Jhonathan Renner Nunes dos Santos, Luciana Machado Ramos, Juliana Gonzaga de Morais Lima, Saulo T. A. Passos, Aline Lima de Oliveira, Fabricio Machado, Brenno A. D. Neto
{"title":"Solvent-Controlled Reaction Productivity and Mechanistic Pathways in the Multicomponent Synthesis of 2-Amino-3-cyano-4H-pyrans","authors":"Jhonathan Renner Nunes dos Santos, Luciana Machado Ramos, Juliana Gonzaga de Morais Lima, Saulo T. A. Passos, Aline Lima de Oliveira, Fabricio Machado, Brenno A. D. Neto","doi":"10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00059","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00059","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In this work, we present a detailed mechanistic and solvent-effectstudy of the multicomponent synthesis of 2-amino-3-cyano-4<em>H</em>-pyran (<strong>ACP</strong>) derivatives catalyzed by a water-solubleimidazolium-functionalized polymer (PEI.IL)─a synthetic enzyme(synzyme). Rather than focusing solely on synthetic scope, this studydissects how solvent properties and reaction equilibria govern reactionproductivity and pathway selection in this multicomponent transformation.Solvent effects were quantitatively analyzed using the Kamlet-Abboud-Taftmodel, revealing that hydrogen-bond acidity (α), hydrogen-bondbasicity (β), and dipolarity/polarizability (π*) playdistinct and competing roles at different stages of the reaction.Control experiments, combined with systematic variation of reactionconditions, demonstrate that product formation proceeds predominantlythrough a pathway initiated by the reversible condensation betweenbenzaldehyde and malononitrile, followed by enol-mediated a new C–Cbond formation. Reaction productivity was treated as a thermodynamicallyoriented descriptor, allowing correlations between solvent effects,keto–enol equilibria, and overall efficiency to be established.The methodology affords a series of <strong>ACP</strong> derivatives ingood to excellent yields under optimized conditions, with the catalystremaining recyclable over multiple cycles without loss of activity.By integrating solvent-effect analysis, equilibrium considerations,and mechanistic control experiments, this work provides an experimentallygrounded framework for understanding and optimizing multicomponentreactions beyond conventional yield-based approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":29797,"journal":{"name":"ACS Organic & Inorganic Au","volume":"6 5","pages":"654–674"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149124784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xin Yan, Zihan Lin, Ruyi Chen, Luobin Huang, Lige Tong, Bei Gao, Lujia Zhang
{"title":"Aqueous-Phase Peptide Synthesis via Stepwise Amino Acid Elongation Catalyzed by Aqualigase","authors":"Xin Yan, Zihan Lin, Ruyi Chen, Luobin Huang, Lige Tong, Bei Gao, Lujia Zhang","doi":"10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00067","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00067","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Peptides have broad applications in fields such as food,medicine,and functional materials. Conventional solid-phase peptide synthesis(SPPS) constructs diverse peptide sequences through stepwise aminoacid elongation but relies on stoichiometric coupling reagents andorganic solvents, thereby generating considerable chemical waste.Aqualigase, an engineered subtilisin, offers a green alternative thatdirectly condenses free carboxylic acids and amines in pure aqueousmedia. However, whether this system can support stepwise elongationusing amino acids as building blocks remains unclear. Here, usingthe Aqualigase-catalyzed ligation of Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe and Ala-Phe asa model reaction, hydrogen-bond analysis revealed that a stable interactionbetween the P1′ residue of the acyl acceptor and Asn155 inthe substrate-binding pocket is critical for effective binding ofthe acyl acceptor. Guided by this finding, we demonstrated that Aqualigaseligates peptides ranging from dipeptides to pentapeptides with aminoacids as acyl acceptors, expanding its catalytic mode from peptide-fragmentligation to fragment-amino acid ligation. RMSF analysis further revealedpronounced flexibility in the loops surrounding the catalytic pocket,particularly residues 95 to 106 and 155 to 164, providing a structuralbasis for substrate accommodation. Substrate scope analysis showedthat, under Aqualigase catalysis, amino acids are more broadly compatibleas acyl acceptors than as acyl donors, supporting an N-to-C-terminalstepwise elongation strategy. Using this approach, the functionaltripeptide Gly-Leu-Phe was synthesized in pure aqueous media throughsequential amino acid elongation. This study establishes an engineeredsubtilisin-catalyzed strategy for stepwise peptide synthesis in pureaqueous media, providing a green route for flexible peptide construction.