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At least 1,027 records · Page 57

Bioinspired Diversification Approach Toward the Total Synthesis of Lycodine-Type Alkaloids

Nitrogen heterocycles (azacycles) are common structural motifs in numerous pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and natural products. Many powerful methods have been developed and continue to be advanced for the selective installation and modification of nitrogen heterocycles through C–H functionalization and C–C cleavage approaches, revealing new strategies for the synthesis of targets containing these structural entities. Here, we report the first total syntheses of the lycodine-type Lycopodium alkaloids casuarinine H, lycoplatyrine B, lycoplatyrine A, and lycopladine F as well as the total synthesis of 8,15-dihydrohuperzine A through bioinspired late-stage diversification of a readily accessible common precursor, N-desmethyl-β-obscurine. Key steps in the syntheses include oxidative C–C bond cleavage of a piperidine ring in the core structure of the obscurine intermediate and site-selective C–H borylation of a pyridine nucleus to enable cross-coupling reactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Transuranium Sulfide via the Boron Chalcogen Mixture Method and Reversible Water Uptake in the NaCu T S 3 Family

The behavior of 5f electrons in soft ligand environments makes actinides, and especially transuranium chalcogenides, an intriguing class of materials for fundamental studies. Due to the affinity of actinides for oxygen, however, it is a challenge to synthesize actinide chalcogenides using non-metallic reagents. Using the Boron Chalcogen Mixture (BCM) method, we achieved the synthesis of the transuranium sulfide NaCuNpS 3 starting from the oxide reagent, NpO 2 . Via the same synthetic route, the isostructural composition of NaCuUS 3 was synthesized and the material contrasted with NaCuNpS 3 . Single crystals of the U-analog, NaCuUS 3 , were found to undergo an unexpected reversible hydration process to form NaCuUS 3 ·xH 2 O (x ≈ 1.5). Here, a large combination of techniques was used to fully characterize the structure, hydration process, and electronic structures, specifically a combination of single crystal, powder, high temperature powder X-ray diffraction, extended X-ray ab-sorption fine structure, infrared, and inductively coupled plasma spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis, and density functional theory calculations. The outcome of these analyses enabled us to determine the composition of NaCuUS 3 ·xH 2 O and obtain a structural model that demonstrated the retention of the local structure within the [CuUS 3 ] – layers throughout the hydration-dehydration process. Band structure, density of states, and Bader charge calculations for NaCuUS 3 , NaCu-US 3 ·xH 2 O, and NaCuNpS 3 along with X-ray absorption near edge structure, UV-vis-NIR and work function measurements on ACuUS 3 (A = Na, K, and Rb) and NaCuUS 3 ·xH 2 O samples were carried out to demonstrate that electronic properties arise from the [CuTS 3 ] – layers and show surprisingly little dependence on the interlayer distance.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Strong Structural and Electronic Coupling in Metavalent PbS Moiré Superlattices

Moiré superlattices are twisted bilayer materials in which the tunable interlayer quantum confinement offers access to new physics and novel device functionalities. Previously, moiré superlattices were built exclusively using materials with weak van der Waals interactions, and synthesizing moiré superlattices with strong interlayer chemical bonding was considered to be impractical. Here, in this study, using lead sulfide (PbS) as an example, we report a strategy for synthesizing moiré superlattices coupled by strong chemical bonding. We use water-soluble ligands as a removable template to obtain free-standing ultrathin PbS nanosheets and assemble them into direct-contact bilayers with various twist angles. Atomic-resolution imaging shows the moiré periodic structural reconstruction at the superlattice interface due to the strong metavalent coupling. Electron energy loss spectroscopy and theoretical calculations collectively reveal the twist-angle-dependent electronic structure, especially the emergent separation of flat bands at small twist angles. The localized states of flat bands are similar to well-arranged quantum dots, promising an application in devices. This study opens a new door to the exploration of deep energy modulations within moiré superlattices alternative to van der Waals twistronics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Reversible Emulsions from Polyoxometalate–Polymer: A Robust Strategy to Cyclic Emulsion Catalysis and High-Internal-Phase Emulsion Materials

