Redox-responsive vesicles prepared from supramolecular cyclodextrin amphiphiles

Redox-responsive vesicles self-assembled by supramolecular cyclodextrin amphiphiles, consisting of the guest (N-1-decyl-ferrocenylmethylamine, 1) and the host (2-O-carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin, CM-β-CD), were prepared. The morphologies and sizes of these novel vesicles in an aqueous solution were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and were confirmed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. The effects of the host-guest ratio, the concentration and the solvent composition of water and methanol on vesicles were investigated in detail. The interactions between the host and the guest, the complex stoichiometry, the stability constant and conformations of 1·CM-β-CD in aqueous solution were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), UV and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. According to the complex stoichiometry and ‘tadpole-like’ spatial conformations, the supramolecular cyclodextrin amphiphiles made from 1·CM-β-CD were proposed to form the membranes of the vesicles. This kind of vesicle system was responsive to an oxidizing agent, which could pave the way to combine supramolecular host-guest chemistry and membrane chemistry for potentially functional applications.     

Reversible vesicles based on one and two head supramolecular cyclodextrin amphiphile induced by methanol

Reversible vesicles based on supramolecular inclusion of hydroxypropyl-β-CD (HPβCD) and N,N′-bis(ferrocenylmethylene)-diaminohexane (BFD) were prepared in water and methanol-water mixtures. The inclusion stoichiometry of HPβCD with BFD was in a molar ratio of 2:1, which could be named as ‘two head’ supramolecular amphiphile when the solvent was water. However, the inclusion stoichiometry of HPβCD with BFD would tend to be a molar ratio of 1:1 based on introduction of methanol to the solvent, especially when the volume ratio of methanol and water was more than 1:4, which could be named as ‘one head’ supramolecular amphiphile. The inclusion compounds could switch between ‘one head’ and ‘two head’ conformations by changing the methanol concentration of the solvents. The vesicles were also found to be responsive to the stimulus of external molecules. When the inclusion ability between HPβCD and an external guest was relatively stronger, the vesicles were easily destroyed. Furthermore, the vesicles disappeared after adding an oxidizing agent. NMR was used to confirm the conformation of the mixture of HPβCD and BFD in water. The structure and morphology of the vesicles were characterized by TEM and DLS. The vesicles may be used in smart materials, drug delivery and molecular recognition.     

Controllable vesicles based on unconventional cyclodextrin inclusion complexes

Vesicles were assembled from an unconventional inclusion complex between β-cyclodextrin (βCD), and N,N′-bis(ferrocenylmethylene)diaminohexane (1). The vesicles formed in water and in a mixed solvent (water/methanol) were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The peculiar inclusion effects of 1·βCD were characterized by UV and cyclic voltammetry. The structure of the complex was characterized by ¹H- and 2D ROESY NMR spectroscopies. The size of the vesicles in water, methanol, and in mixtures of water and methanol was investigated by dynamic light scattering. The vesicles disappeared upon addition of an oxidizing agent. The structures of the inclusion complex and the vesicles formed via the complex are discussed according to the experimental data.     

Analytical enantioseparation of N-alkyl drugs by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin as mobile phase additive

Carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrins (CM-β-CDs) with five kinds of degrees of substitution were synthesized and characterized. Analytical enantioseparation of six basic drugs containing N-alkyl groups, including pheniramine, chlorpheniramine, labetalol, propranolol, venlafaxine, and trans-paroxol, was achieved by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) using the synthesized CM-β-CD as chiral mobile phase additives. Key influence factors were optimized, including organic modifier, pH value, CM-β-CD with different degrees of substitution, and concentration of CM-β-CD. The mobile phase was composed of methanol and 10 mmol L⁻¹ of phosphate buffer pH 4.0 containing 10 mmol L⁻¹ of CM-β-CD. Peak resolution for six racemic drugs was gradually increased with an increasing degree of substitution of the synthesized CM-β-CD. The stoichiometric ratio and binding constants for the inclusion complex formed by CM-β-CD and enantiomer were determined, which showed that the stoichiometric ratio for each inclusion complex was 1:1.     

