The Henry reaction catalyzed by zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-8

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Configurational Isomerism in Polyoxovanadates

A water‐soluble derivative of the polyoxovanadate {V₁₅E₆O₄₂} (E=semimetal) archetype enables the study of cluster shell rearrangements driven by supramolecular interactions. A reaction unique to E=Sb, induced exclusively by ligand metathesis in peripheral [Ni(ethylenediamine)₃]²⁺ counterions, results in the formation of the metastable α₁* configurational isomer of the {V₁₄Sb₈O₄₂} cluster type. Contrary to all other polyoxovanadate shell architectures, this isomer comprises an inward‐oriented vanadyl group and is ca. 50 and 12 kJ mol^?1 higher in energy than the previously isolated α and β isomers, respectively. We discuss this unexpected reaction in light of supramolecular Sb?O???V and Sb?O???Sb contacts manifested in {V₁₄Sb₈O₄₂}₂ dimers detected in the solid state. ESI MS experiments confirm the stability of these dimers also in solution and in the gas phase. DFT calculations indicate that other, as of yet elusive isomers of {V₁₄Sb₈}, might be accessible as well.     

The role of cardiac tissue structure in defibrillation

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between cardiac tissue structure, applied electric field, and the transmembrane potential induced in the process of defibrillation. It outlines a general understanding of the structural mechanisms that contribute to the outcome of a defibrillation shock. Electric shocks defibrillate by changing the transmembrane potential throughout the myocardium. In this process first and foremost the shock current must access the bulk of myocardial mass. The exogenous current traverses the myocardium along convoluted intracellular and extracellular pathways channeled by the tissue structure. Since individual fibers follow curved pathways in the heart, and the fiber direction rotates across the ventricular wall, the applied current perpetually engages in redistribution between the intra- and extracellular domains. This redistribution results in changes in transmembrane potential (membrane polarization): regions of membrane hyper- and depolarization of extent larger than a single cell are induced in the myocardium by the defibrillation shock. Tissue inhomogeneities also contribute to local membrane polarization in the myocardium which is superimposed over the large-scale polarization associated with the fibrous organization of the myocardium. The paper presents simulation results that illustrate various mechanisms by which cardiac tissue structure assists the changes in transmembrane potential throughout the myocardium. (c) 1998 American Institute of Physics.     

Unsymmetrical indirect covariance processing of hyphenated and long‐range heteronuclear 2D NMR spectra ‐ Enhanced visualization of 2JCH and 4JCH correlation responses

Recent reports have demonstrated the unsymmetrical indirect covariance combination of discretely acquired 2D NMR experiments into spectra that provide an alternative means of accessing the information content of these spectra. The method can be thought of as being analogous to the Fourier transform conversion of time domain data into the more readily interpreted frequency domain. Hyphenated 2D‐NMR spectra such as GHSQC‐TOCSY, when available, provide an investigator with the means of sorting proton‐proton homonuclear connectivity networks as a function of the ¹³C chemical shift of the carbon directly bound to the proton from which propagation begins. Long‐range heteronuclear chemical shift correlation experiments establish proton‐carbon correlations via heteronuclear coupling pathways, most commonly across three bonds (³J_CH), but in more general terms across two (²J_CH) to four bonds (⁴J_CH). In many instances ³J_CH correlations dominate GHMBC spectra. We demonstrate in this report the improved visualization of ²J_CH and ⁴J_CH correlations through the unsymmetrical indirect covariance processing of GHSQC‐TOCSY and GHMBC 2D spectra.     

Selective modification of bifunctional heterocyclic compounds containing amino and thioamide groups in acetic acid medium

In acetic acid medium, 2‐chloro‐4,6‐dimorpholin‐4‐yl‐[1,3,5]triazine undergoes amination by bifunctional heterocyclic compounds containing both amino and thioamide groups. The reactions are high‐yielding and selective; the thioamide functions are unaffected under the requisite conditions. The reactions do not proceed in satisfactory yields in other solvents and, thus, require acetic acid. The resulting thioamides, consisting of multiple biologically relevant residues, are easily alkylated at the sulfur (thiolthione) centers to furnish new thioethers in subsequent steps.     

The first silicon-based cationic clathrate III with high thermal stability: Si172-xPxTey (x=2y, y>20)

A new representative of a very rare clathrate III family, Si130P42Te21, has been synthesized from the elements. It crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4(2)/mnm (no. 136) with the unit cell parameters a=19.2632(3) angstroms, c=10.0706(2) angstroms. Single crystal X-ray diffraction and solid state 31P NMR revealed a non-random distribution of phosphorus atoms over the framework positions. The crystal structure features a peculiar packing of large polyhedra Te@(Si/P)(n) never observed before for cationic clathrates. Despite the structural complexity, the composition of the novel clathrate Is in accordance with the Zintl rule, which was confirmed by a combination of optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and wavelength dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDXS), as well as by diamagnetic and semiconducting behavior of the synthesized phase. Clathrate Si130P42Te21 exhibits the highest reported thermal stability for this class of materials, it decomposes at 1510 K. This opens new perspectives for the creation of clathrate-based materials for high-temperature applications.     

