A giant electromechanical d33 coefficient 110pC∕N is obtained in ferroelectric V-doped ZnO films, which is nearly one order of magnitude higher than that of undoped samples. It is considered that the switchable spontaneous polarization induced by V dopants and the accompanying relatively high permittivity should be responsible for the enhancement of piezoelectric response. Moreover, from another point of view, an easier rotation of V–O bonds which are noncollinear with c axis under electric field might be the microscopic origin of this anomaly. The improved piezoelectric properties could make V-doped ZnO a promising candidate for piezoelectric devices.

We report herein a Rh(III)-catalyzed cyclization of N-nitrosoanilines with alkynes for streamlined synthesis of indoles. The synthetic protocol features a distinct internal oxidant, N-N bond, as a reactive handle for catalyst turnover, as well as a hitherto tantalizingly elusive intermolecular redox-neutral manifold, predicated upon C-H activation, for the formation of a five-membered azaheterocycle. The compatibility of seemingly dichotomous acidic and basic conditions ensures reaction versatility for multifarious synthetic contexts. The tolerance of an array of auxiliary functional groups potentially permits predefined, programmable substitution patterns to be incorporated into the indole scaffold. Comprehensive mechanistic studies, under acidic condition, support [RhCp*](2+) as generally the catalyst resting state (switchable to [RhCp*(OOC(t)Bu)](+) under certain circumstance) and C-H activation as the turnover-limiting step. Given the variety of covalent linkages available for the nitroso group, this labile functionality is likely to be harnessed as a generic handle for strikingly diverse coupling reactions.

The mechanism by which CB1 cannabinoid receptors are coupled to the Gi/Go class of G proteins was studied. A peptide representing the juxtamembrane carboxyl terminus robustly stimulated guanosine-5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate binding. Peptides simulating subdomains of the third intracellular loop (IL3) activated minimally when present alone but produced additive effects when present in combination. Peptides representing the amino-side IL3 and the juxtamembrane carboxyl terminus autonomously inhibited adenylate cyclase, and this response was not significantly augmented or inhibited by peptides representing other intracellular domains. Site-directed antipeptide antibodies developed against the domains of the amino terminus, first extracellular loop, amino-side IL3, and juxtamembrane carboxyl terminus of CB1 receptors failed to influence binding of [3H]CP-55940. However, IgG raised against the amino-side IL3 diminished the agonist-dependent inhibition of adenylate cyclase. These experiments suggest that the juxtamembrane carboxyl terminus is critical for G protein activation by CB1 cannabinoid receptors and that the amino-side IL3 also may interact with Gi proteins leading to inhibition of adenylate cyclase.

The use of enaminones as effective synthons for a directed C-H functionalization is reported. Proof-of-concept protocols have been developed for the Rh(III) -catalyzed synthesis of naphthalenes, based on the coupling of enaminones with either alkynes or α-diazo-β-ketoesters. Two inherently reactive functionalities (hydroxy and aldehyde groups) are integrated into the newly formed cyclic framework and a broad range of substituents are tolerated, rendering target products readily available for further elaboration.