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The structure of cis‐ or trans‐bridged [GeF5]− anionic chains have been investigated [Mallouk et al. (1984). Inorg. Chem.23, 3160–3166] showing the first crystal structures of μ‐F‐bridged pentafluorogermanates. Herein, we report the second crystal structure of trans‐pentafluorogermanate anions present in the crystal structure of sodium trans‐pentafluorogermanate(IV) bis(hydrogen fluoride), Na[GeF5]·2HF. The crystal structure [orthorhombic Pca21, a = 12.3786 (3), b = 7.2189 (2), c = 11.4969 (3) Å and Z = 8] is built up from infinite chains of trans‐linked [GeF6]2− octahedra, extending along the b axis and spanning a network of pentagonal bipyramidal distorted Na‐centred polyhedra. These [NaF7] polyhedra are linked in a trans‐edge fashion via hydrogen fluoride molecules, in analogy to already known sodium hydrogen fluorides and potassium hydrogen fluorides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reactivity of carbamoyl radicals, generated in situ from sodium oxamate salts, has been investigated in the context of radical carbofluorination reactions of olefins and α‐fluoroolefins, respectively. Both transformations are catalyzed by silver salts and required the presence of potassium persulfate (K2S2O8) and SelectfluorTM as a radicophilic fluorine source. The reported methods provide a direct access to β‐fluoroamides and β,β‐difluoroamides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fluoroalkoxy groups (ORf) are widely used motifs in pharmaceutical and agrochemical fields due to their unique physicochemical properties including higher lipophilicity and increased metabolic stability. Thus, the high value of ORf‐containing derivatives has stimulated the development of fluoroalkoxylation reactions. In this review, we highlight the recent progress of various trifluoroalkoxylating reagents and their applications in organic synthesis in the past five years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: The development of switchable solvent‐free multicomponent reactions to build high‐value‐added products is an important demand for organic synthesis. Herein, we detailed the successful implementation of a switchable strategy for the construction of diverse 4‐fluoroalkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyrimidines and 4‐fluoroalkyl‐pyrimidines via a solvent/additive‐free [3 + 2 + 1] annulation, starting from readily available enamines, trifluoroacetaldehyde hydrate or 1‐ethoxy‐2,2‐difluoroethanol and amidines hydrochloride. This reaction conforms to the concept of green synthesis, and provides a new avenue to access valuable fluorinated heterocycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein we report a general access to silver(i) perfluoroalcoholates, their structure in the solid state and in solution, and their use as transfer reagents. The silver(i) perfluoroalcoholates are prepared by the reaction of AgF with the corresponding perfluorinated carbonyl compounds in acetonitrile and are stable for a prolonged time at −18 °C. X‐ray analysis of single crystals of perfluoroalcoholate species showed that two Ag(i) centers are bridged by the alcoholate ligands. In acetonitrile solution, Ag[OCF3] forms different structures as indicated by IR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the silver(i) perfluoroalcoholates can be used as easy‐to‐handle transfer reagents for the synthesis of Cu[OCF3], Cu[OC2F5], [PPh4][Au(CF3)3(OCF3)], and fluorinated alkyl ethers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (AHF), a critical raw material for industries such as aluminum, pharmaceuticals, and petroleum, has traditionally been sourced from fluorite--a non-renewable mineral. The unsustainable reliance on fluorite has catalyzed the search for alternative AHF production methods. A promising substitute is fluorosilicic acid (FSA), a byproduct of the phosphate fertilizer industry previously deemed waste. Transforming fluorosilicic acid into AHF not only yields a valuable resource but also addresses the environmental and economic challenges associated with waste management. The innovative practice of producing AHF from fluorosilicic acid signals a shift towards sustainable chemical production by capitalizing on waste, potentially diminishing reliance on fluorite and reducing the industry's environmental impact. This review thoroughly dissects the AHF synthesis process from fluorosilicic acid. Despite the acknowledged importance of fluorinated compounds in numerous industrial applications, research on their synthesis from fluorosilicic acid is limited and fragmented. This review seeks to amalgamate this scattered information by closely scrutinizing diverse industrial processing methods. Additionally, it explores the current and future landscape, economic feasibility, and strategies to navigate the obstacles inherent in synthesizing AHF from fluorosilicic acid. It also assesses the environmental impact of these methods, thereby contributing to the dialogue in this emerging field. The primary aim of this manuscript is to foster further research and promote the industrial uptake of this sustainable process. Highlighting the challenges and proposing potential improvements, the review supports the responsible reuse of waste and advocates for advancements in industrial practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the profound effect of fluorine‐containing groups in improving the chemical, physical, and biological properties of the parent compound, the fluorine‐containing groups were receiving increasing attention in the medicinal, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and material sciences. Unlike well‐developed trifluoromethylation and difluoromethylation reactions, the efficient and mild methods for rapid introduction of CF2Me are still underdeveloped, despite their important applications in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. This concept describes recent progress in difluoroethylation functionalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to its unique physical properties, fluorine is often used to open up new reaction channels. In this report, we establish a cooperation of [5,5]‐rearrangement and fluorine‐assisted temporary dearomatization for arene multi‐functionalization. Specifically, the [5,5]‐rearrangement of fluoroaryl sulfoxides with β,γ‐unsaturated nitriles generates an intriguing dearomatized sulfonium species which is short‐lived but exhibits unusually high electrophilicity and thus can be instantly trapped by nucleophiles and dienes at a remarkably low temperature (−95 °C) to produce four types of valuable multi‐functionalized benzenes, respectively, involving appealing processes of defluorination, desulfurization, and sulfur shift. Mechanistic studies indicate that the use of fluorine on arenes not only circumvents the generally inevitable [3,3]‐rearrangement but also impedes the undesired rearomatization process, thus provides a precious space for constructing and elaborating the temporarily dearomatized fluorinated sulfonium species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: The trifluoromethoxy functional group has received increasing attention in recent years due to its distinctive properties such as good metabolic stability, appropriate lipophilicity and special electrical properties. Thus, the development of new reagents and new strategies of direct trifluoromethoxylation are attracting the enthusiasm of many fluorine chemical workers. At present, nucleophilic and radical trifluoromethoxylating reagents have made major breakthroughs, greatly promoting the development of trifluoromethoxy chemistry. This review is mainly divided into two parts: nucleophilic and radical types, focusing on the development history, characteristics and applications of various trifluoromethoxylating reagents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NMR technique is among the most powerful analytical methods for molecular structural elucidation, process monitoring, and mechanistic investigations; however, the direct analysis of complex real‐world samples is often hampered by crowded NMR spectra that are difficult to interpret. The combination of fluorine chemistry and supramolecular interactions leads to a unique detection method named recognition‐enabled chromatographic (REC) 19F NMR, where interactions between analytes and 19F‐labeled probes are transduced into chromatogram‐like 19F NMR signals of discrete chemical shifts. In this account, we summarize our endeavor to develop novel 19F‐labeled probes tailored for separation‐free multicomponent analysis. The strategies to achieve chiral discrimination, sensitivity enhancement, and automated analyte identification will be covered. The account will also provide a detailed discussion of the underlying principles for the design of molecular probes for REC 19F NMR where appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report a general approach to the synthesis of the difluoroalkyl bicycloalkanes (CF2‐BCAs), as structural surrogates of aryl ketones and ethers. The chemistry is driven by a dihydrobenzoacridine photocatalyst, that engages in a catalytic electron‐donor acceptor (EDA) complex, or directly reduces the fluorinated substrate. These two convergent manifolds lead to the generation of the R‐CF2 radical, that reacts with the [1.1.1]‐ or [3.1.1.]‐propellane. The method is extremely general, and extendable to complex bioactive molecules (30 examples, up to 87 % yield). The structural features of the CF2‐BCP hybrid bioisostere were investigated by single crystal X‐ray. Finally, we synthesised a CF2‐BCP analogue of a Leukotriene A4 hydrolase inhibitor, replacing the original aryl ether motif. In silico docking studies indicated that this new analogue maintains the same arrangement within the enzyme pocket, profiling the use of the CF2‐BCA hybrid bioisostere in medicinal chemistry settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic single-electron transfer (SET) reactions involving perfluoroalkyl halides play a crucial role in synthetic organic chemistry. However, the electrochemical data for these compounds, which are essential in the discussion of the SET process, are missing. In this study, the electrochemical reduction potentials of perfluoroalkyl halides, alkyl halides, and other analogous compounds were investigated in 0.1 M Bu4NPF6/CH3CN using Ag, Pt, and glassy carbon electrodes. The Ag electrode showed remarkable catalytic properties and a positive reduction peak shift during the reduction reaction; this indicates that the Ag electrode is suitable for estimating the electrochemical potential of the SET process. This study provides a comprehensive dataset for the electrochemical measurements of perfluoroalkyl and alkyl halides, which will help synthetic organic chemists select appropriate reaction systems for these compounds.

