Plant wastes and sustainable refineries: What can we learn from fungi?

The valorization of plant wastes allows access to renewable carbon feedstocks without increasing the demand for plant biomass production. Plant wastes are the non-edible residues and waste streams from agriculture, agroindustry and forestry. The chemical diversity and recalcitrance to degradation of such wastes challenge our ability to transform and valorize these resources into value-added compounds. Fungi that thrive on plant tissues have gained a huge diversity of enzymatic toolkits for the finely-tuned degradation of glycan and lignin polymers. Our knowledge on the enzymatic systems developed by fungi now guides innovations for plant waste bioprocessing. Here, we provide an overview of the most recent findings in the hydrolytic and oxidative systems used by fungi for the degradation of recalcitrant plant polymers. We present recent promising success in applying fungal enzymes or fungal fermentations on plant wastes, and discuss the forthcoming developments that could reinforce fungal biotechnology entering a variety of industrial applications.     

What can we learn from N2O isotope data? – Analytics,processes and modelling

The isotopic composition of nitrous oxide (N₂O) provides useful information for evaluating N₂O sources and budgets. Due to the co-occurrence of multiple N₂O transformation pathways, it is, however, challenging to use isotopic information to quantify the contribution of distinct processes across variable spatiotemporal scales. Here, we present an overview of recent progress in N₂O isotopic studies and provide suggestions for future research, mainly focusing on: analytical techniques; production and consumption processes; and interpretation and modelling approaches. Comparing isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) with laser absorption spectroscopy (LAS), we conclude that IRMS is a precise technique for laboratory analysis of N₂O isotopes, while LAS is more suitable for in situ/inline studies and offers advantages for site-specific analyses. When reviewing the link between the N₂O isotopic composition and underlying mechanisms/processes, we find that, at the molecular scale, the specific enzymes and mechanisms involved determine isotopic fractionation effects. In contrast, at plot-to-global scales, mixing of N₂O derived from different processes and their isotopic variability must be considered. We also find that dual isotope plots are effective for semi-quantitative attribution of co-occurring N₂O production and reduction processes. More recently, process-based N₂O isotopic models have been developed for natural abundance and ¹⁵N-tracing studies, and have been shown to be effective, particularly for data with adequate temporal resolution. Despite the significant progress made over the last decade, there is still great need and potential for future work, including development of analytical techniques, reference materials and inter-laboratory comparisons, further exploration of N₂O formation and destruction mechanisms, more observations across scales, and design and validation of interpretation and modelling approaches. Synthesizing all these efforts, we are confident that the N₂O isotope community will continue to advance our understanding of N₂O transformation processes in all spheres of the Earth, and in turn to gain improved constraints on regional and global budgets.     

What can we learn about the mechanisms of thermal decompositions of solids from kinetic measurements?

Aspects of the theories that are conventionally and widely used for the kinetic analyses of thermal decompositions of solids, crystolysis reactions, are discussed critically. Particular emphasis is placed on shortcomings which arise because reaction models, originally developed for simple homogeneous reactions, have been extended, without adequate justification, to represent heterogeneous breakdowns of crystalline reactants. A further difficulty in the mechanistic interpretation of kinetic data obtained for solid-state reactions is that these rate measurements are often influenced by secondary controls. These include: (i) variations of reactant properties (particle sizes, reactant imperfections, nucleation and growth steps, etc.), (ii) the effects of reaction reversibility, of self-cooling, etc. and (iii) complex reaction mechanisms (concurrent and/or consecutive reactions, melting, etc.). A consequence of the contributions from these secondary rate controls is that the magnitudes of many reported kinetic parameters are empirical and results of chemical significance are not necessarily obtained by the most frequently used methods of rate data interpretation. Insights into the chemistry, controls and mechanisms of solid-state decompositions, in general, require more detailed and more extensive kinetic observations than are usually made. The value of complementary investigations, including microscopy, diffraction, etc., in interpreting measured rate data is also emphasized. Three different approaches to the formulation of theory generally applicable to crystolysis reactions are distinguished in the literature. These are: (i) acceptance that the concepts of homogeneous reaction kinetics are (approximately) applicable (assumed by many researchers), (ii) detailed examination of all experimentally accessible aspects of reaction chemistry, but with reduced emphasis on reaction kinetics (Boldyrev) and (iii) identification of rate control with a reactant vaporization step (L’vov). From the literature it appears that, while the foundations of the widely used model (i) remain unsatisfactory, the alternatives, (ii) and (iii), have not yet found favour. Currently, there appears to be no interest in, or discernible effort being directed towards, resolving this unsustainable situation in which three alternative theories remain available to account for the same phenomena. Surely, this is an unacceptable and unsustainable situation in a scientific discipline and requires urgent resolution?     

