A Practical High-Energy Cathode for Sodium-Ion Batteries Based on Uniform P2-Na0.7CoO2 Microspheres

Layered metal oxides have attracted increasing attention as cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, the application of such cathode materials is still hindered by their poor rate capability and cycling stability. Here, a facile self-templated strategy is developed to synthesize uniform P2-Na_0.7CoO₂ microspheres. Due to the unique microsphere structure, the contact area of the active material with electrolyte is minimized. As expected, the P2-Na_0.7CoO₂ microspheres exhibit enhanced electrochemical performance for sodium storage in terms of high reversible capacity (125 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 mA g⁻¹), superior rate capability and long cycle life (86 % capacity retention over 300 cycles). Importantly, the synthesis method can be easily extended to synthesize other layered metal oxide (P2-Na_0.7MnO₂ and O3-NaFeO₂) microspheres.     

Annealing in Argon Universally Upgrades the Na-Storage Performance of Mn-Based Layered Oxide Cathodes by Creating Bulk Oxygen Vacancies

Manganese-rich layered oxide cathodes of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are extremely promising for large-scale energy storage owing to their high capacities and cost effectiveness, while the Jahn–Teller (J–T) distortion and low operating potential of Mn redox largely hinder their practical applications. Herein, we reveal that annealing in argon rather than conventional air is a universal strategy to comprehensively upgrade the Na-storage performance of Mn-based oxide cathodes. Bulk oxygen vacancies are introduced via this method, leading to reduced Mn valence, lowered Mn 3d-orbital energy level, and formation of the new-concept Mn domains. As a result, the energy density of the model P2-Na_0.75Mg_0.25Mn_0.75O₂ cathode increases by ≈50 % benefiting from the improved specific capacity and operating potential of Mn redox. The Mn domains can disrupt the cooperative J–T distortion, greatly promoting the cycling stability. This exciting finding opens a new avenue towards high-performance Mn-based oxide cathodes for SIBs.     

P2‐Na0.67AlxMn1−xO2: Cost‐Effective,Stable and High‐Rate Sodium Electrodes by Suppressing Phase Transitions and Enhancing Sodium Cation Mobility

Sodium layered P2‐stacking Na_0.67MnO₂ materials have shown great promise for sodium‐ion batteries. However, the undesired Jahn–Teller effect of the Mn⁴⁺/Mn³⁺ redox couple and multiple biphasic structural transitions during charge/discharge of the materials lead to anisotropic structure expansion and rapid capacity decay. Herein, by introducing abundant Al into the transition‐metal layers to decrease the number of Mn³⁺, we obtain the low cost pure P2‐type Na_0.67Al_xMn_1?xO₂ (x=0.05, 0.1 and 0.2) materials with high structural stability and promising performance. The Al‐doping effect on the long/short range structural evolutions and electrochemical performances is further investigated by combining in situ synchrotron XRD and solid‐state NMR techniques. Our results reveal that Al‐doping alleviates the phase transformations thus giving rise to better cycling life, and leads to a larger spacing of Na⁺ layer thus producing a remarkable rate capability of 96 mAh g^‐1 at 1200 mA g^‐1.     

富锂层状正极材料Li_2Mn_(1-x)Ti_xO_3的合成及电化学性能

应用简单的高温固相烧结法合成了Ti掺杂改性的Li_2MnO_3材料。电子扫描显微镜、X射线衍射以及X射线光电子能谱分析表明Ti元素取代Mn离子掺入到Li_2MnO_3晶格中,且掺杂能有效地抑制一次颗粒的团聚。电化学阻抗和恒流充放电测试结果表明,在2.0~4.6 V的电压窗口下,掺杂改性的样品Li_2Mn_(0.97)Ti_(0.03)O_3的首圈放电比容量达到209 m Ah·g~(-1),库仑效率为99.5%,循环40圈后容量保持率为94%;当电流密度增大到400 m A·g~(-1)时,掺杂改性的样品仍然可以放出120 m Ah·g~(-1)比容量,远高于同等电流密度下未掺杂的Li_2MnO_3原粉的比容量(52 m Ah·g~(-1))。Ti掺杂可有效地改善Li_2MnO_3的循环稳定性和倍率性能,有利于促进该材料的商业化应用。     

