Synthesis,Electronic Properties and WOLED Devices of Planar Phosphorus‐Containing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

We describe the synthesis and the physical properties of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) containing a phosphorus atom at the edge. In particular, the impact of the successive addition of aromatic rings on the electronic properties was investigated by experimental (UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence, cyclic voltammetry) and theoretical studies (DFT). The physical properties recorded in solution and in the solid state showed that the P‐containing PAHs exhibit properties expected for an emitter in white organic light‐emitting diodes (WOLEDs).     

Relationships between molar mass and fracture properties of segmented urethane and amide copolymers modified by chemical degradation

This publication highlights the structure–property relationships in several thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs): one poly(ether-block-amide) and two thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers with ester and ether soft blocks. Structural changes are induced by chemical degradation from virgin samples through hydrolysis and oxidation. Molar mass measurements show an exclusive chain scission mechanism for all TPEs, regardless of the chemical modification condition. Mechanical behavior was nevertheless obtained from uniaxial tensile testing and fracture testing while considering the essential work of fracture (EWF) concept. During the macromolecular scission process, elongation at break shows a plateau followed by a drop, while stress at break decreases steadily. Once again, the trend is identical for all TPEs in all conditions considered. The βw_p parameter determined using the EWF concept exhibits an interesting sensitivity to scissions (i.e., molar mas decrease). Plotting elongation at break as a function of molar mass reveals a strong correlation between these two parameters. This master curve is particularly remarkable considering the range of TPEs and chemical breakdown pathways considered (hydrolysis and oxidation at several temperatures). Relevant structure–property relationships are proposed, highlighting that molar mass is a predominant parameter for determining the mechanical properties of thermoplastic elastomers.     

DMT1 Inhibitors Kill Cancer Stem Cells by Blocking Lysosomal Iron Translocation

Cancer stem cells (CSC) constitute a cell subpopulation in solid tumors that is responsible for resistance to conventional chemotherapy, metastasis and cancer relapse. The natural product Salinomycin can selectively target this cell niche by directly interacting with lysosomal iron, taking advantage of upregulated iron homeostasis in CSC. Here, inhibitors of the divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) have been identified that selectively target CSC by blocking lysosomal iron translocation. This leads to lysosomal iron accumulation, production of reactive oxygen species and cell death with features of ferroptosis. DMT1 inhibitors selectively target CSC in primary cancer cells and circulating tumor cells, demonstrating the physiological relevance of this strategy. Taken together, this opens up opportunities to tackle unmet needs in anti-cancer therapy.     

Copper-Photocatalyzed Borylation of Organic Halides under Batch and Continuous-Flow Conditions

The copper-photocatalyzed borylation of aryl, heteroaryl, vinyl and alkyl halides (I and Br) was reported. The reaction proceeded using a new heteroleptic Cu complex under irradiation with blue LEDs, giving the corresponding boronic-acid esters in good to excellent yields. The reaction was extended to continuous-flow conditions to allow an easy scale-up. The mechanism of the reaction was studied and a mechanism based on a reductive quenching (Cu^I/Cu^I*/Cu⁰) was suggested.     

Frustrated Lewis Pair Chemistry Enables N2 Borylation by Formal 1,3-Addition of a B−H Bond in the Coordination Sphere of Tungsten

The first example of a formal 1,3-B−H bond addition across the M−N≡N unit of an end-on dinitrogen complex has been achieved. The use of Piers’ borane HB(C₆F₅)₂ was essential to observe this reactivity and it plays a triple role in this transformation: 1) electrophilic N₂-borylation agent, 2) Lewis acid in a frustrated Lewis pair-type B−H bond activation, and 3) hydride shuttle to the metal center. This chemistry is supported by NMR spectroscopy and solid-state characterization of products and intermediates. The combination of chelate effect and strong σ donation in the diphosphine ligand 1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane was mandatory to avoid phosphine dissociation that otherwise led to complexes where borylation of N₂ occurred without hydride transfer.     

The commutative cohomology of nilmonoids,revisited

Semigroup Forum - A nilmonoid is a nilsemigroup N with an identity element adjoined. New properties of the canonical presentation of N yield a more precise characterization of 2-cocycles,...     

Structure and Biosynthesis of Crocagins: Polycyclic Posttranslationally Modified Ribosomal Peptides from Chondromyces crocatus

Secondary metabolome mining efforts in the myxobacterial multiproducer of natural products, Chondromyces crocatus Cm c5, resulted in the isolation and structure elucidation of crocagins, which are novel polycyclic peptides containing a tetrahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole core. The gene cluster was identified through an approach combining genome analysis, targeted gene inactivation in the producer, and in vitro experiments. Based on our findings, we developed a biosynthetic scheme for crocagin biosynthesis. These natural products are formed from the three C-terminal amino acids of a precursor peptide and thus belong to a novel class of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). We demonstrate that crocagin A binds to the carbon storage regulator protein CsrA, thereby inhibiting the ability of CsrA to bind to its cognate RNA target.     

Positive block matrices and numerical ranges

Any positive matrix M partitioned in four n-by-n blocks satisfies the unitarily invariant norm inequality $6M6\le 6M_{1,1}+M_{2,2}+\omega I6$, where ω is the width of the numerical range of $M_{1,2}$. Some related inequalities and a reverse Lidskii majorization are given.     

N=8 Armchair Graphene Nanoribbons: Solution Synthesis and High Charge Carrier Mobility**

Structurally defined graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have emerged as promising candidates for nanoelectronic devices. Low band gap (<1 eV) GNRs are particularly important when considering the Schottky barrier in device performance. Here, we demonstrate the first solution synthesis of 8-AGNRs through a carefully designed arylated polynaphthalene precursor. The efficiency of the oxidative cyclodehydrogenation of the tailor-made polymer precursor into 8-AGNRs was validated by FT-IR, Raman, and UV/Vis-near-infrared (NIR) absorption spectroscopy, and further supported by the synthesis of naphtho[1,2,3,4-ghi]perylene derivatives ( 1 and 2 ) as subunits of 8-AGNR , with a width of 0.86 nm as suggested by the X-ray single crystal analysis. Low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and solid-state NMR analyses provided further structural support for 8-AGNR . The resulting 8-AGNR exhibited a remarkable NIR absorption extending up to ∼2400 nm, corresponding to an optical band gap as low as ∼0.52 eV. Moreover, optical-pump TeraHertz-probe spectroscopy revealed charge-carrier mobility in the dc limit of ∼270 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the 8-AGNR .