Effective Interfacing of Surface Homojunctions on Chemically Identical g-CN for Efficient Visible-Light Photocatalysis without Sacrificial Agents.

Developing efficient homojunctions on g-CN promises metal-free photocatalysis to realize truly sustainable artificial photosynthesis. However, current designs are limited by hindered charge separation due to inevitable grain boundaries and random formation of ineffective homojunctions embedded within the photocatalyst. Here, efficient photocatalysis is driven by introducing effective surface homojunctions on chemically and structurally identical g-CN through leveraging its size-dependent electronic properties.

Silicon-Containing Thiol-Specific Bioconjugating Reagent.

A new bioconjugation reagent containing silicon has been developed for the selective reaction with thiols. The inclusion of silicon significantly improves chemoselectivity and suppresses retro processes, thereby exceeding the capabilities of traditional reagents. The method is versatile and compatible with a broad range of thiols and unsaturated carbonyl compounds and yields moderate to high results.

Chaotropic Nanoelectrocatalysis: Chemically Disrupting Water Intermolecular Network at the Point-of-Catalysis to Boost Green Hydrogen Electrosynthesis.

Efficient green hydrogen production through electrocatalytic water splitting serves as a powerful catalyst for realizing a carbon-free hydrogen economy. However, current electrocatalytic designs face challenges such as poor hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance (Tafel slope, 100-140 mV dec ) because water molecules are thermodynamically trapped within their extensive hydrogen bonding network. Herein, we drive efficient HER by manipulating the local water microenvironment near the electrocatalyst.

Surface-Degenerate Semiconductor Photocatalysis for Efficient Water Splitting without Sacrificial Agents via a Reticular Chemistry Approach.

The production of green hydrogen through photocatalytic water splitting is crucial for a sustainable hydrogen economy and chemical manufacturing. However, current approaches suffer from slow hydrogen production (<70 μmol ⋅ g  ⋅ h ) due to the sluggish four-electrons oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and limited catalyst activity. Herein, we achieve efficient photocatalytic water splitting by exploiting a multifunctional interface between a nano-photocatalyst and metal-organic framework (MOF) layer.

Synergistic antibacterial action of lignin-squaraine hybrid photodynamic therapy: advancing towards effective treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is emerging as an effective means of treating pathogenic bacteria, especially in light of the challenges posed by antibiotic resistance. SQR29, an organophotosensitizer, was encapsulated in a poly(lignin/PEG/PPG urethane) hydrogel to enable targeted treatment at a specific infected area. The hydrogel exhibited free radical scavenging properties which were effective in preventing oxidative stress and promoted wound healing.

Facile Fabrication of Lignin-Cellulose Green Nanogels.

There has been increasing exploration of the development and production of biodegradable polymers in response to issues with petrol-based polymers and their impact on the environment. Here we report a new approach to synthesize a natural nanogel from lignin and nanocellulose. First, lignin nanobeads were synthesized by a solvent-shifting method, which showed a spherical shape with a diameter of 159.

Squaraine probes for the bimodal staining of lipid droplets and endoplasmic reticulum imaging in live cells.

Lipid droplets (LDs) have emerged as a hot target for cancer therapeutics in recent years owing to findings that have shown them to be key organelles involved in maintaining cellular stability and regulating inter-organelle communication through molecular trafficking. LDs emerge from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as a form of cellular homeostasis control. We herein report the study of a library of asymmetric squaraines as superior fluorescence probes to track and image LDs in their native state and environment within cancer cells.

Solid-State Fermented Okara with spp. Improves Lipid Metabolism and High-Fat Diet Induced Obesity.

Okara is a major by-product of soymilk and tofu production. Despite retaining abundant nutrients after the process, okara is often under-utilized. In this study, solid-state fermentation (SSF) of okara was carried out using a koji starter (containing both and ) with the intention of releasing its untapped nutrients.

Highly cooperative fluorescence switching of self-assembled squaraine dye at tunable threshold temperatures using thermosensitive nanovesicles for optical sensing and imaging.

Thermosensitive fluorescent dyes can convert thermal signals into optical signals as a molecular nanoprobe. These nanoprobes are playing an increasingly important part in optical temperature sensing and imaging at the nano- and microscale. However, the ability of a fluorescent dye itself has sensitivity and accuracy limitations.

Near Infrared Fluorophore-Tagged Chloroquine in Diagnostic Imaging.

