Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
He Yang, Lihua Yao, Yichen Wang, Gaojian Chen, Hong Chen
Summary: Biological cells are complex living machines, and the manipulation of their surfaces using synthetic molecules has proven to be an effective means of introducing innovative functionalities or manipulating cells. This review offers a comprehensive survey of recent advancements in the modification of mammalian cell surfaces through the use of synthetic molecules. It explores a range of strategies, including chemical covalent modifications, physical alterations, and bioorthogonal approaches. The review also addresses the present challenges and potential future opportunities in this rapidly expanding field.
Article
Polymer Science
Rajeshwar Vasdev, Wilson Luo, Kyle Classen, Michael Anghel, Samantha Novoa, Mark S. Workentin, Joe B. Gilroy
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of cyclopropenone-masked strained alkynes to prepare functional polymers, opening the door to the creation of libraries of multifunctional chain-growth polymers with identical polymer backbones.
Article
Polymer Science
Hong Gao, Yingchun Sun, Miaomiao Wang, Bo Wu, Guoqiang Han, Ling Jin, Kui Zhang, Youyi Xia
Summary: This article introduces a novel acrylate-based elastomer with exchangeable disulfide crosslinks for self-healing and reprocessing capabilities. The use of a base system as a catalyst proves to be highly efficient, enabling the material to quickly restore over 90% of its mechanical properties within 5 hours, showing promising application potential as recoverable adhesives.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daan Sondag, Luuk Maartense, Heleen de Jong, Frank F. J. de Kleijne, Kimberly M. Bonger, Dennis W. P. M. Lowik, Thomas J. Boltje, Jan Dommerholt, Paul B. White, Daniel Blanco-Ania, Floris P. J. T. Rutjes
Summary: This study reports a scalable and accessible synthesis method for a new bioorthogonal difunctionalized TCO, demonstrating its potential applications in efficient payload release and cellular toxicity.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tobias Pinkert, Mowpriya Das, Malte L. Schrader, Frank Glorius
Summary: This study describes the formation of quaternary carbon centers with excellent diastereoselectivity via a strain-release protocol, involving Cp*Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation to generate an organometallic species for coupling with strained bicyclobutanes and a prochiral carbon electrophile. The method demonstrates the broad potential of BCBs in transition metal catalysis and exhibits ample functional group tolerance, with products convertible into valuable alpha-quaternary beta-lactones. Preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest a twofold C-C bond cleavage sequence involving sigma-bond insertion and beta-carbon elimination.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haotian Zhao, Yu Lin, Mingyu Jiang, Bo Su
Summary: We report a general synthetic strategy for the synthesis of diverse boromethylene cyclobutanes and spiro-boromethylene cyclobutanes. This strategy enables the installation of various functionalities at each site on the cyclobutane skeleton with defined stereochemistry and introduces a versatile boromethylene unit that can be easily transformed to new functional groups. The concise and divergent total syntheses of four cyclobutane-containing natural products were achieved using this strategy.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mengqi Du, Hannes A. Houck, Qiang Yin, Yewei Xu, Ying Huang, Yang Lan, Li Yang, Filip E. Du Prez, Guanjun Chang
Summary: The click chemistry reaction between triazolinedione (TAD) and indole derivatives was used to create force-reversible C-N bonds, which enable materials to display reversible stress-responsiveness in real time. This method provides a general strategy to enhance mechanical strength and ductility in covalently crosslinked polymer materials.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pengbo Ye, Aili Feng, Lin Wang, Min Cao, Rongxiu Zhu, Lei Liu
Summary: Catalytic kinetic resolution of racemates is a powerful method for preparing enantiopure compounds, but it faces challenges when dealing with organic azides due to their small size and instability. Despite this, researchers have successfully achieved catalytic kinetic resolution of cyclic benzylic azides through site- and enantioselective C(sp3)-H oxidation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ciara Buckley, Therese R. Montgomery, Tomasz Szank, Brian A. Murray, Cormac Quigley, Ian Major
