Revolutionizing protein hydrolysis in wastewater: Innovative immobilization of metagenome-derived protease in periodic mesoporous organosilica with imidazolium framework

This research focused on utilizing periodic mesoporous organosilica with imidazolium framework (PMO-IL), to immobilize a metagenome-sourced protease (PersiProtease1), thereby enhancing its functional efficiency and catalytic effectiveness in processing primary proteins found in tannery wastewater. The successful immobilization of enzyme was confirmed through the use of N2 adsorption-desorption experiment, XRD, FTIR, TEM, FESEM, EDS and elemental analytical techniques. The immobilized enzyme exhibited greater stability in the presence of various metal ions and inhibitors compared to its free form. Furthermore, enzyme binding to PMO-IL nanoparticles (NPs) reduced leaching, evidenced by only 11.41 % of enzyme leakage following a 120-min incubation at 80 °C and 6.99 % after 240 min at 25 °C. Additionally, PersiPro@PMO-IL maintained impressive operational consistency, preserving 62.24 % of its activity over 20 cycles. It also demonstrated notable stability under saline conditions, with an increase of 1.5 times compared to the free enzyme in the presence of 5 M NaCl. The rate of collagen hydrolysis by the immobilized protease was 46.82 % after a 15-minute incubation at 60 °C and marginally decreased to 39.02 % after 20 cycles indicative of sustained efficacy without significant leaching throughout the cycles. These findings underscore the effectiveness of PMO-IL NPs as a viable candidate for treating wastewater containing protein.

Rapid Access to Divergent Fused Polycycles Via One-Pot A3 Coupling and Intramolecular Diels-Alder Reaction

Divergent nitrogen-containing fused polycyclic ring systems are constructed from simple starting materials via a one-pot aldehyde-alkyne-amine (A3) coupling and intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction. This domino reaction directly furnishes linear 5/5/5 and 5/5/6, or nonlinear 5/5/6/5, polycyclic rings containing an oxa-bridged fused 5/5 bicycle and a 1,6-enyne substructure. One-step derivation of the oxa-bridged 5/5 bicycle leads to a polyfunctionalized 5/5 bicycle with tetrahydrofuran fused back-to-back to pyrroline or a 6/5 bicycle with the hexahydro-1H-isoindole structure, while cycloisomerizing the enyne substructure adds an extra fused 5-membered ring to afford functionalized linear 5/5/5/5 or 5/5/5/5/5 fused ring systems from selected substrates. In addition, the one-pot product can be designed so that the alkyne moiety is hydroalkoxylated to form an additional heterocyle in a linear 5/5/5/6 or nonlinear 5/5/6/5/5 ring system. This diversity-oriented synthetic approach thus allows rapid access to an under-explored structural space for discovery of new biological or non-biological activities or functions.

Atomically precise ultrasmall copper cluster for room-temperature highly regioselective dehydrogenative coupling

Three-component dehydrogenative coupling reactions represent important and practical methodologies for forging new C-N bonds and C-C bonds. Achieving highly all-in-one dehydrogenative coupling functionalization by a single catalytic system remains a great challenge. Herein, we develop a rigid-flexible-coupled copper cluster [Cu3(NHC)3(PF6)3] (Cu3NC(NHC)) using a tridentate N-heterocyclic carbene ligand. The shell ligand endows Cu3NC(NHC) with dual attributes, including rigidity and flexibility, to improve activity and stability. The Cu3NC(NHC) is applied to catalyze both highly all-in-one dehydrogenative coupling transformations. Mechanistic studies and density functional theory illustrate that the improved regioselectivity is derived from the low energy of ion pair with copper acetylide and endo-iminium ions and the low transition state, which originates from the unique physicochemical properties of the Cu3NC(NHC) catalyst. This work highlights the importance of N-heterocyclic carbene in the modification of copper clusters, providing a new design rule to protect cluster catalytic centers and enhance catalysis.

