Carbonylation of C−N Bonds in Tertiary Amines Catalyzed by Low‐Valent Iron Catalysts

The first iron catalysts able to promote the formal insertion of CO into the C?N bond of amines are reported. Using low‐valent iron complexes, including K₂[Fe(CO)₄], amides are formed from aromatic and aliphatic amines, in the presence of an iodoalkane promoter. Inorganic Lewis acids, such as AlCl₃ and Nd(OTf)₃, have a positive influence on the catalytic activity of the iron salts, enabling the carbonylation at a low pressure of CO (6 to 8 bars).     

L-arginine binding to human inducible nitric oxide synthase: an antisymmetric funnel route toward isoform-specific inhibitors?

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule produced by a family of enzymes called nitric oxide synthases (NOS). Because NO is involved in various pathological conditions, the development of potent and isoform-selective NOS inhibitors is an important challenge. In the present study, the dimer of oxygenase domain of human iNOS (iNOSoxy) complexed to its natural substrate L-arginine (L-Arg) and both heme and tetrahydro-L-biopterin (BH4) cofactors was studied through multiple molecular dynamics simulations. Starting from the X-ray structure available for that complex (PDB: 1NSI ), a 16 ns equilibration trajectory was first obtained. Twelve dynamics of slow extraction of L-Arg out from the iNOSoxy active site were then performed. The steered molecular dynamics (SMD) approach was used starting from three different points of the reference trajectory for a total simulation time of 35 ns. A probable unbinding/binding pathway of L-Arg was characterized. It was suggested that a driving force directed the substrate toward the heme pocket. Key intermediate steps/residues along the access route to the active site were identified along this "funnel shape" pathway and compared to existing data. A quasi-normal mode analysis performed on the SMD data suggested that large collective motions of the protein may be involved in L-Arg binding and that opening the route to the active site in one monomer promoted an inverse, closing motion in the second monomer. Finally, our findings might help to rationalize the design of human iNOS isoform competitive inhibitors.     

Functional molecules in electronic circuits

Molecular electronics is a fascinating field of research contributing to both fundamental science and future technological achievements. A promising starting point for molecular devices is to mimic existing electronic functions to investigate the potential of molecules to enrich and complement existing electronic strategies. Molecules designed and synthesized to be integrated into electronic circuits and to perform an electronic function are presented in this article. The focus is set in particular on rectification and switching based on molecular devices, since the control over these two parameters enables the assembly of memory units, likely the most interesting and economic application of molecular based electronics. Both historical and contemporary solutions to molecular rectification are discussed, although not exhaustively. Several examples of integrated molecular switches that respond to light are presented. Molecular switches responding to an electrochemical signal are also discussed. Finally, supramolecular and molecular systems with intuitive application potential as memory units due to their hysteretic switching are highlighted. Although a particularly attractive feature of molecular electronics is its close cooperation with neighbouring disciplines, this article is written from the point of view of a chemist. Although the focus here is largely on molecular considerations, innovative contributions from physics, electro engineering, nanotechnology and other scientific disciplines are equally important. However, the ability of the chemist to correlate function with structure, to design and to provide tailor-made functional molecules is central to molecular electronics.     

How Carbon Nanotube Crushing can Improve Flame Retardant Behaviour in Polymer Nanocomposites?

Nanocomposites based on an ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (27 wt.‐% vinyl acetate) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have been prepared by melt blending and their thermal degradation and flame retardant properties have been evaluated. Special attention has been paid to the influence of the nanotube nature on the flammability properties and more particularly on the time to ignition (TTI) as measured by cone calorimetry. It has been shown that there is a strong influence of the nature of carbon nanotubes on the fire behaviour of the composites, especially previous MWNTs crushing proved to substantially delay the TTI while maintaining much reduced heat release rate (HRR). Such a remarkable behaviour might be explained by the chemical reactivity of radical species present at the surface/extremities of crushed MWNTs during the combustion process.

     

Electrochemical C−H Amination by Cobalt Catalysis in a Renewable Solvent

Syntheses of substituted anilines primarily rely on palladium‐catalyzed coupling chemistry with prefunctionalized aryl electrophiles. While oxidative aminations have emerged as powerful alternatives, they largely produce undesired metal‐containing by‐products in stoichiometric quantities. In contrast, described herein is the unprecedented electrochemical C?H amination by cobalt‐catalyzed C?H activation. The environmentally benign electrocatalysis avoids stoichiometric metal oxidants, can be conducted under ambient air, and employs a biomass‐derived, renewable solvent for sustainable aminations in an atom‐ and step‐economical manner with H₂ as the sole byproduct.     

Aerobic Double Dehydrogenative Cross Coupling between Cyclic Saturated Ketones and Simple Arenes

The synthesis of 3‐aryl‐2‐cyclohexenones is a topic of current interest as they are not only privileged structures in bioactive molecules, but they are also relevant feedstocks for the synthesis of substituted phenols or anilines, which are ubiquitous structural elements both in drug design and medicinal chemistry. A simple and sustainable one‐pot aerobic double dehydrogenative reaction under mild conditions for the introduction of arenes in the β‐position of cyclic ketones has been developed. Starting from the corresponding saturated ketone, this reaction sequence proceeds under relatively low Pd catalyst loading and involves catalytic amounts of electron‐transfer mediators (ETMs) under ambient oxygen pressure.     

Vinyl nosylates as partner in copper and silver co-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions

Vinyl nosylates, readily obtained from β-dicarbonyl derivatives, could be efficiently engaged in Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions, either cocatalyzed by copper or silver salts. The para-nitrobenzenesulfonate (nosylate) group allows this coupling to be performed under very mild conditions (room temperature). These new leaving group and mild conditions could be applied to the synthesis of acetylenic coumarinyl derivatives and to the total synthesis of an acetylenic monoterpene natural product, named cleviolide.     

Visualization of Heterogeneous Oxygen Storage Behavior in Platinum‐Supported Cerium‐Zirconium Oxide Three‐Way Catalyst Particles by Hard X‐ray Spectro‐Ptychography

The cerium density and valence in micrometer‐size platinum‐supported cerium–zirconium oxide Pt/Ce₂Zr₂O_x (x=7–8) three‐way catalyst particles were successfully mapped by hard X‐ray spectro‐ptychography (ptychographic‐X‐ray absorption fine structure, XAFS). The analysis of correlation between the Ce density and valence in ptychographic‐XAFS images suggested the existence of several oxidation behaviors in the oxygen storage process in the Ce₂Zr₂O_x particles. Ptychographic‐XAFS will open up the nanoscale chemical imaging and structural analysis of heterogeneous catalysts.