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A 2D metal–organic framework (MOF) of {[Cu(Dcbb)(Bpe)]·Cl}n (1, H2DcbbBr = 1-(3,5-dicarboxybenzyl)-4,4′-bipyridinium bromide, Bpe = trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene)) has been prepared. MOF 1 associates with the thymine-rich (T-rich), single-stranded probe DNA (ss-DNA, denoted as P-DNA) labeled with fluorophore FAM (FAM = carboxyfluorescein) and quenches the FAM emission to give a nonemissive P-DNA@1 hybrid (off state). The P-DNA in the hybrid subsequently captures the Hg2+ to give a rigid double-stranded DNA featuring T–Hg2+–T motif (ds-DNA@Hg2+) and detach from MOF 1, triggering the recovery of the FAM fluorescence (on state). Upon subsequent addition of I–, Hg2+ was further sequestrated from the ds-DNA@Hg2+ duplex, driven by the stronger Hg–I coordination. The released P-DNA is resorbed by MOF 1 to regain the initial P-DNA@1 hybrid (off state). The P-DNA@1 sensor thus detects Hg2+ and I– sequentially via a fluorescence “off–on–off” mechanism. The sensor is highly selective and sensitive, yielding detec...

Reactions of La(NO3)3·6H2O with the polar, tritopic quaternized carboxylate ligands N-carboxymethyl-3,5-dicarboxylpyridinium bromide (H3CmdcpBr) and N-(4-carboxybenzyl)-3,5-dicarboxylpyridinium bromide (H3CbdcpBr) afford two water-stable metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) of {[La4(Cmdcp)6(H2O)9]}n (1, 3D) and {[La2(Cbdcp)3(H2O)10]}n (2, 2D). MOFs 1 and 2 absorb the carboxyfluorescein (FAM)-tagged probe DNA (P-DNA) and quench the fluorescence of FAM via a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process. The nonemissive P-DNA@MOF hybrids thus formed in turn function as sensing platforms to distinguish conservative linear, single-stranded RNA sequences of Sudan virus with high selectivity and low detection limits of 112 and 67 pM, respectively (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3). These hybrids also exhibit high specificity and discriminate down to single-base mismatch RNA sequences.

Inspired by our previous study on Ru(II)-based compounds for the construction of a sensing platform toward detection of microRNA-185 (miR-185), we herein report new analytical platforms based on two additional Ru(II) compounds, Ru 2 and Ru 3, with larger aromatic ring structures and richer hydrogen bond donor/acceptor sites in comparison to the previously reported Ru 1, as simultaneous detection agents for miR-221/222, which work together to promote the occurrence and development of breast cancer. Molecular simulation docking was first used to predict the nucleic acid sequence binding affinity toward Ru(II) compounds to guide the experiment. The experimental results reveal that Ru 2 and Ru 3 can form a P-DNA@Ru sensing platform with the introduction of carboxyfluorescein (FAM)/5-carboxy-X-rhodamine (ROX) tagged single-chained probe DNA (P-DNA), to realize the discernment of the complementary P-DNA sequence of miR-221/222, giving the limit of detection (LOD) at the nanomolar level with a specific and speedy response. The detection mechanism was verified by binding capacity, luminescence decay, and fluorescence anisotropy (FA), as well as the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) technique. Furthermore, the formed P-DNA@Ru 2/3 systems could be prepared for the simultaneous and synchronous detection of miR-221/222 sequences, improving the detection efficiency in a time-efficient manner and satisfying the speedy diagnosis requirements of current medical practive.

Reaction of AgBr with TabHPF6 (TabH = 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiol) readily produces a unique one-dimensional coordination polymer [(TabH)(AgBr2)]n (1), consisting of anionic chains [AgBr2]n(n-) with hydrogen bonds to TabH(+) cations. By examining its electrical resistance and stability upon exposure to ammonia and seven common organic amines in water under ambient conditions, compound 1 is found to exhibit good stability and reproducibly high sensitivity toward these analytes at low concentrations. Especially, it can selectively detect NH3 in water with the detection limit as low as 0.05 ppm. This chemiresistive sensing system has the potential for highly efficient monitoring of ammonia and amines responsible for water pollution, eutrophication, food contamination, and industrial hazards.

A 2D metal-organic framework (MOF) of {[Cu(Dcbb)(Bpe)]·Cl}

An asymmetric bis(dithienylethene-acetylide) ruthenium(II) complex trans-Ru(dppe)2(L1o)(L2o) (1oo) incorporating two different dithienylethene–acetylides (L1o and L2o) was designed to modulate multistate photochromism in view of the well separated ring-closing absorption bands between L1o and L2o. Upon irradiation with appropriate wavelengths of light, complex 1 undergoes stepwise photocyclization and selective photocycloreversion to afford four states (1oo, 1co, 1oc, and 1cc). As a contrast, symmetric complexes trans-Ru(dppe)2(L1o)2 (2oo) and trans-Ru(dppe)2(L2o)2 (3oo) with two identical dithienylethene-acetylides were synthesized, and the corresponding photochromic behavior was investigated. The photochromic properties of the oxidized species (1oo+/1co+/1oc+/1cc+, 2oo+/2co+/2cc+, and 3oo+/3co+/3cc+) were also investigated. The ring-closing absorption bands of one-electron oxidized species 1oo+, 2oo+, and 3oo+ show obvious blue shifts relative to those of 1oo, 2oo, and 3oo, respectively. The ring-closin...

