UV-A radiation increases biomass yield by enhancing energy flow and carbon assimilation in the edible cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides.

Ultraviolet (UV) A radiation (315-400 nm) is the predominant component of solar UV radiation that reaches the Earth's surface. However, the underlying mechanisms of the positive effects of UV-A on photosynthetic organisms have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of UV-A radiation on the growth, photosynthetic ability, and metabolome of the edible cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides. Exposures to 5-15 W m-2 (15-46 µmol photons m-2 s-1) UV-A and 4.35 W m-2 (20 µmol photons m-2 s-1) visible light for 16 days significantly increased the growth rate and biomass production of N. sphaeroides cells by 18%-30% and 15%-56%, respectively, compared to the non-UV-A-acclimated cells. Additionally, the UV-A-acclimated cells exhibited a 1.8-fold increase in the cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) pool with an increase in photosynthetic capacity (58%), photosynthetic efficiency (24%), QA re-oxidation, photosystem I abundance, and cyclic electron flow (87%), which further led to an increase in light-induced NADPH generation (31%) and ATP content (83%). Moreover, the UV-A-acclimated cells showed a 2.3-fold increase in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity, indicating an increase in their carbon-fixing capacity. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics further revealed that UV-A radiation upregulated the energy-storing carbon metabolism, as evidenced by the enhanced accumulation of sugars, fatty acids, and citrate in the UV-A-acclimated cells. Therefore, our results demonstrate that UV-A radiation enhances energy flow and carbon assimilation in the cyanobacterium N. sphaeroides.IMPORTANCEUltraviolet (UV) radiation exerts harmful effects on photo-autotrophs; however, several studies demonstrated the positive effects of UV radiation, especially UV-A radiation (315-400 nm), on primary productivity. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms associated with the promotive effects of UV-A radiation on primary productivity can facilitate the application of UV-A for CO2 sequestration and lead to the advancement of photobiological sciences. In this study, we used the cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides, which has an over 1,700-year history of human use as food and medicine, to explore its photosynthetic acclimation response to UV-A radiation. As per our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that UV-A radiation increases the biomass yield of N. sphaeroides by enhancing energy flow and carbon assimilation. Our findings provide novel insights into UV-A-mediated photosynthetic acclimation and provide a scientific basis for the application of UV-A radiation for optimizing light absorption capacity and enhancing CO2 sequestration in the frame of a future CO2 neutral, circular, and sustainable bioeconomy.

Rhodium(iii)-catalysed cascade [3 + 2] annulation of N-aryloxyacetamides with 3-(hetero)arylpropiolic acids: synthesis of benzofuran-2(3H)-ones.

Herein, a cascade [3 + 2] annulation of N-aryloxyacetamides with 3-(hetero)arylpropiolic acids affording benzofuran-2(3H)-ones via rhodium(iii)-catalyzed redox-neutral C-H functionalization/isomerization/lactonization using an internal oxidative directing group O-NHAc was achieved. This catalytic system provides a regio- and stereoselective approach to synthesize (Z)-3-(amino(aryl)methylene)benzofuran-2(3H)-ones with exclusive Z configuration selectivity, acceptable yields and good functional group tolerance. Preliminary investigations on ultraviolet-visible and fluorescence behaviors reveal that the annulation products may be applied as a promising fluorescent probe for sensing metal cations, especially for cerium (Ce3+).

NH4HF2 as a selective TBS-removal reagent for the synthesis of highly functionalized spiroketal via tandem deprotection/spiroketalization procedure.

NH4HF2 has been used for the first time to selectively remove the TBS protecting groups from diol ketone precursors in the synthesis of highly functionalized spiroketals. This method allows the synthesis of [5,6], [6,6], and [6,7] spiroketal skeletons, as well as benzannulated spiroketal with retention of acid-sensitive groups. In this way, spiroketals can be synthesized with diverse substituent groups in the skeleton or on side chains. To demonstrate the utility of this methodology, the diverse transformations of highly functionalized spiroketal 3f were also investigated.

Smart macrocyclic molecules: induced fit and ultrafast self-sorting inclusion behavior through dynamic covalent chemistry.