The pentafluoroorthotellurate group (teflate, OTeF5) is able to form species, for which only the fluoride analogues are known. Despite nickel fluorides being widely investigated, nickel teflates have remained elusive for decades. By reaction of [NiCl4]2− and neat ClOTeF5, we have synthesized the homoleptic [Ni(OTeF5)4]2− anion, which presents a distorted tetrahedral structure, unlike the polymeric [NiF4]2−. This high‐spin complex has allowed the study of the electronic properties of the teflate group, which can be classified as a weak/medium‐field ligand, and therefore behaves as the fluoride analogue also in ligand‐field terms. The teflate ligands in [NEt4]2[Ni(OTeF5)4] are easily substituted, as shown by the formation of [Ni(NCMe)6][OTeF5]2 by dissolving it in acetonitrile. Nevertheless, careful reactions with other conventional ligands have enabled the crystallization of nickel teflate complexes with different coordination geometries, i.e. [NEt4]2[trans‐Ni(OEt2)2(OTeF5)4] or [NEt4][Ni(bpyMe2)(OTeF5)3]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Fluorine, as the most electronegative element, provides the highest electrode potential when it undergoes redox reactions. Moreover, fluoride ion is intrinsically an excellent charge carrier in both electrolytes and electrode structures owing to its small size, low atomic weight, and good ionic mobility. Hence, batteries based on fluorine electrochemistry, the so‐called fluoride ion batteries (FIBs), have recently been deemed as an alternative next‐generation high energy density battery system. This article reviews the recent progress in FIBs based on liquid electrolytes. The mechanisms, advantages, and drawbacks of FIBs are discussed. In the end, the perspective illuminating the research directions for further development is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparation and characterization of the dimeric Lewis superacid [Al(OTeF5)3]2 and various solvent adducts is presented. The latter range from thermally stable adducts to highly reactive, weakly bound species. DFT calculations on the ligand affinity of these Lewis acids were performed in order to rank their remaining Lewis acidity. An experimental proof of the Lewis acidity is provided by the reaction of solvent‐adducts of Al(OTeF5)3 with [PPh4][SbF6] and OPEt3, respectively. Furthermore, their reactivity towards chloride and pentafluoroorthotellurate salts as well as (CH3)3SiCl and (CH3)3SiF is shown. This includes the formation of the dianion [Al(OTeF5)5]2−. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Anion photoelectron spectroscopy provides a direct measure of fluorinated isomers of phenolate. • The electron affinity of mono-fluorinated phenoxy radicals is found to depend on substitution site. • The increase in electron affinity is the sum of individual fluorinations, bar a small co-operative contribution. • Computational work recovers the observed trends. • A predictable electron affinity of fluorinated species offers design tools for application in fluorine chemistry. The site-specific fluorination of organic compounds can alter their electron affinity, EA , which in turn can be used to control their reactivity, physical properties, or binding affinities. Using anion photoelectron spectroscopy, we show that for the multiply fluorinated phenoxy radical, the change in EA is predominantly additive per fluorination and can be predicted by the simple formula: Δ EA = ∑ i Δ EA i − Δ EA C , where the numeric index i indicates the positions of fluorination. A small cooperative effect, Δ EA C , destabilizes the anion, but this only accounts for 11 % of the total Δ EA , in the extreme case of pentafluorophenolate. Our experimental results are consistent with those calculated using density functional theory, demonstrating the suitability of electronic structure calculations in the prediction of fluorination effects, for practical use in the synthetic design of organofluorines. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ligand binding hotspots are regions of protein surfaces that form particularly favourable interactions with small molecule pharmacophores. Targeting interactions with these hotspots maximises the efficiency of ligand binding. Existing methods are capable of identifying hotspots but often lack assays to quantify ligand binding and direct elaboration at these sites. Herein, we describe a fragment-based competitive 19 F Ligand Based NMR (LB-NMR) screening platform that enables routine, quantitative ligand profiling focused at ligand-binding hotspots. As a proof of concept, the method was applied to 4'-phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase (PPAT) from Mycobacterium abscessus (Mabs). X-ray crystallographic characterisation of the hits from a 960-member fragment screen identified three ligand-binding hotspots across the PPAT active site. From the fragment hits a collection of 19 F reporter candidates were designed and synthesised. By rigorous prioritisation and use of optimisation workflows, a single 19 F reporter molecule was generated for each hotspot. Profiling the binding of a set of structurally characterised ligands by competitive 19 F LB-NMR with this suite of 19 F reporters recapitulated the binding affinity and site ID assignments made by ITC and X-ray crystallography. This quantitative mapping of ligand binding events at hotspot level resolution establishes the utility of the fragment-based competitive 19 F LB-NMR screening platform for hotspot-directed ligand profiling., (© 2024 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Active site lids are common features of enzymes and typically undergo conformational changes upon substrate binding to promote catalysis. Iodotyrosine deiodinase is no exception and contains a lid segment in all of its homologues from human to bacteria. The solution-state dynamics of the lid have now been characterized using 19 F NMR spectroscopy with a CF 3 -labeled enzyme and CF 3 O-labeled ligands. From two-dimensional 19 F- 19 F NMR exchange spectroscopy, interconversion rates between the free and bound states of a CF 3 O-substituted tyrosine (45 ± 10 s -1 ) and the protein label (40 ± 3 s -1 ) are very similar and suggest a correlation between ligand binding and conformational reorganization of the lid. Both occur at rates that are ∼100-fold faster than turnover, and therefore these steps do not limit catalysis. A simple CF 3 O-labeled phenol also binds to the active site and induces a conformational change in the lid segment that was not previously detectable by crystallography. Exchange rates of the ligand (130 ± 20 s -1 ) and protein (98 ± 8 s -1 ) in this example are faster than those above but remain self-consistent to affirm a correlation between ordering of the lid and binding of the ligand. Both ligands also protect the protein from limited proteolysis, as expected from their ability to stabilize a compact lid structure. However, the minimal turnover of simple phenol substrates indicates that such stabilization may be necessary but is not sufficient for efficient catalysis.

