Alkene Isomerisation Catalysed by a Ruthenium PNN Pincer Complex

The [Ru(CO)H(PNN)] pincer complex based on a dearomatised PNN ligand (PNN: 2‐di‐tert‐butylphosphinomethyl‐6‐diethylaminomethylpyridine) was examined for its ability to isomerise alkenes. The isomerisation reaction proceeded under mild conditions after activation of the complex with alcohols. Variable‐temperature (VT) NMR experiments to investigate the role of the alcohol in the mechanism lend credence to the hypothesis that the first step involves the formation of a rearomatised alkoxide complex. In this complex, the hemilabile diethylamino side‐arm can dissociate, allowing alkene binding cis to the hydride, enabling insertion of the alkene into the metal–hydride bond, whereas in the parent complex only trans binding is possible. During this study, a new uncommon Ru⁰ coordination complex was also characterised. The scope of the alkene isomerisation reaction was examined.     

A Small‐Molecule FRET Reporter for the Real‐Time Visualization of Cell‐Surface Proteolytic Enzyme Functions

Real‐time imaging of cell‐surface‐associated proteolytic enzymes is critical to better understand their performances in both physiological and pathological processes. However, most current approaches are limited by their complexity and poor membrane‐anchoring properties. Herein, we have designed and synthesized a unique small‐molecule fluorescent probe, which combines the principles of passive exogenous membrane insertion and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to image cell‐surface‐localized furin‐like convertase activities. The membrane‐associated furin‐like enzymatic cleavage of the peptide probe leads to an increased fluorescence intensity which was mainly localized on the plasma membrane of the furin‐expressed cells. This small‐molecule fluorescent probe may serve as a unique and reliable reporter for real‐time visualization of endogenous cell‐surfaceassociated proteolytic furin‐like enzyme functions in live cells and tissues using one‐photon and two‐photon microscopy.     

Decomposition of pseudo-radioactive chemical products with a mathematical approach

The aim of this paper is to study the decomposition of pseudo–radioactive products that follow a dynamics determined by a trigonometric factor. In particular for maps of the form $e^{\cos (\pi t)}$ is proved that an asymptotic sampling recomposition property, generalizing the classical Shannon–Whittaker–Kotel’nikov Theorem, works.     

Constructing a Super-Saturated Electrolyte Front Surface for Stable Rechargeable Aqueous Zinc Batteries

Rechargeable aqueous zinc batteries (RAZB) have been re-evaluated because of the superiority in addressing safety and cost concerns. Nonetheless, the limited lifespan arising from dendritic electrodeposition of metallic Zn hinders their further development. Herein, a metal–organic framework (MOF) was constructed as front surface layer to maintain a super-saturated electrolyte layer on the Zn anode. Raman spectroscopy indicated that the highly coordinated ion complexes migrating through the MOF channels were different from the solvation structure in bulk electrolyte. Benefiting from the unique super-saturated front surface, symmetric Zn cells survived up to 3000 hours at 0.5 mA cm⁻², near 55-times that of bare Zn anodes. Moreover, aqueous MnO₂–Zn batteries delivered a reversible capacity of 180.3 mAh g⁻¹ and maintained a high capacity retention of 88.9 % after 600 cycles with MnO₂ mass loading up to 4.2 mg cm⁻².     

σ-Aromaticity-Induced Stabilization of Heterometallic Supertetrahedral Clusters [Zn6Ge16]4− and [Cd6Ge16]4−

In this work, the largest heterometallic supertetrahedral clusters, [Zn₆Ge₁₆]⁴⁻ and [Cd₆Ge₁₆]⁴⁻, were directly self-assembled through highly-charged [Ge₄]⁴⁻ units and transition metal cations, in which 3-center–2-electron σ bonding in Ge₂Zn or Ge₂Cd triangles plays a vital role in the stabilization of the whole structure. The cluster structures have an open framework with a large central cavity of diameter 4.6 Å for Zn and 5.0 Å for Cd, respectively. Time-dependent HRESI-MS spectra show that the larger clusters grow from smaller components with a single [Ge₄]⁴⁻ and ZnMes₂ units. Calculations performed at the DFT level indicate a very large HOMO–LUMO energy gap in [M₆Ge₁₆]⁴⁻ (2.22 eV), suggesting high kinetic stability that may offer opportunities in materials science. These observations offer a new strategy for the assembly of heterometallic clusters with high symmetry.     