P2‐Na0.67AlxMn1−xO2: Cost‐Effective,Stable and High‐Rate Sodium Electrodes by Suppressing Phase Transitions and Enhancing Sodium Cation Mobility

Sodium layered P2‐stacking Na_0.67MnO₂ materials have shown great promise for sodium‐ion batteries. However, the undesired Jahn–Teller effect of the Mn⁴⁺/Mn³⁺ redox couple and multiple biphasic structural transitions during charge/discharge of the materials lead to anisotropic structure expansion and rapid capacity decay. Herein, by introducing abundant Al into the transition‐metal layers to decrease the number of Mn³⁺, we obtain the low cost pure P2‐type Na_0.67Al_xMn_1?xO₂ (x=0.05, 0.1 and 0.2) materials with high structural stability and promising performance. The Al‐doping effect on the long/short range structural evolutions and electrochemical performances is further investigated by combining in situ synchrotron XRD and solid‐state NMR techniques. Our results reveal that Al‐doping alleviates the phase transformations thus giving rise to better cycling life, and leads to a larger spacing of Na⁺ layer thus producing a remarkable rate capability of 96 mAh g^‐1 at 1200 mA g^‐1.     

Designing Solvated Double-Layer Polymer Electrolytes with Molecular Interactions Mediated Stable Interfaces for Sodium Ion Batteries

Unstable cathode-electrolyte and/or anode-electrolyte interface in polymer-based sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) will deteriorate their cycle performance. Herein, a unique solvated double-layer quasi-solid polymer electrolyte (SDL-QSPE) with high Na⁺ ion conductivity is designed to simultaneously improve stability on both cathode and anode sides. Different functional fillers are solvated with plasticizers to improve Na⁺ conductivity and thermal stability. The SDL-QSPE is laminated by cathode- and anode-facing polymer electrolyte to meet the independent interfacial requirements of the two electrodes. The interfacial evolution is elucidated by theoretical calculations and 3D X-ray microtomography analysis. The Na_0.67Mn_2/3Ni_1/3O₂|SDL-QSPE|Na batteries exhibit 80.4 mAh g⁻¹ after 400 cycles at 1 C with the Coulombic efficiency close to 100 %, which significantly outperforms those batteries using the monolayer-structured QSPE.     

富锂层状正极材料Li2Mn1-xTixO3的合成及电化学性能

应用简单的高温固相烧结法合成了Ti掺杂改性的Li₂MnO₃材料。电子扫描显微镜、X射线衍射以及X射线光电子能谱分析表明Ti元素取代Mn离子掺入到Li₂MnO₃晶格中,且掺杂能有效地抑制一次颗粒的团聚。电化学阻抗和恒流充放电测试结果表明,在2.0~4.6 V的电压窗口下,掺杂改性的样品Li₂Mn_0.9Ti_0.03O₃的首圈放电比容量达到209 mAh·g^-1,库仑效率为99.5%,循环40圈后容量保持率为94%;当电流密度增大到400 mA·g^-1时,掺杂改性的样品仍然可以放出120 mAh·g^-1比容量,远高于同等电流密度下未掺杂的Li₂MnO₃原粉的比容量（52 mAh·g^-1）。Ti掺杂可有效地改善Li₂MnO₃的循环稳定性和倍率性能,有利于促进该材料的商业化应用。     

Activation by oxidation and ligand exchange in a molecular manganese vanadium oxide water oxidation catalyst

