Clip[5]arenes: A new family of molecular clips

Here we report the design and syntheses of two new triptycene-based rigid acyclic C-shaped hosts, clip[5]arenes C[5]OH and C[5]ME, and the strong host–guest complexation between C[5]OH and an electron-poor bipyridinium salt, paraquat G. The K_a value for the host–guest complex C[5]OH???G was calculated to be (1.09?±?0.36)??×??10⁵?M^?1 in acetone by using a non-linear curve-fitting method based on the UV–vis absorption titration experiments. Furthermore, based on this new host–guest recognition motif, a novel pseudopolyrotaxane-like supramolecular structure was constructed with C[5]OH threaded on polyviologen polymer VP-10.     

HTLC: A Viable Approach to Fast LC of Biogenic Amines in Food with Legacy Equipment

Nowadays, there is a demand for fast liquid chromatography (LC) of biogenic amines in food with the equipment available in the average laboratory. To this end, high-temperature liquid chromatography (HTLC) is presented in this study as a viable option, working on a conventional LC platform at moderately high temperatures up to 80 °C. The LC platform was adapted by including an appropriate length of stainless-steel microbore tubing as a preheater. Biogenic amines as benzoyl derivatives showed good thermostability on a thermally rugged column (150?×?4.6 mm, 5 µm). As a model application the HTLC conditions were developed for wine separation. The separation selectivity changed considerably with temperature in the range 36–84 °C, and baseline resolution was obtained only at temperatures well above ambient. At 73 °C oven temperature, the system allowed a flow rate as high as 3 mL min^?1 with the backpressure not exceeding 195 bar (2800 psi). The separation took less than 5 min, comparably fast to documented fast LC separations, and typically at least three to five times faster than a conventional separation.     

Aggregation and columnar assembly of crescent oligoamides

The aggregation and assembly of crescent oligoamides with two to six benzene residues are investigated. In chloroform, the pentamer and hexamer are found to associate into large aggregates. In the solid state, all oligomers examined associate into columnar assemblies via stacking interactions, as shown by X-ray diffraction data from single crystals and powder samples. The columnar assemblies of the pentamer and hexamer should contain hydrophilic channels defined by the constituent oligomers.     

Conformational control in the regioselective synthesis of N-2-substituted-1,2,3-triazoles

An effective strategy for the synthesis of N-2-substituted-1,2,3-triazoles with excellent yields and regioselectivity has been developed.     

Direct Electrochemistry of Hemoglobin and Its Electrocatalysis Based on Hyaluronic Acid and Room Temperature Ionic Liquid

A biocomposite material of hyaluronic acid (HA) and room temperature ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF₄) was fabricated and characterized by voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Hemoglobin (Hb), as a model protein, was immobilized in this biocomposite on glassy carbon electrode to investigate its direct electrochemistry. A pair of well‐defined, quasireversible cyclic voltammetric peaks appeared with the formal potentials (E°′) at ?0.360 V (vs. SCE). The Hb modified electrode exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic activity to the reduction of H₂O₂ with a wide linear range, good selectivity, sensitivity and reproducibility, which had potential application to fabrication the third‐generation biosensor.     

High photocatalytic activity and stability for decomposition of gaseous acetaldehyde on TiO2/Al2O3 composite films coated on foam nickel substrates by sol-gel processes

A set of anatase titanium dioxide (TiO₂) films coated on foam nickel that modified by Al₂O₃ films as transition layer (indicated as TiO₂/Al₂O₃ films) were synthesized via sol-gel route. The bulk and surface properties of the TiO₂/Al₂O₃ films were characterized by thermal gravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and BET. The photocatalytic activities of TiO₂/Al₂O₃ films were investigated based on the degradation of gaseous acetaldehyde under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The foam nickel is a promising substrate material in practical applications because of its excellent hydrodynamic properties for gas passing. The TiO₂/Al₂O₃ composite films showed much higher photocatalytic activity and stability for degradation of gaseous acetaldehyde than the onefold TiO₂ films. The significant enhancement in photocatalytic activity and stability can be ascribed to the coating of Al₂O₃ transition layer, which concentrates the target substances around TiO₂ particles and increases the specific surface area (SSA) of the substrate (the SSAs of bare foam nickel and Al₂O₃ modified foam nickel are 0.12 and 113.7 m²/g, respectively) to provide more sites for TiO₂ loading.     

Flash Nanoprecipitation Fabrication of PEI@Amorphous Calcium Carbonate Hybrid Nanoparticles for siRNA Delivery

RNA interference (RNAi) is a promising approach for disease treatments. But the development of safe and effective delivery carriers remains a major challenge. Organic–inorganic hybrid nanoparticles (NPs), with the integration of functions from distinct materials, show great potential in small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery. Herein, pH responsive amorphous calcium carbonate NPs (ACC NPs) are prepared using flash nanoprecipitation and hybrid NPs are constructed by coating ACC NPs with polyethyleneimine (PEI) for efficient siRNA delivery. PEI/ACC NPs show robust pH responsiveness and stability as well as effective siRNA loading and protection. Furthermore, siRNA-loaded PEI/ACC NPs demonstrate enhanced cellular uptake and efficient endosomal escape, mediating improved siRNA delivery compared to pure PEI. These findings suggest that PEI/ACC NPs may have great potential in siRNA delivery for RNAi-based therapy.     

Functional Characterization of a Marine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> Esterase and its Utilization in the Stereo-Selective Production of D-Methyl Lactate

Chiral lactic acid and its ester derivatives are crucial building blocks and platforms in the generation of high value-added drugs, fine chemicals and functional materials. Optically pure D-lactic acid and its ester derivatives cannot be directly generated from fermentation and are quite expensive. Herein, we identified, heterologously expressed and functionally characterized one Bacillus esterase BSE01701 from the deep sea of the Indian Ocean. Esterase BSE01701 could enzymatically resolve inexpensive racemic methyl lactate and generate chiral D-methyl lactate. The enantiomeric excess of desired chiral D-methyl lactate and the substrate conversion could reach over 99 % and 60 %, respectively, after process optimization. Notably, the addition of 60 % (v/v) organic co-solvent heptane could greatly improve both the enantiomeric excess of D-methyl lactate and the conversion. BSE01701 was a very promising marine microbial esterase in the generation of chiral chemicals in industry.