Towards MOFs' mass market adoption: MOF Technologies' efficient and versatile one-step extrusion of shaped MOFs directly from raw materials.

Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) offer unparalleled physical and sorption properties due to their chemical tunability and unmatched porosity. MOFs are consequently envisaged to play a key role in commercial gas storage and separation applications. However, it is essential to tackle their current market entry barriers, if mainstream adoption is to be realised. MOF Technologies is a pioneer in MOF commercialisation and has developed innovative solutions with unprecedented efficiency to bring these materials to market. A continuous, versatile and sustainable one-step production method of MOFs in shaped form is demonstrated for the first time. Its advantages for large-scale production and mass customisation are exemplified and validated with performance evaluation under realistic operating conditions.

Controlling the Dynamics of Ionic Liquid Thin Films via Multilayer Surface Functionalization.

The structural dynamics of planar thin films of an ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BmimNTf2) as a function of surface charge density and thickness were investigated using two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy. The films were made by spin coating a methanol solution of the IL on silica substrates that were functionalized with alkyl chains containing head groups that mimic the IL cation. The thicknesses of the ionic liquid films ranged from ∼50 to ∼250 nm. The dynamics of the films are slower than those in the bulk IL, becoming increasingly slow as the films become thinner. Control of the dynamics of the IL films can be achieved by adjusting the charge density on substrates through multilayer network surface functionalization. The charge density of the surface (number of positively charged groups in the network bound to the surface per unit area) is controlled by the duration of the functionalization reaction. As the charge density is increased, the IL dynamics become slower. For comparison, the surface was functionalized with three different neutral groups. Dynamics of the IL films on the functionalized neutral surfaces are faster than on any of the ionic surfaces but still slower than the bulk IL, even for the thickest films. These results can have implications in applications that employ ILs that have electrodes, such as batteries, as the electrode surface charge density will influence properties like diffusion close to the surface.

Dynamically Disordered Lattice in a Layered Pb-I-SCN Perovskite Thin Film Probed by Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy.

The dynamically flexible lattices in lead halide perovskites may play important roles in extending carrier recombination lifetime in 3D perovskite solar-cell absorbers and in exciton self-trapping in 2D perovskite white-light phosphors. Two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy was applied to study a recently reported Pb-I-SCN layered perovskite. The Pb-I-SCN perovskite was spin-coated on a SiO2 surface as a thin film, with a thickness of ∼100 nm, where the S12CN- anions were isotopically diluted with the ratio of S12CN:S13CN = 5:95 to avoid vibrational coupling and excitation transfer between adjacent SCN- anions. The 12CN stretch mode of the minor S12CN- component was the principal vibrational probe that reported on the structural evolution through 2D IR spectroscopy. Spectral diffusion was observed with a time constant of 4.1 ± 0.3 ps. Spectral diffusion arises from small structural changes that result in sampling of frequencies within the distribution of frequencies comprising the inhomogeneously broadened infrared absorption band. These transitions among discrete local structures are distinct from oscillatory phonon motions of the lattice. To accurately evaluate the structural dynamics through measurement of spectral diffusion, the vibrational coupling between adjacent SCN- anions had to be carefully treated. Although the inorganic layers of typical 2D perovskites are structurally isolated from each other, the 2D IR data demonstrated that the layers of the Pb-I-SCN perovskite are vibrationally coupled. When both S12CN- and S13CN- were pumped simultaneously, cross-peaks between S12CN and S13CN vibrations and an oscillating 2D band shape of the S12CN- vibration were observed. Both observables demonstrate vibrational coupling between the closest SCN- anions, which reside in different inorganic layers. The thin films and the isotopic dilution produced exceedingly small vibrational echo signal fields; measurements were made possible using the near-Brewster's angle reflection pump-probe geometry.

Probing the extended lipid anchorage with cytochrome c and liposomes containing diacylphosphatidylglycerol lipids.

Experiments investigating the adsorption and desorption of cytochrome c onto and from liposomes containing 50 mol% 1,2-diacylphosphatidylglycerol lipids [10:0, 12:0, 14:0, 16:0, 18:1(Δ9 cis)] with 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) in pH 7.4 buffered solutions of low to moderate ionic strength are reported. Fluorescence experiments show that cytochrome c has a similar adsorption affinity for the five labeled 50 mol% PG liposome systems investigated. Fluorescence recovery experiments reveal the extent of cytochrome c desorption upon the addition of >10× excess of unlabeled 100% 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylglycerol (DOPG) liposomes is dependent on the lipid's acyl chain length. The extent of desorption is also shown to be independent of temperature, albeit over a narrow range. The differences in the extent of cytochrome c desorption from liposomes containing PG lipids with different acyl chain lengths is attributed to the varying contribution of the binding motif involving the extended lipid anchorage in response to lipid packing stress.

