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• The bio-inspired lotus root-like MCNFs are fabricated by electrospinning strategy. • The MCNF is used as a host for the Li metal anode by a thermal infusion strategy. • The 3D MCNF provides enough space for volume expansion of Li metal during cycling. • When coupled with a LiFePO 4 cathode, the MCNF/Li anode shows excellent performance. • The MCNF/Li anode has the potential to promote the practical application of LMBs. Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are generally regarded as one of the alternatives for high energy density devices. However, the commercial application of LMBs is seriously restricted by volume changes and dendrite behavior of lithium metal, which cause low efficiency and poor safety. In the present study, and inspired by the structure of the lotus root (which has many interior parallel channels that significantly enlarges the contact area), we have designed lotus root-like 3D multichannel carbon fibers (MCNFs) that are decorated with lithiophilic Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs). These adhered lithiophilic Ag nanoparticles will facilitate molten Li infusion into the carbon channels, forming stable lithium metal anodes. The ion concentration gradient near the surface Ag protrusions will become reduced, thereby inducing homogeneous nucleation and deposition of Li. The produced multi-channels will provide enough space for volume expansion of Li metal during cycling. As a result, when coupled with a LiFePO 4 (LFP) cathode, the MCNF/Ag-Li composite anode maintained 94.7% of its capacity, and 99.1% of the Coulombic efficiency after 600 cycles at 1 C. Moreover, the MCNF/Ag-Li|Li symmetrical cell could be cycled for more than 600 h, with a low hysteresis of 20 mV (at 1 mA cm−1), and with the capacity of 1 mAh cm−1 during the whole cycle (without any short-circuit). These results suggest that anodes, made of a lotus root-like 3D multichannel lithium metal composite material, will have the potential to promote the practical applications of lithium metal batteries. Inspired by the unique structure of the lotus root, we have, by using a thermal infusion strategy, successfully exploited a lotus root-like 3D MCNF as a stable host for the Li metal anode. The porous carbon fibers have the capacity to load a considerably amount of lithium and can also accommodate volume expansion (despite high specific surface area and large pore volume).This type of material will thereby offer an excellent balance between gravimetric and high energy densities. The carbon multi-channels are to be considered as "nanocages" for the Li metal, ensuring that Li will not be in direct contact with the electrolyte. When coupled with a LiFePO 4 cathode, the MCNF/Ag-Li composite anode maintained 94.7% of its capacity, and 99.1% of the Coulombic efficiency after 600 cycles at 1C. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract To circumvent the shortcomings of traditional synthetic routes in the field of anion-exchange membranes (AEMs), a novel approach termed chloromethylbenzoylation has been proposed. Via chloromethylbenzoylation, side-chain-type benzylchloride groups could be directly incorporated into a broad scope of poly(aryl ether) substrates, such as poly(resorcinol ether ketone), poly(naphthalene-2,7-diol ether ketone), poly(resorcinol ether sulfone), and commercial poly(phenylene oxide). As a showcase, chloromethylbenzoylated poly(resorcinol ether ketone) was aminated to obtain side-chain-type AEM, which exhibited higher conductivity, much lower swelling and better alkaline stability when compared with main-chain-type AEMs prepared via traditional chloromethylation of PEEK. This simple and unprecedented approach provides a facile way to high performance AEMs with side-chain-type benzylic cationic groups, without using toxic or costly reagents. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Chloromethylbenzoylation proposed as an unprecedented way to side-chain-type AEMs. • This method is simple, clean, and versatile to a broad scope of poly(aryl ether)s. • The resultant AEMs outperformed conventional analogues in key properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Ru single atoms anchored N-doped rGO was obtained by an impregnation method. • The N doping defects provide favorable anchoring sites for single-atom Ru. • The in situ DEMS and DFT were performed to study the reaction process and mechanism. • The Ru single atoms offer maximized active sites for OER and ORR in Li-O 2 battery. • The Ru-N/rGO offers excellent catalytic activities for Li-O 2 batteries. The existence of defects N heteroatoms changes the surrounding coordination environment, resulting in the appearance coordinatively unsaturated sites. The N heteroatoms on rGO supports serve as "traps" to seize metal precursors Ru3+ ions and provide favorable anchoring sites for single-atom Ru. Benefited from the heteroatoms N and the evenly dispersed single-atom Ru active sites, the Ru-N/rGO offers excellent catalytic activities for OER and ORR in Li-O 2 batteries. [Display omitted] Lithium-oxygen (Li-O 2) battery is regarded as one of the potential energy storage system due to the ultra-high theoretical