Guanidine Additive Enabled Intermolecular ortho-Phthalaldehyde-Amine-Thiol Three-Component Reactions for Modular Constructions

Recently, ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) is experiencing a renascence for the modification of proteins and peptides through OPA-amine two-component reactions for bioconjugation and intramolecular OPA-amine-thiol three-component reactions for cyclization. Historically, small thiol molecules were used in large excess to allow for the intermolecular OPA-amine-thiol reaction forming 1-thio-isoindole derivatives. In this study, we discovered that guanidine could serve as an effective additive to switch the intermolecular OPA-amine-thiol three-component reaction to a stoichiometric process and enable the modular construction of peptide-peptide, and peptide-drug conjugate structures. Thus, 12 model peptide-peptide conjugates have been synthesized from unprotected peptides featuring all proteinogenic residues. Besides, 6 peptide-drug conjugates have been prepared in one step, with excellent conversions and isolated yields. In addition, a conjugate product has been further functionalized by utilizing a premodified OPA derivative, demonstrating the versatility and flexibility of this reaction.     

ESC resistance of commercial grade polycarbonates during exposure to butter and related chemicals

Three commercial grades of polycarbonates (Lexan^® 144, Lexan^® 104 and Makrolon Rx1805) were studied with respect to resistance to environmental stress cracking (ESC) when exposed to butter and related chemicals. The polycarbonates (PCs) were extensively characterised to determine whether differences in ESC resistance could be related to their structural or chemical properties. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry revealed that Makrolon Rx1805 contains a low molar mass material characterised as poly(propylene glycol)p, which was confirmed by ATR-FTIR and ¹H NMR. Some “non-absorbing” chemicals, such as butter, cause the PCs to be less resistant to ESC under stress. The reason for this is that these chemicals and the PCs have sufficiently similar Hansen solubility parameters to allow surface conformational changes even though absorption is non-existent or extremely small. ATR-FTIR was used to detect changes in molecular structure in the PC surfaces.     

Ultraviolet photolysis of HCHO: absolute HCO quantum yields by direct detection of the HCO radical photoproduct

Absolute quantum yields for the radical (H + HCO) channel of HCHO photolysis, Phi(HCO), have been measured for the tropospherically relevant range of wavelengths (lambda) between 300 and 330 nm. The HCO photoproduct was directly detected by using a custom-built, combined ultra-violet (UV) absorption and cavity ring down (CRD) detection spectrometer. This instrument was previously employed for high-resolution (spectral resolution approximately 0.0035 nm) measurements of absorption cross-sections of HCHO, sigma(HCHO)(lambda), and relative HCO quantum yields. Absolute Phi(HCO) values were measured at seven wavelengths, lambda = 303.70, 305.13, 308.87, 314.31, 320.67, 325.59, and 329.51 nm, using an independent calibration technique based on the simultaneous UV photolysis of HCHO and Cl(2). These Phi(HCO) measurements display greater variability as a function of wavelength than the current NASA-JPL recommendations for Phi(HCO). The absolute Phi(HCO)(lambda) determinations and previously measured sigma(HCHO)(lambda) were used to scale an extensive set of relative HCO yield measurements. The outcome of this procedure is a full suite of data for the product of the absolute radical quantum yield and HCHO absorption cross-section, Phi(HCO)(lambda)sigma(HCHO)(lambda), at wavelengths from 302.6 to 331.0 nm with a wavelength resolution of 0.005 nm. This product of photochemical parameters is combined with high-resolution solar photon flux data to calculate the integrated photolysis rate of HCHO to the radical (H + HCO) channel, J(HCO). Comparison with the latest NASA-JPL recommendations, reported at 1 nm wavelength resolution, suggests an increased J(HCO) of 25% at 0 degrees solar zenith angle (SZA) increasing to 33% at high SZA (80 degrees). The differences in the calculated photolysis rate compared with the current HCHO data arise, in part, from the higher wavelength resolution of the current data set and highlight the importance of using high-resolution spectroscopic techniques to achieve a complete and accurate picture of HCHO photodissociation processes. All experimental Phi(HCO)(lambda)sigma(HCHO)(lambda) data are available for the wavelength range 302.6-331.0 nm (at 294 and 245 K and under 200 Torr of N(2) bath gas) as Supporting Information with wavelength resolutions of 0.005, 0.1, and 1.0 nm. Equivalent data sets of Phi(H(2)+CO)(lambda)sigma(HCHO)(lambda) for the molecular (H(2) + CO) photofragmentation channel, produced using the measured Phi(HCO)(lambda) sigma(HCHO)(tau) values, are also provided at 0.1 and 1.0 nm resolution.     

Ordered bimetallic coordination networks featuring rare earth and silver cations

Three lanthanide complexes of the ditopic ligand 3-cyanopentane-2,4-dionate (acacCN) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Longer intermolecular contacts result in ninefold coordination of the cation in Ce(acacCN)(3)(H(2)O)(2), whereas mononuclear complexes of the same stoichiometry with coordination number eight are obtained for the smaller Eu(III) and Yb(III) cations. Reaction of these labile compounds with AgPF(6) leads to re-organization of the coordination sphere of the rare earth cations: neutral extended structures are formed in which the peripheric -CN moieties of Ln(acacCN)(4) anions coordinate to silver cations. The initially formed heterometallic networks show additional coordination of water or inclusion of solvent molecules; three different structure types, two of them as isomorphous pairs, have been characterized. In the case of Eu(III) and Yb(III), these solids are instable when stored in their mother liquor and undergo a slow aging process, finally resulting in phase pure stable and solvent-free 3D networks Ln(acacCN)(4)Ag.     

