New designed DNA light switch Ruthenium complexes as DNA photocleavers and Topoisomerase I inhibitors

Two ruthenium complexes containing a new ligand phipz (phipz = 2‐(1,10‐phenanthroline)‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐b]phenazine) were designed and synthesized. These complexes were found to inhibit the DNA supercoiled relaxation mediated by topoisomerase I (topo I), cleave DNA under irradiation and bind to calf thymus DNA through intercalative mode. Furthermore, complex 2 shows higher photocleavage activity, topo I inhibition activity and DNA affinity than complex 1 . Additionally, introduction of phenazine unit may be the reason that two complexes exhibit DNA ‘light switch’ behavior. The present work shows that two complexes might be potential as new DNA ‘light switches’, DNA photocleavers and topo I inhibitors.     

Brake Orbits of First Order Convex Hamiltonian Systems with Particular Anisotropic Growth

Combining the dual least action principle with Mountain-pass lemma,we obtain the existence of brake orbits for first-order convex Hamiltonian systems with particular anisotropic growth.     

Tracking the atomic pathways of Pt3Ni-Ni(OH)2 core-shell structures at the gas-liquid interface by in-situ liquid cell TEM

Using the in-situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy, the three-stage growth of Pt_3Ni-Ni(OH)_2 core-shell structures at the gas-liquid interfaces was clearly observed, which consists of(1) a thermodynamically driven Pt_3Ni alloy core by the monomer attachment,(2) a nickel(Ni) shell formation due to the depletion of the Pt salt precursor, and(3) the oxidation and of the Ni shell into Ni(OH)_2 flakes. We also further observed the nucleation and growth of the Ni(OH)_2 flakes on an existing layer either at the middle part or at the step edge. More interestingly, the dynamic transformation among a Pt_3Ni alloy, Ni clusters and Ni(OH)_2 flakes was also imaged even at a high electron dose rate.     

Exploring the Reactivity of Multicomponent Photocatalysts: Insight into the Complex Valence Band of BiOBr

The band structure of multicomponent semiconductor photocatalysts, as well as their reactivity distinction under different wavelengths of light, is still unclear. BiOBr, which is a typical multicomponent semiconductor, may have two possible valence‐band structures, that is, two discrete valence bands constructed respectively from O 2p and Br 4p orbitals, or one valence band derived from the hybridization of these orbitals. In this work, aqueous photocatalytic hydroxylation is applied as the probe reaction to investigate the nature and reactions of photogenerated holes in BiOBr. Three organic compounds (microcystin‐LR, aniline, and benzoic acid) with different oxidation potentials were selected as substrates. Isotope labeling (H₂¹⁸O as the solvent) was used to determine the source of the O atom in the hydroxyl group of the products, which distinguishes the contribution of different hydroxylation pathways. Furthermore, a spin‐trapping ESR method was used to quantify the reactive oxygen species (^.OH and ^.OOH) formed in the reaction system. The different isotope abundances of the hydroxyl O atom of the products formed, as well as the reverse trend of the ^.OH/^.OOH ratio with the oxidative resistance of the substrate under UV and visible irradiation, reveal that BiOBr has two separate valence bands, which have different oxidation ability and respond to UV and visible light, respectively. This study shows that the band structure of semiconductor photocatalysts can be reliably analyzed with an isotope labeling method.     

A blow‐up criterion to the 2D full compressible magnetohydrodynamic equations

We establish a new regularity criterion for the 2D full compressible magnetohydrodynamic system in a bounded domain. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Highly selective trifluoroacetic ester/ketone metathesis: an efficient approach to trifluoromethyl ketones and esters

A highly selective and atom efficient ‘trifluoroacetic ester/ketone metathesis’ has been sincerely witnessed. Enolizable alkyl (at least two non-hydrogen atoms) aryl ketones were found to react readily with ethyl trifluoroacetate under the promotion of NaH to afford trifluoroacetic ester/ketone exchange products, trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs), and aromatic acid esters, which were quite different from the general Claisen condensation products, 1,3-diketones. The outcome of the reaction between ketone and ethyl trifluoroacetate is strongly related to the structures of substrates, the steric congestion caused by alkyl group is in favor of the C–C bond cleavage. DFT investigation further disclosed that the metathesis reaction was a kinetically favored pathway. Using only a slight excess of cheap trifluoromethylation reagent, simple operation and mild conditions make it a practical method for preparation of TFMKs on large scale, as well as a new choice of converting aryl alkyl ketones to aromatic acid esters.     

2 D Manganese Vanadate Nanoflakes as High‐Performance Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Nanometer‐sized flakes of MnV₂O₆ were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. No surfactant, expensive metal salt, or alkali reagent was used. These MnV₂O₆ nanoflakes present a high discharge capacity of 768 mA h g^?1 at 200 mA g^?1, good rate capacity, and excellent cycling stability. Further investigation demonstrates that the nanoflake structure and the specific crystal structure make the prepared MnV₂O₆ a suitable material for lithium‐ion batteries.