The capability of DNA to acquire enzyme-like properties has led to the emergence of the so-called DNAzyme field; herein, we take a further leap along this nature-inspired road, demonstrating that a template assembled synthetic G-quartet (TASQ) can act as a pre-catalyst for catalytic peroxidase-mimicking oxidation reactions, whatever its nature (guanine or guanosine-based G-quartets), in an ATP-...

Chemoenzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of rac-1-phenyl ethanol into R-1-phenylethanol acetate was investigated with emphasis on the minimization of side reactions. The organometallic hydrogen transfer (racemization) catalyst was varied, and this was observed to alter the rate and extent of oxidation of the alcohol to form ketone side products. The performance of highly active catalyst ...

An improved gram-scale synthesis of Bn5CpRu(CO)2Cl is reported based on heating of pentabenzylcyclopentadiene with Ru3(CO)12 at 160 °C under argon atmosphere in mesitylene followed by addition of chloroform, continued heating, and evaporation of the solvents. Subsequent washing of unreacted ligand precursor with hexane provided pure title compound in 77 % yield. In combination with Candida anta...

Most biological processes require an enzyme to act as a catalyst in order for the reaction to take place. With the exception of catalytic RNA, all enzymes are proteins. Most importantly, enzymes are highly effective in catalyzing diverse chemical reactions in a regulated, selective, and specific manner. With a few exceptions, most reactions catalyzed by enzymes can be described satisfactorily b...

Structure, morphology and composition of two Pd/Ga2O3 methanol steam reforming catalysts were correlated with the associated activity and selectivity changes in the methanol steam reforming reaction and linked to studies on pure Ga2O3 supports. For both systems, that are, a Pd/Ga2O3 thin film model catalyst and a powder-supported Pd catalyst, we identified a temperature range in which the reduc...

Enzyme-catalyzed signal amplification was introduced to the electrochemical detection of the OH radical. In the presence of phenol as a trapping agent, glucose as a substrate, and pyrroloquinoline quinone-containing glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ-GDH) as a catalyst, the current signal for the trapping adducts (catechol and hydroquinone) produced by the hydroxylation of phenol could be amplified an...

S ince the identification of the first artificial deoxyribozyme (DNA enzyme, DNAzyme) in 1994, significant progress has been made in our fundamental understanding of DNA’s capabilities as a catalyst. Many efforts have also used deoxyribozymes as critical components within analytical applications. This review addresses some of the recent developments in the area of DNA catalysis, with focus on d...

A simple and efficient one-pot three-component synthesis of the biologically important spirooxindole-4H-pyrans was carried out by the reaction of isatin, activated methylene reagents, and 4- hydroxycoumarin in aqueous medium. SBA-Pr-NH2 was found to be an efficient heterogeneous nanoporous solid basic catalyst (pore size of 6 nm) which can be easily handled and removed from the reaction mi...

Not satisfied with biology's vast catalyst repertoire, I want to create new enzyme catalysts and expand the chemistry of life. We use most powerful biological design process, evolution, optimize existing enzymes invent ones, thereby circumventing our profound ignorance how sequence encodes function. Chemistry encoded in DNA optimized by evolution enables efficient, sustainable routes important ...

The regioand enantioselective hydrolysis of several phenyloxiranes catalyzed by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) was investigated using recombinant human, mouse or cress sEH. Results indicate that human and mouse sEH enantioselectively hydrolyze (S,S)-alkyl-phenyloxiranes faster than the (R,R)alkyl-phenyloxiranes investigated in this study, while cress sEH displayed opposite enantioselectivity. ...