A Novel Coordinated Polymer [Cu(En)<Subscript>2</Subscript>][(PzTp)Fe(CN)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>: Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Inhibiting Left Atrial Myxoma Cell Activity in vitro

A new cyanide-bridged neutral centrosymmetric cluster [Cu(En)₂][(PzTp)Fe(CN)₃]₂ (I), where En = ethylenediamine, PzTp = tetra(pyrazol-1-yl)borate) was synthesized by a programmed self-assembly of preformed building blocks. Characterization with single crystal X-ray diffraction (CIF file CCDC no. 1555334) showed that the Cu²⁺ center was located in a large distorted octahedral environment due to the obvious Jahn–Teller effect, which was demonstrated by continuous shape measures with the SHAPE program. Furthermore, no coordinated or free solvent molecules existed in the clusters, showing good roomtemperature stability. In addition, in vitro anticancer activity of compound I on three human cancer cells (SKOV3, A2780, and OVCAR) was further determined.     

Supersaturation controlled growth of MAFAPbI_3 perovskite film for high efficiency solar cells

Controlling the nucleation and growth of organic-inorganic hybrids perovskite is of key importance to improve the morphology and crystallinity of perovskite films. However, the growth mechanism of perovskite films based on classical crystallization theory is not fully understood. Here, we develop a supersaturation controlled strategy(SCS) to balance the nucleation and crystal growth speeds. By this strategy, we are able to find an ideal supersaturation region to realize a balance of nucleation and crystal growth, which yields highly crystallized perovskite films with micrometer-scale grains. Besides, we provide a thoughtful analysis of nucleation and growth based on the fabrication of the perovskite films. As a result, the highest photovoltaic power conversion efficiencies(PCE) of 19.70% and 20.31% are obtained for the planar and the meso-superstructured devices, respectively. This strategy sheds some light for understanding the film growth mechanism of high quality perovskite film, and it provides a facile strategy to fabricate high efficiency perovskite solar cells.     

Peripheral Templation‐Modulated Interconversion between an A4L6 Tetrahedral Anion Cage and A2L3 Triple Helicate with Guest Capture/Release

An anion‐coordination‐based A₄L₆ (“A” denotes anion and “L” is ligand) tetrahedral cage was constructed by a C₂‐symmetric bis‐bis(urea) ligand and phosphate anion, which showed reversible interconversion with the A₂L₃ triple helicate as a response to the template, concentration, or solvent. Notably, an unusual “peripheral” templation was found to be critical to stabilize the tetrahedral structure. This peripheral effect was utilized to assemble an “empty” A₄L₆ cage that allows the multi‐stimuli‐controlled capture/release of biologically important species such as choline and acetylcholine.     

Bifunctional polymer brushes for low-bias enrichment of mono- and multi-phosphorylated peptides prior to mass spectrometry analysis

Polymer brushes orthogonally derivatized with oxotitanium and nitrilotriacetate-Fe(III) groups enrich both mono- and multi-phosphorylated peptides for mass spectrometry analysis.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-saframycin A from L-tyrosine

The asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-saframycin A, a natural antitumor product of the tetrahydroisoquinoline antitumor antibiotics family, has been accomplished by employing L-tyrosine as the starting chiral building block in 24 steps for the longest linear sequence in an overall yield of 9.7%. The key steps in the synthesis involve stereoselective intermolecular and intramolecular Pictet-Spengler reactions, which induced the correct stereochemistry at C-1 and C-11, respectively. The selective protection-deprotection protocol of an amino group in the two-step transformation from intermediate 10 to 12 and a hydroxyl group in the first two steps resulted in both high selectivity and efficiency of the synthetic route.     

Characterization of room temperature phosphorescence of propranolol and the chiral discrimination between R- and S-isomers

Upon addition of a small amount of bromocyclohexane, propranolol displays room temperature phosphorescence in γ-cyclodextrin solution without deoxygenation. Several factors including the pH, and the concentration of γ-cyclodextrin and bromocyclohexane, which affect the room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) intensity and room temperature phosphorescence lifetime of propranolol are studied in detail. Under optimal conditions, the room temperature phosphorescence lifetimes of propranolol enantiomers are measured. The experimental results show that the associated phosphorescence decay curves can be best fitted to mono-exponential patterns and room temperature phosphorescence lifetimes of R- and S-propranolol are 4.60 ms and 5.74 ms, respectively. The difference of the room temperature phosphorescence lifetimes of R- and S-propranolol is 22.05%. Based on that, chiral discrimination of propranolol enantiomers is carried out successfully by time-resolved phosphorescence.     

Catalytic conversion of lactic acid into propylene glycol over various metals supported on silica

Catalytic hydrogenation of lactic acid to propylene glycol was performed over various metals (Ag, Co, Cu, Ni, Pt, and Ru) supported on silica prepared by an incipient wetness impregnation method. The loading amount of each metal was 5 wt%. Crystallinity of the synthesized catalysts was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the BET method was utilized to examine the surface area. Pore volume and pore size of catalysts were determined using BJH analysis of the N₂ adsorption isotherm. Particle sizes of various metals were determined from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. The catalytic activity was found to be strongly dependent on the supported metal. Among catalysts tested, Ru/SiO₂ showed the highest propylene glycol yield. The yield of propylene glycol increased with pressure, and the highest yield was achieved at 130 °C.     

New Dammarane‐Type Saponins from the Rhizomes of Panax japonicus

Phytochemical investigation of the rhizomes of Panax japonicus C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) resulted in the isolation of two new dammarane‐type triterpenoid saponins, yesanchinoside R₁ ( 1 ) and yesanchinoside R₂ ( 2 ), together with one new natural product, 6′′′‐O‐acetylginsenoside Re ( 3 ). In addition, 25 known compounds, including 23 triterpenoid saponins, 4 – 26 , β‐sitosterol 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 27 ), and ecdysterone ( 28 ), were also identified. The known saponins 12, 15 , and 18 – 22 were reported for the first time from the title plant. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques, as well as acidic hydrolysis.     

Electrochemical Detection of Catechol on Boron‐doped Diamond Electrode Modified with Au/TiO2 Nanorod Composite

Au/TiO₂ nanorod composites with different ratios of [TiO₂]:[Au] have been prepared by chemically reducing AuCl₄^‐ on the positively charged TiO₂ nanorods surface and used to modify boron‐doped diamond (BDD) electrodes. The electrochemical behaviors of catechol on the bare and different Au/TiO₂ nanorod composites‐modified BDD electrodes are studied. The cyclic voltammetric results indicate that these different Au/TiO₂ nanorod composites‐modified BDD electrodes can enhance the electrocatalytic activity toward catechol detection, as compared with the bare BDD electrode. Among these different conditions, the Au/TiO₂‐BDD3 electrode (the ratio of [TiO₂]:[Au] is 27:1) is the most choice for catechol detection. The electrochemical response dependences of the Au/TiO₂‐BDD3 electrode on pH of solution and the applied potential are studied. The detection limit of catechol is found to be about 1.4 × 10^‐6 M in a linear range from 5 × 10^‐6 M to 200 × 10^‐6 M on the Au/TiO₂‐BDD3 electrode.