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By means of quantum chemistry (PBE0/def2-TZVPP; DLPNO-CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ) and small, but reliable models of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes (POSS), an array of astrochemically-relevant catalysis products, related to prebiotic and origin of life chemistry, has been theoretically explored. In this work, the heterogeneous phase hydrocyanation reaction of an unsaturated CC bond (propene) catalyzed by a Ni center complexed to a silica surface is analyzed. Of the two possible regioisomers, the branched iso-propyl-cyanide is thermodynamically and kinetically preferred over the linear n -propyl-cyanide ( T = 200 K). The formation of nitriles based on a regioselective process has profound implications on prebiotic and origin of life chemistry, as well as deep connections to terrestrial surface chemistry and geochemistry.

Purpose of Review: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a remarkably accelerated development of vaccines worldwide. However, an effective distribution system is crucial for vaccination at a national level. Ecuador was one of the first Latin American countries to be most severely affected by the pandemic. It has been struggling to expand its vaccination drive and requires a strategy that provides an achievable vaccination rate and maintains its primary care services. This study aims to provide an efficient vaccination model to achieve herd immunity by utilizing the country's existing infrastructure (the centralized electoral system) for mass vaccination., Recent Findings: The national electoral data from 2017 and 2021 were used to create estimates for the proposed vaccination model. Two model variations, total personnel, needed, and the number of days needed to vaccinate 50%, 75%, and 100% of the population were considered. The numbers of vaccines needed, and vaccination sites were estimated based on the current number of registered voters and polling stations. The results from the proposed model show that 17,892,353 people can be vaccinated, at 40,093 polling stations, by 90,209 personnel if one vaccinator was available per polling station., Summary: Based on this model, even a conservative estimate shows that 12.56 days are needed to achieve herd immunity, and 16.74 days are needed to vaccinate the entire population of Ecuador. Additionally, we propose that this vaccination model can be used as a blueprint for any country to address similar catastrophes in the future., Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40475-022-00251-y., Competing Interests: Conflict of InterestThe authors declare no competing interests., (© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.)