Cellulose-Supported Heterogeneous Gold-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization Reactions of Alkynoic Acids and Allenynamides

Herein, we describe efficient nanogold-catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions of alkynoic acids and allenynamides to enol lactones and dihydropyrroles, respectively (the latter via an Alder-ene reaction). The gold nanoparticles were immobilized on thiol-functionalized microcrystalline cellulose and characterized by electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and by XPS. The thiol-stabilized gold nanoparticles (Au0) were obtained in the size range 1.5-6 nm at the cellulose surface. The robust and sustainable cellulose-supported gold nanocatalyst can be recycled for multiple cycles without losing activity.

Synthesis of Ag-Cu-Ni Nanoparticles Stabilized on Functionalized g-C3N4 and Investigation of Its Catalytic Activity in the A3-Coupling Reaction

In the present research, using ethylenediamine and hydrazine hydrate as the capping and reducing agents in this investigation, respectively, Ag-Cu-Ni NPs were immobilized on the functionalized g-C₃N₄ surface. This nanocatalyst was studied in terms of its catalytic activities for the A³-coupling reaction to synthesize propargylamine derivatives. According to the results, in the presence of 1 mL of toluene as the solvent and 20 mg of the g-C₃N₄-TCT-2AEDSEA-Ag-Cu-Ni nanocatalyst, the maximum efficiency of the nanocatalyst occurred at a temperature of 80 °C. Products were purified using thin-layer chromatography plates (silica gel) by employing n-hexane/ethyl acetate with a 90:10 ratio. In addition, the prominent benefits of the synthesized nanocatalyst include its high yields of the product, cost-effectiveness, recyclability, and easy separation. The novelty of the catalyst is due to the presence of Ag-Cu-Ni nanoparticles at the same time in the structure of the functionalized g-C₃N₄ substrate. So, Ag-Cu-Ni can be strongly connected to the substrate. The structure of the synthesized nanocatalyst was characterized using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, vibrating-sample magnetometry, and transmission electron microscopy.

Silver Nanoparticle-Incorporated Defect-Engineered Zr-based Metal-Organic Framework for Efficient Multicomponent Catalytic Reactions

Small-sized silver nanoparticles are incorporated into a thiol-functionalized stable Zr-based metal-organic framework (MOF). Thiol functionalization has been carried out using 2-mercapto benzoic acid (2-MBA) as the modulator, which promotes defect formation in the MOF structure. The incorporation of silver nanoparticles aided by the silver-sulfur interactions in this defective MOF gives rise to catalytic activity. Its catalytic efficiency in the highly atom-efficient A³ coupling reaction has been studied for a variety of substrates with impressive recyclability. The synergistic effect of the electron-rich silver core and electron-deficient surface of the thiol-bonded silver nanoparticle is key for this catalytic reaction.

Recent advanced development of metal-loaded mesoporous organosilicas as catalytic nanoreactors

Ordered periodic mesoporous organosilicas have been widely applied in adsorption/separation/sensor technologies and the fields of biomedicine/biotechnology as well as catalysis. Crucially, surface modification with functional groups and metal complexes or nanoparticle loading has ensured high efficacy and efficiency. This review will highlight the current state of design and catalytic application of transition metal-loaded mesoporous organosilica nanoreactors. It will outline prominent synthesis approaches for the grafting of metal complexes, metal salt adsorption and in situ preparation of metal nanoparticles, and summarize the catalytic performance of the resulting mesoporous organosilica hybrid materials. Finally, the potential prospects and challenges of metal-loaded mesoporous organosilica nanoreactors are addressed.

Unconventional Gold-Catalyzed One-Pot/Multicomponent Synthesis of Propargylamines Starting from Benzyl Alcohols

A formal homogeneous gold-catalyzed A3-coupling, starting from benzyl alcohols, is reported for the straightforward synthesis of propargylamines. This is the first process where these highly valuable compounds have been synthesized, starting from the corresponding alcohols in a one-pot oxidation procedure using MnO2, followed by a HAuCl4·3H2O catalyzed multicomponent reaction. The final products are obtained with very good yields in short reaction times, which is of fundamental interest for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals. The usefulness and efficiency of our methodology is successfully compared against the same reaction starting from aldehydes.

Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols Catalyzed by in Situ Generated Gold Nanoparticles inside the Channels of Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica with Ionic Liquid Framework

In situ generated gold nanoparticles inside the nanospaces of periodic mesoporous organosilica with an imidazolium framework (Au@PMO-IL) were found to be highly active, selective, and reusable catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of activated and nonactivated alcohols under mild reaction conditions. The catalyst was characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurement, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), elemental analysis (EA), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic activity in the presence of either Cs₂CO₃ (35 °C) or K₂CO₃ (60 °C) as reaction bases in toluene as a reaction solvent. Under both reaction conditions, various types of alcohols (up to 35 examples) including activated benzylic, primary and secondary aliphatic, heterocyclic, and challenging cyclic aliphatic alcohols converted to the expected carbonyl compounds in good to excellent yields and selectivity. The catalyst was also recovered and reused for at least seven reaction cycles. Data from three independent leaching tests indicated that amounts of leached gold particles were negligible (<0.2 ppm). It is believed that the combination of bridged imidazolium groups and confined nanospaces of PMO-IL might be a major reason explaining the remarkable stabilization and homogeneous distribution of in situ generated gold nanoparticles, thus resulting in the highly active and recyclable catalyst system.

2D Mesoporous Channels of PMO; a Platform for Cluster-Like Pt Synthesis and Catalytic Activity in Nitrophenol Reduction

Thiourea-bridged organosiloxane is used to synthesize a periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO). Since this PMO has an S-enriched surface, owing to thiourea functional groups, it exhibits strong coordination toward Pt ions, and it shows a high tunability in the Pt nanoparticles size. This hybrid mesoporous material is employed as a catalyst in the efficient reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol at room temperature in an aqueous media.

Modern Catalysts in A3- Coupling Reactions

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Propargylamines are an important constituent of diverse, biologically active and industrially valuable compounds. These useful, convenient and effective compounds can be synthesized via the A3-coupling reactions between an aldehyde, amine, and alkyne in the presence of a catalyst. In the past years, most of the catalysts containing transition metals were applied in these reactions, but today, various heterogeneous catalysts, especially nanocatalysts are used. The purpose of this review was to introduce some modern catalysts for the A3-coupling reaction.

Shedding light on the use of Cu(ii)-salen complexes in the A3 coupling reaction

One Cu(ii) complex, {Cu(ii)L} (1S), has been synthesised, in two high yielding steps under ambient conditions, and characterised by single-crystal X-Ray diffraction (SXRD), IR, UV-Vis, circular dichroism (CD), elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and electron spray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS). This air-stable compound enables the generation, at room temperature and in open-air, of twenty propargylamines, nine new, from secondary amines, aliphatic aldehydes and alkynes with a broad scope with yields up to 99%. Catalyst loadings can be as low as 1 mol%, while the recovered material retains its structural integrity and can be used up to 5 times without loss of its activity. Control experiments, SXRD, cyclic voltammetry and theoretical studies shed light on the mechanism revealing that the key to success is the use of phenoxido salen based ligands. These ligands orchestrate topological control permitting alkyne binding with concomitant activation of the C-H bond and simultaneously acting as a template temporarily accommodating the abstracted acetylenic proton, and continuously generating, via in situ formed radicals and a Single Electron Transfer (SET) mechanism, a transient Cu(i) active site to facilitate this transformation. The scope and limitations of this protocol are discussed and presented.

Gold nanoparticles stabilized by PEG-tagged imidazolium salts as recyclable catalysts for the synthesis of propargylamines and the cycloisomerization of γ-alkynoic acids

Water-soluble gold nanoparticles prepared in the presence of PEG-tagged tris-imidazolium bromide, containing Au(0) and Au(i) species, are reusable catalysts.