Probe-Free Direct Identification of Type I and Type II Photosensitized Oxidation Using Field-Induced Droplet Ionization Mass Spectrometry

While Type I and Type II photosensitizers are often carefully tailored to achieve their respective advantages in treating different cancers, the identifications of the Type I and II mechanisms as such, the key reaction intermediates, and the consequent oxidation products of the substrates have never been easy. Using our unique home-built field-induced droplet ionization mass spectrometry (FIDI-MS) method that selectively samples molecules at the air–water interface, here we show the facile determination of both Type I and II mechanisms of a poster-child photosensitizer, temoporfin, without the addition of any probes. The unstable doublet radical resulting from the hydrogen abstraction by the triplet temoporfin through the Type I mechanism is captured, manifesting the in situ advantage of FIDI-MS. We anticipate that the method developed in this study can be widely utilized in the future designs of novel photosensitizers and the screening of their photosensitization mechanisms.     

Complexation of 1,3-Diamino-2-hydroxypropane- N,N , N ', N '-tetraacetic Acid (DHPTA) with Heavy Lanthanides (Tb 3+ , Ho 3+ , Lu 3+ ) in Aqueous Solution

Thermodynamic equilibria of complexes of 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (DHPTA) with heavy lanthanides (Tb3+, Ho3+ and Lu3+) in aqueous solution have been investigated with potentiometry, spectrophotometry, luminescence spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The results identified three 1:1 Ln/DHPTA (Ln: Tb3+, Ho3+ and Lu3+) complexes with different degrees of deprotonation, LnL−, Ln(H−1L)2−, and Ln(OH)(H−1L)3−, where H−1 represents the deprotonation of the hydroxyl group between two methyliminodiacetate groups in the DHPTA structure. The alkoxide form of the DHPTA hydroxyl group directly binds to the lanthanide atom, forming highly strong chelation. The complex of Ln(H−1L)2− could be present as a dimeric or polymeric complex in solution.     

基于FeWOx/SiO2载氧体的甲烷化学链部分氧化反应

甲烷具有价格低廉且储量丰富的优点,因此将甲烷转化为合成气(一种H2:CO为2的混合物),从而进一步合成有价值的化学品和液体燃料引起了人们的极大关注.化学链甲烷部分氧化(CLPOM)技术能避免甲烷与空气直接接触而引起爆炸的危险,可以降低后续对合成气与氮气分离操作所带来的费用,因此日益受到关注.CLOPM过程主要分为两步:第一步,CH4被载氧体所携带的氧部分氧化,载氧体被还原;第二步,利用氧化剂(例如空气)将被还原的载氧体再氧化恢复.因此,载氧体在CLOPM过程中起到至关重要的作用.载氧体的选择主要存在两个问题:(1)甲烷被活化所产生含碳产物的能力与晶格氧的给氧能力不匹配所带来的严重碳沉积;(2)金属离子间扩散速率不匹配而造成载氧体在氧化还原过程中结构的不可逆变化.基于上述两个问题,本文设计了FeWOx/SiO2载氧体用于CLPOM.与未改性的WO3/SiO2载氧体相比,甲烷的转化率和合成气的收率都有显著提高.FeWOx/SiO2在900℃、1 atm反应条件下表现出62%的甲烷转化率、93%的CO气相选择性、94%的H2选择性和2.4的H2/CO比值,同时在50个循环中表现出优异的催化活性和稳定性.本工作利用CH4脉冲反应研究了FeWOx/SiO2的甲烷表面反应过程;采用CH4-TPR和H2-TPR相结合探究了甲烷活化速率与晶格氧扩散速率之间的关系;通过XPS和XRD对FeWOx/SiO2在氧化还原过程中的结构稳定性进行了探讨.综合上述实验结果,对FeWOx/SiO2应用于CLPOM的反应机理进行了阐述.H2-TPR结果表明,在FeWOx/SiO2中,相较于Fe2O3/SiO2,Fe-O的活性受到抑制,使其更倾向于与甲烷发生部分氧化反应;相较于WO3/SiO2,W-O的活性得到明显提升,因此更多的晶格氧可以参与到部分氧化反应中来氧化积碳,从而使合成气收率大幅度提升.从CH4-TPR结果可以看出,对于FeWOx/SiO2,CO与H2的生成温度最接近,意味着晶格氧的传输速率较快并且能够与甲烷活化产生含碳中间物种的速率相匹配,将其及时氧化生成CO,避免由于积碳造成的催化剂失活.结合XPS和XRD结果可以得出,在甲烷还原过程中,FeWOx经历一步还原形成Fe-W合金,由于其间存在强相互作用,因而抑制了还原过程中催化剂相分离现象的发生.同时,根据铁钨离子在空气条件下扩散速率的公式计算可以得出,其相近的离子氧化速率也保证了在氧化过程中催化剂结构的稳定性.本工作为进一步构建用于甲烷化学链部分氧化制合成气的复合金属氧化物载氧体提供了研究思路.     

Determination of levofloxacin in pharmaceutical formulations and urine at reduced graphene oxide and carbon nanotube-modified electrodes

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In this paper, we compare reduced graphene oxide (RGO) electrode with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as modifiers for the sensitive detection of...