Influence of methanol on the phase behavior of nonionic fluorinated surfactant: Relation to the structure of mesoporous silica materials

We have investigated the effect of methanol addition on the R^F₈(EO)₉ and R^F₇(EO)₈ surfactant-based systems. While upon the addition of methanol the L₁ micellar phase grows, the direct hexagonal (H₁) and the lamellar (L_α) liquid crystals progressively melt with the increase of alcohol content. Phase behavior and SAXS measurements proved that methanol molecules interact with the oxyethylene units of the surfactant. This involves a folding up of the hydrophobic chains in the liquid crystal phases. Moreover, for the R^F₇(EO)₈ surfactant, the cloud point curve is shifted to high temperatures upon addition of alcohol. Starting from these systems, we have prepared mesoporous materials. Results show that due to the hydrogen bonds between the alcohol and the EO groups, the hexagonal structure of the mesostructured silica obtained from R^F₈(EO)₉ is lost when the content of CH₃OH is increased. In contrast, for the compounds prepared from the R^F₇(EO)₈-based system, the pore ordering occurs in the presence of alcohol. This phenomenon has been related to the moving of the cloud point curve toward high temperatures with the addition of methanol. Our study reveals also that under our conditions the methanol released during the hydrolysis of the silica precursor does not affect the self-assembly mechanism in a positive or negative way.     

Hierarchically Organized Silica–Titania Monoliths Prepared under Purely Aqueous Conditions

Hierarchically organized silica–titania monoliths were synthesized under purely aqueous conditions by applying a new ethylene glycol‐modified single‐source precursor, such as 3‐[3‐{tris(2‐hydroxyethoxy)silyl}propyl]acetylacetone coordinated to a titanium center. The influence of the silicon‐ and titanium‐containing single‐source precursor, the novel glycolated organofunctional silane, and the addition of tetrakis(2‐hydroxyethyl)orthosilicate on the formation of the final porous network was investigated by SEM, TEM, nitrogen sorption, and SAXS/WAXS. In situ SAXS measurements were performed to obtain insight into the development of the mesoporous network during sol–gel transition. IR‐ATR, UV/Vis, XPS, and XAFS measurements showed that up to a Si/Ti ratio of 35:1, well‐dispersed titanium centers in a macro‐/mesoporous SiO₂ network with a specific surface area of up to 582 m² g^?1 were obtained. An increase in Ti content resulted in a decrease in specific surface area and a loss of the cellular character of the macroporous network. With a 1:1 Si/Ti ratio, silica–titania powders with circa 100 m² g^?1 and anatase domains within the SiO₂ matrix were obtained.     

Synthesis of Mesoporous Transition‐Metal Phosphates by Polymeric Micelle Assembly

Mesoporous iron phosphate (FePO₄) was synthesized through assembly of polymeric micelles made of asymmetric triblock co‐polymer (polystyrene‐b‐poly‐2‐vinylpyridine‐b‐ethylene oxide; PS‐PVP‐PEO). The phosphoric acid solution stimulates the formation of micelles with core–shell‐corona architecture. The negatively charged PO₄^3? ions dissolved in the solution strongly interact with the positively charged PVP⁺ units through an electrostatic attraction. Also, the presence of PO₄^3? ions realizes a bridge between the micelle surface and the metal ions. The removal of polymeric template forms the robust framework of iron phosphate with 30 nm pore diameter and 15 nm wall thickness. Our method is applicable to other mesoporous metal phosphates by changing metal sources. The obtained materials were fully characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), N₂ adsorption–desorption, Raman spectroscope, and other techniques.     

Multiresponsive Viscoelastic Vesicle Gels of Nonionic C12EO4 and Anionic AzoNa

Viscoelastic vesicle gels were prepared by mixing a nonionic surfactant, tetraethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C₁₂EO₄), and an anionic dye, sodium 4‐phenylazobenzoic acid (AzoNa). The gels, which were composed of multilamellar vesicles, were analyzed by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo‐TEM), freeze–fracture transmission electron microscopy (FF‐TEM), ²H NMR spectroscopy, and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). The mechanism of vesicle‐gel formation is explained by the influence of anionic molecules on the bilayer bending modulus. Interestingly, the vesicle gels were observed to be sensitive to temperature, pH, and light. The viscoelastic vesicle gels respond to heat; they thin at lower temperatures and become thicker at higher temperatures. The vesicle gels are only stable from pH 7 to 11, and the gels become thinner outside of this range. UV light can also trigger a structural phase transition from micelles to multilamellar vesicle gels.     

Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of NCN‐Pincer Pd‐Complex‐Bound Norvalines

The NCN‐pincer Pd‐complex‐bound norvalines Boc‐D /L ‐[PdCl(dpb)]Nva‐OMe ( 1 ) were synthesized in multigram quantities. The molecular structure and absolute configuration of 1 were unequivocally determined by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. The robustness of 1 under acidic/basic conditions provides a wide range of N‐/C‐terminus convertibility based on the related synthetic transformations. Installation of a variety of functional groups into the N‐/C‐terminus of 1 was readily carried out through N‐Boc‐ or C‐methyl ester deprotection and subsequent condensations with carboxylic acids, R¹COOH, or amines, R²NH₂, to give the corresponding N‐/C‐functionalized norvalines R¹‐D /L ‐[PdCl(dpb)]Nva‐R² 2 – 9 . The dipeptide bearing two Pd units 10 was successfully synthesized through the condensation of C‐free 1 with N‐free 1 . The robustness of these Pd‐bound norvalines was adequately demonstrated by the preservation of the optical purity and Pd unit during the synthetic transformations. The lipophilic Pd‐bound norvalines L ‐ 2 , Boc‐L ‐[PdCl(dpb)]Nva‐NH‐n‐C₁₁H₂₃, and L ‐ 4 , n‐C₄H₉CO‐L ‐[PdCl(dpb)]Nva‐NH‐n‐C₁₁H₂₃, self‐assembled in aromatic solvents to afford supramolecular gels. The assembled structures in a thermodynamically stable single crystal of L ‐ 2 and kinetically stable supramolecular aggregates of L ‐ 2 were precisely elucidated by cryo‐TEM, WAX, SAXS, UV/Vis, IR analyses, and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. An antiparallel β‐sheet‐type aggregate consisting of an infinite one‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding network of amide groups and π‐stacking of PdCl(dpb) moieties was observed in the supramolecular gel fiber of L ‐ 2 , even though discrete dimers are assembled through hydrogen bonding in the thermodynamically stable single crystal of L ‐ 2 . The disparate DSC profiles of the single crystal and xerogel of L ‐ 2 indicate different thermodynamics of the molecular assembly process.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity of Diazene Adducts: Isolation of iso‐Diazene Stabilized as a Borane Adduct

This work describes the synthesis and full characterization of a series of GaCl₃ and B(C₆F₅)₃ adducts of diazenes R¹?N?N?R² (R¹=R²=Me₃Si, Ph; R¹=Me₃Si, R²=Ph). Trans‐Ph?N?N?Ph forms a stable adduct with GaCl₃, whereas no adduct, but instead a frustrated Lewis acid–base pair is formed with B(C₆F₅)₃. The cis‐Ph?N?N?Ph ? B(C₆F₅)₃ adduct could only be isolated when UV light was used, which triggers the isomerization from trans‐ to cis‐Ph?N?N?Ph, which provides more space for the bulky borane. Treatment of trans‐Ph?N?N?SiMe₃ with GaCl₃ led to the expected trans‐Ph?N?N?SiMe₃ ? GaCl₃ adduct but the reaction with B(C₆F₅)₃ triggered a 1,2‐Me₃Si shift, which resulted in the formation of a highly labile iso‐diazene, Me₃Si(Ph)N?N; stabilized as a B(C₆F₅)₃ adduct. Trans‐Me₃Si?N?N?SiMe₃ forms a labile cis‐Me₃Si?N?N?SiMe₃ ? B(C₆F₅)₃ adduct, which isomerizes to give the transient iso‐diazene species (Me₃Si)₂N?N ? B(C₆F₅)₃ upon heating. Both iso‐diazene species insert easily into one B?C bond of B(C₆F₅)₃ to afford hydrazinoboranes. All new compounds were fully characterized by means of X‐ray crystallography, vibrational spectroscopy, CHN analysis, and NMR spectroscopy. All compounds were further investigated by DFT and the bonding situation was assessed by natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis.     

