Direct Conjugate Addition of Alkynes with α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds Catalyzed by NCN‐Pincer Ru Complexes

NCN‐pincer Ru‐complexes containing bis(oxazolinyl)phenyl ligands serve as suitable catalysts in the direct conjugate additions of α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds, including ketones, esters, and amides, as well as vinylphosphonates, giving various β‐alkynyl carbonyl and phosphonate compounds. A bis(oxazolinyl)phenyl (phebox)–Ru complex also catalyzes the asymmetric conjugate addition of an alkyne with a β‐substituted, α,β‐unsaturated ketone to produce a chiral β‐alkynyl ketone.     

Sterically Demanding Unsymmetrical Diaryl-λ3-iodanes for Electrophilic Pentafluorophenylation and an Approach to α-Pentafluorophenyl Carbonyl Compounds with an All-Carbon Stereocenter

A sterically demanding unsymmetrical pentafluorophenyl-triisopropylphenyl-λ³-iodane was developed as an effective reagent for the electrophilic pentafluorophenylation of various β-keto esters and a β-keto amide. 17 examples of α-pentafluorophenylated 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds 3 having a quaternary carbon center are provided. The resulting compounds were nicely transformed into chiral α-pentafluorophenyl ketones with an all-carbon stereogenic center in high yields and high enantioselectivities using asymmetric organocatalysis (up to 98 % ee) or asymmetric metal catalysis (up to 82 % ee).     

Electrochemical Fluorination of Dithiocarbonates Using a Triarylamine Mediator

Electrochemical oxidation of O-(4-chlorobenzyl) S-methyl dithiocarbonate using tris(2,4-dibromophenyl)amine as a redox mediator was studied by cyclic voltammetric measurements. The triarylamine mediated anodic fluorodesulfurization of O-(4-chlorobenzyl) and O-(4-bromobenzyl) S-methyl dithiocarbonates provided 4-chloro- and 4-bromobenzyl fluorides, respectively in moderate yields. On the other hand, similar anodic fluorination of O-(2-phenethyl) S-octyl dithiocarbonate and O-(4-bromophenyl) S-methyl dithiocarbonate afforded 2-phenethyl trifluoromethyl ether and difluoro(methylthio)methyl 4-bromophenyl ether, respectively. Mechanistic aspects are also discussed.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of 2,5‐Dihydropyrroles from Terminal Alkynes,Azides, and Propargylic Alcohols by Relay Actions of Copper,Rhodium, and Gold

Relay actions of copper, rhodium, and gold formulate a one‐pot multistep pathway, which directly gives 2,5‐dihydropyrroles starting from terminal alkynes, sulfonyl azides, and propargylic alcohols. Initially, copper‐catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of terminal alkynes with sulfonyl azides affords 1‐sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles, which then react with propargylic alcohols under the catalysis of rhodium. The resulting alkenyl propargyl ethers subsequently undergo the thermal Claisen rearrangement to give α‐allenyl‐α‐amino ketones. Finally, a gold catalyst prompts 5‐endo cyclization to produce 2,5‐dihydropyrroles.     

Development of a New Benzylating Reagent Spontaneously Releasing Benzyl Cation Equivalents at Room Temperature

A new O‐benzylating reagent, that is, 4‐(4,6‐diphenoxy‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)‐4‐benzylmorpholinium trifluoromethanesulfonate (DPT‐BM), has been developed. Benzyl cation equivalents are generated from DPT‐BM by dissolving the compound in a solvent at room temperature under non‐acidic conditions. The benzylation of various alcohols by using a combination of DPT‐BM and magnesium oxide provided the benzyl ethers in good yields.     

Chemically Programmable and Switchable CAR-T Therapy

Although macromolecules on cell surfaces are predominantly targeted and drugged with antibodies, they harbor pockets that are only accessible to small molecules and constitutes a rich subset of binding sites with immense potential diagnostic and therapeutic utility. Compared to antibodies, however, small molecules are disadvantaged by a less confined biodistribution, shorter circulatory half-life, and inability to communicate with the immune system. Presented herein is a method that endows small molecules with the ability to recruit and activate chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-Ts). It is based on a CAR-T platform that uses a chemically programmed antibody fragment (cp-Fab) as on/off switch. In proof-of-concept studies, this cp-Fab/CAR-T system targeting folate binding proteins on the cell surface mediated potent and specific eradication of folate-receptor-expressing cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.     

Spinel–rocksalt transition as a key cathode reaction toward high-energy-density magnesium rechargeable batteries

Mg-metal-anode rechargeable battery (MRB) has been a promising candidate for next-generation batteries with high energy densities and high safety. The lack of high-performance cathode materials, however, retards the development of MRBs. In recent years, it has been revealed that various spinel oxides can accommodate a large amount of Mg, exhibiting relatively high potentials (2–3 V vs. Mg²⁺/Mg) and high capacities (～150 mAh g^?1) accompanied by the coherent structural transformation into the rocksalt structure. This review summarizes the recent progress in the development of such spinel–rocksalt transition materials from the viewpoints of the reaction mechanisms, design guidelines of spinel oxides (for tailoring the redox potential, volume change, and cyclability), and challenges to construct full-cell MRBs.     

An “OFF–ON–OFF” fluorescence protein-labeling probe for real-time visualization of the degradation of short-lived proteins in cellular systems

The ability to monitor proteolytic pathways that remove unwanted and damaged proteins from cells is essential for understanding the multiple processes used to maintain cellular homeostasis. In this study, we have developed a new protein-labeling probe that employs an ‘OFF–ON–OFF’ fluorescence switch to enable real-time imaging of the expression (fluorescence ON) and degradation (fluorescence OFF) of PYP-tagged protein constructs in living cells. Fluorescence switching is modulated by intramolecular contact quenching interactions in the unbound probe (fluorescence OFF) being disrupted upon binding to the PYP-tag protein, which turns fluorescence ON. Quenching is then restored when the PYP-tag–probe complex undergoes proteolytic degradation, which results in fluorescence being turned OFF. Optimization of probe structures and PYP-tag mutants has enabled this fast reacting ‘OFF–ON–OFF’ probe to be used to fluorescently image the expression and degradation of short-lived proteins.

An “OFF–ON–OFF” fluorescence probe for real-time imaging of the expression (fluorescence ‘OFF’) and degradation (fluorescence ‘ON’) of short lived PYP-tag proteins in cellular systems.     

Fiber-optic distributed measurement of polarization beat length using slope-assisted Brillouin optical correlation-domain reflectometry

Optical Review - We demonstrate distributed measurement of the polarization beat length along single-mode optical fibers (SMFs) using slope-assisted Brillouin optical correlation-domain...