Selective activation of Pt(IV) prodrugs within tumors has emerged as a promising strategy in tumor treatment. Although progress has been made with photo- and ultrasound-activated Pt(IV) prodrugs, concerns remain over the non-specific activation of photosensitizers (PS) and the potential for phototoxicity and chemical toxicity. In this study, a sequential dual-locked Pt(IV) nano-prodrug that can be activated by both the acidic tumor microenvironment and light was developed. The Pt(IV) prodrug was prepared by conjugating PS-locked Pt(IV) to a polymeric core, which was then chelated with metallo iron to lock its photoactivity and form a metallo-nano prodrug. Under acidic tumor microenvironment conditions, the metallo-nano prodrug undergoes dissociation of iron, triggering a reduction process in oxaliplatin under light irradiation, resulting in the activation of both chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Additionally, the prodrug could induce metallo-triggered ferroptosis and polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), thereby enhancing tumor inhibition. The dual-lock strategy employed in a nanoparticle delivery system represents an expansion in the application of platinum-based anticancer drugs, making it a promising new direction in cancer treatment.
Dialkylsulfide is considered as the most promising extractant for separating Pd(II) and Pt(IV) in industrial processes. However, the slow kinetics for Pd(II) extraction limits its extensive application. The development of new extractants with faster kinetics, high extraction efficiency, and exceptional Pd(II) separation selectivity has been a persisting goal over the past few decades. In this study, a new functionalized extractant, 1-methyl-2-(nonylthio)-1H-imidazole (MNI) containing both N and S atoms, was synthesized and employed to separate Pd(II) from mixed hydrochloric acid solutions with different initial Pd(II)/Pt(IV) concentration ratios. Experimental results revealed that MNI not only has a high selectivity for Pd(II) over Pt(IV) but also has faster kinetics for Pd(II) extraction than diisopentylsulfide (S201) under similar extraction conditions. In contrast to traditional dialkylsulfide extractants, MNI coordinates with Pd(II) ions via the N(5) atom in its imidazole ring to form Pd(MNI) 2 Cl 2 complexes, instead of using the S atom as with dialkylsulfide. The extraction mechanism involving the coordination between Pd(II) and MNI was demonstrated using the slope analysis method and ultraviolet (UV), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), 1 H NMR, and 13 C NMR spectroscopic methods. The fast extraction kinetics between MNI and Pd(II) was possibly attributed to the high charge density of the N(5) atom in the imidazole ring, whereas the outstanding separation selectivity for Pd(II) was due to the strong affinity of the N(5) atom. The facile synthesis, high saturation capacity, excellent Pd(II) selectivity, and remarkable reusability endow MNI with potential applications in Pd(II) recovery from leach solutions of waste automotive catalysts and other secondary resources.
In conventional liquid-liquid extraction, Pt(IV) and Pd(II) chloride complex anions PtCl 6 2− and PdCl 4 2− in concentrated hydrochloric acid cannot be separated using simple amine extractants according to the ion association mechanism based on the thermodynamic difference in the interaction of their inner sphere coordinated chloride ions with protonated amine. This study exhibits a novel strategy for enhancing the separation of PtCl 6 2− and PdCl 4 2− anions using thin-layer organic membrane-based laminar flow (TOMLF) extraction by controlling the acidified primary amine N1923 (A-N1923) molecular orientation on the surface of concentrated hydrochloric acid with a laminar shear flow. Experiments revealed that the separation selectivity is primarily determined by the interaction of A-N1923 molecules with the outer sphere-bound water molecules around PtCl 6 2− and PdCl 4 2− anions, and is easily controlled by regulating the A-N1923 molecular orientation on the surface of laminar flow. It is a new phenomenon that has not been previously documented. The evolution of A-N1923 molecular orientation and complexation sites induced by laminar shear flow would result in a controllable spatial geometry recognition, therefore promoting or inhibiting the separation of PtCl 6 2− and PdCl 4 2− anions in concentrated hydrochloric acid. This work is expected to provide new insight into the development of hydration-sphere coordination strategies based upon shear-switch laminar flow for controllable host-guest molecule recognition at a flowing liquid-liquid interface.