</p>","PeriodicalId":29797,"journal":{"name":"ACS Organic & Inorganic Au","volume":"6 5","pages":"687–696"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149124842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Multifunctional UiO-66 MOFs in Photocatalytic and Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction: A New Horizon in Green Ammonia Synthesis","authors":"Arup Anurup Dash, Priyanka Priyadarshini, Diptirani Behera, Kulamani Parida","doi":"10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00042","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The conventional production of ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) rests onthe energy-intensive Haber process, driving the scientific communityto search for sustainable catalysts capable of reducing the inertN≡N bond under ambient conditions. Among the various porousmaterials examined for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), UiO-66,a Zr-based MOF, stands out owing to its exceptional robustness, highBET surface area, tunable porosity and strong Lewis acidity at theZr<sup>4+</sup> nodes, making it a highly versatile platform for bothphotocatalytic and electrocatalytic NH<sub>3</sub> production. Thisreview aims to deliver a comprehensive overview of UiO-66-based materialsfor photocatalytic (P-NRR) and electrocatalytic (E-NRR) nitrogen reduction,while providing a detailed account of the key parameters governingNRR, including its thermodynamics and kinetics, the challenges ofactivating the inert N≡N bond, and competing hydrogen evolutionreaction (HER). Several synthesis methods for UiO-66 are criticallydiscussed with respect to how each approach influences material properties,including crystallinity, surface area, stability, and porosity. Targetedmodification strategies, such as metal doping, linker functionalization,defect engineering, and composite formation, are systematically explored,each aimed at introducing suitable active sites and establishing afavorable environment for N<sub>2</sub> adsorption and activationacross both photocatalytic and electrocatalytic systems. P-NRR andE-NRR performances are critically analyzed, with due considerationgiven to NH<sub>3</sub> detection methods, including colorimetricassays, ion chromatography, and <sup>1</sup>H NMR spectroscopy, whichare essential for reliable quantification. Finally, current challengesand future directions are outlined to guide the rational design ofefficient, selective, and robust UiO-66-based catalysts for sustainableNH<sub>3</sub> synthesis.</p>","PeriodicalId":29797,"journal":{"name":"ACS Organic & Inorganic Au","volume":"6 5","pages":"512–538"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149093637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Programmable Leaving Group Controlled Skeletal Editing of Pyrroles into Pyridines via Sulfenylcarbenes","authors":"Upasana Chatterjee, Prakash Kafle, Shuhei Yasuda, Indrajeet Sharma","doi":"10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00077","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00077","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Skeletal editingplays a key role in diversifying nitrogen-containingheterocycles and their remodeling. Herein, we present a programmable,leaving-group-controlled single-carbon insertion into pyrroles usingsulfenylcarbene. By tuning the leaving group in these sulfenylcarbenes,precise control over functional-group installation through ring expansionwas achieved. This methodology was successfully applied to pyrroles,providing access to privileged <em>meta</em>-functionalizedpyridines and establishing a platform for the programmable synthesisof pyridine derivatives.</p>","PeriodicalId":29797,"journal":{"name":"ACS Organic & Inorganic Au","volume":"6 5","pages":"707–714"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149124685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Facile Pd(II)-Catalyzed Ortho C(sp2)–H Alkenylation of 2′-Methyl Biaryl-2-Amines with Bulky Internal Alkynes Enabled by Steric Effects: From Alkenylation to Orthogonal Polycyclic Aromatics","authors":"Guganchandar Vedarethinam, Pei-Lin Chen, Yun-Ming Li, Shih-Ching Chuang","doi":"10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00062","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00062","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A palladium-catalyzed ortho C–H alkenylation of2′-methylbiaryl-2-amines with bulky internal alkynes is reported. The successof this alkenylation relies on destabilizing the starting complexesby a 2′-methyl group on the biaryl-2-amines and stabilizingthe transition states with sterically demanding internal alkynes,thereby facilitating the insertion of the bulky internal alkynes,corroborated by DFT calculations with an SMD solvation model. Theseproducts are transformed into hetero-orthogonal polycyclic aromaticsvia electrophilic aromatic substitution, yielding phenanthropicenes,bulky aryl-substituted phenanthrenes, and pyrene-fused heptafulvenewith interesting photophysical properties. These novel orthogonalpolycyclic aromatics exhibit attractive optoelectronic properties,as evidenced by UV–vis, fluorescence, and cyclic voltammetrydata, making them promising candidates for organic electronic materials.