Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Krzysztof Fink, Mariusz Uchman
Summary: Boron cluster compounds are inorganic compounds with unique structures and properties that show promising antimicrobial activity and low sensitivity to pathogen resistance mechanisms. Their derivatives are effective against both standard and multi-drug resistant strains of pathogens.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ana B. Buades, Laura C. J. Pereira, Bruno J. C. Vieira, Ana C. Cerdeira, Joao C. Waerenborgh, Teresa Pinheiro, Antonio P. A. Matos, Catarina G. Pinto, Joana F. Guerreiro, Filipa Mendes, Srecko Valic, Francesc Teixidor, Clara Vinas, Fernanda Marques
Summary: This study reports on the treatment of cancer using a dual-action anti-tumour agent, which combines radiation and drug effects to improve therapeutic benefits. The uptake of the agent in glioblastoma cells was evaluated using various techniques, and it was found that a significant portion of the agent was localized within the nucleus, which is a desirable target for treatment. Irradiation studies using cellular models showed that the growth inhibition effect was more pronounced when the agent was used in combination with the Mossbauer effect at low total doses.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shaogang Xu, Changchun He, Yujun Zhao, Xiaobao Yang, Hu Xu
Summary: The octet rule is inadequate for describing electron delocalization in boron systems, leading to the introduction of fractional electron occupancies and a generalized octet rule. This new rule provides a better understanding of complex bonding configurations in boron systems and is validated for alpha-B-12.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Amanda Munoz-Juan, Miquel Nuez-Martinez, Anna Laromaine, Clara Vinas
Summary: This study investigates the interaction between ferrabis(dicarbollides) and cobaltabis(dicarbollides) and their halogenated derivatives with C. elegans embryos. The results show that ferrabis(dicarbollide) compounds have a stronger interaction with C. elegans embryos.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wieslaw Swietnicki, Waldemar Goldeman, Mateusz Psurski, Anna Nasulewicz-Goldeman, Anna Boguszewska-Czubara, Marek Drab, Jordan Sycz, Tomasz M. Goszczynski
Summary: Novel compounds based on metallacarborane cage showed antibacterial activity against Yersinia pestis substitute Yersinia enterocolitica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, indicating a common mechanism for drug resistance in the former. The compounds had predominantly bacteriostatic effect and may serve as a starting point for novel anti-Yersinia drugs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Albert Ferrer-Ugalde, Stefania Sandoval, Krishna Reddy Pulagam, Amanda Munoz-Juan, Anna Laromaine, Jordi Llop, Gerard Tobias, Rosario Nunez
Summary: The carbon-based hybrid nanocomposite GO-I-COSAN showed minimal cytotoxicity in in vitro studies with HeLa cells and excellent in vivo stability in PET imaging in mice, making it a potential candidate for theranostics applications.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Evgeny G. Rys, Victoria M. Alpatova, Elena G. Kononova, Alexander F. Smol'yakov, Sergey K. Moiseev, Valentina A. Ol'shevskaya
Summary: A high yielding method for the synthesis of polyfunctionally-substituted carboranes was achieved using Triton-B as a catalyst in the Michael addition reaction. This method offers mild conditions, simple procedures and high yields, resulting in a series of functionalized carborane compounds.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Douglas Turnbull, Marc-Andre Legare
Summary: A one-pot procedure for synthesizing aryldifluoroboranes from bench-stable arylsilanes is presented. These aryldifluoroboranes react conveniently with aryllithium reagents to form unsymmetrical boranes, which have been characterized crystallographically to study their geometric and crystal packing trends.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Jonathan Bould, Oleg Tok, Miroslava Litecka, Michael G. S. Londesborough, Marcel Ehn
Summary: Dithiaborane S2B16H18 is a minor product isolated from the preparation process of S2B17H17. It has a close structural relation to iso-S2B16H16 and the new macropolyhedral selenaborarane SeB16H18. The similarities of all three compounds are demonstrated through single-crystal X-ray structures and boron-11 NMR shielding characteristics.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Krzysztof Fink, Jakub Cebula, Zdenek Tosner, Mateusz Psurski, Mariusz Uchman, Tomasz M. Goszczynski
