Combined effects of a ketogenic diet and exercise training alter mitochondrial and peroxisomal substrate oxidative capacity in skeletal muscle.

Ketogenic diets (KDs) are reported to improve body weight, fat mass, and exercise performance in humans. Unfortunately, most rodent studies have used a low-protein KD, which does not recapitulate diets used by humans. Since skeletal muscle plays a critical role in responding to macronutrient perturbations induced by diet and exercise, the purpose of this study was to test if a normal-protein KD (NPKD) impacts shifts in skeletal muscle substrate oxidative capacity in response to exercise training (ExTr). A high fat, carbohydrate-deficient NPKD (16.1% protein, 83.9% fat, 0% carbohydrate) was given to C57BL/6J male mice for 6 wk, whereas controls (Con) received a low-fat diet with similar protein (15.9% protein, 11.9% fat, 72.2% carbohydrate). After 3 wk on the diet, mice began treadmill training 5 days/wk, 60 min/day for 3 wks. The NPKD increased body weight and fat mass, whereas ExTr negated a continued rise in adiposity. ExTr increased intramuscular glycogen, whereas the NPKD increased intramuscular triglycerides. Neither the NPKD nor ExTr alone altered mitochondrial content; however, in combination, the NPKD-ExTr group showed increases in PGC-1α and markers of mitochondrial fission/fusion. Pyruvate oxidative capacity was unchanged by either intervention, whereas ExTr increased leucine oxidation in NPKD-fed mice. Lipid metabolism pathways had the most notable changes as the NPKD and ExTr interventions both enhanced mitochondrial and peroxisomal lipid oxidation and many adaptations were additive or synergistic. Overall, these results suggest that a combination of a NPKD and ExTr induces additive and/or synergistic adaptations in skeletal muscle oxidative capacity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY A ketogenic diet with normal protein content (NPKD) increases body weight and fat mass, increases intramuscular triglyceride storage, and upregulates pathways related to protein metabolism. In combination with exercise training, a NPKD induces additive and/or synergistic activation of AMPK, PGC-1α, mitochondrial fission/fusion genes, mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and peroxisomal adaptations in skeletal muscle. Collectively, results from this study provide mechanistic insight into adaptations in skeletal muscle relevant to keto-adaptation.

Impact of Multiple Hydrogen Bonds with Fluoride on Catalysis: Insight from NMR Spectroscopy.

Hydrogen-bonding interactions have been explored in catalysis, enabling complex chemical reactions. Recently, enantioselective nucleophilic fluorination with metal alkali fluoride has been accomplished with BINAM-derived bisurea catalysts, presenting up to four NH hydrogen-bond donors (HBDs) for fluoride. These catalysts bring insoluble CsF and KF into solution, control fluoride nucleophilicity, and provide a chiral microenvironment for enantioselective fluoride delivery to the electrophile. These attributes encouraged a 1H/19F NMR study to gain information on hydrogen-bonding networks with fluoride in solution, as well as how these arrangements impact the efficiency of catalytic nucleophilic fluorination. Herein, NMR experiments enabled the determination of the number and magnitude of HB contacts to fluoride for thirteen bisurea catalysts. These data supplemented by diagnostic coupling constants 1hJNH···F- give insight into how multiple H bonds to fluoride influence reaction performance. In dichloromethane (DCM-d2), nonalkylated BINAM-derived bisurea catalyst engages two of its four NH groups in hydrogen bonding with fluoride, an arrangement that allows effective phase-transfer capability but low control over enantioselectivity for fluoride delivery. The more efficient N-alkylated BINAM-derived bisurea catalysts undergo urea isomerization upon fluoride binding and form dynamically rigid trifurcated hydrogen-bonded fluoride complexes that are structurally similar to their conformation in the solid state. Insight into how the countercation influences fluoride complexation is provided based on NMR data characterizing the species formed in DCM-d2 when reacting a bisurea catalyst with tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) or CsF. Structure-activity analysis reveals that the three hydrogen-bond contacts with fluoride are not equal in terms of their contribution to catalyst efficacy, suggesting that tuning individual electronic environment is a viable approach to control phase-transfer ability and enantioselectivity.

Hydrogen Bonding Phase-Transfer Catalysis with Potassium Fluoride: Enantioselective Synthesis of ß-Fluoroamines.

