Enhancing Substrate-Metal Catalyst Affinity via Hydrogen Bonding: Pd(II)-Catalyzed ß-C(sp3)-H Bromination of Free Carboxylic Acids.

The achievement of sufficient substrate-metal catalyst affinity is a fundamental challenge for the development of synthetically useful C-H activation reactions of weakly coordinating native substrates. While hydrogen bonding has been harnessed to bias site selectivity in existing C(sp2)-H activation reactions, the potential for designing catalysts with hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) to enhance catalyst-substrate affinity and, thereby, facilitate otherwise unreactive C(sp3)-H activation remains to be demonstrated. Herein, we report the discovery of a ligand scaffold containing a remote amide motif that can form a favorable meta-macrocyclic hydrogen bonding interaction with the aliphatic acid substrate. The utility of this ligand scaffold is demonstrated through the development of an unprecedented C(sp3)-H bromination of α-tertiary and α-quaternary free carboxylic acids, which proceeds in exceedingly high mono-selectivity. The geometric relationship between the NHAc hydrogen bond donor and the coordinating quinoline ligand is crucial for forming the meta-macrocyclophane-like hydrogen bonding interaction, which provides a guideline for the future design of catalysts employing secondary interactions.

Robust Olefin Metathesis Catalyst Bearing a Tridentate Hemilabile NHC Ligand.

An olefin metathesis catalyst bearing a tridentate hemilabile N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand was synthesized and characterized. The solid-state crystal structure reveals coordination from all three donation sites of the NHC ligand, giving rise to a stable 18-electron complex. Catalytic activity in three standard metathesis reactions was demonstrated, revealing our catalyst to be particularly long lived and highly selective in the self-metathesis of 1-decene. Although the catalyst in this work initiates more slowly than its second-generation counterparts, it was shown to have high thermal stability, yielding peak performances at higher temperatures. The unique ligand framework of this catalyst may serve as a template for the synthesis of analogous catalysts with improved efficiencies.

Achilles tendon biomechanics in response to acute intense exercise.

Achilles tendinopathy is a common disorder and is more prevalent in men. Although differences in tendon mechanics between men and women have been reported, understanding of tendon mechanics in young active people is limited. Moreover, there is limited understanding of changes in tendon mechanics in response to acute exercise. Our purpose was to compare Achilles tendon mechanics in active young adult men and women at rest and after light and strenuous activity in the form of repeated jumping with an added load. Participants consisted of 17 men and 14 women (18-30 years) who were classified as being at least moderately physically active as defined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Tendon force/elongation measures were obtained during an isometric plantarflexion contraction on an isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound imaging of the Achilles tendon approximate to the soleus myotendinous junction. Data were collected at rest, after a 10-minute treadmill walk, and after a fatigue protocol of 100 toe jumps performed in a Smith machine, with a load equaling 20% of body mass. We found greater tendon elongation, decreased stiffness, and lower Young's modulus only in women after the jumping exercise. Force and stress were not different between groups but decreased subsequent to the jumping exercise bout. In general, women had greater elongation and strain, less stiffness, and a lower Young's modulus during plantarflexor contraction. These data demonstrate differences in tendon mechanics between men and women and suggest a potential protective mechanism explaining the lower incidence of Achilles tendinopathy in women.