Two different types of azide functionalized magnetite@silica nanoparticles are synthesized, which are ideally suited as inexpensive supports for catalysts and reagents as demonstrated with the grafting of copper(II)‐azabis(oxazoline) complexes via a copper(I) catalyzed azide/alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction. The potential of the immobilized complexes as catalysts is tested in the desymmetrization of racemic 1,2‐diols through asymmetric benzoylation. Compared to azabis(oxazolines) “clicked” to common polymeric supports such as MeOPEG or Merrifield resin, Fe3O4@SiO2 proves to be superior with respect to activity and selectivity, as exemplified by employing the catalysts in up to five runs with consistent high activity and selectivity. Recycling of the catalysts is achieved quantitatively by magnetic decantation.

Phosphorus dendrimer immobilized azabis(oxazoline) ligands can be efficiently synthesized up to the third generation with 48 ligand molecules being attached to the periphery using click chemistry. The so-assembled macromolecules were evaluated in copper(II)-catalyzed asymmetric benzoylations, showing good yields and enantioselectivities. Moreover, the copper(II)-catalysts could be readily recovered and reused in several cycles. The globular structure of the dendritic ligands seems to prevent interference of the triazole moieties in the catalysis, contrasting MeOPEG or polystyrene bound ligands of the same type.

Objective. We undertook this study to examine the effects of estradiol on chondrogenesis of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), with consideration of sex-dependent differences in cartilage repair.Methods. Bone marrow was obtained from the iliac crest of young men. Density-gradient centrifugation-separated human MSCs proliferated as a monolayer in serum-containing medium. After confluence was achieved, aggregates were created and cultured in a serum-free differentiation medium. We added different concentrations of 17␤-estradiol (E2)