Summary: Cobalt bis(dicarbollide) (COSAN) is a versatile metallacarborane used in drug development. This study comprehensively characterized the interactions between COSAN and DNA, finding that COSAN has no significant effect on DNA structure and can induce cytotoxicity even without DNA presence. These findings confirm the safety and biocompatibility of metallacarboranes and provide new opportunities for drug development.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lu Qiu, Xiuyun Zhang, Xiao Kong, Izaac Mitchell, Tianying Yan, Sung Youb Kim, Boris I. Yakobson, Feng Ding
Summary: In chemistry, the theory of aromaticity or pi bond resonance is crucial for understanding the stability and properties of organic molecules. This study presents an analogue theory for sigma bond resonance in flat boron materials, allowing for the determination of two-center two-electron and three-center two-electron bond distributions without quantum calculations. Based on this theory, three rules are proposed for drawing Kekule-like bonding configurations and exploring properties of flat boron materials. Additionally, the theory is applied to explain the stability of neutral borophene with approximately 1/9 hole occupancy and the effect of charge doping on borophene's optimal hole concentration. This theory enhances our understanding of boron materials and facilitates the rational design of boron-based materials.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Su, Thayalan Rajeshkumar, Libo Xiang, Laurent Maron, Qing Ye
Summary: In this contribution, uranium complexes with a pendant borate or borane moiety were synthesized and investigated. Complexes 3 and 4, bearing a pendant borane group, represent the first examples of uranium complexes with a pendant borane Lewis acid. The study showed that complex 3 is capable of CO activation and abnormal CO 1,2-insertion reaction, highlighting the importance of the pendant borane moiety.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaolong Liu, Qiucheng Li, Qiyuan Ruan, Matthew S. Rahn, Boris Yakobson, Mark C. Hersam
Summary: This study demonstrates the synthesis of a borophene bilayer structure beyond the single-atomic-layer limit, expanding the phase space for boron-based nanomaterials. The bilayer borophene exhibits distinct interfacial charge transfer doping and a heightened local work function exceeding 5 eV.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Mohd Nazish, Christina M. M. Legendre, Yi Ding, Bastian Schluschass, Brigitte Schwederski, Regine Herbst-Irmer, Parameswaran Parvathy, Pattiyil Parameswaran, Dietmar Stalke, Wolfgang Kaim, Herbert W. W. Roesky
Summary: A successful selective reduction of X2B-Tip (Tip= 1,3,5-Pr- i (3)-C6H2, X = I, Br) with KC8 and Mg metal, respectively,in the presence of a hybrid ligand (C6H4(PPh2)LSi) leads to a stable low-valent five-membered ring as a boryl radical [C6H4(PPh2)LSiBTip][Br](1) and neutral borylene [C6H4(PPh2)LSiBTip] (2). Compound 2 reacts with 1,4-cyclohexadiene, resulting in hydrogen abstraction to afford the radical [C6H4(PPh2)LSiB(H)Tip](3). Quantum chemical studies reveal that compound 1 is a B-centered radical, and compound 2 is a phosphane and silylene stabilized neutral borylene in a trigonal planar environment, whereas compound 3 is an amidinate-centered radical. Although compounds 1 and 2 are stabilized by hyperconjugation and pi-conjugation, they display high H-abstraction energy and basicity, respectively.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Manjur O. Akram, John R. Tidwell, Jason L. Dutton, Caleb D. Martin
Summary: The synthesis of a single site neutral Lewis superacid, tris(ortho-carboranyl)borane (BoCb(3)), was achieved in one pot from commercially available materials. It was confirmed to be a Lewis superacid due to its high fluoride ion affinity (FIA), and exhibited stronger Lewis acidity compared to widely used fluorinated aryl boranes, as evidenced by the Gutmann-Beckett method and adducts with Lewis bases. The unusually high Lewis acidity can be rationalized by the electron-withdrawing effect of ortho-carborane and lack of pi-delocalization of the LUMO. Catalytic studies demonstrated that BoCb(3) is a superior catalyst for promoting C-F bond functionalization reactions compared to tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane [B(C6F5)(3)].