Ultrafast to Ultraslow Dynamics of a Langmuir Monolayer at the Air/Water Interface Observed with Reflection Enhanced 2D IR Spectroscopy.

Monolayers play important roles in naturally occurring phenomena and technological processes. Monolayers at the air/water interface have received considerable attention, yet it has proven difficult to measure monolayer and interfacial molecular dynamics. Here we employ a new technique, reflection enhanced two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy, on a carbonyl stretching mode of tricarbonylchloro-9-octadecylamino-4,5-diazafluorenerhenium(I) (TReF18) monolayers at two surface densities. Comparison to experiments on a water-soluble version of the metal carbonyl headgroup shows that water hydrogen bond rearrangement dynamics slow from 1.5 ps in bulk water to 3.1 ps for interfacial water. Longer time scale fluctuations were also observed and attributed to fluctuations of the number of hydrogen bonds formed between water and the three carbonyls of TReF18. At the higher surface density, two types of TReF18 minor structures are observed in addition to the main structure. The reflection method can take usable 2D IR spectra on the monolayer within 8 s, enabling us to track the fluctuating minor structures' appearance and disappearance on a tens of seconds time scale. 2D IR chemical exchange spectroscopy further shows these structures interconvert in 30 ps. Finally, 2D spectral line shape evolution reveals that it takes the monolayers hours to reach macroscopic structural equilibrium.

Water oxidation catalysis by Co(II) impurities in Co(III)4O4 cubanes.

The observed water oxidation activity of the compound class Co4O4(OAc)4(Py-X)4 emanates from a Co(II) impurity. This impurity is oxidized to produce the well-known Co-OEC heterogeneous cobaltate catalyst, which is an active water oxidation catalyst. We present results from electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance line broadening analysis, and electrochemical titrations to establish the existence of the Co(II) impurity as the major source of water oxidation activity that has been reported for Co4O4 molecular cubanes. Differential electrochemical mass spectrometry is used to characterize the fate of glassy carbon at water oxidizing potentials and demonstrate that such electrode materials should be used with caution for the study of water oxidation catalysis.

Optimization of physicochemical properties and safety profile of novel bacterial topoisomerase type II inhibitors (NBTIs) with activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Type II bacterial topoisomerases are well validated targets for antimicrobial chemotherapy. Novel bacterial type II topoisomerase inhibitors (NBTIs) of these targets are of interest for the development of new antibacterial agents that are not impacted by target-mediated cross-resistance with fluoroquinolones. We now disclose the optimization of a class of NBTIs towards Gram-negative pathogens, especially against drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Physicochemical properties (pKa and logD) were optimized for activity against P. aeruginosa and for reduced inhibition of the hERG channel. The optimized analogs 9g and 9i displayed potent antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa, and a significantly improved hERG profile over previously reported analogs. Compound 9g showed an improved QT profile in in vivo models and lower clearance in rat over earlier compounds. The compounds show promise for the development of new antimicrobial agents against drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Interactions of cytochrome C with N-acylated phosphatidylethanolamine lipids.

N-acylphosphatidylethanolamines (NAPEs) are naturally occurring derivatives of phosphatidylethanolmine (PE) in which the PE amino group is attached to an acyl chain. Given their occurrence in natural systems, there is interest in knowing the effect of NAPEs on membrane dynamic structure and function. This study examines the ability of NAPEs to affect the association of the cytochrome c and Zn-heme cytochrome c with the surface of bilayer membranes. Fluorescence titration experiments show that cationic cytochrome c has the same high affinity for the surfaces of anionic vesicles that are rich in NAPEs or diplalmitoyphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) but the protein/membrane interaction in each case is quite different. Cytochrome c adsorption to DPPG membranes is relatively irreversible due to the DPPG molecules adopting an extended conformation that promotes strong hydrophobic contact with the adsorbed protein. In contrast, cytochrome c association with N-acyl DPPE membranes is due primarily to reversible electrostatic interactions with the anionic headgroup, and not hydrophobic contact with the N-acyl chain. The presence of a small mole fraction of an N-propionyl derivative of DPPE (N-C3:0-DPPE) diminishes cytochrome c affinity for vesicles containing a large amount of DPPG apparently by relieving the membrane packing strain that drives the extended DPPG conformation.

Long-Range Interface Effects in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids: Vibrational Lifetime Studies of Thin Films.

