Stepwise Route Research Articles

Rearrangement of Arylsulfamates and Sulfates to Para-Sulfonyl Anilines and Phenols.

The C(sp2)-aryl sulfonate functional group is found in bioactive molecules, but their synthesis can involve extreme temperatures (>190 °C or flash vacuum pyrolysis) and strongly acidic reaction conditions. Inspired by the 1917 Tyrer industrial process for a sulfa dye that involved an aniline N(sp2)-SO3 intermediate en route to a C(sp2)-SO3 rearranged product, we investigated tributylsulfoammonium betaine (TBSAB) as a milder N-sulfamation to C-sulfonate relay reagent. Initial investigations of a stepwise route involving TBSAB on selected anilines at room temperature enabled the isolation of N(sp2)-sulfamate. Subsequent thermal rearrangement demonstrated the intermediary of a sulfamate en route to the sulfonate; however, it was low-yielding. Investigation of the N-sulfamate to C--sulfonate mechanism through control experiments with variation at the heteroatom positions and kinetic isotope experiments (KIEH/D) confirmed the formation of a key N(sp2)-SO3 intermediate and further confirmed an intermolecular mechanism. Furthermore, compounds without an accessible nitrogen (or oxygen) lone pair did not undergo sulfamation- (or sulfation) -to-sulfonation under these conditions. A one-pot sulfamation and thermal sulfonation reaction was ultimately developed and explored on a range of aniline and heterocyclic scaffolds with high conversions, including N(sp2)-sulfamates (O(sp2)-sulfates) and C(sp2)-sulfonates, in up to 99 and 80% (and 88% for a phenolic example) isolated yield, respectively. Encouragingly, the ability to modulate the ortho-para selectivity of the products obtained was observed under thermal control. A sulfonated analog of the intravenous anesthetic propofol was isolated (88% yield), demonstrating a proof-of-concept modification of a licensed drug alongside a range of nitrogen- and sulfur-containing heterocyclic fragments used in drug discovery.

Differentiation route determines the functional outputs of adult megakaryopoiesis

Emerging evidence has revealed a direct differentiation route from hematopoietic stem cells to megakaryocytes (direct route), in addition to the classical differentiation route through a series of restricted hematopoietic progenitors (stepwise route). This raises the question of the importance of two alternative routes for megakaryopoiesis. Here, we developed fate-mapping systems to distinguish the two routes, comparing their quantitative and functional outputs. We found that megakaryocytes were produced through the two routes with comparable kinetics and quantity under homeostasis. Single-cell RNA sequencing of the fate-mapped megakaryocytes revealed that the direct and stepwise routes contributed to the niche-supporting and immune megakaryocytes, respectively, but contributed to the platelet-producing megakaryocytes together. Megakaryocytes derived from the two routes displayed different activities and were differentially regulated by chemotherapy and inflammation. Our work links differentiation route to the heterogeneity of megakaryocytes. Alternative differentiation routes result in variable combinations of functionally distinct megakaryocyte subpopulations poised for different physiological demands.

Novel direct synthetic route of 2D Prussian Blue analogue, nanocrystalline CuHCF, as highly effective cathode materials for Zn-ion supercapacitors

Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) with 2D morphology of nanocrystals have attracted much attention for aqueous electrolyte-based energy storage devices. In this study, we synthesized a 2D Prussian blue analogue, nanocrystals of copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF), via a facile stepwise route involving a modified copper substrate of Cu(OH)2 nanorods that was used for the formation of two-dimensional CuHCF crystals. These materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The cathode based on 2D CuHCF exhibits high specific capacity (240 F/g (63.9 mAh/g) at 0.1 A/g) with excellent cycling stability (98.5% retention after 1000 charge-discharge cycles) in 3 M ZnSO4 electrolyte. The flat two-dimensional morphology of CuHCF provides sufficient ion diffusion channels and the numerous electroactive interfaces for intercalation charge storage.

