Cluster Light-Emitting Diodes Containing Copper Iodine Cube with 100 % Exciton Utilization Using Host-Cluster Synergy

Clusters combine the advantages of organic molecules and inorganic nanomaterials, which are promising alternatives for optoelectronic applications. Nonetheless, recently emerged cluster light-emitting diodes require further excited state optimization of cluster emitters, especially to reduce population of the cluster-centered triplet quenching state (³CC). Here we report that redox-active ligands enhance reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) of Cu₄I₄ cluster for triplet-to-singlet conversion, and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) host can provide an external RISC channel. It indicates that the complementarity between TADF host and cluster in RISC transitions gives rise to 100 % triplet conversion efficiency and complete singlet exciton convergence, rendering 100-fold increased singlet radiation rate constant and tenfold decreased triplet non-radiation rate constant. We achieve a photoluminescence quantum yield of 99 % and a record external quantum efficiency of 29.4 %.     

Desymmetrization of Geminal Difluoromethylenes using a Palladium/Copper/Lithium Ternary System for the Stereodivergent Synthesis of Fluorinated Amino Acids

Fluorinated amino acids and related peptides/proteins have been found widespread applications in pharmaceutical and agricultural compounds. However, strategies for introducing a C−F bond into amino acids in an enantioselective manner are still limited and no such asymmetric catalysis strategy has been reported. Herein, we have successfully developed a Pd/Cu/Li ternary system for stereodivergent synthesis of chiral fluorinated amino acids. This method involves a sequential desymmetrization of geminal difluoromethylenes and allylic substitution with amino acid Schiff bases via Pd/Li and Pd/Cu dual activation, respectively. A series of non-natural amino acids bearing a chiral allylic/benzylic fluorine motif are easily synthesized in high yields with excellent regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivities (up to >20 : 1 dr and >99 % ee). A density functional theory (DFT) study revealed the F−Cu interaction of the allylic substrate and the Cu catalyst significantly influence the stereoselectivity.     

Metal Catalyzed Polymerization: From Stereoregular Poly(α-olefins) to Tailor-Made Biodegradable/Biorenewable Polymers and Copolymers

Metal catalyzed polymerizations are among the most important chemical reactions, accounting for the production of about 400 million tons per year of polymeric materials, 50 % of which are polyolefins. The CIRCC research units at the University of Salerno, founded by the late Professor Adolfo Zambelli, a coworker of Giulio Natta and a pioneer in the studies of stereospecific polymerization catalysts, has a consolidated expertise in this field. Although often considered a “mature” area of research, olefin polymerization catalysis continues to drive great interest of both industrial and academic scientists. On the other hand, strong political and economic pressure toward the development of “green” and possibly biodegradable alternatives to olefin-based polymers stimulated our group to direct increasing research efforts in the area of sustainable polymers. In this perspective, we focus on the most recent work from the CIRCC research units involved in homogeneous catalysis for polymerization of a variety of monomers, with the aim to address how the concepts and the expertise developed for olefin polymerization can be applied to the development of different metal-catalyzed polymerizations and copolymerizations. Of course, although the results are discussed in the frame of the most important literature contributions, a comprehensive review of such a wide and diversified topic is out of the scope of the paper. References to reviews covering the different types of metal catalyzed polymerizations are provided in each chapter.     

Trace analysis of Pt (IV) metal ions in roadside soil and water samples by Fe3O4/graphene/polypyrrole nanocomposite as a solid-phase extraction sorbent followed by atomic absorption spectrometry

A novel Fe₃O₄/graphene/polypyrrole nanocomposite has been successfully synthesised via a simple chemical method and applied as a new magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) sorbent for the separation and pre-concentration of trace amounts of Pt (IV) in environmental samples followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometric (FAAS) detection. The nanocomposite has been characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Seven important parameters, affecting the extraction efficiency of Pt (IV), including pH, adsorption time, desorption solvent type and concentration, desorption time, elution volume and sample volume, were investigated. Under the optimised conditions, the calibration graph was linear in the range of 50–1500 μg L^?1 (R = 0.993). The detection limit and pre-concentration factor (PF) for Pt (IV) were found to be 16 μg L^?1 and 112.5, respectively. Under the optimised solid-phase extraction (SPE) conditions, the adsorption isotherm and the adsorption capacity of the nanocomposite for Pt (IV) were studied. Pt (IV) adsorption equilibrium data were fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm and the maximum adsorption capacity of the magnetic sorbent was calculated from the Langmuir isotherm model as 416.7 mg g^?1. The precision of the method was studied as intraday and interday variations. A relative standard deviation percentage (RSD%) value less than 3.0 indicates that the method is precise. Also, the accuracy of the method was tested by the analysis of the standard reference material (NIST SRM 2556) and by recovery measurements on spiked real samples. It was also shown that the optimised method was suitable for the analysis of trace amounts of Pt (IV) in roadside soil, tap water and wastewater samples.     