Summary: This research presents a method for modifying hyaluronic acid to generate a new photo-crosslinkable polymer with improved physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. The addition of thiol to HA increases the crosslinking and biocompatibility, and enhances the degradability of methacrylated HA. The novel hydrogel system could have numerous bioengineering applications due to its enhanced properties.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xu Qiu, Yueqian Sang, Hao Wu, Xiao-Song Xue, Zixi Yan, Yachong Wang, Zengrui Cheng, Xiaoyang Wang, Hui Tan, Song Song, Guisheng Zhang, Xiaohui Zhang, K. N. Houk, Ning Jiao
Summary: Synthetic chemistry is primarily focused on forming carbon-carbon bonds, but the development of methods for selective carbon-carbon bond cleavage is a significant challenge. These methods have potential applications in synthesis, coal liquefaction, petroleum cracking, polymer degradation, and biomass conversion.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
David F. Fernandez, Maria Gonzalez-Esguevillas, Sebastian Keess, Felix Schafer, Jens Mohr, Andre Shavnya, Thomas Knauber, David C. Blakemore, David W. C. MacMillan
Summary: We present a general approach to synthesis of diversified libraries featuring aliphatic core rings via photoredox catalysis under mild conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Huan Liang, Dongmei Yin, Lina Shi, Yihuan Liu, Xin Hu, Ning Zhu, Kai Guo
Summary: Functionalized cellulose has gained research interests for its potential in highly functional and environmentally friendly materials. Surface modification of cellulose via photo-induced click reaction integrates the advantages of photochemistry, click reaction, and surface modification. In this review, recent progress in cellulose surface modification using photo-induced click reactions is summarized. Different click reactions, such as thiol-X and cycloaddition reactions, are compared and their applications in cellulose modification are discussed. The challenges and outlook of photo-induced click reaction in cellulose surface modification are also addressed.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hyun Sun Choi, Ji Hye Yum, Yeonsu Jeong, Soobin Lim, Tomotaka Kumagai, Hyung Joon Cha, Soyoung Park
Summary: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) affects young women's health and has a socioeconomic impact. Conventional diagnostic methods have difficulties in detecting TNBC. A fluorescent probe is described here that allows rapid and sensitive visualization of TNBC cells, with potential for extensive therapeutic applications.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dahye Kang, Justin Kim
Summary: This study describes a bioorthogonal reaction between N,N-dialkylhydroxylamines and cyclooctynes, which features highly regioselective transformation, fast rate, high stability, and excellent chemoselectivity in cell lysate. This reaction introduces a new member to the bioorthogonal reaction compendium outside the prolific class of cycloaddition reactions.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fabien Thoreau, Peter A. Szijj, Michelle K. Greene, Lea N. C. Rochet, Ioanna A. Thanasi, Jaine K. Blayney, Antoine Maruani, James R. Baker, Christopher J. Scott, Vijay Chudasama
Summary: In recent years, there has been growing interest in protein-protein conjugation, especially in the context of bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) and their therapeutic applications. These molecules contain two paratopes capable of binding two distinct epitopes, enabling complex biological functions that monospecific antibodies cannot achieve. While traditional methods for bsAb construction involve protein engineering, recent developments have led to the emergence of chemical methods that offer increased modularity, speed, and the potential for further functionalization. However, most of these approaches lack the inclusion of a fragment crystallizable (Fc) modality, which provides effector function and increased half-life. In this study, a novel method using disulfide rebridging and click-chemistry has been reported for the generation of Fc-containing, IgG-like mono- and bispecific antibodies, referred to as synthetic antibodies (SynAbs). A T cell engager SynAb, FcCD20-(FabHER2)-FabCD3, has been successfully constructed and demonstrated the expected biological functions, including the ability to effectively kill HER2+ target cells in co-culture assays with T cells.
ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Jehan Y. Al-Humaidi, A. A. Nayl, Mohamed M. Abdalla, Sobhi M. Gomha
Summary: This study synthesized and tested the in-vivo activity of different compounds, and found that triazolo-tetrazine derivatives have excellent anticonvulsant and CNS-depressant activities. Further structure-activity relationship studies demonstrated that electron-releasing groups increase activity while electron-withdrawing groups decrease activity.
