Topics in Current Chemistry

Sahiba, Nusrat; Agarwal, Shikha

doi: 10.1007/s41061-020-00307-5pmid: 32776212

Perimidines are versatile scaffolds and a fascinating class of N-heterocycles that have evolved significantly in recent years due to their immense applications in life sciences, medical sciences, and industrial chemistry. Their ability of molecular interaction with different proteins, complex formation with metals, and distinct behavior in various ranges of light makes them more appealing and challenging for future scientists. Various novel technologies have been developed for the selective synthesis of perimidines and their conjugated derivatives. These methods extend to the preparation of different bioactive and industrially applicable molecules. This review aims to present the most recent advancements in perimidine synthesis under varied conditions like MW radiation, ultrasound, and grinding using different catalysts such as ionic liquids, acid, metal, and nanocatalyst and also under green environments like catalyst and solvent-free synthesis. The applications of perimidine derivatives in drug discovery, polymer chemistry, photo sensors, dye industries, and catalytic activity in organic synthesis are discussed in this survey. This article is expected to be a systematic, authoritative, and critical review on the chemistry of perimidines that compiles most of the state-of-art innovation in this area.Graphic Abstract[graphic not available: see fulltext]

Rodriguez-Padron, Daily; Ahsan, Md Ariful; Sanad, Mohamed Fathi; Luque, Rafael; Santiago, Alain R. Puente

doi: 10.1007/s41061-020-00306-6pmid: 32562011

In recent years, the incorporation of molecular enzymes into nanostructured frameworks to create efficient energy conversion biomaterials has gained increasing interest as a promising strategy owing to both the dynamic behavior of proteins for their electrocatalytic function and the unique properties of the synergistic interactions between proteins and nanosized materials. Herein, we review the impact of proteins on energy conversion fields and the contribution of proteins to the improved activity of the resulting nanocomposites. We address different strategies to fabricate protein-based nanocatalysts as well as current knowledge on the structure–function relationships of enzymes during the catalytic processes. Additionally, a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art bioelectrocatalytic materials for water-splitting reactions such as hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER) is afforded. Finally, we briefly envision opportunities to develop a new generation of electrocatalysts towards the electrochemical reduction of N2 to NH3 using theoretical tools to built nature-inspired nitrogen reduction reaction catalysts.

Xu, Zhihui; Yang, Xiaogang; Yin, Shuang-Feng; Qiu, Renhua

doi: 10.1007/s41061-020-00303-9pmid: 32524210

8-Aminoquinoline is a common nitrogen-containing heterocyclic framework in many natural products, functional materials and useful drugs. It has been developed as a powerful bidentate directing group or ligand auxiliary in the field of C–H bond activation/functionalization in recent years. In this context, the synthesis of substituted 8-aminoquinoline is of great importance. In this review we focus on the functionalization of positions C2–C7 on the 8-aminoquinoline ring, which involves the formation of C–C and C–Z (Z = heteroatom) bonds by transition metal catalysts, photocatalysts or metal-free conditions. Mechanistically, a single electron transfer (SET) pathway is suggested in most cases.