Copper-Catalyzed Chemo- and Enantioselective Radical 1,2-Carbophosphonylation of Styrenes

The copper-catalyzed enantioselective radical difunctionalization of alkenes from readily available alkyl halides and organophosphorus reagents possessing a P−H bond provides an appealing approach for the synthesis of α-chiral alkyl phosphorus compounds. The major challenge arises from the easy generation of a P-centered radical from the P−H-type reagent and its facile addition to the terminal side of alkenes, leading to reverse chemoselectivity. We herein disclose a radical 1,2-carbophosphonylation of styrenes in a highly chemo- and enantioselective manner. The key to the success lies in not only the implementation of dialkyl phosphites with a strong bond dissociation energy to promote the desired chemoselectivity but also the utilization of an anionic chiral N,N,N-ligand to forge the chiral C(sp³)−P bond. The developed Cu/N,N,N-ligand catalyst has enriched our library of single-electron transfer catalysts in the enantioselective radical transformations.     

Improved multiferroic in EuTiO3 films by interphase strain engineering

Interphase strain engineering provides a unique methodology to significantly modify the lattice structure across a single film, enabling the emergence and manipulation of novel functionalities that are inaccessible in the context of traditional strain engineering methods. In this work, by using the interphase strain, we achieve a ferromagnetic state with enhanced Curie temperature and a room-temperature polar state in EuO secondary phase-tunned EuTiO₃ thin films. A combination of atomic-scale electron microscopy and synchrotron X-ray spectroscopy unravels the underlying mechanisms of the ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties enhancement. Wherein, the EuO secondary phase is found to be able to dramatically distort the TiO₆ octahedra, which favors the non-centrosymmetric polar state, weakens antiferromagnetic Eu-Ti-Eu interactions, and enhances ferromagnetic Eu-O-Eu interactions. Our work demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of interphase strain engineering in simultaneously promoting ferroelectric and ferromagnetic performance, which would provide new thinking on the property regulation of numerous strongly correlated functional materials.     

Enhanced Charging in Common Environments Compared to Independent Environments for Two-Level Systems

The charging process of a quantum battery (i.e., a two-level system) is studied in two scenarios, that is, a quantum battery and a charger are coupled to the common reservoir environments or coupled to their respective independent environments. In the common reservoir scenario, it is shown that the optimal charging process can be realized by increasing the number of environments and setting the same coupling strength between battery-reservoirs and charger-reservoirs. In the independent reservoir scenario, however, it is shown that decreasing either the number of reservoir environments or the coupling strength would enhance the charging performance. These results demonstrate that the charging performance of quantum batteries can be significantly improved by constructing common environments. This may be of help to the realization of the quantum battery with optimal charging performance in multiple environments.     

Recent research progress on small molecule compounds and its derivatives of antiparasitic drugs

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) refer to infectious diseases caused by multiple pathogens that are prevalent in hot, humid climates in tropical areas. With the global economic growth and the improvement of public health status, eliminating neglected tropical diseases will be of great significance to the healthy development of human beings. However, the number of drugs and vaccines for NTDs treatment is extremely limited, so it is urgent to develop new drugs. Since most NTDs are caused by parasites, this paper selected parasitic diseases with high morbidity and mortality, and focused on new effective therapeutic targets and excellent lead compounds for these diseases. Schistosomiasis, human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, filariasis and toxoplasmosis correspond to a series targets such as smHDAC8, thioredoxin glutathione reductase (TGR), T. cruzi glucokinase (TcGlcK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), type IB topoisomerase, cell division cycle-2-related Kinase, sterolmethyl transferase, calumenin, dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and Toxoplasma gondii farnesyl-diphosphate synthase (TgFPPs). In this paper, the pharmacological effects of typical lead compounds corresponding to each disease, the structural characteristics of the mother nucleus and the pharmacological activities of the substituent. In addition, the binding patterns of some involved targets (such as smHDAC8) with corresponding lead compounds (such as compound 13) and the signaling pathways associated with gluconeogenesis, glycolysis, and pentose phosphate pathways are analyzed in detail. In this paper, the interaction mechanism between the lead compounds and the target were thoroughly discussed, in order to provide the research ideas of potential anti-parasite compounds, and further improve the understanding and prevention ability of such diseases of NTDs.     

