Peptide‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) biohybrids by grafting‐from ring‐opening polymerization: Synthesis,aggregation, and crystalline properties

Well‐defined peptide‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (Pep‐PCL) biohybrids were successfully synthesized by grafting‐from ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone (CL) using designed amine‐terminated sequence‐defined peptides as macroinitiators. MALDI‐TOF‐MS and ¹H NMR analyses confirmed the successful attachment of peptide to the PCL chain. The gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurement showed that the Pep‐PCL biohybrids with controllable molecular weights and low polydispersities (PDI <1.5) were obtained by this approach. The aggregation of Pep‐PCL hybrid molecules in THF solution resulted in the formation of micro/nanospheres as confirmed through FESEM, TEM, and DLS analyses. The circular dichroism study revealed that the secondary structure of peptide moiety was changed in the peptide‐PCL biohybrids. The crystallization and melting behavior of Pep‐PCL hybrids were somewhat changed compared with that of neat PCL of comparable molecular weight as revealed by DSC and XRD measurements. In Pep‐PCL biohybrids, extinction rings were observed in the PCL spherulites, in contrast with the normal spherulite morphology of the neat PCL. There was a substantial decrease (4–5 folds) in the spherulitic growth rate after the incorporation of peptide moiety at the end of PCL chain as measured by polarizing optical microscopy. Pseudomonas lipase catalyzed enzymatic degradation was studied for Pep‐PCL hybrids and neat PCL. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Base Catalysed Condensation of Acetone with Uracil Derivatives: One Step Synthesis of Pyranopyrimidines

Condensation of uracil derivatives (1,3,4) with acetone in the presence of triethylamine gave pyranopyrimidines (2,5,6).     

Synthesis and characterization of stable nitrenium ion complex: 1-hydroxy-3-methyl benzotriazolium trifluromethane sulfonate

The isolation of stable carbenes of the Arduengo and Wanzlick type has prompted us to look for stable nitrenium ions of the related structural type 1-Hydroxy-3-methyl benzotriazolium trifluromethane sulfonate. Nitrenium ions are azocations with structure and survive long enough under in vitro conditions to bind with biological nucleophiles, i.e. DNA bases, and play an important role in carcinogenic processes involving the metabolism of aromatic amines. The title compound (C₁₅H₁₆F₃N₆O₅S) was isolated and crystallized in the monoclinic space group Cc with cell parameters a = 19.866(1) Å, b = 13.128(9) Å, c = 7.673(5) Å, and Z = 4. The structure has both intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Ru(II)‐based antineoplastic: A “wingtip” N‐heterocyclic carbene facilitates access to a new class of organometallics that are cytotoxic to common cancer cell lines

The syntheses, structures, and chemotherapeutic activities of Ag(I)‐, Au(I)‐, and Ru(II)‐complexes ligated to a novel N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand, 2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridin‐2‐ylidene ( 1 ), are described. The corresponding complexes, [Ag( 1 )₂][PF₆], [Au( 1 )₂][PF₆] ( 3 ), and [Ru( 1 )(p‐cymene)Cl][PF₆] ( 4 ), were prepared using convenient transmetallation chemistry and characterized using a range of spectroscopic and analytical techniques. X‐ray crystallography revealed that complexes 2 and 3 adopted linear structures whereas 4 exhibited a prototypical “piano‐stool”‐like geometry; the structural assignments were further supported by DFT calculations. A series of in vitro studies revealed that while the aforementioned Ag(I), Au(I) and Ru(II) complexes exhibited significant cytotoxicities against the human colon adenocarcinoma (HCT 116), lung cancer (A549), and breast cancer (MCF7) cell lines, the Ru derivative was most prominent.     

All- optical phase encoded 4-to-1 phase multiplexer using four wave mixing in semiconductor optical amplifier

Optics has already showed its potency over its electronic complements in case of superfast computing and communication systems. Semiconductor optical amplifier, (SOA) with its several nonlinear properties, plays a very crucial role in the development of high-speed all-optical processor. Multiplexer and demultiplexer are the extremely important element of the processor which takes part in utilizing different actions like encoding, decoding, routing, and the different process of data conversion and generation, etc. In this paper, the authors have proposed a scheme of phase encoded all-optical phase multiplexer using four wave mixing (FWM) property of semiconductor optical amplifier. Thus, the improved tolerance against fiber-nonlinearity and higher receiver sensitivity of phase encoding method with the fast occurring processes like FWM in SOA offers higher speed in this proposed scheme of multiplexing.     

High-rate and high-density gas separation adsorbents and manufacturing method

High-rate and high-density gas separation adsorbents used in vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) processes are described. Agglomerated zeolite Li–LSX compositions made using colloidal silica binding agents and having improved nitrogen pore diffusivity compared to like compositions prepared with traditional clay binders, are also described. Preparation methods for the colloidal silica-bound adsorbents are described together with their characterization by mercury (Hg) porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and low dead-volume breakthrough testing, from which the pore diffusivity is obtained. In this article, we show how the location and dispersion of the colloidal silica binding agent within the agglomerated zeolite particle yields pore-architectures that resemble “state-of-the-art” binderless adsorbents. In addition, we use VPSA process simulations to show that the best process performance is achieved by the combination of high-rate and high-density adsorbent properties.     

From CO2 activation to catalytic reduction: a metal-free approach

Over exploitation of natural resources and human activities are relentlessly fueling the emission of CO₂ in the atmosphere. Accordingly, continuous efforts are required to find solutions to address the issue of excessive CO₂ emission and its potential effects on climate change. It is imperative that the world looks towards a portfolio of carbon mitigation solutions, rather than a single strategy. In this regard, the use of CO₂ as a C1 source is an attractive strategy as CO₂ has the potential to be a great asset for the industrial sector and consumers across the globe. In particular, the reduction of CO₂ offers an alternative to fossil fuels for various organic industrial feedstocks and fuels. Consequently, efficient and scalable approaches for the reduction of CO₂ to products such as methane and methanol can generate value from its emissions. Accordingly, in recent years, metal-free catalysis has emerged as a sustainable approach because of the mild reaction conditions by which CO₂ can be reduced to various value-added products. The metal-free catalytic reduction of CO₂ offers the development of chemical processes with low cost, earth-abundant, non-toxic reagents, and low carbon-footprint. Thus, this perspective aims to present the developments in both the reduction and reductive functionalization chemistry of CO₂ during the last decade using various metal-free catalysts.

This review article documents the key developments in the metal-free catalytic reduction of CO₂ into various energy intensive chemicals and fuels, and reductive functionalization of CO₂ for the formation of new C–N bonds.