Reversible Pickering emulsions, achieved by switchable, interfacially active colloidal particles, that enable on-demand emulsification/demulsification or phase inversion, hold substantial promise for biphasic catalysis, emulsion polymerization, cutting fluids, and crude oil pipeline transportation. However, particles with such a responsive behavior usually require complex chemical syntheses and surface modifications, limiting their extensive use. Herein, we report a simple route to generate emulsions that can be controlled and reversibly undergo phase inversion. The emulsions are prepared and stabilized by the interfacial assembly of polyoxometalate (POM)–polymer, where their electrostatic interaction at the interface is dynamic. The wettability of the POMs that dictates the emulsion type can be readily regulated by tuning the number of polymer chains bound to POMs, which, in turn, can be controlled by varying the concentrations of both components and the water/oil ratio. In addition, the number of polymer chains anchored to the POMs can be varied by controlling the number of negative charges on the POMs through an in situ redox reaction. As such, a reversible inversion of the emulsions can be triggered by switching between exposure to ultraviolet light and the introduction of oxygen. Combining the functions of POM itself, a cyclic interfacial catalysis system was realized. Inversion of the emulsion also affords a pathway to high-internal-phase emulsions. Finally, the diversity of the POMs, the polymers, and the responsive switching groups open numerous new, simple strategies for designing a wide range of responsive soft matter for cargo loading, controlled release, and delivery in biomedical and engineering applications without time-consuming particle syntheses.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Stereospecific Enzymatic Conversion of Boronic Acids to Amines

Boronic acids and esters are highly regarded for their safety, unique reactivity, and versatility in synthesizing a wide range of small molecules, bioconjugates, and materials. They are not exploited in biocatalytic synthesis, however, because enzymes that can make, break, or modify carbon–boron bonds are rare. We wish to combine the advantages of boronic acids and esters for molecular assembly with biocatalysis, which offers the potential for unsurpassed selectivity and efficiency. Here, we introduce an engineered protoglobin nitrene transferase that catalyzes the new-to-nature amination of boronic acids using hydroxylamine. Initially targeting aryl boronic acids, we show that the engineered enzyme can produce a wide array of anilines with high yields and total turnover numbers (up to 99% yield and >4000 TTN), with water and boric acid as the only byproducts. We also demonstrate that the enzyme is effective with bench-stable boronic esters, which hydrolyze in situ to their corresponding boronic acids. Exploring the enzyme’s capacity for enantioselective catalysis, we found that a racemic alkyl boronic ester affords an enantioenriched alkyl amine, a transformation not achieved with chemocatalysts. The formation of an exclusively unrearranged product during the amination of a boronic ester radical clock and the reaction’s stereospecificity support a two-electron process akin to a 1,2-metallate shift mechanism. Here, the developed transformation enables new biocatalytic routes for synthesizing chiral amines.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structure and Synthesizability of Iron–Sulfur Metal–Organic Frameworks

Sulfur-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and coordination polymers (CPs) are an emerging class of hybrid materials that have received growing attention due to their magnetic, conductive, and catalytic properties with potential applications in electrocatalysis and energy storage. In this work, we report a high-throughput virtual screening protocol to predict the synthesizability of candidate metal–sulfur MOFs/CPs by computing the thermodynamically stable structures resulting from a particular combination of metal cluster, linker, cation, and synthetic conditions. Free energies are computed by using all-atom classical mechanical thermodynamic integration. Low-free-energy structures are refined using ab initio density functional theory, and pair distribution functions and powder X-ray diffraction patterns are calculated to complement and guide experimental structure determination. We validate the computational approach by retrospective predictions of the stable structure produced by experimental syntheses, and a subsequent screen predicts Fe 4 S 4 -BDT–TPP as a new thermodynamically stable one-dimensional (1D) CP comprising a redox-active Fe 4 S 4 cluster, a 1,4-benzenedithiolate (BDT) linker, and a tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP) countercation. Furthermore, this material is experimentally synthesized, and the 1D chain structure of the crystal is confirmed using microcrystal electron diffraction. The computational screening pipeline is generically transferable to neutral and ionic MOFs/CPs comprising arbitrary metal clusters, linkers, cations, and synthetic conditions, and we make it freely available as an open source tool to guide and accelerate the discovery and engineering of novel porous materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Electrodeposition of Magnonic V(tetracyanoethylene) 2 Thin Films