Despite their technological importance for water splitting, the reaction mechanisms of most water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) are poorly understood. This paper combines theoretical and experimental methods to reveal mechanistic insights into the reactivity of the highly active molecular manganese vanadium oxide WOC [Mn₄V₄O₁₇(OAc)₃]³⁻ in aqueous acetonitrile solutions. Using density functional theory together with electrochemistry and IR-spectroscopy, we propose a sequential three-step activation mechanism including a one-electron oxidation of the catalyst from [Mn₂³⁺Mn₂⁴⁺] to [Mn³⁺Mn₃⁴⁺], acetate-to-water ligand exchange, and a second one-electron oxidation from [Mn³⁺Mn₃⁴⁺] to [Mn₄⁴⁺]. Analysis of several plausible ligand exchange pathways shows that nucleophilic attack of water molecules along the Jahn–Teller axis of the Mn³⁺ centers leads to significantly lower activation barriers compared with attack at Mn⁴⁺ centers. Deprotonation of one water ligand by the leaving acetate group leads to the formation of the activated species [Mn₄V₄O₁₇(OAc)₂(H₂O)(OH)]⁻ featuring one H₂O and one OH ligand. Redox potentials based on the computed intermediates are in excellent agreement with electrochemical measurements at various solvent compositions. This intricate interplay between redox chemistry and ligand exchange controls the formation of the catalytically active species. These results provide key reactivity information essential to further study bio-inspired molecular WOCs and solid-state manganese oxide catalysts.

Combined theoretical and experimental studies shed light on the initial steps of redox-activation of a molecular manganese vanadium oxide water oxidation catalyst.     

Partially substituted lithium manganese oxides as 3 V cathode materials for secondary lithium batteries

Low temperature synthesis and electrochemical properties of partially substituted lithium manganese oxides are reported. We demonstrate various metallic cations (Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co³⁺) can be incorporated in the 3 V layered cathodic material Li_0.45MnO_2.1. New compounds Li_0.45Mn_0.88Fe_0.12O_2.1, Li_0.45Mn_0.84Ni_0.16O_2.05, Li_0.45Mn_0.79Cu_0.21O_2.3, Li_0.45Mn_0.85Co_0.15O_2.3 are prepared. These 3 V cathode materials are characterized by the same shape of discharge-charge profiles but different values of the specific capacity, between 90 mAh g⁻¹ and 180 mAh g⁻¹. The best results in terms of capacity and cycle life are obtained with the selected content of 0.15 Co per mole of oxide, as the optimum composition. The high kinetics of Li⁺ transport in Li_0.45Mn_0.85Co_0.15O_2.3 compared to that in the Co-free material is consistent with a substitution of Mn(III) by Co(III) in MnO₂ sheets.     

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Magnetic Properties of a Novel Layered Manganese Oxide Sr2MnGaO5+δ

New Sr₂MnGaO_4.97 complex oxide was synthesized by solid state reaction in sealed silica tubes at 950–1000°C. The Sr₂MnGaO_4.97 crystal structure was refined from X-ray powder diffraction data. Sr₂MnGaO_4.97 is based on the Ima2 brownmillerite-type structure with apically elongated MnO₆ octahedra due to a Jahn–Teller effect. Electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy showed that local ordering of the left-and right-hand chains of GaO₄ tetrahedra in Sr₂MnGaO_4.97 leads to a superstructure with a doubling of the b parameter of the orthorhombic unit cell. The formal oxidation state of Mn (V_Mn) can be varied by thermal treatments at elevated oxygen pressure (450°C, 20 bar of O₂). The oxygen insertion induces a structure transformation in oxidized Sr₂MnGaO_5.47 material with the formation of a tetragonal perovskite-like structure (aa_p, c2c_p) with oxygen vacancies located in the Ga layers. The oxidation is accompanied by a significant compression of the Mn–O apical distances and a suppression of the Jahn–Teller deformation. Both Sr₂MnGaO_4.97 and Sr₂MnGaO_5.47 can probably be treated as canted antiferromagnets with T_N=150 and 80 K, respectively.     

Sodium and Manganese Stoichiometry of P2‐Type Na2/3MnO2

To realize a reversible solid‐state Mn^III/IV redox couple in layered oxides, co‐operative Jahn–Teller distortion (CJTD) of six‐coordinate Mn^III (t_2g³–e_g¹) is a key factor in terms of structural and physical properties. We develop a single‐phase synthesis route for two polymorphs, namely distorted and undistorted P2‐type Na_2/3MnO₂ having different Mn stoichiometry, and investigate how the structural and stoichiometric difference influences electrochemical reaction. The distorted Na_2/3MnO₂ delivers 216 mAh g^?1 as a 3 V class positive electrode, reaching 590 Wh (kg oxide)^?1 with excellent cycle stability in a non‐aqueous Na cell and demonstrates better electrochemical behavior compared to undistorted Na_2/3MnO₂. Furthermore, reversible phase transitions correlated with CJTD are found upon (de)sodiation for distorted Na_2/3MnO₂, providing a new insight into utilization of the Mn^III/IV redox couple for positive electrodes of Na‐ion batteries.     

