Oxime as a general photocage for the design of visible light photo-activatable fluorophores

Photoactivatable fluorophores have been widely used for tracking molecular and cellular dynamics with subdiffraction resolution. In this work, we have prepared a series of photoactivatable probes using the oxime moiety as a new class of photolabile caging group in which the photoactivation process is mediated by a highly efficient photodeoximation reaction. Incorporation of the oxime caging group into fluorophores results in loss of fluorescence. Upon light irradiation in the presence of air, the oxime-caged fluorophores are oxidized to their carbonyl derivatives, restoring strong fluorophore fluorescence. To demonstrate the utility of these oxime-caged fluorophores, we have created probes that target different organelles for live-cell confocal imaging. We also carried out photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) imaging under physiological conditions using low-power light activation in the absence of cytotoxic additives. Our studies show that oximes represent a new class of visible-light photocages that can be widely used for cellular imaging, sensing, and photo-controlled molecular release.

Efficient and reusable ordered mesoporous WOx/SnO2 catalyst for oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene

The oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of organic sulfur compounds over tungsten oxide supported on highly ordered mesoporous SnO₂ (WO_x/meso-SnO₂) was investigated. A series of WO_x/meso-SnO₂ with WO_x contents from 10 wt% to 30 wt%, were prepared by conventional wet impregnation. The physico-chemical properties of the WO_x/meso-SnO₂ catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, and the temperature-programmed reduction of hydrogen (H₂-TPR). The characterization results indicated that these catalysts possessed mesoporous structures with uniform pores, high specific surface areas, and well-dispersed polyoxotungstate species on the surface of meso-SnO₂ support. The ODS performances were evaluated in a biphasic system (model oil/acetonitrile, S_initial = 2000 ppm), using H₂O₂ as an oxidant, and acetonitrile as an extractant. Dibenzothiophene (DBT) in the model oil was removed completely within 60 min at 50 °C using 20 wt% WO_x/meso-SnO₂ catalyst. Additionally, the effect of reaction temperature, H₂O₂/DBT molar ratio, amount of catalyst and different sulfur-containing substrates on the catalytic performances were also investigated in detail. More importantly, the 20 wt% WO_x/meso-SnO₂ catalyst exhibited 100% surfur-removal efficiency without any regeneration process, even after six times recycling.

The highly ordered mesoporous WO_x/meso-SnO₂ showed excellent catalytic activity and reusability in removing dibenzothiophene (DBT).

Catalytic epoxidation of β-ionone with molecular oxygen using selenium-doped silica materials

Se-doped silica could catalyze the β-ionone epoxidation reaction. Interestingly, by doping with fluorine in the catalyst, the reaction selectivity was significantly enhanced. The metal-free process is suitable for pharmaceutical synthesis.

A green and energy-efficient photocatalytic process for the accelerated synthesis of lactic acid esters using functionalized quantum dots

Sulphonated-grafted-titania quantum dot catalyzed green and energy-efficient photochemical process for the synthesis of valuable lactic acid esters at ambient temperature.

Copper-catalyzed efficient access to 2,4,6-triphenyl pyridines via oxidative decarboxylative coupling of aryl acetic acids with oxime acetates

A simple and efficient strategy for the synthesis of 2,4,6- triphenyl pyridines has been developed through copper-catalysed oxidative decarboxylative coupling of C(sp3) aryl acetic acids with oxime acetates using oxygen as a sole terminal oxidant.