Investigation of lipase-catalyzed Michael-type carbon–carbon bond formations

Conjugate additions of carbon nucleophiles to appropriate acceptor molecules were investigated with respect to the synthetic potential and stereochemistry of the products. Reactions of short-chain α,β-unsaturated ketones and mono-substituted nitroalkenes with CH-acidic carboxylic ester derivatives were catalyzed by various immobilized lipases. Using methyl nitroacetate complete conversion with methyl vinyl ketone and trans-β-nitrostyrene was obtained. The reactions proceeded without enantioselectivity. Evidence for enzyme catalysis is provided by the observation that after denaturation of Candida antarctica lipase B or inhibition no reaction took place. Docking studies with the chiral addition product methyl 2-methyl-2-nitro-5-oxohexanoate did not reveal any specific binding mode for this reaction product, which would have been the requirement for stereoselective additions. These results support the experimental findings that the conjugate addition takes place without enantiopreference.     

A carbon–carbon hybrid – immobilizing carbon nanodots onto carbon nanotubes

The thrust of this work is to integrate small and uniformly sized carbon nanodots (CNDs) with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) of different diameters as electron donors and electron acceptors, respectively, and to test their synergetic interactions in terms of optoelectronic devices. CNDs (denoted pCNDs, where p indicates pressure) were prepared by pressure-controlled microwave decomposition of citric acid and urea. pCNDs were immobilized on single-walled carbon nanotubes by wrapping the latter with poly(4-vinylbenzyl trimethylamine) (PVBTA), which features positively charged ammonium groups in the backbone. Negatively charged surface groups on the CNDs lead to attractive electrostatic interactions. Ground state interactions between the CNDs and SWCNTs were confirmed by a full-fledged photophysical investigation based on steady-state and time-resolved techniques. As a complement, charge injection into the SWCNTs upon photoexcitation was investigated by ultra-short time-resolved spectroscopy.     

Metal free amide synthesis via carbon–carbon bond cleavage

A metal-free oxidative coupling of methyl ketones and primary amines to amides has been developed. The reaction tolerates a variety of functional groups, and is operationally simple. The reaction is proposed to go through a radical pathway to form the triiodomethyl ketone intermediate and the amide is formed by the nucleophilic attack of amine on triiodomethyl ketone carbonyl.     

Highly active ferrocenylamine-derived palladacycles for carbon–carbon cross-coupling reactions

{[(N-Methyl-N-p-R-benzyl)amino]benzyl}ferrocenes 4a–c (R = H(a), OCH₃(b), CH₃(c)) were synthesized by N-methylation of the corresponding sec-amines 3a–cwith the reagent CH₃I-t-BuOK. Treatment of 4a–c with Na₂PdCl₄ in the presence of NaOAc produced a pair of palladacycles σ-Pd[(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵- C₅H₃CH(C₆H₅)N(CH₃)CH₂-C₆H₄-R)]Cl(PPh₃) 5a–c (R = same as before) consisting of R_NR_P and S_NS_P configurations. The structure of 5a was determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. High catalytic activities of 5a–c for the Suzuki coupling of aryl chlorides with phenylboronic acid and the Heck reaction of bromobenzene with styrene were observed.     

The influence of interunit carbon–carbon linkages during lignin upgrading

The cleavage of β-O-4 linkages in lignin can generate monomers with a phenyl propane structure that can easily be upgraded into valuable hydrocarbon biofuels and renewable aromatic chemicals. High-yield lignin monomer production from extracted (or technical) lignin that is produced in a practical way could facilitate the productivity and profitability of biomass conversion processes. However, interunit carbon–carbon (C–C) linkages present in native lignin or formed during lignin condensation in biomass pretreatments dramatically reduce lignin monomer yields. Here, we present a perspective on biological and chemical strategies that have been successfully used to reduce the formation of C–C linkages in native or technical lignin. We analyze the mechanisms involved in these strategies and offer our views on improving the quality of technical lignin resulting from biomass conversion in order to achieve high-yield lignin monomer production.     

Copper Catalysts based on carbon–carbon fiburous materials for ethanol dehydrogenation

The possibility of using new carbon–carbon composites as supports for a copper catalyst for ethanol dehydrogenation was demonstrated. The composites, which represented carbon nanostructures (single-walled carbon nanotubes or carbon nanofibers) attached to the surface of carbon microfibers, were prepared by essentially different procedures. Copper catalysts deposited on these supports exhibited different activity in the ethanol conversion, which is associated with the distribution and size of copper particles.     