Cyclodextrin inclusion compounds of vanadium complexes: Structural characterization and catalytic sulfoxidation

Reaction of potassium vanadate with the hydrazone ligand derived from Schiff-base condensation of salicylaldehyde and biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid hydrazide (H₂salhybiph) in the presence of two equivalents α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) in water yields the 1:2 inclusion compound K[VO₂(salhybiph)@(α-CD)₂]. Characterization in solution confirmed the integrity of the inclusion compound in the polar solvent water. The inclusion compound crystallizes together with additional water molecules as K[VO₂(salhybiph)@(α-CD)₂] · 18H₂O in the monoclinic space group P2(1). Two α-CD rings forming a hydrogen bonded head to head dimer are hosting the hydrophobic biphenyl side chain of the complex K[VO₂(salhybiph)]. The supramolecular aggregation of the inclusion compound in the solid state is established through hydrogen bonding interactions among adjacent α-CD hosts and with vanadate moieties of the guest complexes as well as ionic interactions with the potassium counterions. In contrast the supramolecular structure of the guest complex K[VO₂(salhybiph)] without the presence of CD host molecules is governed by π-π-stacking interactions and additional CH/π interactions. The new inclusion complex K[VO₂(salhybiph)@(α-CD)₂] and the analogous 1:1 inclusion compound with β-CD were tested as catalyst in the oxidation of methyl phenyl sulfide (thioanisol) using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant in a water/ethanol mixture, under neutral as well as acidic conditions.     

Investigation of the binding of roxatidine acetate hydrochloride with cyclomaltoheptaose (β-cyclodextrin) using IR and NMR spectroscopy

NMR chemical shift changes of the cyclomaltoheptaose (β-cyclodextrin, β-CD) cavity protons as well as roxatidine acetate hydrochloride aromatic ring protons revealed the formation of a RAH–β-CD inclusion complex. Detailed FTIR and NMR spectroscopic (¹H NMR, COSY, NOESY, ROESY) studies have been done. The stoichiometry of the complex was determined to be 1:1, and the overall binding constant was also determined by Scott’s method. The NOESY spectrum confirmed the selective penetration of the aromatic ring of RAH into the β-CD cavity in comparison to that of the piperidine ring. The mode of penetration of the guest into the CD cavity and structure of the complex has been established.     

Characterization and <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis> Evaluation of the Complexes of Posaconazole with β- and 2,6-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-methyl-β-cyclodextrin

Posaconazole is a triazole antifungal drug that with extremely poor aqueous solubility. Up to now, this drug can be administered via intravenous injection and oral suspension. However, its oral bioavailability is greatly limited by the dissolution rate of the drug. This study aimed to improve water solubility and dissolution of posaconazole through characterizing the inclusion complexes of posaconazole with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and 2,6-di-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin (DM-β-CD). Phase solubility studies were performed to calculate the stability constants in solution. The results of FT-IR, PXRD, ¹H and ROESY 2D NMR, and DSC all verified the formation of the complexes in solid state. The complexes showed remarkably improved water solubility and dissolution rate than pure posaconazole. Especially, the aqueous solubility of the DM-β-CD complex is nine times higher than that of the β-CD complex. Preliminary in vitro antifungal susceptibility tests showed that the two inclusion complexes maintained high antifungal activities. These results indicated that the DM-β-CD complexes have great potential for application in the delivery of poorly water-soluble antifungal agents, such as posaconazole.     