Weighing synthetic polymers of ultra‐high molar mass and polymeric nanomaterials: What can we learn from charge detection mass spectrometry?

Advances in soft ionization techniques for mass spectrometry (MS) of polymeric materials make it possible to determine the masses of intact molecular ions exceeding megadaltons. Interfacing MS with separation and fragmentation methods has additionally led to impressive advances in the ability to structurally characterize polymers. Even if the gap to the megadalton range has been bridged by MS for polymers standards, the MS‐based analysis for more complex polymeric materials is still challenging. Charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS) is a single‐molecule method where the mass and the charge of each ion are directly determined from individual measurements. The entire molecular mass distribution of a polymer sample can be thus accurately measured. Described in this perspective paper is how molecular weight distribution as well as charge distribution can provide new insights into the structural and compositional studies of synthetic polymers and polymeric nanomaterials in the megadalton to gigadalton range of molecular weight. The recent multidimensional CDMS studies involving couplings with separation and dissociation techniques will be presented. And, finally, an outlook for the future avenues of the CDMS technique in the field of synthetic polymers of ultra‐high molar mass and polymeric nanomaterials will be provided.     

Does cation dehydration drive the binding of metal ions to polyelectrolytes in water? What we can learn from the behaviour of aluminium(III) and chromium(III)

Much stronger binding is seen in aqueous solutions between the anionic polyelectrolyte potassium poly(vinyl sulfate) and the substitution labile aluminium(III) than with the kinetically inert chromium(III). This strongly supports the idea that entropy driven water loss from the hydration sphere of the metal ion plays a major role in driving binding of the trivalent metal ion to the polyelectrolyte.     

What can you learn from a molecular probe? New insights on the behavior of C343 in homogeneous solutions and AOT reverse micelles

The behavior of C343, a common molecular probe utilized in solvation dynamics experiments, was studied in homogeneous media and in aqueous and nonaqueous reverse micelles (RMs). In homogeneous media, the Kamlet and Taft solvatochromic comparison method quantified solute-solvent interactions from the absorption and emission bands showing that the solvatochromic behavior of the dye depends not only on the polarity of the medium but also on the hydrogen-bonding properties of the solvent. Specifically, in the ground state the molecule displays a bathochromic shift with the polarity polarizability (pi) and the H-bond acceptor (beta) ability of the solvents and a hypsochromic shift with the hydrogen donor ability (alpha) of the media. The carboxylic acid group causes C343 to display greater sensitivity to the beta than to the pi polarity parameter; this sensitivity increases in the excited state, while the dependence on alpha vanishes. This demonstrates that C343 forms a stable H-bond complex with solvents with high H-bond acceptor ability (high beta) and low H-bond donor character (low alpha). Spectroscopy in nonpolar solvents reveals J-aggregate formation. With information from the Kamlet-Taft analysis, C343 was used to explore RMs composed of water or polar solvents/sodium 1,4-bis-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate (AOT)/isooctane using absorption, emission, and time-resolved spectroscopies. Sequestered polar solvents included ethylene glycol (EG), formamide (FA), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA). Dissolved in the AOT RM systems at low concentration, C343 exists as a monomer, and when introduced to the RM samples in its protonated form, C343 remains protonated driving it to reside in the interface rather than the water pool. The solvathochromic behavior of the dye depends the specific polar solvent encapsulated in the RMs, revealing different types of interactions between the solvents and the surfactant. EG and water H-bond with the AOT sulfonate group destroying their bulk H-bonded structures. While water remains well segregated from the nonpolar regions, EG appears to penetrate into the oil side of the interface. In aqueous AOT RMs, C343 interacts with neither the sulfonate group nor the water, perhaps because of intramolecular H-bonding in the dye. DMF and DMA interact primarily through dipole-dipole forces, and the strong interactions with AOT sodium counterions destroy their bulk structure. FA also interacts with the Na+ counterions but retains its H-bond network present in bulk solvent. Surprisingly, FA appears to be the only polar solvent other than water forming a "polar-solvent pool" with macroscopic properties similar to the bulk.     

