Untargeted metabolomic study on the insomnia effect of Suan‐Zao‐Ren decoction in the rat serum and brain using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry combined with data processing analysis

Insomnia is a common clinical disease that can seriously damage the normal lives of sufferers. Suan‐Zao‐Ren decoction has been used to treat insomnia for a long time. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of Suan‐Zao‐Ren decoction is still not clear. In this study, the nontargeted metabolomics based on high‐resolution mass spectrometry and multiple statistical approaches were initially used to investigate the changes of potential serum and brain biomarkers and metabolic pathways in the insomnia model rat. Principal component analysis‐discriminate analysis indicated that the Suan‐Zao‐Ren decoction treatment improved the metabolic phenotype insomnia. Moreover, the heatmap analysis identified the most important biomarkers involved in insomnia. According to the pathway analysis, phenylalanine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and so on were recognized as the most affected metabolic pathways associated with insomnia disease. These findings provided a comprehensive understanding of the regulative effects of Suan‐Zao‐Ren decoction on the host metabolic phenotype of the insomnia rats. Our work demonstrated that the metabolomics approach is a promising tool that could help us to conduct the exploration of the therapeutic effects and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicines.     

Pseudotargeted screening and determination of constituents in Qishen granule based on compound biosynthetic correlation using UHPLC coupled with high‐resolution MS

Detection and determination of many known/unknown compounds in traditional Chinese medicines have always been challenging. To comprehensively identify compounds in Qishen granule, which is a widely prescribed herbal formula for treating chronic heart failure, a pseudotargeted screening method was proposed based on compound biosynthetic correlation using ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with high‐resolution mass spectrometry. Firstly, all possible compounds of Qishen granule were classified into nine types according to their core skeletons, and potential analogue molecular formulas were predicted according to core compound‐related biosynthetic correlations, such as methylation, hydroxylation, and glucosidation. Secondly, nine pseudocompound databases consisting of core compounds, deduced biosynthetic correlations, and predicted analogue molecular formulas were established. Then, compounds of interest were directly located by pseudotargeted screening of high resolution mass spectrometry data and further verified by target tandem mass spectrometry. As a result, 213 constituents were identified and 21 of them were determined as potential new compounds. This demonstrated that pseudotargeted screening based on compound biosynthetic correlations significantly facilitated the processing of extremely large information data and improved the efficiency of compound identification. This research provided essential data for exploration of effective substances in Qishen granule and enriched the methodology for comprehensive characterization of constituents in complex traditional Chinese medicines.     

Comprehensive separation of iridoid glycosides and triterpenoid saponins from Dipsacus asper with salt‐containing solvent by high‐speed countercurrent chromatography coupled with recycling mode

The roots of Dipsacus asper Wall as a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine are used for tonifying liver and kidney and strengthening bones and muscles. However, an effective separation strategy for comprehensive and rapid separation of the main active compounds from the roots of D. asper is nonexistent. This investigation provided an effective separation method based on AB‐8 macroporous resin column chromatography using different ratios of ethanol in water and two different modes of high‐speed countercurrent chromatography with salt‐containing solvent system for rapid enrichment and separation from the roots of D. asper. The macroporous resin column chromatography was performed on AB‐8 resin using ethanol in water ratios of 10, 30, 40, 50, and 80% as the optimized enrichment conditions for iridoid glycosides and triterpenoid saponins with different polarities. For high‐speed countercurrent chromatography separation, the conventional and recycling modes were combined together to develop a strategy for 12 compounds ( 1 – 12 ) from the enriched parts of 30, 40, and 80% ethanol, including six high‐polarity iridoid glycosides ( 1 – 6 ) using inorganic salt‐containing solvent system and six triterpenoid saponins ( 7 – 12 ). Recycling high‐speed countercurrent chromatography separation was successfully applied to separate two isomers ( 9 and 10 ) after 11 cycles.     

Kinetics and thermodynamics of rebaudioside A adsorption on a strongly acidic cation exchange resin

To explain the mechanism underlying the adsorption of stevia's polar component rebaudioside A in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography mode, the characteristics of rebaudioside A adsorption on various resins in an organic‐solvent‐rich system were studied. Among the tested resins, the strongly acidic cation resin FPC11 showed the best adsorption behavior for rebaudioside A. The factors affecting the adsorption kinetics of the resin for rebaudioside A are discussed. The results showed that the pseudo‐second‐order reaction model and intra‐particle diffusion model best described the adsorption kinetics of rebaudioside A on the resin. The adsorption rate was controlled by physical sorption, mainly via electron sharing or electron transfer between the adsorbent and the adsorbate. The adsorption process with multiple stages involved weak initial adsorption behavior. Thermodynamic studies showed that the adsorption of rebaudioside A on the resin was not an ideal monolayer adsorption, but mutual adsorption effects between the adsorbates. The adsorption was a spontaneous, entropy‐increasing endothermic process. The synergistic effect of hydrogen bonding and ion–dipole was a possible driving force.     

Zinc‐catalyzed transformation of diarylphosphoryl azides to diarylphosphate esters and amides

We have developed a facile and efficient procedure for the synthesis of diarylphosphate esters and amides. Using Zn(acac)₂ as the catalyst, the reaction of diarylphosphoryl azides with aliphatic alcohols and phenols through an unusual P?N bond cleavage provided a number of diarylphosphate esters in good yields (22 examples, up to 94%). Additionally, various diarylphosphate amides were obtained from the corresponding amines in excellent yields as well (8 examples, up to 96%).     

