(t)Bu)(dppm)2](+) and [Ru(CH═CHC6H4Me-4)(S2C-DO3A-(t)Bu)(CO)(PPh3)2], respectively. Similarly, the group 10 metal complexes [Pd(C,N-C6H4CH2NMe2)Cl]2 and [PtCl2(PPh3)2] form the dithiocarbamate compounds, [Pd(C,N-C6H4CH2NMe2)(S2C-DO3A-(t)Bu)] and [Pt(S2C-DO3A-(t)Bu)(PPh3)2](+), under the same conditions. The linear gold complexes [Au(S2C-DO3A-(t)Bu)(PR3)] are formed by reaction of [AuCl(PR3)] (R = Ph, Cy) with DO3A-(t)Bu-CS2K. However, on reaction with [AuCl(tht)] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene), the homoleptic digold complex [Au(S2C-DO3A-(t)Bu)]2 is formed. Further homoleptic examples, [M(S2C-DO3A-(t)Bu)2] (M = Ni, Cu) and [Co(S2C-DO3A-(t)Bu)3], are formed from treatment of NiCl2·6H2O, Cu(OAc)2, or Co(OAc)2, respectively, with DO3A-(t)Bu-CS2K. The molecular structure of [Ni(S2C-DO3A-(t)Bu)2] was determined crystallographically. The tert-butyl ester protecting groups of [M(S2C-DO3A-(t)Bu)2] (M = Ni, Cu) and [Co(S2C-DO3A-(t)Bu)3] are cleaved by trifluoroacetic acid to afford the carboxylic acid products, [M(S2C-DO3A)2] (M = Ni, Cu) and [Co(S2C-DO3A)3]. Complexation with Gd(III) salts yields trimetallic [M(S2C-DO3A-Gd)2] (M = Ni, Cu) and tetrametallic [Co(S2C-DO3A-Gd)3], with r(1) values of 11.5 (Co) and 11.0 (Cu) mM(-1) s(-1) per Gd center. DO3A-(t)Bu-CS2K can also be used to prepare gold nanoparticles, Au@S2C-DO3A-(t)Bu, by displacement of the surface units from citrate-stabilized nanoparticles. This material can be transformed into the carboxylic acid derivative Au@S2C-DO3A by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid. Complexation with Gd(OTf)3 or GdCl3 affords Au@S2C-DO3A-Gd with an r(1) value of 4.7 mM(-1) s(-1) per chelate and 1500 mM(-1) s(-1) per object.

Multimetallic complexes and functionalized nanoparticles based on oxygen- and nitrogen-donor combinations.

The versatile precursors [Ru(CH═CHC6H4Me-4)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] (BTD = 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) and [Ru(C(C≡CPh)═CHPh)Cl(CO)(PPh3)2] were treated with isonicotinic acid, 4-cyanobenzoic acid, and 4-(4-pyridyl)benzoic acid under basic conditions to yield [Ru(vinyl)(O2CC5H4N)(CO)(PPh3)2], [Ru(vinyl)(O2CC6H4CN-4)(CO)(PPh3)2], and [Ru(vinyl){O2CC6H4(C5H4N)-4}(CO)(PPh3)2], respectively. The osmium analogue [Os(CH═CHC6H4Me-4)(O2CC5H4N)(CO)(PPh3)2] was also prepared. cis-[RuCl2(dppm)2] was used to prepare the cationic compounds [Ru(O2CC5H4N)(dppm)2](+) and [Ru{O2CC6H4(C5H4N)-4}(dppm)2](+). The treatment of 2 equiv of [Ru(C(C≡CPh)═CHPh)(O2CC5H4N)(CO)(PPh3)2] and [Ru(O2CC5H4N)(dppm)2](+) with AgOTf led to the trimetallic compounds [{Ru(C(C≡CPh)═CHPh)(CO)(PPh3)2(O2CC5H4N)}2Ag](+) and [{Ru(dppm)2(O2CC5H4N)}2Ag](3+). In a similar manner, the reaction of [Ru(O2CC5H4N)(dppm)2](+) with PdCl2 or K2PtCl4 yielded [{Ru(dppm)2(O2CC5H4N)}2MCl2](2+) (M = Pd, Pt). The reaction of [RuHCl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] with HC≡CC6H4F-4 provided [Ru(CH═CHC6H4F-4)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2], which was treated with isonicotinic acid and base to yield [Ru(CH═CHC6H4F-4)(O2CC5H4N)(CO)(PPh3)2]. The addition of [Au(C6F5)(tht)] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) resulted in the formation of [Ru(CH═CHC6H4F-4){O2CC5H4N(AuC6F5)}(CO)(PPh3)2]. Similarly, [Ru(vinyl)(O2CC6H4CN-4)(CO)(PPh3)2] reacted with [Au(C6F5)(tht)] to provide [Ru(vinyl){O2CC6H4(CNAuC6F5)-4}(CO)(PPh3)2]. The reaction of 4-cyanobenzoic acid with [Au(C6F5)(tht)] yielded [Au(C6F5)(NCC6H4CO2H-4)]. This compound was used to prepare [Ru(CH═CHC6H4F-4){O2CC6H4(CNAuC6F5)-4}(CO)(PPh3)2], which was also formed on treatment of [Ru(CH═CHC6H4F-4)(O2CC6H4CN-4)(CO)(PPh3)2] with [Au(C6F5)(tht)]. The known compound [RhCl2(NC5H4CO2)(NC5H4CO2Na)3] and the new complex [RhCl2{NC5H4(C6H4CO2)-4}{NC5H4(C6H4CO2Na)-4}3] were prepared from RhCl3·3H2O and isonicotinic acid or 4-(4-pyridyl)benzoic acid, respectively. The former was treated with [Ru(CH═CHC6H4Me-4)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] to yield [RhCl2{NC5H4CO2(Ru(CH═CHC6H4Me-4)(CO)(PPh3)2}4]Cl. As an alternative route to pentametallic compounds, the Pd-coordinated porphyrin [(Pd-TPP)(p-CO2H)4] was treated with 4 equiv of [Ru(CH═CHR)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] in the presence of a base to yield [(Pd-TPP){p-CO2Ru(CH═CHR)(CO)(PPh3)2}4] (R = C6H4Me-4, CPh2OH). Where R = CPh2OH, treatment with HBF4 led to the formation of [(Pd-TPP){p-CO2Ru(═CHCH═CPh2)(CO)(PPh3)2}4](BF4)4. [(Pd-TPP){p-CO2Ru(dppm)2}4](PF6)4 was prepared from [(Pd-TPP)(p-CO2H)4] and cis-[RuCl2(dppm)2]. The reaction of AgNO3 with sodium borohydride in the presence of [Ru(O2CC5H4N)(dppm)2](+) or [RuR{O2CC6H4(C5H4N)-4}(dppm)2](+) provided silver nanoparticles Ag@[NC5H4CO2Ru(dppm)2](+) and Ag@[NC5H4{C6H4CO2Ru(dppm)2}-4](+).

