Impact of defects on the decomposition of chemical warfare agent simulants in Zr-based metal organic frameworks

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) containing zirconium secondary building units (SBUs) in UiO-67 and related MOFs, are highly active for neutralizing both the chemical warfare agents and simulants, such as dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP). However, two recent publications gave conflicting reports of DMMP reaction with UiO-67 under ultra high vacuum (UHV) conditions, with one reporting chemisorption and reaction (Wang et al., J Phys Chem C, 2017, 121, 11261–11272) and the other reporting only physisorption and reversible desorption (Ruffley et al., J Phys Chem C, 2019, 123, 19748–19758) from very similar temperature programmed desorption experiments. We show that the discrepancy between these experiments may be explained by different levels of missing linker defects in the UiO-67 samples. We present density functional theory calculations showing that SBU sites having two-adjacent missing linkers exhibit reaction barriers that are about 30 kJ/mol lower than SBU sites having a single missing linker. We also show that topology of the undercoordinated sites plays an important role in the reaction barrier under UHV conditions.     

Achieving fabrication of highly transparent Y2O3 ceramics via air pre-sintering by deionization treatment of suspension

An easy albeit quite effective deionization suspension treatment was adopted to alleviate the detrimental effects related to the hydrolysis of Y₂O₃ in an aqueous medium. Fabrication of highly transparent Y₂O₃ ceramics with a fine grain size via air pre-sintering and post–hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment without using any sintering additive was achieved using the treated suspensions. The hydrolysis issue of Y₂O₃ powder in an aqueous medium was effectively alleviated by using deionization treatment, and a well-dispersed suspension with a low concentration of dissolved Y³⁺ species was obtained. The dispersed suspensions were consolidated by the centrifugal casting method, and the green bodies derived from the suspension of 35.0 vol% solid loading showed an improved homogeneity with a relative density of 52.1%. Fully dense Y₂O₃ transparent ceramic with high transparency was obtained by pre-sintering consolidated green compacts at a low temperature of 1400°C for 16 h in air followed by a post-HIP treatment at 1550°C for 2 h under 200 MPa pressure. The sample had a fine average grain size of 690 nm. The in-line transmittance of the sample reached 83.3% and 81.8% at 1100 nm and 800 nm, respectively, very close to the theoretical values of Y₂O₃.     

Application of Polyimide-based Microfluidic Devices on Acid-catalyzed Hydrolysis of Dimethoxypropane

Microfluidic devices intensify transport phenomena and can improve chemical processes. New manufacturing processes and materials are perpetually developed due to constantly growing interest in process intensification. In this contribution, the authors present the design and application of polyimide-foil-based microfluidic mixing devices manufactured by reactive ion etching. As appropriate model reaction system, acid-catalyzed 2,2-dimethoxypropane (DMP) hydrolysis was chosen and investigated in three different mixing structure with varying flow rate. Energy dissipation rates were calculated to estimate mixing performances. The results show good mixing quality for Reynolds numbers between 10 and 100 and similar mixing times scales for all investigated microstructured mixers.     

A Bi-Enzymatic Cascade Pathway towards Optically Pure FAHFAs**

Recently discovered endogenous mammalian lipids, fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs), have been proved to have anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects. Due to their extremely low abundancies in vivo, forging a feasible scenario for FAHFA synthesis is critical for their use in uncovering biological mechanisms or in clinical trials. Here, we showcase a fully enzymatic approach, a novel in vitro bi-enzymatic cascade system, enabling an effective conversion of nature-abundant fatty acids into FAHFAs. Two hydratases from Lactobacillus acidophilus were used for converting unsaturated fatty acids to various enantiomeric hydroxy fatty acids, followed by esterification with another fatty acid catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase A (CALA). Various FAHFAs were synthesized in a semi-preparative scale using this bi-enzymatic approach in a one-pot two-step operation mode. In all, we demonstrate that the hydratase-CALA system offers a promising route for the synthesis of optically pure structure-diverse FAHFAs.     

Mechanistic implications of the solvent kinetic isotope effect in the hydrolysis of NaBH4

The sodium borohydride, NaBH₄, hydrolysis mechanism is studied via the H₂O/D₂O kinetic isotope effect (KIE). This reaction is of importance as NaBH₄ is considered as a hydrogen storage material. Nowadays, hydrogen is thought to be one of the most promising and efficient clean energy carriers. In order to control the rate of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), one has to understand the mechanism of its production. The H₂O/D₂O KIE of the reactions of NaBH₄ and NaBD₄ with water was studied in solutions containing a ratio of H₂O/D₂O = 1.00. The separation factor, α, of both reactions is α = 5.0 ± 1.0. The rate of the hydrolysis of BD₄^? in H₂O is faster than that of BH₄^?. The results point out that the rate-determining step in all hydrolysis stages is the H–OH bond scission.     