(Li0.91Mn0.09)Mn2O4

Lithium manganese oxide crystals with composition (Li_0.91Mn_0.09)Mn₂O₄ were synthesized by a flux method. The crystals have a structure closely related to that of the cubic spinel LiMn₂O₄, but 9% of the lithium ions in the tetrahedral 4a site are substituted by Mn²⁺ ions. This substitution lowers the average Mn oxidation state below 3.5+, resulting in a Jahn–Teller distortion of the MnO₆ octahedron.     

Phase Transition in Cs2KMnF6: Crystal Structures of Low- and High-Temperature Modifications

Crystalline Cs₂KMnF₆, when prepared below 500°C, adopts a tetragonal elpasolite structure type. Differential scanning calorimetric investigations indicated that Cs₂KMnF₆ undergoes a phase transition from the low-temperature tetragonal phase (LT) to a high-temperature phase (HT) at about 530°C. Single crystals of the new HT phase could be obtained by annealing a crystalline LT specimen at 600°C followed by rapid quenching to room temperature. In the present study the structures of both phases have been studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The LT phase has the tetragonal space group symmetry I4/mmm, with unit-cell parameters a=6.319(1) (a· =8.936) and c=9.257(2) Å, and Z=2. The HT phase has the cubic symmetry Fm3m, with the cell parameter a=9.067 Å and Z=4. Structural models of the LT and HT phases have been refined vs collected single-crystal X-ray reflection data to R values of 0.034 and 0.022, respectively. The uneven Mn–F bond distance distribution in the LT form, four bonds of 1.860(6) two of 2.034(9) Å, are typical for an octahedrally coordinated high-spin Mn³⁺ ion affected by Jahn–Teller effects. Due to symmetry constraints, all six octahedral Mn–F bonds in the HT form are equal to 1.931(5) Å. However, the mean square atomic displacement parameters of the fluorine atoms increases significantly from about 0.022 Ų for the LT phase to 0.042 Ų for the HT phase. The increased displacement parameters indicate that the phase transition from the LT to the HT form is associated with a directional disorder of the Jahn–Teller distortions around the Mn³⁺ ions.     

Lithium extraction/insertion process on cubic Li-Mn-O precursors with different Li/Mn ratio and morphology

The cubic phase LiMn₂O₄ precursors are prepared by high-temperature calcinations (1003 K) of LiOH⋅H₂O and MnO₂ mixture with Li/Mn molar ratio = 0.55. The Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ precursors are synthesized via low-temperature solid-phase reaction (673 K) of LiNO₃ and MnO₂ mixture with Li/Mn molar ratio = 1.0. The ion-sieves counterparts (named SMO-H and SMO-L, respectively) are obtained by the acid treatment of Li-Mn-O precursors. The structure, chemical stability, morphology, ion-exchange property and mechanism of Li-Mn-O precursors and MnO₂ ion-sieve were systematically examined via X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and lithium ion selective adsorption measurements. The result shows the more compact Mn-O lattice makes the Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ spinel more stable after the Li⁺ is extracted. The results of IR and XPS show adsorption process of SMO-H exists ion-exchange between the Li⁺ and protons, and redox reaction, but only exists ion-exchange between the Li⁺ and protons in SMO-L. Agglomeration is well-improved by low calcination temperature and the morphology of the Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ precursor and final MnO₂ ion-sieve are effectively controlled within low-dimensional structure. The maximum pH titration capacity of SMO-L for Li⁺ is 6.76 mmol⋅g⁻¹, but only 3.47 mmol⋅g⁻¹ for SMO-H. The ion-sieve obtained from Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ precursor is promising in the lithium extraction from brine or seawater.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and properties of a novel di-μ2-aqua bridged binuclear manganese(III) Schiff base complex [Mn(vanen)(H2O)2]2(ClO4)2 · 2H2O