Structural characterization of protein-ligand binding interfaces at atomic resolution is essential for improving the design of specific and potent inhibitors. Herein, we explored fast 19 F- and 1 H-detected magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy to investigate the interaction between two fluorinated ligand diastereomers with the microcrystalline galectin-3 carbohydrate recognition domain. The detailed environment around the fluorine atoms was mapped by 2D 13 C- 19 F and 1 H- 19 F dipolar correlation experiments and permitted characterization of the binding interface. Our results demonstrate that 19 F MAS NMR is a powerful tool for detailed characterization of protein-ligand interfaces and protein interactions at the atomic level.

Membrane distillation (MD) equipped with omniphobic (non-wetting) membranes has found a niche in water reclamation from hypersaline industrial wastewater. Here, we examined the efficacy of non-fluorinated materials as surface coating agents for omniphobic MD membrane fabrication, and identified necessary mechanisms to attain a maximized wetting resistance using fluorine-free materials. We first prepared MD membranes with different surface chemistries using a series of linear alkylsilanes and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as representative fluorine-free, low surface energy materials. Membranes modified with a longer chain alkylsilane exhibited a lower surface energy and demonstrated a greater wetting resistance in direct contact MD experiments using feedwaters of various surface tensions. Despite the nearly identical surface energy measured for the longest alkylsilane and PDMS, PDMS-modified membrane exhibited an extended antiwetting performance as compared to the membrane treated with the longest alkylsilane. To elucidate the source of the distinctive wetting resistance, we examined the nucleation and condensation kinetics on the surfaces with the different surface chemistries via environmental scanning electron microscopy. Our analysis suggests that the membranes treated with long chain alkylsilanes contain surface defects (i.e., hydrophilic regions) whereas the high mobility of the PDMS effectively minimizes the defect exposure, slowing down the condensation and subsequent surface wetting., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Oblique-incidence reflectivity difference (OIRD) is a dielectric constant-sensitive technique and exhibits intriguing applications in label-free and high-throughput detection of protein microarrays. With the outstanding advantage of being compatible with arbitrary substrates, however, the effect of the substrate, particularly its dielectric constant on the OIRD sensitivity has not been fully disclosed. In this paper, for the first time we investigated the dependence of OIRD sensitivity on the dielectric constant of the substrate under top-incident OIRD configuration by combining theoretical modeling and experimental evaluation. Optical modeling suggested that the higher dielectric constant substrate exhibits a higher intrinsic sensitivity. Experimentally, three substrates including glass, fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) and silicon (Si) with different dielectric constants were selected as microarray substrates and their detection performances were evaluated. In good agreement with the modeling, high dielectric constant Si-based microarray exhibited the highest sensitivity among three chips, reaching a detection limit of as low as 5 ng mL -1 with streptavidin as the model target. Quantification of captured targets on three chips with on-chip enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) further confirmed that the enhanced performance originates from the high dielectric constant enhanced intrinsic OIRD sensitivity. This work thus provides a new way to OIRD-based label-free microarrays with improved sensitivity., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Weihua Hu reports financial support was provided by National Natural Science Foundation of China. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The development and the use of fluorinated polyproline-type II (PPII) foldamers are still underexplored. Herein, trifluoromethyl pseudoprolines have been incorporated into polyproline backbones without affecting their PPII helicity. The ability of the trifluoromethyl groups to increase hydrophobicity and to act as 19 F NMR probes is demonstrated. Moreover, the enzymatic stability and the non-cytotoxicity of these fluorinated foldamers make them valuable templates for use in medicinal chemistry.

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is closely associated with the progression of pancreatic cancer (PC). Given its central role in mitochondrial transcription, the human mitochondrial RNA polymerase (POLRMT) is a promising target for developing PC treatments. Herein, structure-activity relationship exploration led to the identification of compound S7 , which was the first reported POLRMT inhibitor possessing single-digit nanomolar potency of inhibiting PC cells proliferation. Mechanistic studies showed that compound S7 exerted antiproliferative effects without affecting the cell cycle, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), or intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels specifically in MIA PaCa-2 cells. Notably, compound S7 inhibited tumor growth in MIA PaCa-2 xenograft tumor model with a tumor growth inhibition (TGI) rate of 64.52% demonstrating significant improvement compared to the positive control (44.80%). In conclusion, this work enriched SARs of POLRMT inhibitors, and compound S7 deserved further investigations of drug-likeness as a candidate for PC treatment.

