News
Canada Gairdner International Award for Prof. Peter Hegemann
UniCat Prof. Peter Hegemann was announced a 2018 Canada Gairdner International Award Laureate, together with Karl Deisseroth, Stanford University, and Edward S. Boyden, MIT. They receive the award “for the discovery of light-gated ion channel mechanisms, and for the discovery of optogenetics, a technology that has revolutionized neuroscience."
Efficient Light-Induced pKa-Modulation coupled to Base-Catalyzed Photochromism
Hot Paper of Stefan Hecht and coworkers in Angewandte Chemie. Photoswitchable acid-base pairs, whose pKa values can be reversibly altered, are attractive molecular tools to control chemical and biological processes with light. We could now realize a significant, light-induced pKa change of three units in aqueous medium between two thermally stable states, which can be interconverted using UV and green light.
Optimized Na2WO4/Mn/SiO2 catalysts for the oxidative coupling of methane
The role of the composition of a Na2WO4/Mn/SiO2 catalyst in the oxidative coupling of methane by chemical looping experiments was investigated. The authors have analyzed a series of Na2WO4/Mn/SiO2catalysts supported on mesoporous silica. It was found that the chemical looping performance of the oxidative methane coupling strongly depends on the exact composition of the catalyst and was highest at 2 wt% Mn and 5 wt% Na2WO4 on mesoporous silica. The thickness of the active layer controls the O2 storage capacity of the catalysts, which was...[more]
Excellence Strategy: UniSysCat proposal submitted
The designated spokespersons Prof. Matthias Driess, Prof. Arne Thomas, and Prof. Peter Hildebrandt have submitted the full proposal for the Cluster of Excellence “Unifying Systems in Catalysis”, UniSysCat in short.
New joint paper on hydrogenase
Tracking the route of substrates, intermediates, and inhibitors in proteins is fundamental in understanding their specific function. However, following the route of gases like molecular oxygen within enzymes has always been challenging. In protein X-ray crystallography, gases can be mimicked using krypton or xenon (with a higher electron count); however, these have a different physical behavior compared to true substrates/inhibitors. In our crystal structure of the O2-tolerant membrane-bound [NiFe] hydrogenase (MBH) from Ralstonia eutropha, we...[more]
Diacetylene Functionalized Covalent Organic Framework (COF) for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation
As a combined effect of high porosity, easily accessible diacetylene (−C≡C–C≡C−) functionalities and considerable chemical stability, an efficient and recyclable heterogeneous photocatalytic hydrogen generation is achieved.
Otto-Warburg Medal 2018 for Opto Geneticist
This year UniCat Professor Dr. Peter Hegemann will be awarded the Otto-Warburg Medal. With the award Prof. Hegemann will be honored for his research in the field of light-driven ion channels, the Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (GBM) announced yesterday.
Tribute to a Catalyst Expert
The Cluster of Excellence UniCat will award Dr. Tracy Lohr, Northwestern University, USA, the Clara Immerwahr Award on February 9, 2018 at the Technische Universität Berlin. The chemist will be honored for her outstanding contributions to the field of tandem catalysis for biomass processing and clean hydrogen production.
Stereoselective Transfer Semi-Hydro- genation of Alkynes to E-Olefins with N-Heterocyclic Silylene–Manganese Catalysts
Highly stereoselective transfer semi-hydrogenation of alkynes to E-olefins has been achieved by applying N-heter-ocyclic silylene (NHSi)–manganese(II) complexes as superior pre-catalysts, bearing a bis-NHSi pyridine pincer ligand.
Fresh from the press: Biosensors and Nanotechnology
UniCat scientist Dr. Zeynep Altintas has published a new book with the leading global publisher WILEY: “Biosensors and Nanotechnology - Applications in Health Care Diagnostics”.