</p>","PeriodicalId":29797,"journal":{"name":"ACS Organic & Inorganic Au","volume":"6 5","pages":"675–686"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149093656","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jason M. Stevens, Dung L. Golden, Nikki Dare, Shubhangi Aggarwal, David Del Valle, Stacey DiSomma, Michael Eng, Ariel Furman, Lauren Grant, Diane Hendrix, Bilal Hoblos, Jiajie Huo, Mikalai Malashchonak, Ketleine Miller, Emily Mumford, Cheng Peng, Lingxiang Lu, Donggeon Nam, Frederick Roberts, Victor Rosso, Eric Saurer, Sushant Singh, Dmitriy Snetkov, Anton Terekh, Alexander E. Waked, Michael Williams, Chengmin Zhang
{"title":"Structured HTE Data and Integrated Bayesian Optimization Accelerate Scalable Amidation Process Development","authors":"Jason M. Stevens, Dung L. Golden, Nikki Dare, Shubhangi Aggarwal, David Del Valle, Stacey DiSomma, Michael Eng, Ariel Furman, Lauren Grant, Diane Hendrix, Bilal Hoblos, Jiajie Huo, Mikalai Malashchonak, Ketleine Miller, Emily Mumford, Cheng Peng, Lingxiang Lu, Donggeon Nam, Frederick Roberts, Victor Rosso, Eric Saurer, Sushant Singh, Dmitriy Snetkov, Anton Terekh, Alexander E. Waked, Michael Williams, Chengmin Zhang","doi":"10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00051","url":null,"abstract":"<p>We describe the evolutionof our early hit-identification workflowfor reagent-mediated amidation reactions in support of commercialroute development. Over the past decade, our strategy progressed frombroad, exhaustive high-throughput experimentation (HTE) with limiteddata maturity to a modern, enterprise-scale digital platform thatembeds data science tools directly into the experimental workflow.By tailoring Katalyst D2D─a commercial electronic laboratorynotebook (ELN) for HTE developed by ACD/Laboratories─we establisheda structured, machine-readable data architecture and enabled seamlessintegration with the EDBO+ Bayesian optimization engine. Retrospectiveanalysis of historical amidation data sets showed that, despite screeningmore than 60 reagents, only a small subset consistently translatedto commercial processes. This insight motivated a streamlined workflowin which chemists begin with a focused survey of six reaction conditionsrooted in empirical performance and commercial precedent, followedby Bayesian optimization within the ELN to identify optimal reagent/base/solventcombinations. This study highlights how treating reaction data asa digital asset─FAIR, interoperable, and directly linked tooptimization tools─accelerates the transition from reactionscreening to robust process development.</p>","PeriodicalId":29797,"journal":{"name":"ACS Organic & Inorganic Au","volume":"6 5","pages":"624–635"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149124619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thibaut L. M. Martinon, Avisikta Sinha, Tristen E. Garner, Taylor Hatch, Logan Olson, Alexander Sunne, Katie L. Peterson, Valérie C. Pierre
{"title":"A Terbium(III) Luminescent Probe for Quantifying Bicarbonate Levels in Ocean Water","authors":"Thibaut L. M. Martinon, Avisikta Sinha, Tristen E. Garner, Taylor Hatch, Logan Olson, Alexander Sunne, Katie L. Peterson, Valérie C. Pierre","doi":"10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00044","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Given the complex media of ocean water, facile determinationofHCO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup> concentration in situ remains difficult.Herein, we report the development of an indicator displacement probeto quantify HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup> at levels relevantto ocean water. The probe has high selectivity for HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>–</sup> over competing ions (Cl<sup>–</sup>, Na<sup>+</sup>, SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2–</sup>, Mg<sup>2+</sup>, Ca<sup>2+</sup>) for facile and accurate in situ measurements.</p>","PeriodicalId":29797,"journal":{"name":"ACS Organic & Inorganic Au","volume":"6 5","pages":"609–615"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149093503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michael Kapsalis, Michael Fragkiadakis, Iakovos Konstantaras, Konstantinos G. Froudas, Taxiarchis Stergiannakos, Rongyu Sun, Erica Benedetti, Constantinos G. Neochoritis
