scholarly journals Porous organic cages as synthetic water channels

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Di Yuan ◽  
Jinqiao Dong ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
Daohui Zhao ◽  
Hui Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract Nature has protein channels (e.g., aquaporins) that preferentially transport water molecules while rejecting even the smallest hydrated ions. Aspirations to create robust synthetic counterparts have led to the development of a few one-dimensional channels. However, replicating the performance of the protein channels in these synthetic water channels remains a challenge. In addition, the dimensionality of the synthetic water channels also imposes engineering difficulties to align them in membranes. Here we show that zero-dimensional porous organic cages (POCs) with nanoscale pores can effectively reject small cations and anions while allowing fast water permeation (ca. 109 water molecules per second) on the same magnitude as that of aquaporins. Water molecules are found to preferentially flow in single-file, branched chains within the POCs. This work widens the choice of water channel morphologies for water desalination applications.

Membranes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 646
Author(s):  
Hao-Chen Wu ◽  
Tomohisa Yoshioka ◽  
Keizo Nakagawa ◽  
Takuji Shintani ◽  
Hideto Matsuyama

The use of an Amphotericin B_Ergosterol (AmBEr) channel as an artificial water channel in forward osmosis filtration (FO) was studied via molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Three channel models were constructed: a common AmBEr channel and two modified C3deOAmB_Ergosterol (C3deOAmBEr) channels with different diameters (12 Å and 18 Å). During FO filtration simulation, the osmotic pressure of salt-water was a driving force for water permeation. We examined the effect of the modified C3deOAmBEr channel on the water transport performance. By tracing the change of the number of water molecules along with simulation time in the saltwater region, the water permeability of the channel models could be calculated. A higher water permeability was observed for a modified C3deOAmBEr channel, and there was no ion permeation during the entire simulation period. The hydrated ions and water molecules were placed into the channel to explore the ion leakage behavior of the channels. The mean squared displacement (MSD) of ions and water molecules was obtained to study the ion leakage performance. The Amphotericin B-based channels showed excellent selectivity of water molecules against ions. The results obtained on an atomistic scale could assist in determining the properties and the optimal filtration applications for Amphotericin B-based channels.


1987 ◽  
Vol 33 (114) ◽  
pp. 239-242
Author(s):  
M. E. R. Walford

AbstractWe discuss the suggestion that small underwater transmitters might be used to illuminate the interior of major englacial water channels with radio waves. Once launched, the radio waves would naturally tend to be guided along the channels until attenuated by absorption and by radiative loss. Receivers placed within the channels or at the glacier surface could be used to detect the signals. They would provide valuable information about the connectivity of the water system. The electrical conductivity of the water is of crucial importance. A surface stream on Storglaciären, in Sweden, was found, using a low-frequency technique, to have a conductivity of approximately 4 × 10−4 S m−1. Although this is several hundred times higher than the conductivity of the surrounding glacier ice, the contrast is not sufficient to permit us simply to use electrical conductivity measurements to establish the connectivity of englacial water channels. However, the water conductivity is sufficiently small that, under favourable circumstances, radio signals should be detectable after travelling as much as a few hundred metres along an englacial water channel. In a preliminary field experiment, we demonstrated semi quantitatively that radio waves do indeed propagate as expected, at least in surface streams. We conclude that under-water radio transmitters could be of real practical value in the study of the englacial water system, provided that sufficiently robust devices can be constructed. In a subglacial channel, however, we expect the radio range would be much smaller, the environment much harsher, and the technique of less practical value.


1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (1) ◽  
pp. C12-C30 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Verkman ◽  
A. N. van Hoek ◽  
T. Ma ◽  
A. Frigeri ◽  
W. R. Skach ◽  
...  

This review summarizes recent progress in water-transporting mechanisms across cell membranes. Modern biophysical concepts of water transport and new measurement strategies are evaluated. A family of water-transporting proteins (water channels, aquaporins) has been identified, consisting of small hydrophobic proteins expressed widely in epithelial and nonepithelial tissues. The functional properties, genetics, and cellular distributions of these proteins are summarized. The majority of molecular-level information about water-transporting mechanisms comes from studies on CHIP28, a 28-kDa glycoprotein that forms tetramers in membranes; each monomer contains six putative helical domains surrounding a central aqueous pathway and functions independently as a water-selective channel. Only mutations in the vasopressin-sensitive water channel have been shown to cause human disease (non-X-linked congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus); the physiological significance of other water channels remains unproven. One mercurial-insensitive water channel has been identified, which has the unique feature of multiple overlapping transcriptional units. Systems for expression of water channel proteins are described, including Xenopus oocytes, mammalian and insect cells, and bacteria. Further work should be directed at elucidation of the role of water channels in normal physiology and disease, molecular analysis of regulatory mechanisms, and water channel structure determination at atomic resolution.


