Comparative study on Artemisia halodendron Turcz. and its two related plants by GC-MS analysis and protective effect against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

A rapid method had been used for comparative study on Artemisia halodendron Turcz. and its two related plants by gas phase-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The comparison of the volatile oils obtained in three plants by GC-MS were similar in 20 compositions. However, n-Hexadecanoic acid (10.40%), Biphenyl (7.867%) and 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (7.25%) were the predominant in the volatile oils of A. halodendron Turcz., whereas these constituents did not exist in the other two plants. And the study investigated the effect of three plants against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. 70% ethanol extracts of A. halodendron Turcz. showed weaker protective effect than the other two plants. It suggested that they provide a basis for the identification of the A. halodendron Turcz. from the other two plants and the ethanol extract from three plants exerted a protecting effect against hepatotoxicity.     

A Comparison of Two Isoreticular Metal–Organic Frameworks with Cationic and Neutral Skeletons: Stability,Mechanism, and Catalytic Activity

Although many ionic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been reported, little is known about how the charge of the skeleton affects the properties of the MOF materials. Herein we report how the chemical stability of MOFs can be substantially improved through embedding electrostatic interactions in structure. A MOF with a cationic skeleton is impervious to extremely acidic, oxidative, reductive, and high ionic strength conditions, such as 12 m HCl (301 days), aqua regia (86 days), H₂O₂ (30 days), and seawater (30 days), which is unprecedented for MOFs. DFT calculations suggested that steric hinderance and the repulsive interaction of the cationic framework toward positively charged species in microenvironments protects the vulnerable bonds in the structure. Diverse functionalities can be bestowed by substituting the counterions of the charged framework with identically charged functional species, which broadens the horizon in the design of MOFs adaptable to a demanding environment with specific functionalities.     

CsVO2F(IO3): An Excellent SHG Material Featuring an Unprecedented 3D [VO2F(IO3)]− Anionic Framework

The first alkali-metal vanadium iodate fluoride, CsVO₂F(IO₃), with a novel 3D anionic framework, has been rationally designed and hydrothermally synthesized. The 3D [VO₂F(IO₃)]⁻ framework in CsVO₂F(IO₃) is built from 0D Λ-shaped cis-[VO₃F(IO₃)₂]⁴⁻ polyanions via corner-sharing of oxo anions and bridging of the iodate groups. CsVO₂F(IO₃) displays both a strong second-harmonic generation (SHG) 1.1 times as strong as KTiOPO₄ (KTP) under 2.05 μm laser radiation and high laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of 107.9 MW cm⁻². This work provides a new route to design SHG crystals with stable 3D anionic structures from low-dimensional structural building units.     

A Chemically Soldered Polyoxometalate Single-Molecule Transistor

Polyoxometalates have been proposed in the literature as nanoelectronic components, where they could offer key advantages with their structural versatility and rich electrochemistry. Apart from a few studies on their ensemble behaviour (as monolayers or thin films), this potential remains largely unexplored. We synthesised a pyridyl-capped Anderson–Evans polyoxometalate and used it to fabricate single-molecule junctions, using the organic termini to chemically “solder” a single cluster to two nanoelectrodes. Operating the device in an electrochemical environment allowed us to probe charge transport through different oxidation states of the polyoxometalate, and we report here an efficient three-state transistor behaviour. Conductance data fits a quantum tunnelling mechanism with different charge-transport probabilities through different charge states. Our results show the promise of polyoxometalates in nanoelectronics and give an insight on their single-entity electrochemical behaviour.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Electrophilic Functionalization of Pyridine Derivatives through Phosphonium Salts

Herein, we report a highly efficient and practical method for pyridine-derived heterobiaryl synthesis through palladium-catalyzed electrophilic functionalization of easily available pyridine-derived quaternary phosphonium salts. The nice generality of this reaction was goes beyond arylation, enabling facile incorporation of diverse carbon-based fragments, including alkenyl, alkynyl, and also allyl fragments, onto the pyridine core. Notably, the silver salt additive is revealed to be of vital importance for the success of this transformation and its pivotal role as transmetallation mediator, which guarantees a smooth transfer of pyridyl group to palladium intermediate, is also described.     

