Electrochemical Dicarboxylation of Vinyl Epoxide with CO2 for the Facile and Selective Synthesis of Diacids.

We present a novel electrochemical dicarboxylation of epoxides with CO2, characterized by the cleavage of two C-O single bonds. Not only are vinyl epoxides viable, but cyclic carbonates also serve as effective substrates, facilitating the synthesis of E-configured adipic and octanedioic acids with high chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity. The synthetic practicality is further highlighted by the diverse functionalizations of the resulting multifunctional diacids.

A Modular Engineered DNA Nanodevice for Precise Profiling of Telomerase RNA Location and Activity.

Increased telomerase activity has been considered as a conspicuous sign of human cancers. The catalytic cores of telomerase involve a reverse transcriptase and the human telomerase RNA (hTR). However, current detection of telomerase is largely limited to its activity at the tissue and single-cell levels.

Iron-Photocatalyzed Decarboxylative Alkylation of Carboxylic Acids with Morita-Baylis-Hillman Acetates.

We present an iron-photocatalyzed decarboxylative alkylation strategy involving carboxylic acids and Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) acetates to synthesize -type tri- and tetrasubstituted alkenes with moderate to excellent stereoselectivity (/ ratio up to >19:1). This method is applicable to a broad range of structurally diverse primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl carboxylic acids, as well as complex pharmaceutical and natural carboxylic acids, achieving efficient alkylation of various MBH acetates under mild conditions (>60 examples, with yields up to 96%). This approach offers a powerful strategy for streamlined alkylation.

BN-Acene Ladder with Enhanced Charge Transport for Organic Field-Effect Transistors.

The in-depth research on the charge transport properties of BN-embedded polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (BN-PAHs) still lags far behind studies of their emitting properties. Herein, we report the successfully synthesis of novel ladder-type BN-PAHs (BCNL1 and BCNL2) featuring a highly ordered BC3N2 acene unit, achieved via a nitrogen-directed tandem C-H borylation. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis unambiguously revealed their unique and compact herringbone packing structures.

Endogenetic Carbon Dot Strategy within Melamine-Formaldehyde Microspheres for Multifunctional Hybrid Fluorescence/Room-Temperature Phosphorescence Applications in Dry States and Aqueous Environments.

Developing hybrid fluorescence (FL)/room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) materials in dry-state, aqueous, and organic solvents holds paramount importance in broadening their applications. However, it is extremely challenging due to dissolved oxygen and solvent-assisted relaxation causing RTP quenching in an aqueous environment and great dependence on SiO-based materials. Herein, an efficient endogenetic carbon dot (CD) strategy within melamine-formaldehyde (MF) microspheres to activate RTP of CDs has been proposed through the pyrolysis of isophthalic acid (IPA) molecules and branched-chain intra-microspheres.

Harnessing ROS Amplification and GSH Depletion Using a Carrier-Free Nanodrug to Enhance Ferroptosis-Based Cancer Therapy.

Ferroptosis, a non-apoptotic form of cell death characterized by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and massive accumulation of lipid peroxidation (LPO), shows significant promise in cancer therapy. However, the overexpression of glutathione (GSH) at the tumor site and insufficient ROS often result in unsatisfactory therapeutic efficacy. A multistage, GSH-consuming, and ROS-providing carrier-free nanodrug capable of efficiently loading copper ions (Cu), sorafenib (SRF), and chlorogenic acid (CGA) (Cu-CGA-SRF, CCS-NDs) is developed to mediate enhanced ferroptosis therapy.

True Dynamics of Pillararene Host-Guest Binding.

Accurate modeling of host-guest systems is challenging in modern computational chemistry. It requires intermolecular interaction patterns to be correctly described and, more importantly, the dynamic behaviors of macrocyclic hosts to be accurately modeled. Pillar[]arenes as a crucial family of macrocycles play a critical role in host-guest chemistry and biomedical applications.

Constrained Heterogeneous CoFe2O4/ZnO/PMS Fenton-Like System for Industrial Wastewater Remediation with Recyclability and Zero Metal Loss.

Although heterogeneous Fenton-like processes have attracted widespread attention in wastewater treatment, the mass leached active ions lead to secondary pollution and confuse the demarcation of reaction region. By constructing a constrained completely heterogeneous system and highlighting its reaction region concentrated within the slipping plane of particles, this work achieves efficient organic pollutants degradation without leaching of any free active metal components. Based on the Poisson-Boltzmann equation and electric double layer model, the specific existing of the constrained region is confirmed, and this neglected reaction region between solid interface and slipping plane in traditional heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction is clarified firstly.

