Search Results (575)

A metal-free, efficient, iodine(III)-promoted oxidative transformation of allylic sulfones/allylic triflones with water participation for accessing sulfonyl ketones and triflyl allylic alcohols is reported. This strategy enables the selective construction of two SO₂-containing compounds with chemical and biological significance, and its success mainly relies on the substitution effect of the starting materials. Water serves as an eco-friendly oxygen atom source. This transformation has excellent selectivity, broad substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, and ease of scale-up. Full article

4-(2-Nitrobenzoyl)isoxazoles are readily available from 3,5-disubstituted 4-iodoisoxazoles through iodine–lithium exchange and trapping with 2-nitrobenzaldeyde, followed by Jones oxidation of the obtained secondary alcohols. Reductive ring transformation by means of treatment with iron in acetic acid gives 2-substituted 3-acyl-4-quinolones. The mechanism of the cyclization reaction was elucidated by using appropriately substituted isoxazole building blocks and 2D NMR investigation of the products. In contrast, catalytic hydrogenation leaves the isoxazole ring untouched, whereas reduction with NaBH₄/NiCl₂ gives 2-substituted 3-acylquinolines in an unprecedented reductive ring transformation. Full article

Ethanol consumption can modify both drug exposure and drug response. However, the clinical relevance of these interactions depends strongly on the timing and pattern of alcohol intake, the affected pharmacological pathway, the dosage form and organ reserve. This review summarizes current evidence on ethanol–drug interactions, particularly human crossover studies, phenotyping studies, cohort analyses and appropriate case reports. It distinguishes acute ethanol–drug co-exposure, chronic alcohol exposure, drug use during early abstinence after chronic drinking, and pharmacotherapy in alcohol-associated liver disease. Key mechanisms include ADH- and ALDH-dependent ethanol oxidation, acetaldehyde formation, NADH/NAD⁺ redox shift, CYP2E1 induction, carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) modulation, altered intestinal and hepatic first-pass handling, dose dumping from susceptible modified-release products, changes in protein binding in alcohol-associated liver disease, and ALDH inhibition with acetaldehyde accumulation in disulfiram-like reactions. At the molecular level, ethanol may promote acetaldehyde adduct formation with proteins and DNA, CYP2E1-driven reactive oxygen species generation, redox stress, intestinal barrier injury, and CES1-dependent transesterification of selected ester drugs. Acute ethanol intake mainly increases pharmacodynamic toxicity and causes short-term pharmacokinetic disturbances, including enhanced central nervous system depression, delayed gastric emptying, impaired glucose and lactate handling and altered hemodynamic responses. In contrast, chronic exposure, early abstinence and alcohol-associated liver disease are more often associated with hepatic enzyme and transporter remodeling, altered protein binding, reduced hepatic or renal reserve, and greater susceptibility to drug-related organ injury. The highest-risk scenarios involve older adults, polypharmacy, alcohol-associated liver disease, dehydration or acute illness, early abstinence, and the concurrent use of central nervous system depressants, glucose-lowering drugs, NSAIDs, antihypertensives, renally eliminated drugs or warfarin. Hence, ethanol exposure should be treated as a dynamic, context-dependent modifier factor that can acutely exacerbate pharmacodynamic toxicity, alter selected pharmacokinetic pathways and lower organ tolerance to drug-related injury. Full article

Nanozymes, nanomaterials that mimic enzymatic activity, offer superior stability, tunability, and lower production costs compared to natural enzymes. To date, most nanozyme-based point-of-care (PoC) diagnostic systems have relied on oxidation reactions, such as oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine, which often suffer from limited substrate stability and high background signal. This study investigates reduction reactions, particularly those involving tetrazolium salts, as an alternative route for signal generation in PoC devices. For this purpose, monometallic and bimetallic gold, palladium, and platinum nanoparticles were synthesized via chemical reduction using poly(vinyl alcohol) as a stabilizing agent. The resulting nanoparticles were uniform in size and morphology. Their catalytic performance was confirmed through the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. The tetrazole salts were selected as promising substrates for application in PoC settings and further explored by examining the nanozyme-based reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT). The nanozymes catalyzed the reduction of MTT in the presence of sodium borohydride, producing a distinct colorimetric signal under selected conditions. The effects of reducing agent concentration, buffer pH, and potential interferents were evaluated, with performance suitable for PoC devices achieved at basic pH and low borohydride concentration. Interference studies showed negligible MTT reduction in the presence of physiological levels of ascorbic acid, human serum albumin, and 10% concentration of human serum. Finally, a proof-of-concept lateral flow assay demonstrated successful signal generation through nanozyme-catalyzed MTT reduction. Results establish tetrazolium salts as suitable substrates for nanozyme-enhanced PoC diagnostics and highlight reduction-based chromogenic systems as a viable alternative to traditional oxidation-based assays. Full article

