Atom-precise metal nanoclusters have emerged as a class of materials with unique structural and electronic properties, driven by quantum size effects and precise atomic arrangements. This review delves into recent advancements in the field, focusing on key aspects, such as ligand exchange reactions, structural characterization and catalytic properties of copper nanoclusters (NCs), development of silver cluster-assembled materials with enhanced stability and properties, and stabilization of NCs in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Synthesis of specific clusters for desired applications can be attained through ligand exchange transformation reaction. Among the coinage metal ions, the research on copper NCs is less explored due to low redox potential. Still, there are some reports with unique structural architecture that exhibit catalytic properties. Stability and properties of clusters can be enhanced by linking the cluster to higher dimensional or embedded into the porous MOF structures.
Graphical abstract
This review discusses some of the recent advancements achieved in the field of nanoclusters and their assemblies, ranging from fundamental studies to structure-property correlation and applications.
{"title":"Ligand engineering for designing atomically precise metal nanoclusters and cluster-assemblies for potential applications","authors":"Eyyakkandy Nida Nahan, Ravari Kandy Aparna, Priyanka Chandrashekar, Noohul Alam, Glory James, Sukhendu Mandal","doi":"10.1007/s12039-025-02373-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12039-025-02373-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Atom-precise metal nanoclusters have emerged as a class of materials with unique structural and electronic properties, driven by quantum size effects and precise atomic arrangements. This review delves into recent advancements in the field, focusing on key aspects, such as ligand exchange reactions, structural characterization and catalytic properties of copper nanoclusters (NCs), development of silver cluster-assembled materials with enhanced stability and properties, and stabilization of NCs in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Synthesis of specific clusters for desired applications can be attained through ligand exchange transformation reaction. Among the coinage metal ions, the research on copper NCs is less explored due to low redox potential. Still, there are some reports with unique structural architecture that exhibit catalytic properties. Stability and properties of clusters can be enhanced by linking the cluster to higher dimensional or embedded into the porous MOF structures.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><p>This review discusses some of the recent advancements achieved in the field of nanoclusters and their assemblies, ranging from fundamental studies to structure-property correlation and applications.\u0000</p><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":616,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Chemical Sciences","volume":"137 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145143293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-02DOI: 10.1007/s12039-025-02352-3
Nishana Lahinakillathu, Ayyamperumal Sakthivel, Maliyeckal R Prathapachandra Kurup
Aroylhydrazones are compounds characterized by a double bond between carbon and nitrogen atoms. They are notable in coordination chemistry for their versatile coordination modes and a wide range of applications. These compounds are synthesized by condensing hydrazides with aromatic aldehydes or ketones, forming stable imine linkages. Their coordination diversity comes from their ability to act as multidentate ligands, coordinating through nitrogen, oxygen, and sometimes sulfur atoms, resulting in various metal complexes with different geometries and properties. Factors like pH, solvent, and the nature of the metal ions influence this diversity. Aroylhydrazones are crucial in medicinal chemistry, material science, and catalysis, serving as antimicrobial agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, and sensors, and in developing organic-inorganic hybrid materials. In catalysis, they stabilize transition states and facilitate organic transformations, proving valuable in both industrial and synthetic organic chemistry. Aroylhydrazone-based complexes have shown efficiency in reactions such as oxidation, epoxidation, alkylation, and nitro-aldol condensation. Their structural versatility and catalytic efficiency make them valuable for developing new catalytic systems and materials. This review article provides an overview of the coordination diversity and significant catalytic applications of metal complexes derived from aroylhydrazone compounds.
Graphical abstract
Aroylhydrazones exhibit significant importance due to their versatile coordination diversity, enabling the formation of various metal complexes. These complexes demonstrate notable catalytic applications in organic transformations, highlighting their potential in industrial and pharmaceutical process. The multifaceted nature of aroylhydrazones underscores their value in advancing catalysis and coordination chemistry.