2012 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-10
Author(s):  
Guido J. Reiss ◽  
Martin van Megen

The reaction of bipyridine with hydroiodic acid in the presence of iodine gave two new polyiodide-containing salts best described as 4,4´-bipyridinium bis(triiodide), C10H10N2[I3]2, 1, and bis(4,4´-bipyridinium) diiodide bis(triiodide) tris(diiodine) solvate dihydrate, (C10H10N2)2I2[I3]2 · 3 I2 ·2H2O, 2. Both compounds have been structurally characterized by crystallographic and spectroscopic methods (Raman and IR). Compound 1 is composed of I3 − anions forming one-dimensional polymers connected by interionic halogen bonds. These chains run along [101] with one crystallographically independent triiodide anion aligned and the other triiodide anion perpendicular to the chain direction. There are no classical hydrogen bonds present in 1. The structure of 2 consists of a complex I144− anion, 4,4´-bipyridinium dications and hydrogen-bonded water molecules in the ratio of 1 : 2 : 2. The I144− polyiodide anion is best described as an adduct of two iodide and two triiodide anions and three diiodine molecules. Two 4,4´-bipyridinium cations and two water molecules form a cyclic dimer through N-H· · ·O hydrogen bonds. Only weak hydrogen bonding is found between these cyclic dimers and the polyiodide anions.


1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (5) ◽  
pp. F880-F885 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Ford ◽  
G. Amodeo ◽  
C. Capurro ◽  
C. Ibarra ◽  
R. Dorr ◽  
...  

The ovarian oocytes from Bufo arenarum (BAO) but not those from Xenopus laevis (XLO) would have water channels (WC). We now report that the injection of the mRNA from BAO into the oocytes from XLO increased their water osmotic permeability (Pi) (reduced by 0.3 mM HgCl2 and reversed by 5 mM beta-mercaptoethanol). A 30-min challenge with progesterone induced, 18 h later, a reduction of the mercury-sensitive fraction of Pf in the BAO (but not in XLO). The mRNA from BAO pretreated with progesterone lost its capacity to induce WC in the XLO, but the hormone did not affect the expression of the WC in XLO previously injected with the mRNA from BAO. Pf was also measured in urinary bladders of BAO. Eighteen hours after a challenge with progesterone, a reduction in the hydrosmotic response to oxytocin was observed. Finally, the mRNA from the urinary bladder of BAO was injected into XLO. An increase in Pf was observed. This was not the case if, before the mRNA extraction, the bladders were treated with progesterone. We conclude that the BAO WC share progesterone sensitivity with the oxytocin-regulated water channel present in the toad urinary bladder.


2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 222-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abdellatif Bensegueni ◽  
Aouatef Cherouana ◽  
Slimane Dahaoui

Two alkaline earth–tetrazole compounds, namelycatena-poly[[[triaquamagnesium(II)]-μ-5,5′-(azanediyl)ditetrazolato-κ3N1,N1′:N5] hemi{bis[μ-5,5′-(azanediyl)ditetrazolato-κ3N1,N1′:N2]bis[triaquamagnesium(II)]} monohydrate], {[Mg(C2HN9)(H2O)3][Mg2(C2HN9)2(H2O)6]0.5·H2O}n, (I), and bis[5-(pyrazin-2-yl)tetrazolate] hexaaquamagnesium(II), (C5H3N6)[Mg(H2O)6], (II), have been prepared under hydrothermal conditions. Compound (I) is a mixed dimer–polymer based on magnesium ion centres and can be regarded as the first example of a magnesium–tetrazolate polymer in the crystalline form. The structure shows a complex three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network that involves magnesium–tetrazolate dimers, solvent water molecules and one-dimensional magnesium–tetrazolate polymeric chains. The intrinsic cohesion in the polymer chains is ensured by N—H...N hydrogen bonds, which formR22(7) rings, thus reinforcing the propagation of the polymer chain along theaaxis. The crystal structure of magnesium tetrazole salt (II) reveals a mixed ribbon of hydrogen-bonded rings, of typesR22(7),R22(9) andR24(10), running along thecaxis, which are linked byR24(16) rings, generating a 4,8-cflunet.


