Mechanism and application of a microcapsule enabled multicatalyst reaction.

In this paper, we describe the development and application of a multistep one-pot reaction that is made possible by the site isolation of two otherwise incompatible catalysts. We prepared a microencapsulated amine catalyst by interfacial polymerization and used it in conjunction with a nickel-based catalyst for the transformation of an aldehyde to a Michael adduct via a nitroalkene intermediate. The amine-catalyzed conversion of an aldehyde to a nitroalkene was found to proceed through an imine rather than a nitroalcohol.

Microcapsule enabled multicatalyst system.

We present a new microencapsulated catalyst and report its use in a tandem multicatalyst reaction. Using an encapsulation technique, we developed an active, site-isolated amine catalyst that is capable of catalyzing the addition of nitromethane to an aldehyde. When a second Lewis acid catalyst is added, the nitroalkene intermediate is trapped and converted to the corresponding Michael adduct.

Removable colored coatings based on calcium alginate hydrogels.

This article describes the creation of a nontoxic, biodegradable coating using calcium alginate and FD&C approved dyes. The coating is robust but is rapidly removed upon treatment with disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA). Dye leaching from calcium alginate films was studied, and it was determined that the efficiency of dye retention is proportional to the degree of cross-linking.

One-pot multi-step synthesis: a challenge spawning innovation.

Creating one-pot synthetic routes is a challenge that is already spawning new chemistry, enzymes, materials, and mechanistic insight. Through one-pot reactions, the chemical products that add value to our lives can be produced with less waste and greater economic benefits. Within this Emerging Area, we describe models for designing one-pot reactions as well as advanced catalysts created to facilitate their realization.

Residual structure in the repeat domain of tau: echoes of microtubule binding and paired helical filament formation.

The microtubule-associated protein tau is found aggregated into paired helical filaments in the intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangle deposits of victims of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other related dementias. Tau contains a repeat domain consisting of three or four 31-32-residue imperfect repeats that forms the core of tau filaments and is capable of self-assembling into filaments in vitro. We have used high-resolution NMR spectroscopy to characterize the structural properties of the three-repeat domain of tau at the level of individual residues.