Chronic liver disease (CLD) constitutes a major global health burden, with high morbidity and mortality, limited treatment options for several etiologies, and an urgent need for novel therapeutic targets. Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) is a unique member of the FGF family capable of binding all four FGFR subtypes, thereby regulating multiple signaling pathways including PI3K/AKT, Ras/MAPK, and PLCγ, which are involved in metabolism, cell survival, proliferation, and tissue repair. Emerging evidence highlights the multifaceted and context-dependent roles of FGF1 in CLD. In drug-induced liver injury (DILI) caused by anti-tuberculosis drugs, acetaminophen, or doxorubicin, FGF1 confers protection by restoring bile acid homeostasis, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. In Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), FGF1 ameliorates hepatic steatosis, oxidative injury, and insulin resistance through downregulation of SREBP1, upregulation of PPARα, and activation of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant responses. Conversely, in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), FGF1 aggravates ductular reaction, biliary senescence, and liver fibrosis via upregulation of SASP and TGF-β1, suggesting that inhibition of the FGF1/FGFR axis may be therapeutic. For alcohol-related liver disease (ALD), although direct experimental evidence is lacking, FGF1 is hypothesized to confer protection given its known activities against oxidative stress, lipid dysregulation, and cell death. Despite its promise, the mitogenic potential of FGF1 raises safety concerns; however, N-terminally modified FGF1 analogs (e.g., FGF1Δ) retain metabolic benefits with reduced proliferative activity. Collectively, FGF1 represents a versatile and disease-dependent regulator in CLD, warranting further mechanistic studies, safety evaluations, and development of targeted analogs as a novel therapeutic strategy for difficult-to-treat liver diseases. Full article

Demand for greener and safer chemistries has driven the innovation of bioinspired and enzyme-mimicking catalysts for selective and efficient oxidation and hydrogenation under mild conditions. Natural catalysts, including peroxidases, oxidases, hydrogenases, oxygenases and dehydrogenases, boast remarkable activity, specificity, stability, selectivity, low energy requirements and atom economy. Disadvantages of enzymes, such as poor thermal stability, a narrow operational range, low recovery yield and the expense of purification, are motivating the discovery and design of enzyme substitutes. Several artificial platforms have appeared recently: nanozymes, artificial metalloenzymes, biomimetic metal Complexes, MOFs, atomic catalysts, bioinorganic hybrid systems, among others. These systems aim to replicate key structural and mechanistic features of enzymes while providing greater operational stability, recyclability, and scalability. Recent work has demonstrated the benefit of enzyme mimics in increasing eco-sustainability in reactions such as alcohol oxidation, selective alkane oxidation, waste degradation, catalytic photooxygen activation and biomass waste conversion. Similarly, biomimetic hydrogenation catalysts have shown outstanding activity in asymmetrically hydrogenating chemicals, reducing CO₂ into chemicals, hydrogenation by hydrogen transfer and creating hydrogen through water. Through control of active sites, second coordination sites, defects and electrons/protons in the system, significant gains have been seen in reaction selectivity and frequency of turning over substrate into product. Nanozymes, biohybrid catalysis and artificial catalysts guided by deep learning are further broadening the applications of biomimetic catalysis in oxidation and hydrogenation. The article review aims to provide a summary of the most current progress with bioinspired and enzyme-mimicking catalysts, focusing on catalytic mechanisms, how to design such catalysts, how green chemistry benefits from their development and where further application is likely in the coming years. Full article