Modular Synthesis of Furans with Four Nonidentical Substituents by Aqueous Defluorinative Reaction of Trifluoromethyl Enones with Two Nucleophiles.

A three-component reaction of trifluoromethyl enones, phosphine oxides, and alcohols in water solution is developed. This defluorinative reaction occurs through a cascade process involving defluorophosphorylation, defluoroalkyloxylation, and defluoroheteroannulation, enabling the modular synthesis of furans with four distinct substituents: 2-alkyloxy, 3-trifluoromethyl, 4-phosphoryl, and 5-(hetero)aryl groups. Moreover, apart from alcohol substrates, the scope of nucleophiles could be further extended to phenols, azacycles, or sulfonamide.

Dynamic Modulation of Ions Solvation Sheath by Butyramide as Molecular Additives in Aqueous Batteries.

The high activity of water in aqueous battery electrolytes can trigger side reactions, limiting their large-scale application. Additives that form contact pairs (CPs) with cations by coordinating with them can effectively reduce water's activity. However, due to the complex interactions between ions, additives, and solvent molecules and the fact that current strategies for additive screening primarily rely on static physical parameters, the dynamic mechanisms that govern the modulation of ion solvation sheaths are still poorly understood.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy: a half-century historical perspective.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has evolved significantly over fifty years into a powerful analytical technique. This review aims to achieve five main goals. (1) Providing a comprehensive history of SERS's discovery, its experimental and theoretical foundations, its connections to advances in nanoscience and plasmonics, and highlighting collective contributions of key pioneers.

Structure-based development of N-Arylindole derivatives as Pks13 inhibitors against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Targeting the biosynthetic pathway of mycolic acid is highly attractive to researchers in the field of novel anti-tubercular drug development. Pks13-TE is an essential catalytic component in the last assembling step of mycolic acid, and the co-crystal structures of the Pks13-TE-inhibitor complex provide insight into ligand recognition. Based on a structure-guided strategy, N-aryl indole derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their antitubercular activities.

Constructing Strategy for Realizing White-Light-Emitting of Organic Aggregates Based on Self-Assembling Conjugated Polymer Nanobowls.

The construction of single-component, white-light-emitting, conjugated polymers always utilizes fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) for efficient emission. However, the main challenges in developing such materials primarily come from the effects of aggregation states during solution processing and the precise structural control required for the synthesis of compounds. Both aspects can affect the FRET between different lumophores in white-light-emitting materials.

Evolutionary engineering of : Crafting a synthetic methylotroph via self-reprogramming.

Methanol, as a non-edible feedstock, offers a promising sustainable alternative to sugar-based substrates in biochemical production. Despite progress in engineering methanol assimilation in nonmethylotrophs, the full transformation into methanol-dependent synthetic methylotrophs remains a formidable challenge. Here, moving beyond the conventional rational design principle, we engineered a synthetic methylotrophic through genome rearrangement and adaptive laboratory evolution.

Aerobic Ammoxidation of Cyclic Ketones to Dinitrile Products with Copper-Based Catalysts.

Adiponitrile (ADN) has wide applications, especially in the polymer industry. With the substantial and increasing global demand for ADN, effective production of ADN using safe and abundant starting materials is highly desirable but very challenging. Herein, we discovered that CuBr, combined with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), could effectively promote the ammoxidation reaction of cyclohexanone to ADN with a yield of >99% using aqueous ammonia as the nitrogen source and O as the terminal oxidant under mild reaction conditions (80 °C, 5 atm O).

Discovery and Characterization of Chitin Synthase Inhibitors with Novel Mechanism for Control of .

, a highly destructive global pest, infests a wide range of plant species, including crucial food crops and ornamental plants. Effective control methods for this pest remain limited. Chitin synthase (CHS) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of chitin, which is essential for the growth and development of arthropods.

Photocatalytic Generation of β-Fluoroalkylated α-Carbonyl Carbocations.

Nucleophilic addition to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds normally occurs at the carbonyl carbon or β-carbon. The direct α-nucleophilic addition at the α-carbon can hardly be achieved due to electronic mismatch. In this work, we report the nucleophilic addition of β-fluoroalkyl α-carbonyl carbocations that are prepared via -induced redox-neutral photocatalysis.

