Visible light driven deuteration of formyl C–H and hydridic C(sp3)–H bonds in feedstock chemicals and pharmaceutical molecules

Deuterium labelled compounds are of significant importance in chemical mechanism investigations, mass spectrometric studies, diagnoses of drug metabolisms, and pharmaceutical discovery. Herein, we report an efficient hydrogen deuterium exchange reaction using deuterium oxide (D₂O) as the deuterium source, enabled by merging a tetra-n-butylammonium decatungstate (TBADT) hydrogen atom transfer photocatalyst and a thiol catalyst under light irradiation at 390 nm. This deuteration protocol is effective with formyl C–H bonds and a wide range of hydridic C(sp³)–H bonds (e.g. α-oxy, α-thioxy, α-amino, benzylic, and unactivated tertiary C(sp³)–H bonds). It has been successfully applied to the high incorporation of deuterium in 38 feedstock chemicals, 15 pharmaceutical compounds, and 6 drug precursors. Sequential deuteration between formyl C–H bonds of aldehydes and other activated hydridic C(sp³)–H bonds can be achieved in a selective manner.

A selective hydrogen deuterium exchange reaction with formyl C–H bonds and a wide range of hydridic C(sp³)–H bonds has been achieved by merging tetra-n-butylammonium decatungstate photocatalyst and a thiol catalyst under 390 nm light irradiation.     

Experimental and numerical investigation of aramid fibre reinforced laminates subjected to low velocity impact

The low velocity impact performance of domestic aramid fibre reinforced laminates is investigated experimentally and numerically. Laminates with different thicknesses are impacted by drop-weight test machine under different impact energies. The time histories of impact force are recorded and ultrasonic C-scan technology is used to inspect the internal damage of the laminates. Numerical simulation is conducted using finite element method (FEM), taking into account both intralaminar and interlaminar damage. The intralaminar damage model is based on the continuum damage mechanics (CDM) approach, which consists of the strain-based Hashin failure criteria and the exponential damage evolution law, and considers the nonlinear shear behaviour of the material. The interlaminar damage is simulated by interface elements with cohesive zone model. The numerical results show good agreements with the experiments, thus verifying the validity of the presented numerical model.     

Dual template method to prepare hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers for high-power supercapacitors

Hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers serving as electrode materials are prepared through carbonization and hydrofluoric acid treatment of polyacrylonitrile-based electrospinning involving dual templates. The hierarchical porous structures are synergistically tailored by varying template contents in the spinning solution. The carbon nanofibers prepared from the electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile containing 15/15 wt.% polymethylmethacrylate/tetraethyl orthosilicate exhibit the largest specific surface area (699 m² g^?1) and microporous volume (0.196 cm³ g^?1). In 6 M KOH electrolyte, a symmetrical supercapacitor equipped with the hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers demonstrates its high-end specific capacitance of 170 F g^?1, superior rate capability, and high-power density output up to 14.7 kW kg^?1. Cycling evolution indicates capacitance fading is only 5.8 % of initial capacitance at a current density of 1 A g^?1 even after 8,000 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performances of the carbon nanofiber are mainly ascribed to the optimized pore size distributions of both micropores and mesopores and the unique hierarchical pore structures possessed by abundant micropores.     

Hydrophilic microsphere based mesoscopic-lens microscope (MMM)

By increasing the hydrophilicity of microsphere, the evaporation of liquid around the microsphere will be evidently eliminated, so that the droplet can remain stable, and it is more feasible to introduce the liquid immersed MMM system in practical utilizations that require long-time observation. Compared with the non-immersed one, the liquid immersed MMM system performs better in various aspects, and it is convenient to choose microspheres on a wider scale.     

An Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Immunosensor for Nonylphenol Leachate from Instant Noodle Containers in Southeast Asia

Nonylphenols (NPNs) are persistent endocrine disruptors and their release into the environment is causing increasing concern about their impact on human health. Herein, an ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor was developed for the detection of NPNs in the leachates from 61 instant noodle containers (INCs) from 8 countries across Southeast Asia. Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) were self-assembled with reduced graphene oxide (rGO; polyethylenimine–rGO) and used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), which showed excellent electrical conductivity. An anti-NPN antibody was then immobilized on the AuNCs and, if it specifically bound NPN, the reduction in conductivity of the GCE was remarkable. The designed immunosensor has a low detection limit (5.25 ng L⁻¹) and high sensitivity for NPNs in the leachates of INCs. Remarkably, the leaching of estrogen-like compounds from different plastics of INCs and the correlation between NPN content and total estrogenic activity were thoroughly investigated. High temperatures caused polyethylene and polystyrene INCs to release more estrogen-like compounds than that of polypropylene INCs; this increased release of NPNs was associated with higher estrogen activity in living cells. These data fill the gap in human and environmental exposure to estrogen-like compounds through INCs.     

Easy One‐Pot Synthesis of 1‐Monosubstituted Aliphatic 1,2,3‐Triazoles from Aliphatic Halides,Sodium Azide and Propiolic Acid by a Click Cycloaddition/Decarboxylation Process

1‐Monosubstituted aliphatic 1,2,3‐triazoles were synthesized by a one‐pot reaction from aliphatic halides (Cl and Br), sodium azide and propiolic acid. The yields ranged from moderate to good. The reaction was easily carried out in DMF with Cs₂CO₃ at 100°C by copper‐catalyzed click cycloaddition/decarboxylation.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Iron Nanowires

The iron nanowires can be fabricated via the process in which sodium borohydride reduces iron salts in external magnetic field. The iron nanowires are found to be covered by passivated layers of iron oxide which prevent the oxidation of iron nanowires. In this process, the boron will include in iron nanowires. The average length and diameter of iron nanowires is around 1.2 micrometers and 60 nanometers, respectively. According to ICP results, the contents of B and Fe are about 1.98 wt% and 87.04 wt%, respectively, in iron nanowires. A wide variety of equipment is used to investigate the morphological, microchemical, and structural characteristics of the newly synthesized iron nanowires ––– e.g., XRD, FE‐SEM, HR‐TEM, VSM and XANES. XANES analysis indicates the boron in iron nanowires exists in the form of B₂O₃. The saturation magnetization and the coercive force of iron nanowires are 157.93 emu/g and 9.74 Oe, respectively. In‐situ images of synthesized iron nanowires during reduction process in magnetic field are observed by NSRRC transmission X‐ray microscope. Thus, this study develop a novel process to produce iron nanowires with large quantitates and can control its length and diameter by various the concentration of precursors for various applications.     

Self‐assembly of Carbon Particles as a Heat Sink Coating to Promote Radiative Cooling

Novel composite carbon particles are developed that can self‐assemble as a coating on a substrate without a binder. These carbon particles were used as a coating to enhance thermal dissipation and their thermal conductivity, surface emissivity and cooling performance were measured. Carbon particles with both thiol and epoxy functional groups self‐assembled to form a coating on the surface of a heat sink without a binder, which greatly improved the thermal conductivity of the coating. Coating a heat sink with the carbon particles yielded a higher thermal conductivity and emissivity than could be obtained with the addition of binder in the conventional approach, and significantly enhanced the cooling performance. In addition, the cooling performance of the carbon nanotube outperformed all other particles when coated on a substrate, because it had the highest thermal conductivity and good radiation emissivity. We developed an equation to describe the various parameters affecting the cooling performance of the thermally dissipative coating. This equation was confirmed by the experimental data.