Extremely Fast NADH-Regeneration Using Phosphonic Acid as Hydride Source and Iridium-pyridine-2-sulfonamidate Catalysts

NADH is a very well known, high-energy, electron and proton carrier, successfully employed as cofactor in many large-scale biotransformation processes catalyzed by oxidoreductase enzymes. Owing to ..

Salts of Lanthanide(III) Hexafluoroacetylacetonates [Ln = Sm(III), Eu(III) and Tb(III)] with Dipyridylammonium Cations: Synthesis, Characterization, Photophysical Properties and OLED Fabrication

A series of tetrakis lanthanide complexes with the general formula [Ln(hfaa) 4] -(DpaH) + [Ln = (Sm-1), (Eu-1) and (Tb-1)], hfaa = hexafluroacetylacetonate and Dpa −2,2′-dipyridylamine] has been synthesized by the reaction of LnCl 3, hfaa and Dpa in the presence of ammonia solution (25%). The complexes have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. The solution molecular structure of the complexes was elucidated by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy which shows that the DpaH + cation retains a close interaction with the lanthanide anion in solution. The crystal structure of Eu-1, determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, confirms this intermolecular interaction in the solid-state through a N–H⋯O hydrogen bond of 2.187 Å. In the [Eu(hfaa) 4] - anion the EuO 8 coordination polyhedron has a distorted triangular dodecahedron geometry with approximate D 2d-symmetry around the metal centre. Photophysical, thermal, and electroluminescent properties of the complexes have been investigated. The Sm-1 and Eu-1 complexes displayed efficient typical red emission with a sizeable photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) while Tb-1 displayed near-white light emission. The complexes have been used as dopants to fabricate single- and double-emitting layer (EML) OLEDs through the thermal evaporation method. At the optimum doping concentration, double-EML Eu-1 based device displayed orange electroluminescence (EL) with a brightness (B) of 417 cd/m 2 and very low V turn-on = 3.4 V. Interestingly, the Sm-1 based single-EML device exhibited pure red emission with the Commission internationale de l'éclairage [(CIE) x,y = 0.613, 0.321], which is rare. The Sm-1 based device performance [B = 145 cd/m 2, current efficiency (η c) = 0.35 cd/A, power efficiency (η p) = 0.15 lm/W with an external quantum efficiency (EQE) = 0.3% and V turn-on = 7.1 V] surpassed that of the only reported Sm-based single red-OLED (R-OLED). </p

Molecular versus Silica-Supported Iridium Water Oxidation Catalysts

A stringent comparison between two pairs of molecular/immobilized water oxidation catalysts ([Cp*Ir(Me-pica)Cl], 1, versus 1_SiO₂, Me-pica=κ²-N-methyl-picolinamide; [Cp*Ir(pysa)NO₃], 2, versus 2_SiO₂, pysa=κ²-pyridine-2-sulfonamide]) reveals distinctive catalytic trends. While the molecular compound 1 exhibits a substantial higher activity than the analogous immobilized system 1_SiO₂, under all the experimental conditions explored, the contrary is found with 2 that is far less active than its immobilized counterpart 2_SiO₂. This is explained by the unique tendency of 2 to form dimeric complexes [Cp*Ir-(κ²-μ₂-Hpysa)(κ²-μ₂-pysa)IrCp*], 2 a, in phosphate buffered solution at pH 7, and [Cp*Ir-(κ²-μ₂-Hpysa)₂IrCp*], 2 b, in water. 2 a and 2 b have been completely characterized in solution by multinuclear and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. They have been also isolated as single crystals and their structure in solid state determined by X-Ray diffractometry. 2 a and 2 b appear to be off-cycle species, whose formation is detrimental for water oxidation activity, as indicated by the observation of a long induction period when 2 a is used as catalytic precursor. In addition, TOF versus ΔE (E−E⁰=−RT/nF ln([IO₄−]/[IO₃−]) trends for the first two runs do not overlap for catalyst 2 and TOFₘₐₓ is remarkably higher in the second run upon the addition of fresh NaIO₄. In the immobilized system 2_SiO₂ the detrimental associative processes are likely inhibited leading to an activity higher than that of 2.ISSN:1434-1948ISSN:1099-068