Chloroquine was among the first of several effective drug treatments against malaria until the onset of chloroquine resistance. In light of diminished clinical efficacy of chloroquine as an antimalarial therapeutic, there is potential in efforts to adapt chloroquine for other clinical applications, such as in combination therapies and in diagnostics. In this context, we designed and synthesized a novel asymmetrical squaraine dye coupled with chloroquine (SQR1-CQ).

Development of fluorescent probes specific for parallel-stranded G-quadruplexes by a library approach.

A 241-membered cyanine-based library was constructed by the combinatorial chemistry strategy. Combined with high-throughput screening, we successfully discovered a novel fluorescent probe (CyC-M716) capable of identifying a subset of parallel G-quadruplexes with propeller loops stretching across three tetrad layers with high sensitivity and selectivity.

An artificial tongue fluorescent sensor array for identification and quantitation of various heavy metal ions.

Herein, a small-molecule fluorescent sensor array for rapid identification of seven heavy metal ions was designed and synthesized, with its sensing mechanism mimicking that of a tongue. The photoinduced electron transfer and intramolecular charge transfer mechanism result in combinatorial interactions between sensor array and heavy metal ions, which lead to diversified fluorescence wavelength shifts and emission intensity changes. Upon principle component analysis (PCA), this result renders clear identification of each heavy metal ion on a 3D spatial dispersion graph.

"Orange alert": a fluorescent detector for bisphenol A in water environments.

Due to the prevalent use of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins in packaging materials and paints for ships, there has been a widespread global contamination of environmental water sources with bisphenol A (BPA). BPA, an endocrine disruptor, has been found to cause tremendous health problems. Therefore, there is an urgent need for detecting BPA in a convenient and sensitive manner to ensure water safety.

Manipulating open-circuit voltage in an organic photovoltaic device via a phenylalkyl side chain.

We report the use of a phenylalkyl side chain modified donor molecule to increase the open-circuit voltage (Voc) of an organic photovoltaic device. The bulky side chain is able to alter the donor/acceptor interface without interfering in the molecular packing. As a result, both Voc and device performance are improved.

Continuous flow Sonogashira C-C coupling using a heterogeneous palladium-copper dual reactor.

We report the development of a heterogeneous catalyst system on continuous flow chemistry. A palladium (Pd) coated tubular reactor was placed in line with copper (Cu) tubing using a continuous flow platform, and a Sonogashira C-C coupling reaction was used to evaluate the performance. The reactions were favorably carried out in the Cu reactor, catalyzed by the traces of leached Pd from the Pd reactor.

A fluorescent screening platform for the rapid evaluation of chemicals in cellular reprogramming.

Current strategies to monitor reprogramming into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are limited in that they rely on the recognition of advanced stage biomarkers or they involve the transduction of genetically-modified cells. These limitations are particularly problematic in high-throughput screenings where cell availability, low cost and a rapid experimental protocol are critical issues. Herein we report the application of a pluripotent stem cell fluorescent probe (i.

Gram-scale synthesis of (-)-epibatidine.

[reaction: see text] A gram-scale approach toward (-)-epibatidine (1, naturally occurring enantiomer), a novel class of amphibian alkaloid, has been developed from readily available starting materials using mild and easily controlled reactions. The entire synthetic route is straightforward and convenient for gram-scale synthesis.

Asymmetric synthesis of C-aliphatic homoallylic amines and biologically important cyclohexenylamine analogues.

An efficient method for the asymmetric synthesis of C-aliphatic homoallylic amines with up to 94% yield and 80% de is reported. Ring-closing metathesis of several chiral homoallylic amines using the second-generation Grubbs catalyst provided easy access to a wide variety of cyclohexenylamines.

An unusual approach to the synthesis of enantiomerically cis linear homoallylic alcohols based on the steric interaction mechanism of camphor scaffold.

Camphor is used as the chiral auxiliary for the enantioselective synthesis of cis linear homoallylic alcohols. A range of catalysts, aldehydes, and solvents were investigated to obtain the optimum yield, enantioselectivity, and cis olefinic geometry. [structure: see text]

The first example of enantioselective allyl transfer from a linear homoallylic alcohol to an aldehyde.

[reaction: see text] The first example of enantioselective linear homoallylic alcohol transfer reaction was revealed. In all cases, the whole rearrangement is thermodynamically favorable and a steric effect is the driving force of this reaction. The preservation of the stereocenter and olefin geometry together with the isolation of gamma-adduct homoallylic alcohols in one isomeric form have warranted the proposed mechanism.