Peroxisomes are essential metabolic organelles that support core aspects of cellular homeostasis. In the hepatocytes, peroxisomes govern key aspects of cellular homeostasis, including processing lipid substrates that are inadequately handled by mitochondria, controlling hydrogen peroxide metabolism, and regulating bile acid synthesis. Increasing evidence indicates that these organelles are not merely auxiliary metabolic compartments but active contributors to the development and progression of liver disease. Dynamic alterations in peroxisomal proteins and function are being noted. Across metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, alcohol-associated liver disease, cholestatic disorders, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, peroxisomes undergo remodeling that shows a change from adaptive reactions to maladaptive states. These changes perturb signaling pathways that regulate inflammation, stress responses, and cell fate. In addition, because peroxisomes operate within an interconnected organelle network, their dysfunction propagates to mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and other cellular systems, amplifying metabolic and cellular stress. This review summarizes current understanding of how peroxisomal pathways contribute to liver disease, highlighting mechanisms involving lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and disrupted organelle crosstalk. How peroxisome-dependent control of circulating metabolites links hepatic injury to extrahepatic organ systems is further discussed. At the end, emerging therapeutic strategies for liver disease targeting peroxisomal pathways are discussed. Together, the emerging understanding of peroxisomal remodeling, metabolic regulation, organelle crosstalk, and inter-organ communication positions peroxisomes as active and dynamic regulators of liver disease and potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Full article

Steric effects refer to the effect of the size and spatial arrangement of atoms or groups on the reactions, interactions, and catalytic activities of molecules. The incorporation of Cl (chlorine) and Br (bromine) atoms as substituents into phthalocyanine (Pc) structures can have important catalytic effects. These effects arise mainly from their electronic and steric properties, which influence the behavior of the central metal ion and the overall catalyst performance. In this work, Co(II)PcQBr₂ was synthesized and characterized by spectral techniques. The catalytical activity of Co(II)PcQBr₂ was then evaluated for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol. The effects of the substrate/catalyst ratio, oxidant/catalyst ratio, oxidant type and temperature on the oxidation reaction of benzyl alcohol were investigated. Both catalysts exhibited high TON, TOF and total conversion yields in the presence of H₂O₂ as the oxidant at 50 °C. (substrate/oxidant/catalyst:1000/500/1). When the total product conversions were calculated for both catalysts, Co(II)PcQBr₂ was found to have a lower product conversion (88.7%, with a TON of 914 and a TOF of 457 ) than Co(II)PcQCl₂. Moreover, Co(II)PcQCl₂ was determined to have higher selectivity of benzyl benzoate (94.0%, with a TON of 940 and a TOF of 470 ). The larger size of the Br atom compared to that of the Cl atom was observed to reduce catalytic activity. Considering the size of the Cl atom, it was concluded that steric effects favor the formation of benzyl benzoate by inhibiting possible side reactions, thus increasing the catalytic activity. Full article

The selective conversion of syngas (CO + H₂) to higher alcohols (C₂₊OH) via Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is a strategically important but challenging process, requiring catalysts that can simultaneously sustain C–C chain growth and preserve C–O bonds in reactive intermediates. Over the past decade (2015–2025), perovskite-type complex oxides with the formula ABO₃ have emerged as powerful precatalysts for this application, with LaCoO₃ attracting particular attention due to its structural flexibility, controllable reducibility, and the unique catalytic role of the La₂O₃ phase formed upon reduction. This review systematically covers recent advances in synthesis strategies for LaCoO₃ and substituted perovskites, including sol–gel, co-precipitation, mechanochemical, and template-assisted (KIT-6, SBA-15) methods; effects of A-site (Sr) and B-site (Cu, Ga, Ni, Mn) substitution on reducibility, active phase dispersion, and product selectivity; alkali promotion and its interaction with the perovskite-derived active phase; mechanistic understanding of the alcohol-forming pathway, including the Co⁰/Co³⁺ bifunctional site concept, CO insertion mechanism, and the role of La₂O₃ in suppressing the Boudouard reaction; and catalyst stability and deactivation pathways under FTS conditions. Original data from LaCoO₃ catalysts prepared by co-precipitation with ethylene glycol (LCO-1: S_KOH = 90%, Y_KOH = 57 mg·g⁻¹·h⁻¹) and via citrate/KIT-6 template synthesis (LCO/KIT-6: Y_KOH = 80 mg·g⁻¹·h⁻¹, S_BET = 220 m²/g) at 240 °C and 2 MPa serve as the primary experimental reference throughout. Key challenges, including the surface area–selectivity trade-off, long-term stability under industrial conditions, and opportunities in CO₂ hydrogenation, are critically discussed. Full article

