title: Microwave-induced inactivation of DNA-based hybrid catalyst in asymmetric catalysis.
abstract: DNA-based hybrid catalysts have gained strong interests in asymmetric reactions. However, to maintain the high enantioselectivity, these reactions are usually conducted at relatively low temperatures (e.g. <5 °C) for 2-3 days. Aiming to improve the reaction's turnover rate, we evaluated microwave irradiation with simultaneous cooling as potential energy source since this method has been widely used to accelerate various chemical and enzymatic reactions. However, our data indicated that microwave irradiation induced an inactivation of DNA-based hybrid catalyst even at low temperatures (such as 5 °C). Circular dichroism (CD) spectra and gel electrophoresis of DNA suggest that microwave exposure degrades DNA molecules and disrupts DNA double-stranded structures, causing changes of DNA-metal ligand binding properties and thus poor DNA catalytic performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science, Savannah State University, Savannah, GA 31404, USA. Electronic address: huazhao98@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science, Savannah State University, Savannah, GA 31404, USA.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002384:Catalysis; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D008024:Ligands; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry; D008872:Microwaves
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D008670:Metals; D004247:DNA
keywords: Asymmetric catalysis; DNA-based hybrid catalyst; Michael addition; Microwave irradiation; Simultaneous cooling