Dramatic Improvement of Homogeneous Carbon Dioxide and Bicarbonate Electroreduction Using a Tetracationic Water-Soluble Cobalt Phthalocyanine.

Electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) offers the opportunity to transform a greenhouse gas into valuable starting materials, chemicals, or fuels. Since many CO2 capture strategies employ aqueous alkaline solutions, there is interest in catalyst systems that can act directly on such capture solutions. Herein, we demonstrate new catalyst designs where the electroactive molecules readily mediate the CO2-to-CO conversion in aqueous solutions between pH 4.5 and 10.5. Likewise, the production of CO directly from 2 M KHCO3 solutions (pH 8.2) is possible. The improved molecular architectures are based on cobalt(II) phthalocyanine and contain four cationic trimethylammonium groups that confer water solubility and contribute to the stabilization of activated intermediates via a concentrated positive charge density around the active core. Turnover frequencies larger than 103 s-1 are possible at catalyst concentrations of down to 250 nM in CO2-saturated solutions. The observed rates are substantially larger than the related cobalt phthalocyanine-containing catalysts. Density functional theory calculations support the idea that the excellent catalytic properties are attributed to the ability of the cationic groups to stabilize CO2-bound reduced intermediates in the catalytic cycle. The homogeneous, aqueous CO2 reduction that these molecules perform opens new frontiers for further development of the CoPc platform and sets a greatly improved baseline for CoPc-mediated CO2 upconversion. Ultimately, this discovery uncovers a strategy for the generation of platforms for practical CO2 reduction catalysts in alkaline solutions.

Color-Tunable and White-Light Luminescence in Lanthanide-Dicyanoaurate Coordination Polymers.

The new lanthanide-dicyanoaurate coordination polymers [nBu4N]2[Ln(NO3)4Au(CN)2] (Ln = Sm, Dy) and Sm[Au(CN)2]3·3H2O were prepared and structurally characterized and their luminescence spectra described. The emissions of solid-solutions of [nBu4N]2[Ln(NO3)4Au(CN)2] (Ln = Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, and Dy) were explored with an emphasis on their capacity for luminescent color tuning and white-light emission via the selection of composition, excitation wavelength, and temperature. Specifically, the binary solid-solutions [nBu4N]2[Ce0.4Dy0.6(NO3)4Au(CN)2] and [nBu4N]2[Sm0.75Tb0.25(NO3)4Au(CN)2], and the ternary solid-solutions [nBu4N]2[Ce0.2Sm0.6Tb0.2(NO3)4Au(CN)2] and [nBu4N]2[Ce0.33Eu0.17Tb0.5(NO3)4Au(CN)2], were prepared and examined in terms of suitability for color-tuning capacity. These results showcase that the emission from the [nBu4N]2[Ln(NO3)4Au(CN)2] framework has the capacity to be tuned to extremes corresponding to deep reds (CIE coordinates 0.65, 0.35), greens (0.28, 0.63), and deep blue/violet (0.16, 0.06) as well as white (0.31, 0.33). Conversely, the emission of the Sm[Au(CN)2]3·3H2O framework, when doped with the green phosphor Tb(III), changes only slightly because of the predominantly Au(I)-based emission and Sm(III) → Au(I) energy transfer.

Interpreting effects of structure variations induced by temperature and pressure on luminescence spectra of platinum(II) bis(dithiocarbamate) compounds.

Luminescence spectra of two square-planar dithiocarbamate complexes of platinum(II) with different steric bulk, platinum(II) bis(dimethyldithiocarbamate) (Pt(MeDTC)2) and platinum(II) bis(di(o-pyridyl)dithiocarbamate) (Pt(dopDTC)2), are presented at variable temperature and pressure. The spectra show broad d-d luminescence transitions with maxima at approximately 13500 cm(-1) (740 nm). Variations of the solid-state spectra with temperature and pressure reveal intrinsic differences due to subtle variations of molecular and crystal structures, reported at 100 and 296 K for Pt(dopDTC)2. Luminescence maxima of Pt(MeDTC)2 shift to higher energy as temperature increases by +320 cm(-1) for an increase by 200 K, mainly caused by a bandwidth increase from 3065 to 4000 cm(-1) on the high-energy side of the band over the same temperature range. Luminescence maxima of Pt(dopDTC)2 shift in the opposite direction by -460 cm(-1) for a temperature increase by 200 K. The bandwidth of approximately 2900 cm(-1) does not vary with temperature. Both ground and emitting-state properties and subtle structural differences between the two compounds lead to this different behavior. Luminescence maxima measured at variable pressure show shifts to higher energy by +47 ± 3 and +11 ± 1 cm(-1)/kbar, for Pt(MeDTC)2 and Pt(dopDTC)2, respectively, a surprising difference by a factor of 4. The crystal structures indicate that decreasing intermolecular interactions with increasing pressure are likely to contribute to the exceptionally high shift for Pt(MeDTC)2.

