Active RNase glycoprotein from three pieces : The glycoprotein enzyme ribonuclease C, which contains a complex saccharide N‐glycan, was synthesized by sequential native chemical ligation. An optimized ligation and isolation protocol allowed the efficient assembly and refolding of the 124 amino acid enzyme.
A higher goal : An on‐wafer crystallization process to prepare pure silica zeolite (PSZ) MEL‐type films that is superior to the previously used hydrothermal process is reported. These striation‐free MEL‐type films (right, see picture) outperform the traditional spin‐on films (left) in terms of the κ value, mechanical properties, surface roughness, mesopore size, and size distribution.
Zinc benefits : The first catalytic asymmetric phospha‐Michael addition of enones has been developed. Under mild reaction conditions, the γ‐oxo phosphonates could be obtained in high yields (up to 99 %) with excellent enantioselectivities (93–99 % ee; see scheme). The strategy makes the asymmetric synthesis of biologically important phosphonate compounds more accessible.
Towards cooler solid oxide fuel cells: Disorder and dimensionality (see picture) play an important role in determining ion mobility of bulk and artificially nanolayered materials and should be considered in the design of new electrolytes with enhanced conductivity.
Finely tuned optical properties : The optical properties of substituted protected catechol derivatives can be fine‐tuned (see scheme; TBDMS=tert‐butyldimethylsilyloxy). The DFT‐calculated polarisabilities are compared with experimental data.
Quick on the uptake : A multiscale theoretical method predicts that the gravimetric adsorption capacities of H2 in Li‐doped covalent organic frameworks based on the building blocks shown (Li violet, H white, B pink, C green, O red, Si yellow) can reach nearly 7 % at T=298 K and p=100 bar, suggesting that these Li‐doped materials are promising adsorbents for hydrogen storage.
