MCM-41-supported oxo-vanadium(IV) complex: a highly selective heterogeneous catalyst for the bromination of hydroxy aromatic compounds in water

Synthesis of MCM-41 Immobilized (Phenoxy)Imine Palladium(II) Complexes as Recyclable Catalysts in the Methoxycarbonylation of 1-Hexene

The immobilization of 2-phenyl-2-((3(tryethoxysicyl)propyl)imino)ethanol (HL1) and 4-methyl-2-(((3(triethoxysilyl)propyl)imino)methyl)phenol (HL2) on MCM-41 afforded the respective ligands HL1-MCM-41 (HL3) and HL2-MCM-41 (HL4). The treatment of complexes Pd(L1)2 and Pd(L2)2 with MCM-41 afforded the immobilized complexes (Pd(L1)2)-MCM-41 (1) and (Pd(L2)2)-MCM-41 (2) respectively. Separately, the reactions of HL3 and HL4 with Pd(NCMe)2Cl2 produced the immobilized complexes Pd(HL3)Cl2 (3) and Pd(HL4)Cl2 (4) respectively. The immobilized compounds were characterized by FT-IR, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD). All the complexes (1–4) formed active catalysts in the methoxycarbonylation of 1-hexene to give linear and branched esters. The catalysts were recycled four times without the loss of catalytic activity. Hot filtration experiments established the absence of leaching, and the heterogeneous nature of the active species was derived from mercury drop experiments.

Functional Enzyme Mimics for Oxidative Halogenation Reactions that Combat Biofilm Formation

Transition-metal oxide nanoparticles and molecular coordination compounds are highlighted as functional mimics of halogenating enzymes. These enzymes are involved in halometabolite biosynthesis. Their activity is based upon the formation of hypohalous acids from halides and hydrogen peroxide or oxygen, which form bioactive secondary metabolites of microbial origin with strong antibacterial and antifungal activities in follow-up reactions. Therefore, enzyme mimics and halogenating enzymes may be valuable tools to combat biofilm formation. Here, halogenating enzyme models are briefly described, enzyme mimics are classified according to their catalytic functions, and current knowledge about the settlement chemistry and adhesion of fouling organisms is summarized. Enzyme mimics with the highest potential are showcased. They may find application in antifouling coatings, indoor and outdoor paints, polymer membranes for water desalination, or in aquacultures, but also on surfaces for food packaging, door handles, hand rails, push buttons, keyboards, and other elements made of plastic where biofilms are present. The use of natural compounds, formed in situ with nontoxic and abundant metal oxide enzyme mimics, represents a novel and efficient "green" strategy to emulate and utilize a natural defense system for preventing bacterial colonization and biofilm growth.

Synthesis and application of chitosan supported vanadium oxo in the synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines and 2,4,6-triarylpyridines via anomeric based oxidation

1,4-Dihydropyridines and 2,4,6-triarylpyridines were synthesized via anomeric based oxidation using chitosan supported vanadium oxo.

Sortase A-mediated crosslinked short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases as novel biocatalysts with improved thermostability and catalytic efficiency

(S)-carbonyl reductase II (SCRII) from Candida parapsilosis is a short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase/reductase. It catalyses the conversion of 2-hydroxyacetophenone to (S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol with low efficiency. Sortase was reported as a molecular “stapler” for site-specific protein conjugation to strengthen or add protein functionality. Here, we describe Staphylococcus aureus sortase A-mediated crosslinking of SCRII to produce stable catalysts for efficient biotransformation. Via a native N-terminal glycine and an added GGGGSLPETGG peptide at C-terminus of SCRII, SCRII subunits were conjugated by sortase A to form crosslinked SCRII, mainly dimers and trimers. The crosslinked SCRII showed over 6-fold and 4-fold increases, respectively, in activity and k_cat/K_m values toward 2-hydroxyacetophenone compared with wild-type SCRII. Moreover, crosslinked SCRII was much more thermostable with its denaturation temperature (T_m) increased to 60 °C. Biotransformation result showed that crosslinked SCRII gave a product optical purity of 100% and a yield of >99.9% within 3 h, a 16-fold decrease in transformation duration with respect to Escherichia coli/pET-SCRII. Sortase A-catalysed ligation also obviously improved T_ms and product yields of eight other short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases/reductases. This work demonstrates a generic technology to improve enzyme function and thermostability through sortase A-mediated crosslinking of oxidoreductases.

Influence of electron beam irradiation on spectral, thermal, morphological and catalytic properties of Co(II) complex immobilized on chitosan's Schiff base

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of electron beam irradiation on the spectral and catalytic properties of chitosan supported (ONClCl) tetra coordinated Co(II) complex, [Co(OIAC)Cl2]. The complex was subjected to electron beam irradiation of 100 Gy, 1 kGy and 10 kGy doses. Chain scission of chitosan was observed on irradiation at 100 Gy and 10 kGy and chain linking at 1 kGy as evidenced by viscosity and FT-IR spectroscopic studies. This observation was also confirmed by thermo gravimetric and differential thermogravimetric (TG-DTG) analysis. It revealed that the thermal stability of the complex was increased at 1 kGy irradiation and decreased at 100 Gy and 10 kGy. In addition, the effect of electron beam irradiation on the surface morphology of the complex was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Catalytic abilities of both non-irradiated complex and irradiated complexes were determined and compared in the cyclohexane oxidation using hydrogen peroxide oxidant. The catalytic activity was found to increase after irradiation at all doses. Though the complex irradiated at 10 kGy showed highest conversion efficiency, irradiation at 1 kGy is suggested as the best dose due to the extensive reusability and adequate catalytic ability of the complex.

Alkaline earth metal-based metal–organic framework: hydrothermal synthesis, X-ray structure and heterogeneously catalyzed Claisen–Schmidt reaction

Two alkaline earth metal based carboxylate framework systems, [Mg(HL)(H₂O)₂]_n (1) and [Ca(H₂L)₂]_n (2) (H₃L = chelidamic acid) have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized. Both compound 1 and its dehydrated species heterogeneously catalyze Claisen–Schmidt reaction.