Evidence for Multiple Binding Modes in the Initial Contact Between SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1 Protein and Cell Surface Glycans**

Infection of host cells by SARS-CoV-2 begins with recognition by the virus S (spike) protein of cell surface heparan sulfate (HS), tethering the virus to the extracellular matrix environment, and causing the subunit S1-RBD to undergo a conformational change into the ‘open’ conformation. These two events promote the binding of S1-RBD to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, a preliminary step toward viral-cell membrane fusion. Combining ligand-based NMR spectroscopy with molecular dynamics, oligosaccharide analogues were used to explore the interactions between S1-RBD of SARS CoV-2 and HS, revealing several low-specificity binding modes and previously unidentified potential sites for the binding of extended HS polysaccharide chains. The evidence for multiple binding modes also suggest that highly specific inhibitors will not be optimal against protein S but, rather, diverse HS-based structures, characterized by high affinity and including multi-valent compounds, may be required.     

A simple synthesis of natural spinazarins and their analogues

A short simple synthesis of spinazarins (2,3-dihydroxy-naphthazarins or 2,3,5,8-tetrahydroxy-1,4-naphtho-quinones) from available 2,3-dichloronaphthazarin derivatives involves replacement of chlorine atoms with azido groups followed by their acidic hydrolysis. The procedure can be used for the preparative synthesis of natural biologically active spinazarins and their analogues.     

聚(碳酸丁二醇酯-co-三环癸烷二甲醇碳酸酯)的制备与性能

采用熔融酯交换和缩聚两步法,合成了以1,4-丁二醇、4,8-三环[5.2.1.0(2,6)]癸烷二甲醇和碳酸二苯酯为原料的聚(碳酸丁二醇酯-co-三环癸烷二甲醇碳酸酯)(PBTCx, x为进料中TCD占二元醇总量的百分比)。用1H NMR和13C NMR对PBTCs的微观结构和组成进行了表征。采用GPC、 DSC、 XRD、 TG对PBTCs的分子量、玻璃化转变温度(Tg)、热稳定性等进行了研究。结果表明,PBTCs的Mw为10500~124800 g?mol-1, Mn为6300~73000 g?mol-1, PDI为1.59~1.73; PBTCs呈无定形态、Tg为-3.43 ℃~70.90 ℃, PBTCs表现出比PBC更高的热稳定性。薄膜拉伸试验结果表明,PBTC30(拉伸强度为33.54 MPa,断裂伸长率为275.69%)和PBTC40(拉伸强度为32.13 MPa,断裂伸长率为294.63%)具有较高的强度和韧性,在薄膜材料中具有一定的应用潜力。     

Synthesis and Reactivity of a Cyclooctatetraene-Like Polyphosphorus Ligand Complex [Cyclo-P8]

The thermolysis of Cp′′′Ta(CO)₄ with white phosphorus (P₄) gives access to [{Cp′′′Ta}₂(μ,η^{2 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 1 : 1}-P₈)] ( A ), representing the first complex containing a cyclooctatetraene-like (COT) cyclo-P₈ ligand. While ring sizes of n >6 have remained elusive for cyclo-P_n structural motifs, the choice of the transition metal, co-ligand and reaction conditions allowed the isolation of A . Reactivity investigations reveal its versatile coordination behaviour as well as its redox properties. Oxidation leads to dimerization to afford [{Cp′′′Ta}₄(μ₄,η^{2 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1}-P₁₆)][TEF]₂ ( 4 , TEF=[Al(OC{CF₃}₃)₄]⁻). Reduction, however, leads to the fission of one P−P bond in A followed by rapid dimerization to form [K@[2.2.2]cryptand]₂[{Cp′′′Ta}₄(μ₄,η^{2 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1}-P₁₆)] ( 5 ), which features an unprecedented chain-type P₁₆ ligand. Lastly, A serves as a P₂ synthon, via ring contraction to the triple-decker complex [{Cp′′′Ta}₂(μ,η^{6 : 6}-P₆)] ( B ).     