Added-Value Chemicals from Lignin Oxidation

Lignin is the second most abundant component, next to cellulose, in lignocellulosic biomass. Large amounts of this polymer are produced annually in the pulp and paper industries as a coproduct from the cooking process—most of it burned as fuel for energy. Strategies regarding lignin valorization have attracted significant attention over the recent decades due to lignin’s aromatic structure. Oxidative depolymerization allows converting lignin into added-value compounds, as phenolic monomers and/or dicarboxylic acids, which could be an excellent alternative to aromatic petrochemicals. However, the major challenge is to enhance the reactivity and selectivity of the lignin structure towards depolymerization and prevent condensation reactions. This review includes a comprehensive overview of the main contributions of lignin valorization through oxidative depolymerization to produce added-value compounds (vanillin and syringaldehyde) that have been developed over the recent decades in the LSRE group. An evaluation of the valuable products obtained from oxidation in an alkaline medium with oxygen of lignins and liquors from different sources and delignification processes is also provided. A review of C₄ dicarboxylic acids obtained from lignin oxidation is also included, emphasizing catalytic conversion by O₂ or H₂O₂ oxidation.     

Microhardness of a dental restorative composite resin containing nanoparticles polymerized with argon ion laser

The objective of this study was to compare the microhardness of two resin composites (microhybrid and nanoparticles). Light activation was performed with argon ion laser 1.56 J (L) and halogen light 2.6 J (H) was used as control. Measurements were taken on the irradiated surfaces and those opposite them, at thicknesses of 1, 2 and 3 mm. To evaluate the quality of polymerization, the percentages of maximum hardness were calculated (PMH). For statistical analysis the ANOVA and Tukey tests were used (p ≤ 0.05). To microhybrid was shown that the hardness with laser was inferior to the hardness achieved with halogen light, for both the 1 mm and 2 mm. The nanoparticles polymerized with laser, presented lower hardness even on the irradiated surface, than the same surface light activated with halogen light. The microhybrid attained a minimum PMH of 80% up to the thickness of 2 mm with halogen light, and with laser, only up to 1 mm. The nanoparticles attained a minimum PMH of 80% up to 3 mm thickness with halogen light and with laser this minimum was not obtained at any thickness. Based on these results, it could be concluded that light activation with argon ion laser is contra-indicated for the studied nanoparticles.     

Synthesis and hydrogenation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-substituted diborenes via uncatalysed hydrogenative B–C bond cleavage

The classical route to the PMe₃-stabilised polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-substituted diborenes B₂Ar₂(PMe₃)₂ (Ar = 9-phenanthryl 7-Phen; Ar = 1-pyrenyl 7-Pyr) via the corresponding 1,2-diaryl-1,2-dimethoxydiborane(4) precursors, B₂Ar₂(OMe)₂, is marred by the systematic decomposition of the latter to BAr(OMe)₂ during reaction workup. Calculations suggest this results from the absence of a second ortho-substituent on the boron-bound aryl rings, which enables their free rotation and exposes the B–B bond to nucleophilic attack. 7-Phen and 7-Pyr are obtained by the reduction of the corresponding 1,2-diaryl-1,2-dichlorodiborane precursors, B₂Ar₂Cl₂(PMe₃)₂, obtained from the SMe₂ adducts, which are synthesised by direct NMe₂–Cl exchange at B₂Ar₂(NMe₂)₂ with (Me₂S)BCl₃. The low-lying π* molecular orbitals (MOs) located on the PAH substituents of 7-Phen and 7-Pyr intercalate between the B–B-based π and π* MOs, leading to a relatively small HOMO–LUMO gap of 3.20 and 2.72 eV, respectively. Under vacuum or at high temperature 7-Phen and 7-Pyr undergo intramolecular hydroarylation of the B B bond to yield 1,2-dihydronaphtho[1,8-cd][1,2]diborole derivatives. Hydrogenation of 7-Phen, 7-Pyr and their 9-anthryl and mesityl analogues III and II, respectively, results in all cases in splitting of the B–B bond and isolation of the monoboranes (Me₃P)BArH₂. NMR-spectroscopic monitoring of the reactions, solid-state structures of isolated reaction intermediates and computational mechanistic analyses show that the hydrogenation of the three PAH-substituted diborenes proceeds via a different pathway to that of the dimesityldiborene. Rather than occurring exclusively at the B–B bond, hydrogenation of 7-Ar and III proceeds via a hydroarylated intermediate, which undergoes one B–B bond-centered H₂ addition, followed by hydrogenation of the endocyclic B–C bond resulting from hydroarylation, making the latter effectively reversible.

In contrast to classical B–B bond-centred diborene hydrogenation, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-substituted diborenes first undergo thermal intramolecular hydroarylation, followed by hydrogenation of the remaining B–B and endocyclic B–C bonds.