Electrodeposited paint-and-varnish nickel–polymer coatings

Specific features of preparation of paint-and-varnish nickel–polymer coatings by joint cathodic electrodeposition of an amine-containing oligomeric electrolyte and nickel were studied. The coatings obtained exhibit layer-by-layer heterogeneity, with the lowest layer constituted by an intermetallic compound of nickel with iron. The coatings are characterized by higher degree of cross-linking compared to the polymer coatings without nickel. A paint-and-varnish formulation based on a nickel–polymer film-forming agent was developed for electrodeposition of corrosion- and wear-resistant coatings.     

Cooperative Lewis Pairs Based on Late Transition Metals: Activation of Small Molecules by Platinum(0) and B(C6F5)3

A Lewis basic platinum(0)–CO complex supported by a diphosphine ligand and B(C₆F₅)₃ act cooperatively, in a manner reminiscent of a frustrated Lewis pair, to activate small molecules such as hydrogen, CO₂, and ethene. This cooperative Lewis pair facilitates the coupling of CO and ethene in a new way.     

Acceleration of Acetal Hydrolysis by Remote Alkoxy Groups: Evidence for Electrostatic Effects on the Formation of Oxocarbenium Ions

In contrast to observations with carbohydrates, experiments with 4‐alkoxy‐substituted acetals indicate that an alkoxy group can accelerate acetal hydrolysis by up to 20‐fold compared to substrates without an alkoxy group. The acceleration of ionization in more flexible acetals can be up to 200‐fold when compensated for inductive effects.     

Biofunctionalization of Polyoxometalates with DNA Primers,Their Use in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Electrochemical Detection of PCR Products

The bioconjugation of polyoxometalates (POMs), which are inorganic metal oxido clusters, to DNA strands to obtain functional labeled DNA primers and their potential use in electrochemical detection have been investigated. Activated monooxoacylated polyoxotungstates [SiW₁₁O₃₉{Sn(CH₂)₂CO}]^8? and [P₂W₁₇O₆₁{Sn(CH₂)₂CO}]^6? have been used to link to a 5′‐NH₂ terminated 21‐mer DNA forward primer through amide coupling. The functionalized primer was characterized by using a battery of techniques, including electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, as well as IR and Raman spectroscopy. The functionality of the POM‐labeled primers was demonstrated through hybridization with a surface‐immobilized probe. Finally, the labeled primers were successfully used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the PCR products were characterized by using electrophoresis.     

Light‐Controlled Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitors: Towards Photopharmacological Chemotherapy

Cancer treatment suffers from limitations that have a major impact on the patient’s quality of life and survival. In the case of chemotherapy, the systemic distribution of cytotoxic drugs reduces their efficacy and causes severe side effects due to nonselective toxicity. Photopharmacology allows a novel approach to address these problems because it employs external, local activation of chemotherapeutic agents by using light. The development of photoswitchable histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors as potential antitumor agents is reported herein. Analogues of the clinically used chemotherapeutic agents vorinostat, panobinostat, and belinostat were designed with a photoswitchable azobenzene moiety incorporated into their structure. The most promising compound exhibits high inhibitory potency in the thermodynamically less stable cis form and a significantly lower activity for the trans form, both in terms of HDAC activity and proliferation of HeLa cells. This approach offers a clear prospect towards local photoactivation of HDAC inhibition to avoid severe side effects in chemotherapy.     

A Comparison of Three Different Biodegradable Aliphatic Oligoesters (PGA,PLLA, and PCL) with Similar Linear Alkyl End Groups by DSC and SAXS

The biodegradable aliphatic oligoesters polyglycolide (PGA), poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), and poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL) with similar number-average molecular weight M_n values but different linear alkyl end groups [CH₃?[CH₂?CH₂]_m?CH₂?] were compared in terms of their physical properties, parameters such as melting temperature (T_m), crystallinity (x_i), long period (L), and lamella thickness (D). They were analyzed by DSC and SAXS. The effect of a longer and nonpolar alkyl end group such as docosyl [CH₃?[CH₂?CH₂]₁₀?CH₂?] on the long period (L) was more evident for PCL because it was the most nonpolar species in the family of oligoesters analyzed.     

Cholesterol Hydroperoxides as Substrates for Cholesterol‐Metabolizing Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Alternative Sources of 25‐Hydroxycholesterol and other Oxysterols

The interaction of the primary autoxidation products of cholesterol, namely 25‐ and 20ξ‐hydroperoxides, with the four principal cholesterol‐metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes is reported. Addition of cholesterol 25‐hydroperoxide to the enzymes CYP27A1 and CYP11A1 induced well‐defined spectral changes while generating 25‐hydroxycholesterol as the major product. The 20ξ‐hydroperoxides induced spectral shifts in CYP27A1 and CYP11A1 but glycol metabolites were detected only with CYP11A1. CYP7A1 and CYP46A1 failed to give metabolites with any of the hydroperoxides. A P450 hydroperoxide‐shunt reaction is proposed, where the hydroperoxides serve as both donor for reduced oxygen and substrate. CYP27A1 was shown to mediate the reduction of cholesterol 25‐hydroperoxide to 25‐hydroxycholesterol, a role of potential significance for cholesterol‐rich tissues with high oxidative stress. CYP27A1 may participate in the removal of harmful autoxidation products in these tissues, while providing a complementary source of 25‐hydroxycholesterol, a modulator of immune cell function and mediator of viral cell entry.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Hydroformylation of 1,1‐Disubstituted Allenes Employing the Self‐Assembling 6‐DPPon System

A rhodium‐catalyzed hydroformylation of 1,1‐disubstituted allenes is reported. Using a Rh^I/6‐DPPon catalyst system, one can obtain β,γ‐unsaturated aldehydes in high regio‐ and chemoselectivity. The Z‐configured product is formed with up to >95 % selectivity when unsymmetrically 1,1‐disubstituted allenes are submitted to the reaction conditions. This is the first time that these interesting building blocks are accessible by hydroformylation of allenes. The utility of this methodology is demonstrated by further transformations of one of the obtained products.