"Alpha"-, "beta"- and "delta"-anhydrodigitoxigenin

The syntheses of 3β-hydroxy-5β-carda-14, 20:22-dienolide (= «β»-anhydro-), 3β-hydroxy-5β-carda-8:14, 20:22-dienolide (= «α»-anhydro-) and «δ»-anhydro-digitoxigenin (= probably 3β-hydroxy-5β, 14β-carda-8, 20:22-dienolide) by the best ways known to date, have been described. «δ»-Anhydro-digitoxigenin represents the thermodynamically most stable isomer. In this isomer the double bond in position 8 is unaffected by hydrogenation with Pt in acetic acid; with perbenzoic acid an epoxide results from which, on hydrogenation, the double bond can be regenerated in its original position. Analogous reactions are known to occur in the 8:14-epoxides.     

"Turn-on" fluorescent sensing with "reactive" probes

Chemical probes are valuable tools for the investigation of biochemical processes, diagnosis of disease markers, detection of hazardous compounds, and other purposes. Therefore, the development of chemical probes continues to grow through various approaches with different disciplines and design strategies. Fluorescent probes have received much attention because they are sensitive and easy-to-operate, in general. To realize desired selectivity toward a given analyte, the recognition site of a fluorescent probe is designed in such a way to maximize the binding interactions, usually through weak molecular forces such as hydrogen bonding, toward the analyte over other competing ones. In addition to such a supramolecular approach, the development of fluorescent probes that sense analytes through chemical reactions has witnessed its usefulness for achieving high selectivity, in many cases, superior to that obtainable by the supramolecular approach. Creative incorporations of the reactive groups to latent fluorophores have provided novel chemical probes for various analytes. In this feature article, we overview the recent progress in the development of turn-on fluorescent probes that are operating through chemical reactions triggered by target analytes. Various chemical reactions have been implemented in the development of many reactive probes with very high selectivity and sensitivity toward target analytes. A major emphasis has been focused on the type of chemical reactions utilized, with the hope that further explorations can be made with new chemical reactions to develop reactive probes useful for various applications.     

化“材”为“筑”

Chemistry is a central, practical and creative discipline. The development of chemistry plays an important role in the progress of science and society, as well as the improvement of the quality of human life. This paper introduces the chemical knowledge of stone, concrete, glass and other inorganic nonmetallic building materials by the anthropomorphically story. Taking nanomaterials as an example, the prospect of building materials development in the future is put forward.     

Making "wheels" and "cubes" from triangles

[Mn(IV)Mn(II)3] triangular units directed by the presence of tripodal alcohols self-assemble in the presence of azide and acetate ligands to form either a [Mn24] "wheel" or a [Mn32] "cube".     

"Decoking" of a "coked" zeolite catalyst in a glow discharge

'Decoking' of a 'coked' zeolite catalyst in a glow discharge in oxygen is investigated. The 'decoking' process involves reactions of atomic oxygen (O atoms) with 'coke' and yields gases such as CO, CO₂ as well as other gaseous products that could be easily pumped out.Three different modes of discharge were investigated including a static mode, a flowing-gas mode, and a periodic-purge mode where the oxygen and other gaseous products of the discharge were replaced by fresh O₂ gas after short but regular intervals of time. In some cases, additional heating was also used to provide base temperatures of the order of 100 °C to facilitate penetration of oxygen atoms into the inner layers and cages of the zeolite catalyst.This paper presents some results of spectroscopic analytical techniques used to monitor the atomization of oxygen, oxidation of 'coke', and to confirm the process of 'decoking'. More specifically, radiation emission on the 3 s ⁵S– 3p ⁵P transitions of O around 777.2–777.5 nm were selected for monitoring the atomization of O₂. On the other hand, X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to determine the amount of residual carbon and extent of 'decoking'. Furthermore, evolution of CO and CO₂ gases as a function of time was systematically monitored in real time. For CO, the 451.1 nm band head belonging to the B¹ - A¹ bands of the Angstrom system of the CO spectrum was used, while for CO₂, the band head at 353.4 nm belonging to the CO₂⁺ spectrum was used. The rates of evolution of CO and CO₂ were related to the rate of 'decoking' of the catalyst. It is noted that in the periodic-purge mode, about 63% of the total yield of CO from a given sample of the catalyst appears in the first 3-min exposure to discharge whereas it takes up to 15 min to remove nearly 94% of the removable carbon under our experimental conditions.     