Inside Cover: Acid-catalyzed Disulfide-mediated Reversible Polymerization for Recyclable Dynamic Covalent Materials (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 11/2023)

Poly(1,2-dithiolane)s are a family of intrinsically recyclable polymers due to their dynamic covalent disulfide linkages. Despite the common use of thiolate-initiated anionic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) under basic condition, cationic ROP is still not exploited. Here we report that disulfide bond can act as a proton acceptor, being protonated by acids to form sulfonium cations, which can efficiently initiate the ROP of 1,2-dithiolanes and result in high-molecular-weight (over 1000 kDa) poly(disulfide)s. The reaction can be triggered by adding catalytic amounts of acids and non-coordinating anion salts, and completed in few minutes at room temperature. The acidic conditions allow the applicability for acidic monomers. Importantly, the reaction condition can be under open air without inert protection, enabling the nearly quantitative chemical recycling from bulk materials to original monomers.     

Mechanistic Insight into Peptidyl-Cysteine Oxidation by the Copper-Dependent Formylglycine-Generating Enzyme

The copper-dependent formylglycine-generating enzyme (FGE) catalyzes the oxygen-dependent oxidation of specific peptidyl-cysteine residues to formylglycine. Our QM/MM calculations provide a very likely mechanism for this transformation. The reaction starts with dioxygen binding to the tris-thiolate Cu^I center to form a triplet Cu^II-superoxide complex. The rate-determining hydrogen atom abstraction involves a triplet-singlet crossing to form a Cu^II−OOH species that couples with the substrate radical, leading to a Cu^I-alkylperoxo intermediate. This is accompanied by proton transfer from the hydroperoxide to the S atom of the substrate via a nearby water molecule. The subsequent O−O bond cleavage is coupled with the C−S bond breaking that generates the formylglycine and a Cu^II-oxyl complex. Moreover, our results suggest that the aldehyde oxygen of the final product originates from O₂, which will be useful for future experimental work.     

Unique Octupolar 2D-Polymer Frameworks as Mixed Conductors and Metal-Free Catalysts for Dual-Promoted Li and S Electrochemistry: Multi-regulation Role of Ethoxylation Chemistry

Here, we for the first time introduce ethoxylation chemistry to develop a new octupolar cyano-vinylene-linked 2D polymer framework (Cyano-OCF-EO) capable of acting as efficient mixed electron/ion conductors and metal-free sulfur evolution catalysts for dual-promoted Li and S electrochemistry. Our strategy creates a unique interconnected network of strongly-coupled donor 3-(acceptor-core) octupoles in Cyano-OCF-EO, affording enhanced intramolecular charge transfer, substantial active sites and crowded open channels. This enables Cyano-OCF-EO as a new versatile separator modifier, which endows the modified separator with superior catalytic activity for sulfur conversion and rapid Li ion conduction with the high Li⁺ transference number up to 0.94. Thus, the incorporation of Cyano-OCF-EO can concurrently regulate sulfur redox reactions and Li-ion flux in Li−S cells, attaining boosted bidirectional redox kinetics, inhibited polysulfide shuttle and dendrite-free Li anodes. The Cyano-OCF-EO-involved Li−S cell is endowed with excellent overall electrochemical performance especially large areal capacity of 7.5 mAh cm⁻² at high sulfur loading of 8.7 mg cm⁻². Mechanistic studies unveil the dominant multi-promoting effect of the triethoxylation on electron and ion conduction, polysulfide adsorption and catalytic conversion as well as previously-unexplored −CN/C−O dual-site synergistic effect for enhanced polysulfide adsorption and reduced energy barrier toward Li₂S conversion.     

Modular Synthesis of ortho-Thiolated Aryl Esters Enabled with Thiocarbonate through Catellani Strategy

Herein, we report a palladium/norbornene/copper co-catalyzed single-step approach that merges selective ortho C−H bond esterification with ipso thiolation for construction of synthetically versatile 2-arylthio aryl esters under exceptionally mild conditions. Importantly, this process proceeded in a highly efficient manner, allowing alkoxycarbonyl and thio groups to be installed into one aryl iodides simultaneously by harnessing thiocarbonate as bifunctional reagent. The method has been demonstrated to accommodate good functionalities and features broad substrate scope.     

Transition Metal-Free Aromatic C−H,C−N,C−S and C−O Borylation

Aromatic organoboron compounds are highly valuable building blocks in organic chemistry. They were mainly synthesized through aromatic C−H and C−Het borylation, in which transition metal-catalysis dominate. In the past decade, with increasing attention to sustainable chemistry, numerous transition metal-free C−H and C−Het borylation transformations have been developed and emerged as efficient methods towards the synthesis of aromatic organoboron compounds. This account mainly focuses on recent advances in transition metal-free aromatic C−H, C−N, C−S, and C−O borylation transformations and provides insights to where further developments are required.