Identification of a novel Bves function: regulation of vesicular transport.

Blood vessel/epicardial substance (Bves) is a transmembrane protein that influences cell adhesion and motility through unknown mechanisms. We have discovered that Bves directly interacts with VAMP3, a SNARE protein that facilitates vesicular transport and specifically recycles transferrin and beta-1-integrin. Two independent assays document that cells expressing a mutated form of Bves are severely impaired in the recycling of these molecules, a phenotype consistent with disruption of VAMP3 function. Using Morpholino knockdown in Xenopus laevis, we demonstrate that elimination of Bves function specifically inhibits transferrin receptor recycling, and results in gastrulation defects previously reported with impaired integrin-dependent cell movements. Kymographic analysis of Bves-depleted primary and cultured cells reveals severe impairment of cell spreading and adhesion on fibronectin, indicative of disruption of integrin-mediated adhesion. Taken together, these data demonstrate that Bves interacts with VAMP3 and facilitates receptor recycling both in vitro and during early development. Thus, this study establishes a newly identified role for Bves in vesicular transport and reveals a novel, broadly applied mechanism governing SNARE protein function.

Structure and emissive properties of heterobimetallic Ln-Au coordination polymers: role of Tb and Eu in non-aurophilic [nBu4N]2[Ln(NO3)4Au(CN)2] versus aurophilic Ln[Au(CN)2]3·3H2O/3D2O chains.

This investigation is focused on comparing photophysical properties between two series of lanthanide-dicyanoaurate coordination polymers that contain and lack aurophilic interactions, respectively. Luminescence and crystallographic studies have been carried out on five different coordination polymer chain frameworks: the non-aurophilic [(n)Bu4N]2[LnxGd1-x(NO3)4Au(CN)2] (Ln = Eu, Tb; x = 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08) and[(n)Bu4N]2[EuxTb1-x(NO3)4Au(CN)2] (x = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75), as well as the analogous solid-solutions of aurophilic LnxGd1-x[Au(CN)2]3·3H2O and EuxTb1-x[Au(CN)2]3·3H2O. The single-crystal structures of M[Au(CN)2]3 ·3H2O (M = Eu, Gd) are also reported for comparison. In the aurophilic frameworks the close proximity of gold(I) centers on neighboring chains allows for Au-Au interactions to take place that facilitate energy transfer between lanthanides. Terbium- and europium-doped aurophilic frameworks show energy transfer between one of the lanthanide ions and dicyanoaurate centers as observed via luminescence measurements. In the non-aurophilic frameworks the [(n)Bu4N] cations separate the Au-Au chains, thereby preventing interaction between them, and preventing energy transfer. By preparing the aurophilic EuxTb1-x[Au(CN)2]3·3D2O frameworks, it was shown that the O-H vibrational energy in the hydrated (aurophilic) samples can partially quench the Ln signal.

Development of a multi faceted platform containing a tetrazine, fluorophore and chelator: synthesis, characterization, radiolabeling, and immuno-SPECT imaging.