The Diels–Alder Reaction between Euparin and Dimethyl Acetylenedicarboxylate; a Joint Experimental and Density Functional Theory Study

In this project, we have investigated the Diels–Alder (DA) reaction between euparin (as a natural furan derivative) and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) as an electrophilic acetylene. The experimental observations during the reaction in different conditions showed that the yield and the rate of the process would increase with increasing the polarity of the solvent. Such observation suspected us that like several recent reports, the mechanism of this DA reaction takes place through a stepwise route containing a zwitterionic intermediate or at least through a relatively polar transition state (TS). Next, during the density functional theory (DFT) studies and the potential energy surface (PES) investigations, we have detected a stepwise reaction pathway in parallel with the one-step route. The results of this work are in agreement with the recent reports about the competition between the one-step and multisteps routes in the DA reactions.

Mechanistic insight into the carboxylic derivatives formation from CO2 and ethylene over iron(0)-based catalyst

Since the 1980s, nickel/palladium-based catalysts have been extensively studied for the coupling reactions of CO2 and ethylene. In this study, the CO2 and ethylene coupling mediated by the iron(0)-based catalyst with a bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethane (dcpe) ligand was systematically investigated by means of DFT calculations. The DFT functionals were first subjected to a benchmark test in order to describe an iron-catalyzed reaction with a two-state reactivity (TSR). For the Fe/dcpe catalytic system, the formation of the five-membered iron-lactone 3 follows a stepwise route, which is easy to occur with a low energy barrier of 13.8 kcal/mol. The competing reactions by CO2 insertion and β-H elimination determine the fate of the five-membered iron-lactone 3, which may lead to the formation of three different products, including the formation of i) succinic acid, ii) iso-methylmalonic acid, and iii) acrylic acid. The calculated TOFs showed that CO2 insertion into the five-membered iron-lactone 3 is more likely to occur (1.67 h−1 for the formation of succinic acid) compared with the β-H elimination leading to iso-methylmalonic acid and acrylic acid. Interestingly, β-H elimination can be effectively facilitated by addition of the electrophiles, and a comparable TOF of 0.042 h−1 was obtained for the formation of methyl acrylate in the presence of CH3I. Unlike nickel-/palladium-catalyzed CO2 and ethylene coupling reactions, all four iron(0)-catalyzed reaction routes investigated herein showed a two-state reactivity scenario involving spin crossover between triplet and quintet PESs. This study provides a mechanistic understanding of the intriguing iron(0)-catalyzed CO2 and ethylene coupling reactions, which may shed some light on the development of green catalysts for CO2 utilization.

Rapid Single-Shot Synthesis of the 214 Amino Acid-Long N-Terminal Domain of Pyocin S2.

The impermeable outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is bypassed by antibacterial proteins known as S-type pyocins. Because of their properties, pyocins are investigated as a potential new class of antimicrobials against Pseudomonas infections. Their production and modification, however, remain challenging. To address this limitation, we employed automated fast-flow peptide synthesis for the rapid production of a pyocin S2 import domain. The N-terminal domain sequence (PyS2NTD) was synthesized in under 10 h and purified to yield milligram quantities of the desired product. To our knowledge, the 214 amino acid sequence of PyS2NTD is among the longest peptides produced from a "single-shot" synthesis, i.e., made in a single stepwise route without the use of ligation techniques. Biophysical characterization of the PyS2NTD with circular dichroism was consistent with the literature reports. Fluorescently labeled PyS2NTD binds to P. aeruginosa expressing the cognate ferripyoverdine receptor and is taken up into the periplasm. This selective uptake was validated with confocal and super resolution microscopy, flow cytometry, and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. These modified, synthetic S-type pyocin domains can be used to probe import mechanisms of P. aeruginosa and leveraged to develop selective antimicrobial agents that bypass the outer membrane.

Hierarchical Design of Co(OH)2/Ni3S2 Heterostructure on Nickel Foam for Energy Storage

In this study, we rationally designed a facile stepwise route and successfully synthesized a Co(OH)2/Ni3S2 heterostructure supported on nickel foam (NF) as a binder-free electrode for energy storage. Galvanostatic deposition was first applied to produce uniform Co(OH)2 nanoflakes on NF. Then, Ni3S2 was applied to its surface by potentiostatic deposition to form a Co(OH)2/Ni3S2 heterostructure at room temperature. The added Co(OH)2 not only functions as a practical electrochemically active component but also provides support for the growth of Ni3S2, and the deposition amount of Ni3S2 is controlled by adjusting the electrodeposition duration of Ni3S2. Then, the electrochemical behaviors of the Co(OH)2/Ni3S2 composite can be optimized. A maximum areal specific capacitance (Cs) of 5.73 F cm−2 at 2 mA cm−2 was achieved, and the coulombic efficiency was as high as 94.14%. A capacitance retention of 84.38% was measured after 5000 charge–discharge cycles.

