Topics in Current Chemistry最新文献

Benzimidazole derivatives are widely recognized for their critical importance in the realm of bioactive natural products, pharmaceuticals, and advanced functional materials. This review elucidates recent developments in the synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives employing a variety of catalytic methodologies. Metal-catalyzed systems, which incorporate copper or palladium, facilitate cyclization reactions under mild reaction conditions, thereby enhancing both yield and selectivity. Base-catalyzed systems foster efficient condensation and cyclization via substrate deprotonation, thereby obviating the necessity for costly metals. Nanocatalytic systems exploit nanomaterials characterized by high surface areas to augment catalytic activity and improve reaction efficiency. Photocatalytic systems harness visible light to propel reactions at ambient temperatures, thereby contributing to environmentally sustainable processes with diminished energy consumption. Representative examples and the fundamental reaction mechanisms pertaining to each approach are analyzed, highlighting the versatility and potential inherent in these catalytic methodologies. This comprehensive review accentuates the significance of optimizing synthetic pathways for benzimidazole derivatives, in line with contemporary trends advocating for sustainable and efficient chemical synthesis.

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Phycocyanin, a phycobiliprotein, is a known antimicrobial and anticancer compound, and among nanoparticle formulations, its use has garnered significant attention regarding the treatment of cancers and bacterial and parasitic diseases. Phycocyanin has been deployed in a wide range of nanoparticles amid polymer (chitosan, polylactic acid-co-glycolic acid, polypyrrole, and hydrogel nanoparticles) and non-polymer (liposomes, phytosomes, micelles, microspheres, manganese dioxide, and black phosphorus quantum dots) entities. Phycocyanin-based nanoparticles were previously limited to utilizing their anticancer and antimicrobial effects, but recent studies have revealed that they target a variety of cellular and molecular processes, such as apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In addition, phycocyanin-based nanoparticles have demonstrated efficacy in inhibiting the growth of various parasites and bacteria, including Cryptosporidium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, and Bacillus cereus. Herein, various forms of phycocyanin-based nanoparticles are evaluated, emphasizing the cellular and molecular pathways involved in cancer and microbial therapy.

The pursuit of metal-free multicomponent reactions (MCRs) via direct C–H bond functionalization represents a significant stride toward sustainable and atom-economical organic synthesis. This review comprehensively examines advances from 2016 to 2025 in metal-free C–H functionalization strategies integrated with MCRs for the efficient construction of complex, bioactive heterocycles. Key mechanistic platforms explored include iminium ion activation, azomethine ylide chemistry, radical-mediated transformations, visible-light photoredox catalysis, and base-mediated protocols. Each approach is critically analyzed in terms of substrate scope, regioselectivity and stereoselectivity, green metrics, and practical applicability. The strategic use of renewable feedstocks, solvent-free conditions, and recyclable catalysts further highlights the field’s alignment with green chemistry principles. Collectively, these methodologies underscore the growing potential of metal-free MCRs in delivering structurally diverse heterocyclic scaffolds for pharmaceutical and materials applications.

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Photocatalytic technologies are essential for addressing energy and environmental challenges. Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have emerged as promising photocatalysts owing to their adjustable bandgaps, high efficiency, and broad visible-light absorption capabilities. However, despite their potential, MHPs encounter obstacles that impede their effective use. These challenges include the necessity to maintain stability in aqueous and oxygen-rich environments as well as at elevated temperatures. Moreover, issues such as electron–hole recombination and limited oxidation activity during photocatalytic processes present significant hurdles that must be overcome for the successful application of MHPs. This review addresses the latest advancements in the application of MHPs for photocatalytic tasks, such as hydrogen production, carbon dioxide reduction, degradation of organic contaminants, and removal of nitrogen oxides. The first part of the review addresses the basic principles of photocatalysis, the crystalline structures, coordination environments, and distinguishing features of MHP photocatalysts. A range of strategies has been investigated to improve the performance of MHP photocatalysts and address challenges such as low stability, excessive charge recombination, and limited active sites. These strategies involve controlling morphology, forming heterojunctions, modifying surfaces or interfaces, and encapsulating the materials. The paper further examines the ongoing challenges and future prospects of MHP photocatalysts, highlighting their promising potential and significant role in a wide range of photocatalytic applications. Highlights

• Structures, properties, coordination environments, and basic principles of metal halide perovskite photocatalysts.

• Comprehensive summary of efficient photocatalytic strategies activity and stability of metal halide perovskites.

• Current progresses in the photocatalytic H₂ generation, CO₂ reduction, organics degradation, and NO_x remediation.

• Current challenges and future prospective of metal halide perovskite as efficient photocatalysts.