Potassium fluoride (KF) is an ideal reagent for fluorination because it is safe, easy to handle and low-cost. However, poor solubility in organic solvents coupled with limited strategies to control its reactivity has discouraged its use for asymmetric C-F bond formation. Here, we demonstrate that hydrogen bonding phase-transfer catalysis with KF provides access to valuable ß-fluoroamines in high yields and enantioselectivities. This methodology employs a chiral N-ethyl bis-urea catalyst that brings solid KF into solution as a tricoordinated urea-fluoride complex. This operationally simple reaction affords enantioenriched fluoro-diphenidine (up to 50 g scale) using 0.5 mol % of recoverable bis-urea catalyst.

Mechanisms for C(sp2)-Si activation of aryltrimethylsilyl groups in palladium-catalysed couplings.

Silyl-substituted aromatic compounds can participate as the electrophilic component in palladium-catalysed cross-couplings, and reactivity is enhanced by a neighbouring silyl-group. Products analogous to those obtained from C-H activation chemistry are accessible by this means with the additional benefit of regiochemistry defined by the site of silyl substitution. DFT studies described here show that the mechanism of C-Si cleavage is distinct from previously recognised mechanisms for C-H cleavage, with a cascade of silyl intermediates en route to a stable product. The amide directing-groups are involved only in the stabilisation of palladacyclic intermediates, and are never disposed to activate silicon directly. 5-Membered and 6-membered palladacycles are known to behave differently in coupling reactions and the calculations reveal underlying reasons in the cationic pathways studied here.

Hydrogen-Bonded Homoleptic Fluoride-Diarylurea Complexes: Structure, Reactivity, and Coordinating Power.

Hydrogen bonding with fluoride is a key interaction encountered when analyzing the mode of action of 5'-fluoro-5'-deoxyadenosine synthase, the only known enzyme capable of catalyzing the formation of a C-F bond from F-. Further understanding of the effect of hydrogen bonding on the structure and reactivity of complexed fluoride is therefore important for catalysis and numerous other applications, such as anion supramolecular chemistry. Herein we disclose a detailed study examining the structure of 18 novel urea-fluoride complexes in the solid state, by X-ray and neutron diffraction, and in solution phase and explore the reactivity of these complexes as a fluoride source in SN2 chemistry. Experimental data show that the structure, coordination strength, and reactivity of the urea-fluoride complexes are tunable by modifying substituents on the urea receptor. Hammett analysis of aryl groups on the urea indicates that fluoride binding is dependent on σp and σm parameters with stronger binding being observed for electron-deficient urea ligands. For the first time, defined urea-fluoride complexes are used as fluoride-binding reagents for the nucleophilic substitution of a model alkyl bromide. The reaction is slower in comparison with known alcohol-fluoride complexes, but SN2 is largely favored over E2, at a ratio surpassing all hydrogen-bonded complexes documented in the literature for the model alkyl bromide employed. Increased second-order rate constants at higher dilution support the hypothesis that the reactive species is a 1:1 urea-fluoride complex of type [UF]- (U = urea) resulting from partial dissociation of the parent compound [U2F]-. The dissociation processes can be quantified through a combination of UV and NMR assays, including DOSY and HOESY analyses that illuminate the complexation state and H-bonding in solution.

Palladium-catalysed directed C-H activation by anilides and ureas; water participation in a general base mechanism.

C-H activation plays a central role in organometallic catalysis. Concerted metallation-deprotonation (CMD) has been dominant as the pathway for C-H bond cleavage. In the course of studying the mechanism of C-H activation of arylamides and arylureas with Pd complexes as part of catalytic oxidative Heck reactions, DFT calculations were carried out. The turnover-limiting C-H activation is acid-catalysed and can occur readily in the absence of acetate or other coordinating bases. The calculations simulated experiment, so that ligated sulfonate and water, both previously observed by X-ray characterization, were incorporated in the model. A Wheland-type complex between acetanilide and Pd was readily located, but the reactive C-H and the coordinated sulfonate were poorly placed for intramolecular proton transfer. Involvement of a water molecule coordinated to sulfonate provides a low-energy pathway to the palladacycle. The relative reactivity of substituted acetanilides and arylureas according to this model fits well with existing literature. General-base catalysis as described here has broader potential.

Origins of observed reactivity and specificity in the addition of B2Cl4 and analogues to unsaturated compounds.

