Rapid Characterization of Molecular Diffusion by NMR Spectroscopy

An NMR‐based approach for rapid characterization of translational diffusion of molecules has been developed. Unlike the conventional method of acquiring a series of 2D ¹³C and ¹H spectra, the proposed approach involves a single 2D NMR spectrum, which can be acquired in minutes. Using this method, it was possible to detect the presence of intermediate oligomeric species of diphenylalanine in solution during the process of its self‐assembly to form nanotubular structures.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Carbocyclization–Carbonylation of Allenynes and Enallenes

A highly efficient oxidative carbocyclization–carbonylation reaction cascade of allenynes and enallenes has been developed using a Pd^II salt in low catalytic amounts under ambient temperature and pressure (1 atm of carbon monoxide). The use of DMSO as an additive was found to be important for an efficient reaction. A wide range of alcohols as trapping reagents were used to give the corresponding esters in good yields.     

A Tandem In Situ Peptide Cyclization through Trifluoroacetic Acid Cleavage

We present a new approach for peptide cyclization during solid phase synthesis under highly acidic conditions. Our approach involves simultaneous in situ deprotection, cyclization and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) cleavage of the peptide, which is achieved by forming an amide bond between a lysine side chain and a succinic acid linker at the peptide N‐terminus. The reaction proceeds via a highly active succinimide intermediate, which was isolated and characterized. The structure of a model cyclic peptide was solved by NMR spectroscopy. Theoretical calculations support the proposed mechanism of cyclization. Our new methodology is applicable for the formation of macrocycles in solid‐phase synthesis of peptides and organic molecules.     

Nickel(II)-Mediated Reversible Thiolate/Disulfide Conversion as a Mimic for a Key Step of the Catalytic Cycle of Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase

According to the well-accepted mechanism, methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) involves Ni-mediated thiolate-to-disulfide conversion that sustains its catalytic cycle of methane formation in the energy saving pathways of methanotrophic microbes. Model complexes that illustrate Ni-ion mediated reversible thiolate/disulfide transformation are unknown. In this paper we report the synthesis, crystal structure, spectroscopic properties and redox interconversions of a set of Ni^II complexes comprising a tridentate N₂S donor thiol and its analogous N₄S₂ donor disulfide ligands. These complexes demonstrate reversible Ni^II-thiolate/Ni^II-disulfide (both bound and unbound disulfide-S to Ni^II) transformations via thiyl and disulfide monoradical anions that resemble a primary step of MCR's catalytic cycle.     

Design and Development of Ultrafast Sinapic Acid Sensor Based on Electrochemically Nanotuned Gold Nanoparticles and Solvothermally Reduced Graphene Oxide

We report for the first time sinapic acid (SA) sensing based on nanocomposite comprising electrochemically tuned gold nanoparticles (EAuNPs) and solvothermally reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The synthesized EAuNPs, rGO, and EAuNPs‐rGO nanocomposite were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), particle size analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. A proof‐of‐concept electrochemical sensor for SA was developed based on synthesized EAuNPs‐rGO nanocomposite, which was characterized by electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The developed sensor detected SA with a linear dynamic range (LDR) between 20 μM and 200 μM and detection limit (DL) of 33.43 (±0.21) nM (RSD<3.32 %). To show the useful purpose of the sensor probe in clinical applications, SA was detected in human urine samples, which showed the percentage recovery between 82.6 % and 92.8 %. Interferences due to various molecules such as L‐cystine, glycine, alanine, serum albumin, uric acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, and urea were tested. Long‐term stability of the sensor probe was examined, which was found to be stable up to 6 weeks. The sensor fabricated using EAuNPs‐rGO nanocomposite has many attractive features such as; simplicity, rapidity, and label‐free detection; hence, it could be a method of choice for SA detection in various matrices.     

Hydrogenation of Pd-capped Mg thin films prepared by DC magnetron sputtering

Structural and optical properties of pure Mg thin film coated with Pd have been investigated. Pd-capped Mg thin films had been prepared by DC magnetron sputtering. This work presents an ex situ study on hydrogenation and dehydrogenation kinetics of Pd/Mg films at different conditions using XRD, AFM and optical spectrophotometer. We have succeeded to load thin films of Mg to MgH₂ at normal temperature and normal pressure of hydrogen gas. In hydrogenation, α-MgH₂ phase of magnesium hydride was observed in hydrogenated films at 200 °C and γ-MgH₂ at 250 °C respectively. The desorption kinetics in vacuum also revealed the phase transformation α-MgH₂ to γ-MgH₂. A reflectance change was observed in hydrogenated films in comparison of as deposited thin film. Hydrogenated (H loaded) samples were observed partially transparent in comparison of as deposited.