Interface effects in the room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BmimBF4) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BmimNTf2) were investigated using ultrafast infrared polarization selective pump-probe (PSPP) spectroscopy. The CN stretch mode of SCN- dissolved in the RTILs was used as the vibrational probe. The vibrational lifetime of the SCN- was the experimental observable. Quite similar single SCN- lifetimes were observed: 59.5 ± 0.4 ps in bulk BmimBF4 and 56.4 ± 0.4 ps in bulk BmimNTf2. Thin films of both RTILs with thicknesses in the range of 15-300 nm were prepared by spin coating on functionalized substrates. PSPP experiments were performed in a small-incidence reflection geometry. In the thin films, a second, shorter lifetime was observed in addition to the bulk lifetime, with the amplitude of the shorter lifetime increasing with decreasing film thickness. By modeling the thickness dependence of the lifetime amplitudes, the correlation length of the interface effect (constant for exponential falloff of the influence of the interface) was determined to be 44.6 ± 0.6 nm for BmimBF4 and 48.3 ± 2.2 nm for BmimNTf2. The values for the shorter film lifetimes were 12.6 ± 0.1 ps for BmimBF4 and 20.2 ± 0.6 ps for BmimNTf2; the substantial differences from the bulk lifetimes showed that some of the SCN- anions near the interface experience an environment distinct from that of the bulk. It was also found that for the BmimNTf2 sample only, some of the SCN- anions reside in the surface functionalized layer with two distinct environments having distinct lifetimes.

Hybrid polyoxovanadates: anion-influenced formation of nanoscopic cages and supramolecular assemblies of asymmetric clusters.

Two novel hybrid polyoxovanadates that are functionalized by (4-aminophenyl)arsonic acid ligands form upon the reduction of vanadates(V) in aqueous systems, whereby the underlying condensation reactions are influenced by the nature of the employed acid. In the presence of Cl(-) ions that derive from hydrochloric acid, a tetradecanuclear cage structure [V(IV)(14)O(16)(OH)(8)-(O(3)AsC(6)H(4)-4-NH(2))(10)](4-), whose cavity contains stabilizing halide ions and water molecules, is obtained. When nitric acid is used, a decanuclear [V(10)O(18)(O(3)AsC(6)H(4)-4-NH(2))(7)(DMF)(2)](5-) cluster can be isolated. The latter organizes into a hexagonal packing arrangement in the solid state.

Extraordinary Slowing of Structural Dynamics in Thin Films of a Room Temperature Ionic Liquid.

The role that interfaces play in the dynamics of liquids is a fundamental scientific problem with vast importance in technological applications. From material science to biology, e.g., batteries to cell membranes, liquid properties at interfaces are frequently determinant in the nature of chemical processes. For most liquids, like water, the influence of an interface falls off on a ∼1 nm distance scale. Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) are a vast class of unusual liquids composed of complex cations and anions that are liquid salts at room temperature. They are unusual liquids with properties that can be finely tuned by selecting the structure of the cation and anion. RTILs are being used or developed in applications such as batteries, CO2 capture, and liquids for biological processes. Here, it is demonstrated quantitatively that the influence of an interface on RTIL properties is profoundly different from that observed in other classes of liquids. The dynamics of planar thin films of the room temperature ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BmimNTf2), were investigated using two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy (2D IR) with the CN stretch of SeCN- as the vibrational probe. The structural dynamics (spectral diffusion) of the thin films with controlled nanometer thicknesses were measured and compared to the dynamics of the bulk liquid. The samples were prepared by spin coating the RTIL, together with the vibrational probe, onto a surface functionalized with an ionic monolayer that mimics the structure of the BmimNTf2. Near-Brewster's angle reflection pump-probe geometry 2D IR facilitated the detection of the exceedingly small signals from the films, some of which were only 14 nm thick. Even in quarter micron (250 nm) thick films, the observed dynamics were much slower than those of the bulk liquid. Using a new theoretical description, the correlation length (exponential falloff of the influence of the interfaces) was found to be 28 ± 5 nm. This very long correlation length, ∼30 times greater than that of water, has major implications for the use of RTILs in devices and other applications.

Structure Based Design of Non-Natural Peptidic Macrocyclic Mcl-1 Inhibitors.