Fluorine (F) is a pivotal element in the formation of human dental and skeletal tissues, and the consumption of water and tea constitutes a significant source of fluoride intake. However, prolonged ingestion of water and tea with excessive fluoride content can lead to fluorosis, which poses a serious health hazard. In this manuscript, a novel turn-on fluorescent probe DCF synthesized by bis-coumarin and tert-butyldiphenylsilane (TBDPS) was introduced for detecting F - in potable water and tea infusions. By leveraging the unique chemical affinity between fluoride and silicon, F - triggers the silicon-oxygen bond cleavage in DCF, culminating in a conspicuous emission of yellow fluorescence. Validated through a succession of optical tests, this probe exhibits remarkable advantages in terms of superior selectivity, a low detection limit, a large Stokes shift, and robust interference resistance when detecting inorganic fluoride. Moreover, it can serve as portable test strips for on-site real-time identification and quantitative analysis of F - . Furthermore, the application of DCF for in-situ monitoring and imaging of F - in zebrafish and soybean root tissues proved its significant value for F - detection in both animal and plant systems. This probe potentially functions as an efficient instrument for delving into the toxic mechanisms of fluoride in physiological processes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Polyene cyclizations are among the most complex and challenging transformations in biology. In a single reaction step, multiple carbon-carbon bonds, ring systems and stereogenic centres are constituted from simple, acyclic precursors 1-3 . Simultaneously achieving this kind of precise control over product distribution and stereochemistry poses a formidable task for chemists. In particular, the polyene cyclization of (3E,7E)-homofarnesol to the valuable naturally occurring ambergris odorant (-)-ambrox is recognized as a longstanding challenge in chemical synthesis 1,4-7 . Here we report a diastereoselective and enantioselective synthesis of (-)-ambrox and the sesquiterpene lactone natural product (+)-sclareolide by a catalytic asymmetric polyene cyclization by using a highly Brønsted-acidic and confined imidodiphosphorimidate catalyst in the presence of fluorinated alcohols. Several experiments, including deuterium-labelling studies, suggest that the reaction predominantly proceeds through a concerted pathway in line with the Stork-Eschenmoser hypothesis 8-10 . Mechanistic studies show the importance of the enzyme-like microenvironment of the imidodiphosphorimidate catalyst for attaining exceptionally high selectivities, previously thought to be achievable only in enzyme-catalysed polyene cyclizations., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This research aimed to introduce a novel method for the valorization of mineral waste, focusing on the development of hydroxyapatite (HAP) as an effective and economical adsorbent for immobilizing fluoride ions (F - ) in soil. Hydroxyapatites were produced through the reaction between potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH 2 PO 4 ) and calcium-abundant limestone soil (CLS). X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that the primary phases in HAP CLS were brushite (CaHPO 5 ·2H 2 O) and hydroxyapatite (Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 ). The FTIR spectra exhibited characteristics akin to natural HAP, including the presence of orthophosphate groups (PO 4 3- ), hydroxyl groups (OH - ), and both A/B types of carbonates in the apatite structure. The morphology of the synthesized HAP, as observed through SEM-EDS, was consistent with that of phosphocalcic hydroxyapatite crystals. The EDS results indicated a Ca/P atomic ratio of 1.7 for HAP CLS , aligning closely with the typical hydroxyapatite stoichiometry (Ca/P = 1.67). The application of HAP to reduce fluoride (F - ) levels in soil proved to be successful; introducing 1% of various HAP formulations reduced the fluoride concentration from 51.4 mg/kg in untreated soil to levels below the IWSI limit (10 mg/kg), achieving a reduction to 8.1 mg/kg for HAP CLS . The sequential extraction of fluoride demonstrated that after soil treatment, fluoride was predominantly removed from the residual fraction (Fraction 4) and was effectively sequestered by the hydroxyapatites (Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 ) through anionic exchange with hydroxide ions (OH - ), resulting in the formation of stable and insoluble fluorapatite (Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 F 2 )., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The structure of cis- or trans-bridged [GeF 5 ] - anionic chains have been investigated [Mallouk et al. (1984). Inorg. Chem. 23, 3160-3166] showing the first crystal structures of μ-F-bridged pentafluorogermanates. Herein, we report the second crystal structure of trans-pentafluorogermanate anions present in the crystal structure of sodium trans-pentafluorogermanate(IV) bis(hydrogen fluoride), Na[GeF 5 ]·2HF. The crystal structure [orthorhombic Pca2 1 , a = 12.3786 (3), b = 7.2189 (2), c = 11.4969 (3) Å and Z = 8] is built up from infinite chains of trans-linked [GeF 6 ] 2- octahedra, extending along the b axis and spanning a network of pentagonal bipyramidal distorted Na-centred polyhedra. These [NaF 7 ] polyhedra are linked in a trans-edge fashion via hydrogen fluoride molecules, in analogy to already known sodium hydrogen fluorides and potassium hydrogen fluorides., (open access.)