Recent advances in carbon nanostructures prepared from carbon dioxide for high-performance supercapacitors

The burgeoning global economy during the past decades gives rise to the continuous increase in fossil fuels consumption and rapid growth of CO₂ emission,which demands an urgent exploration into green and sustainable devices for energy storage and power management.Supercapacitors based on activated carbon electrodes are promising systems for highly efficient energy harvesting and power supply,but their promotion is hindered by the moderate energy density compared with batteries.Therefore,scalable conversion of CO₂ into novel carbon nanostructures offers a powerful alternative to tackle both issues:mitigating the greenhouse effect caused by redundant atmospheric CO₂ and providing carbon materials with enhanced electrochemical performances.In this tutorial review,the techniques,opportunities and barriers in the design and fabrication of advanced carbon materials using CO₂ as feedstock as well as their impact on the energy-storage performances of supercapacitors are critically examined.In particular,the chemical aspects of various Cv2 conversion reactions are highlighted to establish a detailed understanding for the science and technology involved in the microstructural evolution,surface engineering and porosity control of CO₂-converted carbon nanostructures.Finally,the prospects and challenges associated with the industrialization of CO₂ conversion and their practical application in supercapacitors are also discussed.     

Metal-free carbon–carbon cross-couplings between the ion pairs in sulfonium tetraphenylborates

A series of sulfonium tetraphenylborates can be readily prepared by the metathesis of sulfonium halides with sodium tetraphenylborates. After heating at 120–150 °C, the sulfonium tetraphenylborates can smoothly undergo the cross-couplings between the tetraphenylborate anions and the sulfonium cations in the absence of a metal catalyst. For carbonylmethyl-, benzyl-, and allylsulfoniums, the corresponding carbonylmethyl–phenyl, benzyl–phenyl, and allyl–phenyl cross-coupling products can be obtained in 22–76% yields. An interionic electron-transfer mechanism for this cross-coupling reaction is proposed.     

Ring-opening of cyclic ethers with carbon–carbon bond formation by Grignard reagents

The ring-opening of cyclic ethers with concomitant C–C bond formation was studied with a number of Grignard reagents. The transformation was performed in a sealed vial by heating to ∼160 °C in an aluminum block or at 180 °C in a microwave oven. Good yields of the product alcohols were obtained with allyl- and benzylmagnesium halides when the ether was tetrahydrofuran or 3,3-dimethyloxetane. Lower yields were obtained with substituted tetrahydrofurans while no ring-opening was observed with tetrahydropyran. Only highly reactive allyl and benzyl Grignard reagents participated in the transformation while no reaction occurred with other alkylmagnesium halides.     

Investigating detailed mechanism of hydrogen molecules adsorbing on single-wall carbon nanotubes using fitted force field parameters containing carbon–carbon interactions

The nonbonded and bonded force field parameters for carbon atoms in single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are fitted by means of quantum chemistry calculations with considering the periodic boundary conditions. The nonbonded parameters between carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms are fitted as well. All the fitted parameters are verified by comparing to quantum chemistry results and by calculating Young's modulus. Adsorption of Hydrogen molecules are then carried out on a bundle of self-assembled SWNTs. The adsorption isotherms are consistent to the Freundlich equation. Both hydrogen molecules adsorbed outside and inside the SWNTs are counted. According to our result, hydrogen molecules adsorbed inside the SWNTs are more stable at a relatively high temperature and are playing an important part in total amount of the adsorbed molecules. While C(10,10) have the highest adsorption capacities in most of the temperatures, hydrogen molecules inside C(5,5) are the most stable of all the four kinds of SWNTs. Thus, balancing adsorption capacities and strength of interaction can be important in choosing SWNT for gas adsorption. Besides, we deduct an equation that can describe the relation between hydrogen pressure and amount of SWNTs based on our simulation results. The hydrogen pressure may decrease by adding SWNTs in the system. The fitting method in our system is valid to SWNTs and can be tested in further studies of similar systems. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Kinetics and mechanistic study of pyridinium hydrobromide perbromide-induced carbon–carbon bond scission

The title investigation shows that pyridinium hydrobromide perbromide (PHPB) induced electron transfer reaction in pentaamminecobalt(III) complexes of α-hydroxy acids

Reduction of carbon dioxide by hydrogen on metal–carbon catalysts under supercritical conditions

The reduction of carbon dioxide with hydrogen on metal–carbon (Ru, Rh, Ir) catalysts is investigated under supercritical conditions for the first time. High selectivity (close to 100%) toward methanation with good stability of catalytic activity is observed for Ru- and Rh-containing catalyst, while the preferred reduction to CO is observed for Ir/C catalyst.     

