Research Archive

First-Principles Prediction of Electrochemical Electron–Anion Exchange: Ion Insertion without Redox

It is widely assumed that the gain or loss of electrons in a material must be accompanied by its reduction or oxidation. Here, we report a system in which the insertion/deinsertion of an electron occurs without any reduction or oxidation.

Mechanistic Insight into the Stereoselective Cationic Polymerization of Vinyl Ethers

The control of the tacticity of synthetic polymers enables the realization of emergent physical properties from readily available starting materials.

More Than π–π–π Stacking: Contribution of Amide−π and CH−π Interactions to Crotonyllysine Binding by the AF9 YEATS Domain

Lysine crotonylation (Kcr) is a histone post-translational modification that is implicated in numerous epigenetic pathways and diseases.

Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane-Catalyzed Cyclopropanation of Styrenes with Aryldiazoacetates

Methods for the synthesis of cyclopropanes are critical for drug discovery, chemical biology, total synthesis, and other fields. Herein, we report the use of the strong sterically encumbered Lewis acid tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane as a catalyst for the cyclopropanation of unactivated alkenes using aryldiazoacetates.

Considering Electrocatalytic Ammonia Synthesis via Bimetallic Dinitrogen Cleavage

Despite advances in the development of molecular catalysts capable of reducing dinitrogen to ammonia using proton donors and chemical reductants, few molecular electrocatalysts have been discovered. This Perspective considers the prospects of electrocatalyst development based on a mechanism featuring the cleavage of N-2 into metal nitride complexes.

Iridium Pincer Complexes

A unique chain-rupturing transformation that converts an ether functionality into two hydrocarbyl units and carbon monoxide is reported by the Miller Group...

A biogenic secondary organic aerosol source of cirrus ice nucleating particles

Here, we demonstrate the potential for biogenic SOA to activate as depositional INPs in the upper troposphere by combining field measurements with laboratory experiments.

In Vitro Reconstitution Reveals a Central Role for the N-Oxygenase PvfB in (Dihydro)pyrazine-N-oxide and Valdiazen Biosynthesis

The Pseudomonas virulence factor (pvf) operon is essential for the biosynthesis of two very different natural product scaffolds: the (dihydro)pyrazine-N-oxides and the diazeniumdiolate, valdiazen. PvfB is a member of the non-heme diiron N-oxygenase enzyme family that commonly convert anilines to their nitroaromatic counterparts.

Ribosomal Antimicrobial Peptide

Ribosomal antimicrobial peptide (AMP) natural products, also known as ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) or host defense peptides, demonstrate....

More Than π–π–π Stacking: Contribution of Amide−π and CH−π Interactions to Crotonyllysine Binding by the AF9 YEATS Domain

Lysine crotonylation (Kcr) is a histone post-translational modification that is implicated in numerous epigenetic pathways and diseases. Recognition of Kcr by YEATS domains has been proposed to occur through intermolecular amide−π and alkene−π interactions, but little is known about the driving force of these key interactions. Herein, we probed the recognition of lysine crotonylation and acetylation by the AF9 YEATS domain through incorporation of noncanonical Phe analogs with distinct electrostatics at two positions.

Genome guardians stop and reel in DNA to correct replication errors

Chemistry Professor, Dorothy Erie, collaborates with researchers to conduct research on how proteins MutL and MutS prevent DNA replication errors by creating an immobile structure that calls more proteins to the site to repair the error

The Diversity of Peptides

Natural product extracts present inherently complex matrices in which the identification of novel bioactive peptide species is challenged by low-abundance masses and significant structural...