Enhancing Amperometric Ozone Gas Sensing with Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids and Platinum-Based Electrodes.

Ozone (O) poses serious health risks, prompting numerous countries to implement regulations that establish exposure limits and emission controls, for example, the air quality index (AQI) for O ranging from 50 to 150 parts per billion (ppb), with natural levels at around 30 ppb. Electrochemical sensors are favored for detecting pollutant gases due to their high sensitivity, low cost, portability, energy efficiency, and capability for selective detection. In this study, we developed an O sensor employing carbon-supported Pt-based binary and ternary nanorods (NRs) combined with room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) as electrolytes, aiming at highly sensitive and selective detection of O at ppb levels.

Adaptive Phase-Locked E-Skin for Sports Physiology and Medicine.

The pursuit of creating materials that replicate the flexibility, stability, and advanced perceptual capabilities of human skin, attributes honed through natural evolution, represents a long-term objective in pioneering fields such as electronic skin (e-skin) research. However, conventional e-skin often struggles with stability and functionality in harsh sports environments, resulting in the degradation of the intimate interface over time. Inspired by the innate biphasic structure of human subcutaneous tissue, an adaptive phase-locked e-skin (APLE) is presented, designed to seamlessly conform to dynamic sports environments, offering robust applications in sports physiology and medical contexts without malfunctioning.

Palladium-Catalyzed Domino Carboetherification Reactions: Synthesis of Bis-Heterocycles Bearing Isoxazoline and Methyleneindole Motifs.

A novel and highly efficient Pd-catalyzed approach for the synthesis of bis-heterocycles featuring both isoxazoline and methyleneindole motifs is demonstrated. The in situ formation of vinyl Pd(II) species through an alkyne-tethered carbamoyl chloride cyclization is crucial, and the innovative Pd-catalyzed carboetherification of β,γ-unsaturated oximes with vinyl Pd(II) species has been developed. This method is not only operationally straightforward but also exhibits a broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance.

Enhanced Acidic Oxygen Evolution Reaction Performance by Anchoring Iridium Oxide Nanoparticles on CoO.

The sluggish kinetics of the anodic process, known as the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), has posed a significant challenge for the practical application of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers in industrial settings. This study introduces a high-performance OER catalyst by anchoring iridium oxide nanoparticles (IrO) onto a cobalt oxide (CoO) substrate via a two-step combustion method. The resulting IrO@CoO catalyst demonstrates a significant enhancement in both catalytic activity and stability in acidic environments.

Switching CO-to-Acetate Electroreduction on Cu Atomic Ensembles.

The electrocatalytic reaction pathway is highly dependent on the intrinsic structure of the catalyst. CO/CO electroreduction has recently emerged as a potential approach for obtaining C products, but it is challenging to achieve high selectivity for a single C product. Herein, we develop a Cu atomic ensemble that satisfies the appropriate site distance and coordination environment required for electrocatalytic CO-to-acetate conversion, which shows outstanding overall performance with an acetate Faradaic efficiency of 70.

Defluorinative Diazolation-Cyclization Relay for Synthesis of Furan-Bridged Triheterocycles and Colorimetric Sensor Application.

Polyaromatics, as the assembly of diverse cyclic π-systems, exhibit unique physicochemical properties when compared to their individual constituents. In this study, we developed a strategic connection of two azacycles via a furan bridge through a defluorinative diazolation-cyclization reaction of trifluoromethyl enones and N-heterocycles. A range of modular 2,4-furan-bridged triheterocycles (FBTHs), featuring a C3-trifluoromethyl group, was synthesized with broad substrate scope and good regioselectivity under transition metal-free conditions.

Electrocatalytic systems for NO upgrading.

Chemical manufacturing utilizing renewable resources and energy presents a promising avenue toward sustainability and carbon neutrality. Electrocatalytic upgrading of nitrogen oxides (NO) into nitrogenous chemicals is a potential strategy for synthesizing chemicals and mitigating NO pollution. However, this approach is currently hindered by low selectivity and efficiency, limited reaction pathways, and economic challenges, primarily due to the development of suboptimal electrocatalytic systems for NO upgrading.

Microneedle-Array-Mediated Transdermal Delivery of GCV-Functionalized Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 Nanoparticles for KSHV Treatment.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a variety of the human gamma-herpesvirus that often leads to the occurrence of malignant tumors. In addition, the occurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma is a major cause of death among AIDS patients. Ganciclovir (GCV) is the most widely used drug against KSHV infection in the clinic.