A Systematic Account on Aromatic Hydroxylation by a Cytochrome P450 Model Compound I: A Low‐Pressure Mass Spectrometry and Computational Study

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are heme‐containing mono‐oxygenases that mainly react through oxygen‐atom transfer. Specific features of substrate and oxidant that determine the reaction rate constant for oxygen atom transfer are still poorly understood and therefore, we did a systematic gas‐phase study on reactions by iron(IV)‐oxo porphyrin cation radical structures with arenes. We present herein the first results obtained by using Fourier transform‐ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and provide rate constants and product distributions for the assayed reactions. Product distributions and kinetic isotope effect studies implicate a rate‐determining aromatic hydroxylation reaction that correlates with the ionization energy of the substrate and no evidence of aliphatic hydroxylation products is observed. To further understand the details of the reaction mechanism, a computational study on a model complex was performed. These studies confirm the experimental hypothesis of dominant aromatic over aliphatic hydroxylation and show that the lack of an axial ligand affects the aliphatic pathways. Moreover, a two‐parabola valence bond model is used to rationalize the rate constant and identify key properties of the oxidant and substrate that drive the reaction. In particular, the work shows that aromatic hydroxylation rates correlate with the ionization energy of the substrate as well as with the electron affinity of the oxidant.     

Evolution of Surface Morphology with Introduction of Stacking Faults in Zeolites

This paper sets out to try to determine some of the nanoscopic details of template action in zeolites. The problem has been addressed by monitoring the effects of competitive templating using, in particular, atomic force microscopy and high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy. Using these techniques, it is possible to determine the subtle crystal growth changes that occur as a result of altering the concentration of these competitive templating agents. This work concerns the two important intergrowth systems MFI–MEL and FAU–EMT. It was found that some organic templating agents provide much greater structure‐directing specificity. So much so in the case of the MFI–MEL system that a 2 mol % doping with the highly specific tetrapropylammonium cation drastically changes the fundamental growth processes. Furthermore, the effect of template crowding is shown to reduce specificity. This work shows how extensive frustrated intergrowth structures can still be accommodated within a nominal zeolite single crystal.     

System Design and Emerging Hardware Technology for Ion Chromatography

This review provides an overview of advances in system design for ion chromatography (IC), focusing on the suppressed conductivity detection mode. In particular, advances in automated mobile-phase generation and suppressor technology based on different electrolytic concepts are addressed and novel detection approaches are discussed. Finally, advances in multi-dimensional IC and aspects of miniaturization, including capillary IC instrumentation and chip-based IC, are discussed.     

Cone calorimeter analysis of flame retardant poly (methyl methacrylate)-silica nanocomposites

Nanocomposite is a promising method to reduce fire hazards of polymers. Specifically due to increased interfacial area between polymer and nanofillers, polymer nanocomposites have an advantage in reducing fire hazards efficiently even when the flame retardant additives are at a concentration of 5 mass% or less. In theory, crosslinking between the polymer chains can create a carbon-dense structure to enhance char formation, which can further promote the flame retardancy. However, little research has been done to explore the flammability of crosslinking polymer nanocomposites with a low concentration of nanosilica particles. In this study, crosslinked and non-crosslinked poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites of a low concentration of nanosilica particles have been prepared via an in situ method. Their fire properties were tested by using the cone calorimeter at the heat flux of 50 kW m^?2. Although silica-containing flame retardants tend to negatively affect the ignitability and soot production especially at a high concentration, through the condensed phase mechanism, the samples of high loading rate of nanosilica particles show better fire retardancy performance in the aspect of flammability, including decreased heat release rate, mass loss rate, and total heat release. Additionally, crosslinking indeed attributes to the less intensive combustion of crosslinked PMMA samples, especially at a low concentration of nanosilica. The combination of nanosilica particles with the modification of the internal structure of the polymer nanocomposites might be a good strategy to improve fire retardancy.     

Monitoring the morphology development of polymer‐monolithic stationary phases by thermal analysis

Thermal analysis and SEM were employed to gain insights in the different stages of morphology development and the thermal properties of polymer‐monolithic stationary phases. The studied system was a thermally initiated free‐radical copolymerization reaction at 70°C of styrene and divinylbenzene in the presence of tetrahydrofuran and 1‐decanol. The key events in the early stages of morphology development are initiation, chain growth, branching, and cyclization, leading to microgel particles. Interparticle reactions through pendant vinyl groups lead to the formation of microgel clusters. The rapid increase in molecular weight and cross‐link density of the microgel clusters causes a reaction‐induced phase separation, and the formation of a macroscopic network of interconnected globules was observed (macrogelation) at around 45 min. After 3 h or 65% conversion, a space‐filling macroporous monolithic network was observed. Afterwards, mainly growth of existing globules takes place, reducing the macropore size. The porogen ratio affects the timing of the reaction‐induced phase separation, strongly influencing the morphology of the polymer material. The use of a mixture of divinylbenzene isomers yielded a monolithic material that is less cross‐linked at the surface compared to the central part of the polymer backbone due to copolymerization‐composition drift. The less cross‐linked outer layer starts devitrifying at 100°C.     

Metabolism of Halogenated Alkanes by Cytochrome P450 enzymes. Aerobic Oxidation versus Anaerobic Reduction

The cytochromes P450 are a large class of heme‐containing enzymes that catalyze a broad range of chemical reactions in biosystems, mainly through oxygen‐atom transfer to substrates. A relatively unknown reaction catalyzed by the P450s, but very important for human health, is the activation of halogenated substrates, which may lead to toxicity problems. However, its catalytic mechanism is currently unknown and, therefore, we performed a detailed computational study. To gain insight into the metabolism of halogenated compounds by P450 enzymes, we have investigated the oxidative and reductive P450‐mediated activation of tetra‐ and trichloromethane as halogenated models with density functional theory (DFT) methods. We propose an oxidative halosylation mechanism for CCl₄ under aerobic conditions by Compound I of P450, which follows the typical Groves‐type rebound mechanism. By contrast, the metabolism of CHCl₃ occurs preferentially via an initial hydrogen‐atom abstraction rather than halosylation. Kinetic isotope effect studies should, therefore, be able to distinguish the mechanistic pathways of CCl₄ versus CHCl₃. We find a novel mechanism that is different from the well accepted P450 substrate activation mechanisms reported previously. Moreover, the studies highlight the substrate specific activation pathways by P450 enzymes leading to different products. These reactivity differences are rationalized using Marcus theory equations, which reproduce experimental product distributions.