Salt‐induced microphase separation of amorphous dendritic poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐linear polystyrene copolymers

We prepared two block copolymers 1 and 2 consisting of a third‐generation dendron with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) peripheries and a linear polystyrene (PS) coil. The PS molecular weights were 2000 g/mol and 8000 g/mol for 1 and 2 , respectively. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data indicated that neither of the block copolymers showed glass transition, implying that there was no microphase separation between the PEO and PS blocks. However, upon doping the block copolymers with lithium triflate (lithium concentration per ethylene oxide unit = 0.2), two distinct glass transitions were seen, corresponding to the salt‐doped PEO and PS blocks, respectively. The morphological analysis using small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrated that a hexagonal columnar morphology was induced in salt‐doped sample 1‐Li⁺ , whereas the other sample ( 2‐Li⁺ ) with a longer PS coil revealed a lamellar structure. In particular, in the SAXS data of 2‐Li⁺ , an abrupt reduction in the lamellar thickness was observed near the PS glass transition temperature (T_g), in contrast to the SAXS data for 1‐Li⁺ . This reduction implies that there is a lateral expansion of the molecular section in the lamellar structure, which can be interpreted by the conformational energy stabilization of the long PS coil above T_g. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2372–2376, 2010     

Solid Polymer Electrolyte Based on Pluronic P123 Triblock Copolymer‐Siloxane Organic‐Inorganic Hybrid

A novel organic‐inorganic hybrid electrolyte based on poly(ethylene oxide)‐poly(propylene oxide)‐poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer (Pluronic P123) complexed with LiClO₄ via the co‐condensation of an epoxy trialkoxysilane and tetraethylorthosilicate was prepared. Characterization was made by a variety of techniques including powder X‐ray diffraction, AC impedance, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and multinuclear solid state NMR measurements. The hybrid with [O]/[Li] = 16 exhibited a mesophase with a certain degree of ordering, which arose by the self‐assembly of P123 with the silica network. The P123 triblock copolymer acts as a structure‐directing surfactant to organize with silica networks and as a polymer matrix to dissolve alkali lithium salts as well. The DSC results indicated the formation of transient crosslinking between Li⁺ ions and the ether oxygens of the EO and PO segments, resulting in an increase the T_g with increasing salt concentrations. Variable temperature ⁷Li‐{¹H} MAS NMR spectra revealed the presence of two different local environments for lithium cations, probably due to the lithium cations in the polymer‐rich domain and in the silica‐rich domain, respectively. A combination of XRD and conductivity results suggests that the drastically enhanced conductivity for the ordered hybrid electrolyte is closely related to the formation of mesophase, which may provide unique Li⁺ conducting pathways.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of Structurally Analogous Phenylimido and Oxo Complexes of Rhenium(V) with N,N‐Dialkyl‐N′‐benzoylthioureas

[ReOCl₃(PPh₃)₂] and [Re(NPh)Br₃(PPh₃)₂] react at room temperature with equivalent amounts of N,N‐dialkyl‐N′‐benzoylthioureas (HR¹R²btu) in CH₂Cl₂ under formation of the rhenium(V) complexes [ReOCl₂(R¹R¹btu)(PPh₃)] and [Re(NPh)Br₂(R¹R²btu)(PPh₃)], respectively. The products are structurally analogous with the oxygen atoms of the benzoylthioureas binding in trans positions to the oxo or phenylimido ligands. Prolonged reaction times result in the reduction of the oxo compound by the released PPh₃ and the formation of rhenium(III) complexes of the composition [ReCl₂(PPh₃)₂(R¹R²btu)], while such a second reaction path is excluded for the phenylimido compound. Phenylimido species with more than one N,N‐dialkyl‐N′‐benzoylthioureato ligand could not be isolated, even when a large excess of HR¹R²btu was used during the reaction.     