Steric hindrance versus asymmetric induction: new PN-ligands for carbon–carbon coupling reactions

Two new aminophosphine ligands 4 and 5 with increased steric interaction in proximity to the N-coordination site have been prepared. Their asymmetric induction in five model reactions was tested and compared to results obtained with the parent ligand 2. This resulted in improved enantioselectivity in only one case, from 5 to 68% e.e., while in all the other cases the more crowded ligands exhibited significantly lower reactivity accompanied by decreased enantioselectivity.     

Analytical sensing of hydrogen peroxide on Ag nanoparticles–multiwalled carbon nanotube-modified glassy carbon electrode

A sensor based on silver nanoparticles (NPs)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT)-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was prepared and employed for accurate and rapid determination of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). In summary, by using a mechanochemical method, multiwalled CNTs dispersed in ethanol and used for modification of GCE. After that, by using a double-pulse technique, silver NPs are electrodeposited on surface of multiwalled CNTs/ GCE. Parameters that are affected by electrocatalytic reduction of H₂O₂ on the modified electrode, such as multiwalled CNT concentration and double-pulse parameters, were optimized using Minitab software. The optimal modified electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and cyclic voltammetry. The proposed H₂O₂ sensor exhibited excellent characteristics for the sensing of H₂O₂, such as wide linear range from 0.1 to 10 mM, a low detection limit of 2 μM, high repeatability, and no interference by a number of substances.     

Sensitive electrochemical determination of calcium dobesilate on the carbon–iron nanoparticle modified glassy carbon electrode

A carbon–iron nanoparticle modified glassy carbon electrode (CIN-GCE) has been developed for the determination of calcium dobesilate (CD) in pharmaceutical formulations. The CINs were characterized by Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. It was found that the CIN has strong electrocatalytic effect for CD and leads to a greatly improved anodic detection of CD including higher sensitivity and better reproducibility. A detection limit of 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ M (S/N = 3) was obtained. The proposed CIN-GCE was applied to detect CD in pharmaceutical formulations with satisfactory results. The proposed CIN electrochemical sensing platform holds great promise for simple, rapid and accurate detection of CD in pharmaceutical formulations.     

Studies on ruthenium(III) chalcone thiosemicarbazone complexes as catalysts for carbon–carbon coupling

New six-coordinate ruthenium(III) complexes [RuX(EPh₃)₂(L)] (X = Cl or Br; E = P or As; L = chalcone thiosemicarbazone) have been prepared by reacting [RuX₃(EPh₃)₃] (X = Cl or Br; E = P or As) with chalcone thiosemicarbazones in benzene under reflux. The new complexes have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic (IR, electronic, mass, and EPR) data. The redox behavior of the complexes has also been studied. Based on the above data, an octahedral structure has been assigned for all the complexes. The new complexes exhibit catalytic activity for carbon–carbon coupling reactions.     

Asymmetric radical carboncarbon bond forming reactions in chiral amides and imides under sulfonyl groups stereocontrol

Asymmetric radical carbon–carbon bond formation was achieved in chiral amide and imide systems under sulfonyl group stereocontrol, providing high diastereoselectivity. The stereochemistry of the products was determined and the mechanism of the stereochemical pathways is rationalized by the formation of chelates of Lewis acid metals between oxygens of acetyl, amide, and imide carbonyls, or sulfonyl groups.     

Air-stable P-stereogenic secondary phosphine oxides as chiral monodentate ligands for asymmetric catalytic carboncarbon bond formation

P-Stereogenic secondary phosphine oxides are configurationally stable in the presence of metal ions both in solution and in the solid state. They have the potential to serve as chiral monodentate phosphorus ligands for asymmetric catalysis. In the asymmetric allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate, ca. 80% ee was achieved using (R_p)-tert-butylphenylphosphine oxide.     

Enhanced physical and chemical adsorption of carbon dioxide using bimetallic copper–magnesium oxide/carbon nanocomposite

Mixed Cu and Mg oxides on nitrogen-rich activated carbon (AC) from Nypha fruticans biomass were characterized and their CO₂ adsorption performance was measured. Highly dispersed CuO and MgO nanoparticles on AC was obtained using an ultrasonic-assisted impregnation method. The optimum adsorbent is 5%CuO–25%MgO/AC having good surface properties of high surface area, pores volume and low particles agglomeration. The higher content of MgO of 5%CuO–25%MgO/AC adsorbent contributes to less metal carbide formation which increases their porosity, surface area and surface basicity. XPS analysis showed some amount of nitrogen content on the surface of the adsorbent which increased their surface basicity towards selective CO₂ adsorption. The presence of moisture accelerated the CO₂ chemisorption to form a hydroxyl layer on the surfaces. The 5%CuO–25%MgO/AC adsorbent successfully adsorbed CO₂ via physisorption and chemisorption of 14.8 and 36.2 wt%, respectively. It was significantly higher than fresh AC with better selectivity to CO₂.