Sheet‐like mimic enzyme : A novel nanostructure (see figure) of sheet‐like FeS with peroxidase‐like activity was synthesized as a mimic enzyme for the development of amperometric transducers and biocatalysts.
Broken‐symmetry DFT calculations on transition‐metal clusters with more than two centers allow the hyperfine coupling constants to be extracted. Application of the proposed theoretical scheme to a tetranuclear manganese complex that models the S2 state of the oxygen‐evolving complex of photosystem II yields hyperfine parameters that can be directly compared with experimental data. The picture shows the metal–oxo core of the model and the following parameters; exchange coupling constant Jij, the expectation value of the site‐spin operator , and the isotropic hyperfine coupling parameters.
Let's stick together : The gelation ability of a dendritic gelator has been enhanced by its complexation with a polyelectrolyte (see figure). This concept provides a route to construct novel functional or ordered materials by complexation of other low‐molecular‐mass functional species with polyelectrolytes.
An N for Ir : The synthesis and X‐ray crystal structure of a late‐transition‐metal complex with a terminal nitrido ligand and its hydrogenation to the related amido complex are reported (see scheme).
Site creation : Enantioselective artificial metalloenzymes have been created by grafting a new active site onto bovine pancreatic polypeptide through the introduction of an amino acid capable of coordinating a copper(II) ion. This hybrid catalyst gave good enantioselectivities in the Diels–Alder and Michael addition reactions in water (see scheme) and displayed a very high substrate selectivity.
Towards improved kinetic stability : A detailed account of the complexation properties of the ligand 1,4‐bis(hydroxycarbonylmethyl)‐6‐[bis(hydroxycarbonylmethyl)]amino‐6‐methylperhydro‐1,4‐diazepine (AAZTA; see figure) is reported. Its Gd3+ complex shows a kinetic stability superior to that of complexes formed by higher denticity ligands and opens the way for a new reference structure for MRI contrast agents.
Finally, a structure with well‐resolved C 60 3? ions and S=1/2 spin system : The two novel title compounds have clearly S=1/2 and not S=3/2 electronic states, as expected for the occupation of the triply degenerate LUMO of C60. These structures with well‐ordered fullerene trianions show that the expected Jahn–Teller distortion is not observable in X‐ray diffraction experiments.
Supramolecular protein polymers consisting of cytochrome b562 monomers with heme covalently attached to the protein surface are presented by T. Hayashi and co‐workers in their Communication on page 1271 ff. Not only one‐dimensional hemoprotein fibers with submicrometer lengths have been prepared, but when a heme triad was added as a pivot molecule, two‐dimensional protein assembly networks resulted, which cover over 100 square micrometers.
Similar, but different : Possessing almost the same but not identical structures, the recently discovered natural products hopeahainol A ( 1 ) and hopeanol ( 2 ) exhibit important but differing biological properties (see structures). Their first total synthesis has now been achieved through a series of novel cascade reactions and skeletal rearrangements.
Flower power : Various mesoporous Co3O4 architectural structures (see figure) have been successfully prepared through a facile binary‐solution route and sequential thermal decomposition at atmospheric pressure. The electrochemical experiments showed that the specific capacitance of Co3O4 nanosheets was higher than that of Co3O4 microspheres in a KOH electrolyte.
Enzymes with artificial cofactors : Nondiffusible organic cofactors of enzymes can often be replaced by artifical analogues to generate semisynthetic enzymes (see scheme). This approach can be used to study structure–function relationships in enzymology and to produce novel enzymes with enhanced or even entirely new functions that are useful for biosensing, biocatalysis, and materials science applications.
Eradicating hedgehogs : The title molecule has been previously identified as a potent inhibitor of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, which gives embryonic cells information needed to develop properly. This molecule is shown to modulate Hedgehog target gene expression by depolymerizing microtubules, thus revealing dual roles of the cytoskeleton in pathway regulation (see figure).
Enriched cleavage : An efficient chemoselective cysteine modification of unprotected peptides and proteins has been developed by using electron‐deficient alkynes in aqueous media. Interestingly, terminal alkynone‐modified peptides could be converted back into the unmodified peptides by cleavage by adding thiols under mild conditions (see scheme).
Easy and direct : Regioselective Mizoroki–Heck‐coupling reactions using heteroaromatic tosylates as electrophiles were achieved, thus providing direct and easy access to highly functionalized α‐heteroarylvinyl amides and ethers.
