Nanosize-induced hydrogen storage and capacity control in a non-hydride-forming element: rhodium

We report the first example of nanosize-induced hydrogen storage in a metal that does not absorb hydrogen in its bulk form. Rhodium particles with diameters of <10 nm were found to exhibit hydrogen-storage capability, while bulk Rh does not absorb hydrogen. Hydrogen storage was confirmed by in situ powder X-ray diffraction, solid-state (2)H NMR, and hydrogen pressure-composition isotherm measurements. The hydrogen absorption capacity could be tuned by controlling the particle size.     

Gd2@C79N: isolation, characterization, and monoadduct formation of a very stable heterofullerene with a magnetic spin state of S = 15/2

The dimetallic endohedral heterofullerene (EHF), Gd(2)@C(79)N, was prepared and isolated in a relatively high yield when compared with the earlier reported heterofullerene, Y(2)@C(79)N. Computational (DFT), chemical reactivity, Raman, and electrochemical studies all suggest that the purified Gd(2)@C(79)N, with the heterofullerene cage, (C(79)N)(5-) has comparable stability with other better known isoelectronic metallofullerene (C(80))(6-) cage species (e.g., Gd(3)N@C(80)). These results describe an exceptionally stable paramagnetic molecule with low chemical reactivity with the unpaired electron spin density localized on the internal diatomic gadolinium cluster and not on the heterofullerene cage. EPR studies confirm that the spin state of Gd(2)@C(79)N is characterized by a half-integer spin quantum number of S = 15/2. The spin (S = ?) on the N atom of the fullerene cage and two octet spins (S = 7/2) of two encapsulated gadoliniums are coupled with each other in a ferromagnetic manner with a small zero-field splitting parameter D. Because the central line of Gd(2)@C(79)N is due to the Kramer's doublet with a half-integer spin quantum number of S = 15/2, this relatively sharp line is prominent and the anisotropic nature of the line is weak. Interestingly, in contrast with most Gd(3+) ion environments, the central EPR line (g = 1.978) is observable even at room temperature in a toluene solution. Finally, we report the first EHF derivative, a diethyl bromomalonate monoadduct of Gd(2)@C(79)N, which was prepared and isolated via a modified Bingel-Hirsch reaction.     

Durability enhancement and degradation of oxygen evolution anodes in seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production

For the anode composed of electrocatalyst oxide, intermediate layer and titanium substrate, the substitution of a certain amount of iridium with tin in the IrO₂ intermediate layer was remarkably effective in elongating the life of the anode in preventing oxidation of the substrate titanium during oxygen evolution. The longest life was realized by preparation of intermediate layer with uniform thickness by brush-coating of H₂IrCl₆-SnCl₄ butanol solution and subsequent calcination. The anode with the intermediate layer prepared from 0.04 M H₂IrCl₆-0.06 M SnCl₄ butanol solution showed the best performance, that is, the oxygen evolution efficiency higher than 99.8% for more than 4300 h in the electrolysis of 0.5 M NaCl solution of pH 1 at the current density of 1000 Am⁻². An increase in SnCl₄ concentration decreased the viscosity of the coating solution with a consequent enhancement of uniformity of the intermediate layer but decreased the thickness of the intermediate layer acting as a barrier to prevent oxidation of titanium. Thus, the best performance was attained at an intermediate SnCl₄ concentration. The growth of an oxide layer on titanium during electrolysis occurred and was found by the potential increase.     

Synthesis of a Stable N‐Hetero‐RhI‐Metallacyclic Silanone

A novel N‐hetero‐Rh^I‐metallacyclic silanone 2 has been synthesized. The silanone 2 , showing an extremely large dimerization energy (ΔG=+86.2 kcal mol^?1), displays considerable stability and persists in solution up to 60 °C. Above 120 °C, an intramolecular C_sp3?H insertion occurs slowly over a period of two weeks leading to the bicyclic silanol 5 . The exceptional stability of 2 , related to the unusual electronic and steric effects of Rh^I‐substituent, should allow for a more profound study and understanding of these new species. Furthermore, the metallacyclic silanone 2 presents two reactive centers (Si=O and Rh), which can be involved depending upon the nature of reagents. Of particular interest, the reaction with H₂ starts with the hydrogenation of Rh^I center leading to the corresponding Rh^III‐dihydride complex 7 and it undergoes a cis/trans‐isomerization via a particular mechanism, demonstrating that addition‐elimination processes can also happen for silanones just like for their carbon analogues!     