Synthesis, characterization, dynamics and reactivity toward amination of η3-allyl palladium complexes bearing mixed ancillary ligands. Evaluation of the electronic characteristics of the ligands from kinetic data

On the basis of an original protocol, we have synthesized several complexes of the type [Pd(η(3)-C(3)H(3)R(2))(LL')]ClO(4) (R = H, Me; L, L' = PPh(3), P(OEt)(3), 2,6-dimethylphenylisocyanide, t-butylisocyanide, 1,3-dimesitylimidazolidine, 1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene). The complexes, some of which are completely new species, were fully characterized and their behaviour in solution was studied by means of (1)H NMR. The reactions of the complexes bearing the symmetric allyl moiety [Pd(η(3)-C(3)H(5))(LL')]ClO(4) with piperidine in the presence of the olefin dimethylfumarate were followed under kinetically controlled conditions. Formation of allyl-amine and of the palladium(0) derivatives [Pd(η(2)-dmfu)(LL'] was observed. The reaction rates k(2) proved to be strongly dependent on the ancillary ligand nature and allowed a direct comparison among the electronic characteristics of the ligands. The reactivity trend determined appears to be mainly influenced by the capability of the ancillary ligands in transferring electron density to the metal centre and consequently on the allyl fragment.     

Birhodomolleins D and E,two new dimeric grayanane diterpenes with a 3-O-2′ linkage from the fruits of Rhododendron pumilum

Two dimeric grayanane diterpenes with a novel 3-O-2 linkage, birhodomolleins D (1) and E (2), were isolated and structurally elucidated from the fruits of Rhododendron pumilum. Their structures were fully determined by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data.     

Structural determination of aspericins A?C,new furan and pyran derivates from the marine‐derived fungus Rhizopus sp. 2‐PDA‐61, by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy

Three new furan and pyran derivatives named aspericins A? C (1–3), as well as a known asperic acid (4), have been isolated from the marine‐derived fungus Rhizopus sp. 2‐PDA‐61. The complete ¹H and ¹³C NMR assignments for the new compounds were carried out using ¹H, ¹³C, DEPT, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY NMR experiments. Compounds 1–3 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities on P388, A549, HL‐60, and BEL‐7420 cell lines by the MTT and SRB methods. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Structure of Gaseous Carbon Tetraiodide from Electron Diffraction and All Carbon Iodides,CIn (n = 1–4), and Their Dimers,C2I2n (n = 1–3) from High-Level Computation. Any Other Carbon-Iodide Species in the Vapor?

