A novel synthetic method for preparation of some folates

An improved method was developed for preparation of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid (THF) and calcium-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF-Ca) by reduction of folic acid using KBH₄ catalyzed by Pb(NO₃)₂. The yields of THF and 5-MTHF-Ca were 56.5 and 42.7 %, respectively. A convenient method for measurement of THF and 5-MTHF-Ca using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) was also established, enabling analysis of those folates within 10 min without application of gradient elution.     

Synthesis of amine-modified mesoporous materials for CO2 capture by a one-pot template-free method

A one-pot template-free route was developed for the synthesis of novel tetraethylenepentamine modified porous silica as CO₂ adsorbents, the obtained materials were characterized by N₂ adsorption/desorption, thermogravimetry, elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry,scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the amine species were inserted into the silica skeleton, which considerably enhanced their dispersion. Compared with similar materials derived from impregnation, the porous structure of the silica can be better reserved, leading to a promising CO₂ adsorption capacity of 3.98 mmol CO₂/g-adsorbent and a fast adsorption kinetic in simulated flue gas at 348 K. The resulted adsorbents could also be easily regenerated and showed a good durability in multiple adsorption–desorption cycles. All these features make this method a promising option for the preparation of CO₂ adsorbents.     

Excellent degradation performance of azo dye by metallic glass/titanium dioxide composite powders

The metallic glass/titanium dioxide powders (MG/TiO₂) with enhanced photocatalytic oxidation activity were synthesized, which exhibit a higher efficiency in decolorizing methylene blue solutions (MB). Compared with the pure TiO₂ and crystalline alloy/TiO₂ (CA/TiO₂) under the same circumstances, its degradation rate was 60 % and 30 % higher, respectively. Furthermore, compared with the CA/TiO₂, the MG/TiO₂ photocatalytic rate was three times faster when decolorizing MB. Considering the excellent intrinsic high-performance photocatalytic degradation under visible light irradiation, these novel powders were proven to have potential applications in water purification industry.     

A Triazatruxene‐Based Glycocluster as a Fluorescent Sensor for Concanavalin A

A new triazatruxene‐based fluorescent glycocluster has been designed, synthesized, and fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Furthermore, its specific and selective binding properties with concanavalin A (Con A) have been investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and turbidity assay. The obtained results showed that the multivalent mannose‐modified triazatruxene exhibited specific binding with Con A, but no binding to peanut agglutinin (PNA) lectin or bovine serum albumin (BSA), corresponding to a two‐orders‐of‐magnitude higher affinity than that of monovalent mannose ligands. Most interestingly, a fluorescence enhancement of the triazatruxene‐based glycocluster was observed upon binding with Con A because of hydrophobic interactions involving sites close to the triazatruxene moiety. Furthermore, the inhibitory ability of the triazatruxene‐based glycocluster against ORN178‐ induced haemagglutination has been investigated by haemagglutination inhibition assay. The results indicated selective binding with ORN178.     

Fast Reductive Amination by Transfer Hydrogenation “on Water”

Reductive amination of various ketones and aldehydes by transfer hydrogenation under aqueous conditions has been developed, by using cyclometallated iridium complexes as catalysts and formate as hydrogen source. The pH value of the solution is shown to be critical for a high catalytic chemoselectivity and activity, with the best pH value being 4.8. In comparison with that in organic solvents, the reductive amination in an aqueous phase is faster, and the molar ratio of the substrate to the catalyst (S/C) can be set as high as 1×10⁵, the highest S/C value ever reported in reductive amination reactions. The catalyst is easy to access and the reaction is operationally simple, allowing a wide range of ketones and aldehydes to react with various amines in high yields. The protocol provides a practical and environmental friendly new method for the synthesis of amine compounds.     

Distinct Stepwise Reduction of a Nickel?Nickel‐Bonded Compound Containing an α‐Diimine Ligand: From Perpendicular to Coaxial Structures

A nickel? nickel‐bonded complex, [{Ni(μ‐L^.?)}₂] ( 1 ; L=[(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)]₂), was synthesized from reduction of the LNiBr₂ precursor by sodium metal. Further controllable reduction of 1 with 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 equiv of Na, respectively, afforded the singly, doubly, and triply reduced compounds [Na(DME)₃] ? [{Ni(μ‐L^.?)}₂] ( 2 ; DME=1,2‐dimethoxyethane), [Na(Et₂O)]Na[(L^.?)Ni? NiL^2?] ( 3 ), and [Na(Et₂O)]₂Na[L^2?Ni? NiL^2?] ( 4 ). Here L represents the neutral ligand, L^.? denotes its radical monoanion, and L^2? is the dianion. All of the four compounds feature a short Ni? Ni bond from 2.2957(6) to 2.4649(8) Å. Interestingly, they display two different structures: the perpendicular ( 1 and 2 ) and the coaxial ( 3 and 4 ) structure, in which the metal? metal bond axis is perpendicular to or collinear with the axes of the α‐diimine ligands, respectively. The electronic structures, Ni? Ni bonding nature, and energetic comparisons of the two structure types were investigated by DFT computations.     

