Genome-wide identification and analysis of monocot-specific chimeric jacalins (MCJ) genes in Maize (Zea mays L.).

BACKGROUND: The monocot chimeric jacalins (MCJ) proteins, which contain a jacalin-related lectin (JRL) domain and a dirigent domain (DIR), are specific to Poaceae. MCJ gene family is reported to play an important role in growth, development and stress response. However, their roles in maize have not been thoroughly investigated. RESULTS: In this study, eight MCJ genes in the maize genome (designated as ZmMCJs) were identified, which displayed unequal distribution across four chromosomes. Phylogenetic relationships between the ZmMCJs were evident through the identification of highly conserved motifs and gene structures. Analysis of transcriptome data revealed distinct expression patterns among the ZmMCJ genes, leading to their classification into four different modules, which were subsequently validated using RT-qPCR. Protein structures of the same module are found to be relatively similar. Subcellular localization experiments indicated that the ZmMCJs are mainly located on the cell membrane. Additionally, hemagglutination and inhibition experiments show that only part of the ZmMCJs protein has lectin activity, which is mediated by the JRL structure, and belongs to the mannose-binding type. The cis-acting elements in the promoter region of ZmMCJ genes predicted their involvement response to phytohormones, such as abscisic acid and jasmonic acid. This suggests that ZmMCJ genes may play a significant role in both biotic and abiotic stress responses. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study adds new insights into our understanding of the gene-protein architecture, evolutionary characteristics, expression profiles, and potential functions of MCJ genes in maize.

Siloxane-containing phosphine (oxide) ligands for enhanced catalytic activity of cobalt complexes for hydrosilylation reactions.

A series of siloxane-containing phosphine (oxide) ligands have been designed and synthesized. These phosphine (oxide) ligands contain silicon atoms, which can impart better solubility in the relevant media, thereby improving certain catalytic performances. The hydrosilylation of olefins catalyzed by these metal phosphine (oxide) complexes has been conducted under mild reaction conditions.

Nonbasic Synthesis of Thioethers via Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Thiolation Utilizing NBS-Like N-Thioimides as Electrophilic Sulfur Donors.

The nonbasic synthesis of unsymmetrical thioethers via nickel-catalyzed reductive thiolation between aryl(hetero) iodides and N-thioimides is illustrated. N-Bromosuccinimide (NBS)-like N-thioimides were found quite reactive toward thiolation with carbon electrophiles, and a series of structurally varied thioethers were successfully prepared under mild reaction conditions. The transformation was featured with the new application of the NBS-like reagents, good functional group tolerance, and late-stage modification of biologically active scaffolds, thus providing an expeditious and efficient platform to construct polyfunctional thioethers.

PNP-type ligands enabled copper-catalyzed N-formylation of amines with CO2 in the presence of silanes.

The sustainable catalytic transformation of carbon dioxide into valuable fine chemicals with high efficiency is a global challenge as although CO2 is an abundant, nontoxic, and sustainable carbon feedstock it is also the most important factor behind the Greenhouse Effect. We describe herein a PNP-type ligand-enabled copper-catalyzed N-formylation of amines utilizing CO2 as the building block in the presence of hydrosilane as the reductant. Our current protocol featured newly synthesized PNP-type ligands with broad substrate scope under mild reaction conditions.

S-(Methyl-d3) Arylsulfonothioates: A Family of Robust, Shelf-Stable, and Easily Scalable Reagents for Direct Trideuteromethylthiolation.

A family of electrophilic deuterated methylthiolating reagents, S-(methyl-d3) arylsulfonothioates, was developed in two or three steps from cheap d4-MeOH in high yields. S-(Methyl-d3) arylsulfonothioates represent a kind of powerful deuterated methylthiolating reagent and allow modular trideuteromethylthiolation with a variety of nucleophiles or electrophiles including aryl(hetero) iodides, boronic acids esters, terminal alkynes, diazonium salts, ß-ketoester, and oxindole under mild reaction conditions. A structure-reactivity research (SAR) study was conducted and provided a new avenue for the development of deuterated methylthiolating reagents and efficient methodology for trideuteromethylthiolation.

Carboxylate-Functionalized P, N-Ligated Cobalt Catalysts for Alkene Hydrosilylation.

A series of N, P-ligands bearing carboxyl groups have been synthesized. These have been applied in conjunction with cobalt naphthenate in a facile, economic, and efficient method for the catalytic hydrosilylation of alkenes. In the presence of KOtBu as an additive, the reaction time and activation energy are greatly reduced.

