Figure 21. (a) Mechanism of ATP sensing by 99, including the DFT energy-minimized structure of the ATP complex. (b) Fluorescence changes of 99 (5 μM) with the addition of various amounts of ATP (0− 5 μM) in HEPES buffer. Reprinted with permission from ref 174.

This critical review includes advances in anion complexation in the year 2007. The review covers anion receptors that employ amides and thioamides, pyrroles and indoles, ureas and thioureas, guanidinium, ammonium, and imidazolium groups and receptors containing hydroxyl groups. In addition, receptors containing metal ions or Lewis acids are discussed along with anion-pi interactions and the membrane transport of anionic species by synthetic transporters and channels (204 references).

This Tutorial Review provides a short survey of anion sensing by small molecule anion receptors, molecular ensembles and chemodosimeters. The review highlights the many different mechanisms and approaches employed by supramolecular chemists for anion sensing and the wide structural variety present in these systems.

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This work was devoted to the development of a new type of lipid-based (cubosome) theranostic nanoparticle able to simultaneously host camptothecin, a potent anticancer drug, and a squarain-based NIR-emitting fluorescent probe. Furthermore, to confer targeting abilities on these nanoparticles, they were dispersed using mixtures of Pluronic F108 and folate-conjugated Pluronic F108 in appropriate ratios. The physicochemical characterization, performed via SAXS, DLS, and cryo-TEM techniques, proved that aqueous dispersions of such cubosomes can be effectively prepared, while the photophysical characterization demonstrated that these nanoparticles may be used for in vivo imaging purposes. The superior ability of these innovative nanoparticles in targeting cancer cells was emphasized by investigating the lipid droplet alterations induced in HeLa cells upon exposure to targeted and nontargeted cubosomes.