In 1954 Schlesinger and co-workers observed the direct reaction of diboron tetrachloride with simple organic compounds under mild conditions, the 1,2 addition product being formed with either ethylene or acetylene. In the following 25 years a series of addition reactions to simple alkenes, alkynes and dienes was demonstrated. B2F4 was shown to react in similar manner, albeit under more forcing conditions. Crucially, it was demonstrated that the addition to (E)- or (Z)-but-2-ene occurred with cis-stereospecificity. Only sporadic interest was shown in this field thereafter until catalysed addition reactions of diboron reagents were realized. Encouraged by this revival of interest through the discovery of transition-metal and nucleophilic catalysis of diboryl additions, DFT analysis of uncatalysed additions of B2X4 has been carried out and interpreted. This includes the relative reactivity of several B-B reagents with ethene, and that of B2Cl4vs. B2F4 additions, including benzene, naphthalene and C60 as reactants. This allows the analysis of relative reactivity vis-à-vis substitution on boron, and also direct comparison with hydroboration by HBCl2. [4 + 2] Addition of diboron reagents to dienes with B-B cleavage competes with direct [2 + 2] addition, favourably so for B2F4. The computational results demonstrate that the stereospecific addition to isomeric but-2-enes is a rare concerted [2σs + 2πs] process.

Oxidative addition to palladium(0) diphosphine complexes: observations of mechanistic complexity with iodobenzene as reactant.

Using a combination of electrochemical and NMR techniques, the oxidative addition of PhX to three closely related bis-diphosphine P2Pd(0) complexes, where the steric bulk of just one substituent was varied, has been analysed quantitatively. For the complex derived from MetBu2P, a rapid reaction ensued with PhI following an associative mechanism, and data was also obtained by cyclic voltammetry for PhOTs, PhBr and PhCl, revealing distinct relative reactivities from the related (PCx3)2Pd complex (Cx = cyclohexyl) previously studied. The corresponding EttBu2P complex reacted more slowly with PhI and was studied by NMR spectroscopy. The reaction course indicated a mixture of pathways, with contribution from a component that was [PhI] independent. For the CxtBu2P complex, reaction was again monitored by NMR spectroscopy, and was even slower. At high PhI concentrations reaction was predominantly linear in [PhI], but at lower concentrations the [PhI] independent pathway was again observed, and an accelerating influence of the reaction product was observed over the concentration range. The NMR spectra of the EttBu2P and CxtBu2P complexes conducted in C6D6 shows some line broadening that was augmented on addition of PhI. NMR experiments carried out in parallel show that there is rapid ligand exchange between free phosphine and the Pd2Pd complex and also a slow ligand crossover between different P2Pd complexes. DFT calculations were carried out to further test the feasibility of C6D6 involvement in the oxidative addition process, and located Van der Waals complexes for association of the P2Pd(0) complexes with either PhI or benzene. PhI or solvent-assisted pathways for ligand loss are both lower in energy than direct ligand dissociation. Taken all together, these results provide a consistent explanation for the surprising complexity of an apparently simple reaction step. The clear dividing line between reactions that give a di- or monophosphine palladium complex after oxidative addition clarifies the participation of the ligand in coupling catalysis.

Quinap and congeners: atropos PN ligands for asymmetric catalysis.

Among the range of P,N-chelating ligands that have been employed in asymmetric catalysis, those relying on atropisomerism for the stability of individual enantiomers form a definable class. These APN (atropos P,N) ligands require a specific type of biaryl, with one component carrying a pendant phosphine unit, most commonly diaryl substituted, and the other bearing an sp(2)-nitrogen adjacent to the biaryl link. When substituents in the biaryl inhibit rotation about the linking bond, stable nonracemizing six-membered ring chelates can be formed. This Perspective relates the background to the initial synthesis in 1993 of Quinap, the original member of the series, and initial observations on its effectiveness in asymmetric catalysis. The current state of play in development of syntheses of this and other members of the APN ligand family is assessed, and their applications in asymmetric catalysis are presented. These include hydroboration and diboration of alkenes, 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions, alkynylation of iminium salts in a three-component (A(3)) condensation, and conjugate additions of Cu acetylides.

cis-Specific hydrofluorination of alkenylarenes under palladium catalysis through an ionic pathway.

This paper describes the hydrofluorination of alkenes through sequential H(-) and F(+) addition under palladium catalysis. The reaction is cis specific, thus providing access to benzylic fluorides. The mechanism of this reaction involves an ionic pathway and is distinct from known hydrofluorinations involving radical intermediates. The first catalytic enantioselective hydrofluorination is also disclosed.