Mcl-1 is a pro-apoptotic BH3 protein family member similar to Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Overexpression of Mcl-1 is often seen in various tumors and allows cancer cells to evade apoptosis. Here we report the discovery and optimization of a series of non-natural peptide Mcl-1 inhibitors. Screening of DNA-encoded libraries resulted in hit compound 1, a 1.5 µM Mcl-1 inhibitor. A subsequent crystal structure demonstrated that compound 1 bound to Mcl-1 in a ß-turn conformation, such that the two ends of the peptide were close together. This proximity allowed for the linking of the two ends of the peptide to form a macrocycle. Macrocyclization resulted in an approximately 10-fold improvement in binding potency. Further exploration of a key hydrophobic interaction with Mcl-1 protein and also with the moiety that engages Arg256 led to additional potency improvements. The use of protein-ligand crystal structures and binding kinetics contributed to the design and understanding of the potency gains. Optimized compound 26 is a <3 nM Mcl-1 inhibitor, while inhibiting Bcl-2 at only 5 µM and Bcl-xL at >99 µM, and induces cleaved caspase-3 in MV4-11 cells with an IC50 of 3 µM after 6 h.

Correction to "Structure Based Design of Non-Natural Peptidic Macrocyclic Mcl-1 Inhibitors".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.6b00464.].

Structural investigation of the promotional effect of hydrogen during the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with hydrocarbons over Ag/Al2O3 catalysts.

In situ EXAFS has been used to examine the hydrogen effect on the selective catalytic reduction of NOx over silver/alumina catalysts. For all SCR conditions used, with or without co-reductant (H2 or CO), the catalyst structure remained the same. Significant changes in the catalyst were only found under reducing conditions. The enhanced activity found in the presence of hydrogen is thought to be due to a chemical effect and not the result of a change in the structure of the active site.

4,5-Disubstituted 6-Aryloxy-1,3-dihydrobenzo[c][1,2]oxaboroles Are Broad-Spectrum Serine ß-Lactamase Inhibitors.

Bacterially expressed ß-lactamases are rapidly eroding the clinical utility of the important ß-lactam class of antibacterials, significantly impairing our ability to fight serious bacterial infections. This paper describes a study of oxaborole-derived ß-lactamase inhibitors in which crystal structures and computational modeling aided in the rational design of analogues with improved spectrum of activity against class A, C, and D enzymes. Crystal structures of two of these inhibitors covalently bound to two different serine ß-lactamases, class C Pseudomonas aeruginosa AmpC and class D OXA-10, are described herein. Improved physicochemical properties as well as increased activity against an array of ß-lactamases resulted in substantial restoration of susceptibility to ceftazidime in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

On the importance of steady-state isotopic techniques for the investigation of the mechanism of the reverse water-gas-shift reaction.

The formation and reactivity of surface intermediates in the reverse water-gas-shift reaction on a Pt/CeO2 catalyst are critically dependent on the reaction conditions so that conclusions regarding the reaction mechanism cannot be inferred using ex operando conditions.

Homologous size-extension of hybrid vanadate capsules - solid state structures, solution stability and surface deposition.

The dimensions and cavity sizes of the molecular capsules with the general formula [V10O18L4](10-) can be controlled modularly through the nature of the bifunctional, rigid organophosphonate ligands L(1) and L(2) (L(1) = bis(4-phosphonatophenyl)ethyne and L(2) = bis(4-phosphonatophenyl)butadiyne); the solution stability of the molecular entities as demonstrated by ESI-MS studies permits their assembly on the Au(111) surface on a sub-monolayer scale giving rise to a 2D supramolecular structure that is comparable to the packing arrangements of the capsules in the crystal structures.

Alkylidene Oxapenem ß-Lactamase Inhibitors Revisited: Potent Broad Spectrum Activity but New Stability Challenges.

We present a comprehensive study of C6-alkylidene containing oxapenems. We show that this class of ß-lactamase inhibitors possesses an unprecedented spectrum with activity against class A, C, and D enzymes. Surprisingly, this class of compounds displayed significant photolytic instability in addition to the known hydrolytic instability. Quantum mechanical calculations were used to develop models to predict the stability of new analogues.

Antibacterial inhibitors of Gram-positive thymidylate kinase: structure-activity relationships and chiral preference of a new hydrophobic binding region.

Thymidylate kinase (TMK), an essential enzyme in bacterial DNA biosynthesis, is an attractive therapeutic target for the development of novel antibacterial agents, and we continue to explore TMK inhibitors with improved potency, protein binding, and pharmacokinetic potential. A structure-guided design approach was employed to exploit a previously unexplored region in Staphylococcus aureus TMK via novel interactions. These efforts produced compound 39, with 3 nM IC50 against S. aureus TMK and 2 µg/mL MIC against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). This compound exhibits a striking inverted chiral preference for binding relative to earlier compounds and also has improved physical properties and pharmacokinetics over previously published compounds. An example of this new series was efficacious in a murine S. aureus infection model, suggesting that compounds like 39 are options for further work toward a new Gram-positive antibiotic by maintaining a balance of microbiological potency, low clearance, and low protein binding that can result in lower efficacious doses.