ChemCatChem

Domain event: Coenzyme A (CoA) analogues are prepared by biotransformation of suitable pantothenamides using immobilized versions of three of the CoA biosynthetic enzymes. This transformation is achieved by fusing the enzymes to cellulose-binding domains (CBD), which allow for their simultaneous purification and immobilization. In this manner, batch and column reactors capable of continuous CoA analogue production can be prepared and successfully used.

Ligands in charge: The catalytic activity in the Pd-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura reaction upon the use of oligocationic, ammonium-functionalized triarylphosphine ligands is governed by the number of cationic charges in the ligand structure, rather than by their steric or electronic properties. Increasing the number of charges increases the preference for the formation of coordinatively unsaturated phosphine–palladium species, which leads to a higher catalytic activity through faster catalyst activation.

How exciting is it to be ever so slightly ALOOF? We can answer this question by coincidence detection of emitted secondary electrons (SE). From the threshold excitation energy for SE emission, we may determine the surface barrier height at a nanoparticle facet that is skimmed by a focused fast electron beam.