{"title":"Aroylhydrazone-based transition metal complexes: Structural features, coordination diversity and catalytic applications","authors":"Nishana Lahinakillathu, Ayyamperumal Sakthivel, Maliyeckal R Prathapachandra Kurup","doi":"10.1007/s12039-025-02352-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12039-025-02352-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Aroylhydrazones are compounds characterized by a double bond between carbon and nitrogen atoms. They are notable in coordination chemistry for their versatile coordination modes and a wide range of applications. These compounds are synthesized by condensing hydrazides with aromatic aldehydes or ketones, forming stable imine linkages. Their coordination diversity comes from their ability to act as multidentate ligands, coordinating through nitrogen, oxygen, and sometimes sulfur atoms, resulting in various metal complexes with different geometries and properties. Factors like pH, solvent, and the nature of the metal ions influence this diversity. Aroylhydrazones are crucial in medicinal chemistry, material science, and catalysis, serving as antimicrobial agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, and sensors, and in developing organic-inorganic hybrid materials. In catalysis, they stabilize transition states and facilitate organic transformations, proving valuable in both industrial and synthetic organic chemistry. Aroylhydrazone-based complexes have shown efficiency in reactions such as oxidation, epoxidation, alkylation, and nitro-aldol condensation. Their structural versatility and catalytic efficiency make them valuable for developing new catalytic systems and materials. This review article provides an overview of the coordination diversity and significant catalytic applications of metal complexes derived from aroylhydrazone compounds.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><p>Aroylhydrazones exhibit significant importance due to their versatile coordination diversity, enabling the formation of various metal complexes. These complexes demonstrate notable catalytic applications in organic transformations, highlighting their potential in industrial and pharmaceutical process. The multifaceted nature of aroylhydrazones underscores their value in advancing catalysis and coordination chemistry.\u0000</p><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":616,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Chemical Sciences","volume":"137 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145142032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Present study involved the creation of microbeads loaded with dopamine, which were utilized as carriers for antioxidants, exhibiting regulated drug release characteristics. Synthesis of microbeads was achieved using a straightforward, yet efficient technique that entailed the crosslinking of dopamine and integration of antioxidants into the polymer matrix. To attain the desired swelling index and drug-loading efficiency, the formulation parameters were optimized. Encapsulation efficiency of the developed DP-bead was found to be 94 ± 1.2% and the swelling index was (155 ± 1.4%) (trial 2). Regulated release of dopamine from the microbeads were found to be 94 ± 0.3% and 47 ± 1.7% from in vitro drug release tests conducted under physiological (pH 7.4) and acidic conditions (pH 1.2), respectively. Antioxidant activity of the developed DP-bead was found to be 78.21%, which indicates the free radical elimination done by dopamine. Thereby, the developed DP-bead could be a promising antioxidative and controlled release application.
The fabrication of microbeads was achieved using emulsion encapsulation techniques. Through the process of crosslinking dopamine with a calcium chloride and sodium alginate as polymeric matrix was optimised. The synthesized microbeads loaded with dopamine was employed for delivering antioxidants, these nanobeads tested to demonstrated controlled drug release properties.
{"title":"Preparation of dopamine-loaded microbeads for antioxidant activity and controlled drug release","authors":"Kumar Janakiraman, Vaidevi Sethuraman, Abilesh Ramesh, Divya Kennedy","doi":"10.1007/s12039-025-02375-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12039-025-02375-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Present study involved the creation of microbeads loaded with dopamine, which were utilized as carriers for antioxidants, exhibiting regulated drug release characteristics. Synthesis of microbeads was achieved using a straightforward, yet efficient technique that entailed the crosslinking of dopamine and integration of antioxidants into the polymer matrix. To attain the desired swelling index and drug-loading efficiency, the formulation parameters were optimized. Encapsulation efficiency of the developed DP-bead was found to be 94 ± 1.2% and the swelling index was (155 ± 1.4%) (trial 2). Regulated release of dopamine from the microbeads were found to be 94 ± 0.3% and 47 ± 1.7% from <i>in vitro</i> drug release tests conducted under physiological (pH 7.4) and acidic conditions (pH 1.2), respectively. Antioxidant activity of the developed DP-bead was found to be 78.21%, which indicates the free radical elimination done by dopamine. Thereby, the developed DP-bead could be a promising antioxidative and controlled release application.</p><p>The fabrication of microbeads was achieved using emulsion encapsulation techniques. Through the process of crosslinking dopamine with a calcium chloride and sodium alginate as polymeric matrix was optimised. The synthesized microbeads loaded with dopamine was employed for delivering antioxidants, these nanobeads tested to demonstrated controlled drug release properties.\u0000</p>","PeriodicalId":616,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Chemical Sciences","volume":"137 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145145613","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In recent years, nanoparticles have found widespread use in several fields ranging from pharmaceuticals, mechanical devices and electronics. Their uses for therapeutic purposes originate from their uniform size that can be fabricated or engineered to be tuned to a specific requirement. Biomaterials like proteins/peptides are an excellent medium to design structural materials to act as carrier systems for small molecules. Nanoparticles possess the ability to encapsulate various types of small molecules, including therapeutic and imaging agents for disease treatment and diagnosis. However, due to the presence of nonspecific intermolecular interactions, the release of the associated small molecules from nanoparticles poses a challenge. In this article, we demonstrate the preparation of protein nanoparticles from an inexpensive source, rich in proteinaceous material. The nanoparticles thus prepared are capable of encapsulation of multifunctional small molecules and regulation of sustained release under specific stimuli is possible.