{"title":"Planar Chirality Directs Enantiospecific Diastereoselectivity in Isocyanide-Based Multicomponent Reactions","authors":"Michael Kapsalis, Michael Fragkiadakis, Iakovos Konstantaras, Konstantinos G. Froudas, Taxiarchis Stergiannakos, Rongyu Sun, Erica Benedetti, Constantinos G. Neochoritis","doi":"10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00034","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Stereochemical controlin isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions(IMCRs) remains a fundamental challenge, particularly in substrate-controlledvariants. Here we show that planar chirality embedded within [2.2]paracyclophanescaffolds enables predictable enantiospecific stereochemical transferacross the Passerini three-component reaction as well as the Ugi four-componentand Ugi-tetrazole manifolds. Each enantiomer of the planar-chiralsubstrate stereospecifically transfers its configuration to the product,establishing a deterministic relationship between substrate and productstereochemistry. Across more than 65 reactions, this strategy providesconsistent diastereocontrol without external chiral catalysts. Thesefindings establish planar chirality as a general substrate-encodedprinciple for stereochemical control in IMCRs and expand the scopeof enantiospecific multicomponent synthesis beyond classical pointchirality.</p>","PeriodicalId":29797,"journal":{"name":"ACS Organic & Inorganic Au","volume":"6 4","pages":"449–459"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148693749","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nijito Mukai, Sota Iwasaki, Takuya Kodama, Mamoru Tobisu
{"title":"Gallylene-Mediated C–C Bond Activation of Diphenylcyclopropenone and Chalcogen Atom Insertion into a Ga–C Bond","authors":"Nijito Mukai, Sota Iwasaki, Takuya Kodama, Mamoru Tobisu","doi":"10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00053","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acsorginorgau.6c00053","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Wereport the synthesis and structural characterizationof a gallacyclobutenone.The gallacyclobutenone was synthesized via C–C bond oxidativeaddition of cyclopropenone to a Ga(I) species bearing a phenalenyl-basedbidentate ligand. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggestthat the oxidative addition proceeds through nucleophilic attack ofthe gallylene on the alkene moiety of the cyclopropenone, ring openingwith C–C bond cleavage to generate a ketene intermediate, andsubsequent cyclization through Ga–C bond formation. The resultingfour-membered gallacycle undergoes oxygen- and sulfur-atom insertionreactions into the Ga–C(═O) bond, affording the correspondingfive-membered gallacycles.</p>","PeriodicalId":29797,"journal":{"name":"ACS Organic & Inorganic Au","volume":"6 4","pages":"392–397"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148689957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nils Ostermann, Sophie Webb, Andrea Do Nascimento Henriques, Ross D. Milton
{"title":"A Low-Potential π-Extended Viologen Electron Donor Results in Increased H2 Production by CpI [FeFe]-Hydrogenase","authors":"Nils Ostermann, Sophie Webb, Andrea Do Nascimento Henriques, Ross D. Milton","doi":"10.1021/acsorginorgau.5c00106","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsorginorgau.5c00106","url":null,"abstract":"<p>[FeFe]-hydrogenases are known for their exceptional dihydrogenproduction activity, which opens a pathway to green hydrogen formation.To achieve the high turnover numbers found in natural environments,researchers aim to mimic biological electron donors using artificialelectron delivery systems. In this sense, the use of an externallyapplied electrochemical potential is of particular interest, for whichredox mediators often have to be included to effectively shuttle electronsbetween the electrode and the enzyme. The class of viologens, withmethylviologen being the most prominent example, has been shown toperform efficient electron transfer. However, the reduced forms ofsuch viologens are restricted in terms of stability and accessibilityof the more reduced, low-potential species. Herein, we report theelectrochemical and spectroscopic characterization of a viologen-basedderivative, which is capable of storing two electrons at a low potentialof −0.75 V <em>vs</em>. SHE. In combination with the[FeFe]-hydrogenase <em>Cp</em>I, an activity of up to 10,480μmol<sub>H<sub>2</sub></sub> mg<span><span><sup>–1</sup><sub><em>Cp</em>I</sub></span></span> min<sup>–1</sup> (molar activity of 11,179 μmol<sub>H<sub>2</sub></sub> μmol<span><span><sup>–1</sup><sub><em>Cp</em>I</sub></span></span> s<sup>–1</sup>) could be achieved, which is 10 times greaterthan the commonly used dithionite-driven methylviologen assay underthe same conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":29797,"journal":{"name":"ACS Organic & Inorganic Au","volume":"6 4","pages":"398–405"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148693677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}