Advances in Artificial Cell Membrane Systems as a Platform for Reconstituting Ion Channels

An artificial cell membrane that is composed of bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) with transmembrane proteins incorporated within them represents a well‐defined system for the analysis of membrane proteins, especially ion channel proteins that are major targets for drug design. Because the BLM system has a high compatibility with recently developed cell‐free expression systems, it has attracted attention as a next‐generation drug screening system. However, three issues associated with BLM systems, i. e., their instability, the need for non‐volatile organic solvents and a low efficiency of ion channel incorporation, have limited their use as a drug screening platform. In this personal account, we discuss our recent approaches to address these issues based on microfabrication. We also discuss the potential for using the BLM system combined with cell‐free expression systems as a drug screening system for future personalized medicine.     

Tailoring of Deep‐Red Luminescence in Ca2SiO4:Eu2+

We report a new dicalcium silicate phosphor, Ca_2?xEu_xSiO₄, which emits red light in response to blue‐light excitation. When excited at 450 nm, deep‐red emission at 650 nm was clearly observed in Ca_1.2Eu_0.8SiO₄, the external and internal quantum efficiencies of which were 44 % and 50 %, respectively. The red emission from Ca_2?xEu_xSiO₄ was strongly related to the peculiar coordination environments of Eu²⁺ in two types of Ca sites. The red‐emitting Ca₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺ phosphors are promising materials for next‐generation, white‐light‐emitting diode applications.     

Efficient synthesis of useful heterocycles via transition metal-catalyzed cascade processes

This paper reports our recent results from synthesis of some useful heterocycles, for example oxazolidinones, indoles, and quinoxalinones, by transition metal-catalyzed cascade processes. The scope and limitations of these procedures and the reaction mechanism for formation of the heterocycles are also discussed.     

DMSO-Quenched H/D-Exchange 2D NMR Spectroscopy and Its Applications in Protein Science

Hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange combined with two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy has been widely used for studying the structure, stability, and dynamics of proteins. When we apply the H/D-exchange method to investigate non-native states of proteins such as equilibrium and kinetic folding intermediates, H/D-exchange quenching techniques are indispensable, because the exchange reaction is usually too fast to follow by 2D NMR. In this article, we will describe the dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)-quenched H/D-exchange method and its applications in protein science. In this method, the H/D-exchange buffer is replaced by an aprotic DMSO solution, which quenches the exchange reaction. We have improved the DMSO-quenched method by using spin desalting columns, which are used for medium exchange from the H/D-exchange buffer to the DMSO solution. This improvement has allowed us to monitor the H/D exchange of proteins at a high concentration of salts or denaturants. We describe methodological details of the improved DMSO-quenched method and present a case study using the improved method on the H/D-exchange behavior of unfolded human ubiquitin in 6 M guanidinium chloride.     

Gold(I) Complexation of Phosphanoxy-Substituted Phosphaalkenes for Activation-Free LAuCl Catalysis

The phosphanoxy-substituted phosphaalkene bearing the P=C−O−P skeleton can be prepared from diphosphene Mes*P=PMes* (Mes*=2,4,6-tBu₃C₆H₂), and their use for catalysis is of interest. In this paper, complexation of the phosphanoxy-substituted phosphaalkenes with gold are investigated, and the catalytic activity of the mono- and bis(chlorogold) complexes are subsequently evaluated. Reaction of the P=C−O−P compound with (tht)AuCl (tht=tetrahydrothiophene) showed dominant coordination on the sp³ phosphorus, and complete coordination on the sp² phosphorus required removal of tetrahydrothiophene. Atoms In Molecules (AIM) analysis based on the X-ray structure of the mono(chlorogold) complex indicated a pseudo coordinating interaction between the gold center and the P=C unit. The bis(chlorogold) complexes displayed conformational isomerism, and catalyzed the cycloisomerization/alkoxycyclization of 1,6-enyne and for hydration of terminal alkyne without activation treatment. Even the mono(chlorogold) complexes catalyzed the alkoxycyclization reactions without a silver co-catalyst, indicating that the alcohols were effective in activating the AuCl unit.