The preparation and isolation of the binuclear manganese(III) complex, [Mn(vanen)(H₂O)₂]₂(ClO₄)₂ · 2H₂O was accomplished by air oxidation of a solution containing H₂vanen^**, Et₃N, and Mn(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O in absolute EtOH. The crystal structure of complex was determined by X-ray crystallography, and consists of two molecules bridged by two water molecules through hydrogen bonding. The manganese atom is six-coordinate and presents a distorted octahedral coordination sphere, which consists of the two imine N atoms and two phenolic O atoms of vanen^2– ligand in the equatorial plane, with Mn–N bond distances of 1.975 and 1.987 Å, and Mn–O distances of 1.867 and 1.876 Å, respectively. The non-bonding interatomic MnMn distance is 4.79 Å. In the axial direction, the elongated Mn–O(H₂O) bond distances of 2.255 and 2.381 Å, respectively, are due to Jahn–Teller distortion at the d⁴ metal center. The presence of lattice and coordinate water molecules were also confirmed by the t.g. study and the i.r. spectra. Upon irradiation using visible light in water in the presence of p-benzoquinone, the complex demonstrates its ability to split water.     

Realizing Complete Solid-Solution Reaction in High Sodium Content P2-Type Cathode for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries

P2-type layered oxides suffer from an ordered Na⁺/vacancy arrangement and P2→O2/OP4 phase transitions, leading them to exhibit multiple voltage plateaus upon Na⁺ extraction/insertion. The deficient sodium in the P2-type cathode easily induces the bad structural stability at deep desodiation states and limited reversible capacity during Na⁺ de/insertion. These drawbacks cause poor rate capability and fast capacity decay in most P2-type layered oxides. To address these challenges, a novel high sodium content (0.85) and plateau-free P2-type cathode-Na_0.85Li_0.12Ni_0.22Mn_0.66O₂ (P2-NLNMO) was developed. The complete solid-solution reaction over a wide voltage range ensures both fast Na⁺ mobility (10⁻¹¹ to 10⁻¹⁰ cm² s⁻¹) and small volume variation (1.7 %). The high sodium content P2-NLNMO exhibits a higher reversible capacity of 123.4 mA h g⁻¹, superior rate capability of 79.3 mA h g⁻¹ at 20 C, and 85.4 % capacity retention after 500 cycles at 5 C. The sufficient Na and complete solid-solution reaction are critical to realizing high-performance P2-type cathodes for sodium-ion batteries.     

Fast Li-Ion Conduction in Spinel-Structured Solids

Spinel-structured solids were studied to understand if fast Li⁺ ion conduction can be achieved with Li occupying multiple crystallographic sites of the structure to form a “Li-stuffed” spinel, and if the concept is applicable to prepare a high mixed electronic-ionic conductive, electrochemically active solid solution of the Li⁺ stuffed spinel with spinel-structured Li-ion battery electrodes. This could enable a single-phase fully solid electrode eliminating multi-phase interface incompatibility and impedance commonly observed in multi-phase solid electrolyte–cathode composites. Materials of composition Li_1.25M(III)_0.25TiO₄, M(III) = Cr or Al were prepared through solid-state methods. The room-temperature bulk Li⁺-ion conductivity is 1.63 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ for the composition Li_1.25Cr_0.25Ti_1.5O₄. Addition of Li₃BO₃ (LBO) increases ionic and electronic conductivity reaching a bulk Li⁺ ion conductivity averaging 6.8 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹, a total Li-ion conductivity averaging 4.2 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹, and electronic conductivity averaging 3.8 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ for the composition Li_1.25Cr_0.25Ti_1.5O₄ with 1 wt. % LBO. An electrochemically active solid solution of Li_1.25Cr_0.25Mn_1.5O₄ and LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ was prepared. This work proves that Li-stuffed spinels can achieve fast Li-ion conduction and that the concept is potentially useful to enable a single-phase fully solid electrode without interphase impedance.     

Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis ternärer Phosphorlegierungen

Zusammenfassung Die Schnitte bei 25 und 33,3 At% P in den Dreistoffsystemen Cr–Mn–P, Cr–Fe–P, Cr–Ni–P, Cr–Cu–P, Mn–Fe–P, Mn–Ni–P, Mn–Cr–P, Fe–Ni–P, Fe–Cu–P und Ni–Cu–P werden röntgenographisch untersucht. Es wird das Ergebnis vonVogel und Mitarbeitern hinsichtlich der Mischbarkeit von Fe₃P–Ni₃P bzw. Cr₃P–Fe₃P bestätigt.Eine solche Mischreihe bilden auch Cr₃P und Mn₃P. Dagegen dürften Cr₃P und Ni₃P nur begrenzt mischbar sein; Fe₃P nimmt mindestens 25 Mol% Mn₃P auf. Ni₃P löst rund 50 Mol% des nicht isotypen Cu₃P, während zwischen den isotypen Phasen Mn₃P und Ni₃P sowie zwischen Cr₃P, Mn₃P, Fe₃P einerseits und Cu₃P keine merkliche Löslichkeit beobachtet wurde.Lückenlose Mischreihen bilden auch Mn₂P–Fe₂P, Fe₂P–Ni₂P sowie Ni₂P–Mn₂P. Obwohl keine isotype Cr₂P-Phase gefunden wird, besteht ein praktisch homogener Übergang zwischen Fe₂P–Cr₂P, Ni₂P–Cr₂P. Mn₂P löst rund 50 Mol% Cr₂P; Mn₂P sowie Fe₂P nehmen jeweils etwa 20 Mol% Cu₂P auf.Mit 4 Abbildungen     

Structural and electrochemical behavior of Mn–V oxide synthesized by a novel precipitation method

Manganese–vanadium oxide had been synthesized by a novel simple precipitation technique. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize Mn–V binary oxide and δ-MnO₂. Electrochemical capacitive behavior of the synthesized Mn–V binary oxide and δ-MnO₂ was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostic charge–discharge curve, and electrochemical impedance spectroscope methods. The results showed that, by introducing V into δ-MnO₂, the specific surface area of the mixed oxide increased due to a formation of small grain size. The specific capacitance increased from 166 F g⁻¹ estimated for MnO₂ to 251 F g⁻¹ for Mn–V binary oxide, and the applied potential window extended to −0.2–1.0 V (vs. saturated calomel electrode). Through analysis, it is suggested that the capacitance performance of Mn–V binary oxide materials may be improved by changing the following three factors: (1) small grain and particle size and large activity surface area, (2) appropriate amount of lattice water, and (3) chemical state on the surface of MnO₂ material.     

Manganese vacancy-confined single-atom Ag in cryptomelane nanorods for efficient Wacker oxidation of styrene derivatives

Single-atom catalysts provide a pathway to elucidate the nature of catalytically active sites. However, keeping them stabilized during operation proves to be challenging. Herein, we employ cryptomelane-type octahedral molecular sieve nanorods featuring abundant manganese vacancy defects as a support, to periodically anchor single-atom Ag. The doped Ag atoms with tetrahedral coordination are found to locate at cation substitution sites rather than being supported on the catalyst surface, thus effectively tuning the electronic structure of adjacent manganese atoms. The resulting unique Ag–O–MnO_x unit functions as the active site. Its turnover frequency reaches 1038 h⁻¹, one order of magnitude higher than for previously reported catalysts, with 90% selectivity for anti-Markovnikov phenylacetaldehyde. Mechanistic studies reveal that the activation of styrene on the ensemble site of Ag–O–MnO_x is significantly promoted, which can accelerate the oxidation of styrene and, in particular, the rate-determining step of forming the epoxide intermediate. Such an extraordinary electronic promotion can be extended to other single-atom catalysts and paves the way for their practical applications.

Manganese vacancy-confined single-atom Ag in cryptomelane nanorods efficiently catalyses Wacker oxidation of styrene derivatives.