Total Synthesis of Isohericerin, Isohericenone, and Erinacerin A: Development of a Copper-Catalyzed Methylboronation of Terminal Alkynes

Efficient and concise approaches for the synthesis of three bioactive natural products, isohericerin, isohericenone, and erinacerin A, are described in this paper. The key reactions employed include a Mannich reaction with commercially available hydroxy­benzoate and subsequent one-pot lactamization to afford the common precursor isoindolinone in 3 steps and a Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction to connect geranyl side chains to the isoindolinone core. In addition, the mild and efficient synthesis of the C5′-oxidized geranyl side unit of isohericenone is enabled by developing a highly regioselective and efficient method for the Cu-catalyzed methylboronation of functionalized terminal alkynes

Toward Quantum Secured Distributed Energy Resources: Adoption of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)

Quantum computing is a game-changing technology that affects modern cryptography and security systems including distributed energy resources (DERs) systems. Since the new quantum era is coming soon in 5–10 years, it is crucial to prepare and develop quantum-safe DER systems. This paper provides a comprehensive review of vulnerabilities caused by quantum computing attacks, potential defense strategies, and remaining challenges for DER networks. First, new security vulnerabilities and attack models of the cyber-physical DER systems caused by quantum computing attacks are explored. Moreover, this paper introduces potential quantum attack defense strategies including Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), which can be applied to DER networks and evaluates defense strategies. Finally, remaining research opportunities and challenges for next-generation quantum-safe DER are discussed

Binaphthyl-based molecular barrier materials for phosphoric acid poisoning in high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells

In this study, thiol-functionalized binaphthyl barrier molecules were designed and synthesized for eliminating phosphoric acid (PA)-poisoning on Pt catalysts in oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs). In high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell, the ORR activity of Pt catalysts significantly decreases because of the PA poisoning. The binaphthyl thiol (BNSH) molecules with a tweezer-like structure can self-assemble on the Pt surface, thereby blocking the adsorption of PA, while permitting the approach of smaller oxygen molecules. After the treatment of Pt surfaces with BNSHs, the ORR activities were tested in the presence of PA, and the results were compared with respect to the molecular structures of BNSHs. Even in the presence of PA, the ORR activity of BNSH-treated Pt catalysts appeared to restore significantly up to the level of the pristine Pt without PA (kinetic current density at 0.8 V from 12 to 20.4 mA cm−2). This enhanced activity was attributed to the physical blocking of PA molecules on Pt surface and was affected by the molecular structures such as tweezer backbone, length of alkyl chains, and the type and number of functional groups.11Nsciescopu