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The potential formation of halogen bonded complexes between a donor, heptafluoro-2-iodopropane (HFP), and the three acceptor heterocyclic azines (azabenzenes: pyridine, pyrimidine, and pyridazine) is investigated herein through normal mode analysis via Raman spectroscopy, density functional theory, and natural electron configuration analysis. Theoretical Raman spectra of the halogen bonded complexes are in good agreement with experimental data providing insight into the Raman spectra of these complexes. The exhibited shifts in vibrational frequency of as high as 8 cm −1 for each complex demonstrate, in conjunction with NEC analysis, significant evidence of charge transfer from the halogen bond acceptor to donor. Here, an interesting charge flow mechanism is proposed involving the donated nitrogen lone pair electrons pushing the dissociated fluorine atoms back to their respective atoms. This mechanism provides further insight into the formation and fundamental nature of halogen bonding and its effects on neighboring atoms. The present findings provide novel and deeper characterization of halogen bonding with applications in supramolecular and organometallic chemistry. 

De novo metalloprotein design involves the construction of proteins guided by specific repeat patterns of polar and apolar residues, which, upon self‐assembly, provide a suitable environment to bind metals and produce artificial metalloenzymes. While a wide range of functionalities have been realized in de novo designed metalloproteins, the functional repertoire of such constructs towards alternative energy‐relevant catalysis is currently limited. Here we show the application of de novo approach to design a functional H₂evolving protein. The design involved the assembly of an amphiphilic peptide featuring cysteines at tandema/dsites of each helix. Intriguingly, upon Ni^IIaddition, the oligomers shift from a major trimeric assembly to a mix of dimers and trimers. The metalloprotein produced H₂photocatalytically with a bell‐shape pH dependence, having a maximum activity at pH 5.5. Transient absorption spectroscopy is used to determine the timescales of electron transfer as a function of pH. Selective outer sphere mutations are made to probe how the local environment tunes activity. A preferential enhancement of activity is observed via steric modulation above the Ni^IIsite, towards the N‐termini, compared to below the Ni^IIsite towards the C‐termini.

 

Ionic liquids (ILs) have been shown to be effective transdermal penetrants of pharmaceutically active ingredients, including small molecules and proteins. The presence of water within ionic liquids has been demonstrated to play a critical role in  their structural organization on the molecular level. However, the impact of water on IL transdermal transport efficacy has yet to be investigated. Herein, a water concentration gradient (0%–100% v/v) is tested to evaluate  choline trans‐2‐octenoic (CA2OE)‐mediated transport of a hydrophilic model drug dextran (10000 Da) in an ex vivo porcine skin model.Compared to 2:1, 1:1, 1:4, and 1:5 ionic ratio formulations, 50% v/v CA2OE 1:2‐water evidences the greatest success at transporting dextran to the acceptor fluid. Physicochemical characterization (dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical density (O.D.), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), fluorescent microscopy, and rheology) is conducted to test both bulk and nanoscale‐level CA2OE 1:2–water interactions. It is hypothesized that the presence of microemulsions in the CA2OE 1:2 75% v/v formulation accounted for the severely decreased transport compared to the 50%. It is thus critical to comprehensively consider interactions between IL components, co‐solvents, anddrug molecules when formulating ILs for transdermal transport applications.

 

Hydrogenase enzymes produce H₂gas, which can be a potential source of alternative energy. Inspired by the [NiFe] hydrogenases, we report the construction of a de novo‐designed artificial hydrogenase (ArH). The ArH is a dimeric coiled coil where two cysteine (Cys) residues are introduced at tandema/dpositions of a heptad to create a tetrathiolato Ni binding site. Spectroscopic studies show that Ni binding significantly stabilizes the peptide producing electronic transitions characteristic of Ni‐thiolate proteins. The ArH produces H₂photocatalytically, demonstrating a bell‐shaped pH‐dependence on activity. Fluorescence lifetimes and transient absorption spectroscopic studies are undertaken to elucidate the nature of pH‐dependence, and to monitor the reaction kinetics of the photochemical processes. pH titrations are employed to determine the role of protonated Cys on reactivity. Through combining these results, a fine balance is found between solution acidity and the electron transfer steps. This balance is critical to maximize the production of Ni^I‐peptide and protonation of the Ni^II−H⁻intermediate (Ni−R) by a Cys (pK_a≈6.4) to produce H₂.