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The agriculture sector faces significant challenges from weeds and pests, exacerbated by climate change. Traditional control methods have led to the emergence of difficult to manage resistant populations, threatening global food security. AgroDrug conjugates (AgDCs) offer a promising approach to enhance agrodrug bioavailability and systemic distribution within plant tissues. This can be accomplished by attaching agrodrugs to molecular carriers such as sugars or amino acids. AgDCs aim to improve targeting and efficiency, while reducing the environmental impact. This review seeks to deliver a thorough and critical analysis of the chemical architectures and underlying mechanisms of action of AgDCs as documented in current scientific literature. Moreover, we highlight advances and knowledge gaps in AgDC design, including metabolic stability, ecological safety, and field-scale performance. Addressing these challenges will be essential to unlock the full potential of AgDCs as next-generation tools for sustainable and resilient crop protection.

Nanozymes, enzyme-like nanomaterials (NMs), present a compelling alternative to natural enzymes due to their superior catalytic activity, stability, and low cost. Among them, cerium dioxide (CeO₂) NMs exhibit diverse catalytic activities, including oxidase, peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, phosphatase, haloperoxidase, urease, uricase, DNase I, DNA photolyase, and ROS scavenging. The catalytic efficiency of CeO₂ nanozymes is largely influenced by oxygen vacancies, surface valence states, and the Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺ redox cycle, which are crucial in enhancing their enzymatic functions. This review explores the different dimensional structures of CeO₂ nanozymes, such as zero dimensions (0D), one dimension (1D), two dimensions (2D), and three dimensions (3D). It outlines their synthesis methods, which include physical, chemical, and biological approaches. Additionally, it examines surface modification strategies like ion exchange, small molecule binding, and macromolecular capping, which can either promote or inhibit their catalytic activity. By providing a comprehensive overview of the development, synthesis methods, dimensional variations, and surface modifications of CeO₂ nanozymes, this review highlights their enzyme-mimicking properties and their application potential in biosensing technologies. Furthermore, it offers insights into future prospects, focusing on advancing their catalytic efficiency and expanding their use across different fields. The review emphasizes the need for continued research to enhance the practical applications of CeO₂ nanozymes, which hold significant promise for the future of biosensing and other catalytic processes.

As a result of the high pharmaceutical relevance of organofluorine compounds in drug discovery, the synthetic approach towards this class of derivatives has generated increasing interest in organic chemistry over the past decade. Metathesis, with the manipulation of the C = C double bonds, is considered to be a powerful tool in preparative organic chemistry to access various sophisticated and densely functionalized scaffolds with olefin bonds in their structure. The current paper is intended to describe, investigate, and analyze the most impactful advances and applications of metathesis with organofluorine molecular entities achieved since the outstanding review by Fustero, Haufe and others (Chem. Rev. 2015, 115, 871 − 930, dx.doi.org/10.1021/cr500182a) published a decade ago.

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Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have garnered considerable interest and have been thoroughly investigated across various research disciplines. Consequently, substantial work has focused on creating MOF catalysts. This review provides a detailed examination of the use of different MOFs in organic synthesis and catalytic organic reactions. We aim for this study to offer insights that facilitate the development of new or enhanced MOFs, promoting their functional properties for practical applications.

In modern organic synthesis, the catalytic borrowing hydrogen methodology has emerged as a transformative strategy for the N-alkylation of amines with water as the only byproduct. Here, we have highlighted the recent developments over the period (approximately) from 2014 to 2024. We have discussed all the emerging catalytic systems, such as the use of non-metallic, homogeneous, heterogeneous, and electrocatalysts using noble and non-noble metals, with an emphasis on advancements that expand reaction scope, improve selectivity, and enhance selectivity. Ultimately, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of catalytic N-alkylation processes, focusing on sustainable, efficient methodologies for a greener approach.

The potential to conduct palladium-catalyzed Tsuji–Trost reactions in biological systems opens unprecedented opportunities to probe and manipulate cellular processes. However, implementing such transformations remains challenging due to the stringent requirements imposed by biocompatibility. To date, Tsuji–Trost allylation has not yet been successfully demonstrated in living cells, and in vivo applications remain unrealized, primarily due to the presumed incompatibility between traditional organic chemistry and the complex aqueous environments of biological systems. Nevertheless, significant progress has been made in this area over the past two decades. The successful execution of a Tsuji–Trost reaction in aqueous media requires careful consideration of several key factors, including the choice of catalyst, ligand, leaving group, and nucleophile, as well as the influence of water on reactivity and selectivity. In this review, we highlight the latest advancements in biocompatible palladium-catalyzed Tsuji–Trost-type reactions, with a particular focus on deprotection and allylation reactions conducted in aqueous environments and in living systems. Further development of in vivo Tsuji–Trost allylation is expected in the near future.

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This review explores recent advances in biocompatible Tsuji–Trost-type reactions, with emphasis on mechanistic insights and the transition from conventional benchtop protocols to biological applications.