Crystalline Sponge Method: X-ray Structure Analysis of Small Molecules by Post-Orientation within Porous Crystals-Principle and Proof-of-Concept Studies.

This Review discusses, along with the historical background, the principles as well as proof-of-concept studies of the crystalline sponge (CS) method, a new single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) method for the analysis of the structures of small molecules without sample crystallization. The method uses single-crystalline porous coordination networks (crystalline sponges) that can absorb small guest molecules within their pores. The absorbed guest molecules are ordered in the pores through molecular recognition and become observable by conventional SCXRD analysis.

X-ray Structure Analysis of Ozonides by the Crystalline Sponge Method.

The crystalline sponge method was used for the X-ray structure analysis of ozonide compounds. As this new technique requires only microgram quantities of the samples, structural analysis can be conducted without product isolation, isomer separation, or crystallization and most importantly without any risk of explosion.

In Situ Observation of Thiol Michael Addition to a Reversible Covalent Drug in a Crystalline Sponge.

A reversible Michael addition reaction between thiol nucleophiles and cyanoenones has been previously postulated to be the mechanism-of-action of a new family of reversible covalent drugs. However, the hypothetical Michael adducts in this mechanism have only been detected by spectroscopic methods in solution. Herein, the crystallographic observation of reversible Michael addition with a potent cyanoenone drug candidate by means of the crystalline-sponge method is reported.

Undeniable Confirmation of the syn-Addition Mechanism for Metal-Free Diboration by Using the Crystalline Sponge Method.

The stereochemical outcome of the recently developed metal-free 1,2-diboration of aliphatic alkenes has, until now, only been elucidated by indirect means (e.g. derivatization).

Interleukin-17-producing decidual CD4+ T cells are not deleterious for human pregnancy when they also produce interleukin-4.

Background: Trophoblast expressing paternal HLA-C antigens resemble a semiallograft, and could be rejected by maternal CD4+ T lymphocytes. We examined the possible role in human pregnancy of Th17 cells, known to be involved in allograft rejection and reported for this reason to be responsible for miscarriages. We also studied Th17/Th1 and Th17/Th2 cells never investigated before.