A family of macrocycles with oligo(ethylene glycol) chains, 4O, 5O, and 6O, was developed to construct a series of new incorporated macrocycles through dynamic covalent chemistry. These flexible macrocycles exhibited excellent "self-sorting" abilities with diamine compounds, which depended on the "induced-fit" rule. For instance, the host macrocycles underwent conformational modulation to accommodate the diamine guests, affording [1+1] intramolecular addition compounds regardless of the flexibility of the diamine. These macrocycles folded themselves to fit various diamines with different chain length through modulation of the flexible polyether chain, and afforded intramolecular condensation products. However, if the chain of the diamine was too long and rigid, oligomers or polymers were obtained from the mixture of the macromolecule and the diamine. All results demonstrated that inclusion compounds involving conformationally suitable aromatic diamines were thermodynamically favorable candidates in the mixture due to the restriction of the macrocycle size. Furthermore, kinetic and thermodynamic studies of self-sorting behaviors of both mixed 4O-5O and 4O-6O systems were investigated in detail. Finally, theoretical calculations were also employed to further understand such self-sorting behavior, and indicated that the large enthalpy change of H(2)NArArNH(2)@4O is the driving force for the sorting behavior. Our system may provide a model to further understand the principle of biomolecules with high specificity due only to their conformational self-adjusting ability.

Dual Directing-Groups-Assisted Redox-Neutral Annulation and Ring Opening of N-Aryloxyacetamides with 1-Alkynylcyclobutanols via Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed C-H/C-C Activations.

A cascade [3 + 2] annulation and ring opening of N-aryloxyacetamides with 1-alkynylcyclobutanols via Rh(III)-catalyzed redox-neutral C-H/C-C activations using internal oxidative O-NHAc and -OH as the dual directing groups has been achieved. This reaction provided an efficient and regioselective approach to benzofuran derivatives with good functional group compatibility and high yields.

Computational and experimental studies on copper-mediated selective cascade C-H/N-H annulation of electron-deficient acrylamide with arynes.

An efficient and convenient copper-mediated method has been developed to achieve direct cascade C-H/N-H annulation to synthesize 2-quinolinones from electron-deficient acrylamides and arynes. This method highlights an emerging but simple strategy to transform inert C-H bonds into versatile functional groups in organic synthesis to provide a new method of synthesizing 2-quinolinones efficiently. Mechanistic investigations by experimental and density functional theory (DFT) studies suggest that an organometallic C-H activation via a Cu(iii) intermediate is likely to be involved in the reaction.

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Redox-Neutral Cascade [3 + 2] Annulation of N-Phenoxyacetamides with Propiolates via C-H Functionalization/Isomerization/Lactonization.

A Rh(III)-catalyzed cascade [3 + 2] annulation of N-phenoxyacetamides with propiolates under mild conditions using the internal oxidative O-N bond as the directing group has been achieved. This catalytic system provides a regio- and stereoselective access to benzofuran-2(3 H)-ones bearing exocyclic enamino motifs with exclusive Z configuration selectivity, acceptable to good yields and good functional group compatibility. Mechanistic investigations by experimental and density functional theory studies suggest that a consecutive process of C-H functionalization/isomerization/lactonization is likely to be involved in the reaction.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Z-Vinylsilanes via Palladium-Catalyzed Direct Intermolecular Silylation of C(sp2)-H Bonds.

An efficient and convenient palladium-catalyzed direct intermolecular silylation of C(sp2)-H bonds by using disilanes as the silicon source with the assistance of a readily removable bidentate directing group is reported. This strategy provided a regio- and stereoselective protocol for exclusive synthesis of Z-vinylsilanes with reasonable to excellent yields and good functional group compatibility. Silylation of the isolated palladacycle intermediate revealed the Z-stereoselective pathway. Moreover, the practicality and effectiveness of this method were illustrated by a gram-scale experiment and further functionalization of the silylation product.

Copper-Catalyzed Selective ortho-C-H/N-H Annulation of Benzamides with Arynes: Synthesis of Phenanthridinone Alkaloids.

An efficient and convenient copper-catalyzed method has been developed to achieve direct ortho-C-H/N-H annulation to synthesize phenanthridinones with arynes. This method highlights an emerging strategy to transform inert C-H bonds into versatile functional groups in organic synthesis and provides a new way to synthesize phenanthridinone alkaloids efficiently.

A Cu-mediated one-pot Michael addition/α-arylation strategy using a diaryliodonium salt: a direct and efficient approach to α-aryl-ß-substituted cyclic ketone scaffolds.

The direct and efficient construction of α-aryl-ß-substituted cyclic ketone scaffolds has been achieved using a Cu-mediated one-pot Michael addition/α-arylation strategy. The reaction features easily available materials, broad substrate scope, moderate to good yield, and an excellent diastereoselectivity.

Palladium-catalyzed direct intermolecular silylation of remote unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds.

An efficient and convenient method has been developed to achieve direct silylation of unactivated remote primary or secondary C(sp3)-H bonds to form C-Si bonds with hexamethyldisilane (HMDS). This method highlights the emerging strategy to transform unactivated methyl or methylene into versatile functional groups in organic synthesis and provides a new method to construct functionalized C-Si bonds for synthetic chemistry.