Single‐Step Gas‐Phase Polyperfluoroalkylation of Naphthalene Leads to Thermodynamic Products

High‐temperature gas‐phase, solvent‐ and catalyst‐free reaction of naphthalene with an excess of R_FI reagent (R_F?CF₃, C₂F₅, n‐C₃F₇, and n‐C₄F₉) was used for the first time to produce a series of highly perfluoroalkylated naphthalene products NAPH(R_F)_n with n=2–5. Four 95+ % pure 1,3,5,7‐NAPH(R_F)₄ with R_F?CF₃, C₂F₅, n‐C₃F₇, and n‐C₄F₉ were isolated using a simple chromatography‐free procedure. These new compounds were fully characterized by ¹⁹F and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography (for R_F?CF₃ and C₂F₅), atmospheric‐pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry, and cyclic and square‐wave voltammetry. DFT calculations confirm that the proposed synthesis yields the most stable isomers that have not been accessed by alternative preparation techniques.     

Synthesis of Hierarchical Macro‐/Mesoporous Solid‐Solution Photocatalysts by a Polymerization–Carbonization–Oxidation Route: The Case of Ce0.49Zr0.37Bi0.14O1.93

A hierarchical macro‐/mesoporous Ce_0.49Zr_0.37Bi_0.14O_1.93 solid‐solution network has been synthesized on a large scale by means of a simple and general polymerization–carbonization–oxidation synthetic route. The as‐prepared product has been characterized by SEM, XRD, TEM, BET surface area measurement, UV/Vis diffuse‐reflectance spectroscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and photoelectrochemistry measurements. The photocatalytic activity of the product has been demonstrated through the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. Structural characterization has indicated that the hierarchical macro‐/mesoporous solid‐solution network not only contains numerous macropores, but also possesses an interior mesoporous structure. The mesopore size and BET surface area of the network have been measured as 2–25 nm and 140.5 m² g^?1, respectively. The hierarchical macro‐/mesoporous solid‐solution network with open and accessible pores was found to be well‐preserved after calcination at 800 °C, indicating especially high thermal stability. Due to its high specific surface area, the synergistic effect of the coupling of macropores and mesopores, and its high crystallinity, the Ce_0.49Zr_0.37Bi_0.14O_1.93 solid‐solution material shows a strong structure‐induced enhancement of visible‐light harvest and exhibits significantly improved visible‐light photocatalytic activity in the photodegradation of methyl orange compared with those of its other forms, such as mesoporous hollow spheres and bulk particles.     

Mechanism of mesoporous silica formation. A time-resolved NMR and TEM study of silica-block copolymer aggregation

The dynamics of the synthesis of a mesoporous silica material SBA-15 is followed using time-resolved in situ 1H NMR and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Block copolymer-silica particles of two-dimensional hexagonal symmetry evolve from an initially micellar solution. The synthesis was carried out with the block copolymer Pluronic P123 (EO20-PO70-EO20) at 35 degrees C and using tetramethyl orthosilicate as the silica precursor. By using TEM, we can image different stages during the evolution of the synthesis. Flocs of spherical micelles held together by the polymerizing silica are observed prior to precipitation. With time, the structure of these flocs evolves and the transition from spherical to cylindrical hexagonally packed micelles can be monitored. The signal from the methyl protons of the PO part was recorded with 1H NMR. One observes a continuous increase in the signal width but with distinct changes in the spectral characteristics occurring in narrow time intervals. The spectral changes can be attributed to structural changes of the self-assembled aggregates. The 1H NMR and TEM studies reveal the same mechanism of formation. It is concluded that the aggregation is caused by a micelle-micelle attraction induced by oligomeric/polymeric silica that adsorbs to the EO palisade layer of the micelles and has the ability to bridge to another micelle. This adsorption also favors the formation of cylindrical aggregates relative to spherical micelles. The sequence of NMR and TEM observations can then be interpreted as the following sequence of events: (i) silicate adsorption on globular micelles possibly accompanied with some aggregate growth, (ii) the association of these globular micelles into flocs, (iii) the precipitation of these flocs, and (iv) micelle-micelle coalescence generating (semi)infinite cylinders that form the two-dimensional hexagonal packing.     

5‐Methyl‐N‐[2‐nitro‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐amine: a chain of hydrogen‐bonded R22(6) and R22(16) rings

The molecular skeleton of the title compound, C₁₁H₉F₃N₄O₂, is almost planar and exhibits a polarized (charge‐separated) electronic structure in the nitroaniline portion. Molecules are linked by N—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds to form a chain in which centrosymmetric R₂²(6) and R₂²(16) rings alternate.     