The incorporation of fluorine atoms into a biomacromolecule provides a background-free and environmentally sensitive reporter of structure, conformation and interactions using 19 F NMR. There are several methods to introduce the 19 F reporter - either by synthetic incorporation via solid phase peptide synthesis; by suppressing the incorporation or biosynthesis of a natural amino acid and supplementing the growth media with a fluorinated counterpart during protein expression; and by genetic code expansion to add new amino acids to the amino acid alphabet. This review aims to discuss progress in the field of introducing fluorinated handles into biomolecules for NMR studies by post-translational bioconjugation or 'fluorine-tagging'. We will discuss the range of chemical tagging 'warheads' that have been used, explore the applications of fluorine tags, discuss ways to enhance reporter sensitivity and how the signal to noise ratios can be boosted. Finally, we consider some key challenges of the field and offer some ideas for future directions., (© 2024 The Authors. ChemBioChem published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Thermal inactivation is a major bottleneck to the scalable production, storage, and transportation of protein-based reagents and therapies. Failures in temperature control both compromise protein bioactivity and increase the risk of microorganismal contamination. Herein, we report the rational design of fluorochemical additives that promiscuously bind to and coat the surfaces of proteins to enable their stable dispersion within fluorous solvents. By replacing traditional aqueous liquids with fluorinated media, this strategy conformationally rigidifies proteins to preserve their structure and function at extreme temperatures (≥90 °C). We show that fluorous protein formulations resist contamination by bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens, which require aqueous environments for survival, and display equivalent serum bioavailability to standard saline samples in animal models. Importantly, by designing dispersants that decouple from the protein surface in physiologic solutions, we deliver a fluorochemical formulation that does not alter the pharmacologic function or safety profile of the functionalized protein in vivo . As a result, this nonaqueous protein storage paradigm is poised to open technological opportunities in the design of shelf-stable protein reagents and biopharmaceuticals.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to showcase the latest findings in fluorine chemistry [...].

The unique properties of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have led to their extensive use in consumer products, including ski wax. Based on the risks associated with PFAS, and to align with PFAS regulations, the international ski federation (FIS) implemented a ban on products containing "C 8 fluorocarbons/perfluorooctanoate (PFOA)" at all FIS events from the 2021/2022 season, leading manufactures to shift their formulations towards short-chain PFAS chemistries. To date, most studies characterising PFAS in ski waxes have measured a suite of individual substances using targeted analytical approaches. However, the fraction of total fluorine (TF) in the wax accounted for by these substances remains unclear. In this study, we sought to address this question by applying a multi-platform, fluorine mass balance approach to a total of 10 commercially available ski wax products. Analysis of TF by combustion ion chromatography (CIC) revealed concentrations of 1040-51700 μg F g -1 for the different fluorinated waxes. In comparison, extractable organic fluorine (EOF) determined in methanol extracts by CIC (and later confirmed by inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and 19 F- nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) ranged from 92 to 3160 μg g -1 , accounting for only 3-8.8 % of total fluorine (TF). Further characterisation of extracts by cyclic ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IMS) revealed 15 individual PFAS with perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid concentrations up to 33 μg F g -1 , and 3 products exceeding the regulatory limit for PFOA (0.025 μg g -1 ) by a factor of up to 100. The sum of all PFAS accounted for only 0.01-1.0 % of EOF, implying a high percentage of unidentified PFAS, thus, pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to provide evidence of the nature of the non-extractable fluorine present in the ski wax products., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a pivotal tool in contemporary medical diagnostics, offering non-invasive and high-resolution visualization of internal structures. Contrast agents are essential for enhancing MRI resolution, accurate lesion detection, and early pathology identification. While gadolinium-based contrast agents are widely used in clinics, safety concerns have prompted exploration of metal-free alternatives, including fluorine and nitroxide radical-based MRI contrast agents. Fluorine-containing compounds exhibit excellent MRI capabilities, with 19 F MRI providing enhanced resolution and quantitative assessment. Nitroxide radicals, such as PROXYL and TEMPO, offer paramagnetic properties for MRI contrast. Despite their versatility, nitroxide radicals suffer from lower relaxivity values ( r 1 ) compared to gadolinium. Dual-modal imaging, combining 1 H and 19 F MRI, has gained prominence for its comprehensive insights into biological processes and disease states. However, existing dual-modal agents predominantly utilize gadolinium-organic ligands without incorporating nitroxide radicals. Here, we introduce a novel dual-modal MRI contrast agent (J-CA) featuring a Janus asymmetric nanostructure synthesized via seeded emulsion polymerization and post-modification. J-CA demonstrates excellent in vitro and in vivo performance in both 19 F and 1 H MRI, with a T 2 relaxation time of 5 ms and an r 1 value of 0.31 mM -1 s -1 , ensuring dual-modal imaging capability. Moreover, J-CA exhibits superior biocompatibility and organ targeting, making it a promising candidate for precise lesion imaging and disease diagnosis. This work introduces a new avenue for metal-free dual-modal MRI, addressing safety concerns associated with traditional contrast agents.

