RESUMEN
Invited for this issue's cover are researchers from Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech). The image depicts the lignin chemical evolution route from raw biomass through a greener chloromethylation procedure developed by the research team. It showcases the transformation into lignin-supported metal nanoparticles, serving as a catalyst for various chemical reactions in both batch and continuous flow conditions. The Research Article itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.202301588.
RESUMEN
We present a novel, greener chloromethylation procedure for organosolv aspen lignin under mild reaction conditions without Lewis acid as a catalyst and in acetic acid as a solvent. This synthetic protocol provides a reliable approach to chloromethylated lignin (CML) and means to obtain valuable lignin derivatives. The resulted CML was subsequently transformed into 1-methylimidazolium lignin (ImL), which effectively serves as a stabilizing agent for Pd/CuO nanoparticles (Pd/CuO-NPs). To evaluate the versatility of developed lignin-based catalyst, we investigate its performance in a series of carbon-carbon bond formation reactions, including Suzuki-Miyaura, Sonogashira, Heck reactions, and azide-alkyne cycloaddition (click) reaction. Remarkably, this catalyst exhibited a high degree of catalytic efficiency, resulting in reactions with yields ranging from average to excellent. The heterogeneous catalyst demonstrated outstanding recyclability, enabling its reuse for at least 10 consecutive reaction cycles, with yields consistently falling within the range of 42 % to 84 %. A continuous flow reactor cartridge prototype employing Lignin@Pd/CuO-NPs was developed, yielding results comparable to those achieved in batch reactions. The utilization of Lignin@Pd/CuO-NPs as a catalyst showcases its potential to facilitate diverse carbon-carbon bond formation reactions and underscores its promising recyclability, aligning with the green chemistry metrics and principles of sustainability in chemical processes.
RESUMEN
Calix[4]arenes bearing photoactive α-ketophosphonic acid groups at the upper rim of the macrocycle were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of glutathione S-transferases. Irradiation at 365 nm increased the inhibition effects of some macrocyclic compounds on GSTP1-1 by more than two orders of magnitude. Calix[4]arene bis-α-ketophosphonic acids substituted at the lower rim by n-propyl or n-butyl groups showed IC50 values in the low micromolar range. Kinetics of the irreversible inhibition was described by pseudo-first-order rate constants dependent on inhibitor concentration. The values of second-order rate constants were higher for glutathione S-transferase from human placenta than for the enzyme from equine liver. Molecular docking suggested that photoactive macrocyclic compounds cover the active site of glutathione S-transferase, providing the possibility to modify the catalytically important amino acid residues during irradiation.