Complexation-induced transition of nanorod to network aggregates: alternate porphyrin and cyclodextrin arrays

Tetrakis(permethyl-beta-cyclodextrin)-modified zinc(II) porphyrin (1) and tetra(beta-cyclodextrin)-modified zinc(II) porphyrin (2) were synthesized via "click chemistry". Intermolecular inclusion complexation of these structurally similar 1 and 2 with tetrasodium tetraphenylporphyrintetrasulfonate (3) led to formation of two distinctly different nanoarchitectures with alternate porphyrin and cyclodextrin arrays, which were proven to be network and nanorod aggregates, respectively, by using transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. From the results of comparative studies in different solutions, we elucidated the mechanisms that result in nanorod to network aggregates transition, concluding that the complexation strength of porphyrin with cyclodextrin is a crucial factor to activate the potential binding sites of a molecular building block.     

Tuning Local Coordination Environments of Manganese Single-Atom Nanozymes with Multi-Enzyme Properties for Selective Colorimetric Biosensing

Single-atom nanozymes (SAzymes) are promising in next-generation nanozymes, nevertheless, how to rationally modulate the microenvironment of SAzymes with controllable multi-enzyme properties is still challenging. Herein, we systematically investigate the relationship between atomic configuration and multi-enzymatic performances. The constructed Mn_SA−N₃-coordinated SAzymes (Mn_SA−N₃−C) exhibits much more remarkable oxidase-, peroxidase-, and glutathione oxidase-like activities than that of Mn_SA−N₄−C. Based on experimental and theoretical results, these multi-enzyme-like behaviors are highly dependent on the coordination number of single atomic Mn sites by local charge polarization. As a consequence, a series of colorimetric biosensing platforms based on Mn_SA−N₃−C SAzymes is successfully built for specific recognition of biological molecules. These findings provide atomic-level insight into the microenvironment of nanozymes, promoting rational design of other demanding biocatalysts.     

Revealing Capacity Degradation of Ge Anodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries Triggered by Interfacial LiH

The Germanium (Ge), as a fast-charging and high specific capacity (1568 mAh g⁻¹) alloy anode, is greatly hampered in practical application by poor cyclability. To date, the understanding of cycling performance degradation remains elusive. This study illustrates that, contrary to conventional beliefs, most of the Ge material in failed anodes still retains good integrity and does not undergo severe pulverization. It is revealed that capacity degradation is clearly correlated to the interfacial evolution of lithium hydride (LiH). Tetralithium germanium hydride (Li₄Ge₂H), as a new species derived from LiH, is identified as the culprit of Ge anode degradation, which is the dominant crystalized component in an ever-growing and ever-insulating interphase. The significantly increased thickness of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) is accompanied by the accumulation of insulating Li₄Ge₂H upon cycling, which severely retards the charge transport process and ultimately triggers the anode failure. We believe that the comprehensive understanding of the failure mechanism presented in this study is of great significance to promoting the design and development of alloy anode for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries.     

4-(4'-Methyltetrafluorophenyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl bromide: a new electrophoric derivatizing reagent

Commercially-available 4,4'-dimethyloctafluorobiphenyl was converted in a single step to 4-(4'-methyltetrafluorophenyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl bromide (MTFP-TFBBr) for the purpose of providing a new electrophoric derivatizing reagent. When reacted with this reagent, 2-fluoro-O6-(2'-hydroxyethyl)hypoxanthine, a model analyte, gave a mixture of isomeric products (apparently substituted at N7 and N9, analogous to its known reaction with pentafluorobenzyl bromide), and 53 femtograms of the mixture was detected at S/N = 10 by gas chromatography electron capture mass spectrometry (GC-EC-MS). As intended, the volatility of the MTFB-TFBBr derivative was much less (two-fold) than that of the corresponding pentafluorobenzyl derivative. It is anticipated that MTFB-TFBBr sometimes will be useful in providing an electrophoric derivative that encounters less background noise in analysis by electrophore derivatization/GC-EC-MS.     

Enantioselective <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-allylic alkylation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with oxime

The enantioselective O-allylic alkylation of acetophenone oxime with various Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates has been accomplished by the catalysis of a commercially available cinchona alkaloid (DHQD)2PHAL. The corresponding O-allylic products were obtained in moderate to excellent yields up to 96% ee.     

Synthesis of δ-carbolines via a Pd-catalyzed sequential reaction from 2-iodoanilines and N-tosyl-enynamines

A facile Pd-catalyzed sequential reaction has been developed for the synthesis of δ-carbolines from 2-iodoanilines and N-tosyl-enynamines. This protocol involves Larock heteroannulation/elimination/electrocyclization/oxidative aromatization cascade sequences and allows access to multisubstituted δ-carbolines in moderate to good yields.     

The influence of high dielectric constant core on the activity of core-shell structure electrorheological fluid

The core-shell structural dielectric particles are applied widely in the electrorheological (ER) fluids. The properties of the dielectric core are critical factors influencing their ER activity. In this paper, we successfully synthesized two kinds of core-shell hydroxyl titanium oxalate (TOC) particles with SiO(2) and TiO(2) as core, respectively. The obtained core-shell structural SiO(2)-TOC and TiO(2)-TOC particles were well-dispersed spherical nanoparticles with ideal morphology and a narrow size distribution. Under DC electric fields, the TiO(2)-TOC ER fluid showed notable ER activity with a yield stress of about 96 kPa (at 4 kV/mm), which is 3 times of that SiO(2)-TOC ER fluid and outclassed the yield stress of the TOC ER fluid. The dielectric spectra indicated that the higher dielectric constant of TiO(2) core induces the stronger interaction between the neighboring particles, which contribute to the enhancement of ER activity.     

Chiral nanoporous metal-metallosalen frameworks for hydrolytic kinetic resolution of epoxides

Chiral nanoporous metal-organic frameworks are constructed by using dicarboxyl-functionalized chiral Ni(salen) and Co(salen) ligands. The Co(salen)-based framework is shown to be an efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) of racemic epoxides with up to 99.5% ee. The MOF structure brings Co(salen) units into a highly dense arrangement and close proximity that enhances bimetallic cooperative interactions, leading to improved catalytic activity and enantioselectivity in HKR compared with its homogeneous analogues, especially at low catalyst/substrate ratios.     

Identification and determination of effective components in Euphrasia regelii by capillary zone electrophoresis

A capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method has been developed for simultaneous determination of eukovoside, cinnamic acid and ferulic acid in Euphrasia regelii for the first time. The electrophoresis buffer was 20 mmol/L sodium borate containing 10% (v/v) methanol (pH 8.50). The effects of concentration of borate and electrolyte pH on electrophoretic behavior and separation were studied. Regression equations revealed linear relationships (correlation coefficients 0.9995-0.9998) between the peak area of each analyte and the concentration. The levels of analytes in the different parts of Euphrasia regelii were easily determined with recoveries ranging from 95.5 to 104.2%.