Introducing negative charges into bis-p-phenylene crown ethers: a study of bipyridinium-based [2]pseudorotaxanes and [2]rotaxanes

This paper describes novel host-guest systems comprising viologen cations (guests) and the derivatives of bis-para-phenylene-34-crown-10 (hosts) with anionic groups COO(-) or SO(3)(-). The structure of the resulting charge-compensated host-guest complexes, their association constants and their electrochemical behaviour have been studied. In the solid state, the viologen cations thread the negatively charged crown ethers forming electroneutral zwitterion-like [2]pseudorotaxane salts; in solution this threaded geometry is preserved. The association constants of [2]pseudorotaxane salts incorporating the 1,1'-diethylviologen moiety in solution are significantly higher than those of previously reported analogues. The extrapolated association free energies in non-aqueous media exceed -40 kJ mol(-1) at 25 degrees C. This significant increase of the interaction free energy makes these compounds stable even in aqueous solutions. The association constants of [2]pseudorotaxane salts incorporating sterically more hindered 1,1'-diethyl-3,3'-dimethylviologen moieties are significantly lower. Structurally related [2]rotaxane salts, in which the oppositely charged ionic components are mechanically interlocked, have been prepared in good yields. It has been shown that [2]rotaxane salts incorporating anti-isomers of bisfunctionalised crown ethers are cycloenantiomeric. In both [2]pseudorotaxane and [2]rotaxane salts, the electrostatic interactions between the viologen moieties and the negatively charged crown ethers lead to very significant negative shifts of viologen reduction potentials up to 450 mV. The findings of the present study are valuable for the design of nanoscale molecular electronic devices.     

A feasibility study on the use of Li(4)V(3)O(8) as a high capacity cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Li(4)V(3)O(8) materials have been prepared by chemical lithiation by Li(2)S of spherical Li(1.1)V(3)O(8) precursor materials obtained by a spray-drying technique. The over-lithiated vanadates were characterised physically by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemically using galvanostatic charge-discharge and cyclic voltammetry measurements in both the half-cell (vs. Li metal) and full-cell (vs. graphite) systems. The Li(4)V(3)O(8) materials are stable in air for up to 5 h, with almost no capacity drop for the samples stored under air. However, prolonged exposure to air will severely change the composition of the Li(4)V(3)O(8) materials, resulting in both Li(1.1)V(3)O(8) and Li(2)CO(3). The electrochemical performance of these over-lithiated vanadates was found to be very sensitive to the conductive additive (carbon black) content in the cathode. When sufficient carbon black is added, the Li(4)V(3)O(8) cathode exhibits good cycling behaviour and excellent rate capabilities, matching those of the Li(1.1)V(3)O(8) precursor material, that is, retaining an average charge capacity of 205 mAh g(-1) at 2800 mA g(-1) (8C rate; 1C rate means full charge or discharge of a battery in one hour), when cycled in the potential range of 2.0-4.0 V versus Li metal. When applied in a non-optimised full cell system (vs. graphite), the Li(4)V(3)O(8) cathode showed promising cycling behaviour, retaining a charge capacity (Li(+) extraction) above 130 mAh g(-1) beyond 50 cycles, when cycled in the voltage range of 1.6-4.0 V, at a specific current of 117 mA g(-1) (C/3 rate).     

Quantitative conformational study of redox-active [2]rotaxanes, part 1: Methodology and application to a model [2]rotaxane

This paper reports a novel methodology for the conformational analysis of [2]rotaxanes. It combines NMR spectroscopic (COSY, NOESY and the recently reported paramagnetic line-broadening and suppression technique) and electrochemical techniques to enable a quantitative analysis of the co-conformations of interlocked molecules and the conformations of their components. This methodology was used to study a model [2]rotaxane in solution. This [2]rotaxane consists of an axle that incorporates an electron-poor, doubly positively charged viologen that threads an electron-rich crown ether. It has been shown that the axle of the [2]rotaxane in its dicationic state adopts a folded conformation in solution and the crown ether is localised at the viologen moiety. Following a one-electron reduction of viologen, the paramagnetic radical cation of the [2]rotaxane retains its folded conformation in solution. The data also demonstrate that in the radical cation the crown ether remains localised at the viologen, despite its reduced affinity for the singly reduced viologen. The combined quantitative NMR spectroscopic and electrochemical characterisation of the electromechanical function of the model [2]rotaxane in solution provides an important reference point for the study of switching in structurally related bistable [2]rotaxanes, which is the subject of the second part of this work.     

"Inject-mix-react-separate-and-quantitate" (IMReSQ) method for screening enzyme inhibitors

Many regulatory enzymes are considered attractive therapeutic targets, and their inhibitors are potential drug candidates. Screening combinatorial libraries for enzyme inhibitors is pivotal to identifying hit compounds for the development of drugs targeting regulatory enzymes. Here, we introduce the first inhibitor screening method that consumes only nanoliters of the reactant solutions and is applicable to regulatory enzymes. The method is termed inject-mix-react-separate-and-quantitate (IMReSQ) and includes five steps. First, nanoliter volumes of substrate, candidate inhibitor, and enzyme solutions are injected by pressure into a capillary as separate plugs. Second, the plugs are mixed inside this capillary microreactor by transverse diffusion of laminar flow profiles. Third, the reaction mixture is incubated to form the enzymatic product. Fourth, the product is separated from the substrate inside the capillary by electrophoresis. Fifth, the amounts of the product and substrate are quantitated. In this proof-of-principle work, we applied IMReSQ to study inhibition of recently cloned protein farnesyltransferase from parasite Entamoeba histolytica. This enzyme is a potential therapeutic target for antiparasitic drugs. We identified three previously unknown inhibitors of this enzyme and proved that IMReSQ could be used for quantitatively ranking the potencies of inhibitors.