Molecule-based magnetic materials have been identified as promising candidates for application in magnonic technologies, owing not only to their solution processability but also because they can exhibit narrow ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) linewidths and low Gilbert damping coefficients—crucial prerequisites for the transmission of coherent magnons over macroscopic distances. In particular, V(TCNE) 2 , a compound with a threedimensional network structure composed of vanadium(II) centers linked by tetracyanoethylene (TCNE •− ) radical anions, displays magnonic properties comparable to yttrium iron garnet, the quintessential magnonic material in the field. However, existing solution and chemical vapor deposition methods for synthesizing V(TCNE) 2 require the use of highly reactive zero-valent molecular vanadium precursors, stymying research on this important material. Herein, we report a facile electrochemical method for the deposition of thin films of V(TCNE) 2 using readily obtainable and stable divalent vanadium precursors and TCNE •− anions generated by electrochemical reduction. Magnetization measurements reveal that the films exhibit ferrimagnetic ordering above room temperature, consistent with V(TCNE) 2 films synthesized via other methods. Moreover, the electrodeposited films exhibit narrow FMR linewidths as low as 17.5 G and a low Gilbert damping coefficient of 1.1 × 10 −3 , values that are on par with some currently integrated metallic magnonic materials. More generally, these results demonstrate that electrodeposition can provide a straightforward means of generating highperformance magnonic materials using readily available molecular precursors.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Band Gap Engineering and Metastable Phase Discovery in Cu 2 BaSnS 4– x Se x Nanocrystals via Topotactic Anion Exchange

Earth-abundant multinary inorganic chalcogenides, such as Cu 2 BaSnS 4–x Se x (CBTSSe), have emerged as promising absorbers for next-generation solar cells. However, accessing colloidal CBTSSe nanocrystals, including metastable polymorphs with more favorable optoelectronic properties, remains a critical synthetic challenge. Herein, we report the first use of topotactic anion exchange to access metastable crystal structures in soft chemistry syntheses. By varying the stoichiometry of selenium precursors, we directly synthesize Cu 2 BaSnS 4–x Se x (0 ≤ x ≤ 4) nanocrystals with a broad band gap tunability of 1.51–2.04 eV. At x = 4, a new metastable trigonal phase of Cu 2 BaSnSe 4 is isolated. This phase arises via an in-situ topotactic anion exchange from sulfur-rich Cu 2 BaSnS 4–x Se x intermediates, while retaining both the cation sublattice and overall nanocrystal morphology. The trigonal Cu 2 BaSnSe 4 exhibits a nearly direct band gap that is 280 meV lower than its thermodynamically stable orthorhombic counterpart, aligning more closely with the optimal band gap for single-junction solar cells. In contrast, a post-synthetic anion exchange route leads to the thermodynamically preferred orthorhombic polymorph, pointing to the critical nature of the in-situ transformation. Our findings open a versatile pathway for both polymorphic and morphological control in colloidal nanocrystals, expanding the synthetic design space for new optoelectronic materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ferromagnetic Insulator to Metal Transition in Noncentrosymmetric Graphene Nanoribbons

