Ru Nanoparticles Ligated by an N-Heterocyclic Carbene Derived from Uracil Nucleoside as Selective Antimicrobial Agents
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) effectively combat pathogens due to their nonspecific toxicity, reducing the chance of bacterial resistance. Natural-based stabilizing ligands enhance the stability and targeting of MNPs while minimizing toxicity to human cells. In this context, ura-NHC-stabilized Ru NPs ( Ru@ura-NHC ) have been successfully synthesized following an organometallic approach, employing Ru(COD)(COT) as the metal precursor and, for the first time, a zwitterionic uracil-6-yl-imidazolium betaine ( ura-zwt ) as the NHC precursor. The mesomeric properties of ura-zwt enabled its use as an air-stable NHC precursor for the one-pot synthesis of Ru@ura-NHC with 100% atom economy and without byproduct formation. A combined theoretical/experimental study was conducted to investigate the coordination of the uracil-based NHC onto the Ru surface, indicating that the coordination of the neutral form ( ura-NHC ) is preferred over the zwitterionic form ( ura-zwt ). Evaluation of the antimicrobial properties of Ru@ura-NHC revealed that the coated Ru NPs exhibit selective activity against Staphylococcus aureus, which is beneficial as it minimizes off-target effects and reduces selective pressure for resistance.
Source: Inorganic Chemistry
Institutions: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas, Universidad de Sevilla, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination, Université de Toulouse, Leibniz-Institut für Naturstoff-Forschung und Infektionsbiologie e. V. - Hans-Knöll-Institut (HKI), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Language: English
Subfield: Organic Chemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Funders: Universidad de Sevilla, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, European Commission, Junta de Andalucía, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, European Regional Development Fund, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, NextGenerationEU
Awards: G1287241977, G1402700502, G1929223321, G259178539, G266381127, G3309579038, G3340144160, G3480869486, G4388819102, G4475189793, G464105488, G4941345466, G5338730000, Ciências da Vida para um Futuro Saudável e Sustentável, G5910569720, G6033112984, G610647178, G6235560125, G6625891779, G6874468849, G6997658380, G7084143925, G714009816, G7426977871, G7434936867, G7646436911, G7965203573, G7991599336, Microbiologia Molecular, Estrutural e Celular – Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, G8709270594, G886374
OpenAlex ID: W7129322825