Photoinduced Oxygen Atom Transfer to α-Pinene and R-Carvone using a Dioxo-Molybdenum (VI) Complex Incorporated within a Modified UiO-67 (Zr/Ti) MOF

We report a highly selective (100 %) epoxidation of α-pinene and R-carvone using an oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reaction facilitated by a dioxo-Mo complex (Mo^(VI)O₂Cl₂Ln) incorporated into the ligand 5,5’-dicarboxylate-2,2’-bipyridine (bpydc) within a Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) type UiO-67. Photo-stimulated (350 nm) OAT reaction was carried out with oxygen molecular used as the oxidant for 10 h. UiO-67 was synthesized with a mixture of the ligands 2,2′-biphenyl-5,5′-dicarboxylate (bpdc) and 2,2-bipyridine-5,5-dicarboxylate (bpydc) in different molar ratios (67 : 33, 50 : 50, 70 : 30, 0 : 100 bpdc : bpydc) to promote a higher presence of catalytic sites, i. e., the dioxo-Mo complex units. Furthermore, a post-synthetic exchange of Zr for Ti, between 64 : 36 to 78 : 22 Ti : Zr molar ratio, was performed to improve the optical properties of the MOF and promote the photoinduced OAT reaction. The Catalytic system was characterized by FTIR, XRD, ¹H NMR, XPS, TGA, N₂ adsorption/desorption and UV-Vis-DR. The amount of the epoxide monoterpene is proportional to the number of the dioxomolybdenum^(VI) units (MoO₂) incorporated in the UiO-67 (Zr/Ti), and the OAT reaction selectivity is due to the absence of the oxygen radicals in the medium of reaction. Besides, The Mo complex exhibited excellent stability after five cycles of use.     

An Epitope‐Specific Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Based on an Antibody Scaffold

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children. We have generated an epitope‐specific RSV vaccine by grafting a neutralizing epitope (F‐epitope) in its native conformation into an immunoglobulin scaffold. The resulting antibody fusion exhibited strong binding affinity to Motavizumab, an RSV neutralizing antibody, and effectively induced potent neutralizing antibodies in mice. This work illustrates the potential of the immunoglobulin molecule as a scaffold to present conformationally constrained B‐cell epitopes.     

Cation coordination induced modulation of the anion sensing properties of a ferrocene-imidazophenanthroline dyad: multichannel recognition from phosphate-related to chloride anions

A new chemosensor molecule 1 based on a ferrocene-imidazophenanthroline dyad, effectively recognizes aqueous hydrogenpyrophosphate and the organic anions ADP and ATP through three different channels. A cathodic shift of the ferrocene/ferrocenium oxidation wave (Delta E 1/2 ranging from -130 mV for hydrogenpyrophosphate and fluoride to -40 mV for ADP). A progressive red-shift of the absorption bands and/or appearance of a new low energy band at 314-319 nm. These changes in the absorption spectra are accompanied by color changes from pale yellow to orange or pink, which allow the potential for "naked eye" detection. The emission spectrum (lambda exc = 390 nm) undergoes an important chelation-enhanced fluorescence effect (CHEF = 50) in the presence of 2.5 equiv of hydrogenpyrophosphate anion and with a large excess of fluoride anion (CHEF = 114). Interestingly, the emission spectrum obtained at different excitation energy (lambda exc = 340 nm) in the presence of AcOH acid is red-shifted and not only perturbed by the hydrogenpyrophosphate anion (CHEF = 71) but also with the organic anions ATP (CHEF = 25), ADP (CHEF = 15), and the dihydrogenphosphate (CHEF = 25). The stable heterobimetallic ruthenium (II) complex 2 selectively senses the chloride anion over other anions examined through two channels: cathodic redox shift (Delta E 1/2 = -80 mV) of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couple keeping the oxidation wave of the ruthenium (II) center unchanged and a significant red emission enhancement (CHEF = 30). (1)H and (31)P NMR studies as well as DFT calculations have been carried out to get information about which molecular sites are involved in bonding. About the deprotonation/coordination dualism, the combined electrochemical, absorption, emission, and NMR data strongly support that fluoride anion induces only deprotonation, anions dihydrogenphosphate, ATP, and ADP from hydrogen-bonded complexes and formation of hydrogen-bonded complex between receptor 1 and hydrogenpyrophosphate anion and deprotonation proceed simultaneously. In regards to receptor 2, all available data (electrochemical, absorption, emission, and 1H NMR) strongly support the formation of a [2. Cl ( - ) ] hydrogen-bonded complex.     

