Utilization of abundant and cheap carbon sources can effectively reduce the production cost and enhance the economic feasibility. Acetate is a promising carbon source to achieve cost-effective microbial processes. In this study, we engineered an Escherichia coli strain to produce itaconic acid from acetate. As acetate is known to inhibit cell growth, we initially screened for a strain with a high tolerance to 10 g/L of acetate in the medium, and the W strain was selected as the host. Subsequently, the WC strain was obtained by overexpression of cad (encoding cis-aconitate decarboxylase) using a synthetic promoter and 5' UTR. However, the WC strain produced only 0.13 g/L itaconic acid because of low acetate uptake. To improve the production, the acetate assimilating pathway and glyoxylate shunt pathway were amplified by overexpression of pathway genes as well as its deregulation. The resulting strain, WCIAG4 produced 3.57 g/L itaconic acid (16.1% of theoretical maximum yield) after 88 hr of fermentation with rapid acetate assimilation. These efforts support that acetate can be a potential feedstock for biochemical production with engineered E. coli.

The direct synthesis of nitrile from N2 under mild conditions is of great importance and has attracted much interest. Herein, we report a direct conversion of N2 into nitrile via a nitrile–alkyne cross‐metathesis (NACM) process involving a N2‐derived Mo nitride. Treatment of the Mo nitride with alkyne in the presence of KOTf afforded an alkyne‐coordinated nitride, which was then transformed into MoV carbyne and the corresponding nitrile upon 1 e− oxidation. Both aryl‐ and alkyl‐substituted alkynes underwent this process smoothly. Experiments and DFT calculations have proved that the oxidation state of the Mo center plays a crucial role. This method does not rely on the nucleophilicity of the N2‐derived metal nitride, offering a novel strategy for N2 fixation chemistry.

A sustainable and efficient catalyst for converting carbohydrates to a renewable platform chemical 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is the goal in the study of biomass recycling.

The synthesis of N-containing organophosphine compounds using N 2 as the nitrogen source under mild conditions has attracted much attention. Herein, the conversion of N 2 into iminophosphorane was reported. By visible light irradiation, N 2 was split on a Mo II complex bearing a PNCNP ligand, directly forming the Mo V nitride. After the N−P bond formation on the terminal nitride, the N atom from N 2 was ultimately transferred into iminophosphorane. Key intermediates were characterized.