Low-Temperature Hydrogenation of CO to Methanol in Water on ZnO-Supported CuAu Nanoalloys.

Optimizing processes and materials for the valorization of CO to hydrogen carriers or platform chemicals is a key step for mitigating global warming and for the sustainable use of renewables. We report here on the hydrogenation of CO in water on ZnO-supported CuAu nanoalloys, based on ≤7 mol % Au. Cu Au /ZnO catalysts were characterized using Au Mössbauer, in situ X-ray absorption (Au L - and Cu K-edges), and ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron (APXP) spectroscopic methods together with X-ray diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy.

Preparation of Key Intermediates for the Syntheses of Coenzyme Q and Derivatives by Cross-Metathesis Reactions.

An alternative catalytic strategy for the preparation of benzylmethacrylate esters, key intermediates in the synthesis of coenzyme Q and derivatives, was reported. This strategy avoided undesirable stoichiometric reduction/oxidation processes by utilizing the catalytic formation of allylarenes and then cross-metathesis to selectively form -benzylmethacrylate esters with good yields (58-64%) and complete -selectivity. The ester intermediates were reduced to common key benzylallylic alcohols (90-92% yield), which were subsequently used in the formal syntheses of coenzyme Q and one derivative.

A Novel Covalent mTOR Inhibitor, DHM25, Shows in Vivo Antitumor Activity against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

Constitutive activation of the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway contributes to carcinogenesis and metastasis in most, if not all, breast cancers. From a chromene backbone reported to inhibit class I PI3K catalytic subunits, several rounds of chemical syntheses led to the generation of a new collection of chromologues that showed enhanced ability to kill PI3K-addicted cancer cells and to inhibit Akt phosphorylation at serine 473, a hallmark of PI3K/mTOR activation. This initial screen uncovered a chromene designated DHM25 that exerted potent antitumor activity against breast tumor cell lines.