A stepwise route to domesticate rice by controlling seed shattering and panicle shape

Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.) is consumed by more than half of the world's population. Despite its global importance, the process of early rice domestication remains unclear. During domestication, wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.) acquired non-seed-shattering behavior, allowing humans to increase grain yield. Previous studies argued that a reduction in seed shattering triggered by the sh4 mutation led to increased yield during rice domestication, but our experiments using wild introgression lines show that the domesticated sh4 allele alone is insufficient for shattering loss in O. rufipogon. The interruption of abscission layer formation requires both sh4 and qSH3 mutations, demonstrating that the selection of shattering loss in wild rice was not as simple as previously suggested. Here we identified a causal single-nucleotide polymorphism at qSH3 within the seed-shattering gene OsSh1, which is conserved in indica and japonica subspecies but absent in the circum-aus group of rice. Through harvest experiments, we further demonstrated that seed shattering alone did not significantly impact yield; rather, yield increases were observed with closed panicle formation controlled by SPR3 and further augmented by nonshattering, conferred by integration of sh4 and qSH3 alleles. Complementary manipulation of panicle shape and seed shattering results in a mechanically stable panicle structure. We propose a stepwise route for the earliest phase of rice domestication, wherein selection of visible SPR3-controlled closed panicle morphology was instrumental in the sequential recruitment of sh4 and qSH3, which together led to the loss of shattering.

Low-Valent Zirconocene-Mediated Synthesis of Porphyrin(2.1.2.1)s and Its Extension to Synthesis of a Porphyrin(2.1.2.1) Nanobarrel.

Rosenthal's-reagent-mediated intramolecular cyclometallation of α,α-dialkynyldipyrrin nickel(II) complex and subsequent acid treatment afforded a 1,3-butadiene-embedded porphyrin(2.1.2.1), 6, which served as a reactive diene towards dienophiles such as dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) and benzyne to give corresponding Diels-Alder adducts. Diels-Alder reaction of 6 and benzdiyne gave adducts 14, 15 a, and 15 b along with a trace amount of porphyrin(2.1.2.1) barrel 13. Stepwise routes using 14 or 15 a/15 b as a substrate allowed for the synthesis of 13 as a single stereoisomer. The nanobarrel structure for 13 was revealed by X-ray diffraction, where its cavity held two chloroform molecules via C-H⋅⋅⋅π interaction. DFT calculations revealed that the electrostatic attraction was dominant with binding energy of 32.8 kcal mol-1 .

Low‐Valent Zirconocene‐Mediated Synthesis of Porphyrin(2.1.2.1)s and Its Extension to Synthesis of a Porphyrin(2.1.2.1) Nanobarrel

AbstractRosenthal's‐reagent‐mediated intramolecular cyclometallation of α,α‐dialkynyldipyrrin nickel(II) complex and subsequent acid treatment afforded a 1,3‐butadiene‐embedded porphyrin(2.1.2.1), 6, which served as a reactive diene towards dienophiles such as dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) and benzyne to give corresponding Diels–Alder adducts. Diels–Alder reaction of 6 and benzdiyne gave adducts 14, 15 a, and 15 b along with a trace amount of porphyrin(2.1.2.1) barrel 13. Stepwise routes using 14 or 15 a/15 b as a substrate allowed for the synthesis of 13 as a single stereoisomer. The nanobarrel structure for 13 was revealed by X‐ray diffraction, where its cavity held two chloroform molecules via C−H⋅⋅⋅π interaction. DFT calculations revealed that the electrostatic attraction was dominant with binding energy of 32.8 kcal mol−1.

Rationalizing the Mechanism of Peroxyformate Decomposition: Computational Insights To Understand Solvent Influence.

