ZnS/SnS Heterostructures Encapsulated in N-Doped Carbon Nanofibers for High-Performance Alkali Metal-Ion Batteries.

Heterogeneous composite ZnS/SnS is designed to meet various requirements for alkali metal-ion batteries. The composite is prepared using an electrostatic spinning method and encapsulated in N-doped carbon fibers after high-temperature vulcanization. The special structure of the composite provides a dependable interconnection and fast conductive network for alkali metal ions.

Comparison of Reductive Ligation-Based Detection Strategies for Nitroxyl (HNO) and S-Nitrosothiols.

Phosphine-based detection strategies for both nitroxyl (HNO) and S-nitrosothiols (RSNO) were investigated and compared. Phosphorus NMR studies show that azaylides derived from HNO or organic RSNO efficiently participate in subsequent reductive ligation required for fluorescence generation in properly substituted substrates. S-Azaylides derived from biological RSNO containing free amine and carboxylic acid groups primarily yield phosphine oxides suggesting these groups facilitate nonligation pathways such as hydrolysis.

Comparison of Reductive Ligation-Based Detection Strategies for Nitroxyl (HNO) and S-Nitrosothiols.

Invited for this month's cover picture is the group of Prof. S. Bruce King at the Department of Chemistry of Wake Forest University.

Recent advances in the chemical biology of nitroxyl (HNO) detection and generation.

Nitroxyl or azanone (HNO) represents the redox-related (one electron reduced and protonated) relative of the well-known biological signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO). Despite the close structural similarity to NO, defined biological roles and endogenous formation of HNO remain unclear due to the high reactivity of HNO with itself, soft nucleophiles and transition metals. While significant work has been accomplished in terms of the physiology, biology and chemistry of HNO, important and clarifying work regarding HNO detection and formation has occurred within the last 10 years.

A selective phosphine-based fluorescent probe for nitroxyl in living cells.

A novel fluorescein-based fluorescent probe for nitroxyl (HNO) based on the reductive Staudinger ligation of HNO with an aromatic phosphine was prepared. This probe reacts with HNO derived from Angeli's salt and 4-bromo Piloty's acid under physiological conditions without interference by other biological redox species. Confocal microscopy demonstrates this probe detects HNO by fluorescence in HeLa cells and mass spectrometric analysis of cell lysates confirms this probe detects HNO following the proposed mechanism.

A reductive ligation based fluorescent probe for S-nitrosothiols.

A reductive ligation based fluorescent probe () for the detection of S-nitrosothiols (SNO) was developed. The probe showed good selectivity and sensitivity for SNO.

Facile synthesis of spiroisoquinolines based on photocycloaddition of isoquinoline-1,3,4-trione with oxazoles.

Photocycloaddition of isoquinoline-1,3,4-trione and 5-methoxyoxazoles affords spiroisoquinolineoxetanes with high regio- and diastereoselectivity. The spiroisoquinolineoxetanes can be conveniently converted into novel spiroisoquinolineoxazoline derivatives through acid catalyzed sequential reactions.

Preparation of quantum dot bioconjugates and their applications in bio-imaging.

Quantum dots (QDs) are new generation of fluorophores with superior optical properties. For biological applications of QDs, proper surface modification and further conjugation with biomolecules are necessary to make these nanocrystals biocompatible as well as target-recognizable. Preparation of QDs bioconjugates was reviewed in this paper to demonstrate general strategies in the bioconjugation of QDs and typical QDs bioconjugates including QDs conjugated with peptides, proteins or oligonucleotides were introduced.