Investigation of the inclusion behavior of chlorogenic acid with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

The inclusion complexation behavior of chlorogenic acid (CGA) with the hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) was investigated in both solution and the solid state by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy (IR), NMR spectroscopy as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The experimental results indicate that CGA is able to form an inclusion complex with HP-β-CD. The inclusion complex has a stoichiometry of 1:1 and the formation constant was calculated to be 155.7 M⁻¹. The antioxidant activity of CGA on complexation with HP-β-CD increased as compared to uncomplexed CGA. NMR spectroscopic studies show that the aromatic ring and the vinyl group of CGA are deeply included inside the CD cavity.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of adducts of silver(I) carboxylate salts AgX (X = CF3COO, CH3COO) with ER3 (E = P, As; R = Ph, cy, o-tolyl) and oligodentate aromatic bases derivative of 2,2′-bipyridyl, L, AgX:PR3:L (1:1:1)

Twenty-one adducts of the form AgX:ER₃:L (1:1:1) (X = CF₃COO (‘tfa’), CH₃COO (‘ac’), E = P, As; R = Ph, cy, o-tolyl; L = 2,2′-bipyridyl (‘bpy’)-based ligand) have been synthesized and characterized by analytical, spectroscopic (IR, far-IR, ¹H, ¹⁹F and ³¹P NMR) and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The resulting complexes are predominantly of the form [(R₃E)AgL]⁺X⁻, with a trigonal EAgN₂ coordination environment, the planarity of which may be perturbed by the approach of anion or solvent. The carboxylate anions have been found to be uni-, or semi-bidentate, or also completely ionic, as in the complexes [Ag(PPh₃)(bpy)(H₂O)](tfa) and [Ag(PPh₃)(dpk · H₂O)](tfa) (‘dpk · H₂O’ = bis(2-pyridyl)ketone (hydrated)). The complexes Agac:PPh₃:dpa (1:1:1) and Agac:P(o-tol)₃:dpa:MeCN (1:1:1:1) are dinuclear, with bridging unidentate acetate and terminal unidentate dpa (‘dpa’ = bis(2-pyridyl)amine).     

Enantioselective host-guest complexation of Ru(II) trisdiimine complexes using neutral and anionic derivatized cyclodextrins

Enantioselective host-guest complexation between five racemic Ru(II) trisdiimine complexes and eight derivatized cyclodextrins (CDs) has been examined by NMR techniques. The appearance of non-equivalent complexation-induced shifts of between the Δ and Λ-enantionomers of the Ru(II) trisdiimine complexes and derivatized CDs is readily observed by NMR. In particular, sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin sodium salt (SBE-β-CD), R-naphtylethyl carbamate β-cyclodextrin (RN-β-CD), and S-naphtylethyl carbamate β-cyclodextrin (SN-β-CD) showed good enantiodiscrimination for all five Ru complexes examined, which indicates that aromatic and anionic derivatizing groups are beneficial for chiral recognition. The complexation stoichiometry between SBE-β-CD and [Ru(phen)₃]²⁺ was found to be 1:1 and binding constants reveal that Λ-[Ru(phen)₃]²⁺ binds more strongly to SBE-β-CD than the Δ-enantiomer. Correlations between this NMR method and separative techniques based on CDs as chiral discriminating agents (i.e., selectors) are discussed in detail.     

Supramolecularly linked linear polymers of thallium(I) dithiocarbamates: Steric influence on the supramolecular interactions of methyl and ethylcyclohexyl dithiocarbamates of thallium(I)

Spectral and single crystal X-ray structural studies on [Tl(mchdtc)]₂ (1) and [Tl(echdtc)]₂ (2) (where mchdtc = methylcyclohexyldithiocarbamate and echdtc = ethylcyclohexyldithiocarbamate) were carried out. Both the synthesized complexes were characterized by UV-Vis, fluorescence, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra. IR spectra of the complexes show the contribution of the thioureide form to the structures. Both compounds show weak fluorescence. The bond valence sums calculated for the complexes support the highly covalent nature of the Tl-S interactions. A Tl····H short interaction observed in the methyl analogue is totally absent in (2) because of the change in conformation of the cyclohexyl ring due to the introduction of ethyl group. Though the neighbouring non-bonded groups are flexible, thallium adjusts its thallophilic contacts to retain a hemisphere free for its pair of ‘s’ electrons in the presence of a sterically demanding ethyl group.     

