Spectromicroscopic determinations of chemical environments of Ni in MoS2-Ag-Ni ternary systems

Using heterogeneous photocatalysts for harvesting sunlight and converting it for water remediation and splitting are promising to mitigate the possible crisis of environment and energy. Among various composites, the MoS₂-based heterostructures and Ni-based systems exhibit unique electronic, optical properties and redox capabilities, enabling their roles as photocatalysts. Herein, the impacts of chemical environments on the Ni electronic structures within the MoS₂-Ag-Ni ternary systems are studied via X-ray photoemission electron spectroscopy (X-PEEM). Ni nanoparticles with two different sizes of 70 and 200 nm were loaded to MoS₂ flakes with silver buffers as bridges. Heterostructures with a nominal mol percentage of (MoS₂)₇₇Ag_3.7Ni_19.3 were synthesized through an ultrasound-assisted wet method. The oxidation states and various interfacial interactions of Ni with MoS₂ in MoS₂-Ag-Ni ternary composite are spectromicroscopically determined, combining the X-ray absorption spectroscopy near Ni L-edges and the imaging capability of the X-PEEM. Results showed that Ni mainly retrains its chemical states of metal and native oxidizations without observable electronic features subjected to bonding with the sulfur from the MoS₂ flakes. The charge migration channel set up by the Ag buffer thus contributes to electron–hole migrations that facilitate the photocatalytic performance of the ternary system eventually.     

An extremely efficient three-component reaction of aldehydes/ketones, amines, and phosphites (Kabachnik-Fields reaction) for the synthesis of alpha-aminophosphonates catalyzed by magnesium perchlorate

Commercially available magnesium perchlorate is reported as an extremely efficient catalyst for the synthesis of alpha-aminophosphonates. A three-component reaction (3-CR) of an amine, an aldehyde or a ketone, and a di-/trialkyl phosphite (Kabachnik-Fields reaction) took place in one pot under solvent-free conditions to afford the corresponding alpha-aminophosphonates in high yields and short times. The use of solvent retards the rate of the reaction and requires a much longer reaction time than that for neat conditions. The reactions involving an aldehyde, an aromatic amine without any electron-withdrawing substituent, and a phosphite are carried out at rt. The reactions involving cyclic ketones, aromatic amines with an electron-withdrawing substituent, and aryl alkyl ketone (e.g., acetophenone) require longer reaction times at rt or heating. Magnesium perchlorate was found to be superior to other metal perchlorates and metal triflates during the reaction of 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, 2,4-dinitroaniline, and dimethyl phosphite. The catalytic activity of various magnesium compounds was influenced by the counteranion, and magnesium perchlorate was found to be the most effective. The reaction was found to be general with di-/trialkyl phosphites and diaryl phosphite. The Mg(ClO4)2-catalyzed alpha-aminophosphonate synthesis in the present study perhaps represents a true three-component reaction as no intermediate formation of either an imine or alpha-hydroxy phosphonate was observed that indicated the simultaneous involvement of the carbonyl compound, the amine, and the phosphite in the transition state.     

Spatiotemporal dynamics of self-assembled structures in enzymatically induced agonistic and antagonistic conditions

Predicting and designing systems with dynamic self-assembly properties in a spatiotemporal fashion is an important research area across disciplines ranging from understanding the fundamental non-equilibrium features of life to the fabrication of next-generation materials with life-like properties. Herein, we demonstrate a spatiotemporal dynamics pattern in the self-assembly behavior of a surfactant from an unorganized assembly, induced by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and enzymes responsible for the degradation or conversion of ATP. We report the different behavior of two enzymes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and hexokinase (HK), towards adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-driven surfactant assembly, which also results in contrasting spatiotemporal dynamic assembly behavior. Here, ALP acts antagonistically, resulting in transient self-assemblies, whereas HK shows agonistic action with the ability to sustain the assemblies. This dynamic assembly behavior was then used to program the time-dependent emergence of a self-assembled structure in a two-dimensional space by maintaining concentration gradients of the enzymes and surfactant at different locations, demonstrating a new route for obtaining ‘spatial’ organizational adaptability in a self-organized system of interacting components for the incorporation of programmed functionality.

We have shown ATP-driven spatiotemporally distinct self-organization pattern of a surfactant in a two-dimensional space using enzymes, demonstrating a new route for obtaining ‘spatial’ organizational adaptability among interacting components.     

