Killing three birds with one stone--simultaneous operando EPR/UV-vis/Raman spectroscopy for monitoring catalytic reactions

For the first time, three operando methods, namely EPR, UV-vis and laser-Raman spectroscopy have been applied in parallel on the same V/TiO2 catalyst and under identical reaction conditions during oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to elucidate structure-reactivity relationships in status operandi.     

SynCar: an approach to automated synthesis

The automation of all aspects of manual solution-phase synthesis into one integrated, efficient, and reliable system could be regarded as something of an unmet challenge in organic chemistry. The requirements for modern solution-phase libraries in mainstream drug discovery is typically 50-250 high-purity compounds on a 10-100-mg scale, whether for target class libraries or lead optimization, and short cycle time in combination with high capacity is critical. To achieve these goals, in a codevelopment between Aventis and Accelab GmbH, Kusterdingen, Germany, we designed a completely novel system of independent workstations connected by a shuttle transfer system produced by Montech, Derendingen, Switzerland. Seven modular workstations process four reactions on each shuttle in parallel, with the ability to perform synthesis (temperature control and liquid reagent handling), filtration, liquid-liquid extraction, evaporation, weighing, solid-phase extraction, and HPLC/MS analysis. The modular design enables the continuous loading of shuttles at any time, and each shuttle can have its own workflow. The design also allows easy expansion for future needs. The result is a combination of high flexibility and high throughput.     

Stabilization of excess charge in isolated adenosine 5'-triphosphate and adenosine 5'-diphosphate multiply and singly charged anions

Multiply charged anions (MCAs) represent highly energetic species in the gas phase but can be stabilized through formation of molecular clusters with solvent molecules or counterions. We explore the intramolecular stabilization of excess negative charge in gas-phase MCAs by probing the intrinsic stability of the [adenosine 5'-triphosphate-2H](2-) ([ATP-2H](2-)), [adenosine 5'-diphosphate-2H](2-) ([ADP-2H](2-)), and H(3)P(3)O(10)(2-) dianions and their protonated monoanionic analogues. The relative activation barriers for decay of the dianions via electron detachment or ionic fragmentation are investigated using resonance excitation of ions isolated within a quadrupole trap. All of the dianions decayed via ionic fragmentation demonstrating that the repulsive Coulomb barriers (RCB) for ionic fragmentation lie below the RCBs for electron detachment. Both the electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI-MS) and total fragmentation energies for [ATP-2H](2-), [ADP-2H](2-), and H(3)P(3)O(10)(2-) indicate that the multiply charged H(3)P(3)O(10)(2-) phosphate moiety is stabilized by the presence of the adenosine group and the stability of the dianions increases in the order H(3)P(3)O(10)(2-) < [ADP-2H](2-) < [ATP-2H](2-). Fully optimized, B3LYP/6-31+G* minimum energy structures illustrate that the excess charges in all of the phosphate anions are stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding either within the phosphate chain or between the phosphate and the adenosine. We develop a model to illustrate that the relative magnitudes of the RCBs and hence the stability of these ions is dominated by the extent of intramolecular hydrogen bonding.     

The Influence of Sulfate‐Doping on the Nature of V Sites in VOx/TiO2 Catalysts

EPR, UV/Vis and FTIR spectroscopy as well as thermal analysis (TA/MS) were applied to study the influence of sulfate species present in the anatase support on the specific nature of VO_x species in supported VO_x/TiO₂ catalysts. Those sulfate species modify the local structure of the supported vanadyl species and lead to the formation of two types of VO²⁺ sites instead of only one type being formed on sulfate‐free anatase. EPR and FTIR spectroscopic measurements revealed that a part of the VO²⁺ species are directly bound to the surface sulfate species. By TA/MS it was found that SO₂ is released at lower temperature from VO_x/TiO₂ in comparison to the vanadium‐free support. The direct bonding between sulfate and VO_x species stabilizes the latter on the surface of VO_x/TiO₂ resulting in three effects: 1) a higher V site dispersion in comparison to sulfate‐free TiO₂, 2) a better resistance of surface vanadyls against diffusion into the bulk of the support and 3) a much faster reoxidation of reduced V sites than observed on sulfate‐free TiO₂.     