The Hydrosilylation and Cyanosilylation of Ketones Catalyzed using Metal Borohydrides.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The hydrosilylation reaction of carbonyl compounds has emerged as a powerful method in organic synthesis. The catalytic hydrosilylation of ketones is a valuable transformation because it generates protected cyanosilylation reaction of carbonyl compounds is an efficient procedure for the synthesis of silylated cyanohydrins, which are readily converted into useful functionalized compounds, such as cyanohydrins, α-hydroxy acids, ß-amino alcohols and other biologically active compounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A facile, economic and efficient method has been developed for the hydrosilylation and cyanosilylation of ketones using metal borohydrides. A series of silylated ethers and silylated cyanohydrins can be isolated via direct distillation. RESULTS: The catalytic properties of a range of metal borohydrides in the hydrosilylation reaction of acetophenone with diphenylsilane were investigated. The relative catalytic activity of the borohydride catalyst studied was as follows: (CH3)4NBH4> (PhCH2)(CH3)3NBH4> (CH2CH3)4NBH4> (CH3CH2CH2CH3)4NBH4> NaBH4> KBH4> LiBH4. The cyanosilylation of acetophenone using trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) in the presence of NaBH4 occurred under similar reaction conditions. An excellent reaction rate and high conversion were obtained. CONCLUSION: The metal borohydride-catalyzed hydrosilylation alcohols in one step. The and cyanosilylation of ketones could be carried out smoothly under mild reaction conditions. Among the metal borohydrides studied, an excellent reaction rate and high conversion were obtained using NaBH4, NaBH (CH2CH3)3 or (alkyl)4 NBH4 as the reaction catalyst.

Asymmetric zinc-catalyzed hydrosilylation of ketones and the effect of carboxylate on the enantioselectivity.

Several chiral ligands containing (R,R)-diaminocyclohexane moieties and pyrrole, furan, or benzene have been synthesized. These ligands were tested in enantioselective zinc-catalyzed hydrosilylation reactions; excellent enantioselectivities were obtained when the ligands containing (R,R)-diaminocyclohexane moieties and furan rings were used. For comparison, zinc chloride combined with different potassium carboxylate salts and ligands were also tested for catalytic hydrosilylation reactions.

Use of functionalized PEG with 4-aminobenzoic acid stabilized platinum nanoparticles as an efficient catalyst for the hydrosilylation of alkenes.

A catalyst containing functionalized polyethylene glycol with 4-aminobenzoic acid (PEG-AMB) stabilized platinum nanoparticles has been synthesized and characterized, and its application in the hydrosilylation of alkenes investigated. It is shown that the functionalized PEG-stabilized Pt nanoparticles form a very efficient catalyst for the hydrosilylation of alkenes. The Pt nanoparticles can be fully immobilized in the PEG-AMB and recycled at least nine times without any obvious loss of catalytic activity.

6,6-Dimethyl-2H,5H,6H,7H-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-f][1,5,3]dithia-silepin-2-one.

In the structure of the title compound, C(7)H(10)OS(4)Si, the carbonyl O atom lies in the plane of the five-membered dithiole ring with a deviation of only 0.022 (2) Å. The seven-membered ring adopts a chair conformation. The crystal packing is stabilized by S⋯O [3.096 (4) Å] and S⋯S [3.620 (4) Å] contacts, together with C-H⋯S inter-actions.

Phosphole modified pentathienoacene: synthesis, electronic properties and self-assembly.

A series of new ladder π-conjugated materials, phosphole modified pentathienoacene (PO-PTA), are synthesized and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray results demonstrate that methyl-disubstituted PO-PTA forms a face-to-face dimer structure driven by π-π interactions. The investigations of optical properties showed that the oxidized phosphole moiety in this ladder system can effectively narrow the band gap. PO-PTA is a promising building block in π-conjugated polymers and oligomers for optoelectronic applications. The derivative of PO-PTA, obtained by introducing four long alkyl chains, can self-assemble into one-dimensional (1D) fibers based on intermolecular π-π interactions, dipole-dipole interactions and van der Waals interactions. Interestingly, the uniform and well-ordered monolayers were also obtained for PO-PTA derivative on a HOPG (highly oriented pyrolytic graphite) surface.

Application of functional ionic liquids possessing two adjacent acid sites for acetalization of aldehydes.

Several acid functional ionic liquids, in which cations possess two adjacent acid sites, were synthesized and used for the acetalization of aldehydes with good catalytic performance under mild reaction conditions.