The Immobiline family: from "vacuum" to "plenum" chemistry.

We list here a total of 17 acrylamido acids and bases as potential buffers and titrants for isoelectric focusing separations in immobilized pH gradients. The chemistry of these compounds is reviewed and general guidelines are given for their proper use. In particular, it is shown that the most delicate compounds are the basic species, since they can undergo several degradation pathways, including: (i) spontaneous hydrolysis to acrylic acid and a diamine; (ii) spontaneous autopolymerization to oligomers and n-mers; (iii) oxidation to N-oxides during the persulfate polymerization step. A hydrophobicity scale has been constructed, by partitioning the deprotonated species in water/1-octanol phases. A scale of resistance to alkaline hydrolysis for the basic acrylamido buffers is also given, followed by general consideration on the structure/stability relationship of these chemicals.     

Algorithm for coding DNA sequences into "spectrum-like" and "zigzag" representations

An algorithm for encoding long strings of building blocks, like 4 DNA bases (adenine-A, cytosine-C, thymine-T, and guanidine-G), 20 natural amino acids (from Alanine Ala to Valine-Val, plus the stop triplet), or all 64 possible base triplets (from AAA to TTT), into "zigzag" or "spectrum-like" representations is suggested. The new encoding scheme can be derived in the 3-, 2-, or 1-dimensional form depending on the user's wishes. The only information, besides the string for which the "spectrum-like" representation is sought, is the initial positioning of the complete set of units from which the string is composed, i.e., four positions for A, C, G, and T, or 20 positions for natural amino acids plus stop, etc. This initial positioning can be initialized in either the 3-, 2-, or 1-D form. As an illustration of the suggested encoding scheme of the visual and chemometric comparison of the first 10 exon strings of the beta globin gene of 10 different species, each string consisting of about 100 basic amino acids long is shown.     

Switching "on" and "off" the expression of chirality in peptide rotaxanes

The hydrogen-bond-directed synthesis, X-ray crystal structures, and optical properties of the first chiral peptide rotaxanes are reported. Collectively these systems provide the first examples of single molecular species where the expression of chirality in the form of a circular dichroism (CD) response can selectively be switched "on" or "off", and its magnitude altered, through controlling the interactions between mechanically interlocked submolecular components. The switching is achievable both thermally and through changes in the nature of the environment. Peptido[2]rotaxanes consisting of an intrinsically achiral benzylic amide macrocycle locked onto various chiral dipeptide (Gly-L-Ala, Gly-L-Leu, Gly-L-Met, Gly-L-Phe, and Gly-L-Pro) threads exhibit strong (10-20k deg cm(2) dmol(-1)) negative induced CD (theta;) values in nonpolar solvents (e.g. CHCl(3)), where the intramolecular hydrogen bonding between thread and macrocycle is maximized. In polar solvents (e.g., MeOH), where the intercomponent hydrogen bonding is weakened, or switched off completely, the elliptical polarization falls close to zero in some cases and can even be switched to large positive values in others. Importantly, the mechanism of generating the switchable CD response in the chiral peptide rotaxanes is also determined: a combination of semiempirical calculations and geometrical modeling using the continuous chirality measure (CCM) shows that the chirality is transmitted from the amino acid asymmetric center on the thread via the macrocycle to the C-terminal stopper of the rotaxane. This understanding could have important implications for other areas where chiral transmission from one chemical entity to another underpins a physical or chemical response, such as the seeding of supertwisted nematic liquid crystalline phases or asymmetric synthesis.     

基于现代信息技术的结构化学一维势箱理论和HMO法“翻转课堂”教学设计

In the article, we presented an instructional design of "Particle in One-Dimensional Box Theory" and "HMO Theory" application based on flipped classroom teaching. The students are instructed to use both "Particle in One-Dimensional Box Theory" and "HMO Theory" to solve the electronic structure of olefins and enhance their understanding of quantum mechanics theory via comparison of "Particle in One-Dimensional Box Theory" and "HMO Theory".     

