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Crop pests and pathogens annually cause over $220 billion in global crop damage, with insects consuming 5%–20% of major grain crops. Current crop pest and disease control strategies rely on insecticidal and fungicidal sprays, plant genetic resistance, transgenes, and agricultural practices. Double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) is emerging as a novel sustainable method of plant protection as an alternative to traditional chemical pesticides. Successful commercialization of dsRNA‐based biocontrols requires the economical production of large quantities of dsRNA combined with suitable delivery methods to ensure RNAi efficacy against the target pest. In this study, we have optimized the design of plasmid DNA constructs to produce dsRNA biocontrols in Escherichia coli, by employing a wide range of alternative synthetic transcriptional terminators before measurement of dsRNA yield. We demonstrate that a 7.8‐fold increase of dsRNA was achieved using triple synthetic transcriptional terminators within a dual T7 dsRNA production system compared to the absence of transcriptional terminators. Moreover, our data demonstrate that batch fermentation production dsRNA using multiple transcriptional terminators is scalable and generates significantly higher yields of dsRNA generated in the absence of transcriptional terminators at both small‐scale batch culture and large‐scale fermentation. In addition, we show that application of these dsRNA biocontrols expressed in E. coli cells results in increased insect mortality. Finally, novel mass spectrometry analysis was performed to determine the precise sites of transcriptional termination at the different transcriptional terminators providing important further mechanistic insight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 to formate was achieved using the previously reported dichloro(η6‐p‐cymene){diphenyl(3‐methyl‐2‐indolyl)phosphine}ruthenium (1) as a catalyst under mild conditions. In this complex, the phosphorus‐based ligand adopts a κ1‐P coordination mode. The catalytic activity was achieved in the presence of DBU as a base providing a TONmax value of 3,800. In order to explore potential transformations occurring within the catalytic reactions, a series of stoichiometric tests were performed. Complex 1 was reacted with DBU to form chloro(η6‐p‐cymene){diphenyl(3‐methyl‐2‐indolide)phosphine}ruthenium (2). Structural characterization of complex 2 confirmed a κ2‐P,N coordination mode for the ligand resulting in a four membered metallacycle. Reaction of 2 with H2 led to the formation of hydrochloro(η6‐p‐cymene){diphenyl(3‐methyl‐indolyl)phosphine}ruthenium (3), albeit not with a clean conversion. This is the product resulting from the formal addition of hydrogen across the Ru−N bond of the metallacycle. Complex 3 was also synthesized via an alternative route involving the reaction of complex 1 with Me2NH • BH3 as a means of converting Ru−Cl to Ru−H [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new hydroxo‐bridged ruthenium (II) complex [{Ru(η6‐p‐cymene)(iPr2P−O)}2(μ‐OH)]Cl (2) has fortuitously been isolated from the reaction between the known ruthenium(II) complex [RuCl2(η6‐p‐cymene)(iPr2P‐OH)] (1) in either CDCl3 or CHCl3 solutions in the presence of excess DBU (1,8‐diazabicyclo(5.4.0)undec‐7‐ene) at room temperature. Complex 2 is only formed under specific conditions as an orange‐colored air and moisture stable binuclear complex. It is formed via the deprotonation of the P−OH unit in [RuCl2(η6‐p‐cymene)(iPr2P‐OH)]. Complex 2 has been fully characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods. Its structure was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction which reveals a boat‐shaped motif containing a bridging hydroxide unit which undergoes hydrogen bonding with a chloride counterion. Complex 2 was utilized as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid salt using molecular hydrogen. The catalytic reactions were performed at 100 °C in THF in the presence of DBU as a base to isolate [DBU+H][OC(O)H] salt as the final product. Using catalyst loadings down to 0.01 mol%, it was possible to hydrogenate gaseous CO2 with TONs up to 9900. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis, characterization and application of a new complex, [Ir(κ2‐P,N‐6‐DCyPon*)(COD)] (1), where 6‐DCyPon* is the anionic species, 6‐dicyclohexylphosphino‐2‐oxo‐pyridinide, is reported herein. Complex 1 was found to be an active catalyst in the hydrogenation of CO2 at room temperature. The ligand, 6‐DCyPon*, is derived via deprotonation of a novel pro‐ligand, 6‐DCyPon (6‐dicyclohexylphosphino‐2‐pyridone) during the synthesis of 1. The ligand is shown to participate within the reversible hydrogenation of 1, via a cooperative process, in which the species, [IrH3(κ2‐P,N‐6‐DCyPon)(COD)] (2), was spectroscopically characterized, where 1 reacts with two equivalents of H2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accessibility of an unprecedented new class of double-helical molecules in which two [sp.sup.3] carbon chains wrap around an sp carbon chain through a one-step coordination-driven self-assembly process is described. The sp chain has provided a mechanical support and the [sp.sup.3] chain have served as a protecting group, thus enhancing the stabilities of mixed-valent radical cations.

A portfolio of value-added chemicals, fuels and building block compounds can be envisioned from CO2 on an industrial scale. The high kinetic and thermodynamic stabilities of CO2, however, present a significant barrier to its utilisation as a C1 source. In this context, metal–ligand cooperation methodologies have emerged as one of the most dominant strategies for the transformation of the CO2 molecule over the last decade or so. This review focuses on the advancements in CO2 transformation using these cooperative methodologies. Different and well-studied ligand cooperation methodologies, such as dearomatisation–aromatisation type cooperation, bimetallic cooperation (M⋯M′; M′ = main group or transition metal) and other related strategies are also discussed. Furthermore, the cooperative bond activations are subdivided based on the number of atoms connecting the reactive centre in the ligand framework (spacer/linker length) and the transition metal. Several similarities across these seemingly distinct cooperative methodologies are emphasised. Finally, this review brings out the challenges ahead in developing catalytic systems from these CO2 transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]