Engineering Bodipy-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks for Effi-cient Full-Spectrum Photocatalysis in Amide Synthesis
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2025 Apr 7:e202505405. doi: 10.1002/anie.202505405. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Developing photocatalysts that can efficiently utilize the full solar spectrum is a crucial step toward transforming sustainable energy solutions. Due to their light absorption limitations, most photo-responsive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are constrained to the ultraviolet (UV) and blue light regions. Expanding their absorp-tion to encompass the entire solar spectrum would unlock their full potential, greatly enhancing efficiency and applicability. Here, we report the design and synthesis of a series of highly stable boron-dipyrromethene (bodipy) based MOFs (BMOFs) by reacting dicar-boxyl-functionalized bodipy ligands with Zr-oxo clusters. Leveraging the acidity of the methyl groups on the bodipy backbone, we ex-panded the conjugation system through a solid-state condensation reaction with various aldehydes, achieving full-color absorption, thereby extending the band edge into the near-infrared (NIR) and infrared (IR) regions. These BMOFs demonstrated exceptional reac-tivity and recyclability in heterogeneous photocatalytic activities, including C-H bond activation of saturated aza-heterocycles and C-N bond cleavage of N,N-dimethylanilines to produce amides under visible light. Our findings highlight the transformative potential of BMOFs in photocatalysis, marking a significant leap forward in the design of advanced photocatalytic materials with tunable prop-erties.
PMID:40192658 | DOI:10.1002/anie.202505405
Rational Design of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy: from Machine Learning Screening to In Vivo Efficacy
Adv Mater. 2025 Feb 2:e2412757. doi: 10.1002/adma.202412757. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Despite improvements in cancer survival rates, metastatic and surgery-resistant cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, remain challenging, with poor prognoses and limited treatment options. Enhancing drug bioavailability in tumors, while minimizing off-target effects, is crucial. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising drug delivery vehicles owing to their high loading capacity, biocompatibility, and functional tunability. However, the vast chemical diversity of MOFs complicates the rational design of biocompatible materials. This study employed machine learning and molecular simulations to identify MOFs suitable for encapsulating gemcitabine, paclitaxel, and SN-38, and identified PCN-222 as an optimal candidate. Following drug loading, MOF formulations are improved for colloidal stability and biocompatibility. In vitro studies on pancreatic cancer cell lines have shown high biocompatibility, cellular internalization, and delayed drug release. Long-term stability tests demonstrated a consistent performance over 12 months. In vivo studies in pancreatic tumor-bearing mice revealed that paclitaxel-loaded PCN-222, particularly with a hydrogel for local administration, significantly reduced metastatic spread and tumor growth compared to the free drug. These findings underscore the potential of PCN-222 as an effective drug delivery system for the treatment of hard-to-treat cancers.
PMID:39895194 | DOI:10.1002/adma.202412757
Renal-clearable probes for disease detection and monitoring
Trends Biotechnol. 2024 Dec 30:S0167-7799(24)00356-1. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.11.020. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
The demand for novel, minimally invasive, cost-effective, and easily readable diagnostic tools, primarily designed for the longitudinal monitoring of diseases and their treatments, has promoted the development of diagnostic systems that selectively target cells, tissues, or organs, at the same time minimizing their nonspecific accumulation, thus reducing the risk of toxicity and side effects. In this review, we explore the development of renal-clearable systems in non-invasive or minimally invasive detection protocols, all with the objective of minimizing nonspecific accumulation and its associated toxicity effects through quick renal excretion. These probes can identify molecules of interest or different healthy states of the patients through the direct analysis of urine (urinalysis). As we discuss, these diagnostics systems hold significant treatment monitoring potential.
PMID:39741067 | DOI:10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.11.020