A new copper(II) coordination polymer was synthesized from the l-isoleucine-Schiff base and characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, electronic paramagnetic resonance, and thermogravimetric analysis. XRD analysis confirmed the square planar coordination geometry of metallic centers and a zipper-like polymer structure. Vibrational, electronic, and paramagnetic spectroscopies and thermal analysis were consistent with the crystal structure. A Hirshfeld surface (HS) and density functional theory (DFT) analyses were employed to gain additional insight into interactions responsible for complex packing. The quantitative examination of two-dimensional (2D) fingerprint plots revealed, among other van der Waals forces, the dominating participation of H···H and H···Cl interactions in the molecular packing. The use of computational methods provided great help in detailing the supramolecular interactions occurring in the crystal, which were mainly van der Waals attractions. The electronic transition analysis helped corroborate the electronic transitions observed experimentally in the absorption spectrum. The frequency and vibrational mode analysis gave a deeper insight into the characterization of the CuL_CL complex.

Nanoliposomes have increased exponentially since their discovery in the 1960s, primarily for encapsulating medicines or compounds that can improve human health. However, recent studies propose nanoliposomes as vehicles to protect, transport, and subsequently release compounds of various kinds to fortify the properties of foods and cause a prolonged release of encapsulated substances in a specific part of the body. Among the compounds successfully encapsulated are β-carotene; α-carotene; vitamins A, C, and D; and lycopene, among others. The encapsulation of extracts with high contents of antioxidant pigments is still to be explored. Therefore, this review aims to compile the compounds that have been successfully encapsulated and have met the specific prolonged release criteria, highlighting areas of research opportunity and application such as biomedical, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries.

Schiff bases are imine derivatives widely recognized for their structural versatility and ability to coordinate transition metals, giving rise to compounds with remarkable physicochemical and biological properties. Over the last decade, numerous studies have reported their diverse applications, ranging from antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities to roles as catalysts, fluorescent sensors, and photovoltaic materials. While previous reviews have focused on specific aspects—such as biomedical activity, catalytic transformations, or luminescent sensing—there is still a lack of an integrative perspective that connects these different areas. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in Schiff bases and their metal complexes, emphasizing their multifunctionality at the interface of bioinorganic chemistry and materials science. We highlight how metal coordination enhances biological activity, how structural design expands the scope of asymmetric catalysis, how Schiff‐based fluorophores are emerging as versatile luminescent sensors, and how aromatic and metal‐Schiff derivatives contribute to the development of next‐generation photovoltaic devices. By offering this transversal vision, the article aims to bridge fragmented knowledge and outline future research directions to fully exploit the potential of Schiff bases in medicine, catalysis, sensing, and sustainable energy.

Two new glycine-Schiff base copper(II) complexes were synthesized. Single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) allowed us to establish the structure of both complexes in the solid state. The glycine-Schiff base copper(II) complex derived from 2′-hydroxy-5′-nitroacetophenone showed a mononuclear hydrated structure, in which the Schiff base acted as a tridentate ligand, and the glycine-Schiff base copper(II) complex derived from 2′-hydroxy-5′-methylacetophenone showed a less common tetranuclear anhydrous metallocyclic structure, in which the Schiff base acted as a tetradentate ligand. In both compounds, copper(II) had a tetracoordinated square planar geometry. The results of vibrational, electronic, and paramagnetic spectroscopies, as well as thermal analysis, were consistent with the crystal structures. Both complexes were evaluated as catalysts in the olefin cyclopropanation by carbene transference, and both led to very high diastereoselectivity (greater than 98%).

This work reports on two thiourea-based receptors with pyridine and amine units including 1-naphthyl (MT1N) and 4-nytrophenyl (MT4N) as signaling units. For both compounds, their affinity and signaling ability toward various anions of different geometry and basicity in DMSO were studied using UV-vis, fluorescence, and ¹H NMR techniques. Anion recognition studies revealed that both MT1N and MT4N have, in general, high affinities toward basic anions. In this regard, a higher acidity of the MT4N receptor was demonstrated. Furthermore, MT4N has a higher affinity for fluoride (log K₁ = 5.98) than for the other anions and can effectively detect it through colorimetric changes that can be monitored by the UV-vis technique. The interaction between receptors and anions mainly involves the hydrogens of the amino and thiourea groups of the former. Complementary single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies and molecular modeling at the DFT level were also performed.

The preparation of materials with application in the biomedical field needs to attend some characteristics such as biocompatibility, nontoxicity, adequate mechanical properties, and the ability to mimic the extracellular matrix. Scaffolds for use in cell culture were prepared based on gelatin, polylactic acid (PLA), aloe vera mucilage, and tetracycline. Fibers were prepared in single and coaxial configuration and then cross-linked with glutaraldehyde saturated vapor. The fibers were obtained with cylindric morphology and changed to ribbon morphology and porous membranes, similarly to the extracellular matrix, when cross-linked. Membranes prepared by coaxial electrospinning showed core-shell structures when observed by transversal images, which is beneficial for controlled drug release. Characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated the cross-linking due to the increase in diameter, formation of imine groups, and improvement of thermal stability. Antibiotic release tests showed that the prevalent release mechanism is diffusion and can be controlled considering the encapsulation effect, when fibers are prepared with a coaxial configuration, increasing the drug release time, making it a suitable material for controlled release. The biological evaluation of the scaffolds was carried out in two cell lines: mammalian adipose stem cells (ASCs), used as a primary cell culture, and Detroit 548 human skin fibroblasts as a dermal cell model. Aloe vera enriched scaffolds showed better activity in contact with both cell lines, exhibiting cell viability values greater than 90% and favorable results in live-dead assays when no damaged cells were observed. Cell proliferation was evaluated using Detroit 548 human skin fibroblast on gelatin-based scaffolds by the staining of the adhered cells; the images showed good confluence and morphology of the cells on the aloe vera and antibiotic loaded membranes for both of the studied configurations. Antibiotic loaded membranes presented antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, and this behavior increased when aloe vera is included. According to the results, the scaffolds prepared on single configuration enriched with aloe vera and tetracycline could be used in dermal tissue engineering as burn dressings, diabetic foot apposite, and skin substitutes, and the scaffolds prepared with a coaxial configuration are recommended for controlled release systems of antibiotics as treatments for chronic wounds such as diabetic foot and burn healing.