The heterolytic decomposition of tert‐butyl peroxyformate to tert‐butanol and carbon dioxide, catalyzed by pyridine, is a long‐known example of a reaction whose kinetics are strongly affected by solvent polarity. From DFT and ab initio methods together with the SMD implicit solvation model, an extension on the formerly accepted mechanism is proposed. This novel proposal involves the formation of a carbonic acid ester intermediate and its further decomposition, through an unreported pyridine‐mediated stepwise route. Computed barriers for this mechanism at DLPNO/CCSD(T)‐def2‐TZVP are in excellent agreement with experimental kinetic data across different solvents. Furthermore, the strong relationships between activation energies, geometric parameters in the transition state and the characteristics of the different solvents are also analyzed in depth.

Simultaneous adsorption of cationic and anionic dyes using a novel multifunctional mesoporous silica

In the present work a multifunctional nanoadsorbent was synthesized via a well-designed stepwise route, led to the grafting of an amine group on the interior and acidic sites on the exterior of bimodal mesoporous silica nanoparticles (UVM-7). First, amine and thiol groups were grafted on the interior and exterior pores of silica through co-condensation and post synthesis treatment, respectively. Then, the oxidation of thiol on UVM-7 caused to create sulfonic acid and the subsequent template extraction was carried out to obtain the NH2/UVM-7/SO3H. The results of XRD, the nitrogen sorption, SEM, TEM, FT-IR and elemental analysis revealed the presence of both types of functional groups on UVM-7. Then, simultaneous adsorption of anionic and cationic dyes (Methylene Blue [MB] and Direct Red 23 [Dr]) using NH2/UVM-7/SO3H was investigated. UV-Vis spectrophotometry was utilized for the determination of dyes in single and binary solutions. Langmuir and Freundlich models were used for the fitting of obtained experimental adsorption data and the constants of both isotherms were calculated for MB and Dr. Morover, the calculation of thermodynamic parameters revealed that the adsorption of MB and Dr on NH2/UVM-7/SO3H was endothermic and spontaneous.

Prins-Friedel-Crafts Cyclization: Synthesis of Diversely Functionalized Six- Membered Oxacycles

Prins cyclization is a well-established synthetic protocol to generate a wide range of important oxygen heterocycles. It is a cyclization reaction performed by an oxocarbenium ion that undergoes an intramolecular pi-bond attack to construct a new carbon-carbon bond. When this cyclization process is conjugated with Friedel-Crafts reaction, it further expands the synthetic potential by fabricating two different carbon-carbon bonds in one single reaction. Different acid catalysts mediated the coupled Prins-Friedel-Crafts reaction which is conducted both in stepwise as well as in tandem fashion. In the stepwise route, three different reacting components were utilized whereas, the tandem methodology required proper modification of the initial substrate molecule. An array of allylic, propargylic, other related alkenols, and carbonyl reactants were employed to carry out the cyclization process. Several oxygenated heterocycles equipped with diverse functionalities were constructed in a stereoselective manner which again reinforced the significance of this cyclization protocol undoubtedly. The present mini-review highlights the utilization of different one-pot stepwise Prins-Friedel-Crafts reactions and the subsequent development of cascade Prins- Friedel-Crafts cyclization process to furnish intricate molecular architectures of vital six-membered oxacycles.

Assessing metabolic similarity for read-across predictions

Read-across is one of the most frequently used non-animal approaches for filling toxicological data gaps. There is a universal realization that considerations of the metabolic fates of the target substance and proposed source analogue(s) are important in accepting or rejecting a read-across hypothesis. Comparisons of target and source metabolic information most often suffers from the lack of experimental data. These data voids have prompted the development and use of alternative methods. With various limitations, several in silico tools are available to aid an evaluator in appraising metabolic similarity. Metabolic maps, arrays of 2D molecular structures of (a)biotic transformation products, allow for side-by-side visual comparison of stepwise routes of conversion of the target and source chemicals. There are two varieties of metabolic maps – documented and simulated. A document metabolic map is one derived for in vivo or in vitro experimental data. A simulated one is a map derived from metabolic pathway predictions of possible or probable metabolites coupled with expert judgment. Here, through a series of examples, the advantages of using the metabolic information, provided by the OASIS software, are exemplified. This will aid in establishing metabolic consistency between the chemicals used in a read-across argument (i.e., establish similarity in their (a)biotic transformations). Of particular importance are found to be the identification of common metabolic pathway(s), common metabolite(s), and similarity concerning the formation of reactive metabolites.