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zahid Hassan, Stefan Braese
Summary: Engineering novel micro-/nanoscale systems and devices based on supramolecular assembly has tremendous potential, but controlling the size, shape, and arrangements without templates remains a challenge.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Vincent Hahn, N. Maximilian Bojanowski, Pascal Rietz, Florian Feist, Mariana Kozlowska, Wolfgang Wenzel, Eva Blasco, Stefan Braese, Christopher Barner-Kowollik, Martin Wegener
Summary: Most light-based 3D printing methods rely on optical or chemical nonlinearities for polymerization reactions. Two-photon absorption is commonly used in 3D micro-and nanoprinting, but this article reviews three emerging processes that allow for quadratic nonlinearity without relying on two-photon absorption, namely upconversion luminescence, two-step absorption, and triplet-triplet annihilation. These (1 + 1)-photon absorption processes enable the use of continuous-wave lasers at lower peak powers and cost compared to two-photon absorption. The article discusses recent progress, challenges, and future perspectives.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dimitry Schmidt, Patrizia Gartner, Ivan Berezkin, Jens Rudat, Maximilian Bilger, Tom Gruenert, Nadine Zimmerer, Philipp Quarz, Philip Scharfer, Julian Brueckel, Andre P. Jung, Pooja Singh, Pooja Pooja, Benno Meier, Mareen Stahlberger, Wilhelm Schabel, Stefan Braese, Gisela Lanza, Alexander Nesterov-Mueller
Summary: This study presents a method to screen for selective peptide binders to perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomers, such as Nafion, using ultra-high density peptide arrays. The peptide WIWHCW with a helix structure is identified as a selective binder to Nafion, and the invariant amino acids responsible for binding are also determined. The dissociation constant of WIWHCW to Nafion is measured at approximately 140 μM.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ilona Wagner, Simon Spiegel, Julian Brueckel, Matthias Schwotzer, Alexander Welle, Martina H. H. Stenzel, Stefan Braese, Salma Begum, Manuel Tsotsalas
Summary: Surface engineering of MOF NPs using dynamic modification strategies enables the tailoring of PEG-grafted MOF NPs with improved colloidal stability and high dispersity, while maintaining their morphology and lattice crystallinity. The PEG-grafted MOF NPs show reduced adsorption of HSA protein compared to uncoated ones, indicating the potential for reducing nonspecific interactions and introducing targeting moieties for specific interactions. This approach expands the applications of colloidal MOF NPs in biologically relevant fields.
MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alaa A. Hassan, Ashraf A. Aly, Mohamed Ramadan, Nasr K. Mohamed, Bahaa G. M. Youssif, Hesham A. M. Gomaa, Stefan Braese, Martin Nieger, Amal S. Abd El-Aal
Summary: The diastereoselective reaction between N,N''-1,omega-alkanediylbis[N '-organylthiourea] derivatives and 2,3-diphenylcyclopropenone in refluxing ethanol resulted in the formation of two enantiomers of 3-substituted-1-[2-(5)-3-substituted-4-benzyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-2-thioxoimid-azolidin-1-yl]ethyl/propyl-5-benzyl-5-phenyl-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-ones. The isolated compounds were characterized using various techniques, including NMR, IR, mass spectra and elemental analyses, and their structures were elucidated using X-ray crystallography. The tested compounds exhibited significant antiproliferative activity as well as EGFR inhibitory effects, with compound 4c (R = allyl, n = 3) showing the most potent antiproliferative effect and the highest inhibitory effect on EGFR.
