An Efficient Five‐Component Reaction for the Synthesis of 4,4′‐((2‐Oxoindoline‐3,3‐diyl)bis(methylene))bis(2‐aryl‐1H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]quinoline‐1,3(2H)‐dione) Derivatives

An efficient cascade process five‐component reaction of isatins and 3‐oxo‐N‐arylbutanamide for the synthesis of 4,4′‐((2‐oxoindoline‐3,3‐diyl)bis(methylene))bis(2‐aryl‐1H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]quinoline‐1,3(2H)‐dione) derivatives was reported under mild condition. The advantages of this strategy are easy to obtain raw materials, convenient one‐pot procedure, and simple operation.     

Unified reciprocity of dithiophosphate by dichalcogenophosph(in)ate ligands on copper hydride nanoclusters via ligand exchange reaction

A structural study of ligand exchange on chalcogen‐passivated copper nanoclusters is far less developed. Herein, we report the synthesis of polyhydrido copper nanoclusters [Cu₂₀H₁₁{Se₂P(O ⁱBu)₂}₉] ( 2 ) passivated by Se‐donor ligands via ligand replacement reaction on [Cu₂₀H₁₁{S₂P(O ⁱPr)₂}₉] ( 1 ) with NH₄[Se₂P(O ⁱBu)₂]. In parallel to the synthesis of 2 , cluster [Cu₂₀H₁₁{S₂P(CH₂CH₂Ph)₂}₉] ( 4 ) was produced by the ligand exchange reaction on a new derivative of 1 , that is [Cu₂₀H₁₁{S₂P(O ⁿPr)₂}₉] ( 3 ). Solid state structures of both clusters 2 and 4 were unequivocally established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies and cluster 4 epitomizes exceptional case to preserve both the shape and size of the nanocluster during the course of ligand exchange. Structurally precise cluster 2 is the second example where the copper hydride nanocluster is stabilized by Se‐donor ligands. The anatomy of 2 can be visualized as a twisted cuboctahedral Cu₁₃ core, two triangular faces of which are capped by a Cu₆ cupola and a single Cu atom along the C₃ rotational axis.     

NH4I/1,10-phenanthroline catalyzed direct sulfenylation of N-heteroarenes with ethyl arylsulfinates

An efficient synthesis of N-heterocyclic aryl sulfides via NH₄I/1,10-phenanthroline-catalyzed direct sulfenylation reactions was reported. In this reaction, heteroarenes such as indoles, and pyrroles serve as nucleophiles by installing a arylthio group at the C3 and C2 position of heterocycles, respectively. With readily accessible and free of unpleasant odor ethyl arylsulfinates as sulfur reagents, the metal-free-catalyzed direct sulfenylation of N-heteroarenes has been developed. 3-Arylthio-indoles and 2-arylthio-pyrroles derivatives were obtained in moderate to excellent yields, even on gram scale. The reaction was general for a broad scope of substrates and demonstrated good tolerance to a variety of functional groups.     

Identification and Directed Development of Non‐Organic Catalysts with Apparent Pan‐Enzymatic Mimicry into Nanozymes for Efficient Prodrug Conversion

Nanozymes, nanoparticles that mimic the natural activity of enzymes, are intriguing academically and are important in the context of the Origin of Life. However, current nanozymes offer mimicry of a narrow range of mammalian enzymes, near‐exclusively performing redox reactions. We present an unexpected discovery of non‐proteinaceous enzymes based on metals, metal oxides, 1D/2D‐materials, and non‐metallic nanomaterials. The specific novelty of these findings lies in the identification of nanozymes with apparent mimicry of diverse mammalian enzymes, including unique pan‐glycosidases. Further novelty lies in the identification of the substrate scope for the lead candidates, specifically in the context of bioconversion of glucuronides, that is, human metabolites and privileged prodrugs in the field of enzyme‐prodrug therapies. Lastly, nanozymes are employed for conversion of glucuronide prodrugs into marketed anti‐inflammatory and antibacterial agents, as well as “nanozyme prodrug therapy” to mediate antibacterial measures.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of α‐Arylpyrrolidines and Benzo‐fused Nitrogen Heterocycles

Herein, we report a practical two‐step synthetic route to α‐arylpyrrolidines through Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling and enantioselective copper‐catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination reactions. The excellent stereoselectivity and broad scope for the transformation of substrates with pharmaceutically relevant heteroarenes render this method a practical and versatile approach for pyrrolidine synthesis. Additionally, this intramolecular hydroamination strategy facilitates the asymmetric synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinolines and medium‐ring dibenzo‐fused nitrogen heterocycles.     