Author(s):  
Nives Politeo ◽  
Mateja Pisačić ◽  
Marijana Đaković ◽  
Vesna Sokol ◽  
Boris-Marko Kukovec

A 6-chloronicotinate (6-Clnic) salt of a one-dimensional cationic nickel(II) coordination polymer with 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy), namely, catena-poly[[[tetraaquanickel(II)]-μ-4,4′-bipyridine-κ2 N:N′] bis(6-chloronicotinate) tetrahydrate], {[Ni(C10H8N2)(H2O)4](C6H3ClNO2)2·4H2O} n or {[Ni(4,4′-bpy)(H2O)4](6-Clnic)2·4H2O} n , (1), was prepared by the reaction of nickel(II) sulfate heptahydrate, 6-chloronicotinic acid and 4,4′-bipyridine in a mixture of water and ethanol. The molecular structure of 1 comprises a one-dimensional polymeric {[Ni(4,4′-bpy)(H2O)4]2+} n cation, two 6-chloronicotinate anions and four water molecules of crystallization per repeating polymeric unit. The nickel(II) ion in the polymeric cation is octahedrally coordinated by four water molecule O atoms and by two 4,4′-bipyridine N atoms in the trans position. The 4,4′-bipyridine ligands act as bridges and, thus, connect the symmetry-related nickel(II) ions into an infinite one-dimensional polymeric chain extending along the b-axis direction. In the extended structure of 1, the polymeric chains of {[Ni(4,4′-bpy)(H2O)4]2+} n , the 6-chloronicotinate anions and the water molecules of crystallization are assembled into an infinite three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network via strong O—H...O and O—H...N hydrogen bonds, leading to the formation of the representative hydrogen-bonded ring motifs: tetrameric R 2 4(8) and R 4 4(10) loops, a dimeric R 2 2(8) loop and a pentameric R 4 5(16) loop.


2007 ◽  
Vol 63 (11) ◽  
pp. i185-i185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Liu ◽  
Jingtai Zhao

The title compound, ammonium catena-[monoboro-monodihydrogendiborate-monohydrogenphosphate] hemihydrate, was obtained under solvothermal conditions using glycol as the solvent. The crystal structure is constructed of one-dimensional infinite borophosphate chains, which are interconnected by ammonium ions and water molecules via a complex hydrogen-bond network to form a three-dimensional structure. The water molecules of crystallization are disordered over inversion centres, and their H atoms were not located.


2012 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. m265-m268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai-Long Zhong ◽  
Ming-Yi Qian

The title compound, {[Co(H2O)6][Co(SO4)(C10H8N2)(H2O)3][Co(SO4)2(C10H8N2)(H2O)2]}n, contains three crystallographically unique CoIIcentres, all of which are in six-coordinated environments. One CoIIcentre is coordinated by two bridging 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy) ligands, one sulfate ion and three aqua ligands. The second CoIIcentre is surrounded by two N atoms of two 4,4′-bipy ligands and four O atoms,i.e.two O atoms from two monodentate sulfate ions and two from water molecules. The third CoIIcentre forms part of a hexaaquacobalt(II) ion. In the crystal structure, there are two different one-dimensional chains, one being anionic and the other neutral, and adjacent chains are arranged in a cross-like fashion around the mid-point of the 4,4′-bipy ligands. The structure features O—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions between sulfate anions and water molecules, resulting in a three-dimensional supramolecular network.


2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Woochul Song ◽  
Chao Lang ◽  
Yue-xiao Shen ◽  
Manish Kumar

Aquaporins (AQPs) are naturally occurring water channel proteins. They can facilitate water molecule translocation across cellular membranes with exceptional selectivity and high permeability that are unmatched in synthetic membrane systems. These unique properties of AQPs have led to their use as functional elements in membranes in recent years. However, the intricate nature of AQPs and concerns regarding their stability and processability have encouraged researchers to develop synthetic channels that mimic the structure and properties of AQPs and other biological water-conducting channels. These channels have been termed artificial water channels. This article reviews current progress and provides a historical perspective as well as an outlook toward developing scalable membranes based on artificial water channels.


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