The concurrent accumulation of plastic waste and CO₂ emissions poses a critical environmental challenge while presenting a compelling opportunity for integrated carbon management. Coupled plastic waste reforming and CO₂ conversion has recently emerged as a promising strategy to valorize these abundant waste streams into fuels and value-added chemicals, enabling a closed carbon cycle. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in integrated electrochemical and photoelectrochemical systems for the co-conversion of plastic waste and CO₂. Fundamental reaction pathways, including plastic depolymerization, reforming, and oxidation, are discussed in conjunction with their thermodynamic and kinetic coupling to CO₂ reduction. Particular emphasis is placed on paired electrochemical processes, such as plastic-derived alcohol oxidation coupled with CO₂ reduction processes, all of which offer enhanced energy efficiency. Photoelectrochemical approaches driven by renewable energy are further highlighted for their potential to operate under mild conditions. In addition, key design strategies for catalysts and electrodes—focusing on earth-abundant materials, redox stability, interfacial engineering, and selectivity control—are critically evaluated. Finally, current challenges and future opportunities are outlined to accelerate the development of scalable, efficient, and sustainable technologies for circular chemical manufacturing. Full article

Photocatalytic H₂O₂ production coupled with selective organic oxidation provides a promising strategy for simultaneously generating value-added oxidants and chemicals under mild conditions. Herein, Ni-modified defect-engineered NH₂-UiO-66 photocatalysts (Ni/UN) are constructed by introducing Ni species into a vacuum-treated NH₂-UiO-66 framework (UN). Compared with the original NH₂-UiO-66 and the defect-treated UN, Ni/UN exhibits weakened photoluminescence emission, enhanced transient photocurrent response, and reduced electrochemical impedance, indicating that the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers have been improved. The band structure analysis further reveals that Ni/UN has a narrow band gap of approximately 2.52 electron volts and a slightly more negative conduction band position (−0.50 V), which is conducive to the photoinduced reduction reaction. The importance of O₂ in the photocatalytic process was demonstrated by changing the atmospheric conditions. Therefore, in the benzylalcohol system, under the oxygen atmosphere, Ni/UN achieved the highest H₂O₂ production rate of 3257 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, accompanied by the continuous generation of benzaldehyde, with its content reaching 3420 μmol g⁻¹ after 60 min of irradiation. The scavenger experiment further indicates that photogenerated electrons and the active substances derived from oxygen are closely involved in the formation of H₂O₂, while the ·OH-related processes only play a limited contribution role. This study demonstrates an effective strategy for enhancing the performance of metal–organic framework (MOF)-based photocatalysts through defect engineering and metal coordination regulation, thereby achieving efficient photochemical production of hydrogen peroxide and the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Full article

This study presents the production of isoamyl, n-butyl and cyclohexyl esters of levulinic acid with an excellent yield under solvent-free conditions. The catalysts used were MgAlO and M²⁺MgAlO-mixed oxides containing the transition metals (M²⁺ = Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺), obtained from calcined layered double hydroxides (LDH). They are easily accessible, low-cost, and environmentally friendly and possess the requisite acid–base properties for esterification reactions. The effect of reaction time and the molar ratio of levulinic acid to the alcohols used on the esterification reaction was investigated. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), XRF, SEM and temperature-programmed desorption of CO₂ (TPD-CO₂). Gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) was used for the identification and quantification of the product mixtures. Mixed oxides containing transition metals exhibited significantly higher activity than MgAlO. Under the selected reaction conditions, the conversion of levulinic acid and the yield of isoamyl ester reached 100% at a reagent ratio of 1:1. As a by-product of esterification, only dicyclohexyl ether was found at a reactant ratio of 1:1.5. Full article