Meta-analysis in asymmetric catalysis. Influence of chelate geometry on the roles of PN chelating ligands.

All X-ray structures of PN ligands forming 6-ring metal complex chelates have been retrieved from the CDS database, and those lacking chelate chirality filtered out. Many of the remainder fit naturally into four main families (PPFA, FcPhox, Phox and Quinap), which have been widely applied to asymmetric catalysis in diverse ways. It is known through experimental observation that certain of these ligand structures are more effective for specific classes of reaction but there has been little by way of explanation for their divergent behaviour. In this paper we examine the wide variation of conformations within individual families of PN complexes in the solid state, establish common features, and make cross-correlations with their effectiveness in specific catalytic asymmetric reactions. The extent of rigidity in the chelate varies widely and yet flexible complexes may be extremely effective in asymmetric catalysis. These observations emphasise the importance of induced fit between reactants and catalyst and militate against over-reliance on rigid lock-and-key models.

Dinuclear palladium complexes--precursors or catalysts?

Calculations help: Recent work from Schoenebeck's group has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that the dimeric LPd(I) Br catalysts that are widely used in coupling chemistry operate through prior formal reduction to an LPd(0) species. Conversely, L(2)Pd(0) catalysts can be activated by oxidation. In other cases a binuclear species can persist through the catalytic cycle.

World Year of Physics: a direct test of E=mc2.

One of the most striking predictions of Einstein's special theory of relativity is also perhaps the best known formula in all of science: E=mc(2). If this equation were found to be even slightly incorrect, the impact would be enormous--given the degree to which special relativity is woven into the theoretical fabric of modern physics and into everyday applications such as global positioning systems. Here we test this mass-energy relationship directly by combining very accurate measurements of atomic-mass difference, Delta(m), and of gamma-ray wavelengths to determine E, the nuclear binding energy, for isotopes of silicon and sulphur. Einstein's relationship is separately confirmed in two tests, which yield a combined result of 1-Delta(mc2)/E=(-1.4+/-4.4)x10(-7), indicating that it holds to a level of at least 0.00004%. To our knowledge, this is the most precise direct test of the famous equation yet described.

Unusual inverse temperature dependence on reaction rate in the asymmetric autocatalytic alkylation of pyrimidyl aldehydes.

Observations of an intriguing inverse temperature dependence on reaction rate and a profound induction period in the Soai autocatalytic reaction are reported along with detailed kinetic and NMR investigations of the product alkoxide at low temperatures, leading to the suggestion that the active catalyst is derived in situ from the tetrameric ground state.

Response of Liver Metabolic Pathways to Ketogenic Diet and Exercise Are Not Additive.

PURPOSE: Studies suggest ketogenic diets (KD) produce favorable outcomes (health and exercise performance); however, most rodent studies have used a low-protein KD, which does not reflect the normal- to high-protein KD used by humans. Liver has an important role in ketoadaptation due to its involvement in gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that exercise training (ExTr) while consuming a normal-protein KD (NPKD) would induce additive/synergistic responses in liver metabolic pathways. METHODS: Lean, healthy male C57BL/6J mice were fed a low-fat control diet (15.9% kcal protein, 11.9% kcal fat, 72.2% kcal carbohydrate) or carbohydrate-deficient NPKD (16.1% protein, 83.9% kcal fat) for 6 wk. After 3 wk on the diet, half were subjected to 3-wk treadmill ExTr (5 d·wk, 60 min·d, moderate-vigorous intensity). Upon conclusion, metabolic and endocrine outcomes related to substrate metabolism were tested in liver and pancreas. RESULTS: NPKD-fed mice had higher circulating ß-hydroxybutyrate and maintained glucose at rest and during exercise. Liver of NPKD-fed mice had lower pyruvate utilization and greater ketogenic potential as evidenced by higher oxidative rates to catabolize lipids (mitochondrial and peroxisomal) and ketogenic amino acids (leucine). ExTr had higher expression of the gluconeogenic gene, Pck1, but lower hepatic glycogen, pyruvate oxidation, incomplete fat oxidation, and total pancreas area. Interaction effects between the NPKD and ExTr were observed for intrahepatic triglycerides, as well as genes involved in gluconeogenesis, ketogenesis, mitochondrial fat oxidation, and peroxisomal markers; however, none were additive/synergistic. Rather, in each instance the interaction effects showed the NPKD and ExTr opposed each other. CONCLUSIONS: An NPKD and an ExTr independently induce shifts in hepatic metabolic pathways, but changes do not seem to be additive/synergistic in healthy mice.

