Copper(II) Complexes of 3,4,5‐Trisubstituted Pyrazolates: In Situ Formation of Pyrazole Rings from Different Carbon Centers

The synthesis and characterization of two pyrazolate‐bridged dicopper(II) complexes, [Cu₂(L¹)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 1 , HL¹=3,5‐dipyridyl‐4‐(2‐keto‐pyridyl)pyrazole) and [Cu₂(L²)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 2 , HL²=3,5‐dipyridyl‐4‐benzoylpyrazole), are discussed. These copper(II) complexes are formed from the reactions between pyridine‐2‐aldehyde, 2‐acetylpyridine (for compound 1 ) or acetophenone (for compound 2 ), and hydrazine hydrate with copper(II) perchlorate hydrate under ambient conditions. The single‐crystal X‐ray structure of compound 1? 2 H₂O establishes the formation of a pyrazole ring from three different carbon centers through C? C bond‐forming reactions, mediated by copper(II) ions. The free pyrazoles (HL¹ and HL²) are isolated from their corresponding copper(II) complexes and are characterized by using various analytical and spectroscopic techniques. A mechanism for the pyrazole‐ring synthesis that proceeds through C? C bond‐forming reactions is proposed and supported by theoretical calculations.     

A ligand free copper(II) catalyst is as effective as a ligand assisted Pd(II) catalyst towards intramolecular C–S bond formation via C–H functionalization

Copper(I) catalysts are usually ineffective on the other hand Pd(II) catalysts are quite effective in promoting intramolecular sp² C–H functionalization (C–S bond formation). Herein, we have developed a ligand assisted Pd(II) catalyzed C–S bond formation via C–H activation from arylthioureas leading to the formation of 2-aminobenzothiazoles for substrates bearing electron donating (EDG) groups in the aryl ring. However without the assistance of ligand this Pd(II) catalyzed reaction is quite unproductive particularly for thioureas possessing strongly electron donating groups in the aryl rings. Interestingly, the ligand free Cu(II) catalyzed oxidative cyclization of arylthioureas are equally effective both for arylthioureas possessing electron donating as well as electron withdrawing groups in the aryl rings.     

Oxazoline‐Based Organocatalyst for Enantioselective Strecker Reactions: A Protocol for the Synthesis of Levamisole

A chiral oxazoline‐based organocatalyst has been found to efficiently catalyze asymmetric Strecker reactions of various aromatic and aliphatic N‐benzhydrylimines with trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) as a cyanide source at ?20 °C to give α‐aminonitriles in high yield (96 %) with excellent chiral induction (up to 98 % ee). DFT calculations have been performed to rationalize the enantioselective formation of the product with the organocatalyst in these reactions. The organocatalyst has been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, as well as by other analytical methods. This protocol has been extended to the synthesis of the pharmaceutically important drug molecule levamisole in high yield and with high enantioselectivity.     

Mesoporous Core–Shell Fenton Nanocatalyst: A Mild,Operationally Simple Approach to the Synthesis of Adipic Acid

Mesoporous nanoparticles composed of γ‐Al₂O₃ cores and α‐Fe₂O₃ shells were synthesized in aqueous medium. The surface charge of γ‐Al₂O₃ helps to form the core–shell nanocrystals. The core–shell structure and formation mechanism have been investigated by wide‐angle XRD, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and elemental mapping by ultrahigh‐resolution (UHR) TEM and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherm of this core–shell materials, which is of type IV, is characteristic of a mesoporous material having a BET surface area of 385 m² g^?1 and an average pore size of about 3.2 nm. The SEM images revealed that the mesoporosity in this core–shell material is due to self‐aggregation of tiny spherical nanocrystals with sizes of about 15–20 nm. Diffuse‐reflectance UV/Vis spectra, elemental mapping by UHRTEM, and wide‐angle XRD patterns indicate that the materials are composed of aluminum oxide cores and iron oxide shells. These Al₂O₃@Fe₂O₃ core–shell nanoparticles act as a heterogeneous Fenton nanocatalyst in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, and show high catalytic efficiency for the one‐pot conversion of cyclohexanone to adipic acid in water. The heterogeneous nature of the catalyst was confirmed by a hot filtration test and analysis of the reaction mixture by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The kinetics of the reaction was monitored by gas chromatography and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The new core–shell catalyst remained in a separate solid phase, which could easily be removed from the reaction mixture by simple filtration and the catalyst reused efficiently.     

Isomer-Specific Vibrational Spectroscopy of Microhydrated Lithium Dichloride Anions: Spectral Fingerprint of Solvent-Shared Ion Pairs

The vibrational spectroscopy of lithium dichloride anions microhydrated with one to three water molecules, [LiCl₂(H₂O)_1–3]⁻, is studied in the OH stretching region (3800–2800 cm⁻¹) using isomer-specific IR/IR double-resonance population labelling experiments. The spectroscopic fingerprints of individual isomers can only be unambiguously assigned after anharmonic effects are considered, but then yield molecular level insight into the onset of salt dissolution in these gas phase model systems. Based on the extent of the observed frequency shifts Δν^OH of the hydrogen-bonded OH stretching oscillators solvent-shared ion pair motifs (<3200 cm⁻¹) can be distinguished from intact-core structures (>3200 cm⁻¹). The characteristic fingerprint of a water molecule trapped directly in-between two ions of opposite charge provides an alternative route to evaluate the extent of ion pairing in aqueous electrolyte solutions.     