A green process PEG‐600 mediated on‐pot, alternative synthesis of 3‐methyl‐2‐(((1‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazole‐2‐YL) sulfonyl) methyl) quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one

AbstractCondensation of 2‐((1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl)thio)acetic acid (1) with anthranilamide (2) in PEG‐600 (polyethylene glycol), at 100 oC for 3hr. gave 2‐(((1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl)thio)methyl)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one (3). Treatment of 3 with DMS, DES and Ph‐CH2‐Cl, individually in PEG‐600, at RT for 1 hr. without using any base, followed by easy process resulted in 4 (a‐c). The later on reaction with H2O2 in PEG‐600, for 3 hr, without using any base, followed by simple processing resulted in 5 (a‐c). Alternatively, 5 (a‐c) the sequence of reactions could be prepared by tandem procedure with good yields. Thus novel quinazolinone products have been prepared with new synthetic routes and strategies by using PEG‐600 as solvent, in polyethylene glycol (PEG‐600) in four routes. i.e. (tandem‐1, tandem‐2, stepwise‐1 and stepwise‐2) Probably, this is the first case of four variable but identical end‐products‐ giving tandem syntheses, under green conditions, of 5 (a‐c). Obviously, as figures pointed out, tandem‐1 route gave good yields compared to the stepwise routes. In this process PEG‐600 recycled and reused.

Intercalating behavior of Ti(IV) polycations in protonated layered KNb3O8 and photocatalytic performance of the TiO2-pillared layered HNb3O8

TiO2-pillared layered niobic acid was prepared through a stepwise ion-exchange route, in which n-decylamine-pre-swelled layered niobic acid was subjected to react with the pillaring solution containing Ti(IV) polycations obtained by using tetrabutyl titanate as titanium source; then, the as-synthesized Ti(IV) polycation-intercalated layered intermediate was calcined at 723 K in air atmosphere. Powder XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and DR-UV–Vis techniques were employed to characterize the structure and photo-absorption property of the TiO2-pillared layered niobic acid products and their precursors. The catalytic performance of the TiO2-pillared layered products for photodegradation reaction of rhodamine B under ultraviolet light irradiation was also evaluated. The laws of Ti(IV) pillaring solution concentration affecting on the intercalating behavior of Ti(IV) polycations in layered niobic acid, and on the structure and photocatalytic performance of the final TiO2-pillared layered products were revealed. Compared with pure TiO2 or un-pillared layered niobic acid, the binary TiO2-pillared layered niobic acid product exhibited an excellent catalytic activity for the photodegradation reaction of rhodamine B.

Chiral 7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane Building Blocks for Prostanoids

Methyl (Z)-3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S)-5-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-3,4-(isopropylidenedioxy)tetrahydrofuran-2-yl]-prop-2-enoate was synthesized, and its intramolecular carbocyclization was studied. This reaction proceeds smoothly and quickly under the action of t-BuOK in THF, leading to three cycles with the methoxy and methoxycarbonylmethyl side substituents trans to each other. A stepwise route for the formation of methyl (1R,2R,6S,7R,8R,9R)-9-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-4,4-dimethyl-3,5,10-trioxatricyclo[5,2,1,02,6]decane-8-carboxylate and methyl (1R,2R,6S,7R,8S,9S)-9-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-4,4-dimethyl-3.5,10-trioxatricyclo-[5,2,1,02,6]decane-8-carboxylate with the trans orientation of the side substituents is proposed. The observed stereochemical result of the reaction is interpreted in terms of epimerization in the C1 and C4 centers of methyl (Z)-3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S)-5-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-3,4-(isopropylidenedioxy)-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl]prop-2-enoate, which ultimately leads to the cyclized β,β’-cis diastereomer of methyl (Z)-3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S)-5-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-3,4-(isopropylidenedioxy)-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl]prop-2-enoate and the corresponding α,α’-cis diastereomer, a precursor of methyl (1R,2R,6S,7R,8S,9S)-9-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-4,4-dimethyl-3,5,10-trioxatricyclo[5,2,1,02,6]decane-8-carboxylate.