Comparative catalytic C-H vs. C-Si activation of arenes with Pd complexes directed by urea or amide groups.

Analysis of regiocontrol in Pd-catalysed C-H activation leads to observations of aryltrimethylsilyl activation and to superior results with urea-based substrates.

Optical Zeeman spectroscopy of ytterbium monofluoride, YbF.

The Zeeman-induced shifts and splittings of low-J lines in the (O)P(12) branch of the (0,0) band of the A(2)Pi(1/2)-X(2)Sigma(+) electronic transition of a cold molecular beam sample of ytterbium monofluoride, YbF, have been recorded. The Zeeman spectra for the (171)YbF, (172)YbF, and (174)YbF isotopologues have been analyzed using a standard effective Hamiltonian approach. The magnetic g-factors determined for the A(2)Pi(1/2)(v = 0) state are rationalized using the predicted and observed electronic state distribution. The observed Zeeman tuning of the levels in the A(2)Pi(1/2)(v = 0) state is unexpectedly large; this is caused by mixing with the B(2)Sigma(+) state.

Fine structure and hyperfine perturbations in the pure rotational spectrum of the VCl radical in its X 5Delta(r) state.

The pure rotational spectrum of the VCl radical in its (5)Delta(r) ground state has been recorded in the range 236-417 GHz using millimeter/submillimeter direct absorption techniques. This species was created in an ac discharge of VCl(4) and argon. Ten rotational transitions of V(35)Cl were measured in all five Omega ladders; an additional nine transitions of the Omega=1 spin state were recorded in order to evaluate the (51)V hyperfine structure. Hyperfine interactions associated with the (35)Cl nucleus were not resolved, consistent with the ionic structure of the molecule. Because of extensive perturbations caused by the low-lying A (5)Pi(r) excited state, the rotational spectrum of the ground state has been found to be quite irregular. The four lowest Omega ladders exhibit unusually large lambda-doubling interactions, with the Omega=1 component showing the largest splitting, over 2 GHz in magnitude. The Omega=1 transitions are also shifted to higher frequency relative to the other spin components. In addition, the hyperfine structure varies widely between the Omega ladders, and an avoided crossing is observed in two transitions of both the Omega=1e and 2e components. The data have been analyzed with a case (c) Hamiltonian, and effective rotational, lambda-doubling, and hyperfine constants have been determined for V(35)Cl. Higher-order parity-dependent magnetic hyperfine terms d(Delta2) and d(Delta3) were required in the analysis, derived from perturbation theory, in addition to the usual d(Delta) parameter. The local perturbations evident in these spectra indicate that the A (5)Pi(r) excited state lies within the spin-orbit manifold of the ground state, well below the predicted value of 517 cm(-1). Mixing of the A (5)Pi(r) and X (5)Delta(r) states apparently causes both local and global perturbations in the ground state spectrum.

The rotational spectrum of the FeD radical in its X (4)Delta state, measured by far-infrared laser magnetic resonance.

Transitions between the spin-rotational levels of the FeD radical in the v=0 level of the X (4)Delta ground state have been detected by the technique of laser magnetic resonance at far-infrared wavelengths. Pure-rotational transitions have been observed for the three lowest spin components. Lambda-type doubling is resolved on all the observed transitions; nuclear hyperfine structure is not observed. The energy levels of FeD are strongly affected by the breakdown of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation and cannot be modeled accurately by an effective Hamiltonian. The data are therefore fitted to an empirical formula to yield term values and g-factors for the various spin-rotational levels involved.

The rotational spectrum of the NH+ radical in its X 2Pi and a 4Sigma- states.

Transitions between the spin-rotational levels of the (14)NH(+) radical in the v = 0 levels of its X (2)Pi and a (4)Sigma(-) states have been studied by the technique of laser magnetic resonance at far-infrared wavelengths. The data have been combined with a previous zero-field measurement of the J = 1 1/2 - 1/2 transition frequencies at 1.01 THz to determine a much improved set of molecular parameters for NH(+) in the X (2)Pi state; the major parameters for the a (4)Sigma(-) state have also been determined. A full determination of the hyperfine parameters for both (14)N and (1)H nuclei has been achieved for the first time. Accurate predictions of the transition frequencies between the low-lying levels of the radical in the absence of a magnetic field have also been made, including lambda-doubling frequencies for use by radio astronomers.