Engineering sublattice imbalance within the unit cell of bottom-up synthesized graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) represents a versatile tool for realizing custom-tailored quantum nanomaterials. The interaction between low-energy zero-modes (ZMs) not only contributes to frontier bands but can form the basis for magnetically ordered phases. Here, we present the bottom-up synthesis of a noncentrosymmetric GNR that places all ZMs on the majority sublattice sites. Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy reveal that strong electron–electron correlations, leading to the Stoner magnetic instability, drive the system into a ferromagnetically ordered insulating ground state featuring a sizable band gap of E g ∼1.2 eV. At higher temperatures, a chemical transformation induces an insulator-to-metal transition that quenches the ferromagnetic order. Tight-binding (TB), density functional theory, and GW calculations corroborate our experimental observations. Furthermore, this work showcases how control over molecular symmetry, sublattice polarization, and ZM hybridization in bottom-up synthesized nanographenes can open a path to the exploration of many-body physics in rationally designed quantum materials.

Band structure↗

Positional Isomer of P3HB by Stereoselective Polymerization of Racemic α-Methyl-β-propiolactone Delivers Polyethylene-like Properties

Biobased and biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrolactone) (P3HB) has long been considered as a more sustainable alternative to petroleum-based, nonbiodegradable polyolefins, but its properties are far off from its polyolefin (polyethylene, PE, and polypropylene, PP) counterpart’s unique set of thermal (low T g below −20 °C and high T m > 100 °C) and mechanical (high ductility >350%) characteristics. Here, we report that a positional isomer of P3HB, poly(3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate) (P3H2MP), synthesized by catalyst-controlled stereoselective polymerization of racemic α-methyl-β-propiolactone, can match that demanding set of thermomechanical properties of PE. In particular, isotactic-rich P3H2MP, readily synthesized under ambient conditions, reaches high M n close to one million Da, T g down to −25 °C, T m up to 115 °C, tensile strength up to 64 MPa, and toughness up to 131 MJ m –3 , thus mechanically outperforming PE while maintaining a comparable low T g and high T m combination. A P3H2MP-based triblock copolymer further widens the low-high temperature window from T g = −29 °C to T m = 186 °C, resembling those of PP. These results show that P3H2MP exhibits the unique combination of thermomechanical properties matching those of high-performance polyolefins.

Biopolymers↗

Origin of High Activity and Durability of Twisty Nanowire Alloy Catalysts under Oxygen Reduction and Fuel Cell Operating Conditions

The ability to control the surface composition and morphology of alloy catalysts is critical for achieving high activity and durability of catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and fuel cells. Here, this report describes an efficient surfactant-free synthesis route for producing a twisty nanowire (TNW) shaped platinum–iron (PtFe) alloy catalyst (denoted as PtFe TNWs) with controllable bimetallic compositions. PtFe TNWs with an optimal initial composition of ~24% Pt are shown to exhibit the highest mass activity (3.4 A/mg Pt , ~20 times higher than that of commercial Pt catalyst) and the highest durability (<2% loss of activity after 40000 cycles and <30% loss after 120000 cycles) among all PtFe-based nanocatalysts under ORR or fuel cell operating conditions reported so far. Using ex situ and in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction coupled with atomic pair distribution function (PDF) analysis and 3D modeling, the PtFe TNWs are shown to exhibit mixed face-centered cubic (fcc)-body-centered cubic (bcc) alloy structure and a significant lattice strain. A striking finding is that the activity strongly depends on the composition of the as-synthesized catalysts and this dependence remains unchanged despite the evolution of the composition of the different catalysts and their lattice constants under ORR or fuel cell operating conditions. Notably, dealloying under fuel cell operating condition starts at phase-segregated domain sites leading to a final fcc alloy structure with subtle differences in surface morphology. Due to a subsequent realloying and the morphology of TNWs, the surface lattice strain observed with the as-synthesized catalysts is largely preserved. This strain and the particular facets exhibited by the TNWs are believed to be responsible for the observed activity and durability enhancements. These findings provide new insights into the correlation between the structure, activity, and durability of nanoalloy catalysts and are expected to energize the ongoing effort to develop highly active and durable low-Pt-content nanowire catalysts by controlling their alloy structure and morphology.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Evolution Pathway from Iron Compunds to Fe 1 (II)-N 4 Sites through Gas-Phase Iron during Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis is indispensable for synthesizing highly active Fe–N–C catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acid, but how Fe, N, and C precursors transform to ORR-active sites during pyrolysis remains unclear. This knowledge gap obscures the connections between the input precursors and the output products, clouding the pathway toward Fe–N–C catalyst improvement. Here, we unravel the evolution pathway of precursors to ORR-active catalyst comprised exclusively of single-atom Fe 1 (II)–N 4 sites via in-temperature X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The Fe precursor transforms to Fe oxides below 300 °C and then to tetrahedral Fe 1 (II)–O 4 via a crystal-to-melt-like transformation below 600 °C. The Fe 1 (II)–O 4 releases a single Fe atom that diffuses into the N-doped carbon defect forming Fe 1 (II)–N 4 above 600 °C. This vapor-phase single Fe atom transport mechanism is verified by synthesizing Fe 1 (II)–N 4 sites via “noncontact pyrolysis” wherein the Fe precursor is not in physical contact with the N and C precursors during pyrolysis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Electrochemical Synthesis of Zeolite Coatings with Controlled Crystal Polymorphism and Self-Regulating Growth

