Ion-pair recognition based on halogen bonding: a case of the crown-ether receptor with iodo-trizole moiety

The development of halogen-bond-based ditopic receptors capable of binding simultaneously both a cation and an anion has attracted recent research interest. In this work, the crown-ether receptor 1, which consists of an iodo-trizole moiety for anion recognition through halogen bonding and a Lewis-basic center for cation binding, was investigated using density functional theory calculations. The structural and energetic features for the complexes of 1 with single cations, single halide anions, and ion pairs were explored. Intermolecular interactions in these complexes were systematically analyzed by the atoms in molecules and noncovalent interaction index methods. The presence of the coordinated cation significantly increases the anion-binding affinity, while the binding of halide anions has a slight influence on the cation-binding affinity. Anti-cooperative effects were found in the ion-pair recognition of 1, due to the strong attraction between the two counterions in the complexes. The solvent weakens the interaction strength considerably, and anti-cooperativity becomes very small in solvent. The results reported in this work are of fundamental importance in the design of ion-pair receptors based on halogen bonding.     

Separation and purification of antioxidants from Ampelopsis heterophylla by counter‐current chromatography

In this study, bioactive components from Ampelopsis heterophylla were separated by counter‐current chromatography (CCC). The antioxidant activity of the crude extract was initially evaluated by an online HPLC method. Five compounds in the crude extract exhibited good antioxidant activities, namely, hyperoside ( 1 ), isoquercitrin ( 2 ), rutin ( 3 ), kaempferol‐3‐rutinoside ( 4 ), and quercetin ( 5 ). These compounds were further separated by CCC with biphasic solvent systems and their structures were identified by MS and NMR spectroscopy. All the compounds exhibited significant 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl radical scavenging activities with IC₅₀ values at 18.2 ± 1.3, 17.0 ± 1.4, 24.2 ± 1.2, 38.1 ± 1.7, and 9.0 ± 1.2 μM, respectively. The scavenging ratios of the compounds against hydroxyl radicals were 65 ± 5, 68 ± 4, 96 ± 2, 70 ± 4, and 98 ± 2%, respectively.     

Theoretical computation of low‐lying electronic states of HCNS: A CASPT2 study

Complete active space self‐consistent field (CASSCF) and complete active space second‐order perturbation theory (CASPT2) calculations in conjunction with the aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis set have been used to investigate the low‐lying electronic states of thiofulminic acid (HCNS), HCNS⁺, and HCNS^?. The result of geometry optimization using CASPT2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ shows that theoretically determined geometric parameters and harmonic vibrational frequencies for the HCNS ground state X¹Σ⁺(X¹A′) are in agreement with previous studies. The ionization energies, the electron affinity energies, the adiabatic excitation energies, and vertical excitation energies have been calculated and the corresponding cation and anion states are identified. By calculating adiabatic electron affinity, the states of HCNS^? have been identified to contain both π orbital states (X²A′ and 1²A″) and dipole‐bond states (1⁴A′ and 1⁴A″). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The unusual paramagnetic mixed-metal carbonyl chalcogenide clusters: [E(2)Cr(2)Fe(CO)(10)](2-) (E = Te,Se)

The rare examples of electron-rich mixed-metal carbonyl telluride and selenide clusters [E(2)Cr(2)Fe(CO)(10)](2-) (E = Te, Se) have been demonstrated. These two novel carbonyl complexes exhibit the unusual paramagnetic behavior.     

Synthesis of light-harvesting dendrimers focally anchored with crown ethers or terpyridine ligands

Crown ethers and terpyridine ligands have been successfully attached to the focal point of light harvesting phenylacetylene monodendrons through Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions. The structures of these functional monodendrons were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Such binding-ligand anchored dendrons exhibit broad absorption, large molar extenction coefficients and high fluoresence quantum yields. Coordination of crown ethers with alkali ions results in a significant increase in absorption strength in the UV range, but little alteration in either intensity or position of fluorescence emission. Coordination of terpyridine ligands with Ru2+, however, does efficiently quench the fluorescence from the dendrons,albeit only the smallest dendron exhibits efficient binding.     

Efficient Tandem Synthesis of Methyl Esters and Imines by Using Versatile Hydrotalcite‐Supported Gold Nanoparticles

Efficient basic hydrotalcite (HT)‐supported gold nanoparticle (AuNP) catalysts have been developed for the aerobic oxidative tandem synthesis of methyl esters and imines from primary alcohols catalyzed under mild and soluble‐base‐free conditions. The catalytic performance can be fine‐tuned for these cascade reactions by simple adjustment of the Mg/Al atomic ratio of the HT support. The one‐pot synthesis of methyl esters benefits from high basicity (Mg/Al=5), whereas moderate basicity greatly improves imine selectivity (Mg/Al=2). These catalysts outperform previously reported AuNP catalysts by far. Kinetic studies show a cooperative enhancement between AuNP and the surface basic sites, which not only benefits the oxidation of the starting alcohol but also the subsequent steps of the tandem reactions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that straightforward control of the composition of the support has been shown to yield optimum AuNP catalysts for different tandem reactions.     

Cataluminescence sensor for gaseous acetic acid using a thin film of In2O3

We report on a cataluminescence sensor for the determination of gaseous acetic acid. It is based on a 60-nm thick sol–gel film of In₂O₃ on a ceramic support. SEM, XPS and surface profiling were applied for its characterization. It is found that aluminum ions of the ceramic substrate penetrate into the film and produce a synergetic catalytic effect. The sensor displays high sensitivity and specificity for acetic acid, a low detection limit, a wide linear range and a fast response. No (or only very low) interference was observed by formic acid, ammonia, acrolein, benzene, formaldehyde, ethanol, and acetaldehyde. The sensor was successfully applied to the determination of acetic acid in spiked air samples. We also discuss a conceivable mechanism (based on the reaction products) for the cataluminescence resulting from the oxidation reaction on the surface of the sensor film.

Facile assembly of cyclopenta[c]quinolin-3-ols via a palladium-catalyzed reaction of 2-alkynylaniline with 2-alkynylvinyl bromide

A palladium-catalyzed tandem reaction of 2-alkynylaniline with 2-alkynylvinyl bromide provides an efficient route for the assembly of cyclopenta[c]quinolin-3-ols. A double insertion of triple bonds is the key step during the transformation.     

Mechanically Strong Janus Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/Graphene Oxide Hydrogels as Thermo-responsive Soft Robots

Simple preparation of stimuli-responsive hydrogels with good mechanical properties and mild stimuliresponsiveness is essential for their applications as smart soft robots.Mechanically strong Janus poly(Nisopropylacrylamide)/graphene oxide (PNIPAM/GO) nanocomposite hydrogels with stimuli-responsive bending behaviors are prepared through a simple one-step method by using molds made of a Teflon plate and a glass plate.Residual oxygen in the air bubbles on the Teflon plate surface affects the polymerization and hence the cross-linking density,leading to the different swelling/deswelling rates of the two sides of the gels.Therefore,the hydrogels exhibit bending/unbending behaviors upon heating/cooling in water.The incorporation of GO nanosheets dramatically enhances the mechanical properties of Janus hydrogels.Meanwhile,the photo-responsive property of the GO nanosheets also imparts the hydrogels with remotecontrollable deformation under IR irradiation.The application of the Janus PNIPAM/GO hydrogels as thermo-responsive grippers is demonstrated.