energy density and environmental friendliness. However, the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) severely limited the discharge/charge efficiency. Herein, the single-atom Ru anchored N-doped reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (Ru-N/rGO) was fabricated via a simple impregnation method. When employed as cathode for Li-O 2 battery, the Ru-N/rGO delivers a higher discharge capacity, a lower overpotential and better rate performance in comparison with pure N-rGO without Ru atoms. Based on the in situ DEMS, the e-/O 2 ratio of Ru-N/rGO (2.08) is close to the theoretical value for the desired O 2 reduction to Li 2 O 2 (2.00), suggesting the discharged product is mainly Li 2 O 2. The density functional theory simulations reveal that the Ru single atoms offer high catalytic activity for OER and ORR. This work gives insight for the application of single atoms in advanced rechargeable Li-O 2 batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Herein we report simple Bronsted acid-mediated reactions of aldehydes with 2-vinylaniline and biphenyl-2-amine. Ultimately, the useful nitrogen-containing heterocycle derivatives are obtained. The electronic properties of the substituents on the aldehydes and 2-vinylaniline were investigated. It was found that molecules with both electron-donating and -withdrawing substituents were perfectly suitable substrates for this transformation, and the expected products were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A series of novel phthalimide-alkylamine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as multi-functions inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The results showed that compound TM - 9 could be regarded as a balanced multi-targets active molecule. It exhibited potent and balanced inhibitory activities against ChE and MAO-B ( hu AChE, hu BuChE, and hu MAO-B with IC 50 values of 1.2 μM, 3.8 μM and 2.6 μM, respectively) with low selectivity. Both kinetic analysis of AChE inhibition and molecular modeling study suggested that TM - 9 binds simultaneously to the catalytic active site and peripheral anionic site of AChE. Interestingly, compound TM - 9 abided by Lipinski’s rule of five. Furthermore, our investigation proved that TM - 9 indicated weak cytotoxicity, and it could cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vitro . The results suggest that compound TM - 9 , an interesting multi-targeted active molecule, offers an attractive starting point for further lead optimization in the drug-discovery process against Alzheimer’s disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 2-acetyl-5- O -(amino-alkyl)phenol derivatives was designed, synthesized and evaluated as multi-function inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The results revealed that compound TM-3 indicated selective AChE inhibitory potency ( ee AChE, IC 50  = 0.69 μM, selective index (SI) = 32.7). Both kinetic analysis of AChE inhibition and molecular modeling study suggested that TM-3 could simultaneously bind to the catalytic active site and peripheral anionic site of AChE. And TM-3 was also a highly selective MAO-B inhibitor (IC 50  = 6.8 μM). Moreover, TM-3 could act as antioxidant (ORAC value was 1.5 eq ) and neuroprotectant, as well as a selective metal chelating agent. More interestingly, compound TM-3 could cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vitro and abided by Lipinski’s rule of five. Therefore, compound TM-3 , a promising multi-targeted active molecule, offers an attractive starting point for further lead optimization in the drug-discovery process against AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new family of multitarget molecules able to interact with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), as well as with monoamino oxidase (MAO) A and B, has been synthesized. Novel 3,4-dihydro-2(1 H )-quinoline- O -alkylamine derivatives have been designed using a conjunctive approach that combines the JMC49 and donepezil. The most promising compound TM - 33 showed potent and balance inhibitory activities toward ChE and MAO (eeAChE, eqBuChE, hMAO-A and hMAO-B with IC 50 values of 0.56 μM, 2.3 μM, 0.3 μM and 1.4 μM, respectively) but low selectivity. Both kinetic analysis of AChE inhibition and molecular modeling study suggested that TM - 33 binds simultaneously to the catalytic active site and peripheral anionic site of AChE. Furthermore, our investigation proved that TM - 33 could cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vitro , and abided by Lipinski’s rule of five. The results suggest that compound TM - 33 , an interesting multi-targeted active molecule, offers an attractive starting point for further lead optimization in the drug-discovery process against Alzheimer’s disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of novel ferulic acid- O -alkylamines derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as multitarget-directed ligands against Alzheimer's disease. In vitro studies displayed that all the synthesized target compounds showed impressive inhibitory activity against butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), significant inhibition/disaggregation of self-induced β -amyloid (A β ) aggregation and acted as potential antioxidants. Particularly, compound 7f , one of the most potent BuChE inhibitor (IC 50 value of 0.021 μM for equine serum BuChE, 8.63 μM for rat BuChE and 0.07 μM for human serum BuChE), was found to be a good acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor (IC 50 = 2.13 μM for electric eel AChE, 1.8 μM for rat AChE and 3.82 μM for human erythrocytes AChE), and the result of molecular docking provided an explanation for its selective BuChE inhibitory activity. Compound 7f also had noteworthy inhibitory effects on self-induced A β 1-42 aggregation (50.8 ± 0.82%) and was found to disaggregate self-induced A β 1-42 aggregation (38.7 ± 0.65%), which was further elucidated by the transmission electron microscopy. Meanwhile, compound 7f showed the modest antioxidant activity (0.55 eq of Trolox), good protective effect against H 2 O 2 -induced PC12 cell injury, with low toxicity. Moreover, compound 7f could cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vitro . Significantly, compound 7f did not exhibit any acute toxicity in mice at doses up to 1000 mg/kg, and the step-down passive avoidance test showed this compound significantly reversed scopolamine-induced memory deficit in mice. Taken together, the results indicated that compound 7f is a very promising multifunctional agent in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, particularly the advanced stages of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel series of ferulic acid-memoquin hybrids were designed, synthesized and evaluated as multifunctional agents for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The in vitro studies showed that most of the compounds exhibited a significant ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (IC 50 of 3.2–34.7 μM) and self-induced β -amyloid (A β 1–42 ) aggregation (30.8–39.1%, 25 μM), to act as potential antioxidants (ORAC-FL value of 0.9–1.3). In particular, compound 17d had the greatest ability to inhibit AChE (IC 50 = 3.2 μM), and A β 1–42 aggregation (30.8%) was also an excellent antioxidant and neuroprotectant. Moreover, it is capable of disaggregating self-induced A β aggregation. Furthermore, 17d could cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in vitro. The results showed that compound 17d is a potential multifunctional agent for the treatment of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile and economic method for the construction of 2-substituted quinolines by AgOTf-catalyzed 2-aminobenzyl alcohol and alkyne/ketone or 2-aminophenethyl alcohol and aldehyde has been developed. The electronic properties of the substituents on the alkyne, ketone, and aldehyde were investigated. It was found that molecules with both electron-donating and -withdrawing substituents were perfectly suitable substrates for this transformation, and the expected products were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. Moreover, the use of inexpensive starting materials and environmentally benign oxidants makes this atom efficient method particularly attractive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we reported novel apigenin-rivastigmine hybrids were rationally designed and synthesized by the multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) strategy, their activity in vitro results revealed that compound 3d showed significant antioxidant potency (ORAC = 1.3 eq), and it was a reversible hu AChE (IC 50 = 6.8 μM) and hu BChE (IC 50 = 16.1 μM) inhibitor. 3d also served as a selective metal chelator, and it significantly inhibited and disaggregated self-mediated and Cu2+-mediated A β 1-42 aggregation, and also inhibited h AChE-mediated induced A β 1-40 aggregation. Compound 3d exhibited remarkable neuroprotective effect and hepatoprotective activity. In addition, compound 3d presented favourable blood-brain barrier penetration in vitro and drug-like property. Further, the in vivo assay displayed that 3d indicated remarkable dyskinesia recovery rate and response efficiency on AD zebrafish, and exhibited surprising protective effect on A β 1-40 -mediated zebrafish vascular injury. More importantly, 3d did not indicate obvious acute toxicity at dose up to 2000 mg/kg, and could improve scopolamine-induced memory impairment. Subsequently, the regulation of multi-targets for 3d were further confirmed through transcriptome sequencing of brain hippocampi, which also offered novel potential targets and opened a new way to treat Alzheimer's disease. More interestingly, the metabolism of 3d in vitro indicated that 4 metabolites in rat liver microsome metabolism, 2 metabolites in human liver microsome metabolism, and 4 metabolites in intestinal flora metabolism, which offered supports for the preclinical study of 3d. Overall, this study exhibited that compound 3d was a promising advanced compound targeted multiple factors associated with AD. Image 1 • Novel apigenin-rivastigmine hybrids was rationally designed. • 3d was a promising multi-function agent. • 3d could improve AlCl 3 -induced zebrafish AD. • 3d could protect A β 1-40 -mediated zebrafish vascular injury. • 3d could improve scopolamine-induced memory impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]