含绿色荧光蛋白发色团双自由基分子的非线性光学性质

采用密度泛函理论(DFT)方法研究了系列含绿色荧光蛋白发色团双自由基分子光学异构体的几何结构、极化率(αs)和第一超极化率(βtot).结果表明,引入电子给受体取代基使分子的极化率增大,而对第一超极化率有不同影响.对于光照前的反式结构,引入电子受体βtot值增加,且βtot值随取代基吸电子能力的增强而增大;引入电子给体βtot值降低,且βtot值随取代基给电子能力的增强而减小.当分子变成相应的顺式结构时,其βtot值变化趋势与反式结构的结果正好相反.光异构化前后分子的βtot值变化不同,引入电子受体使顺式结构的βtot值比反式结构的小,其中―NO2使顺式结构的βtot值减小为反式结构的1/6;引入电子给体使反式结构的βtot值比顺式结构的小,其中―NH2使反式结构的βtot值减小为顺式结构的1/6.从而,光异构化起到调节非线性光学(NLO)响应的作用.     

电场对金属串配合物M3(dpa)4Cl2 (M=Co,Rh, Ir; dpa=dipyridylamide)结构的影响

应用密度泛函理论PBE0 方法研究具有分子导线潜在应用的金属串配合物M₃(dpa)₄Cl₂ (1: M=Co, 2: M=Rh, 3: M=Ir; dpa=dipyridylamide)在电场作用下的几何和电子结构. 结果表明: 配合物基态均是二重态. 1和2的M₃⁶⁺金属链形成三中心三电子σ键, 3 中M₃⁶⁺形成三中心四电子σ键且存在弱的δ键. 随金属原子周期数增大其M―M键增强、LUMO与HOMO能隙减小、金属原子的反铁磁耦合减弱以至消失且自旋密度向配体的离域增强. 在Cl4→Cl5 电场作用下, 低电势端的M3－Cl5 键缩短, 高电势端的M2―Cl4 键增长, M―M平均键长略为缩短, M―M键增强, 有利于分子线的电子传递; 分子能量降低, 偶极矩线性增大. 低电势端Cl5的负电荷向高电势端Cl4 转移, 且3 中金属原子的正电荷由高电势端向低电势端的转移较明显, 自旋电子由低电势端向高电势端金属原子移动, 但桥联配体dpa^-与M和Cl 所在的分子轴间没有电荷转移. 电场使LUMO与HOMO能隙减小, 有利于分子的电子输运. 随金属原子周期数增大, 电场作用下M―M平均键长变化减小, LUMO、HOMO的能级交错现象减少.     

MnOx/Al-SBA-15的结构性质及低温NH3选择性催化还原NOx

采用后合成法制备MnO_x/Al-SBA-15催化剂, 考察了催化剂的低温NH₃选择性催化还原(SCR)NO_x的性能. 利用傅里叶透射红外变换(FTIR)光谱、N₂吸附-脱附、X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、拉曼光谱(Raman)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)及NH₃程序升温脱附(NH₃-TPD)的表征手段, 对催化剂的结构性质和SCR性能进行了系统分析. 结果表明, 适量Al的掺杂能提高MnO_x/SBA-15催化剂的SCR活性, 当硅铝摩尔比为50时, 催化剂活性最佳. 表征结果显示, Al掺杂后, 催化剂仍保持良好的骨架结构, 较大比表面、孔容和孔径, 并且Mn在催化剂表面富集, 由低价态转化为高价态, MnO₂为催化剂的主要活性相. 此外, Al的掺杂使MnO_x在催化剂表面高度分散, 表面酸性增强, 从而提高了催化剂的SCR活性.     

谷氨酸功能胶束温和催化水解甲基-β-D-纤维二糖苷

合成了一种含有谷氨酸残基的长链烷基表面活性剂N^α-十二烷基-L-谷氨酸. 研究了表面活性剂所形成的胶束体系在较温和条件下催化纤维素模型物甲基-β-D-纤维二糖苷(MCB)水解的反应. 研究表明此功能胶束对MCB水解为葡萄糖的反应在较低的温度(90℃)下就表现出明显的催化作用, 在pH 5.0附近具有最佳的催化水解效果.根据胶束催化的相分离模型获得MCB水解的一级反应速率常数(km).研究了胶束与组氨酸(His)或谷氨酸(Glu)所组成的复配体系对MCB的催化水解作用. 结果表明: 氨基酸小分子的加入极大地促进了水解反应的进行, 而胶束与氨基酸在1:1的摩尔浓度配比时催化效果最好. 温度对水解反应速率以及副产物的产生有明显的影响. 在130℃, pH 5.0的水溶液中, 胶束与谷氨酸的复配体系催化MCB水解反应1.5 h后的葡萄糖收率可达到36.6%. 本文也对此催化体系催化MCB水解反应动力学进行了研究, 获得了催化反应的表观一级速率常数(k_obsd), 计算得到催化水解反应生成葡萄糖的活化能(E_a)为97.18 kJ·mol^-1.