A catalytic version of hypervalent aryl-λ3-iodane-induced Hofmann rearrangement of primary carboxamides: iodobenzene as an organocatalyst and m-chloroperbenzoic acid as a terminal oxidant

The first catalytic version of hypervalent aryl-λ(3)-iodane-induced Hofmann rearrangement of primary carboxamides, which probably involves in situ generation of a tetracoordinated bis(aqua)(hydroxy)phenyl-λ(3)-iodane complex as an active oxidant from a catalytic amount of iodobenzene by the reaction with m-chloroperbenzoic acid in the presence of HBF(4) in dichloromethane-water under mild conditions, was developed.     

Improved complementary polymer pair system: switching for enzyme activity by PEGylated polymers

The development of technology for on/off switching of enzyme activity is expected to expand the applications of enzyme in a wide range of research fields. We have previously developed a complementary polymer pair system (CPPS) that enables the activity of several enzymes to be controlled by a pair of oppositely charged polymers. However, it failed to control the activity of large and unstable α-amylase because the aggregation of the complex between anionic α-amylase and cationic poly(allylamine) (PAA) induced irreversible denaturation of the enzyme. To address this issue, we herein designed and synthesized a cationic copolymer with a poly(ethylene glycol) backbone, poly(N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEAMA-b-PEG). In contrast to PAA, α-amylase and β-galactosidase were inactivated by PEAMA-b-PEG with the formation of soluble complexes. The enzyme/PEAMA-b-PEG complexes were then successfully recovered from the complex by the addition of anionic poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc). Thus, dispersion of the complex by PEG segment in PEAMA-b-PEG clearly plays a crucial role for regulating the activities of these enzymes, suggesting that PEGylated charged polymer is a new candidate for CPPS for large and unstable enzymes.     

Blockade of inflammatory responses by a small-molecule inhibitor of the Rac activator DOCK2

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Highlights? CPYPP binds to DOCK2 DHR-2 domain and inhibits its catalytic activity ? CPYPP inhibits DOCK2-mediated Rac activation in cells ? The structural features of CPYPP required for its inhibitory effect were revealed ? CPYPP inhibits lymphocyte migration and activation in vitro and in vivo     

MNBA-mediated β-lactone formation: mechanistic studies and application for the asymmetric total synthesis of tetrahydrolipstatin

Various β-lactones were prepared from β-hydroxycarboxylic acids by intramolecular dehydration condensation using MNBA, an effective coupling reagent, along with a nucleophilic catalyst. The transition state that provides the desired 4-membered ring model system is disclosed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and the structural features of the transition form are discussed. This method was successfully applied to the asymmetric total synthesis of tetrahydrolipstatin (THL), an antiobestic drug used in clinical treatment to inhibit the activity of pancreatic lipase.     

Formal [4 + 1]- and [5 + 1]-annulation by an S(N)2-conjugate addition sequence: stereoselective synthesis of highly substituted carbocycles

K(2)CO(3)-mediated reactions of 6-bromo-2-hexenoates and 7-bromo-2-heptenoate with active methylene compounds deliver highly substituted cyclopentane and cyclohexane derivatives, respectively via a sequence of S(N)2-conjugate addition reactions (formal [4 + 1]- and [5 + 1]-annulation) in a diastereoselective manner.     

Gold nanoparticles located at the interface of anatase/rutile TiO2 particles as active plasmonic photocatalysts for aerobic oxidation

Visible-light irradiation (λ > 450 nm) of gold nanoparticles loaded on a mixture of anatase/rutile TiO(2) particles (Degussa, P25) promotes efficient aerobic oxidation at room temperature. The photocatalytic activity critically depends on the catalyst architecture: Au particles with <5 nm diameter located at the interface of anatase/rutile TiO(2) particles behave as the active sites for reaction. This photocatalysis is promoted via plasmon activation of the Au particles by visible light followed by consecutive electron transfer in the Au/rutile/anatase contact site. The activated Au particles transfer their conduction electrons to rutile and then to adjacent anatase TiO(2). This catalyzes the oxidation of substrates by the positively charged Au particles along with reduction of O(2) by the conduction band electrons on the surface of anatase TiO(2). This plasmonic photocatalysis is successfully promoted by sunlight exposure and enables efficient and selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols at ambient temperature.     

Defect Engineering and Anisotropic Modulation of Ionic Transport in Perovskite Solid Electrolyte LixLa(1−x)/3NbO3

Solid electrolytes, such as perovskite Li_3xLa_2/1−xTiO₃, Li_xLa_(1−x)/3NbO₃ and garnet Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ ceramic oxides, have attracted extensive attention in lithium-ion battery research due to their good chemical stability and the improvability of their ionic conductivity with great potential in solid electrolyte battery applications. These solid oxides eliminate safety issues and cycling instability, which are common challenges in the current commercial lithium-ion batteries based on organic liquid electrolytes. However, in practical applications, structural disorders such as point defects and grain boundaries play a dominating role in the ionic transport of these solid electrolytes, where defect engineering to tailor or improve the ionic conductive property is still seldom reported. Here, we demonstrate a defect engineering approach to alter the ionic conductive channels in Li_xLa_(1−x)/3NbO₃ (x = 0.1~0.13) electrolytes based on the rearrangements of La sites through a quenching process. The changes in the occupancy and interstitial defects of La ions lead to anisotropic modulation of ionic conductivity with the increase in quenching temperatures. Our trial in this work on the defect engineering of quenched electrolytes will offer opportunities to optimize ionic conductivity and benefit the solid electrolyte battery applications.     

Controlled Reduction of Carboxamides to Alcohols or Amines by Zinc Hydrides

New protocols for controlled reduction of carboxamides to either alcohols or amines were established using a combination of sodium hydride (NaH) and zinc halides (ZnX₂). Use of a different halide on ZnX₂ dictates the selectivity, wherein the NaH‐ZnI₂ system delivers alcohols and NaH‐ZnCl₂ gives amines. Extensive mechanistic studies by experimental and theoretical approaches imply that polymeric zinc hydride (ZnH₂)_∞ is responsible for alcohol formation, whereas dimeric zinc chloride hydride (H?Zn?Cl)₂ is the key species for the production of amines.     

Enhancement of Acid‐Catalyzed Esterification by the Addition of Base

General acid‐catalyzed reaction can be enhanced by the addition of base. Self‐catalyzed esterification of benzoic acid and octan‐1‐ol was enhanced by the addition of certain base such as imidazole. The rate of the esterification was accelerated as the concentration of imidazole increased. Trans‐esterification of 4‐nitrophenyl acetate was promoted in chloroform by the mixture of benzoic acid and imidazole, but not by benzoic acid or imidazole alone.