Zeolite coatings are studied as molecular sieves for membrane separation, membrane reactors, and chemical sensor applications. They are also studied as anticorrosive films for metals and alloys, antimicrobial and hydrophobic films for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and dielectrics for semiconductor applications. Zeolite coatings are synthesized by hydrothermal, ionothermal, and dry-gel conversion approaches, which require high process temperatures and lengthy times (ranging from hours to days). Here, we report the first zeolite coatings synthesized via electrochemical deposition on a cathodic electrode, with controlled crystal polymorphism achieved within subhourly duration. We demonstrate this approach by developing sodium zeolite (e.g., sodalite (SOD), NaA (LTA), and Linde Type N (LTN)) coatings on a titanium electrode and extending the synthesis method to porous stainless steel. The coating morphology and crystallinity depend on the temperature, time, and applied current. The coating thickness is independent of the applied current, showing the presence of a self-regulating mechanism to ensure a uniform coating thickness across the metal surface. The electrochemical zeolite growth mechanism was elucidated with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and applications of the resultant zeolite coatings for oil/water separation and ethanol/water pervaporation were exploited. Electrochemical synthesis represents a novel, simple, fast, and environmentally friendly approach to preparing zeolite coatings. It can potentially be generalized for developing zeolite materials with diverse framework structures, morphologies, and orientations for substrates with complicated geometries.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Controlled Synthesis of SnO 2 Nanocrystals with Tunable Band Gaps

Tin(IV) oxide nanocrystals (SnO 2 NCs) have significant potential in various applications, with their performance closely related to their band gap. The band gap is influenced by the size and shape of the NCs, which can be precisely controlled by adjusting reaction conditions. In this study, we present deliberately designed synthesis protocols to produce high-quality SnO 2 NCs with tunable band gaps using different methods. Key factors affecting the synthesis include control of the oxidizing agent, reaction temperature, solvent selection, and reaction time optimization. The resulting NCs were characterized by using TEM, XRD, XPS, and optical spectroscopy. Notably, SnO 2 NCs synthesized by controlling the oxidizing agent (air injection) in a hot organic solution were smaller in size and exhibited abundant oxygen vacancies. In contrast, extending the reaction time or using ethanol as a solvent in hydrothermal systems facilitated larger spherical or rod-like SnO 2 NCs with fewer oxygen vacancies. Further analysis of the band gap and valence band maximum energy revealed that the abundant vacancies in SnO 2 NCs synthesized with the air-controlled hot organic solution method resulted in a narrower band gap and an upshifted valence band. These synthetic strategies illustrate the potential for deliberately designing SnO 2 NCs with optimized electronic structures for various applications.