Transition-Metal Catalysis of Triene 6π Electrocyclization: The π-Complexation Strategy Realized

Triene 6π electrocyclization, wherein a conjugated triene undergoes a concerted stereospecific cycloisomerization to a cyclohexadiene, is a reaction of great historical and practical significance. In order to circumvent limitations imposed by the normally harsh reaction conditions, chemists have long sought to develop catalytic variants based upon the activating power of metal–alkene coordination. Herein, we demonstrate the first successful implementation of such a strategy by utilizing [(C₅H₅)Ru(NCMe)₃]PF₆ as a precatalyst for the disrotatory 6π electrocyclization of highly substituted trienes that are resistant to thermal cyclization. Mechanistic and computational studies implicate hexahapto transition-metal coordination as responsible for lowering the energetic barrier to ring closure. This work establishes a foundation for the development of new catalysts for stereoselective electrocyclizations.     

General Formation of Macro-/Mesoporous Nanoshells from Interfacial Assembly of Irregular Mesostructured Nanounits

Mesoporous core–shell nanostructures with controllable ultra-large open channels in their nanoshells are of great interest. However, soft template-directed cooperative assembly to mesoporous nanoshells with highly accessible pores larger than 30 nm, or even above 50 nm into macroporous range, remains a significant challenge. Herein we report a general approach for precisely tailored coating of hierarchically macro-/mesoporous polymer and carbon shells, possessing highly accessible radial channels with extremely wide pore size distribution from ca. 10 nm to ca. 200 nm, on diverse functional materials. This strategy creates opportunities to tailor the interfacial assembly of irregular mesostructured nanounits on core materials and generate various core–shell nanomaterials with controllable pore architectures. The obtained Fe,N-doped macro-/mesoporous carbon nanoshells show enhanced electrochemical performance for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline condition.     

Micron-Sized Zeolite Beta Single Crystals Featuring Intracrystal Interconnected Ordered Macro-Meso-Microporosity Displaying Superior Catalytic Performance

Zeolite Beta single crystals with intracrystalline hierarchical porosity at macro-, meso-, and micro-length scales can effectively overcome the diffusion limitations in the conversion of bulky molecules. However, the construction of large zeolite Beta single crystals with such porosity is a challenge. We report herein the synthesis of hierarchically ordered macro-mesoporous single-crystalline zeolite Beta (OMMS-Beta) with a rare micron-scale crystal size by an in situ bottom-up confined zeolite crystallization strategy. The fully interconnected intracrystalline macro-meso-microporous hierarchy and the micron-sized single-crystalline nature of OMMS-Beta lead to improved accessibility to active sites and outstanding (hydro)thermal stability. Higher catalytic performances in gas-phase and liquid-phase acid-catalyzed reactions involving bulky molecules are obtained compared to commercial Beta and nanosized Beta zeolites. The strategy has been extended to the synthesis of other zeolitic materials, including ZSM-5, TS-1, and SAPO-34.     

Fabricating Dual-Atom Iron Catalysts for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction: A Heteroatom Modulator Approach

Understanding the thermal aggregation behavior of metal atoms is important for the synthesis of supported metal clusters. Here, derived from a metal–organic framework encapsulating a trinuclear Fe^III₂Fe^II complex (denoted as Fe₃) within the channels, a well-defined nitrogen-doped carbon layer is fabricated as an ideal support for stabilizing the generated iron nanoclusters. Atomic replacement of Fe^II by other metal(II) ions (e.g., Zn^II/Co^II) via synthesizing isostructural trinuclear-complex precursors (Fe₂Zn/Fe₂Co), namely the “heteroatom modulator approach”, is inhibiting the aggregation of Fe atoms toward nanoclusters with formation of a stable iron dimer in an optimal metal–nitrogen moiety, clearly identified by direct transmission electron microscopy and X-ray absorption fine structure analysis. The supported iron dimer, serving as cooperative metal–metal site, acts as efficient oxygen evolution catalyst. Our findings offer an atomic insight to guide the future design of ultrasmall metal clusters bearing outstanding catalytic capabilities.