A new concept for the synthesis of dialkyl chloronium cations [R‒Cl‒R]+ is described (R = CH3, CH2CF3), that allows the formation of fluorinated derivatives. By utilizing the xenonium salt [XeOTeF5][M(OTeF5)n] (M = Sb, n = 6; M = Al, n = 4) chlorine atoms of chloroalkanes or the deactivated chlorofluoroalkane CH2ClCF3 are oxidized and removed as ClOTeF5 leading to the isolation of the corresponding chloronium salt. Since the resulting highly electrophilic cation [Cl(CH2CF3)2]+ is able to alkylate weak nucleophiles, this compound can be utilized for the introduction of a fluorinated alkyl group to those. In addition, the fluorinated alkyl chloronium cation displays a high hydride ion affinity, enabling the activation of linear hydrocarbons by hydride abstraction even at low temperatures ultimately leading to the formation of branched carbocations., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an innate signaling molecule that can regulate immune responses and interact with crucial elements of the circadian clock. Moreover, pharmacologically, CO has been substantiated for its therapeutic advantages in animal models of diverse pathological conditions. Given that an excessive level of CO can be toxic, it is imperative to quantify the necessary amount for therapeutic use accurately. However, estimating gaseous CO is notably challenging. Therefore, novel techniques are essential to quantify CO in therapeutic applications and overcome this obstacle precisely. The classical Myoglobin (Mb) assay technique has been extensively used to determine the amount of CO-release from CO-releasing molecules (CORMs) within therapeutic contexts. Nevertheless, specific challenges arise when applying the Mb assay to evaluate CORMs featuring innovative molecular architectures. Here, we report a fluorinated photo-CORM (CORM-FBS) for the photo-induced CO-release. We employed the 19 F NMR spectroscopy approach to monitor the release of CO as well as quantitative evaluation of CO release. This new 19 F NMR approach opens immense opportunities for researchers to develop reliable techniques for identifying molecular structures, quantitative studies of drug metabolism, and monitoring the reaction process., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In the current study, a series of fluorine-substituted piperidine derivatives (1-8) has been synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. In vitro and in vivo enzyme inhibitory studies were conducted to elucidate the efficacy of these compounds, shedding light on their potential therapeutic applications. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, these heterocyclic structures have been investigated against α-glucosidase and cholinesterase enzymes. The antioxidant activity of the synthesized compounds was also assessed. Evaluation of synthesized compounds revealed notable inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase and cholinesterases. Remarkably, the target compounds (1-8) exhibited extraordinary α-glucosidase inhibitory activity as compared to the standard acarbose by several-fold. Subsequently, the potential antidiabetic effects of compounds 2, 4, 5, and 6 were validated using a STZ-induced diabetic rat model. Kinetic studies were also performed to understand the mechanism of inhibition, while structure-activity relationship analyses provided valuable insights into the structural features governing enzyme inhibition. Kinetic investigations revealed that compound 4 displayed a competitive mode of inhibition against α-glucosidase, whereas compound 2 demonstrated mixed-type behavior against AChE. To delve deeper into the binding interactions between the synthesized compounds and their respective enzyme targets, molecular docking studies were conducted. Overall, our findings highlight the promising potential of these densely substituted piperidines as multifunctional agents for the treatment of diseases associated with dysregulated glucose metabolism and cholinergic dysfunction., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Hereby I declare that we have NO conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Kidney diseases have become an important global health concern due to their high incidence, inefficient diagnosis, and poor prognosis. Devising direct methods, especially imaging means, to assess renal function is the key for better understanding the mechanisms of various kidney diseases and subsequent development of effective treatment. Herein, we developed a fluorinated ferrous chelate-based sensitive probe, 1,7-DO2A-Fe(II)-F18 (Probe 1 ), for 19 F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This highly fluorinated probe (containing 18 chemically equivalent 19 F atoms with a fluorine content at 35 wt %) achieves a 15-time enhancement in signal intensity compared with the fluorine-containing ligand alone due to the appropriately regulated 19 F relaxation times by the ferrous ion, which significantly increases imaging sensitivity and reduces acquisition time. Owing to its high aqueous solubility, biostability, and biocompatibility, this probe could be rapidly cleared by kidneys, which provides a means for monitoring renal dysfunction via 19 F MRI. With this probe, we accomplish in vivo imaging of the impaired renal dysfunction caused by various kidney diseases including acute kidney injury, unilateral ureteral obstruction, and renal fibrosis at different stages. Our study illustrates the promising potential of Probe 1 for in vivo real-time visualization of kidney dysfunction, which is beneficial for the study, diagnosis, and even stratification of different kidney diseases. Furthermore, the design strategy of our probe is inspiring for the development of more high-performance 19 F MRI probes for monitoring various biological processes.

