Synthesis and Structure Investigation of a Novel 3-Dimensional Potassium Supermolecular Compound Based on 2,4-Dinitro Resorcinol

A novel 3‐dimensional potassium supermolecular compound [K(HDNR)(H₂DNR)(H₂O)]_n (H₂DNR?2,4‐dinitro resorcinol) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure investigated by X‐ray single crystal diffraction shows that [K(HDNR)(H₂DNR)(H₂O)]_n crystallizes with a monoclinic unit cell in the space group P2(1)/c with unit cell dimensions of a=17.648(5) Å, b=12.527(3) Å, c=7.735(2) Å, β=94.33(2)°, V=1705.00(73) ų, Z=4. The structure was refined to the final R=0.0670 and wR=0.0722 for 2022 observed reflections with I>2σ(I). In the compound, potassium cation is assembled into one‐dimensional chains along c‐axis through oxygen atoms from water molecules, and the chains were connected by the bridged HDNR^? anions to form a two‐dimensional net structure. The two‐dimensional nets constructed a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture via intermolecular hydrogen bonds and N–O···π interaction. Density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP was employed to optimize the structure and calculate energies for three tautomers of HDNR^? univalent anion. Three stable tautomers were located. It was found that the structure (I) with O(1) losing hydrogen atom is more stable than the structure (II) also with O(1) losing hydrogen atom and the structure (III) with O(4) losing hydrogen atom.     

Electrospun composite nanofibrous membrane as wound dressing with good adhesion

A photopolymerizationable mimic mussel protein structure monomer, dopamine methacrylamide (DMA), was synthesized. The photopolymerization of DMA was analysed by series real time near infrared spectroscopy (SRTIR). Dopamine methacrylamide/poly (ethylene oxide) (DMA/PEO) nanofibers were successfully prepared by electrospinning of aqueous DMA/PEO solution. Biocompatible nanofibrous membrane with good adhesion was produced by photocuring from the DMA/PEO nanofibers. The surface characterization and structure of the composite nanofibrous membrane were characterized by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and contact angle measurements. For identifying the potential crystalline of curing, a XRD method was used through comparing diffraction data. In the cell adhesion test we utilized the mouse fibroblast (L929) to exam the various use of the nanofibrous membrane as scaffolding materials for skin regeneration.     

Recent Progress in the Electrolytes of Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have garnered tremendous attention in the field of next energy storage devices due to their high safety, low cost, abundant resources, and eco-friendliness. As an important component of the zinc-ion battery, the electrolyte plays a vital role in the electrochemical properties, since it will provide a pathway for the migrations of the zinc ions between the cathode and anode, and determine the ionic conductivity, electrochemically stable potential window, and reaction mechanism. In this Minireview, a brief introduction of electrochemical principles of the aqueous ZIBs is discussed and the recent advances of various aqueous electrolytes for ZIBs, including liquid, gel, and multifunctional hydrogel electrolytes are also summarized. Furthermore, the remaining challenges and future directions of electrolytes in aqueous ZIBs are also discussed, which could provide clues for the following development.     

A new “naked-eye” colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent sensor for imaging Hg2+ in living cells

A new oligothiophene-based sensor 3 TH for monitoring Hg²⁺ has been designed and synthesized based on the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism. The 3 TH shows the significant specificity toward Hg²⁺ through “naked-eye” colorimetric detection as well as via ratiometric fluorescence enhancement response with low detection limit of 62 nM. In addition, sensor 3 TH shows high selectivity and sensitivity for Hg²⁺ with fast response in a suitable pH range. Moreover, the 3 TH-based test strips was used to conveniently detect Hg²⁺ ions in water. Furthermore, considering its good ‘‘turn-on’’ fluorescent sensing behavior and low cell cytotoxicity, 3 TH was successfully applied to detect and image Hg²⁺ in real water samples and living cells, which shows great potentials for application in environmental and biological systems.     