Bacteria pose significant threats to human health, industrial production, and daily life, with widespread microbial contamination remaining a critical challenge for global public health. Conventional porous materials often suffer from insufficient antibacterial efficacy, necessitating the development of advanced antimicrobial systems. Herein, we report a synthetic strategy for fabricating chloride-regenerable porous tubular polymers (HCP-DMH-Cl) via a combination of Friedel–Crafts alkylation and nucleophilic substitution reactions. HCP was initially prepared through a crosslinking reaction via Friedel–Crafts alkylation using FeCl₃ as the catalyst and benzyl alcohol as the monomer. SEM characterization was performed to validate the tubular architectural morphology of HCP. The polymeric N-halamine precursor, HCP-DMH, was subsequently obtained through stepwise bromomethylation and nucleophilic substitution modifications. Upon chlorination, HCP-DMH-Cl exhibited good antibacterial efficacy against both E. coli and S. aureus, coupled with favorable regenerability of its oxidative chlorine content. This approach paves the way for designing next-generation porous media with tailored antibacterial functionality and sustainable chlorine-release capabilities. Full article

To elucidate the regulatory mechanism of straw domestication on Jiang-flavor Daqu quality, this study systematically tracked variations in physicochemical properties and flavor compounds between Daqu fermented with aged versus fresh straw. Results showed that moisture content in aged-straw Daqu remained above 18.2% during the early fermentation stage (days 0–9), significantly higher than the fresh-straw group. This moisture retention was accompanied by thermodynamic differentiation: aged-straw Daqu exhibited a “delayed peak with gradual decline” pattern (peak temperature 46.8 °C on day 6, maintaining a high-temperature plateau from days 3 to 9), whereas fresh-straw Daqu followed an “early peak with rapid decline” trajectory (peaking at 50.7 °C on day 3 before deteriorating quickly). Total acidity was significantly elevated in the aged-straw group (1.9 vs. 1.0 mmol/10 g, p < 0.05). However, this acidic environment was associated with lower activities of starch-hydrolyzing enzymes, resulting in comparatively lower diastatic and liquefying powers. Flavor profiling identified 1539 volatile compounds. Redundancy analysis revealed moisture, temperature, and liquefying power as key driving factors, explaining 44.24% of variance (p = 0.002). Although the overall flavor architecture remained similar between groups, characteristic compounds differed markedly. Aged-straw Daqu was enriched with derivatives from Maillard reactions and lipid oxidation, contributing to a more substantial flavor foundation. In contrast, fresh-straw Daqu tended to accumulate primary alcohols and exogenous residues. Collectively, aged straw was associated with greater flavor complexity and typicality of Jiang-flavor Daqu, likely through optimization of microenvironmental homeostasis, without altering the fundamental flavor framework. Full article

Red mud (RM), a metal oxide-rich solid waste, was subjected to three different acid treatments to evaluate its catalytic performance in toluene oxidation. The acetic acid-modified red mud (HAC-RM) demonstrated excellent catalytic activity, achieving complete toluene conversion at 450 °C. XRD, XRF, N₂-BET and SEM results show acetic acid treatment can effectively remove pore-blocking inert components such as Na₂O and CaO, thus increased the Fe₂O₃ content, and significantly enhanced both the specific surface area and pore size of the catalyst. Furthermore, this modification enhanced reducibility and generated additional oxygen vacancies, verified by H₂-TPR and O₂-TPD, thereby improving the overall catalytic performance. In contrast, oxalic acid treatment under ultraviolet irradiation led to the formation of calcium carbonate via reaction with Ca²⁺ ions in RM, which resulted in reduced catalytic activity. To further enhance performance, MnO₂ was loaded onto the modified HAC-RM via an impregnation method to develop a low-cost and highly active catalyst. Among the prepared samples, 20%MnO₂/HAC-RM exhibited the highest catalytic efficiency, achieving 100% toluene conversion at 300 °C. XPS, H₂-TPR, and O₂-TPD results indicate the synergistic interaction between Fe₂O₃ and MnO₂ facilitated electron transfer and enhanced surface oxygen mobility. Additionally, the catalytic oxidation mechanism of 20% MnO₂/HAC-RM was elucidated. A detailed reaction pathway for toluene degradation is proposed by in situ DRIFT, as follows: toluene → benzyl alcohol → benzaldehyde/benzoyl peroxide → benzoate → CO₂ and H₂O. These findings are expected to contribute to the development of efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective catalysts for volatile organic compound (VOC) abatement. Full article