Assembled Vitamin B2 Nanocrystals with Optical Waveguiding and Photosensitizing Properties for Potential Biomedical Application

Great success has been achieved in recent years in the development of synthetic or assembled nanobiomaterials. Among these, biomolecule‐based nanoarchitectures with special optical property are of particular interest. Here, we demonstrate that vitamin B₂ nanocrystals assembled as nanorods can be obtained with precise control. Excitingly, such one‐dimensional nanostructures not only exhibit intrinsic optical waveguiding properties but also the ability to sensitize oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species. With these properties, we applied the obtained vitamin B₂ nanorods under remotely localized light illumination into single tumour cells in vitro for anticancer photodynamic therapy. Further, vitamin B₂ nanorods were explored for in vivo photodynamic therapy by using a tumour model. With such bionanostructures, new features and functions of vitamin B₂ and its derivatives have been developed.     

Structure Switching and Modulation of the Magnetic Properties in Diarylethene‐Bridged Metallosupramolecular Compounds by Controlled Coordination‐Driven Self‐Assembly

We report three self‐assembled iron complexes that comprised an anti‐parallel open form (o‐ L _anti), a parallel open form (o‐ L _syn), and a closed form (c‐ L ) of diarylethene conformers. Under kinetic control, Fe^II₂(o‐ L _anti)₃ was isolated, which exhibited a dinuclear structure with diamagnetic properties. Under light‐irradiation control, Fe^II₂(c‐ L )₃ was prepared and exhibited paramagnetism and spin‐crossover behaviour. Under thermodynamic control and in the presence of indispensable [Fe^III(Tp*)(CN)₃]^?, Fe^II₂(o‐ L _anti)₃ and Fe^II₂(c‐ L )₃ transformed into tetranuclear Fe^III₂Fe^II₂(o‐ L _syn)₂, which exhibited complete spin‐crossover behaviour at T_1/2=353 K.     

Cleavage of C(aryl)−CH3 Bonds in the Absence of Directing Groups under Transition Metal Free Conditions

Organic chemists now can construct carbon–carbon σ‐bonds selectively and sequentially, whereas methods for the selective cleavage of carbon–carbon σ‐bonds, especially for unreactive hydrocarbons, remain limited. Activation by ring strain, directing groups, or in the presence of a carbonyl or a cyano group is usually required. In this work, by using a sequential strategy site‐selective cleavage and borylation of C(aryl)?CH₃ bonds has been developed under directing group free and transition metal free conditions. Methyl groups of various arenes are selectively cleaved and replaced by boryl groups. Mechanistic analysis suggests that it proceeds by a sequential intermolecular oxidation and coupling of a transient aryl radical, generated by radical decarboxylation, involving a pyridine‐stabilized persistent boryl radical.     

Topotactic Synthesis of Phosphabenzene‐Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers: Efficient Ligands in CO2 Conversion

Progress toward the preparation of porous organic polymers (POPs) with task‐specific functionalities has been exceedingly slow—especially where polymers containing low‐oxidation phosphorus in the structure are concerned. A two‐step topotactic pathway for the preparation of phosphabenzene‐based POPs (Phos‐POPs) under metal‐free conditions is reported, without the use of unstable phosphorus‐based monomers. The synthetic route allows additional functionalities to be introduced into the porous polymer framework with ease. As an example, partially fluorinated Phos‐POPs (F‐Phos‐POPs) were obtained with a surface area of up to 591 m² g^?1. After coordination with Ru species, a Ru/F‐Phos‐POPs catalyst exhibited high catalytic efficiency in the formylation of amines (turnover frequency up to 204 h^?1) using a CO₂/H₂ mixture, in comparison with the non‐fluorinated analogue (43 h^?1) and a Au/TiO₂ heterogeneous catalysts reported previously (<44 h^?1). This work describes a practical method for synthesis of porous organic phosphorus‐based polymers with applications in transition‐metal‐based heterogeneous catalysis.     

Two‐Dimensional Conjugated Aromatic Networks as High‐Site‐Density and Single‐Atom Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Two‐dimensional conjugated aromatic networks (CAN) with ultra‐thin conjugated layers (ca. 3.5 nm) and high single‐metal‐atom‐site density (mass content of 10.7 wt %, and 0.73 metal atoms per nm²) are prepared via a facile pyrolysis‐free route involving a one‐step ball milling of the solid‐phase‐synthesized polyphthalocyanine. These materials display outstanding oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) mass activity of 47 mA mg_cat.^?1 represents 1.3‐ and 6.4‐fold enhancements compared to Pt and Pt/C in benchmark Pt/C, respectively. Moreover, the primary Zn‐air batteries constructed with CAN as an air electrode demonstrate a mass/volume power density of 880 W g_cat.^?1/615 W cm_cat.^?3 and stable long‐term operation for 100 h. This strategy offers a new way to design high‐performance electrocatalysts with atomic precision for use in other energy‐storage and conversion applications.