The effect of particle size and ligand configuration on the asymmetric catalytic properties of proline-functionalized Pt-nanoparticles.

The effect of particle size on the asymmetric catalytic properties of supported ligand-functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated for the first time and found to alter significantly the activity but surprisingly not the stereoselectivity. These results suggest that the stereoselectivity of these complex systems is primarily determined by the ligand-reactant interaction, whereas the activity is determined by the particle size.

Halogenated Dodecaborate Clusters as Agents to Trigger Release of Liposomal Contents.

Halogenated dodecaborates, and especially dodecaiodododecaborate(2-), are found to trigger effectively the release of the contents of phospholipid liposomes, including liposomes containing distearoylphosphatidylcholine and cholesterol, which are used clinically in cancer therapy. The basis of the release is studied through differential scanning calorimetry, cryo-transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Upon administration at high concentrations, drastic morphological changes are induced by the dodecaborates.

Functionalization of platinum nanoparticles with L-proline: simultaneous enhancements of catalytic activity and selectivity.

In this work we present the successful application of functionalizing Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with hydrophilic organic ligands as a strategy for enhancing their catalytic activity and selectivity. In the first step, Pt NPs were prepared by a colloidal approach and subsequently functionalized in a separate synthesis step with L-proline (PRO). The functionalized NPs were supported onto Al2O3 and investigated as heterogeneous catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of acetophenone.

Same ligand--different binding: a way to control the binding of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) to Pt clusters.

The functionalization of "unprotected" Pt clusters with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) at different pH-values is presented that allows for binding NAC either via the thiol or the amide group to the particle. NMR-spectroscopy was used to study the chemical nature of NAC at weakly acidic and alkaline conditions. The formation of a cyclic isomer of NAC was found at high pH-values which occurs through an intramolecular reaction between the thiol and the amide group delivering a cyclic thioether.

Brilliant Blue G as protective agent against trypan blue toxicity in human retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro.

Background: Combinations of trypan blue (TB), Brilliant Blue G (BBG) and polyethyleneglycol had been shown before to be less toxic to ARPE retinal pigment epithelial cells than TB alone. We studied systematically the influence of combinations of dyes on cell damage.

Methods: ARPE cells were exposed to TB (concentration range 0.

Comparative toxicology of trypan blue, brilliant blue G, and their combination together with polyethylene glycol on human pigment epithelial cells.

Purpose: To determine the toxicity in ARPE-19 human retinal pigment epithelium cells of trypan blue (TB) at 0.15% and 0.25% concentration, brilliant blue G (BBG) at 0.