Biological Activity of Extracts of Red and Yellow Fruits of Cornus mas L.—An In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity,Inhibitory Activity against α-Glucosidase,Acetylcholinesterase, and Binding Capacity to Human Serum Albumin

Although extracts are broadly used in order to support the treatment of numerous diseases, only in a limited number of cases is the process of applying and establishing their mechanisms of action scientifically analyzed. Fruits of Cornelian cherry are an abundant source of iridoids, anthocyanins, flavonols and phenolic acids. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro bioactivity of red and yellow Cornelian cherry fruits’ extracts. The biological potential of extracts, in a broad sense, involved antioxidant activity in relation to phosphatidylcholine liposomes, inhibitory ability against α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase enzymes, as well as interactions with human serum albumin. Studies showed that both extracts were more effective in protecting liposome membranes against free radicals produced by AAPH in an aqueous environment due to the fact that they can be better eliminated by the hydrophilic components of the extracts than those produced by UVB radiation. Extracts exhibited inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase, wherein loganic acid extract showed noncompetitive inhibition of the enzyme. Moreover, extracts binded to albumin mainly through hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. Taken together, red and yellow cherry fruits’ extracts exhibit diverse biological properties and can be exploited as a source of natural therapeutic agents.     

Nucleotides. Part LIV. Synthesis of condensed N1-(2′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)lumazines,New fluorescent building blocks in oligonucleotide synthesis

Various condensed areno[g]lumazine derivatives 2 , 3 , and 5 – 7 were synthesized as new fluorescent aglycones for glycosylation reactions with 2-deoxy-3, 5-di-O-(p-toluoyl)-α/β-D -erythro-pentofuranosyl chloride ( 10 ) to form, in a Hilbert-Johnson-Birkofer reaction, the corresponding N¹-(2′-deoxyribonucleosides) 15 – 21 . The β-D -anomers 15 , 17 , 19 , and 21 were deblocked to 24 – 27 and, together with N¹-(2′-deoxy-β-D -ribofuranosyl)lumazine ( 22 ) and its 6, 7-diphenyl derivative 23 , dimethoxytritylated in 5′-position to 28–33. These intermediates were then converted into the 3′-(2-cyanoethyI diisopropylphosphoramidites) 34 – 39 which function as monomeric building block in oligonucleotide syntheses as well as into the 3′-(hydrogen succinates) 40 – 45 which can be used for coupling with the solid-support material. A series of lumazine-modified oligonucleotides were synthesized and the influence of the new nucleobases on the stability of duplex formation studied by measuring the T_m values in comparison to model sequences. A substantial increase in the T_m is observed on introduction of areno[g]lumazine moieties in the oligonucleotide chain stabilizing obviously the helical structures by improved stacking effects. Stabilization is strongly dependent on the site of the modified nucleobase in the chain.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Planar Chiral [Cr(η6-Arene)(CO)3] complexes via nucleophilic addition/hydride abstraction. Preliminary communication

Non-racemic, planar chiral 1, 2-disubstituted [Cr(η⁶-arene)(CO)₃] complexes were obtained via external chiral ligand-controlled nucleophilic addition of alkyl-, vinyl-, and aryllithium reagents to monosubstituted complexes followed by an endo-hydride abstraction with trityl cation. The reactions with [Cr(CO)₃(η⁶-phenyloxazoline)], [Cr(CO)₃(η⁶-phenylmethaneimine)], and [Cr(CO)₃ (η⁶-phenylmethanenydrazone)] took place with complete ortho-selectivity and a high degree of enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee).     

Avoiding Pitfalls in Comparison of Activity and Selectivity of Solid Catalysts for Electrochemical HMF Oxidation

Electrocatalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) offers a renewable approach to produce the value-added platform chemical 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The key for the economic viability of this approach is to develop active and selective electrocatalysts. Nevertheless, a reliable catalyst evaluation protocol is still missing, leading to elusive conclusions on criteria for a high-performing catalyst. Herein, we demonstrate that besides the catalyst identity, secondary parameters such as materials of conductive substrates for the working electrode, concentration of the supporting electrolyte, and electrolyzer configurations have profound impact on the catalyst performance and thus need to be optimized before assessing the true activity of a catalyst. Moreover, we highlight the importance of those secondary parameters in suppressing side reactions, which has long been overlooked. The protocol is validated by evaluating the performance of free-standing Cu-foam, and CuCoO modified with NaPO₂H₂ and Ni, which were immobilized on boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes. Recommended practices and figure of merits in carefully evaluating the catalyst performance are proposed.     

Photoemission of LaI2 and CeI2

The electronic structure of the layered compounds LaI₂ and CeI₂ was investigated by photoemission and electron energy loss spectroscopy. From the experimental results we are able to confirm the metallic nature of these compounds, and by using photon energy dependent measurements of the valence band we can identify the orbital character of the conduction band as essentially 5d¹-like. A detailed analysis of the Ce 3d and 4f spectra yields a remarkably small 4f-5d hybridization strength, almost completely decoupling the f-electron from the conduction band, which makes CeI₂ a somewhat unusual system compared to other metallic Ce compounds. Band structure calculations by Jepsen and Andersen [1] confirm these experimental results.