MOLECULAR DIVERSITY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ashraf A. Aly, Elham M. Abdallah, Salwa A. Ahmed, Mai M. Rabee, Stefan Braese
Summary: This review highlights interesting and recent applications of transition metals in the complexation of thiosemicarbazides, thiocarbohydrazides, and their corresponding carbazones. The review discusses the chosen five metals, their electronic configurations, and the stability of the complexes. It also presents different synthesis routes and examples of Cu(I), Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Ag(I), and Pd(II) complexes of thiosemicarbazide and thiocarbohydrazide. Furthermore, the review summarizes the catalytic use of metal complexes of thiosemicarbazones and thiocarbazones ligands, as well as their biological importance.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mirella Wawryszyn, Robin Wilhelm, John Kim, Xiaoyang Zhong, Jeffery E. Raymond, Richard Thelen, Vanessa Trouillet, Matthias Schwotzer, Stefan Braese, Do Hoon Kim, Nicholas L. Abbott, Joerg Lahann
Summary: In the past decade, the phosphorescence of metal-free confined polymer structures has gained attention due to their sustainability, low toxicity, and usage in sensing applications. This study presents the preparation of a free-standing array of nanofibers and compares their optical properties to films with identical composition. The nanofibers form laterally aligned membranes with a high internal order, hourglass-shaped features, and a long-lived emission in the blue region. This research is significant as it constitutes the first report of long-lived emission from solid-state poly(p-xylylenes) nanofibers, and these controlled polymer arrays have potential applications in organic sensors and optoelectronic devices.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhen Zhang, Peng Wu, Ke Wang, Hong Lin, Eduard Spuling, Rongrong Xia, Youjun Wu, Jin Cao, Jianhua Zhang, Bin Wei, Stefan Braese, Zixing Wang
Summary: This study reports the development of white organic light-emitting diodes (WOLEDs) based on platinum complexes with tunable correlated color temperature (CCT). By methylating the ligand, the interaction between Pt(II) complexes was regulated, resulting in adjustable emission and CCT of the WOLEDs. High device performances with high external quantum efficiency and low efficiency roll-offs were achieved using exciplex as a host. Moreover, the CCT of the WOLEDs could be tuned by changing the driving voltages, matching with the daylight spectrum.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Christin Bednarek, Ute Schepers, Franziska Thomas, Stefan Braese
Summary: With the development of bioconjugation chemistry in the past two decades, particularly highlighted by the Nobel Prize in 2022, the search for new applications has intensified, expanding the possibilities of these simple, specific, and high-yield reactions. The advancement of bioconjugation methods is expected to enhance the field of bioinstructive and bioadaptive materials science in the future. This article discusses the recent developments in coupling various biological entities, such as polysaccharides, oligonucleotides, peptides, and proteins, and explores the impact of bioconjugation reactions in materials science and 3D printing, along with their challenges and requirements.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Frank Tristram, Nicole Jung, Patrick Hodapp, Rasmus R. Schroeder, Christof Woell, Stefan Braese
Summary: This article describes the latest methods of research data management (RDM) in academia, as well as the future prospects of digitalized molecular material workflows. The different elements of an integrated research data management strategy are described, and examples of automated processes are depicted. The use of electronic lab notebooks, data-integration and data-conversion strategies, and the establishment of two platforms for automated synthesis and analysis of materials are highlighted. Two examples of beneficial effects of successful RDM strategies are presented, including a sophisticated tool for data prediction based on machine learning and options for creating community-driven databases.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Steven C. Gauci, Aleksandra Vranic, Eva Blasco, Stefan Braese, Martin Wegener, Christopher Barner-Kowollik
Summary: This article evaluates recent advances in photoresist design for light-driven 3D printing and provides an outlook on the challenges and opportunities. By classifying the photoresists into chemistries that function photoinitiator-free and those that require a photoinitiator, their capabilities and limitations are comprehensively understood.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lamya H. Al-Wahaibi, Hesham A. Abou-Zied, Mohamed Hisham, Eman A. M. Beshr, Bahaa G. M. Youssif, Stefan Brase, Alaa M. Hayallah, Mohamed Abdel-Aziz
Summary: A series of novel 3-cyanopyridone/pyrazoline hybrids exhibiting dual inhibition against EGFR and BRAF(V600E) have been developed and demonstrated remarkable antiproliferative activity and promising anticancer potential.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Lamya H. Al-Wahaibi, Essmat M. El-Sheref, Alaa A. Hassan, S. Braese, M. Nieger, Bahaa G. M. Youssif, Mahmoud A. A. Ibrahim, Hendawy N. Tawfeek
Summary: 2,3,4-trisubstituted thiazoles 3a-i were successfully synthesized and their structures were determined. These compounds showed excellent antiproliferative activity without exhibiting cytotoxicity. The most potent derivatives, compounds 3a, 3c, 3d, and 3f, demonstrated strong antiproliferative activity against human cancer cell lines and also exhibited potent inhibition against EGFR and BRAF(V600E).
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Lamya H. Al-Wahaibi, Mohamed Hisham, Hesham A. Abou-Zied, Heba A. Hassan, Bahaa G. M. Youssif, Stefan Braese, Alaa M. Hayallah, Mohamed Abdel-Aziz
Summary: A novel series of hybrid compounds with dual inhibitory actions on EGFR and BRAF(V600E) were developed. These compounds exhibited significant inhibition of cell proliferation and minimal toxicity.
