On the modeling of arginine-bound carboxylates: a case study with Pyruvate Formate-Lyase

High level ab initio and density functional calculations have been employed to determine the most appropriate manner in which to truncate an arginine-bound carboxylate motif, using the substrate mechanism of Pyruvate Formate-Lyase as a case study. The results show that, both qualitatively and quantitatively, a neutral carboxylic acid provides a more realistic approximation to the salt bridge arrangement than does a bare anionic carboxylate substituent.     

On the scope of radical reactions in aqueous media utilizing quaternary ammonium salts of phosphinic acids as chiral and achiral hydrogen donors

A broad range of fundamental free radical reactions such as hydrogen atom transfer, radical deoxygenations, and radical cyclizations utilizing quaternary ammonium salts of phosphinic acids as chiral and achiral hydrogen donors at room temperature are investigated. The reactions proceed in good to excellent yields with some degree of enantioselectivity.