A variety of network structures have been prepared by transmetalation of a polymer {Na3[Na9(Cbdcp)6(H2O)18]}n (1) (Cbdcp = N-(4-carboxybenzyl)-(3,5-dicarboxyl)pyridinium) containing dodecahedral Na9 aggregate secondary building units with Cu(II) by modulating the temperature, solvent, and pH. These complexes include a large, zwitterionic hexa-cuprometallocycle [Cu6(Cbdcp)6(H2O)18] (2) formed in H2O at room temperature, two three-dimensional polymers [Cu3(Cbdcp)2(OH)2(H2O)2]n (3) and {[Cu3(Cbdcp)2(OH)2]·2H2O}n (4) isolated from H2O and DMF/H2O at 135 °C, and a mononuclear complex [Cu(HCbdcp)2(H2O)3]·H2O (5) from H2O at 100 °C and pH = 6. All the complexes are robust and water stable. The crystal framework of macrocycle 2 is stable up to 100 °C under vacuum and selectively adsorbs CO2.

In our working toward the rational design and synthesis of cluster-based suppramolecular architectures, a set of new [WS4Cu4]- or [MoOS3Cu3]-based supramolecular assemblies have been prepared from reactions of preformed cluster compounds [Et4N]4[WS4Cu4I6] (1) and [(n-Bu)4N]2[MoOS3Cu3X3] (2, X = I; 3, X = SCN) with flexible ditopic ligands such as dipyridylsulfide (dps), dipyridyl disulfide (dpds), and their combinations with dicyanamide (dca) anion and 4,4‘-bipy. The cluster precursor 1 reacted with dps or dpds and sodium dicyanamide (dca) in MeCN to produce [WS4Cu4I2(dps)3]·2MeCN (4·2MeCN) and [WS4Cu4(dca)2(dpds)2]·Et2O·2MeCN (5·Et2O·2MeCN), respectively. On the other hand, treatment of 2 with dpds in DMF/MeCN afforded [MoOS3Cu3I(dpds)2]·0.5DMF·2(MeCN)0.5 (6·0.5DMF·2(MeCN)0.5) while reaction of 3 with sodium dicyanamide (dca) and 4,4‘-bipy in DMF/MeCN gave rise to [MoOS3Cu3(dca)(4,4‘-bipy)1.5]·DMF·MeCN (7·DMF·MeCN). Compounds 4·2MeCN, 5·Et2O·2MeCN, 6·0.5DMF·2(MeCN)0.5, and 7·DMF·MeCN have been characteri...

The reaction of AuI with 2 equiv of TabHPF6 [TabH = 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiol] in the presence of excess Et3N in dimethylformamide (DMF)/MeOH afforded a binuclear gold(I) complex [Au(Tab)2]2I2·2H2O (1). Anion exchange of 1 with NH4PF6 in DMF gave rise to the more soluble complex [Au(Tab)2]2(PF6)2 (2). Treatment of 2 with K[Au(CN)2] produced a tetranuclear gold(I) complex {[(Tab)2Au][Au(CN)2]}2 (3). Analogous reactions of two known mononuclear complexes [Ag(Tab)2](PF6) (4) and [Hg(Tab)2](PF6)2 (5) with 1 or 2 equiv of K[Au(CN)2] generated one Ag2Au2 complex {[(Tab)2Ag][Au(CN)2]}2 (6) and one Au/Hg complex {[Hg(Tab)2][Au(CN)2]2} (7), respectively. Compounds 1−3, 6, and 7 were fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, UV−vis spectra, 1H NMR, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. 1 and 2 have a similar [Au(Tab)2]22+ dimeric structure in which the two [Au(Tab)2]+ cations are connected via one Au−Au aurophilic interaction. In the structure of 3 or 6, each of the two pairs of [M(Tab)2]+ c...

Approaches to the assembly of (η5-C5Me5)WS3Cu3-based supramolecular compounds from two preformed incomplete cubane-like clusters [PPh4][(η5-C5Me5)WS3(CuX)3] (X = CN, 1a; X = Br, 1b) have been inves...