Graphical abstract
Synopsis Our study presents a cost-effective source for preparing protein nanoparticles from discarded cataractous eye lens proteins. These nanoparticles efficiently encapsulate curcumin and enable its sustained release under physiological stimuli. The biocompatible system shows potential as a novel vehicle for delivering hydrophobic drugs, with implications for targeted therapeutic applications.
{"title":"An inexpensive protein source for the encapsulation of small molecules","authors":"Susmit Narayan Chaudhury, Sultana Parveen, Swagata Dasgupta","doi":"10.1007/s12039-025-02372-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12039-025-02372-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In recent years, nanoparticles have found widespread use in several fields ranging from pharmaceuticals, mechanical devices and electronics. Their uses for therapeutic purposes originate from their uniform size that can be fabricated or engineered to be tuned to a specific requirement. Biomaterials like proteins/peptides are an excellent medium to design structural materials to act as carrier systems for small molecules. Nanoparticles possess the ability to encapsulate various types of small molecules, including therapeutic and imaging agents for disease treatment and diagnosis. However, due to the presence of nonspecific intermolecular interactions, the release of the associated small molecules from nanoparticles poses a challenge. In this article, we demonstrate the preparation of protein nanoparticles from an inexpensive source, rich in proteinaceous material. The nanoparticles thus prepared are capable of encapsulation of multifunctional small molecules and regulation of sustained release under specific stimuli is possible.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><p><b>Synopsis</b> Our study presents a cost-effective source for preparing protein nanoparticles from discarded cataractous eye lens proteins. These nanoparticles efficiently encapsulate curcumin and enable its sustained release under physiological stimuli. The biocompatible system shows potential as a novel vehicle for delivering hydrophobic drugs, with implications for targeted therapeutic applications. </p><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":616,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Chemical Sciences","volume":"137 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145145518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-24DOI: 10.1007/s12039-025-02364-z
Ozge Kozgus Guldu, Seda Yuksekdanaci
A new azo-Schiff base derivative compounds have been synthesized and characterized by FTIR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and elemental analysis techniques. The azo-Schiff base compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against human epithelial breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) and human epithelial cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cell lines using the MTT assay. Compound 4a exhibited potent in vitro antiproliferative activity with IC50 120.0 and 140.8 μM against HeLa and MCF7 cell lines, respectively. As a result of the cell migration study, compound 4a achieved 38%, recovery in HeLa cells at 48 hours and 59% in MCF7 cells at 48 hours. Compound 4b achieved 12% recovery in HeLa cells at 48 hours and 49% in MCF7 cells at 48 hours. Apoptosis analysis studies show that the synthesized compounds (4a-b) can induce apoptosis in the HeLa and MCF7 cells.
Graphical Abstract
The IC50 dose of compound 4a was found to be 120.0 µL in the HeLa cell line and 140.8 µL in the MCF7 cell line. Furthermore, it has also been observed that compounds 4a and 4b can increase the apoptotic effect in both cell lines significantly compared with control group.