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jordi Poater, Clara Vinas, David Olid, Miquel Sola, Francesc Teixidor
Summary: Benzene and pyrene can be synthetically linked to [o-COSAN](-) while maintaining their aromaticity, while naphthalene and anthracene are extruded in the same reaction. The number of Clar's pi-sextets determines whether extrusion is favorable or not. Thus, Clar provides the answer to the extrusion of attached polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to [o-COSAN](-).
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Zhen Li, Duane Choquesillo-Lazarte, Julio Fraile, Clara Vinas, Francesc Teixidor, Jose G. Planas
Summary: This study identified a new unsymmetric carborane-based dicarboxylic linker that produced a coordination polymer with higher hydrolytic stability. The polymer obtained from this new linker showed higher catalytic efficiency in model reactions and could be reused multiple times without significant degradation in catalytic activity as compared to a polymer from a more symmetrical carborane-based linker.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ana B. Buades, Laura C. J. Pereira, Bruno J. C. Vieira, Ana C. Cerdeira, Joao C. Waerenborgh, Teresa Pinheiro, Antonio P. A. Matos, Catarina G. Pinto, Joana F. Guerreiro, Filipa Mendes, Srecko Valic, Francesc Teixidor, Clara Vinas, Fernanda Marques
Summary: This study reports on the treatment of cancer using a dual-action anti-tumour agent, which combines radiation and drug effects to improve therapeutic benefits. The uptake of the agent in glioblastoma cells was evaluated using various techniques, and it was found that a significant portion of the agent was localized within the nucleus, which is a desirable target for treatment. Irradiation studies using cellular models showed that the growth inhibition effect was more pronounced when the agent was used in combination with the Mossbauer effect at low total doses.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhen Li, Rosario Nunez, Mark E. Light, Eliseo Ruiz, Francesc Teixidor, Clara Vinas, Daniel Ruiz-Molina, Claudio Roscini, Jose Giner Planas
Summary: In this study, we design and synthesize a series of water-stable and temperature-stable mCB-EuyTb1-y MOFs and report the tunable emission, energy transfer, and time-dependent emission of these materials. The quantum yield is significantly increased and the lifetime luminescence is enhanced and tunable, achieved by a highly effective energy transfer process. The time-dependent emission and high quantum yield provide a simple method for designing high-security anticounterfeiting materials.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jordi Poater, Clara Vinas, Miquel Sola, Francesc Teixidor
Summary: This study investigates the possibility of 3D/2D aromatic fusions and their relationship to electronic delocalization. While 2D/2D and 3D/3D aromatic fusions have been synthesized, the ineffective overlap between the pi-MOs of planar species and the n + 1 molecular orbitals in the aromatic cage makes 3D/2D aromatic combination impossible.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ivan Gallego, Javier Ramos-Soriano, Alejandro Mendez-Ardoy, Justo Cabrera-Gonzalez, Irene Lostale-Seijo, Beatriz M. Illescas, Jose J. Reina, Nazario Martin, Javier Montenegro
Summary: Fully substituted peptide/[60]fullerene hexakis-adducts have the potential for multivalent protein recognition and offer synthetically simpler alternatives to natural ligands.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Annette G. Beck-Sickinger, Daniel P. Becker, Oksana Chepurna, Bhaskar Das, Sebastian Flieger, Evamarie Hey-Hawkins, Narayan Hosmane, Satish S. Jalisatgi, Hiroyuki Nakamura, Rameshwar Patil, Maria da Graca H. Vicente, Clara Vinas
Summary: This article summarizes current research on the development of boron delivery drugs for boron neutron capture therapy, which were presented and discussed at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Workshop on Neutron Capture Therapy held on April 20-22, 2022. The most commonly used boron sources are icosahedral boron clusters attached to various molecules such as peptides, proteins, porphyrin derivatives, dendrimers, polymers, and nanoparticles, as well as encapsulated into liposomes. These boron clusters and/or carriers can be labeled with contrast agents, allowing for imaging techniques like PET, SPECT, and fluorescence to quantify tumor-localized boron and serve as theranostic agents.
