Total Syntheses of β‐Carboline‐Based Natural Alkaloids Including Secofascaplysin A, Strychnocarpine, Rutaecarpine and Euxylophoricine A Using NHC‐Catalyzed Imine Umpolung‒Oxidation

Abstract Despite N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) organocatalysis proceeding through umpolung reactivity mode, which has been widely explored using aldehydes, the conspicuous use of imines is still an underdeveloped area. Oxidation of imines to amides using organocatalysis is an attractive topic. Herein, we have demonstrated the application of NHC‐catalyzed oxidation of a cyclic imine to the corresponding cyclic amide, proceeding through imine umpolung, as a key step in the total syntheses of biologically active natural β‐carboline alkaloids of marine/plant origin, including secofascaplysin A, strychnocarpine, rutaecarpine, euxylophoricine A and also an mGluR1 antagonist.

Front Cover: Electronic Structure, Covalency, and Magnetic Anisotropy in [AnCp3] (where An = Th‐Cf) Complexes: Insights from First Principle Calculations (Chem. Asian J. 18/2025)

In article 10.1002/asia.202500278, Saurabh Kumar Singh and co‐workers present a comprehensive theoretical investigation of [AnCp 3 ] complexes (An = Th‐Cf), focusing on the nature of actinide‐ligand covalency and magnetic anisotropy. Using scalar relativistic DFT, CASSCF approach along with NLMO, and AILFT analysis, the trends in 6d and 5f‐covalency and magnetic properties is shown. A combined DFT and AILFT allows to predict the dominance of energy‐driven covalency in describing the 5f‐ligand covalency in complexes Th‐Cf. Extended active space calculations with correct description of the LMCT states and treatment of dynamic correlations allow accurate prediction of experimental g‐values and magnetic susceptibility, establishing a correlation between An‐Cp covalency and their magnetic properties.

Alchemy of Fungi and AI: Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Network‐Based Optimization of Echinocandin B Production in Aspergillus nidulans

ABSTRACT Echinocandin B (ECB) is the precursor of a first‐line antifungal, anidulafungin, widely used to treat systemic and invasive fungal infections in nosocomial and community‐acquired settings. This potent antifungal is naturally synthesized in Aspergillus nidulans in trace amounts, which can be improved by optimizing growth and physiological conditions. The current study is focused on optimizing the fermentation medium by employing statistical and artificial neural network (ANN)‐based model to improve ECB activity in fermentation broth. In the present study, the most significant parameters for ECB activity (i.e., molasses, dextrose, casein, and pH) were identified through the Plackett–Burman design and were further optimized using different statistical models based on central composite design experiments. Process optimization with a reduced quadratic (RQ) model and ANN model (architecture: 4–6–2–1) suggested a 3.64‐ and 3.03‐fold increase in ECB activity, respectively. However, prediction from the RQ model ( R 2 : 0.93) could be unreliable when compared to the ANN model ( R 2 : 0.99), effectively capturing the complex relationships. The study concludes that the ANN‐based predicted model displayed more accuracy and provided optimum levels of the analyzed factors for a 3‐fold increase in ECB activity.

Investigating the Functional and Architectural Diversity of Leaf Venation Networks

Unveiling Structural, Morphological, Optical Properties and Photoluminescence of Novel Eu 3+ and Tb 3+ Doped Na 2 MoO 4 .2H 2 O Phosphor

ABSTRACT The present paper explores the luminescence response of trivalent rare earth ions doped novel Na 2 MoO 4 .2H 2 O phosphors for its possibilities towards the advancement of currently available red and green phosphors. The work presents an original research study on Na 2 MoO 4 .2H 2 O phosphors and provides a brief overview of molybdate‐based phosphors. Optically efficient trivalent terbium and europium‐activated Na 2 MoO 4 .2H 2 O phosphors are synthesized using the conventional solid‐state reaction method. It was found through XRD that the samples belong to the orthorhombic crystal system and have the space group P bca . Raman spectra show all the major peaks are rising due to the MoO4 2− group. The SEM images reveal differences in particle morphology between the undoped and doped samples. UV–Visible spectroscopy showed the interaction of samples with light and the bandgap energies were calculated. We record the excitation and emission spectra to see how much red and green light they emit for Eu and Tb doped samples respectively. The calculated CIE coordinates, CCT and colour purity show that the phosphor is similar to commercially available red and green phosphors. Along with that, this study shows the energy transfer between MoO4 and rare earth dopants, which can help us figure out how to improve emission efficiency.

NIR‐Excited Imaging of Cervical Cancer Cells Using Biocompatible LaF 3 :Er 3+ ,Yb 3+ Upconversion Nanophosphors

ABSTRACT Bioimaging plays a vital role in understanding complex biological processes, from tracking cellular activity to studying entire organisms. To improve the sensitivity and specificity of imaging techniques, researchers are increasingly turning to nanomaterials as contrast agents. Among them, upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) stand out for their ability to convert near‐infrared (NIR) light into visible emission. This property enables deep tissue penetration, reduced autofluorescence, and low phototoxicity. We report the synthesis of LaF 3 codoped with 2 mol% Er 3+ and 20 mol% Yb 3+ using a hydrothermal method, followed by surface modification with human serum albumin (HSA). Structural analysis confirms the formation of rhombohedral LaF 3 with uniform dopant incorporation, and electron microscopy reveals a near‐spherical morphology with average particle sizes increasing from ~25 nm (bare) to ~60 nm (HSA‐coated). Under 976‐nm excitation, the nanophosphors exhibit bright green and red UC emissions via a two‐photon mechanism. Cytotoxicity studies demonstrate high cell viability at concentrations up to 0.4 mg/mL in HeLa cells, while fluorescence uptake assays indicate time‐dependent internalization, peaking at 6‐h post‐treatment. These findings highlight the potential of HSA‐coated LaF 3 :Er 3+ ,Yb 3+ nanophosphors as efficient, biocompatible contrast agents for NIR‐excited luminescent bioimaging.

