Effect of Particle Heterogeneity in Catalytic Copper-Containing Single-Chain Polymeric Nanoparticles Revealed by Single-Particle Kinetics.

Single-chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCPNs) have been extensively explored as a synthetic alternative to enzymes for catalytic applications. However, the inherent structural heterogeneity of SCPNs, arising from the dispersity of the polymer backbone and stochastic incorporation of different monomers as well as catalytic moieties, is expected to lead to variations in catalytic activity between individual particles. To understand the effect of structural heterogeneities on the catalytic performance of SCPNs, techniques are required that permit researchers to directly monitor SCPN activity at the single-polymer level.

Enhanced Efficiency of Pd(0)-Based Single Chain Polymeric Nanoparticles for Prodrug Activation by Modulating the Polymer's Microstructure.

Bioorthogonal catalysis employing transition metal catalysts is a promising strategy for the synthesis of imaging and therapeutic agents in biological environments. The transition metal Pd has been widely used as a bioorthogonal catalyst, but bare Pd poses challenges in water solubility and catalyst stability in cellular environments. In this work, Pd(0) loaded amphiphilic polymeric nanoparticles are applied to shield Pd in the presence of living cells for the generation of a fluorescent dye and anticancer drugs.

Amphiphilic polymeric nanoparticles enable homogenous rhodium-catalysed NH insertion reactions in living cells.

Rh-catalysed NH carbene insertion reactions were exported to living cells with help of amphiphilic polymeric nanoparticles. Hereto, hydrophobic dirhodium carboxylate catalysts were efficiently encapsulated in amphiphilic polymeric nanoparticles comprising dodecyl and Jeffamine as side grafts. The developed catalytic nanoparticles promoted NH carbene insertions between α-keto diazocarbenes and 2,3-diaminonaphthalene, followed by intramolecular cyclisation to form fluorescent or biologically active benzoquinoxalines.

Tripodal cyanurates as selective transmembrane Cl transporters.

Tris-carboxyamide and tris-sulfonamide-based anion transporters with a cyanuric acid core are reported. Interestingly, Cl- ion binding and transmembrane transport properties of carboxyamides are better compared to those of their tris-sulfonamide analogs. The carboxyamide derivatives act as mobile carriers of Cl- and exchange anions via antiport mechanism.