In Situ Immobilized Silver Nanoparticles on Rubia tinctorum Extract-Coated Ultrasmall Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: An Efficient Nanocatalyst with Magnetic Recyclability for Synthesis of Propargylamines by A3 Coupling Reaction

This research suggests a green method for synthesizing hybrid magnetic nanocomposites that can be used as a reductant and a stabilizing agent for immobilizing metal nanoparticles (NPs). The central idea is the modification of magnetic NPs using Rubia tinctorum extract, which consists of numerous carbonyl and phenolic hydroxyl functional groups to increase adsorption of metals and chelate silver ions, and decrease the adsorption of silver ions by Ag NPs, in situ. Thus, the suggested catalyst preparation process does not require toxic reagents, additional reductants, and intricate instruments. To show the effectiveness of the plant extract in reducing and immobilizing Ag NPs, the structural, morphological, and physicochemical features of the particles are studied using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, X-ray diffraction analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. One of the advantages of the suggested method is to reduce the size of the magnetic NPs from 15-20 to 2-5 nm, in the presence of the extract. Additionally, the prepared Fe3O4@R. tinctorum/Ag nanocatalyst is demonstrated to exhibit a very high activity in the catalysis of the three-component reaction of aldehydes, amines, and alkynes (A3 coupling) with good to high yields of diverse propargylamines. Moreover, the nanocatalyst can be recovered several times with no considerable leaching or loss of performance.

The use of magnetic starch as a support for an ionic liquid-β-cyclodextrin based catalyst for the synthesis of imidazothiadiazolamine derivatives

In this paper, a novel catalyst is introduced based on the introduction of an ionic liquid onto the β-cyclodextrin. The ionic liquid-β-cyclodextrin was anchored to magnetic starch (denoted βCD-IL@M-Starch) and fully characterized by several methods including TEM, TGA, VSM and FT-IR. The catalyst was used for the synthesis of imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazol-5-amine and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-amine derivatives. βCD-IL@M-Starch catalyst showed very good activity in the synthesis of diphenylimidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazol-5-amine derivatives from the corresponding benzaldehyde, semicarbazide, benzaldehydes and isocyanides. The products were obtained in a mild reaction conditions in good isolated yields in the presence of βCD-IL@M-Starch as catalyst. The catalyst showed to be magnetically reusable, and gave very good results in 10 sequential reactions.

Imidazolium-based mesoporous organosilicas with bridging organic groups for microextraction by packed sorbent of phenoxy acid herbicides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorophenols

The authors describe the preparation of two kinds of periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs). The first kind is monofunctional and has a bridged alkyl imidazolium framework (PMO-IL). The other is a two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal bifunctional periodic mesoporous organosilica (BFPMO) with bridged IL-phenyl or -ethyl units. The CPMOs were utilized as highly sensitive and stable sorbents for microextraction by packed sorbent. The materials were characterized by SEM, TEM, FT-IR, and N₂ adsorption-desorption analysis. The adsorption capacities of the sorbents were investigated by using phenoxy acid herbicides as model analytes. The effects of bifunctionality and type of additional surface groups (phenyl or ethyl) on the efficiency of the extraction is emphasized. Three kinds of environmental contaminants, viz. phenoxy acid herbicides (CPAs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorophenols were then studied with respect to their extraction by the sorbents. The interactions between the CPAs and the sorbents were evaluated by pH-changing processes to explore the interactions that play a major role. The selectivity of the sorbents was investigated by extraction of other types of analytes of with various polarity and charge. The BFPMOs display the typical good chemical stability of silica materials. The extraction properties are much better compared to commercial silicas. This is assumed to be due to the highly ordered mesoporous structures and the different types of probable interactions with analytes. The performance of the method was evaluated by extraction of CPAs as model analytes from aqueous samples, and quantification by GC with FID detection. Under optimized conditions, low limits of detection (0.1-0.5 μg.L^-1) and a wide linearity (0.5-200 μg.L^-1) were obtained. The method was applied to the trace analysis of CPAs in farm waters and rice samples. Graphical abstract Monofunctional periodic mesoporous organosilica with bridged alkyl imidazolium frameworks and bi-functional periodic mesoporous organosilica containing bridged ionic liquids and phenyl or -ethyl, have been successfully synthesized and utilized in microextractions by packed sorbent sorbents.