Metaproteomic analysis of enzymatic composition in Baobaoqu fermentation starter for Wuliangye baijiu

Wuliangye is one of the most famous brands of baijiu in China. The typical flavours of Wuliangye baijiu are mainly formed by the multifarious enzymes in fermentation starter (Baobaoqu, BBQ). As the enzymes remained poorly understood, the detailed enzymatic composition of BBQ was analysed by metaproteomics for the first time. It is worth noting that the enzymes from plant, animals and micro-organisms were detected together and oxidoreductases were the dominant enzymes. Next, the analysis of function showed that the enzymes were mainly involved in carbon metabolism and the biosynthesis of amino acids. Additionally, the relationship between differential abundant enzymes and formation of typical flavour substances in premium and normal BBQ was established. Furthermore, the activities of classic enzymes in BBQ were examined to verify the reliability of metaproteomic results. This study will provide clues to further improve the manufacturing technology for Wuliangye baijiu.     

Tungsten(VI) oxide supported rhodium nanoparticles: Highly active catalysts in hydrogen generation from ammonia borane

Herein, we report the use of tungsten(VI) oxide (WO₃) as support for Rh⁰ nanoparticles. The resulting Rh⁰/WO₃ nanoparticles are highly active and stable catalysts in H₂ generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane (AB). We present the results of our investigation on the particle size distribution, catalytic activity and stability of Rh⁰/WO₃ catalysts with 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% wt. Rh loadings in the hydrolysis reaction. The results reveal that Rh⁰/WO₃ (0.5% wt. Rh) is very promising catalyst providing a turnover frequency of 749 min^?1 in releasing 3.0 equivalent H₂ per mole of AB from the hydrolysis at 25.0 °C. The high catalytic activity of Rh⁰/WO₃ catalyst is attributed to the reducible nature of support. The report covers the results of kinetics study as well as comparative investigation of activity, recyclability, and reusability of colloidal(0) nanoparticles and Rh⁰/WO₃ (0.5 % wt. Rh) catalyst in the hydrolysis reaction.     

米糠毛油酶法脱酸的工艺优化

米糠毛油普遍酸价较高,采用常规的脱酸方式存在炼耗高、预处理要求高、营养成分损失大、油品品质差等问题。酶法脱酸可以有效避免上述问题。采用固定化脂肪酶CALB对米糠毛油进行酶法脱酸研究,得到优化工艺条件为甘油与游离脂肪酸摩尔比1∶3、剪切速度25 m/s、剪切时间20min、加酶量50 g/kg、反应温度70℃、反应时间6 h、甘油中水分含量25%、真空度小于1 000 Pa、通氮气,在此条件下酯化率可达92. 5%。     

青蛤多肽的酶法制备及对前列腺癌DU-145细胞的抑制活性

探讨青蛤多肽的制备工艺及体外抗前列腺癌DU-145细胞的活性。以氨基氮含量为检测指标,筛选最优酶种类并进行正交试验以获取最佳酶解青蛤内脏酶解工艺。经超滤截留、琼脂糖凝胶层析、高效液相色谱分离纯化及噻唑蓝(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide,MTT)活性筛选得到含有5个氨基酸的多肽(Ile-Leu-Tyr-Met-Pro)。对所得多肽采用MTT法测定DU-145细胞增殖抑制率;采用倒置显微镜、Hoechst 33258染色及透射电子显微镜技术观察细胞形态学变化;采用荧光法检测细胞内活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平;采用线粒体膜电位检测DU-145细胞凋亡情况;采用免疫组织化学法检测非转移性克隆23型(nm23H1)蛋白的表达。结果表明:制备青蛤多肽最佳酶是木瓜蛋白酶,最佳酶解条件是料液比1:4、pH 7.0、加酶量1 500 U/g、温度45.0℃、酶解时间4 h;所得多肽对DU-145细胞的增殖具有明显的抑制作用,且呈时间与剂量依赖性;处理后的DU-145细胞出现凋亡的形态学特征;其质量浓度和细胞内ROS的表达量呈正相关关系;线粒体膜电位降低率从4.22%提高到25.07%;免疫组织化学法结果显示nm23H1蛋白的表达量增加。青蛤多肽能明显抑制DU-145细胞的增殖,并通过诱导其发生凋亡而发挥作用。