C–H Activation and Olefin Insertion as Sources of Multiple Sites in Olefin Polymerization Catalyzed by Cp^AlkylHf(IV) Complexes

Intramolecular activation of hydrocarbyls to form metallacyclic complexes is a relatively fast process in cationic hafnocene catalysts bearing propyl-substituted Cp ligands. The resulting metallacycles are effective 1-hexene polymerization catalysts with activities comparable to that of the nonmetalated precursor. <i>Ad hoc</i> polymerizations of 1-hexene, using (Cp^<i>Pr</i>)₂HfMe₂ as catalyst precursor, allow the isolation and characterization, via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) techniques, of polymers containing (Cp^{<i>CH</i>₂–<i>CH</i>₂–<i>CR</i>₃})₂HfCl₂ (R = H or polymeryl) units. The polymeryl substitutions arise from irreversible incorporation of polymer chains onto the cyclopentadienyl ligand substituent(s) via metallacycle intermediates. As a consequence of such “self-modification”, multiple active sites are generated by a nominally single-site catalyst; this may explain the broadening of the molecular weight distribution (MWD) and chemical composition distribution (CCD) observed in olefin polymerization

Single-Site Iridium Picolinamide Catalyst Immobilized onto Silica for the Hydrogenation of CO2 and the Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid

The development of an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for storing H-2 into CO(2 )and releasing it from the produced formic acid, when needed, is a crucial target for overcoming some intrinsic criticalities of green hydrogen exploitation, such as high flammability, low density, and handling. Herein, we report an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for both reactions prepared by immobilizing a molecular iridium organometallic catalyst onto a high-surface mesoporous silica, through a sol-gel methodology. The presence of tailored single-metal catalytic sites, derived by a suitable choice of ligands with desired steric and electronic characteristics, in combination with optimized support features, makes the immobilized catalyst highly active. Furthermore, the information derived from multinuclear DNP-enhanced NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and Ir L-3-edge XAS indicates the formation of cationic iridium sites. It is quite remarkable to note that the immobilized catalyst shows essentially the same catalytic activity as its molecular analogue in the hydrogenation of CO2. In the reverse reaction of HCOOH dehydrogenation, it is approximately twice less active but has no induction period.ISSN:0020-1669ISSN:1520-510

Equisetum arvense standardized dried extract hinders age-related osteosarcopenia

: Age-associated osteosarcopenia is an unresolved syndrome characterized by the concomitant loss of bone (osteopenia) and skeletal muscle (sarcopenia) tissues increasing falls, immobility, morbidity, and mortality. Unbalanced resorption of bone in the remodeling process and excessive protein breakdown, especially fast type II myosin heavy chain (MyHC-II) isoform and myofiber metabolic shift, are the leading causes of bone and muscle deterioration in the elderly, respectively. Equisetum arvense (EQ) is a plant traditionally recommended for many pathological conditions due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, considering that a chronic low-grade inflammatory state predisposes to both osteoporosis and sarcopenia, we tested a standardized hydroalcoholic extract of EQ in in vitro models of muscle atrophy [C2C12 myotubes treated with proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα/IFNγ), excess glucocorticoids (dexamethasone), or the osteokine, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)] and osteoclastogenesis (RAW 264.7 cells treated with RANKL). We found that EQ counteracted myotube atrophy, blunting the activity of several pathways depending on the applied stimulus, and reduced osteoclast formation and activity. By in silico target fishing, IKKB-dependent nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) inhibition emerges as a potential common mechanism underlying EQ's anti-atrophic effects. Consumption of EQ (500 mg/kg/day) by pre-geriatric C57BL/6 mice for 3 months translated into: i) maintenance of muscle mass and performance; ii) restrained myofiber oxidative shift; iii) slowed down age-related modifications in osteoporotic bone, significantly preserving trabecular connectivity density; iv) reduced muscle- and spleen-related inflammation. EQ can preserve muscle functionality and bone remodeling during aging, potentially valuable as a natural treatment for osteosarcopenia