Amphiphilic Janus gold nanoparticles via combining "solid-state grafting-to" and "grafting-from" methods

Despite the great efforts that have been made toward obtaining Janus architectures, synthesizing sub-10 nanometer Janus nanoparticles (NPs) modified with different types of polymers remains a challenging task. In this Communication, "solid-state grafting-to" and "grafting-from" methods were combined to obtain Janus gold NPs (AuNPs) modified with two types of polymer chains on the opposite sides of the NP. We used functionalized polymer single crystals as the solid substrates to immobilize AuNPs. We then used atom transfer radical polymerization to grow polymer chains on the "free" side of the AuNPs. Amphiphilic polyethylene oxide (PEO)-Au-poly(methyl methacrylate), PEO-Au-poly(tert-butyl acrylate) and hydrophilic PEO-Au-poly(acrylic acid) were synthesized. The Janus nature was demonstrated using a platinum-nanoparticle-decoration method. Using polymer single crystals as the reaction substrates is advantageous because they afford higher throughput compared with self-assembled monolayers. Dissolution of the single crystal also leads to NPs with defined polymer patches. We anticipate that our approach could serve as a generic method for synthesizing polymer-functionalized, sub-10 nm Janus NPs. This unique system holds promises for achieving controlled assembly and tunable optic and electronic properties of NPs.     

Fabrication of "roll-off" and "sticky" superhydrophobic cellulose surfaces via plasma processing

Most of the artificial superhydrophobic surfaces that have been fabricated to date are not biodegradable, renewable, or mechanically flexible and are often expensive, which limits their potential applications. In contrast, cellulose, a biodegradable, renewable, flexible, inexpensive, biopolymer which is abundantly present in nature, satisfies all the above requirements, but it is not superhydrophobic. Superhydrophobicity on cellulose paper was obtained by domain-selective etching of amorphous portions of the cellulose in an oxygen plasma and subsequently coating the etched surface with a thin fluorocarbon film deposited via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition using pentafluoroethane as a precursor. Variation of plasma treatment yielded two types of superhydrophobicity : "roll-off" (contact angle (CA), 166.7 degrees +/- 0.9 degrees ; CA hysteresis, 3.4 degrees +/- 0.1 degrees ) and "sticky" (CA, 144.8 degrees +/- 5.7 degrees ; CA hysteresis, 79.1 degrees +/- 15.8 degrees ) near superhydrophobicity. The nanometer scale roughness obtained by delineating the internal roughness of each fiber and the micrometer scale roughness which is inherent to a cellulose paper surface are robust when compared to roughened structures created by traditional polymer grafting, nanoparticle deposition, or other artificial means.     

"Frustrated Lewis pair" hydrogenations

This perspective article discusses developments of metal-free hydrogenation catalysts derived from "frustrated Lewis pair" (FLP) systems. The range of catalysts uncovered and the applications to reductions of imines, aziridines, enamines, silyl enol ethers, diimines, metallocene derivatives and nitrogen-based heterocycles are described. In addition, FLP aromatic reduction of aniline derivatives to the cyclohexylamine analogs is discussed. The potential applications of these metal-free reductions are considered.     

A self-threaded "molecular 8"

A new type of [1]rotaxanes containing two aliphatic bridges between axle and wheel is obtained in 39% yield in a one-step synthesis starting from a [2]rotaxane which contained one sulfonamide group each in both the wheel and the axle. Temperature controlled chemoselective substitution reactions first at these sulfonamide nitrogens and then subsequently at the various other carboxamide nitrogens in the wheel and axle give rise to the formation of an isomeric mixture of three double-bridged [1]rotaxanes which could be separated by HPLC. Structure determination of the main product 3a was possible by NMR experiments supported by molecular modeling calculations. Using different reaction conditions, a double-substituted but not yet bridged [2]rotaxane 4 could be isolated as an intermediate giving further evidence for the assigned structure of 3a and the way of its formation. The shape of this double-bridged [1]rotaxane 3a reminds of a self-intertwining chiral "molecular 8", in which any possible racemization due to deslipping is hindered by the two stoppers originating from the former rotaxane axle. Hence, to the best of our knowledge this is the first example of a molecule in which both concepts, cycloenantiomerism and helical chirality, are realised in one structure. Enantiomer separation of the main product was possible by further HPLC using chiral stationary phases. The Cotton effects of the circular dichrograms are different to those of the already synthesized [1]rotaxanes bearing just one aliphatic bridge between axle and wheel.     

