Nankai University

About: Nankai University is a education organization based out in Tianjin, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Enantioselective synthesis. The organization has 42964 authors who have published 51866 publications receiving 1127896 citations. The organization is also known as: Nánkāi Dàxué.

Apollon ubiquitinates SMAC and caspase-9, and has an essential cytoprotection function

Abstract: Apollon (also known as BRUCE or BIRC6) is a large protein containing baculoviral-IAP-repeat (BIR) and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (UBC) domains at the amino- and carboxy termini, respectively. Apollon inhibits apoptosis, but its molecular and physiological function remains unclear. Here we report that Apollon binds to, ubiquitinates and facilitates proteasomal degradation of SMAC and caspase-9, which both contain IAP-binding motifs. Targeted disruption of Apollon in mice caused embryonic and neonatal lethality. Notably, SMAC induced apoptosis in Apollon-deficient cells, but not in Apollon-expressing cells. Furthermore, the IAP-binding motif of SMAC was required to induce apoptosis in Apollon-deficient cells. These results suggest that Apollon has an essential function in preventing SMAC-induced apoptosis.

2D MOF Nanoflake-Assembled Spherical Microstructures for Enhanced Supercapacitor and Electrocatalysis Performances

Abstract: Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are of great interest as potential electrochemically active materials. However, few studies have been conducted into understanding whether control of the shape and components of MOFs can optimize their electrochemical performances due to the rational realization of their shapes. Component control of MOFs remains a significant challenge. Herein, we demonstrate a solvothermal method to realize nanostructure engineering of 2D nanoflake MOFs. The hollow structures with Ni/Co- and Ni-MOF (denoted as Ni/Co-MOF nanoflakes and Ni-MOF nanoflakes) were assembled for their electrochemical performance optimizations in supercapacitors and in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). As a result, the Ni/Co-MOF nanoflakes exhibited remarkably enhanced performance with a specific capacitance of 530.4 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 in 1 M LiOH aqueous solution, much higher than that of Ni-MOF (306.8 F g−1) and ZIF-67 (168.3 F g−1), a good rate capability, and a robust cycling performance with no capacity fading after 2000 cycles. Ni/Co-MOF nanoflakes also showed improved electrocatalytic performance for the ORR compared to Ni-MOF and ZIF-67. The present work highlights the significant role of tuning 2D nanoflake ensembles of Ni/Co-MOF in accelerating electron and charge transportation for optimizing energy storage and conversion devices.

Acceptor–donor–acceptor type molecules for high performance organic photovoltaics – chemistry and mechanism

Abstract: The study of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) has made great progress in the past decade, mainly attributed to the invention of new active layer materials. Among various types of active layer materials, molecules with A-D-A (acceptor-donor-acceptor) architecture have demonstrated much great success in recent years. Thus, in this review, we will focus on A-D-A molecules used in OPVs from the viewpoint of chemists. Notably, the chemical structure-property relationships of A-D-A molecules will be highlighted and the underlying reasons for their outstanding performance will be discussed. The device stability correlated to A-D-A molecules will also be commented on. Finally, an outlook and challenges for future OPV molecule design and device fabrication to achieve higher performance will be presented.

Ag-catalyzed C–H/C–C bond functionalization

Abstract: Silver, known and utilized since ancient times, is a coinage metal, which has been widely used for various organic transformations in the past few decades. Currently, the silver-catalyzed reaction is one of the frontier areas in organic chemistry, and the progress of research in this field is very rapid. Compared with other transition metals, silver has long been believed to have low catalytic efficiency, and most commonly, it is used as either a cocatalyst or a Lewis acid. Interestingly, the discovery of Ag-catalysis has been significantly improved in recent years. Especially, Ag(I) has been demonstrated as an important and versatile catalyst for a variety of organic transformations. However, so far, there has been no systematic review on Ag-catalyzed C–H/C–C bond functionalization. In this review, we will focus on the development of Ag-catalyzed C–H/C–C bond functionalization and the corresponding mechanism.