Reactions of Hg(OAc)2 with 2 equiv of TabHPF6 [TabH = 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiol] in MeCN/MeOH afforded a mononuclear linear complex [Hg(Tab)2](PF6)2 (1). By using 1 as a precursor, a new family of mercury(II) zwitterionic thiolate complexes, [Hg2(Tab)6](PF6)4.2MeCN (2.2MeCN), [Hg(Tab)2(SCN)](PF6) (3), [Hg(Tab)2(SCN)2] (4), [Hg(Tab)I2] (5), {[Hg(Tab)2]4[HgI2][Hg2I6]}(PF6)2(NO3)4 (6), [Hg(Tab)2][HgI4] (7), [Hg(Tab)2][HgCl2(SCN)2] (8), [Tab-Tab]2[Hg3Cl10] (9), and [Hg2(Tab)6]3(PF6)Cl11 (10), were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, UV-vis spectra, 1H NMR, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The [Hg2(Tab)6]4+ tetracation of 2 or 10 contains an asymmetrical Hg2S2 rhomb with an inversion center lying on the midpoint of the Hg...Hg line. The Hg atom of the [Hg(Tab)2]2+ dication of 3 is coordinated to one SCN-, forming a rare T-shaped coordination geometry, while in 4, the Hg atom of [Hg(Tab)2]2+ is coordinated to two SCN-, forming a seesaw-shaped coordination geometry. Through weak secondary Hg...S coordinations, each cation in 3 is further linked to afford a one-dimensional zigzag chain. The trigonal [Hg(Tab)I2] molecules in 5 are held together by weak secondary Hg...I and Hg...S interactions, forming a one-dimensional chain structure. In 6, the four [Hg(Tab)2]2+ dications, one HgI2 molecule, one [Hg2I6]2- dianion, one PF6-, and four NO3- anions are interconnected by complicated secondary Hg...I and Hg...O interactions, forming a scolopendra-like chain structure. The secondary Hg...I interactions, [Hg(Tab)2]2+ and [HgI4]2- in 7, are combined to generate a one-dimensional chain structure, while [Hg(Tab)2]2+ and [HgCl2(SCN)2]2- in 8 are interconnected by secondary Hg...N interactions to form a one-dimensional zigzag chain structure. Compound 9 consists of two [Tab-Tab]2+ dications and one [Hg3Cl10]4- tetraanion. The facile approach to the construction of 2-8 and 10 from 1 may be applicable to the mimicking of a coordination sphere of the Hg sites of metallothioneins.

In our working toward the rational design and synthesis of cluster-based supramolecular architectures, a set of new [WS4Cu4]- or [MoOS3Cu3]-based supramolecular assemblies have been prepared from reactions of preformed cluster compounds [Et4N]4[WS4Cu4I6] (1) and [(n-Bu)4N]2[MoOS3Cu3X3] (2, X = I; 3, X = SCN) with flexible ditopic ligands such as dipyridylsulfide (dps), dipyridyl disulfide (dpds), and their combinations with dicyanamide (dca) anion and 4,4'-bipy. The cluster precursor 1 reacted with dps or dpds and sodium dicyanamide (dca) in MeCN to produce [WS4Cu4I2(dps)3].2MeCN (4.2MeCN) and [WS4Cu4(dca)2(dpds)2].Et2O.2MeCN (5.Et2O.2MeCN), respectively. On the other hand, treatment of 2 with dpds in DMF/MeCN afforded [MoOS3Cu3I(dpds)2].0.5DMF.2(MeCN)0.5 (6.0.5DMF.2(MeCN)0.5) while reaction of 3 with sodium dicyanamide (dca) and 4,4'-bipy in DMF/MeCN gave rise to [MoOS3Cu3(dca)(4,4'-bipy)1.5].DMF.MeCN (7.DMF.MeCN). Compounds 4.2MeCN, 5.Et2O.2MeCN, 6.0.5DMF.2(MeCN)0.5, and 7.DMF.MeCN have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Compound 4 contains a 2D layer array made of the saddle-shaped [WS4Cu4] cores interlinked by three pairs of Cu-dps-Cu bridges. Compound 5 has another 2D layer structure in which the [WS4Cu4] cores are held together by four pairs of Cu-dca-Cu and Cu-dpds-Cu bridges. Compound 6 displays a 1D spiral chain structure built of the nido-like [MoOS3Cu3] cores via two pairs of Cu-dpds-Cu bridges. Compound 7 consists of a 2D staircase network in which each [MoOS3Cu3(4,4'-bipy]2 dimeric unit interconnects with four other equivalent units by a pair of 4,4'-bipy ligands and two pairs of dca anions. The [WS4Cu4] core in 4 or 5 and the [MoS3Cu3] core in 7 show a planar 4-connecting node and a seesaw-shaped 4-connecting node, respectively, which are unprecedented in cluster-based supramolecular compounds. The successful assembly of 4-7 from the three cluster precursors 1-3 through flexible ditopic ligands provides new routes to the rational design and construction of complicated cluster-based supramolecular arrays.