Pure separation of acetylene based on a sulfonic acid and amino group functionalized Zn-MOF.

The dual-ligand strategy was employed to synthesize a new microporous material, [Zn3(SNDC)(AmTAZ)3(H2O)]·H2O·CH3CN (1), incorporating sulfonic acid and amino groups for enhancing gas adsorption and separation. The activated 1 (named 1a) exhibited selective adsorption of acetylene over carbon dioxide and methane. Hence, the dual-ligand strategy optimized the pore environment and provided an effective approach for pure separation of gases.

Lanthanide-Organic Frameworks with Uncoordinated Lewis Base Sites: Tunable Luminescence, Antibiotic Detection, and Anticounterfeiting.

Several new isostructural lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs), {[Ln2(L)3DMA4]·2DMA}n (1-Ln, where Ln = Eu, Tb, or EuxTb1-x), were first constructed via the solvothermal reactions of 4,6-di(4-carboxyphenyl)pyrimidine and Ln3+ ions. 1-Ln exhibits a 4-connected two-dimensional framework endowed with uncoordinated Lewis base sites. An exploration of luminescence sensing demonstrated 1-Eu can be used for the selectivity detection of dimetridazole and metronidazole antibiotics in other antibiotics, blood plasma, and urine, acting as an exceptional recyclable luminescent probe. More importantly, the luminescent inks of 1-Ln are invisible, color adjustable, and stabilized, which may greatly improve their anticounterfeiting applications.

Activation of α7 nAChR by PNU-282987 improves synaptic and cognitive functions through restoring the expression of synaptic-associated proteins and the CaM-CaMKII-CREB signaling pathway.

Ligands of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are widely considered as potential therapeutic agents. The present study used primary hippocampus cells and APPswe/PSEN1dE9 double-transgenic mice models to study the possible therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of the specific activation of α7 nAChR by PNU-282987 in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The results indicated that activation of α7 nAChR attenuated the Aß-induced cell apoptosis, decreased the deposition of Aß, increased the expression of synaptic-associated proteins, and maintained synaptic morphology. Furthermore, in the APP/PS1_DT mice model, activation of α7 nAChR attenuated Aß-induced synaptic loss, reduced the deposition of Aß in the hippocampus, maintained the integral structure of hippocampus-derived synapse, and activated the calmodulin (CaM)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)-cAMP response element-binding protein signaling pathway by upregulation of its key signaling proteins. In addition, activation of α7 nAChR improved the learning and memory abilities of the APP/PS1_DT mice. Collectively, the activation of α7 nAChR by PNU-282987 attenuated the toxic effect of Aß in vivo and in vitro, which including reduced deposition of Aß in the hippocampus, maintained synaptic morphology by partially reversing the expression levels of synaptic-associated proteins, activation of the Ca2+ signaling pathway, and improvement of the cognitive abilities of APP/PS1_DT mice.

Stacking-interaction-induced host-guest chemistry and Borromean rings based on a polypyridyl ligand.

Template-free molecular Borromean rings (BRs) and open-ended molecular capsules were realized by strategic selection of the polypyridyl ligand tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c:3'',2''-h:2''',3'''-j] phenazine (TPPHZ) with a large surface area and specific geometry. The topology of these intricate architectures was constructed via precisely controlled stacking interactions, as evidenced from single-crystal X-ray analysis.

Facile Synthesis of Size-Tunable Functional Polyimidazolium Macrocycles through a Photochemical Closing Strategy.

A synthetic strategy for the preparation of a series of polyimidazolium macrocycles from the corresponding dicarbene-derived metallacycles is described. Photodimerization of terminal cinnamic esters (UV-irradiation, λ=365 nm) produces the closed metallacycles with perfect stereoselectivity and high yields. Subsequent removal of the template from the photodimerization product results in polyimidazolium macrocycles. The size and shape of the receptor can be tuned easily by changing the length and breadth of the internal bridging groups of the ligands. Preliminary investigation shows the potential of the macrocycle as iodide sensor.