Thiophene-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks: Synthesis,Photophysics and Light-Driven Applications

Porous crystalline materials, such as covalent organic frameworks (COFs), have emerged as some of the most important materials over the last two decades due to their excellent physicochemical properties such as their large surface area and permanent, accessible porosity. On the other hand, thiophene derivatives are common versatile scaffolds in organic chemistry. Their outstanding electrical properties have boosted their use in different light-driven applications (photocatalysis, organic thin film transistors, photoelectrodes, organic photovoltaics, etc.), attracting much attention in the research community. Despite the great potential of both systems, porous COF materials based on thiophene monomers are scarce due to the inappropriate angle provided by the latter, which hinders its use as the building block of the former. To circumvent this drawback, researchers have engineered a number of thiophene derivatives that can form part of the COFs structure, while keeping their intrinsic properties. Hence, in the present minireview, we will disclose some of the most relevant thiophene-based COFs, highlighting their basic components (building units), spectroscopic properties and potential light-driven applications.     

Reactivity of 4-tert-butyldimethylsiloxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines with hydrazines

The reactivity of 6-(nitrophenyl or trimethoxyphenyl)-4-tert-butyldimethyl- siloxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine derivatives with hydrazines under acid conditions is described. The structure of the products isolated - hydrazones, pyrazolines or pyridazinones - depended on the conditions used. In addition, a systematic study of the reaction outcomes was carried out by introducing variations on the substituents of the tetrahydropyridine ring.     

Efficient synthesis of N-prenylpyrroloindoline and N-prenylindole alkaloids based on a new four-reaction anionic domino process

Treatment of 2,5-diketopiperazines or carbamates derived from tryptophan or tryptamine with iodomethyltrimethylsilane followed by lithium hexamethyldisilazane and a prenyl halide produced stereoselectively derivatives of the hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole system bearing prenyl substituents both at C-3a and at the indoline nitrogen in a one-pot procedure involving a novel four-reaction anionic domino process. The reaction was applied to the preparation of N-prenyltryprostatin B and to achieving a very efficient formal total synthesis of the biologically active marine natural product (+/-)-debromoflustramine B.     

Nonlinear optical waveguides generated in lithium niobate by swift-ion irradiation at ultralow fluences

A novel method to produce optical waveguides is demonstrated for lithium niobate (LiNbO(3)). It is based on electronic excitation damage by swift ions, i.e., with energies at approximately 1 MeV/amu or above. The new technique uses high-energy medium-mass ions, such as Cl, with electronic stopping powers above the threshold value for amorphization (5-6 keV/nm), reaching the maximum value a few micrometers inside the crystal. At the ultralow fluence regime (10(12)-10(13) cm(-2)) an effective nanostructured medium is obtained that behaves as an optical waveguide where light propagates transversally to the amorphous nanotracks created by every single impact. The method implies a reduction of 4 orders of magnitude with respect to He implantation. The optical waveguides present reasonable losses (~10 dB/cm) and significant second-harmonic generation (SHG) and electro-optic (EO) responses (>50% bulk) for the lowest fluences.     

Highly regioselective functionalization of aliphatic carbon-hydrogen bonds with a perbromohomoscorpionate copper(I) catalyst

The complex Tp(Br3)Cu(NCMe) (1) is an excellent catalyst for the regioselective carbene transfer reaction to tertiary C-H bonds of hydrocarbons, at room temperature, using the readily available ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) as the carbene source.