Chemistry – An Asian Journal

A novel photodynamic therapy nanoplatform based on mesoporous-silica-coated upconverting nanoparticles with electrostatic-driven ultrafast photosensitizer loading and 808 nm NIR-light-triggering capability was fabricated. The in vitro cellular uptake and low cell lethality of these nanoparticles demonstrate the nanoplatform is promising for low-heat and high-efficiency cancer theranostics.

Bifunctional boron phosphate: The inexpensive and non-toxic BPO₄/KI binary catalyst system could efficiently catalyze the cycloaddition of CO₂ with various epoxides, and various corresponding cyclic carbonates could be produced with high yields (93–99 %). In the catalytic system, BPO₄, a Brønsted and Lewis acid hybrid, played the role of activating the epoxy ring, and thus enhanced the activity of KI.

Exceptional orange emission: An aromatic difluoroboronated β-diketone can form an exciplex to give orange electroluminescence with an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 10 % that exceeds the theoretical efficiency limit of conventional fluorescent organic LEDs (see figure; PLQY=photoluminescence quantum efficiency; TADF=thermally activated delayed fluorescence).

Getting a piece of the pie: π-Extended dihydrophenanzines were successfully prepared by oxidation of 2-(N-arylamino)anthracenes. They exhibited a dramatic electronic absorption change upon chemical oxidation. The spectroscopic analysis and theoretical investigation revealed a concurrent conformational change. Furthermore, sequential switching between visible and NIR absorption properties by electrochemical stimuli were demonstrated.