Palladium Comprising Dicationic Bipyridinium Supported Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica (PMO): Pd@Bipy–PMO as an Efficient Hybrid Catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reaction in Water

In this study, we developed a novel catalysts consisting of periodic mesoporous organosilica functionalized with bipyridinium ionic liquid supported palladium. The physiochemical properties of the hybrid catalyst were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, small angle X–ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, nitrogen adsorption–desorption analyses, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The stabilized Pd species inside the mesochannels provided good catalytic efficiency for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions in water. The activity of the designed catalysts retained for several consecutive recycle runs. The stability, recoverability, and reusability of the designed heterogeneous catalyst were also studied under various reaction conditions.

A comparative study on atomically precise Au nanoclusters as catalysts for the aldehyde–alkyne–amine (A3) coupling reaction: ligand effects on the nature of the catalysis and efficiency

Atomically precise Au₁₃ nanoclusters stabilized by stibines catalyze the aldehyde–alkyne–amine coupling reaction more efficiently than those stabilized by thiols or phosphines. The nature of the catalytic activity is also different, and may be attributed to the weaker coordinating ability of the stibine ligands.

A stibine-stabilised gold nanocluster which acts as a homogeneous catalyst in the A³ coupling reaction.

Green synthesis of Au nanoparticles using an aqueous extract of Stachys lavandulifolia and their catalytic performance for alkyne/aldehyde/amine A3 coupling reactions

High reaction rate and easy availability make green synthesis of metal nanoparticles noticeable. In the present study, gold nanoparticles with wide applications in different fields were synthesized by an ecofriendly method at room temperature using Stachys lavandulifolia extract as the reducing agent. Properties of the synthesized gold nanoparticles (GNP) were identified by different analytical techniques including: UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy verified presence of Au NPs in the solution while functional groups of its extract and synthesized Au NPs were determined by FT-IR. Its crystalline analysis with a fcc plane was verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) determined elements in the sample. Surface morphology, diverse shapes and sizes of the Au NPs were shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Beginning and end destruction temperatures of the Au/S. lavandulifolia NPs were determined by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The Au nanoparticles were capped with extracts, preventing them from oxidation and agglomeration and were used as an efficient heterogeneous nanocatalyst for a three-component reaction of amines, aldehydes, and alkynes (A3 coupling). A diverse range of propargylamines were obtained in good yields. Furthermore, the separation and recycling of Au/S. lavandulifolia NPs was very simple, effective, and economical.

Immobilized Gold Nanoparticles Prepared from Gold(III)-Containing Ionic Liquids on Silica: Application to the Sustainable Synthesis of Propargylamines

A cycloaurated phosphinothioic amide gold(III) complex was supported on amorphous silica with the aid of an imidazolium ionic liquid (IL) physisorbed in the SiO₂ pores (SiO₂⁻IL) and covalently bonded to the SiO₂ (SiO₂@IL). Gold(0) nanoparticles (AuNPs) were formed in situ and subsequently immobilized on the SiO₂⁻IL/SiO₂@IL phase. The resulting catalytic systems Au⁻SiO₂⁻IL and Au⁻SiO₂@IL promoted the solvent-free A³ coupling reaction of alkynes, aldehydes, and amines in high yields under solvent-free conditions with very low catalyst loading and without the use of additives. The Au⁻SiO₂@IL catalyst showed good recyclability and could be reused at least five times with yields of propargylamines of ≥80%. This synthetic method provides a green and low cost way to effectively prepare propargylamines. Additionally, 31P high resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) NMR spectroscopy is introduced as a simple technique to establish the Au loading of the catalyst.