Developing a feasible and low-cost strategy for the recovery of calcium fluoride efficiently from fluoride-containing wastewater is very essential for the recycle of fluoride resources. Herein, a modified lime precipitation method was employed to recover CaF 2 from fluorinated wastewater using a special icy lime solution. Intriguingly, the highest F - removal was greater than 95% under the optimal condition, leaving a fluoride concentration from 200 to 8.64 mg/L, while the lime dosage was much lower than that of industry. Importantly, spherical-shaped CaF 2 particles with a 93.47% purity and size smaller than 600 nm were recovered, which has a high potential for the production of hydrofluoric acid. Besides, the precipitation was significantly affected by Ca/F molar ratio, stirring time, temperature, and solution pH. Furthermore, the thermodynamics and kinetics were investigated in detail to reveal the crystallization process. As a result, the defluorination reaction followed the pseudo-second order reaction kinetics model. Also, CO 2 in the air adversely influenced the CaF 2 purity. Based on this facile method, a high lime utilization efficiency was applied to defluorination, which contributed to protecting the environment and saving costs. This study, therefore, provides a feasible approach for the green recovery of fluorine resources and has significance for related research., Competing Interests: The authors declare there is no conflict., (© 2024 The Authors This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence (CC BY 4.0), which permits copying, adaptation and redistribution, provided the original work is properly cited (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).)

The DNA-guided (gDNA) Argonaute from Thermus thermophilus (TtAgo) has little potential for nucleic acid detection and gene editing due to its poor dsDNA cleavage activity at relatively low temperature. Herein, the dsDNA cleavage activity of TtAgo is enhanced by using 2'-fluorine (2'F)-modified gDNA and developes a novel nucleic acid testing strategy. This study finds that the gDNA with 2'F-nucleotides at the 3'-end (2'F-gDNA) can promote the assembly of the TtAgo-guide-target ternary complex significantly by increasing its intermolecular force to target DNA and TtAgo, thereby providing ≈40-fold activity enhancement and decreasing minimum reaction temperature from 65 to 60 °C. Based on this outstanding advance, a novel nucleic acid testing strategy is proposed, termed FAST, which is performed by using the 2'F-gDNA/TtAgo for target recognition and combining it with Bst DNA polymerase for nucleic acid amplification. By integrating G-quadruplex and Thioflavin T, the FAST assay achieves one-pot real-time fluorescence analysis with ultra-sensitivity, providing a limit of detection up to 5 copies (20 µL reaction mixture) for miR-21 detection. In summary, an atom-modification-based strategy has been developed for enhancing the cleavage activity of TtAgo efficiently, thereby improving its practicability and establishing a TtAgo-based nucleic acid testing technology with ultra-sensitivity and high-specificity., (© 2024 The Authors. Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

This work demonstrates the low-temperature operation of solid-state lithium metal batteries (LMBs) through the development of a fluorinated and plastic-crystal-embedded elastomeric electrolyte (F-PCEE). The F-PCEE is formed via polymerization-induced phase separation between the polymer matrix and plastic crystal phase, offering a high mechanical strain (≈300%) and ionic conductivity (≈0.23 mS cm -1 ) at -10 °C. Notably, strong phase separation between two phases leads to the selective distribution of lithium (Li) salts within the plastic crystal phase, enabling superior elasticity and high ionic conductivity at low temperatures. The F-PCEE in a Li/LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 full cell maintains 74.4% and 42.5% of discharge capacity at -10 °C and -20 °C, respectively, compared to that at 25 °C. Furthermore, the full cell exhibits 85.3% capacity retention after 150 cycles at -10 °C and a high cut-off voltage of 4.5 V, representing one of the highest cycling performances among the reported solid polymer electrolytes for low-temperature LMBs. This work attributes the prolonged cycling lifetime of F-PCEE at -10 °C to the great mechanical robustness to suppress the Li-dendrite growth and ability to form superior LiF-rich interphases. This study establishes the design strategies of elastomeric electrolytes for developing solid-state LMBs operating at low temperatures and high voltages., (© 2024 The Authors. Advanced Materials published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

To ensure ongoing sustainability, the modern agrochemical industry is faced with enormous challenges. These arise from provision of high-quality food to increasing water use and environmental impact as well as a growing world population. The loss of previous agrochemicals due to consumer perception, changing grower needs and ever-changing regulatory requirements is higher than the number of active ingredients that are being introduced into the crop protection market. Therefore, the development of novel agrochemicals is essential to provide improved efficacy and environmental profiles. In this context, the introduction of fluorine atoms and fluorine-containing motifs into a molecule is an important method to influence its physicochemical properties. These include, for example, small difluoro- and trifluoromethyl, or trifluoromethoxy groups at aryl or heterocyclic aryl moieties but also fragments like 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxycarbonyl, trifluoromethylsulfonyl, trifluoroacetyl, as well as the so far unusal rest like heptafluoro-iso-propyl. This review gives an overview of recent developments of fluorine-containing pesticides launched over the past 7 years and describes a selection of current fluorine-containing development candidates. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.)