Investigation on a host-guest inclusion system by β-cyclodextrin derivative and its analytical application

The host-guest inclusion system of ethyl substituted β-cyclodextrin (DE-β-CD) with mangiferin (MA) was investigated by fluorescence spectra in solution. The results showed that the MA was encapsulated in the DE-β-CD’s cavity to form a 2:1 stoichiometry host-guest inclusion complex (DE-β-CD/MA) and the inclusion constant (K = 3.04 × 10⁶ L²/mol²) was confirmed by the typical double reciprocal plots. Furthermore, several experimental conditions were optimized in order to obtain the maximum fluorescence signal. In addition, the thermodynamic parameters, Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy change (ΔH°) and entropy change (ΔS°) of DE-β-CD/MA were obtained by the Van’t Hoff equation. A spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of MA in solution in the presence of DE-β-CD was developed based on the remarkable enhancement of the fluorescence intensity of MA. The linear range was 2.00 × 10⁻⁸-7.00 × 10⁻⁶ mol/L and the detection limit was 4.05 × 10⁻⁹ mol/L. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of MA in serum with the satisfactory result.     

Investigation of inclusion complex of cilnidipine with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

The objective of this study was to improve the water-solubility and photostability of cilnidipine by complexing it with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD or HP-beta-CD). The interactions of cilnidipine and HP-β-CD were characterized by ultra violet-visible (UV/VIS) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transformation-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR) spectroscopy to verify the formation of cilnidipine-HP-β-CD complex inclusion. Moreover, the binding sites in the HP-β-CD structure were also tracked through (1)H NMR spectroscopy analysis. All the characterization information proved the formation of cilnidipine-HP-β-CD inclusion complex, and the results demonstrated the superiority of the inclusion complex in dissolution rates and photostability; in addition, the apparent solubility of cilnidipine was increased more than 10,000-fold in the presence of HP-β-CD. The stability constant (1:1) was found to be 50,116M(-1), suggesting a high tendency of the drug to enter the HP-β-CD cavity. These results identified the cilnidipine-HP-β-CD inclusion complex as an effective new approach to design a novel formulation for pharmaceutical application.     

Multi-morphological self-assembled structures in water of a biodegradable β-cyclodextrin-based copolymer

A rigid-coil β-cyclodextrin-poly (?-caprolactone) (CD-PCL) copolymer was synthesized in which biodegradable flexible multi PCL arms were selectively connected onto the wide side of the rigid torus-shaped β-CD through ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ?-caprolactone (CL) and protection/deprotection technique of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) via trimethylsilyl groups. (1)H NMR, FT-IR, and GPC analysis confirmed the "jellyfish-like" branched architecture of CD-PCL copolymers. The self-assembled structures in water of the amphiphilic CD-PCL copolymer were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLC) and viscometry. The results showed that CD-PCL could self-assemble into multi-morphological aggregates such as spheres, rods, vesicles, vesicular clusters and vesicular network in water. Interestingly, hierarchical stripe structure was observed in the formed vesicular network, which was driven by the crystallization of PCL segment in micelles. Moreover, the inclusion ability of copolymer micelles with ferrocenecarboxylic acid was investigated by UV.     

Computational investigation on the host–guest inclusion process of norfloxacin into β-cyclodextrin

A theoretical ¹H NMR spectroscopy and thermodynamic analysis of the host–guest inclusion process involving the norfloxacin (NFX) into β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was carried out. DFT structure and stabilization energies were obtained in both gas and aqueous phases. We could establish that the complex formation is enthalpy driven, and the hydrogen bonds established between NFX and β-CD play a major role in the complex stabilization. Besides, a theoretical ¹H NMR analysis has shown to be a supplementary proceeding to predict appropriately the inclusion mode of norfloxacin molecule into the β-CD. In this work, a theoretical study of the NFX@β-CD complex is reported for the first time, seeking a deep understanding of topology and thermodynamics of the inclusion complex formation.