The geometry of a series of carbon iodides have been determined, CI₄ by gas-phase electron diffraction and CI _n (n = 1–4) and C₂I_2n (n = 1–3) by high-level quantum chemical calulations. The bond length of the tetrahedral CI₄ molecule from electron diffraction is (r _g):2.157(10) Å. The indication of about 20% I₂ in the vapor suggests partial decomposition and it has been thoroughly investigated what other carbon iodide species might be present beside CI₄. There is no appreciable amount of either of the dimeric species in the vapor phase, in spite of the suggestion from thermodynamics. On the other hand, the electron diffraction data are compatible with the presence of about 18% of either of the monomeric free radicals, CI₃ or CI₂, beside CI₄ and I₂. Possible reasons for these observations are discussed. Our correlated level computations, in agreement with other high level computations, found the singlet ¹A₁ state to be the ground state for CI₂. This is in contrast with a recent photoelectron spectroscopic study according to which the triplet state is the ground state though with a large margin of error (1 ± 3 kcal/mol energy difference). The computed singlet-triplet separation strongly depends on the level of the computation, but it is at least 9 kcal/mol. Geometrical parameters, singlet-triplet separations, and dipole moments have been calculated for the CX₂ series (X = F, Cl, Br, I, H) and their variations are discussed. The thermodynamic stability of different carbon iodide species has also been investigated.     

Correlation between the basicity of Cu–M<Subscript>x</Subscript>O<Subscript>y</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> (M = Ba,Mg, K or La) oxide and the catalytic performance in the glycerol conversion from adsorption microcalorimetry characterization

The synthesis of CuO species highly dispersed in M_xO_y–Al₂O₃ (M = Ba, Mg, K or La) basic supports was studied, and the catalytic proprieties of the solids in glycerol conversion to bioproducts were subsequently evaluated. A correlation between the copper oxide/catalytic support structure, specific surface area/porosity and the basicity (strength and amount of basic sites) of M_xO_y–Al₂O₃ (M = Ba, Mg, K or La) supports were observed through the following characterization techniques: XRD (structure), N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms (surface area/porosity) and microcalorimetry of CO₂ adsorption (basicity). The XRD results of the different supports indicated that the basic species (BaO, MgO, K₂O or La₂O₃) are highly dispersed in the Al₂O₃ matrix. The XRD patterns of the Ba and K-containing solids combined with copper present a CuO and Al₂O₃ formation; however, an isolated CuO phase for the Mg and La-based catalysts is not observed, demonstrating that Cu species are highly dispersed in basic support. N₂ physisorption isotherms ascribed that most of the samples are mesoporous with a surface area between 26 and 178 m² g^?1, depending on the solid composition. Microcalorimetry of CO₂ adsorption presented the following basic strength using the first points of the adsorption heat: 10MgAl > 10LaAl > 10KAl > 10BaAl for the sample without copper and 5CuMgAl > 5CuKAl > 5CuLaAl > 5CuBaAl for the materials with Cu. The amount of basic site varies greatly depending on the type of basic metal used. The different materials without copper are practically inactive at the end of the reaction. However, the Cu-based solids are active and selective for the conversion of glycerol to acetol. The initial glycerol conversion and the catalyst stability are related to basic strength and amount of basic sites, respectively.     

On the Chemical and Structural Rearrange of Hg-organyltellurolate Clusters: Synthesis, X-ray Characterization, TGA and Raman Evaluation of [(PhTe)6(Ph3P)2Hg5Cl4]?·?2THF and [(PhTe)8Hg6Py2Cl4]?·?Py (Py = pyridine)

(PhTe)₂Hg reacts with HgCl₂ and triphenylphosphine to give the clusters [(PhTe)₆(Ph₃P)₂Hg₅Cl₄] · 2THF (1) and [(PhTe)₈Hg₆Py₂Cl₄] · Py (Py = pyridine) (2). In 1 each tellurium atom connects two Hg atoms, with Hg–Te distances around 2.75 Å. Phosphorus atoms of the triphenylphosphine groups complete the tetrahedral coordination of the Hg1 atoms. The second set of Hg atoms (Hg2) is also coordinated to chlorine atoms. The three-dimensional assembling of 1 encloses circular channels with medium diameter of 12.5 Å. The cluster 2 results from substitution of the oxidized triphenylphosphine ligands of 1 by one molecule of Hg(PhTe)₂ in the course of the synthetic procedures. The alternated Te–Hg bonds of 2 close a 12-membered ring with two inverted 4-membered rings in the middle. Thermogravimetrical evaluations and Raman scattering lines of 1 and 2 are also discussed.