Using molecular dynamics simulations to identify the key factors responsible for chiral recognition by an amino acid-based molecular micelle

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to investigate the binding of six chiral compounds to the amino acid-based molecular micelle (MM) poly-(sodium undecyl-(L)-leucine-leucine) or poly(SULL). The MM investigated is used as a chiral selector in capillary electrophoresis. The project goal was to characterize the chiral recognition mechanism in these separations and to move toward predictive models to identify the best amino acid-based MM for a given separation. Poly(SULL) was found to contain six binding sites into which chiral compounds could insert. Four sites had similar sizes, shapes, and electrostatic properties. Enantiomers of alprenolol, propranolol, 1,1′-bi-2-naphthyl-2,2′-diyl hydrogen phosphate, 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol, chlorthalidone, or lorazepam were separately docked into each binding pocket and MD simulations with the resulting intermolecular complexes were performed. Solvent-accessible surface area calculations showed the compounds preferentially associated with binding sites where they penetrated into the MM core and shielded their non-polar atoms from solvent. Furthermore, with five of the six compounds the enantiomer with the most favorable free energy of MM association also experienced the most favorable intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions with the MM. This result suggests that stereoselective intermolecular hydrogen bonds play an important role in chiral discrimination in separations using amino acid-based MMs.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT     

Synergetic catalytic effect of rGO,Pd, Fe3O4 and PPy as a magnetically separable and recyclable nanocomposite for coupling reactions in green media

In this paper, rGO/Pd–Fe₃O₄@PPy as an efficient stable nanocomposite was synthesized. To understand the synergetic effects of rGO, Pd, Fe₃O₄ and PolyPyrrole, the performance of rGO/Pd–Fe₃O₄@PPy as a heterogeneous recyclable nanocatalyst in the green synthesis of C‐C and C‐O coupling products, as well as different conditions are studied. Synthesized rGO/Pd–Fe₃O₄@PPy was characterized by FT‐IR, XRD, FE‐SEM, EDS, TGA and AFM analysis. Best results are obtained under sonication in H₂O for C‐C coupling and by ball‐milling for C‐O coupling. The benefits of this method include: green solvents and conditions, absence of external base, low reaction times with high yield and easy work‐up method.     

Third order harmonics generation in multilayer nanoshells

Third order harmonics generation has been investigated for multilayer nanoshell structure. Numerical calculations show that the nonlinear susceptibility of this structure depends on the parameters such as size and kind of structure, relaxation time and pump photon energy. The intensity and position of third order nonlinear susceptibility peaks depend on shell thicknesses; smaller thicknesses have peak susceptibility at shorter wavelength.     

ZEOLITE-SUPPORTED CHROMIUM(VI) OXIDE: A MILD,EFFICIENT, AND INEXPENSIVE REAGENT FOR OXIDATIVE DEPROTECTION OF TRIMETHYLSILYL ETHERS UNDER MICROWAVE IRRADIATION

Primary and secondary trimethylsilyl ethers are effeciently converted to the corresponding carbonyl compounds using HZSM-5 zeolite-supported CrO ₃ under microwave irradiation in solventless system.     

Functionalization of Multi Carbon Nanotubes with 1,2‐Naphthoquinone‐4‐sulfonic Acid Sodium: A Novel Sulphydryl Compounds Sensor Based on Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Film Using Michael Addition

The functionalized multi‐wall carbon nanotube with 1,2‐naphthoquinone‐4‐sulfonic acid sodium (Nq‐MWNT) was fabricated by a simple and low‐cost method. Techniques of scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV‐vis) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to characterize the property of the Nq‐MWNT. The results showed that the MWNT with high functionalization of Nq can be obtained using this simple method. The Nq‐MWNT modified carbon paste electrode (Nq‐MWNT/CPE) was fabricated by drop‐casting technique. The resulted modified electrode was tested successfully to detection D‐penicillamine (D‐PA) and captopril (CAP) in an aqueous solution. It is found that D‐PA and CAP participate in Michael addition reaction with Nq on MWNT to form the corresponding thioquinone derivative. The reoxidation of adducts at a potential of less positive than D‐PA and CAP at the surface of the bare CPE leads to an increase in the oxidative current, which is proportional to the concentration of D‐PA and CAP. The catalytic response showed a wide linear range (3‐200 μM and 1‐130 μM for D‐PA and CAP, respectively) as well as its experimental limit of detection can be achieved 0.8 μM, and 0.4 μM for D‐PA and CAP, respectively. The modified electrode for D‐PA and CAP determination is of the property of simple preparation, good stability and high sensitivity. Furthermore, the fabricated electrode was used to determine the content of D‐PA and CAP in the tablet, suggesting the good accuracy of the method.     

Microwave Assisted Synthesis of Dibenzoxazepines

Dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepine derivatives were synthesized in good yields and short reaction times by the reaction of 2‐chlorobenzaldehydes and 2‐aminophenoles in basic conditions under microwave irradiation.     

CuO–Fe2O3 nanoparticles embedded onto reduced graphene oxide nanosheets: a high-performance nanocomposite anode for Li-ion battery

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The development of safe, fast charging, and long-lasting Li-ion batteries has been taking major steps forward through novel combinations of nanomaterials....     

Gel-assisted synthesis of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles and application for electrochemical determination of L-tryptophan

Anatase titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) were synthesized with and without gelatin via the sol-gel method. The TiO₂-NPs were characterized by a number of techniques, such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The particle sizes of the TiO₂-NPs prepared with and without gelatin were ～13 and ～17 nm, respectively. The main advantage of using gelatin as a stabilizing agent is that it provides long-term stability for nanoparticles by preventing particles agglomeration. The results indicated that gelatin was a reliable green stabilizer, which can be used as a polymerization agent in the sol-gel method for synthesis of tiny size TiO₂-NPs. Moreover, the composite film was prepared by synthesized TiO₂-NPs nanoparticles and multi wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) on glassy carbon electrode (TiO₂-MWNT/GCE). The TiO₂-MWNT/GCE responded linearly to L-tryptophan (L-Trp) in the concentration of 1.0 × 10^?6 to 1.5 × 10^?4 M with detection limit of 5.2 × 10^?7 M at 3 using amperometry. The studied sensor exhibited good reproducibility and long-term stability.