Octahedral Zirconium Salan Catalysts for Olefin Polymerization: Substituent and Solvent Effects on Structure and Dynamics

: Group 4 metal-Salan olefin polymerization catalysts typically have relatively low activity, being slowed down by a pre-equilibrium favoring a non-polymerization active resting state identified as a mer-mer isomer (MM); formation of the polymerization active fac-fac species (FF) requires isomerization. We now show that the chemistry is more subtle than previously realized. Salan variations bearing large, flat substituents can achieve very high activity, and we ascribe this to the stabilization of the FF isomer, which becomes lower in energy than MM. Detailed in situ NMR studies of a fast (o-anthracenyl) and a slow (o-tBu) Salan precursors, suitably activated, indicate that preferred isomers in solution are different: the fast catalyst prefers FF while the slow catalyst prefers a highly distorted MM geometry. Crystal structures of the activated o-anthracenyl substituted complex with a moderately (chlorobenzene) and, more importantly, a weakly coordinating solvent (toluene) in the first coordination sphere emphasize that the active FF isomer is preferred, at least for the benzyl species. Site epimerization (SE) barriers for the fast catalyst (ΔS > 0, dissociative) and the slow catalyst (ΔS < 0, associative) in toluene corroborate the solvent role. Diagnostic NMe 13C chemical shift differences allow unambiguous detection of FF or MM geometries for seven activated catalysts in different solvents, highlighting the role of solvent coordination strength and bulkiness of the ortho-substituent on the isomer equilibrium. For the first time, active polymeryl species of Zr-Salan catalysts were speciated. The slow catalyst is effectively trapped in the inactive MM state, as previously suggested. Direct observation of fast catalysts is hampered by their high reactivity, but the product of the first 1-hexene insertion maintains its FF geometry

Synthesis and characterization of 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-2-carboxamide-based compounds targeting the PA-PB1 interface of influenza A virus polymerase

Influenza viruses (Flu) are responsible for seasonal epidemics causing high rates of morbidity, which can dramatically increase during severe pandemic outbreaks. Antiviral drugs are an indispensable weapon to treat infected people and reduce the impact on human health, nevertheless anti-Flu armamentarium still remains inadequate. In search for new anti-Flu drugs, our group has focused on viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) developing disruptors of PA-PB1 subunits interface with the best compounds characterized by cycloheptathiophene-3-carboxamide and 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-2-carboxamide scaffolds. By merging these moieties, two very interesting hybrid compounds were recently identified, starting from which, in this paper, a series of analogues were designed and synthesized. In particular, a thorough exploration of the cycloheptathiophene-3-carboxamide moiety led to acquire important SAR insight and identify new active compounds showing both the ability to inhibit PA-PB1 interaction and viral replication in the micromolar range and at non-toxic concentrations. For few compounds, the ability to efficiently inhibit PA-PB1 subunits interaction did not translate into anti-Flu activity. Chemical/physical properties were investigated for a couple of compounds suggesting that the low solubility of compound 14, due to a strong crystal lattice, may have impaired its antiviral activity. Finally, computational studies performed on compound 23, in which the phenyl ring suitably replaced the cycloheptathiophene, suggested that, in addition to hydrophobic interactions, H-bonds enhanced its binding within the PAC cavity

Poly[(μ4-phenylphosphonato)zinc(II)]

The title two-dimensional coordination polymer, [Zn(C6H5PO3)]n, was synthesized serendipitously by reacting a tetraphosphonate cavitand Tiiii[C3H7, CH3, C6H5] and Zn(CH3COO)22H2O in a DMF/H2O mixture. The basic conditions of the reaction cleaved the phosphonate bridges at the upper rim of the cavitand, making them available for reaction with the zinc ions. The coordination polymer can be described as an inorganic layer in which zinc coordinates the oxygen atoms of the phosphonate groups in a distorted tetrahedral environment, while the phenyl groups, which are statistically disordered over two orientations, point up and down with respect to the layer. The layers interact through van der Waals interactions. The crystal studied was refined as a two-component twin