(Salen)osmium(VI) nitrides catalyzed glutathione depletion in chemotherapy

Glutathione depletion provides a promising strategy for the design of non-platinum anticancer drugs. Here we report a series of electrophilic (salen)osmium(VI) nitrides that react with glutathione to generate (salen)osmium(III) ammine compounds. In vitro studies indicate that these osmium(VI) nitrides show comparable cytotoxicity to cisplatin against various carcinoma. Mechanistic studies with the representative compound [Os^VI(N)(L^H)(OH₂)](PF₆) (1, L^H = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-o-cyclohexyldiamine dianion) suggest that 1 induces glutathione depletion, reactive oxygen species generation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and in turn triggers death receptor-mediated apoptosis and autophagy in lung cancer cells. In vivo evaluations show that 1 can inhibit tumor xenograft growth effectively with no body weight drop.     

Enabling quantification of protein concentration in human serum biopsies using attenuated total reflectance – Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy

Changes in protein concentrations within human blood are used as an indicator for nutritional state, hydration and underlying illnesses. They are often measured at regular clinical appointments and the current analytical process can result in long waiting times for results and the need for return patient visits. Attenuated total reflectance – Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy has the ability to detect minor molecular differences, qualitatively and quantitatively, in biofluid samples, without extensive sample preparation. ATR-FTIR can return an analytical measurement almost instantaneously and therefore could be deemed as an ideal technique for monitoring molecular alterations in blood within the clinic.To determine the suitability of using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to enable protein quantification in a clinical setting, pooled human serum samples spiked with varying concentrations of human serum albumin (HSA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were analysed, before analysing patient clinical samples. Using a validated partial least squares method, the spiked samples (IgG) produced a linearity as high as 0.998 and a RMSEV of 0.49 ± 0.05 mg mL⁻¹, with the patient samples producing R² values of 0.992 and a corresponding RMSEV of 0.66 ± 0.05 mg mL⁻¹. This claim was validated using two blind testing models, leave one patient out cross validation and k-fold cross validation, achieving optimum linearity and RMSEV values of 0.934 and 1.99 ± 0.79 mg mL⁻¹, respectively.This demonstrates that ATR-FTIR is able to quantify protein within clinically relevant complex matrices and concentrations, such as serum samples, rapidly and with simple sample preparation. The ability to provide a quantification step, along with rapid disease classification, from a spectroscopic signature will aid clinical translation of vibrational spectroscopy to assist with problems currently faced with patient diagnostic pathways.     

High-Performance Near-Infrared Chlorinated Rylenecarboximide Fluorophores via Consecutive C−N and C−C Bond Formation

A new class of near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores, PAI , is obtained by consecutive C−N/C−C bond formation between diphenylamines and 9,10-dibromoperylenecarboximide. Owing to the rigid structure, extended π-conjugation and pronounced push-pull substitution, these fluorophores show emission maxima up to 804 nm and large Stokes shifts. The extraordinarily high fluorescence quantum yields from 47 % to 70 % are attributed to chloro substitution in the bay positions of the perylene core. These characteristics, together with high photostability, qualify them as useful NIR emitters for applications as biomarkers and security inks.     

Rapid Conversion of Perhydropolysilazane into Thin Silica Coating at Low Temperature

The conversion of perhydropolysilazane(PHPS) to silica at low temperature is beneficial for its application on thermally vulnerable substrates.In this work,it is demonstrated that(3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane(APTES) has high catalytic efficiency for the low temperature conversion of PH PS and the catalytic mechanism of APTES was suggested.The influence of temperatu re and humidity on the catalytic conversion process was investigated,and it was found that PH PS can be rapidly converted to silica...     

Superconductivity in an Orbital-Reoriented SnAs Square Lattice: A Case Study of Li0.6Sn2As2 and NaSnAs

Searching for functional square lattices in layered superconductor systems offers an explicit clue to modify the electron behavior and find exotic properties. The trigonal SnAs₃ structural units in SnAs-based systems are relatively conformable to distortion, which provides the possibility to achieve structurally topological transformation and higher superconducting transition temperatures. In the present work, the functional As square lattice was realized and activated in Li_0.6Sn₂As₂ and NaSnAs through a topotactic structural transformation of trigonal SnAs₃ to square SnAs₄ under pressure, resulting in a record-high T_c among all synthesized SnAs-based compounds. Meanwhile, the conductive channel transfers from the out-of-plane p_z orbital to the in-plane p_x+p_y orbitals, facilitating electron hopping within the square 2D lattice and boosting the superconductivity. The reorientation of p-orbital following a directed local structure transformation provides an effective strategy to modify layered superconducting systems.