band gap↗

Sensitivity of the latitude of the westerly jet stream to climate forcing

The latitude of the westerly jet stream is influenced by a variety of climate forcings. Their effects often manifest as a tug-of-war between tropical forcing, characterized by tropical upper-tropospheric warming, and polar forcing, with a signature of Antarctic stratospheric cooling or Arctic amplification. Here we present a unified forcing-feedback frame work relating different climate forcings to their forced jet changes, in which the interactions between the westerly jet and synoptic storms are synthesized by a zonal advection feedback, analogous to the feedback framework for assessing climate sensitivity. This framework is supported by a prototype feedback analysis in the atmospheric dynamical core of a climate model with diverse thermal and mechanical forcings. Our analysis indicates that the latitude of a westerly jet is most sensitive to the thermally-induced jet speed changes near the tropopause. The jet shift also displays a larger sensitivity than linearity for the equatorward shift.

atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric variability, cli↗

Laboratory Electrical Conductivity of Marine Gas Hydrate

Methane hydrate was synthesized from pure water ice and flash frozen seawater, with varying amounts of sand or silt added. Electrical conductivity was determined by impedance spectroscopy, using equivalent circuit modeling to separate the effects of electrodes and to gain insight into conduction mechanisms. Silt and sand increase the conductivity of pure hydrate; we infer by contaminant NaCl contributing to conduction in hydrate, to values in agreement with resistivities observed in well logs through hydrate–saturated sediment. The addition of silt and sand lowers the conductivity of hydrate synthesized from seawater by an amount consistent with Archie's law. Here, all samples were characterized using cryogenic scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, which show good connectivity of salt and brine phases. Electrical conductivity measurements of pure hydrate and hydrate mixed with silt during pressure–induced dissociation support previous conclusions that sediment increases dissociation rate.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Mutualism increases diversity, stability, and function of multiplex networks that integrate pollinators into food webs

Ecosystems are composed of complex networks of many species interacting in different ways. While ecologists have long studied food webs of feeding interactions, recent studies increasingly focus on mutualistic networks including plants that exchange food for reproductive services provided by animals such as pollinators. Here, we synthesize both types of consumer-resource interactions to better understand the controversial effects of mutualism on ecosystems at the species, guild, and whole-community levels. We find that consumer-resource mechanisms underlying plant-pollinator mutualisms can increase persistence, productivity, abundance, and temporal stability of both mutualists and non-mutualists in food webs. These effects strongly increase with floral reward productivity and are qualitatively robust to variation in the prevalence of mutualism and pollinators feeding upon resources in addition to rewards. This work advances the ability of mechanistic network theory to synthesize different types of interactions and illustrates how mutualism can enhance the diversity, stability, and function of complex ecosystems.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Synthesis of high-entropy alloy nanoparticles on supports by the fast moving bed pyrolysis

High-entropy alloy nanoparticles (HEA-NPs) are important class of materials with significant technological potential. However, the strategies for synthesizing uniformly dispersed HEA-NPs on granular supports such as carbon materials, γ-Al 2 O 3 , and zeolite, which is vital to their practical applications, are largely unexplored. Herein, we present a fast moving bed pyrolysis strategy to immobilize HEA-NPs on granular supports with a narrow size distribution of 2 nm up to denary (MnCoNiCuRhPdSnIrPtAu) HEA-NPs at 923 K. Fast moving bed pyrolysis strategy ensures the mixed metal precursors rapidly and simultaneously pyrolyzed at high temperatures, resulting in nuclei with a small size. The representative quinary (FeCoPdIrPt) HEA-NPs exhibit high stability (150 h) toward hydrogen evolution reaction with high mass activity, which is 26 times higher than the commercial Pt/C at an overpotential of 100 mV. Our strategy provides an improved methodology for synthesizing HEA-NPs on various supports.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