The influence of nitrogen-15 proton-driven spin diffusion on the measurement of nitrogen-15 longitudinal relaxation times

The effect of nitrogen-15 proton-driven spin diffusion on quantitative (15)N T(1) measurements in solid proteins is investigated, and the impact on the measurement of dynamic parameters is assessed. A simple model of exchange between neighboring nitrogens is used to reproduce the evolution of (15)N spin systems whose longitudinal relaxation rates and exchange rates are compatible with experimental measurements. We show that the induced error in the measured T(1) and its effect on the determination of dynamics parameters is likely to be less than the current experimental error. The use of deuterated protein samples is shown to have a small but sometimes visible effect, and may also considerably slow down or even suppress the exchange of magnetization due to spin diffusion.     

Active mode locking of continuous-wave doubly and singly resonant optical parametric oscillators

We report on what we believe to be the first active mode locking of near-degenerate, doubly and singly resonant cw-pumped optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). We show experimentally that a steady-state regime of short pulses is reached in a few tens of microseconds under cw pumping. The oscillation buildup dynamics of both OPOs is also explored, evidencing an unusual transient behavior in the mode-locking process.     

Protected Amine Labels: A Versatile Molecular Scaffold for Multiplexed Nominal Mass and Sub-Da Isotopologue Quantitative Proteomic Reagents

We assemble a versatile molecular scaffold from simple building blocks to create binary and multiplexed stable isotope reagents for quantitative mass spectrometry. Termed Protected Amine Labels (PAL), these reagents offer multiple analytical figures of merit including, (1) robust targeting of peptide N-termini and lysyl side chains, (2) optimal mass spectrometry ionization efficiency through regeneration of primary amines on labeled peptides, (3) an amino acid-based mass tag that incorporates heavy isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen to ensure matched physicochemical and MS/MS fragmentation behavior among labeled peptides, and (4) a molecularly efficient architecture, in which the majority of hetero-atom centers can be used to synthesize a variety of nominal mass and sub-Da isotopologue stable isotope reagents. We demonstrate the performance of these reagents in well-established strategies whereby up to four channels of peptide isotopomers, each separated by 4 Da, are quantified in MS-level scans with accuracies comparable to current commercial reagents. In addition, we utilize the PAL scaffold to create isotopologue reagents in which labeled peptide analogs differ in mass based on the binding energy in carbon and nitrogen nuclei, thereby allowing quantification based on MS or MS/MS spectra. We demonstrate accurate quantification for reagents that support 6-plex labeling and propose extension of this scheme to 9-channels based on a similar PAL scaffold. Finally, we provide exemplar data that extend the application of isotopologe-based quantification reagents to medium resolution, quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometers.

High‐Yield Formation of Substituted Tetracyanobutadienes from Reaction of Ynamides with Tetracyanoethylene

A high‐yielding sequence of [2+2] cycloaddition–retroelectrocyclization of ynamides with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) is described. The reaction provided tetracyanobutadiene (TCBD) species, which were characterized by various techniques. DFT and TD‐DFT calculations were also performed to complement experimental findings.     

Predicting New Ugi–Smiles Couplings: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

Following our previous mechanistic studies of multicomponent Ugi‐type reactions, theoretical calculations have been performed to predict the efficiency of new substrates in Ugi–Smiles couplings. First, as predicted, 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol experimentally gave the corresponding aryl‐imidate. Theoretical predictions of nitrosophenols as good acidic partners were then successfully confirmed by experiments. In the latter case, the reaction offers a new access to benzimidazoles.     

On the Formation of a Protic Ionic Liquid in Nature

The practical utility of ionic liquids (ILs) makes the absence (heretofore) of reported examples from nature quite puzzling, given the facility with which nature produces many other types of exotic but utilitarian substances. In that vein, we report here the identification and characterization of a naturally occurring protic IL. It can be formed during confrontations between the ants S. invicta and N. fulva. After being sprayed with alkaloid‐based S. invicta venom, N. fulva detoxifies by grooming with its own venom, formic acid. The mixture is a viscous liquid manifestly different from either of the constituents. Further, we find that the change results as a consequence of formic acid protonation of the N centers of the S. invicta venom alkaloids. The resulting mixed‐cation ammonium formate milieu has properties consistent with its classification as a protic IL.     

Formation of a Single-Crystal Aluminum-Based MOF Nanowire with Graphene Oxide Nanoscrolls as Structure-Directing Agents

An innovative strategy is proposed to synthesize single-crystal nanowires (NWs) of the Al³⁺ dicarboxylate MIL-69(Al) MOF by using graphene oxide nanoscrolls as structure-directing agents. MIL-69(Al) NWs with an average diameter of 70±20 nm and lengths up to 2 μm were found to preferentially grow along the [001] crystallographic direction. Advanced characterization methods (electron diffraction, TEM, STEM-HAADF, SEM, XPS) and molecular modeling revealed the mechanism of formation of MIL-69(Al) NWs involving size-confinement and templating effects. The formation of MIL-69(Al) seeds and the self-scroll of GO sheets followed by the anisotropic growth of MIL-69(Al) crystals are mediated by specific GO sheets/MOF interactions. This study delivers an unprecedented approach to control the design of 1D MOF nanostructures and superstructures.     

Reversible Assembly of Microgels by Metallo-Supramolecular Chemistry

The combination of supramolecular chemistry and soft colloids as microgels represents an ambitious way to develop multi-versatile colloidal assemblies. Hereafter, terpyridine-functionalized poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNiPAM) microgel building blocks are shown to undergo an assemble–freeze–disassemble process. The microgel assemblies, which are controlled by monitoring the attractive and repulsive potentials between the soft colloidal particles, are then frozen by forming inter-particle metal–terpyridine bis-complexes upon addition of the metallic cation (such as Fe^II, Co^II). By oxidation of the metal–terpyridine bis-complex links, the aggregates open up, which is due to the complex dissociation releasing the connected particles in the form of single microgels. We extended our work to the development of 1D filaments and 2D membranes materials made of soft particles connected via supramolecular chemistry.