A Long‐Cycling Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Pouch Cell: NASICON‐Type Material and Surface Modification

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have become the highest potential energy storage system for large‐scale applications owing to the high specific capacity, good safety and low cost. In this work, a NASICON‐type Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathode modified by a uniform carbon layer (NVP/C) has been synthesized via a facile solid‐state method and exhibited significantly improved electrochemical performance when working in an aqueous ZIB. Specifically, the NVP/C cathode shows an excellent rate capacity (e. g., 48 mAh g^?1 at 1.0 A g^?1). Good cycle stability is also achieved (e. g., showing a capacity retention of 88% after 2000 cycles at 1.0 A g^?1). Furthermore, the Zn²⁺ (de)intercalation mechanism in the NVP cathode has been determined by various ex‐situ techniques. In addition, a Zn||NVP/C pouch cell has been assembled, delivering a high capacity of 89 mAhg^?1 at 0.2 A g^?1 and exhibiting a superior long cycling stability.     

Zero‐Dimensional Hybrid Cd‐Based Perovskites with Broadband Bluish White‐Light Emissions

Recently, low‐dimensional organic‐inorganic hybrid metal halide perovskites acting as single‐component white‐light emitting materials have attracted extensive attention, but most studies concentrate on hybrid lead perovskites. Herein, we present two isomorphic zero‐dimensional (0D) hybrid cadmium perovskites, (HMEDA)CdX₄ (HMEDA=hexamethylenediamine, X=Cl ( 1 ), Br ( 2 )), which contain isolated [CdX₄]^2? anions separated by [HMEDA]²⁺ cations. Under UV light excitation, both compounds display broadband bluish white‐light emission (515 nm for 1 and 445 nm for 2 ) covering the entire visible light spectrum with sufficient photophysical stabilities. Remarkably, compound 2 shows a high color rendering index (CRI) of 83 enabling it as a promising candidate for single‐component WLED applications. Based on the temperature‐dependent, powder‐dependent and time‐resolved PL measurements as well as other detailed studies, the broadband light emissions are attributed to self‐trapped excitons stemming from the strong electron‐phonon coupling.     

Regulation of Cathode‐Electrolyte Interphase via Electrolyte Additives in Lithium Ion Batteries

As the power supply of the prosperous new energy products, advanced lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are widely applied to portable energy equipment and large‐scale energy storage systems. To broaden the applicable range, considerable endeavours have been devoted towards improving the energy and power density of LIBs. However, the side reaction caused by the close contact between the electrode (particularly the cathode) and the electrolyte leads to capacity decay and structural degradation, which is a tricky problem to be solved. In order to overcome this obstacle, the researchers focused their attention on electrolyte additives. By adding additives to the electrolyte, the construction of a stable cathode‐electrolyte interphase (CEI) between the cathode and the electrolyte has been proven to competently elevate the overall electrochemical performance of LIBs. However, how to choose electrolyte additives that match different cathode systems ideally to achieve stable CEI layer construction and high‐performance LIBs is still in the stage of repeated experiments and exploration. This article specifically introduces the working mechanism of diverse electrolyte additives for forming a stable CEI layer and summarizes the latest research progress in the application of electrolyte additives for LIBs with diverse cathode materials. Finally, we tentatively set forth recommendations on the screening and customization of ideal additives required for the construction of robust CEI layer in LIBs. We believe this minireview will have a certain reference value for the design and construction of stable CEI layer to realize desirable performance of LIBs.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and magnetic and electrochemiluminescence properties of three manganese(II) complexes

Three novel complexes, namely, penta‐μ‐acetato‐bis(μ₂‐2‐{[2‐(6‐chloropyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazinylidene]methyl}‐6‐methoxyphenolato)‐μ‐formato‐tetramanganese(II), [Mn₄(C₁₃H₁₁ClN₃O₂)₂(C₂H₃O₂)_5.168(CHO₂)_0.832], 1 , hexa‐μ₂‐acetato‐bis(μ₂‐2‐{[2‐(6‐bromopyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazinylidene]methyl}‐6‐methoxyphenolato)tetramanganese(II), [Mn₄(C₁₃H₁₁BrN₃O₂)₂(C₂H₃O₂)₆], 2 , and catena‐poly[[μ₂‐acetato‐acetatoaqua(μ₂‐2‐{[2‐(6‐chloropyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazinylidene]methyl}‐6‐methoxyphenolato)dimanganese(II)]‐μ₂‐acetato], [Mn₂(C₁₃H₁₁ClN₃O₂)(C₂H₃O₂)₃(H₂O)]_n, 3 , have been synthesized using solvothermal methods. Complexes 1 – 3 were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 are tetranuclear manganese clusters, while complex 3 has a one‐dimensional network based on tetranuclear Mn₄(L¹)₂(CH₃COO)₆(H₂O)₂ building units (L¹ is 2‐{[2‐(6‐chloropyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazinylidene]methyl}‐6‐methoxyphenolate). Magnetic studies reveal that complexes 1 – 3 display dominant antiferromagnetic interactions between Mn^II ions through μ₂‐O bridges. In addition, 1 – 3 also display favourable electrochemiluminescence (ECL) properties.     

Fabrication and characterization of micro-encapsulated sodium phosphate dodecahydrate with different crosslinked polymer shells

Microencapsulations of sodium phosphate dodecahydrate with different crosslinked polymer as shells were carried out by in situ polymerization and solvent evaporation method. Methyl methacrylate (MMA), urea were employed to crosslink with ethyl acrylate (EA) and formaldehyde, respectively. The influences of the type of crosslinking agent on the performance of as-prepared microencapsulated phase change materials (microPCMs) have been studied. The microPCMs were investigated using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscope. Thermal properties and thermal stability of microPCMs were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and thermalgravimetric analysis. Conclusion points out that thermal properties and thermal resistant temperatures of microPCMs vary from the type of crosslinkable functional moieties of the crosslinking agents. The temperature range of melting enlarged and the melting temperature increased according to the prepared microPCMs, which is suitable for thermal energy storage.