Electrochemical Phase Evolution of Metal-Based Pre-Catalysts for High-Rate Polysulfide Conversion

In situ evolution of electrocatalysts is of paramount importance in defining catalytic reactions. Catalysts for aprotic electrochemistry such as lithium–sulfur (Li-S) batteries are the cornerstone to enhance intrinsically sluggish reaction kinetics but the true active phases are often controversial. Herein, we reveal the electrochemical phase evolution of metal-based pre-catalysts (Co₄N) in working Li-S batteries that renders highly active electrocatalysts (CoS_x). Electrochemical cycling induces the transformation from single-crystalline Co₄N to polycrystalline CoS_x that are rich in active sites. This transformation propels all-phase polysulfide-involving reactions. Consequently, Co₄N enables stable operation of high-rate (10 C, 16.7 mA cm⁻²) and electrolyte-starved (4.7 μL mg_S⁻¹) Li-S batteries. The general concept of electrochemically induced sulfurization is verified by thermodynamic energetics for most of low-valence metal compounds.     

Natural Soft/Rigid Superlattices as Anodes for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Volume expansion and poor conductivity are two major obstacles that hinder the pursuit of the lithium-ion batteries with long cycling life and high power density. Herein, we highlight a misfit compound PbNbS₃ with a soft/rigid superlattice structure, confirmed by scanning tunneling microscopy and electrochemical characterization, as a promising anode material for high performance lithium-ion batteries with optimized capacity, stability, and conductivity. The soft PbS sublayers primarily react with lithium, endowing capacity and preventing decomposition of the superlattice structure, while the rigid NbS₂ sublayers support the skeleton and enhance the migration of electrons and lithium ions, as a result leading to a specific capacity of 710 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹, which is 1.6 times of NbS₂ and 3.9 times of PbS. Our finding reveals the competitive strategy of soft/rigid structure in lithium-ion batteries and broadens the horizons of single-phase anode material design.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric [8+2] Dipolar Cycloadditions of Vinyl Carbamates and Photogenerated Ketenes

Higher-order cycloadditions, particularly [8+2] cycloadditions, are a straightforward and efficient strategy for constructing significant medium-sized architectures. Typically, configuration-restrained conjugated systems are utilized as 8π-components for higher-order concerted cycloadditions. However, for this reason, 10-membered monocyclic skeletons have never been constructed via catalytic asymmetric [8+2] cycloaddition with high peri- and stereoselectivity. Here, we accomplished an enantioselective [8+2] dipolar cycloaddition via the merger of visible-light activation and asymmetric palladium catalysis. This protocol provides a new route to 10-membered monocyclic architectures bearing chiral quaternary stereocenters with high chemo-, peri-, and enantioselectivity. The success of this strategy relied on the facile in situ generation of Pd-containing 1,8-dipoles and their enantioselective trapping by ketene dipolarophiles, which were formed in situ via a photo-Wolff rearrangement.     

Cellular Synthesis and X-ray Crystal Structure of a Designed Protein Heterocatenane

Herein, we report the biosynthesis of protein heterocatenanes using a programmed sequence of multiple post-translational processing events including intramolecular chain entanglement, in situ backbone cleavage, and spontaneous cyclization. The approach is general, autonomous, and can obviate the need for any additional enzymes. The catenane topology was convincingly proven using a combination of SDS-PAGE, LC-MS, size exclusion chromatography, controlled proteolytic digestion, and protein crystallography. The X-ray crystal structure clearly shows two mechanically interlocked protein rings with intact folded domains. It opens new avenues in the nascent field of protein-topology engineering.     

Reactivity and Lability Modulated by a Valence Electron Moving in and out of 25-Atom Gold Nanoclusters

The emergence of atomically precise metal nanoclusters with unique electronic structures provides access to currently inaccessible catalytic challenges at the single-electron level. We investigate the catalytic behavior of gold Au₂₅(SR)₁₈ nanoclusters by monitoring an incoming and outgoing free valence electron of Au 6s¹. Distinct performances are revealed: Au₂₅(SR)₁₈⁻ is generated upon donation of an electron to neutral Au₂₅(SR)₁₈⁰ and this is associated with a loss in reactivity, whereas Au₂₅(SR)₁₈⁺ is generated from dislodgment of an electron from neutral Au₂₅(SR)₁₈⁰ with a loss in stability. The reactivity diversity of the three Au₂₅(SR)₁₈ clusters stems from different affinities with reactants and the extent of intramolecular charge migration during the reactions, which are closely associated with the valence occupancies of the clusters varied by one electron. The stability difference in the three clusters is attributed to their different equilibria, which are established between the AuSR dissociation and polymerization influenced by one electron.     

Construction of Organelle-Like Architecture by Dynamic DNA Assembly in Living Cells

The design of controllable dynamic systems is vital for the construction of organelle-like architectures in living cells, but has proven difficult due to the lack of control over defined topological transformation of self-assembled structures. Herein, we report a DNA based dynamic assembly system that achieves lysosomal acidic microenvironment specifically inducing topological transformation from nanoparticles to organelle-like hydrogel architecture in living cells. Designer DNA nanoparticles are constructed from double-stranded DNA with cytosine-rich stick ends (C-monomer) and are internalized into cells through lysosomal pathway. The lysosomal acidic microenvironment can activate the assembly of DNA monomers, inducing transformation from nanoparticles to micro-sized organelle-like hydrogel which could further escape into cytoplasm. We show how the hydrogel regulates cellular behaviors: cytoskeleton is deformed, cell tentacles are significantly shortened, and cell migration is promoted.     

Ultrastable Perovskite–Zeolite Composite Enabled by Encapsulation and In Situ Passivation

Metal halide perovskites have been widely applied in optoelectronic fields, but their poor stability hinders their actual applications. A perovskite–zeolite composite was synthesized via in situ growth in air from aluminophosphate AlPO-5 zeolite crystals and perovskite nanocrystals. The zeolite matrix provides quantum confinement for perovskite nanocrystals, achieving efficient green emission, and it passivates the defects of perovskite by H-bonding interaction, which leads to a longer lifetime compared to bulk perovskite film. Furthermore, the AlPO-5 zeolite also acts as a protection shield and enables ultrahigh stability of perovskite nanocrystals under 150 °C heat stress, under a 15-month long-term ambient exposure, and even in water for more than 2 weeks, respectively. The strategy of in situ passivation and encapsulation for the perovskite@AlPO-5 composite was amenable to a range of perovskites, from MA- to Cs-based perovskites. Benefiting from high stability and photoluminescence performance, the composite exhibits great potential to be virtually applied in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and backlight displays.     

Cross-Module Enoylreduction in the Azalomycin F Polyketide Synthase

The colinearity of canonical modular polyketide synthases, which creates a direct link between multienzyme structure and the chemical structure of the biosynthetic end-product, has become a cornerstone of knowledge-based genome mining. Herein, we report genetic and enzymatic evidence for the remarkable role of an enoylreductase in the polyketide synthase for azalomycin F biosynthesis. This internal enoylreductase domain, previously identified as acting only in the second of two chain extension cycles on an initial iterative module, is shown to also catalyze enoylreduction in trans within the next module. The mechanism for this rare deviation from colinearity appears to involve direct cross-modular interaction of the reductase with the longer acyl chain, rather than back transfer of the substrate into the iterative module, suggesting an additional and surprising plasticity in natural PKS assembly-line catalysis.     

Deciphering an Abnormal Layered-Tunnel Heterostructure Induced by Chemical Substitution for the Sodium Oxide Cathode

Demands for large-scale energy storage systems have driven the development of layered transition-metal oxide cathodes for room-temperature rechargeable sodium ion batteries (SIBs). Now, an abnormal layered-tunnel heterostructure Na_0.44Co_0.1Mn_0.9O₂ cathode material induced by chemical element substitution is reported. By virtue of beneficial synergistic effects, this layered-tunnel electrode shows outstanding electrochemical performance in sodium half-cell system and excellent compatibility with hard carbon anode in sodium full-cell system. The underlying formation process, charge compensation mechanism, phase transition, and sodium-ion storage electrochemistry are clearly articulated and confirmed through combined analyses of in situ high-energy X-ray diffraction and ex situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy as well as operando X-ray diffraction. This crystal structure engineering regulation strategy offers a future outlook into advanced cathode materials for SIBs.     

Helical Coordination Polymers Based on Keggin-type POMs and N-donor Ligand

Two new 1D helical coordination polymers based on polyoxometalate were synthesized by self-assembly of Keggin-type POMs and copper salts in the presence of triangular N-heterocyclic derivatives or long-chain N-containing carboxylate ligand, that are, (H₃O)[{Cu(H₂tpim)₂}{SiMo₁₂O₄₀}] · 0.5H₂O [Htpim = 2,4,5-tri(4-pyridyl)-imidazole] ( 1 ) and [Cu₂(Hcpp)₃(cpp)(H₂O)][PMo₁₂O₄₀] · 2H₂O [Hcpp = 1-(4-cyanobenzyl)-3–2-yl)pyrazole] ( 2 ). Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and further characterized by elemental analyses and TG analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit (1D→2D) interdigitated architectures assembled from 1D helical chains. In compound 1 , the achiral 2D interdigitated nets containing left- and right-handed helixes are further interdigitated with each other to form a 3D supramolecular framework. In compound 2 , adjacent 2D interdigitated layers with opposite chirality are further extended by supramolecular interactions into a 3D supramolecular network, in which non-coordinating Keggin-type POMs as guests are encapsulated.