Lanthanides: So Similar, So Different – Harnessing Duality Through Molecular Design

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F61388963%3A_____%2F25%3A00639651" target="_blank" >RIV/61388963:_____/25:00639651 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0370113" target="_blank" >https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0370113</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Lanthanides: So Similar, So Different – Harnessing Duality Through Molecular Design

Original language description

Lanthanides are often seen as chemically similar, differing only slightly in ionic radii in their predominant +3 oxidation state. While this uniformity complicates their separation, it also enables their interchangeable use within a single chemical framework. We have harnessed both similarities and differences. First, we developed chelators with amino acid groups that tightly and site-specifically embed multiple lanthanide ions into peptides. These rigid, geometrically constrained structures remain unchanged regardless of the specific lanthanides used, enabling the encoding of digital information via their combined paramagnetic effects. The resulting molecular codes, readable by NMR, serve as a nanoscale analog of RFID technology for labeling microscopic objects [Kretschmer, Nat. Commun. 2022, 3179]. Second, we introduced the ClickZip design: a chelator with azide and alkyne groups that undergoes intramolecular cycloaddition upon metal binding to form a triazole bridge. This reaction irreversibly traps the lanthanide, yielding stable, isostructural chelates that can serve as robust mass tags and safer contrast agents for diagnostics [David, Nat. Commun. 2024, 9836]. Conversely, chelator frameworks can be tailored to accentuate subtle differences between lanthanides for separation. Through systematic design and screening, we developed chelators that distinguish Yb3+ and Lu3+ ions, enabling their rapid chromatographic separation. This technology now supports commercial production of Lu-177, a key radionuclide for targeted cancer therapy. Additionally, by tuning macrocyclic chelate solubility, we established an aqueous, eco-friendly method for precipitating and recycling rare earths from industrial magnets. These examples underscore the dual nature of lanthanide chemistry: with deliberate molecular design, both their similarity and subtle differences can become powerful tools for innovation.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10608 - Biochemistry and molecular biology

Project

<a href="/en/project/LX22NPO5104" target="_blank" >LX22NPO5104: National Institute for Research of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases</a><br>

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů