Bicomponent Cocatalyst Decoration on Flux-assisted CaTaO2N Single Crystals for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction under Visible Light

Cubic-like CaTaO₂N photocatalysts with high crystallinity and uniform particle size were successfully prepared by the flux-assisted nitridation method. The growth of CaTaO₂N single crystals under different synthesis conditions was systematically investigated to understand the effects of the crystallinity and optical property on photocatalytic performance of CO₂ reduction. Moreover, the modification of CaTaO₂N single crystals with core-shell Ni−Ag bicomponent cocatalyst by two-step decoration process gave a 2.4 times higher amount of CO evolution than the deposition of sole Ag cocatalyst, because of the synergistic effects of bicomponent cocatalyst on the interfacial electron transfer and surface catalytic process. This study provides a valuable way to construct high-crystalline photocatalysts with effective bicomponent cocatalyst for visible-light-driven CO₂ reduction with H₂O.     

Reduction and pH dual‐responsive block copolymers containing pendent p‐nitrobenzyl carbamate functionalities: Synthesis and self‐assembly behavior

We report on the preparation of reduction‐responsive amphiphilic block copolymers containing pendent p‐nitrobenzyl carbamate (pNBC)‐caged primary amine moieties by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization using a poly(ethylene glycol)‐based macro‐RAFT agent. The block copolymers self‐assembled to form micelles or vesicles in water, depending on the length of hydrophobic block. Triggered by a chemical reductant, sodium dithionite, the pNBC moieties decomposed through a cascade 1,6‐elimination and decarboxylation reactions to liberate primary amine groups of the linkages, resulting in the disruption of the assemblies. The reduction sensitivity of assemblies was affected by the length of hydrophobic block and the structure of amino acid‐derived linkers. Using hydrophobic dye Nile red (NR) as a model drug, the polymeric assemblies were used as nanocarriers to evaluate the potential for drug delivery. The NR‐loaded nanoparticles demonstrated a reduction‐triggered release profile. Moreover, the liberation of amine groups converted the reduction‐responsive polymer into a pH‐sensitive polymer with which an accelerated release of NR was observed by simultaneous application of reduction and pH triggers. It is expected that these reduction‐responsive block copolymers can offer a new platform for intracellular drug delivery. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1333–1343     

Synthesis of heterobiaryls via Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling reaction of potassium aryltrifluoroborates with heteroaryl halides in aqueous systems

A variety of heterobiaryl compounds have been synthesized by the Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling reactions of heteroaryl halides with potassium aryltrifluoroborates. Pd (OAc)₂ was found to be highly efficient for the Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling reactions of various heteroaryl halides with potassium aryltrifluoroborates in aqueous systems, delivering the corresponding heterobiaryl compounds in good to excellent yields.     

Molybdenum (VI)‐functionalized UiO‐66 provides an efficient heterogeneous nanocatalyst in oxidation reactions

A novel heterogeneous nanocatalyst was established by supporting molybdenum (VI) on Zr₆ nodes in the structure of the well‐known UiO‐66 metal–organic framework (MOF). The structure of the UiO‐66 before and after Mo (VI) immobilization was confirmed with XRD, DR‐FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopy, and the presence and amount of Mo (VI) was identified by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. TEM imaging confirmed the absence of Mo clusters on the MOF surface, while SEM confirmed that the appearance of the MOF has not changed upon immobilizing the Mo (VI) catalyst. BET adsorption measurements were used to confirm the porosity of the catalyst. The catalytic activity of this heterogeneous catalyst was investigated in oxidation of sulfides with H₂O₂ in acetonitrile and oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene. Easy work up, convenient and steady reuse and high activity and selectivity are prominent properties of this new hybrid material.     

Preparation and characterization of new inorganic–organic hybrid catalyst H3PMo12O40/Hyd‐SBA‐15 and its application in the domino multi‐component reaction

We present novel inorganic–organic hybrid catalyst to accomplish domino multi‐component reaction (MCR) for synthesis of 3‐amino‐2′‐oxospiro[benzo[c]pyrano[3,2‐a]phenazine‐1,3′‐indoline]‐2‐carbonitrile/carboxylate derivatives. This methodology offers remarkable development by easy production of H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀/Hyd‐SBA‐15 in regard to solving the problem of using harsh catalysts, also it demonstrates to be impressive and environmentally friendly in term of low reaction times and high yields.     

Novel palladium nanoparticles supported on β‐cyclodextrin@graphene oxide as magnetically recyclable catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction with two different approaches in bio‐based solvents

A novel nanocatalyst was designed and prepared. Initially, the surface of magnetic graphene oxide (M‐GO) was modified using thionyl chloride, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and acryloyl chloride as linkers which provide reactive C═C bonds for the polymerization of vinylic monomers. Separately, β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) was treated with acryloyl chloride to provide a modified β‐CD. Then, in the presence methylenebisacrylamide as a cross‐linker, monomers of modified β‐CD and acrylamide were polymerized on the surface of the pre‐prepared M‐GO. Finally, palladium acetate and sodium borohydride were added to this composite to afford supported palladium nanoparticles. This fabricated nanocomposite was fully characterized using various techniques. The efficiency of this easily separable and reusable heterogeneous catalyst was successfully examined in Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions of aryl halides and boronic acid as well as in modified Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions of N‐acylsuccinimides and boronic acid in green media. The results showed that the nanocatalyst was efficient in coupling reactions for direct formation of the corresponding biphenyl as well as benzophenone derivatives in green media based on bio‐based solvents. In addition, the nanocatalyst was easily separable, using an external magnet, and could be reused several times without significant loss of activity under the optimum reaction conditions.     