Schlenk's early "free" carbanions

Nearly a century ago, Schlenk published the syntheses and isolation of two most remarkable and unstable complexes: crystalline [Ph(3)C(-)][Me(4)N(+)] and [PhCH(2) (-)][Me(4)N(+)]. The crystal structure of the first complex contains a "free" Ph(3)C(-) ion, which displays the expected planar trigonal geometry at its central carbon atom. The phenyl groups are not orientated in the typical propeller arrangement, but instead display various orientations with respect to the molecular plane. These orientations can be directly related to the extent of charge delocalization and correlate well with other structural characteristics related to charge delocalization. The crystal structure also shows a network of C-H(delta+)...C(delta-) and C-H...pi interactions. Only C-H...pi interactions to the most negative charged phenyl rings are observed. The absolute Br?nsted acidity of Me(4)N(+) is calculated by the G2(MP2) method (287.7 kcal mol(-1)) and is compared to the calculated acidity of Me(4)P(+) (268.4 kcal mol(-1)). On this basis, the pK(a) value for Me(4)N(+) is estimated at 29.6. This makes the existence, and especially Schlenk's early isolation, of the "free" carbanions [Ph(3)C(-)][Me(4)N(+)] and [PhCH(2) (-)][Me(4)N(+)] quite noteworthy.     

Size evolution study of "molecular" and "atom-in-cluster" polarizabilities of medium-size gold clusters

A study on static polarizabilities for a family of gold clusters (Au(n), n = 6, 12, 20, 34, 54) is presented. For each cluster, a density functional theory perturbation theory calculation was performed to compute the cluster polarizability and the polarizability of each atom in the cluster using Bader's "quantum theory of atoms in molecules" formalism. The cluster polarizability tensor, α(cluster), is expressed as a sum of the atom-in-molecule tensors, α(cluster)=∑(Ω)α(Ω). A strong quadratic correlation (R(2) = 0.98) in the isotropic polarizability of atoms in the cluster and their distance to the cluster center of mass was observed. The cluster polarizabilities are in agreement with previous calculations.     

"Cofactor"-controlled enantioselective catalysis

We report an achiral bisphosphine rhodium complex equipped with a binding site for the recognition of chiral anion guests. Upon binding small chiral guests--cofactors--the rhodium complex becomes chiral and can thus be used for asymmetric catalysis. Screening of a library of cofactors revealed that the best cofactors lead to hydrogenation catalysts that form the products with high enantioselectivity (ee's up to 99%). Interestingly, a competition experiment shows that even in a mixture of 12 cofactors high ee is obtained, indicating that the complex based on the best cofactor dominates the catalysis.     

关于为拔尖人才培养开设的"学科前沿"类课程的探讨

With the implementation of the basic discipline of "Top Talent Training Program" (the "East Ever Project"), more and more new reforms and attempts are being made in various universities. In the process of innovation and exploration, a new curriculum is being implemented, that is, the "the frontier aspects of disciplines" course. Through investigation and research, we found that many colleges and universities in China are carrying out or trying to carry out such courses, and the students who participated have different benefits. This paper mainly discusses the current situation of the development of the frontier courses of many universities in China, and gives suggestions based on the two courses of Tang Aoqing Honors Program in Science of chemistry in Jilin University. This paper provides reference for other colleges and universities to open such courses.     

"Almost delocalized" intervalence compounds

Interest is high in +M-bridge-M systems that have very low barriers to intramolecular electron transfer giving M-bridge-M+ ("almost delocalized" systems). Hush showed how to evaluate the electronic coupling across the bridge (H) from the M-to-M charge-transfer optical absorption band, but did not point out that his classical model causes the extinction coefficient to suddenly drop to zero at a photon energy of 2 H. Ignoring this band cutoff leads to a low estimation of H.     

"Clickable" polymersomes

Polymersomes, composed of amphiphilic polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA), with the periphery being covered with azide groups, were used for further functionalization using "click" chemistry.