CANCER BIOTHERAPY AND RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anca-Iulia Stoica, Clara Vinas, Francesc Teixidor
Summary: This work highlights the applications of the theta metallabis(dicarbollide) cluster in preparing sensors for monitoring amine-containing drugs or other nitrogen-containing molecules. The developed electrodes show Nernstian responses for target analytes, such as antibiotics, amino acids, neurotransmitters, and analgesics.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesc Teixidor, Rosario Nunez, Clara Vinas
Summary: Traditionally, drugs were obtained from medicinal plants, but now more drugs are synthesized organically. Most commercial drugs today are organic compounds that can contain nitrogen, oxygen, halogens, carbon, and hydrogen. Aromatic organic compounds are important in biochemistry and have various applications in drug delivery, nanotechnology, and biomarkers. The discovery of global 3D aromaticity in boranes, carboranes, and metallabis(dicarbollides) has opened up new opportunities for their use in healthcare materials.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Stephania Abdallah, Rana Mhanna, Justo Cabrera-Gonzalez, Rosario Nunez, Amine Khitous, Fabrice Morlet-Savary, Olivier Soppera, Davy-Louis Versace, Jean-Pierre Malval
Summary: Two-photon polymerization (2PP) is a powerful light-triggered 3D stereolithography technique that can create micro- or nanostructures with spatially encoded functionalities. This study developed a programmable photoresist for direct 2PP-lithography of luminescent switchable structures. The use of a quadrupolar o-carborane initiator with oxygen-inhibiting properties improved the initiation performance of the polymerization and allowed for the recovery of luminescent dye through heating. This reversible luminescence property was demonstrated for rewritable binary optical memories.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jennifer Patino-Alonso, Justo Cabrera-Gonzalez, Javier Merino, Gema Nieto-Ortiz, Fatima Lasala, Jouma Katati, Carlos H. Bezerra da Cruz, Ajay K. Monnappa, Pablo Mateos-Gil, Angeles Canales, Ivan Lopez-Montero, Beatriz M. Illescas, Rafael Delgado, Nazario Martin
Summary: This article discusses the use of glycomimetics to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection through DC-SIGN blockade, and introduces the design and effectiveness of multivalent nanostructures based on glycosylated [60]fullerenes.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ines Bennour, M. Nuria Ramos, Miquel Nuez-Martinez, Jewel Ann Maria Xavier, Ana B. Buades, Reijo Sillanpaa, Francesc Teixidor, Duane Choquesillo-Lazarte, Isabel Romero, Margarita Martinez-Medina, Clara Vinas
Summary: In this study, the synthesis and characterization of two small molecules were reported. One of the compounds showed antimicrobial activity against Candida species and Gram-positive/negative bacteria with low toxicity, making it a potential candidate for antimicrobial therapy. Moreover, the influence of compound structure and environmental factors on antimicrobial properties was investigated.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sohini Sinha, Zsolt Kelemen, Evelyn Humpfner, Imma Ratera, Jean-Pierre Malval, Jose Piers Jurado, Clara Vinas, Francesc Teixidor, Rosario Nunez
Summary: This study presents a series of pi-conjugated fluorophores appended with o-carborane and investigates their light-emitting properties in the solid state. The AIEE effect observed in one fluorenyl derivative enables the successful preparation of o-carborane-containing organic nanoparticles (NPs) with homogeneous dispersion in aqueous media, while maintaining their luminescence properties. Notably, the thin films of the NPs also exhibit high fluorescence efficiency, indicating potential for optical and optoelectronic applications.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jewel Ann Maria Xavier, Clara Vinas, Encarnacion Lorenzo, Tania Garcia-Mendiola, Francesc Teixidor
Summary: The use of metallacarboranes [3,3'-M(1,2-C2B9H11)(2)](-) (M = Co, Fe) as general internal reference systems in electrochemical processes has been studied. Their suitability has been proven by investigating their electrochemical properties in both aqueous and organic electrolytes without the need for derivatization.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