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Graphical Abstract Topology, thermodynamic and ¹H NMR analysis of NFX@β-CD host-guest complexes

     

Free-energy landscapes of the coupled conformational transition and inclusion processes of altro-cyclodextrins

Abstract

Mono-altro-cyclodextrin (altro-CD) may undergo a conformational change of its altropyranose unit when encapsulating guest molecules of different sizes. This conformational transition is found to be coupled to the inclusion processes. In the present contribution, the possible conformational transition pathways in the four (self-)inclusion processes of altro-α and -β-CDs with moieties of variant shapes are explored from the insights of free-energy calculations. The two-dimensional free-energy landscapes characterising the coupled (self-)inclusion and isomerisation processes are determined, and the lowest free-energy pathways (LFEP) connecting the minima of the landscapes are located. The conformational statistics of the altropyranose units along the LFEPs reveal different transition pathways in the four (self-)inclusion processes. It can be concluded that when accommodating a free bulky guest molecule, the altropyranose unit will adjust its conformation to match the guest. However, such induced fit effect in the self-complexation of altro-CD derivatives will be weakened. The conformation of the altropyranose unit changes accompanying the self-complexation, but always adopts the ⁴C₁ one in the self-inclusion complex, irrespective of the shape of the guest moieties. The present results help determine the transition states of the (self-)inclusion processes of CDs and further improve the understanding of the mechanical properties of CD-based molecular shuttles.     

Molecular recognition between 4a<Emphasis Type="Italic">S/R</Emphasis>-galanthamine diastereoisomers and α-cyclodextrin

Molecular recognition between 4aS/R-galanthamine diastereoisomers (1: 4aS-galanthamine; 2: 4aR-galanthamine) and -cyclodextrin (-CD) were studied by use of docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation approaches. The binding energy of constructed 2···-CD complexes is ~17 kcal mol^–1 lower than that of 1···-CD, implying a stronger binding ability of 2 with -CD than that of 1. The theoretical modeling result is consistent with our previous CZE result, which demonstrated that -CD is an efficient chiral additive for separating 1 and 2. The modeling result also indicates that both hydrophobic interaction and H-bond force may work as major factors for molecular recognition between the galanthamine diastereoisomers and -CD. Figure Chemical structures of 4aS-galanthamine (left) and 4aR-galanthamine (right)Abbreviations Galanthamine 4aS,6R,8aS-4a,5,9,10,11,12-Hexahydroxy-3-methoxy-11-methyl-6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2-e,f]benzazepin-6-ol     

Fine-tuning of POPC liposomal leakage by the use of β-cyclodextrin and several hydrophobic guests

The effect of entrapped β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) on the stability of multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), prepared by the dehydration-rehydration method, was studied by monitoring the release of 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein encapsulated into the liposomes. Different hydrophobic guests, such as Fullerene C₆₀, have been incorporated into the POPC bilayer in order to modify the membrane composition. The kinetic results as well as ESI-MS measurements evidenced that the destabilizing activity of β-CD is due to the formation of β-CD inclusion complexes and the consequent removal of selected bilayer constituents from the liposomal membrane. Hence, when β-CD was added to the liposomes in the form of a strong, water-soluble 2:1 β-CD/C₆₀ inclusion complex, such a destabilizing effect was not observed. However, the same β-CD/C₆₀ inclusion complex does not form as a result of C₆₀ extraction from the bilayer. This may be attributed either to the overwhelming concentration of POPC with respect to C₆₀ and/or to the fact that C₆₀ is largely aggregated in the bilayer. Turbidimetric and fluorimetric determinations of lamellarity and entrapped volume of the studied MLVs provided further evidence of the alteration of the liposomal bilayer as a consequence of the addition of β-CD and/or the presence of the studied guests.