High Performance Lead‐Free Perovskite‐Based Photodetector for Low‐Light Intensity Detection in Biomedical Applications

ABSTRACT This work presents a comprehensive numerical study on a lead‐free, tin‐based perovskite photodetector (PPD) designed for low‐light biomedical sensing applications. Using CH 3 NH 3 SnBr 3 as the active absorber layer, we model a device architecture comprising FTO/CdZnS/CH 3 NH 3 SnBr 3 /Spiro‐OMeTAD/Au, optimizing key parameters through combined SCAPS‐1D and COMSOL Multiphysics simulations. We systematically investigate the influence of absorber thickness, defect density, donor doping, electric field distribution, series and shunt resistance, and interface properties to maximize optoelectronic performance. The optimized PPD achieves a peak responsivity of 0.55 A/W and a detectivity of 9.7 × 10 14  Jones within the red‐light spectral window (680–790 nm), demonstrating enhanced charge carrier lifetimes and effective interfacial charge extraction. These results highlight the potential of CH 3 NH 3 SnBr 3 as an eco‐friendly alternative to lead‐based perovskites, advancing the development of high‐sensitivity, low‐illumination photodetectors for biomedical imaging and diagnostics.

Enhanced photocatalytic CO 2 reduction of covalent triazine‐based photocatalyst: Mechanistic insights from time‐resolved spectroscopy

Abstract Photocatalytic conversion of waste carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into fine chemicals is crucial for solar energy utilization and mitigating the global climate crisis. Artificial photocatalysis based on the integrated biocatalyst offers a promising approach for converting CO 2 into high‐value chemicals. The development of metal‐free heterogeneous photocatalysts has gained significant attention as a sustainable platform for practical artificial photocatalytic systems. In this study, we report a one‐pot synthesis of covalent triazine‐based photocatalysts (CTPs) and their photocatalytic applications. The as‐synthesized CTPs exhibit excellent photocatalytic performance, achieving the generation of HCOOH from CO 2 with a yield of 224.85 μM. The underlying photo‐physical properties of CTPs were investigated by using systematic time‐resolved laser spectroscopies. These measurements reveal that the formation of a long‐lived charge transfer state in CTPs at the late time window is strongly correlated with the enhanced photocatalytic efficiency by delaying the ultrafast charge recombination. This study will serve as a benchmark example of heterogeneous photocatalysts and their wide applications for CO 2 fixation and solar chemical production.

GC‐MS and HPTLC Fingerprinting Analysis and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Naga Chilli: An In Vitro and In Silico Approach

ABSTRACT Naga chilli ( Capsicum chinense Jacq.) have garnered significant attention due to the plant's possible health benefits and variety of phytochemical components. Utilizing cutting‐edge analytical techniques such as gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and high‐performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) in conjunction with bioautography, this study conducts a thorough phytochemical profiling and biological activity assessment of the Naga chilli plant. An in silico docking study was performed for all the bioactive compounds identified through GC‐MS against dihydrofolate reductase, a critical enzyme for bacterial survival. Many important components were identified and quantified with the help of subsequent GC‐MS and HPTLC analysis. Among them, capsaicinoids were found to be the most prevalent. GC‐MS results showed nonadecane (21.28%), 1‐dimethyl(phenyl)silyloxypentane (14.53%), capsaicin (13.55%) and 2‐pentanone, 4‐hydroxy‐4‐methyl‐ (11.42%) were the most prevalent. HPTLC report showed capsaicin was 0.833 mg/g of fresh weight of Naga chilli. This study showed good docking scores for some of the constituents, particularly capsaicin, indicating that this plant is a good candidate for antimicrobial activity. This activity of the extract confirms the docking results, which needs to be in focus for further antimicrobial drug development.

Does Corporate Social Responsibility Improve Firm‐Level Energy Efficiency? The Case of the Iron and Steel Industries in India

ABSTRACT We investigate the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on energy efficiency for the Iron and Steel Industries of India. Using firm‐level data, the panel fixed effects regression model shows an inverse relationship between CSR and energy intensity, suggesting that a strategic firm's involvement in CSR increases energy efficiency. In addition, businesses with higher CSR spending tend to be more energy efficient; however, the association is not consistently observed across all profit‐making CSR firms. Our findings at the disaggregate level suggest that firms that spend beyond the threshold levels experience a visible impact on energy efficiency. Further, CSR expenditure of R&D‐intensive firms tends to have higher energy efficiency than their counterparts. We conclude that CSR plays a significant role in enhancing the energy efficiency of a socially and environmentally responsible firm. Thus, environmental sustainability should be one of the priority investment areas for CSR‐driven firms in India.