Using light scattering to assess how phospholipid-protein interactions affect complex I functionality in liposomes.

Complex I is an essential membrane protein in respiration, oxidising NADH and reducing ubiquinone to contribute to the proton-motive force that powers ATP synthesis. Liposomes provide an attractive platform to investigate complex I in a phospholipid membrane with the native hydrophobic ubiquinone substrate and proton transport across the membrane, but without convoluting contributions from other proteins present in the native mitochondrial inner membrane. Here, we use dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering techniques (DLS and ELS) to show how physical parameters, in particular the zeta potential (ζ-potential), correlate strongly with the biochemical functionality of complex I-containing proteoliposomes. We find that cardiolipin plays a crucial role in the reconstitution and functioning of complex I and that, as a highly charged lipid, it acts as a sensitive reporter on the biochemical competence of proteoliposomes in ELS measurements. We show that the change in ζ-potential between liposomes and proteoliposomes correlates linearly with protein retention and catalytic oxidoreduction activity of complex I. These correlations are dependent on the presence of cardiolipin, but are otherwise independent of the liposome lipid composition. Moreover, changes in the ζ-potential are sensitive to the proton motive force established upon proton pumping by complex I, thereby constituting a complementary technique to established biochemical assays. ELS measurements may thus serve as a more widely useful tool to investigate membrane proteins in lipid systems, especially those that contain charged lipids.

Homogeneous Gold Catalysis Using Complexes Recovered from Waste Electronic Equipment.

Despite the greater awareness of elemental sustainability and the benefits of the circular economy concept, much waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is still destined for landfill. Effective methods for valorizing this waste within our society are therefore imperative. In this contribution, two gold(III) complexes obtained as recovery products from WEEE and their anion metathesis products were investigated as homogenous catalysts. These four recovery products were successfully applied as catalysts for the cyclization of propargylic amides and the condensation of acetylacetone with o-iodoaniline. Impressive activity was also observed in the gold-catalyzed reaction between electron-rich arenes (2-methylfuran, 1,3-dimethoxybenzene, and azulene) and α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl compounds (methyl vinyl ketone and cyclohexenone). These recovered compounds were also shown to be effective catalysts for the oxidative cross-coupling reaction of aryl silanes and arenes. When employed as Lewis acid catalysts for carbonyl-containing substrates, the WEEE-derived gold complexes could also be recovered at the end of the reaction and reused without loss in catalytic activity, enhancing still further the sustainability of the process. This is the first direct application in homogeneous catalysis of gold recovery products sourced from e-waste.

Strategies for the functionalisation of gold nanorods to reduce toxicity and aid clinical translation.

Gold nanorods (GNRs) show great promise as photothermal therapy agents due to their remarkable ability to convert light into heat. In most cases, gold nanorods are synthesised via a seed-mediated method assisted by surfactants. However, the toxicity of these surfactants, principally cetrimonium ions, has prevented GNRs from being used more widely in vivo. To address this issue, various detoxification and functionalisation approaches have been proposed in recent years to replace or cover surfactant coatings on the gold surface. In this short review, the advantages and limitations of each approach are examined in the context of the recent progress made towards the design of GNRs suitable for use in the body.