Stereoselective Cascade Cyclizations with Samarium Diiodide to Tetracyclic Indolines: Precursors of Fluorostrychnines and Brucine

A series of γ-indolylketones with fluorine, cyano or alkoxy substituents at the benzene moiety was prepared and subjected to samarium diiodide-promoted cyclization reactions. The desired dearomatizing ketyl cascade reaction forming two new rings proceeded in all cases with high diastereoselectivity, but with differing product distribution. In most cases, the desired annulated tetracyclic compounds were obtained in moderate to good yields, but as second product tetracyclic spirolactones were isolated in up to 29 % yield. The reaction rate was influenced by the substituents at the benzene moiety of the substrate as expected, with electron-accepting groups accelerating and electron-donating groups decelerating the cyclization process. In case of a difluoro-substituted γ-indolylketone a partial defluorination was observed. The intermediate samarium enolate of the tetracyclic products could be trapped by adding reactive alkylating agents as electrophiles delivering products with quarternary carbons. In the case of a dimethoxy-substituted tetracyclic cyclization product a subsequent reductive amination stereoselectively provided a pentacyclic compound that was subsequently N-protected and subjected to a regioselective elimination. The obtained functionalized pentacyclic product should be convertible into the alkaloid brucine by four well-established steps. Overall, the presented report shows that functionalized tetracyclic compounds with different substituents are rapidly available with the samarium diiodide cascade cyclization as crucial step. Hence, analogues of the landmark alkaloid strychnine, for example, with specific fluorine substitutions, should be easily accessible.     

Room-Temperature,Metal-Free,and One-Pot Preparation of 2H-Indazoles through a Mills Reaction and Cyclization Sequence

The Mills reaction and cyclization of readily available 2-aminobenzyl alcohols and nitrosobenzenes using thionyl bromide provided 2H-indazoles in up to 88 % yields. In the metal-free process, acetic acid played a crucial role for the both Mills reaction and cyclization. A brominated 2H-indazole could also be obtained through the one-pot sequence.     

The Effect of Viscosity on the Diffusion and Termination Reaction of Organic Radical Pairs

The effect of viscosity on the diffusion efficiency (F_dif) of an organic radical pair in a solvent cage and the termination mechanism, that is, the selectivity of disproportionation (Disp) and combination (Comb) of the geminated caged radical pair and the diffused radicals encountered, were investigated quantitatively by following the photolysis of dimethyl 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionate) (V-601) in the absence and presence of PhSD. F_dif and Disp/Comb selectivity outside the cage [Disp_(dif)/Comb_(dif)] are highly sensitive to the viscosity. In contrast, the Disp/Comb selectivity inside the cage [Disp_(cage)/Comb_(cage)] is rather insensitive. The difference in viscosity dependence between Disp_(cage)/Comb_(cage) and Disp_(dif)/Comb_(dif) is explained by the spin state of the radical pair inside and outside the cage and the spin state dependent configurational changes of the radical pair upon their collision. Given that the configurational change of the radicals associates the displacement and reorganization of solvents around the radicals, the termination outside the cage, which requires larger change than that inside the cage, is highly viscosity dependent. Furthermore, while the bulk viscosity of each solvent shows good correlation with F_dif and Disp/Comb selectivity, microviscosity is the better parameter predicting F_dif and Disp_(dif)/Comb_(dif) selectivity regardless of the solvents.     

Er3+单掺、Er3+/Yb3+共掺杂Ca12Al14O32F2的 制备及上转换发光性质

利用高温固相法成功制备了Er~(3+)单掺、Er~(3+)/Yb~(3+)共掺杂Ca_(12)Al_(14)O_(32)F_2上转换发光样品。在980 nm激光激发下,Er~(3+)单掺和Er~(3+)/Yb~(3+)共掺杂样品均呈现出较强的绿光(528,549 nm)和较弱的红光(655 nm)发射,分别归因于Er~(3+)离子的~2H_(11/2),~4S_(3/2)→~4I_(15/2)和~4F_(9/2)→~4I_(15/2)能级跃迁。随着Er离子浓度的增加,单掺杂样品上转换发光强度先增大后减小,最佳掺杂浓度为0.8%。共掺杂Yb~(3+)后,Er~(3+)的发光强度明显增大。还原气氛下合成的样品上转换发光强度增大约两倍,可能和笼中阴离子基团变化有关。发光强度和激发光功率的关系表明所得上转换发射为双光子吸收过程,借助Er~(3+)-Yb~(3+)体系能级结构详细讨论了上转换发射的跃迁机制。