Europium‐Doped Mesoporous Titania Thin Films: Rare‐Earth Locations and Emission Fluctuations under Illumination

Herein, Eu^III‐doped 3D mesoscopically ordered arrays of mesoporous and nanocrystalline titania are prepared and studied. The rare‐earth‐doped titania thin films—synthesized via evaporation‐induced self‐assembly (EISA)—are characterized by using environmental ellipsoporosimetry, electronic microscopy (i.e. high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy, HR‐SEM, and transmission electron microscopy, HR‐TEM), X‐ray diffraction, and luminescence spectroscopy. Structural characterizations show that high europium‐ion loadings can be incorporated into the titanium‐dioxide walls without destroying the mesoporous arrangement. The luminescence properties of Eu^III are investigated by using steady‐state and time‐resolved spectroscopy via excitation of the Eu^III ions through the titania host. Using Eu^III luminescence as a probe, the europium‐ion sites can be addressed with at least two different environments within the mesoporous framework, namely, a nanocrystalline environment and a glasslike one. Emission fluctuations (⁵D₀→⁷F₂) are observed upon continuous UV excitation in the host matrix. These fluctuations are attributed to charge trapping and appear to be strongly dependent on the amount of europium and the level of crystallinity.     

Nitridorhenium(V) Complexes with 1,3‐Dialkyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ylidenes

The nitridorhenium(V) complexes [ReNCl₂(PR₂Ph)₃] (R = Me, Et) react with the N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) 1,3‐diethyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐5‐ylidene (L^Et) or 1,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazole‐2‐ylidene (L^Me) in absolutely dry THF under complete replacement of the equatorial coordination sphere. The resulting [ReNCl(L^R)₄]⁺ complexes (L^R = L^Me, L^Et) are moderately stable as solids and in solution, but decompose in hot methanol under formation of [ReO₂(L^R)₄]⁺ complexes. With 1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐5‐ylidene (L^i‐Pr), the loss of the nitrido ligand and the formation of a dioxo species is more rapid and no nitridorhenium intermediate could be isolated. The Re‐C bond lengths in [ReNCl(L^Et)₄]Cl of approximately 2.195Å are relatively long and indicate mainly σ‐bonding in the electron‐deficient d² system under study. The hydrolysis of the nitrido complexes proceeds via the formation of [ReO₃N]^2? anions as could be verified by the isolation and structural characterization of the intermediates [{ReN(PMe₂Ph)₃}{ReO₃N}]₂ and [{ReN(OH₂)(L^Et)₂}₂O][ReO₃N].     

Biomass‐derived Nitrogen and Phosphorus Co‐doped Hierarchical Micro/mesoporous Carbon Materials for High‐performance Non‐enzymatic H2O2 Sensing

Nitrogen and phosphorus co‐doped hierarchical micro/mesoporous carbon (N,P‐MMC) was prepared by simple thermal treatment of freeze‐dried okra in the absence of any other additives. The 0.96 wt % of N and 1.47 wt % of P were simultaneously introduced into the graphitic framework of N,P‐MMC, which also possesses hierarchical porous structure with mesopores centered at 3.6 nm and micropores centered at 0.79 nm. Most importantly, N,P‐MMC carbon exhibits excellent catalytic activity for electrocatalytic reduction of H₂O₂, resulting in a new strategy to construct non‐enzymatic H₂O₂ sensor. The N,P‐MMC‐based H₂O₂ sensor displays two linear detection range about 0.1 mM–10 mM (R²=0.9993) and 20 mM–200 mM (R²=0.9989), respectively. The detection limit is estimated to be 6.8 μM at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3. These findings provide insights into synthesizing functional heteroatoms doped porous carbon materials for biosensing applications.     

