Expeditious synthesis of porphyrin-cobaltacarborane conjugates

Two porphyrin-cobaltacarborane conjugates and were prepared in high yields via a nucleophilic ring-opening reaction of . These novel boron-rich and fluorescent compounds have potential application as boron delivery agents for the boron neutron capture therapy of tumors.     

Novel expanded porphyrinoids with multiple-inner-ring-fusion and/or tunable aromaticity

Novel expanded porphyrinoids with advanced structure features have a wide range of benefits (such as multi-metal coordination and facile tunable aromaticity) not offered by their normal porphyrin analogues. Considering research efforts have been devoted to address their limited synthetic accessibility issue. This review highlights some of these recent synthetic progresses towards these novel expanded porphyrinoids.     

A molecular docking model of SARS-CoV S1 protein in complex with its receptor, human ACE2

The exact residues within severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) S1 protein and its receptor, human ACE2, involved in their interaction still remain largely undetermined. Identification of exact amino acid residues that are crucial for the interaction of S1 with ACE2 could provide working hypotheses for experimental studies and might be helpful for the development of antiviral inhibitor. In this paper, a molecular docking model of SARS-CoV S1 protein in complex with human ACE2 was constructed. The interacting residue pairs within this complex model and their contact types were also identified. Our model, supported by significant biochemical evidence, suggested receptor-binding residues were concentrated in two segments of S1 protein. In contrast, the interfacial residues in ACE2, though close to each other in tertiary structure, were found to be widely scattered in the primary sequence. In particular, the S1 residue ARG453 and ACE2 residue LYS341 might be the key residues in the complex formation.     

Toward the most versatile fluorophore: Direct functionalization of BODIPY dyes via regioselective C—H bond activation

BODIPY dyes are privileged fluorophores that are now widely used in highly diverse research fields. An overview of BODIPY dyes and a summarization of the different synthetic methodologies reported for direct C-H functionalization of the BODIPY framework have been provided.     

Influence of ultrasonic field on microcystins produced by bloom-forming algae

Under the background of algae removal and growth inhibition by ultrasonic irradiation, the effects of ultrasonic irradiation on removal of Microcystis, the concentration variation of microcystins (MC) produced by Microcystis in Microcystis suspension, and sonochemical degradation of microcystins in water, were studied in the paper. The results showed that ultrasonic irradiation could efficiently inhibit the growth of Microcystis, and ultrasonic irradiation shorter than 5 min would not introduce the increase of microcystins dissolved in Microcystis suspension simultaneity. Also, microcystins dissolved in Microcystis suspension would not increase as ultrasonic power increasing. Further research showed that microcystins were effectively degraded in ultrasonic fields. After 20 min ultrasonic irradiation at 150 kHz and 30 W, the removal rate of microcystins reached 70%.     

Novel synthesis of a strained para-cyclophane derivative

A [P. Rajakumar, A.M.A. Rasheed, Tetrahedron 61（22） （2005） 5351] para-cyclophane derivative was synthesized via intramolecular esterification of a dipeptide surrogate containing asparagine to form tetrahydropyrimidinone ring. The structures of the product and intermediates were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectrum.     

Epoxy-based azo molecular glasses with four-arm architecture: Preparation,characterization and holographic recording

A series of epoxy-based azo molecular glasses with four-arm architecture was synthesized, characterized and applied to holographic recording.     

Controllable self-assembly of parallel gold nanorod clusters by DNA origami

We demonstrate the self-assembly of three types of parallel gold nanorod clusters using a rod-like DNA origami as the template.