Structurally Stabilized Organosilane‐Templated Thermostable Mesoporous Titania

Structurally thermostable mesoporous anatase TiO₂ (m‐TiO₂) nanoparticles, uniquely decorated with atomically dispersed SiO₂, is reported for the first time. The inorganic Si portion of the novel organosilane template, used as a mesopores‐directing agent, is found to be incorporated in the pore walls of the titania aggregates, mainly as isolated sites. This is evident by transmission electron microscopy and high‐angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy, combined with electron dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. This type of unique structure provides exceptional stability to this new material against thermal collapse of the mesoporous structure, which is reflected in its high surface area (the highest known for anatase titania), even after high‐temperature (550 °C) calcination. Control of crystallite size, pore diameter, and surface area is achieved by varying the molar ratios of the titanium precursor and the template during synthesis. These mesoporous materials retain their porosity and high surface area after template removal and further NaOH/HCl treatment to remove silica. We investigate their performance for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with bilayer TiO₂ electrodes, which are prepared by applying a coating of m‐TiO₂ onto a commercial titania (P25) film. The high surface area of the upper mesoporous layer in the P25–m‐TiO₂ DSSC significantly increases the dye loading ability of the photoanode. The photocurrent and fill factor for the DSSC with the bilayer TiO₂ electrode are greatly improved. The large increase in photocurrent current (ca. 56 %) in the P25–m‐TiO₂ DSSC is believed to play a significant role in achieving a remarkable increase in the photovoltaic efficiency (60 %) of the device, compared to DSSCs with a monolayer of P25 as the electrode.     

Anchoring Mechanism of ZnO Nanoparticles on Graphitic Carbon Nanofiber Surfaces through a Modified Co‐Precipitation Method to Improve Interfacial Contact and Photocatalytic Performance

A facile three‐step co‐precipitation method is developed to synthesize graphitic carbon nanofibers (CNFs) decorated with ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). By interchanging intermediate steps of the reaction processes, two kinds of nanohybrids are fabricated with stark morphological and physicochemical differences. The morphologies differ because of the different chemical environments of the NP/nanocluster formation. The hybrid with larger and non‐uniform ZnO nanocluster size is formed in liquid phase and resulted in considerable interfacial defects that deteriorate the charge‐transfer properties. The hybrid with smaller and uniform ZnO NPs was formed in a dry solid phase and produced near‐defect‐free interfaces, leading to efficient charge transfer for superior photocatalytic performance. The results broaden the understanding of the anchoring/bonding mechanism in ZnO/CNF hybrid formation and may facilitate further development of more effective exfoliation strategies for the preparation of high‐performance composites/hybrids.     

Cu(II) catalyzed imine C-H functionalization leading to synthesis of 2,5-substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles

A direct access to symmetrical and unsymmetrical 2,5-disubstituted [1,3,4]-oxadiazoles has been accomplished through an imine C-H functionalization of N-arylidenearoylhydrazide using a catalytic quantity of Cu(OTf)(2). This is the first example of amidic oxygen functioning as a nucleophile in a Cu-catalyzed oxidative coupling of an imine C-H bond. These reactions can be performed in air atmosphere and moisture making it exceptionally practical for application in organic synthesis.     

Tuning electrochemical potential of LiCoO2 with cation substitution: first-principles predictions and electronic origin

With a goal to improve the performance of LiCoO₂ as a cathode material in Li-ion batteries, we simulate substitution of various elements (X = Be, Mg, Al, Ga, Si and Ti) for Co using first-principles density functional theory and predict changes in its electrochemical potential. While the electrochemical potential of LiCoO₂ is enhanced with substitution of Be, Mg, Al and Ga for Co, an opposite effect is predicted of Si and Ti substitution. We determine the electronic origin of these changes in electrochemical potential using (a) Bader method of topological analysis of charge density, (b) partial density of electronic states to estimate oxidation states of metal and oxygen, and charge re-distribution upon lithiation. We find that the distribution of electronic charge donated by Li is influenced by the nature of the X–O bond. A larger electron transfer to O (in XO₆ octahedron) upon lithiation leads to stronger Li intercalation and thereby higher electrochemical voltage. Our findings provide a platform for a rational design of cathode materials in Li batteries with enhanced voltage.     

Protonation states of the catalytic dyad of β-secretase (BACE1) in the presence of chemically diverse inhibitors: a molecular docking study

In this molecular docking study, the protonation states of the catalytic Asp dyad of the beta-secretase (BACE1) enzyme in the presence of eight chemically diverse inhibitors have been predicted. BACE1 catalyzes the rate-determining step in the generation of Alzheimer amyloid beta peptides and is widely considered as a promising therapeutic target. All the inhibitors were redocked into their corresponding X-ray structures using a combination of eight different protonation states of the Asp dyad for each inhibitor. Five inhibitors were primarily found to favor two different monoprotonated states, and the remaining three favor a dideprotonated state. In addition, five of them exhibited secondary preference for a diprotonated state. These results show that the knowledge of a single protonation state of the Asp dyad is not sufficient to search for the novel inhibitors of BACE1 and the most plausible state for each inhibitor must be determined prior to conducting in-silico screening.