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy NMR is a well-established technique for probing protein structure, dynamics and conformational changes. Taking advantage of the high signal sensitivity and broad chemical shift range of 19 F nuclei, 19 F NMR has been applied to investigate protein function at atomic resolution. In this report, we extend the unnatural amino acid site-specific incorporation into V. natriegens, an alternate protein expression system. The unnatural amino acid L-4-trifluoromethylphenylalanine (tfmF) was site-specifically introduced into the mitogen-activated protein kinase MEKK3 in V. natriegens using genetically encoded technology, which will be an extensive method for in-cell protein structure and dynamic investigation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this study, a brand-new, easy, and environmentally friendly approach for chemically functionalizing 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl radical (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCNF) to produce modified cellulose nanofiber (octadecylamine-citric acid-CNF) was proposed. Effects of octadecylamine (ODA)/TOCNF mass ratio on the chemical structure, morphology, surface hydrophobicity and oleophobicity were studied. According to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, ODA was successfully grafted onto the TOCNF by simple citric acid (CA) esterification and amidation reactions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that a new rough structure was formed on the ODA-CA-CNF surface. The water contact angle (WCA) and the castor oil contact angle (OCA) of the ODA-CA-CNF reached 139.6° and 130.6°, respectively. The high-grafting-amount ODA-CA-CNF was sprayed onto paper, and the OCA reached 118.4°, which indicated good oil-resistance performance. The low-grafting-amount ODA-CNF was applied in a pH-responsive indicator film, exhibiting a colour change in response to the pH level, which can be applied in smart food packaging. The ODA-CA-CNF with excellent water/oil-resistance properties and fluorine-free properties can replace petrochemical materials and can be used in the fields of fluorine-free oil-proof paper., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Oblique incidence reflectance difference (OIRD) is an emerging technique enabling real-time and label-free detection of bio-affinity binding events on microarrays. The interfacial architecture of the microarray chip is critical to the performance of OIRD detection. In this work, a sensitive label-free OIRD microarray chip was developed by using gold nanoparticle-decorated fluorine-doped tin oxide (AuNPs-FTO) slides as a chip substrate. This AuNPs-FTO chip demonstrates a higher signal-to-noise ratio and improved sensitivity compared to that built on FTO glass, showing a detection limit of as low as 10 ng mL -1 for the model target, HRP-conjugated streptavidin. On-chip ELISA experiments and optical calculations suggest that the enhanced performance is not only due to the higher probe density enabling a high capture efficiency toward the target, but most importantly, the AuNP layer arouses optical interference to improve the intrinsic sensitivity of OIRD. This work provides an effective strategy for constructing OIRD-based microarray chips with enhanced sensitivity, and may help extend their practical applications in various fields., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH, DE part of Springer Nature.)

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as potential light‐emitting polymers for optoelectronic and optical devices, but their smart responsiveness to environmental stimuli has seldom been explored particularly for alkene‐linked conjugated COFs, which limits their application scope in “smart” systems. Herein, fluorine chemistry coupled with acrylonitrile linkage is introduced as a “one‐stone‐three‐bird” strategy to produce a smart COF with rapid pH‐responsive absorption and fluorescence, high fluorescence quantum yield (QY), and good crystallinity. In addition to increased crystallinity, the newly designed fluorinated acrylonitrile‐linked COF (TF‐COF) produces 20% enhancement in fluorescence QY and more rapid responsiveness of absorption and fluorescence under acid–base induction compared to the nonfluorinated counterpart. Impressively, the yielded QY reaches 33.6% in solid states and 41.0% in tetrahydrofuran dispersion, surpassing most existing COF materials. The synergy effect of fluorine chemistry induced charge redistribution and acrylonitrile linkage enabled reversible C═C bonds contributes to the rapid responsiveness, high fluorescence QY, and good crystallinity. The developed TF‐COF can be utilized as a responsive phosphor to endow image encryption with high coloration and good reversibility, and as an encryption data carrier via simple handwriting.

A simple and convenient eosin Y-catalyzed procedure has been developed to effect metal-free, visible-light mediated chlorotrifluoromethylation of terminal alkenes with CF3SO2Cl. Several substrates with terminal alkenes including an aromatic heterocycle reacted smoothly to afford various chlorotrifluoromethylated compounds in good to excellent yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An approach for the distal construction of a C(sp3)−SCF2R bond on aliphatic alcohols enabled by 1,5‐hydrogen‐atom transfer (HAT) was developed. In the presence of a hypervalent iodine (PIDA) and readily available ArSO2SCF2R reagents, this transition metal‐free approach allowed the remote functionalization of a broad variety of alcohols with emergent and high added‐value SCF2R moieties (R=H, F, CO2Et and PO(OEt)2) under blue light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Density functional calculations show. • Antimony pentafluoride or its dimer add in an exothermic fashion to strained organic molecules forming zwitterionic structures. • The ease of formation and the stability of these zwitterions is governed by the degree of fluorination of the organic moiety. • The elusive trishomoaromatic 1,3-dihydro-5-adamantyl cation might be generated in solution by hydride abstraction from 1,3-dehydroadamantane. While 1,3-dehydro-5,7-difluoroadamantane 11 reacts with SbF 5 in super acid media (SO 2 ClF) to generate the 1,3-dehydroadamant-5,7-diyl dication 1 , 1,3-dehydro-5-fluoroadamantane 12 fails to react analogously to produce the 1,3-dehydroadamant-5-yl cation 9 ; instead, the 3,5-difluoro-1-adamantylcation 13 is formed. We present a computational study that explains this surprising behavior by the initial addition of Sb 2 F 10 to the propellane bond present in 12. This is computed to be highly exothermic and leads to a zwitterionic (or ion-pair) species, which in turn reacts autocatalytically with HF to produce the observed fluorinated cation 13 , SbF 3 , and SbF 6 –. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perfluorocarbon emulsions offer a variety of applications in medical imaging. The substances can be useful for most radiological imaging modalities; including, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and positron emission tomography. Recently, the substance has gained much interest for theranostics, with both imaging and therapeutic potential. As MRI sequences improve and more widespread access to 19F-MRI coils become available, perfluorocarbon emulsions have great potential for new commercial imaging agents, due to high fluorine content and previous regulatory approval as antihypoxants and blood substitutes. This mini review aims to discuss the chemistry and physics of these contrast agents, in addition to highlighting some of the past, recent, and potential applications.