Self‐Assembly through Coordination and π‐Stacking: Controlled Switching of Circularly Polarized Luminescence

Multiple noncovalent interactions can drive self‐assembly through different pathways. Here, by coordination‐assisted changes in π‐stacking modes between chromophores in pyrene‐conjugated histidine (PyHis), a self‐assembly system with reversible and inversed switching of supramolecular chirality, as well as circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) is described. It was found that l ‐PyHis self‐assembled into nanofibers showing P‐chirality and right‐handed CPL. Upon Zn^II coordination, the nanofibers changed into nanospheres with M‐chirality, as well as left‐handed CPL. The process is reversible and the M‐chirality can change to P‐chirality by removing the Zn^II ions. Experimental and theoretical models unequivocally revealed that the cooperation of metal coordination and π‐stacking modes are responsible the reversible switching of supramolecular chirality. This work not only provides insight into how multiple noncovalent interactions regulate self‐assembly pathways.     

Three antibacterial naphthoquinone analogues from cultured mycobiont of lichen Astrothelium sp.

<正>A new naphthoquinone compound named 7-hydroxyl-8-methoxyltrypethelone 3 together with two known compounds trypethelone 1 and trypethelone methyl ether 2 was isolated from cultured mycobiont of Astrothelium sp.The structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis as well as comparison with those reported in literatures.Compound 1 displayed significant antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis(ATCC 6633),and showed modest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus col(MRSA)(CGMCC 1.2465),while compounds 2 and 3 showed modest antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis 850E(CGMCC 1.2135) and S.aureus col(MRSA)(CGMCC 1.2465).     

NF3 decomposition over some metal oxides in the absence of water

NF3 decomposition in the absence of water over Al2O3, Fe2O3, Co3O4 and NiO, and transition metal oxides (Fe2O3, Co3O4 and NiO) coated Al2O3 reagents was investigated. The results show that Al2O3 is an active reagent for NF3 decomposition with 100% conversion lasting for 8.5 h at 400 ℃. Fe2O3, Co3O4 and NiO coated Al2O3 reagents are superior to bare Al2O3, and 5%Co3O4/Al2O3 has a high reactivity with NF3 full conversion maintaining for 10.5 h. It is suggested that the presence of transition metal oxide is beneficial to the reactivity of Al2O3, and results in a significant enhancement in the fluorination of Al2O3.     

Cellulose synthesis in maize: isolation and expression analysis of the cellulose synthase (CesA) gene family

Stalk lodging in maize results in significant yield losses. We have determined that cellulose per unit length of the stalk is the primary determinant of internodal strength. An increase in cellulose concentration in the wall might allow simultaneous improvements in stalk strength and harvest index. Cellulose formation in plants can be perturbed by mutations in the genes involved in cellulose synthesis, post-synthetic cellulose alteration or deposition, N-glycosylation, and some other genes with as yet unknown functions. We have isolated 12 members of the cellulose synthase (CesA) gene family from maize. The genes involved in primary wall formation appear to have duplicated relatively independently in dicots and monocots. The deduced amino acid sequences of three of the maize genes, ZmCesA10–12, cluster with the Arabidopsis CesA sequences that have been shown to be involved in secondary wall formation. Based on their expression patterns across multiple tissues, these three genes appear to be coordinately expressed. The remaining genes show overlapping expression to varying degrees with ZmCesA1, 7, and 8 forming one group, ZmCesA3 and 5 a second group, and ZmCesA2 and 6 exhibiting independent expression of any other gene. This suggests that the varying levels of coexpression may just be incidental except in the case of ZmCesA10–12, which may interact with each other to form a functional enzyme complex. Isolation of the expressed CesA genes from maize and their association with primary or secondary wall formation has made it possible to test their respective roles in cellulose synthesis through mutational genetics or transgenic approaches. This information would be useful in improving stalk strength.     

Two new sesquiterpenes from cultures of the higher fungus Pholiota nameko

Two new sesquiterpenes (1–2), along with one known sesquiterpene (3), were isolated from cultures of the higher fungus Pholiota nameko. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods. The known compound was identified by comparing its spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against five human cancer cell lines.