Understanding the mechanism of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between a thioformaldehyde S-oxide and cyclobutadiene: Competition between the stepwise and concerted routes

Changing the mechanism of the widely used 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction from its usual asynchronous one-step pattern to the rarely observed stepwise form leads to the emergence of intermediates, side products, and other impurities. Thus, it is crucial to determine the nature of the mechanism of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between a special 1,3-dipole and a specified dipolarophile (by theoretical methods) before using them for synthesizing a desired product. In this study, therefore, we have investigated the possibility of some probable intermediates emergence in the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between cyclobutadiene and thioformaldehyde S-oxide. The results showed that emergence of Int (B) (−52.1 kcal mol−1) via transition state (B-1) is favorable both thermodynamically and kinetically (in comparison with all other stepwise routes). That is, developing probable impurities should not be neglected at least in the cases of the reactions between some thioformaldehyde S-oxide and some dipolarophiles.

Effects of water, ammonia and formic acid on HO2 + Cl reactions under atmospheric conditions: competition between a stepwise route and one elementary step.

Quantum chemical calculations at M06-2X and CCSD(T) levels of theory have been performed to investigate the effects of H2O, NH3, and HCOOH on the HO2 + Cl → HCl + O2 reaction. The results show that catalyzed reactions with three catalysts could proceed through two different mechanisms, namely a stepwise route and one elementary step, where the former reaction is more favorable than the latter. Meanwhile, for the stepwise route, a single hydrogen atom transfer pathway in the presence of all catalysts has more advantages than the respective double hydrogen atom transfer pathway. Then, the relative impacts of catalysts under tropospheric conditions were investigated by considering the temperature dependence of the rate constants and the altitude dependence of catalyst concentrations. The calculated results show that at 0 km altitude, the HO2 + Cl → HCl + O2 reaction with catalysts, such as H2O, NH3, or HCOOH, cannot compete with the reaction without a catalyst, as the effective rate constant with a catalyst is smaller by 2–6 orders of magnitude than the naked reaction within the temperature range 280–320 K. The calculated results also show that at altitudes of 5, 10 and 15 km, the effective rate constant of the HCOOH-catalyzed reaction increases obviously with an increase in altitude. At 15 km altitude, its value is up to 9.63 × 10−11 cm3 per molecule per s, which is close to the corresponding value of the reaction without a catalyst, showing that the contribution of HCOOH to the HO2 + Cl → HCl + O2 reaction cannot be neglected at high altitudes. The new findings in this investigation are not only of great necessity and importance for elucidating the gas-phase reaction of HO2 with Cl in the presence of acidic, neutral and basic catalysts, but are also of great interest for understanding the importance of other types of hydrogen abstraction in the atmosphere.

Atmospheric chemistry of the self-reaction of HO2 radicals: stepwise mechanism versus one-step process in the presence of (H2O)n (n = 1-3) clusters.

The effects of water on radical-radical reactions are of great importance for the elucidation of the atmospheric oxidation process of free radicals. In the present work, the HO2 + HO2 reactions with (H2O)n (n = 1-3) have been investigated using quantum chemical methods and canonical variational transition state theory with small curvature tunneling. We have explored both one-step and stepwise mechanisms, in particular the stepwise mechanism initiated by ring enlargement. The calculated results have revealed that the stepwise mechanism is the dominant one in the HO2 + HO2 reaction that is catalyzed by one water molecule. This is because its pseudo-first-order rate constant (kRWM1') is 3 orders of magnitude larger than that of the corresponding one-step mechanism. Additionally, the value of kRWM1' at 298 K has been found to be 4.3 times larger than that of the rate constant of the HO2 + HO2 reaction (kR1) without catalysts, which is in good agreement with the experimental findings. The calculated results also showed that the stepwise mechanism is still dominant in the (H2O)2 catalyzed reaction due to its higher pseudo-first-order rate constant, which is 3 orders of magnitude larger than that of the corresponding one-step mechanism. On the other hand, the one-step process is much faster than the stepwise mechanism by a factor of 105-106 in the (H2O)3 catalyzed reaction. However, the pseudo-first-order rate constants for the (H2O)2 and (H2O)3-catalyzed reactions are lower than that of the H2O-catalyzed reaction by 3-4 orders of magnitude, which indicates that the water monomer is the most efficient one among all the catalysts of (H2O)n (n = 1-3). The present results have provided a definitive example that water and water clusters have important influences on atmospheric reactions.