BACKGROUND: Combining optical (fluorescence) imaging with nuclear imaging has the potential to offer a powerful tool in personal health care, where nuclear imaging offers in vivo functional whole-body visualization, and the fluorescence modality may be used for image-guided tumor resection. Varying chemical strategies have been exploited to fuse both modalities into one molecular entity. When radiometals are employed in nuclear imaging, a chelator is typically inserted into the molecule to facilitate radiolabeling; the availability of the chelator further expands the potential use of these platforms for targeted radionuclide therapy if a therapeutic radiometal is employed. Herein, a novel mixed modality scaffold which contains a tetrazine (Tz)--for biomolecule conjugation, fluorophore-for optical imaging, and chelator-for radiometal incorporation, in one construct is presented. The novel platform was characterized for its fluorescence properties, radiolabeled with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) isotope indium-111 (111In3+) and therapeutic alpha emitter actinium-225 (225Ac3+). Both radiolabels were conjugated in vitro to trans-cyclooctene (TCO)-modified trastuzumab; biodistribution and immuno-SPECT imaging of the former conjugate was assessed. RESULTS: Key to the success of the platform synthesis was incorporation of a 4,4'-dicyano-BODIPY fluorophore. The route gives access to an advanced intermediate where final chelator-incorporated compounds can be easily accessed in one step prior to radiolabeling or biomolecule conjugation. The DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid) conjugate was prepared, displayed good fluorescence properties, and was successfully radiolabeled with 111In & 225Ac in high radiochemical yield. Both complexes were then separately conjugated in vitro to TCO modified trastuzumab through an inverse electron demand Diels-Alder (IEDDA) reaction with the Tz. Pilot small animal in vivo immuno-SPECT imaging with [111In]In-DO3A-BODIPY-Tz-TCO-trastuzumab was also conducted and exhibited high tumor uptake (21.2 ± 5.6%ID/g 6 days post-injection) with low uptake in non-target tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The novel platform shows promise as a multi-modal probe for theranostic applications. In particular, access to an advanced synthetic intermediate where tailored chelators can be incorporated in the last step of synthesis expands the potential use of the scaffold to other radiometals. Future studies including validation of ex vivo fluorescence imaging and exploiting the pre-targeting approach available through the IEDDA reaction are warranted.

Controlling intermolecular aurophilicity in emissive dinuclear Au(I) materials and their luminescent response to ammonia vapour.

The concept that hydrogen bonding cations can reduce the coulombic repulsion inherent to anionic gold species and thereby trigger aurophilicity is realized with three new photoluminescent compounds of the form [Q]2[Au2(i-mnt)2] (i-mnt = (CN)2C[double bond, length as m-dash]CS2(2-), Q = 3,5-dimethylpyrazolium, piperidinium). These compounds illustrate unprecedented supramolecular aurophilicity between the anions, the emission of which is significantly red-shifted compared to zero-dimensional analogues, a direct result of the aurophilic network. The piperidinium salt exhibits a vapochromic/luminescent response to ammonia, inducing a change in colour of the reflectance and emission from red to yellow. These results demonstrate the ability to rationally control the formation of supramolecular metallophilic networks via the incorporation of hydrogen bonding cations.

The luminescence properties of linear vs. kinked aurophilic 1-D chains of bis(dithiocarbamato)gold(I) dimers.

Widely varying luminescence spectra are reported for 1-D chains of bis(dithiocarbamato)gold(I) dimers. Variable pressure luminescence spectra elucidate the effect of angular overlap on the emission properties of the aurophilic chain.

Hybrid dithiazolothiadiazinyl radicals; versatile building blocks for magnetic and conductive materials.

Resonance stabilized dithiazolothiadiazinyl radicals possess highly delocalized and easily tuned spin distributions; their structural features and transport properties augur well for their use in the design of magnetic and conductive materials.

Heterobimetallic lanthanide-gold coordination polymers: structure and emissive properties of isomorphous [(n)Bu4N]2[Ln(NO3)4Au(CN)2] 1-D chains.

A new series of lanthanide-containing dicyanoaurate coordination polymers, [(n)Bu(4)N](2)[Ln(NO(3))(4)Au(CN)(2)] (Ln = Nd, Eu, Gd or Tb), were synthesized and structurally characterized. They form an isomorphous series, crystallizing in the space group I2(1)2(1)2(1). The structure is composed of a one dimensional zigzag of Ln-N-C-Au-C-N-Ln chains with no intra- or inter-chain aurophilic interactions. The series is related to and can be described as a reduced dimensionality analogue of the previously studied Ln[Au(CN)(2)](3)·3H(2)O. Unlike the Ln[Au(CN)(2)](3)·3H(2)O series, there is no efficient energy transfer between dicyanoaurate and the lanthanide metal centers in the complexes and they essentially act as two separate emissive chromophores.

Thermal conversion of a pyridine-bridged bisdithiazolyl radical to a zwitterionic bisdithiazolopyridone.

The methoxy-substituted bis-1,2,3-dithiazolyl radical 4a thermally decomposes to afford the zwitterionic bis-1,2,3-dithiazolopyridone 5a; EPR spectroscopic analysis indicates a rearrangement of the radical prior to loss of the methyl group.