Novel polyimides obtained from a new aromatic diamine (BAPO) containing pyridine and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole moieties for removal of Co(II) and Ni(II) ions

Novel, thermally stable polyimides (PIs) containing a 1,3,4‐oxadiazole and pyridine moieties based on a new aromatic diamine 2,5‐bis‐(aminopyridine‐2‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole, BAPO, were synthesized. The prepared polymers were soluble in dimethysulfoxide (DMSO) and concentrated sulfuric acid at room temperature as well as in polar and aprotic solvents, such as, N‐methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at elevated temperature. Thermal behaviors of the PIs were studied by thermogravimetric analysis/dynamic thermal analysis (TGA‐DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The inherent viscosities of the PI solutions were in the range of 0.38–0.61 dl/g (in DMSO with a concentration of 0.125 g/dl at 25 ± 0.5°C). The removal of Co(II) and Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions was performed using polymer 6, which was obtained from BAPO and 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA). The maximum adsorption capacity was observed for Co(II) ion at pH = 7.0 (110.4 mg g^?1, 1.87 mmol g^?1). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Revealing the Preferred Interlayer Orientations and Stackings of Two‐Dimensional Bilayer Gallium Selenide Crystals

Characterizing and controlling the interlayer orientations and stacking orders of two‐dimensional (2D) bilayer crystals and van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures is crucial to optimize their electrical and optoelectronic properties. The four polymorphs of layered gallium selenide (GaSe) crystals that result from different layer stackings provide an ideal platform to study the stacking configurations in 2D bilayer crystals. Through a controllable vapor‐phase deposition method, bilayer GaSe crystals were selectively grown and their two preferred 0° or 60° interlayer rotations were investigated. The commensurate stacking configurations (AA′ and AB stacking) in as‐grown bilayer GaSe crystals are clearly observed at the atomic scale, and the Ga‐terminated edge structure was identified using scanning transmission electron microscopy. Theoretical analysis reveals that the energies of the interlayer coupling are responsible for the preferred orientations among the bilayer GaSe crystals.     

Perovskite ceramics and recent experimental progress in reactor design for chemical looping combustion application

Chemical looping combustion (CLC) is a novel method of carbon capture and sequestration. It facilitates CO₂ capture by lower energy penalties compared with other methods in this category. The major challenges encountered in CLC are oxygen carrier, reactor and fuel-type selection. A proper combination of these factors is required for an efficient CLC. There have been several studies with regard to oxygen carriers applicable to these processes: novel oxygen carriers, single perovskites and potential oxygen carriers, double perovskites, have been investigated for their oxygen capture and release properties in a number of studies. Different kinds of reactors have also been proposed for use in CLC processes. This paper presents information on the materials capable of oxygen storage and release and the different kinds of reactors investigated for CLC in different studies. It has been shown that, although there are several oxygen carriers and reactors with the desired function and efficiency for CLC, there remains the need for further improvement and optimisation in both areas. © 2014 Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences     

Novel 1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydroquinazolinones via Reaction of 2‐Amino‐N‐substituted Benzamides and Dimethyl Acetylenedicarboxylate

Reaction of 2‐amino‐N‐substituted benzamides and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) in the presence of 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) in H₂O at room temperature led to the formation of novel 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinazolinones.     

Synthesis and In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity of Novel Triazole‐Isoxazole Derivatives

New derivatives of triazole‐isoxazole were synthesized through a four‐step reaction starting from various ethyl 4‐aryl‐2,4‐dioxobutanoate derivatives. Finally, all compounds were examined by MTT assays for cytotoxic activity in two human breast cancer cell lines (MCF‐7 and T‐47D).