Catalytic cycles for the reduction of [UO2]2+ by cytochrome c7 proteins proposed from DFT calculations

The mechanism of the reduction of the hydrated uranyl cation, [UO2](2+), by the cytochromes G. sulfurreducens and D. acetoxidans has been studied using density functional theory calculations. We propose that the initial electron transfer step from the heme is to a cation-cation complex in the case of D. acetoxidans, but for G. sulfurreducens, it is to a single uranyl cation, which then forms a U(V)-U(VI) complex with a second uranyl cation. For both enzymes, the subsequent catalytic pathways are very similar. A U(V)-U(V) complex is formed, which then undergoes disproportionation via two successive protonation steps of one uranyl group, to give a U(VI)-U(IV) complex which dissociates to individual U(VI) and U(IV) species, the former being bound at the enzyme active site. Intermediate structures along the catalytic pathway are consistent with EXAFS data.     

Outstanding Quadratic to Septic Optical Nonlinearity at Dipolar Alkynylmetal-Porphyrin Hybrids

Porphyrins are important macrocycles with applications in several areas including therapy, catalysis, and sensing. Strong nonlinear optical (NLO) responses are the key to fully exploiting the potential of these biocompatible molecules. We herein report that certain metal-alkynyl donor/nitro acceptor-functionalized porphyrins are attractive candidates for NLO applications. We show that specific examples exhibit record quadratic optical nonlinearity, exceptional two-photon absorption, and outstanding three-photon absorption, and we report the first porphyrins that exhibit four-photon absorption. The two-, three-, and four-photon absorption maxima are found at the corresponding multiples of linear absorption bands that time-dependent density functional theory assigns as admixtures of porphyrin-localized π*←π and donor-porphyrin to porphyrin-acceptor charge-transfer transitions.     

Synthesis and structural studies of arene ruthenium and Cp*Rh/Cp*Ir complexes containing pyridylpyrazole- and pyridylthiazole-based ligands

The reactions of [(arene)RuCl₂]₂ (arene = p-cymene or benzene) and [Cp*MCl₂]₂ (M = Rh or Ir) with N,N′-bidentate chelating ligands 2-[3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazolyl]pyrimidine (L1) and 4-phenyl-(2-pyridyl)thiazole (L2) leads to the formation of mononuclear complexes of general formula [(arene)/Cp*M(L)Cl]PF₆. Eight such complexes have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. In addition, five of the complexes were also characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These complexes have typical piano-stool geometries around the metal center, with five-membered metellacycles in which L1 and L2 both act as N,N′-chelating ligands. Moreover, L1 prefers to coordinate through its pyrimidine and pyrazolyl nitrogen atoms, rather than the pyridine nitrogen.     

Pyridine-based,microwave-assisted one-pot synthetic protocol for the synthesis of ethyl 3-substituted-4-oxo-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylates

Pyridine has been used for one-pot, two-component synthesis of ethyl 3-substituted-4-oxo-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate derivatives in moderate to good yields by condensing N-substituted thioureas with diethyl ethoxymalonate under microwave irradiation.     

Cu(I)‐Catalyzed Regioselective and Highly Efficient One‐Pot Synthesis of Novel 1,2,3‐Triazoles Decorated with Pyridine and Heterocyclic Amines

An efficient one‐pot synthesis of 1,2,3‐triazoles via the three‐component coupling reaction between propargyl bromide, secondary amines, and 3‐azidopyridine in the presence of CuI as catalyst has been presented. The reaction is highly regioselective and afforded novel 1,4‐disubstituted‐1,2,3‐triazoles in excellent yields by the [3 + 2] Huisgen cycloaddition reaction. This method avoids isolation and handling of terminal acetylenes. The ease of purification has made this methodology clean and safe for the synthesis of 1,2,3‐triazoles with a broad scope.     

A comparison of different powder compaction processes adopted for synthesis of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

Barium zirconium titanate, Ba(Zr_0.15Ti_0.85)O₃ nano-crystalline powders were synthesized using highenergy ball milling. The calcined powders were compacted adopting two different approachesviz. the conventional uniaxial pressing and cold-isostatic pressing (CIP) and the compactswere sintered at 1350 °C. Asingle phase perovskite structure was observed in both cases. BZT ceramics compacted usingCIP technique exhibited enhanced dielectric and ferroelectric properties compared toceramics compacted by uniaxial pressing. The polarization current peaks have been used inthis paper as an experimental evidence to prove the existence of ferroelectricity in theBZT ceramics under study. The peak polarization current was found to be ~700% higher in case of coldiso-statically compacted ceramics. Similarly electric field induces strain showed amaximum strain (S_max) of 0.08% at an electric fieldof 28 kV/cm. The dielectric and ferroelectric properties observed are comparable to singlecrystals of the same material.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (-)-pentalenene

A short, enantioselective synthesis of (-)-pentalenene is described. Catalytic enantioselective cyclopropenation with (R,R)-Rh2(OAc)(DPTI)3 was used to set the absolute stereochemistry, and an intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction of the resulting cyclopropenyne was used to establish the quaternary center.     

The binding of nitric oxide at the Cu(i) site of copper nitrite reductase and of inorganic models: DFT calculations of the energetics and EPR parameters of side-on and end-on structures

Density functional theory calculations have been used to probe the end-on and side-on bonding motifs of nitric oxide at the Cu(i) centre in the enzyme copper nitrite reductase and in three inorganic model systems. We find that irrespective of a range of functionals used, the end-on structure is preferred by up to 40 kJ mol(-1), although this preference is smaller for the enzyme than for the inorganic model systems. We have calculated the g-tensor and atomic hyperfine coupling constants for these structures. When compared to available experimental data, for one model compound the calculated EPR parameters definitely favour an end-on structure, although this preference is somewhat less for the enzyme. Our prediction of NO end-on binding in the enzyme is at variance with structural data.     

Fragmentation of nitrone triflates to 9-membered rings

A new fragmentative rearrangement of nitrone derivatives to form 9-membered rings is reported. The fragmentations are triggered when nitrones are treated with triflic anhydride; a C-C bond antiperiplanar to the cleaving N-O bond is activated either by an oxygen lone pair or by an electron-rich aromatic ring. In the former case, further cyclization of the 9-membered intermediate leads to a rearranged condensed ring system, but when triggered by arenes, 9-membered ring amides are isolated.