Effect of polystyrene‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide) on self‐assembly of polystyrene‐b‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) in aqueous solution

Mixed micelles of polystyrene‐b‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PS‐b‐PNIPAM) and two polystyrene‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymers (PS‐b‐PEO) with different chain lengths of polystyrene in aqueous solution were prepared by adding the tetrahydrofuran solutions dropwise into an excess of water. The formation and stabilization of the resultant mixed micelles were characterized by using a combination of static and dynamic light scattering. Increasing the initial concentration of PS‐b‐PEO in THF led to a decrease in the size and the weight average molar mass (〈M_w〉) of the mixed micelles when the initial concentration of PS‐b‐ PNIPAM was kept as 1 × 10^?3 g/mL. The PS‐b‐PEO with shorter PS block has a more pronounced effect on the change of the size and 〈M_w〉 than that with longer PS block. The number of PS‐b‐PNIPAM in each mixed micelle decreased with the addition of PS‐b‐PEO. The average hydrodynamic radius 〈R_h〉 and average radius of gyration 〈R_g〉 of pure PS‐b‐PNIPAM and mixed micelles gradually decreased with the increase in the temperature. Both the pure micelles and mixed micelles were stable in the temperature range of 18 °C–39 °C. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1168–1174, 2010     

Functionalized Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica: A Highly Enantioselective Catalyst for the Michael Addition of 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds to Nitroalkenes

A functionalized periodic mesoporous organosilica with incorporated chiral bis(cyclohexyldiamine)‐based Ni^II complexes within the silica framework was developed by the co‐condensation of (1R,2R)‐cyclohexyldiamine‐derived silane and ethylene‐bridge silane, followed by the complexation of NiBr₂ in the presence of (1R,2R)‐N,N′‐dibenzylcyclohexyldiamine. Structural characterization by XRD, nitrogen sorption, and TEM disclosed its orderly mesostructure, and FTIR and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy demonstrated the incorporation of well‐defined single‐site bis(cyclohexyldiamine)‐based Ni^II active centers within periodic mesoporous organosilica. As a chiral heterogeneous catalyst, this functionalized periodic mesoporous organosilica showed high catalytic activity and excellent enantioselectivity in the asymmetric Michael addition of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds to nitroalkenes, comparable to those with homogeneous catalysts. In particular, this heterogeneous catalyst could be recovered easily and reused repeatedly up to nine times without obviously affecting its enantioselectivity, thus showing good potential for industrial applications.     

Utilization of Environmentally Benign Dicyandiamide as a Precursor for the Synthesis of Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Nitride and its Application in Base‐Catalyzed Reactions

Assisted by a new dissolution procedure, dicyandiamide (DCDA), an environmentally benign and cheap precursor, has been employed for the synthesis of mesoporous carbon nitride (CN) materials through a nanocasting approach. The synthesized mesoporous materials possessed high specific surface areas (269–715 m² g^?1) with narrow pore‐size distributions (about 5 nm) and faithfully replicated the mesostructures of the SBA‐15 and FDU‐12 templates. Several characterization techniques, including XRD, SAXS, TEM, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, XPS, and CO₂‐TPD, were used to analyze the physicochemical properties of these materials and the results showed that the mesoporous CND materials had graphitic‐like structures and consisted of CN heterocycles, as well as amino groups. In a series of Knoevenagel condensation reactions, as exemplified by the reaction of various aldehydes and nitriles, these mesoporous CND materials demonstrated high and stable catalytic activities, owing to an abundance of basic sites.     

4‐Carboxypiperidinium 1‐carboxycyclobutane‐1‐carboxylate

The title salt, C₆H₁₂NO₂⁺·C₆H₇O₄⁻ or ISO⁺·CBDC⁻, is an ionic ensemble assisted by hydrogen bonds. The amino acid moiety (ISO or piperidine‐4‐carboxylic acid) has a protonated ring N atom (ISO⁺ or 4‐carboxypiperidinium), while the semi‐protonated acid (CBDC⁻ or 1‐carboxycyclobutane‐1‐carboxylate) has the negative charge residing on one carboxylate group, leaving the other as a neutral –COOH group. The –⁺NH₂– state of protonation allows the formation of a two‐dimensional crystal packing consisting of zigzag layers stacked along a separated by van der Waals distances. The layers extend in the bc plane connected by a complex network of N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds. Wave‐like ribbons, constructed from ISO⁺ and CBDC⁻ units and described by the graph‐set symbols C₃³(10) and R₃³(14), run alternately in opposite directions along c. Intercalated between the ribbons are ISO⁺ cations linked by hydrogen bonds, forming rings described by the graph‐set symbols R₆⁶(30) and R₄²(18). A detailed analysis of the structures of the individual components and the intricate hydrogen‐bond network of the crystal structure is given.