Ag‐Catalyzed Trifluoromethylative Ring Expansion of Isatins and Isatin Ketimines with Trifluorodiazoethane

A general method for the construction of trifluoromethylated 2‐quinolinones has been established herein by using a trifluoromethylative ring expansion of isatin with trifluorodiazoethane. The strategy provides a platform for the rapid synthesis of a wide range of substituted 3‐hydroxy‐4‐trifluoromethyl‐2‐quinolinones. This operationally simple and robust Ag‐catalyzed protocol successfully transforms isatin ketimines to 3‐amino‐4‐trifluoromethylquinolinones in excellent yields. The utility of this novel method is further illustrated by the conversion of the products into various synthetically and medicinally relevant molecules.     

Isolation of Elusive Phosphinidene-Chlorotetrylenes: The Heavier Cyanogen Chloride Analogues

The elusive phosphinidene-chlorotetrylenes, [PGeCl] and [PSiCl] have been stabilized by the hetero-bileptic cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene (cAAC), N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, and isolated in the solid state at room temperature as the first neutral monomeric species of this class with the general formulae (L)P-ECl(L′) (E=Ge, 3 a – 3 c ; E=Si, 6 ; L=cAAC; L′=NHC). Compounds 3 a – 3 c have been synthesized by the reaction of cAAC-supported potassium phosphinidenides [cAAC=PK(THF)_x]_n ( 1 a – 1 c ) with the adduct NHC:→GeCl₂ ( 2 ). Similarly, compound 6 has been synthesized via reaction of 1 a with NHC:→SiCl₂ adduct ( 4 ). Compounds 3 a – 3 c , and 6 have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometric analysis. DFT calculations revealed that the heteroatom P in 3 bears two lone pairs; the non-bonding pair with 67.8 % of s- and 32 % of p character, whereas the other lone pair is involved in π backdonation to the C_cAAC-N π* of cAAC. The Ge atom in 3 contains a lone pair with 80 % of s character, and slightly involved in the π backdonation to C_NHC. EDA-NOCV analyses showed that two charged doublet fragments {(cAAC)(NHC)}⁺, and {PGeCl}⁻ prefer to form one covalent electron-sharing σ bond, one dative σ bond, one dative π bond, and a charge polarized weak π bond. The covalent electron-sharing σ bond contributes to the major stabilization energy to the total orbital interaction energy of 3 , enabling the first successful isolations of this class of compounds ( 3 , 6 ) in the laboratory.     

Recent advances in osmotic microbial fuel cell technology: A review

Integration of Forward Osmosis (FO) and Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology is called Osmotic Microbial Fuel Cell (OMFC). It has several advantages, including improved performance in electricity generation and drinking water recovery compared to MFC. Making OMFC efficient for treatment and resource recovery, basic concepts of MFC and FO must be properly understood and implemented. Various researchers have focused on its components, degradation of wastewater, electron and proton transport mechanism, designs, the role of draw solution, etc. Recent publications have also shown growth in FO membrane composition and OMFC design. Utilizations of an efficient draw solution for better compatibility of anodic bacteria along with its recovery are also a big challenge. The aim of this review paper is to compile all the scattered information on the above aspects and present it in a more logical way in one place for the easy understanding of researchers. The paper also focuses on encouraging OMFC technology for commercial use by developing cost-effective FO membranes and electrodes, improving bacterial metabolic activity for energy production, and enhancing draw solution and cost-effective draw solution recovery methods. Therefore, OMFC technology seems the ultimate solution for wastewater treatment, electricity generation, and freshwater recovery in the coming future.     

Axial Imidazole Binding Strengths in Porphyrinoid Cobalt(III) Complexes as Studied by Tandem Mass Spectrometry

The Co(II) complexes of twelve meso-tetraaryl-porphyrins, -chlorins, and chlorin analogues containing non-pyrrolic heterocycles were synthesized and converted in situ to the corresponding Co(III) complexes coordinated to one or two imidazoles. Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) in conjunction with the energy-variable collision-induced dissociation (CID) technique was used to compare the relative gas-phase binding strength of the axially coordinated imidazoles to the octahedral and square planar Co(III) porphyrinoid complex ions. The observed binding energies of these ligands were rationalized in terms of the effects of porphyrinoid core structure and meso-substitution on the electron density on the central Co(III) centers. Some of these trends were supported by DFT-based computational studies. The study highlights to which extend porphyrins vary from chlorins and chlorin analogues in their coordination abilities and to which extraordinary degree meso-thienyl-substituents influence the electronic structure of porphyrins. The study also defines further the scope and limits CID experiments can be used to interrogate the electronic structures of metalloporphyrin complexes.