Fullerene [60] encapsulated water-soluble supramolecular cage for prevention of oxidative stress-induced myocardial injury.

A water-soluble cube-like supramolecular cage was constructed by an engagement of six molecules through a hydrophobic effect in the water. The obtained cage could perfectly encapsulate one fullerene C60 molecule inside of the cavity and significantly improve the water-solubility of the C60 without changing the original structure. The water-soluble complex was further applied to reduce the reactive oxygen species (R.O.S.) in cardiomyocytes (FMC84) through Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Furthermore, in the mouse model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, the application of C60 was found to be effective in reducing myocardial injury and improving cardiac function. It also reduced the levels of R.O.S. in myocardial tissue, inhibited myocardial apoptosis, and mitigated myocardial inflammatory responses. The present study provides a new guideline for constructing water-soluble C60 and verifies the important role of C60 in preventing oxidative stress-related cardiovascular disease injury.

A DNA-engineered metal-organic-framework nanocarrier as a general platform for activatable photodynamic cancer cell ablation.

Activatable photodynamic cancer cell ablation constitutes a promising approach to performing highly effective photodynamic therapy (PDT) with mitigated phototoxicity. Regretfully, so far strategies to fabricate activatable PDT agents are only applicable to a limited number of photosensitizers (PSs). Herein, an activatable photodynamic cancer cell ablation platform that can be adopted for versatile PSs is presented. Thereinto, by engineering an iron(iii) carboxylate-based metal-organic framework (MOF), MIL-101(Fe), with DNA grafted after PS loading, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic PSs can undergo negligible unspecific leakage and significant suppression of photosensitization during delivery. Following the reaction between MIL-101 and H2O2 whose level is greatly increased inside the tumor, MIL-101 is selectively degraded to release the loaded PDT agents and recover their photosensitization, controllably killing cancer cells upon H2O2 activation. Such a strategy assisted by a DNA-functionalized MOF significantly expands the varieties of PSs applicable for activatable PDT.

Post-synthetic Fully π-Conjugated Three-Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks for High-Performance Lithium Storage.

A fully π-conjugated nitrogen-rich three-dimensional covalent organic framework (PYTRI-COF-2) containing both pyrazine and triazine units was prepared through a post-synthetic strategy. The imine linkages in the pre-prepared PYTRI-COF-1 were converted into heterocyclic quinoline by the Povarov reaction. The obtained PYTRI-COF-2 displayed high Li-ion storage capacity and excellent cycling stability when it was used as the lithium (Li)-ion battery electrode.

Facile construction of fully sp2-carbon conjugated two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks containing benzobisthiazole units.

Developing a facile strategy for the construction of vinylene-linked fully π-conjugated covalent organic frameworks (COFs) remains a huge challenge. Here, a versatile condition of Knoevenagel polycondensation for constructing vinylene-linked 2D COFs was explored. Three new examples of vinylene-linked 2D COFs (BTH-1, 2, 3) containing benzobisthiazoles units as functional groups were successfully prepared under this versatile and mild condition. The electron-deficient benzobisthiazole units and cyano-vinylene linkages were both integrated into the π conjugated COFs skeleton and acted as acceptor moieties. Interestingly, we found the construction of a highly ordered and conjugated D-A system is favorable for photocatalytic activity. BTH-3 with benzotrithiophene as the donor with a strong D-A effect exhibited an attractive photocatalytic HER of 15.1 mmol h-1g-1 under visible light irradiation.

Triazine-Based Conjugated Microporous Polymers for Efficient Hydrogen Production.

Developing visible-light-active porous organic polymers with high photocatalytic efficiency is highly desirable. Here, two triazine-based conjugated microporous polymers were synthesized. The structures were controllably adjusted to explore the structure-photocatalytic activity relationship. T-CMP-1 containing more triazine units exhibited a hydrogen evolution rate of 3214.3 µmol h-1 g-1, much higher than that of T-CMP-2 (242.1 µmol h-1 g-1). The increasing contents of triazine units bring better hydrogen evolution efficiency.

Tessellation strategy for the interfacial synthesis of an anthracene-based 2D polymer via [4+4]-photocycloaddition.

Inspired by the tessellation or tiling process in daily life, a rigid triangular macrocyclic molecule containing anthracene as a photo-active moiety was synthesized to realize pre-organization through π-π interactions. The successful preparation of a 2D polymer monolayer at the air/water interface was achieved through [4+4]-photocycloaddition.

Construction of Fully Conjugated Covalent Organic Frameworks via Facile Linkage Conversion for Efficient Photoenzymatic Catalysis.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with improved stability and extended π-conjugation structure are highly desirable. Here, two imine-linked COFs were converted into ultrastable and π-conjugated fused-aromatic thieno[3,2-c]pyridine-linked COFs (B-COF-2 and T-COF-2). The successful conversion was confirmed by infrared and solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopies. Furthermore, the structures of thieno[3,2-c]pyridine-linked COFs were evaluated by TEM and PXRD. It is noted that a slight difference in the structure leads to totally different photoactivity. The fully π-conjugated T-COF-2 containing triazine as the core exhibited an excellent photocatalytic NADH regeneration yield of 74% in 10 min.