Copper-catalyzed methyl esterification of aromatic aldehydes and benzoic alcohols by TBHP as both oxidant and methyl source

A copper-catalyzed synthesis of methyl esters from aromatic aldehydes in the presence of tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) was developed via a radical reaction mechanism. TBHP acts not only as an efficient oxidant, but also as a green methyl source in such transformation. Moreover, this method could also be efficiently extended to the methyl esterification of benzylic alcohols.     

A method of segment protection based on p-cycle for dynamic multicast with limited-range wavelength converter in WDM network

In the optical multicast network, node and link failures have very important influence on the network survivability which may lead to multiple destinations cannot receive data. Based on the wavelength layered-graph method, a method of efficiency-score based on heuristic algorithm of pre-configured cycle (p-Cycle) based-segment protection (ESHS) for dynamic multicast with limited-range wavelength conversion was presented in this paper. By finding the multicast tree segment protection, the total available p-Cycles are constructed for the multicast. Then we calculate each p-Cycle efficiency-score, the highest efficient-score p-Cycle is selected as the multicast route protection p-Cycle. The simulation results show that the ESHS can get higher performance than the existing ESHT algorithm, in terms of multicast request blocking probability and wavelength utilization.     

Programming With Models: Writing Statistical Algorithms for General Model Structures With NIMBLE

We describe NIMBLE, a system for programming statistical algorithms for general model structures within R. NIMBLE is designed to meet three challenges: flexible model specification, a language for programming algorithms that can use different models, and a balance between high-level programmability and execution efficiency. For model specification, NIMBLE extends the BUGS language and creates model objects, which can manipulate variables, calculate log probability values, generate simulations, and query the relationships among variables. For algorithm programming, NIMBLE provides functions that operate with model objects using two stages of evaluation. The first stage allows specialization of a function to a particular model and/or nodes, such as creating a Metropolis-Hastings sampler for a particular block of nodes. The second stage allows repeated execution of computations using the results of the first stage. To achieve efficient second-stage computation, NIMBLE compiles models and functions via C++, using the Eigen library for linear algebra, and provides the user with an interface to compiled objects. The NIMBLE language represents a compilable domain-specific language (DSL) embedded within R. This article provides an overview of the design and rationale for NIMBLE along with illustrative examples including importance sampling, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and Monte Carlo expectation maximization (MCEM). Supplementary materials for this article are available online.     

Introducing Bidirectional Axial Coordination into BiVO4@Metal Phthalocyanine Core–Shell Photoanodes for Efficient Water Oxidation

Core-shell photoanodes have shown great potential for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation. However, the construction of a high-quality interface between the core and shell, as well as a highly catalytic surface, remains a challenge. Herein, guided by computation, we present a BiVO₄ photoanode coated with ZnCoFe polyphthalocyanine using pyrazine as a coordination agent. The bidirectional axial coordination of pyrazine plays a dual role by facilitating intimate interfacial contact between BiVO₄ and ZnCoFe polyphthalocyanine, as well as regulating the electron density and spin configuration of metal sites in ZnCoFe phthalocyanine, thereby promoting the potential-limiting step of *OOH desorption. The resulting photoanode displayed a high photocurrent density of 5.7±0.1 mA cm⁻² at 1.23 V_RHE. This study introduces a new approach for constructing core–shell photoanodes, and uncovers the key role of pyrazine axial coordination in modulating the catalytic activity of metal phthalocyanine.     

Dual-Atom Catalysts Derived from a Preorganized Covalent Organic Framework for Enhanced Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction

Dual-atom catalysts (DAC) are deemed as promising electrocatalysts due to the abundant active sites and adjustable electronic structure, but the fabrication of well-defined DAC is still full of challenges. Herein, bonded Fe dual-atom catalysts (Fe₂DAC) with Fe₂N₆C₈O₂ configuration were developed through one-step carbonization of a preorganized covalent organic framework with bimetallic Fe chelation sites (Fe₂COF). The transition from Fe₂COF to Fe₂DAC involved the dissociation of the nanoparticles and the capture of atoms by carbon defects. Benefitting from the optimized d-band center and enhanced adsorption of OOH* intermediates, Fe₂DAC exhibited outstanding oxygen reduction activity with a half-wave potential of 0.898 V vs. RHE. This work will guide more fabrication of dual-atom and even cluster catalysts from preorganized COF in the future.     

Arene Ruthenium(II) Complexes Bearing the κ-P or κ-P,κ-S Ph2P(CH2)3SPh Ligand

Neutral [Ru(η⁶-arene)Cl₂{Ph₂P(CH₂)₃SPh-κP}] (arene = benzene, indane, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene: 2a, 2c and 2d) and cationic [Ru(η⁶-arene)Cl(Ph₂P(CH₂)₃SPh-κP,κS)]X complexes (arene = mesitylene, 1,4-dihydronaphthalene; X = Cl: 3b, 3e; arene = benzene, mesitylene, indane, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, and 1,4-dihydronaphthalene; X = PF₆: 4a–4e) complexes were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and also by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The stability of the complexes has been investigated in DMSO. Complexes have been assessed for their cytotoxic activity against 518A2, 8505C, A253, MCF-7 and SW480 cell lines. Generally, complexes exhibited activity in the lower micromolar range; moreover, they are found to be more active than cisplatin. For the most active ruthenium(II) complex, 4b, bearing mesitylene as ligand, the mechanism of action against 8505C cisplatin resistant cell line was determined. Complex 4b induced apoptosis accompanied by caspase activation.     

Amperometric l-glutamate biosensor based on bacterial cell-surface displayed glutamate dehydrogenase

A novel l-glutamate biosensor was fabricated using bacteria surface-displayed glutamate dehydrogenase (Gldh-bacteria). Here the cofactor NADP⁺-specific dependent Gldh was expressed on the surface of Escherichia coli using N-terminal region of ice nucleation protein (INP) as the anchoring motif. The cell fractionation assay and SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that the majority of INP-Gldh fusion proteins were located on the surface of cells. The biosensor was fabricated by successively casting polyethyleneimine (PEI)-dispersed multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), Gldh-bacteria and Nafion onto the glassy carbon electrode (Nafion/Gldh-bacteria/PEI-MWNTs/GCE). The MWNTs could not only significantly lower the oxidation overpotential towards NAPDH, which was the product of NADP⁺ involving in the oxidation of glutamate by Gldh, but also enhanced the current response. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the current–time curve of the Nafion/Gldh-bacteria/PEI-MWNTs/GCE was performed at +0.52 V (vs. SCE) by amperometry varying glutamate concentration. The current response was linear with glutamate concentration in two ranges (10 μM–1 mM and 2–10 mM). The low limit of detection was estimated to be 2 μM glutamate (S/N = 3). Moreover, the proposed biosensor is stable, specific, reproducible and simple, which can be applied to real samples detection.     

Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of a Hexanuclear Copper(II) Carboxylate

The synthesis and characterisation of the hexanuclear copper(II) carboxylate complex [Cu(O₂CCHPhOC₂H₄OC₂H₄OCH₃)₂]₆ ( 1 ) is described. Single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis reveals that the copper(II) ions are arranged in a six‐membered ring which adopts a chair‐like conformation. The copper(II) ions are bridged by μ₂‐ and μ₃‐coordinating carboxylates. The magnetic behavior of 1 was measured between 2 and 300 K, revealing at low temperature a weak antiferromagnetic interaction. The χ_M(T) dependency was fitted mathematically with one coupling constant J₁ and a paramagnetic impurity α.