Post-assembly Functionalization of Organoplatinum(II) Metallacycles via Copper-free Click Chemistry

We describe the use of a strain-promoted copper-free click reaction in the post-self-assembly functionalization of organoplatinum(II) metallacycles. The coordination-driven self-assembly of a 120° cyclooctyne-tethered dipyridyl donor with 60° and 120° di-Pt(II) acceptors forms molecular rhomboids and hexagons bearing cyclooctynes. These species undergo post-self-assembly [3+2] Huisgen cycloaddition with a variety of azides to give functionalized ensembles under mild conditions.     

A photocatalyst-enzyme coupled artificial photosynthesis system for solar energy in production of formic acid from CO2

The photocatalyst-enzyme coupled system for artificial photosynthesis process is one of the most promising methods of solar energy conversion for the synthesis of organic chemicals or fuel. Here we report the synthesis of a novel graphene-based visible light active photocatalyst which covalently bonded the chromophore, such as multianthraquinone substituted porphyrin with the chemically converted graphene as a photocatalyst of the artificial photosynthesis system for an efficient photosynthetic production of formic acid from CO(2). The results not only show a benchmark example of the graphene-based material used as a photocatalyst in general artificial photosynthesis but also the benchmark example of the selective production system of solar chemicals/solar fuel directly from CO(2).     

Solvent‐assisted anionic ring opening polymerization of glycidol: Toward medium and high molecular weight hyperbranched polyglycerols

Hyperbranched polyglycerols (HPGs) are globular structures with a large number of functionalizable hydroxyl groups and have excellent in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility profiles comparable to polyethylene glycol. This work introduces a facile method for the synthesis of medium molecular weights (M_ws) (50–300 kDa) HPGs, which has been difficult to synthesize with low polydispersity, with the assistance of solvents by ring opening polymerization. The influence of different solvents (1,4‐dioxane, tetrahydropyran (THP), ethylene glycol diethyl ether (EGDE) and decane), solvent to glycidol ratio, concentration of glycidol and the time of polymerization on M_w and polydispersity of HPGs has been studied. The M_w and polydispersity of HPGs are significantly affected by the nature of the polymerization phase (homogeneous or heterogeneous) and chemical structure of the solvent. The differences in the solvation of the potassium cations and change in the nucleophilicity of the alkoxide anion in various solvents may be responsible for the changes in M_w and PDI of the HPG. The M_w of the HPG decreases in the order 1,4‐dioxane > THP > EGDE >decane. The microstructure, solution and thermal properties of the HPG do not depend on the nature of solvent. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2614–2621     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Antimicrobial Studies of Novel Benzodipyran Analog of Chloramphenicol

A synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial study of a novel benzodipyran analog of chloramphenicol was carried out. Structure–antimicrobial activity relationship study indicates that benzodipyran analog of chloramphenicol was most active against Gram‐positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, and the fungal strains Rhizoctonia bataticola and Penicillium even at minimum inhibitory concentration 10 µg/mL and showed moderate activity in other bacterial and fungal organisms. All the compounds synthesized during the present investigation were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ESI‐MS, and elemental analysis.     

Lewis acid-promoted annulation of O-quinonediimines by allylstannane: a facile synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives

[reaction: see text] Lewis acid-promoted addition of allyltri-n-butylstannane to o-quinonediimines afforded tetrahydroquinoxaline derivatives or allylated amides depending on the nature of the substituent on imine nitrogen.     

1,1,1,1-Tetrakis(o-fluorophenylamino)silane tris[titanium(IV) chloride]. Evidence for a new titanium cation [Ti2Cl7]+

Si(NHC₆H₄F-o)₄ · 3TiCl₄ (1) has been obtained from the disproportionation of (CF₃CH₂O)₃SiNHC₆H₄F-o and TiCl₄ in petroleum ether (40–60 °C) at –10 °C. The analytical (elemental analysis, molar conductance) and spectral (i.r., ¹H- and ¹⁹F-n.m.r.) data suggested that (1) behaves as [Si(NHC₆H₄F-o)₄ · Ti₂Cl₇]⁺ [TiCl₅]^–. The presence of these ions has been confirmed by characterising the products of metathetical reactions of (1) with R₄NX (R = Bu and Et; X = I and Br) and with AgNO₃. The data suggest the presence of a new titanium cation [Ti₂Cl₇]⁺.     

Capturing a metastable chiral polymorph of an achiral molecule--hexa-O-benzoyl-myo-inositol

myo-Inositol hexabenzoate having meso configuration produces chiral polymorph (form I) when crystallized rapidly but yields achiral polymorph (form II) when allowed to crystallize slowly; in the mother liquor form I slowly but completely disappears to give form II.     

Engineered protein cages for nanomaterial synthesis

Self-assembled particles of genetically engineered human L subunit ferritin expressing a silver-binding peptide were used as nanocontainers for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The inner cavity of the self-assembled protein cage displays a dodecapeptide that is capable of reducing silver ions to metallic silver. This chimeric protein cage when incubated in the presence of silver nitrate exhibits the growth of a silver nanocrystal within its cavity. Our studies indicate that it is possible to design chimeric cages, using specific peptide templates, for the growth of other inorganic nanoparticles.