Orthogonal Photoswitching in a Porous Organic Framework.

The development of photoresponsive systems with non-invasive orthogonal control by distinct wavelengths of light is still in its infancy. In particular, the design of photochemically triggered-orthogonal systems integrated into solid materials that enable multiple dynamic control over their properties remains a longstanding challenge. Here, we report the orthogonal and reversible control of two types of photoswitches in an integrated solid porous framework, that is, visible-light responsive o-fluoroazobenzene and nitro-spiropyran motifs.

The Pharmacological Effects of Silver Nanoparticles Functionalized with Eptifibatide on Platelets and Endothelial Cells.

Purpose: In the search for new drug delivery platforms for cardiovascular diseases and coating of medical devices, we synthesized eptifibatide-functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-EPI) and examined the pharmacological activity of AgNPs-EPI on platelets and endothelial cells in vitro and ex vivo.

Methods: Spherical AgNPs linked to eptifibatide were synthesized and characterized. Cytotoxicity was measured in microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), platelets and red blood cells.

Silver Nanoparticles Densely Grafted with Nitroxides as a Recyclable Green Catalyst in the Selective Oxidation of Alcohols.

The selective oxidation of alcohols, leading to appropriate aldehydes, is widely recognised as one of the most important reactions in organic synthesis. With ever-increasing environmental concerns, much attention has been directed toward developing catalytic protocols that use molecular oxygen as an oxidant. An ideal green oxidation process should employ a highly active, selective and recyclable catalyst that can work with oxygen under mild conditions.

Silver Nanoparticles as Chlorhexidine and Metronidazole Drug Delivery Platforms: Their Potential Use in Treating Periodontitis.

Purpose: Periodontal disease (PD), defined as oral inflammation caused by dental plaque, is an emerging problem. PD may lead to tooth loss, and treatment options are limited. In this study, we designed, synthesized, and characterized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) conjugated with chlorhexidine (AgNPs-CHL) or metronidazole (AgNPs-PEG-MET) to determine whether they can be used to treat PDs.

New Photoresponsive Poly(meth)acrylates Bearing Azobenzene Moieties Obtained via ATRP Polymerization Exhibiting Liquid-Crystalline Behavior.

Here, we report our studies on photoresponsive poly(meth)acrylates containing azobenzene groups connected to a polymer backbone via a short methylene linker. A series of side-chain azobenzene polymers was synthesized via the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique using several catalytic systems. The polymers synthesized under the optimized conditions were characterized by a narrow polydispersity ( ≤ 1.

A Novel Strategy for the Synthesis of Amphiphilic and Thermoresponsive Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)--Polystyrene Block Copolymers via ATRP.

A new synthetic approach is presented for the preparation of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-block-styrene) PNIPAM--PS via an Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) technique. The proposed method is based on application of 2-chloro-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)propanamide (NCPAE) as a bifunctional initiator, which enables ATRP of two monomers, differing in activity and polarity, into two stages. The synthesized copolymer molecules contain two well-defined polymer chains connected by a linker, which is a derivative of the proposed initiator.