Photocatalysis of Chloroform Decomposition by the Hexachlororuthenate(IV) Ion

Dissolved hexachlororuthenate(IV) effectively catalyzes the photodecomposition of chloroform to hydrogen chloride and phosgene under near‐UV (λ > 345 nm) irradiation, whereby RuCl₆^2? is not itself photocatalytically active, but is photochemically transformed into a species that is active, possibly RuCl₅(CHCl₃)^?. Conversion to a photoactive species during irradiation is consistent with the acceleration of the decomposition rate during the early stages and with the apparent inverse dependence of the decomposition rate on the initial concentration of RuCl₆^2?. The displacement of Cl^? by CHCl₃ in the coordination sphere to create the photoactive species is consistent with the retardation of photodecomposition by both Cl^? and H₂O. The much smaller photodecomposition rate in CDCl₃ suggests that C–H bond dissociation occurs during the primary photochemical event, which is also consistent with the presence of a CHCl₃ molecule in the first coordination sphere.     

Triazine‐Carbon Nanotubes: New Platforms for the Design of Flavin Receptors

The synthesis of functionalised carbon nanotubes as receptors for riboflavin (RBF) is reported. Carbon nanotubes, both single‐walled and multi‐walled, have been functionalised with 1,3,5‐triazines and p‐tolyl chains by aryl radical addition under microwave irradiation and the derivatives have been fully characterised by using a range of techniques. The interactions between riboflavin and the hybrids were analysed by using fluorescence and UV/Vis spectroscopic techniques. The results show that the attached functional groups minimise the π‐π stacking interactions between riboflavin and the nanotube walls. Comparison of p‐tolyl groups with the triazine groups shows that the latter have stronger interactions with riboflavin because of the presence of hydrogen bonds. Moreover, the triazine derivatives follow the Stern–Volmer relationship and show a high association constant with riboflavin. In this way, artificial receptors in catalytic processes could be designed through specific control of the interaction between functionalised carbon nanotubes and riboflavin.     

Reference measurement procedures for the quantification of platinum-group elements (PGEs) from automotive exhaust emissions

The major source of the anthropogenic platinum group element (PGE) emission is attributed to the use of catalytic converters in automobiles. This paper describes the work performed by three National Metrology Institutes (Laboratoire national de métrologie et d’essais, by the Physikalisch-technische bundesanstalt, Bundesanatalt für materialforschung und prûfung), in the framework of the Joint Research Project ‘PartEmission’ under the European Metrology Research Program. An analytical procedure based on a cationic exchange protocol and the isotope dilution or standard addition using an Inductived Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer, ICP-MS, for the quantification of the elements Pt, Pd and Rh from automotive exhaust emissions is described. Results obtained on a road dust certified reference (BCR 723) material showed a good agreement with the certified values, at ng/g levels, and relative expanded uncertainties within the range of 7–10%. Analysis of filters impacted with automotive exhaust particle emissions (from a diesel engine) showed the amount of collected PGE at levels of 10–1000 pg/filter. Their quantifications followed the developed analytical protocol that had been carried out with relative expanded uncertainties in the range of a few per cent up to 20% per filter. Nevertheless, a lack of homogeneity between the filters was observed, making the comparison between the project partners difficult in the sake of the validation of their analytical procedures on real samples.     

Influence of actinic wavelength on properties of light‐cured interpenetrating polymer networks

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) composed of different acrylate/epoxide ratios, were synthesized under UV and visible‐LED curing conditions. The formation of the IPNs was explored in terms of phase separation, polymerization mechanisms, final mechanical properties and surface morphology. For these purpose, we uniquely combined results of miscibility investigations, confocal Raman microscopy, dynamical mechanical analysis and atomic force microscopy. Transparent films were obtained for all compositions and both irradiation sources. The thermo‐mechanical properties of different IPNs were associated to the presence of acrylate‐ or epoxide‐rich phases, as well as, mixed interphases, resulting from the high interpenetration between both networks. Although the final conversions were similar under UV and visible‐LED irradiation, we have found evidence that the visible‐cured samples provide higher IPN homogeneity and lower T_g, for a higher epoxide content. To explain this trend, the mechanisms and sequence of the acrylate or epoxide networks formation, under UV or LED irradiation, is discussed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1378‐1390     

Design of the First‐in‐Class,Highly Potent Irreversible Inhibitor Targeting the Menin‐MLL Protein–Protein Interaction

The structure‐based design of M‐525 as the first‐in‐class, highly potent, irreversible small‐molecule inhibitor of the menin‐MLL interaction is presented. M‐525 targets cellular menin protein at sub‐nanomolar concentrations and achieves low nanomolar potencies in cell growth inhibition and in the suppression of MLL‐regulated gene expression in MLL leukemia cells. M‐525 demonstrates high cellular specificity over non‐MLL leukemia cells and is more than 30 times more potent than its corresponding reversible inhibitors. Mass spectrometric analysis and co‐crystal structure of M‐525 in complex with menin firmly establish its mode of action. A single administration of M‐525 effectively suppresses MLL‐regulated gene expression in tumor tissue. An efficient procedure was developed to synthesize M‐525. This study demonstrates that irreversible inhibition of menin may be a promising therapeutic strategy for MLL leukemia.     

Chemical analysis and antiviral activity evaluation of Baccharis anomala

The chemical composition and antiviral activity of aqueous extract from Baccharis anomala was studied by bioactivity-guided fractionation. Ethanol precipitation and fractionation by molecular permeation allowed the separation of the anti-herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) active fraction from aqueous extract (Fraction B). Natural Product Reagent A, FeCl₃ and thin-layer chromatography indicated the presence of phenolic compounds in the aqueous extract. Fraction B showed pronounced antiviral activity when tested with HSV-1 strains VR733/ATCC and Acyclovir-resistant 29-R, displaying virucidal but not virustatic activity.     

Organic glass-forming materials: 1,3,5-tris(naphthyl)benzene derivatives

The organic glass-forming materials 1,3-bis(1-naphthyl)-5-(2-naphthyl)benzene (2) and its partially deuterated analogue, 1,3-bis(1-naphthyl-d(7))-5-(2-naphthyl)benzene (2-d(14)), have been synthesized on a gram scale using Suzuki coupling reactions. Detailed spectroscopic studies afford complete NMR assignments (1H, 2H, 13C) for both compounds. Modest energy barriers for the interconversion of atropisomers (ca. 15 kcal/mol) result in a propensity for these materials to form supercooled liquids and glasses, rather than undergoing crystallization. The preparation of these materials enables detailed studies of physical properties of organic glasses and molecular diffusion in condensed phases.