Convenient Synthesis of Highly Substituted Imidazole Derivatives

A one-pot synthesis of the trisubstituted imidazole derivatives from α-acetoxy-α-chloro-β-keto-esters, aldehydes, and ammonium acetate has been developed.     

Intermetallic Compounds: Liquid-Phase Synthesis and Electrocatalytic Applications

Characterized by long-range atomic ordering, well-defined stoichiometry, and controlled crystal structure, intermetallics have attracted increasing attention in the area of chemical synthesis and catalytic applications. Liquid-phase synthesis of intermetallics has arisen as the promising methodology due to its precise control over size, shape, and resistance toward sintering compared with the traditional metallurgy. This short review tends to provide perspectives on the liquid-phase synthesis of intermetallics in terms of both thermodynamics and methodology, as well as its applications in various catalytic reactions. Specifically, basic thermodynamics and kinetics in the synthesis of intermetallics will be first discussed, followed by discussing the main factors that will affect the formation of intermetallics during synthesis. The application of intermetallics in electrocatalysis will be demonstrated case by case at last. We conclude the review with perspectives on the future developments with respect to both synthesis and catalytic applications.     

Mesomorphic bipyridine building blocks bearing an sp3 carbon and a hydroxy function

The synthesis of novel symmetrical liquid crystalline compounds based on 5-methyl-5-[2-(4-alkyloxyphenyl)-2-hydroxyethyl]-2,2-bipyridines is reported, together with some physical properties. Although the chelating head-groups are connected via a chiral sp³ carbon atom, all the materials are mesomorphic. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding between pyridino and hydroxy fragments in the mesophases is made apparent by FTIR spectroscopy.     

The Effect of Substituents on Ring Size in Cyclopolymerization: An Explanation Based on Frontier Orbital Theory

Fully identified cyclic structures formed via radically initiated cyclizations and cyclopolymerizations are explained using frontier orbital theory. This theory, briefly introduced here for general application to organic polymer chemistry, works very well in explaining the ring size in cyclopolymerization except when steric hindrance is predominant in controlling the course of cyclization.     

Research Progress of Lithium Plating on Graphite Anode in Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Lithium plating on graphite anode is triggered by harsh conditions of fast charge and low temperature, which significantly accelerates SOH (state of health) degradation and may cause safety issues of lithium ion batteries (LIBs). This paper has reviewed recent research progress of lithium plating on graphite anode. Firstly, we summarize the forming mechanisms of Li plating with corresponding influence factors, the detecting methods and hazard of Li plating. Then, approaches to suppress Li plating are discussed, including anode surface modification, electrolyte composition optimization and development of optimal charge strategies. Finally, we conclude and propose the remaining challenges and prospects in terms of mechanism research, detecting approaches, and suppressing methods of Li plating. This review highlights the development of Li plating research and plays a guiding rule of further study on Li plating in LIBs.     

Surface characterization of TEMPO‐oxidized bacterial cellulose

In this study, we focused on the surface character of bacterial cellulose (BC) before and after oxidation mediated by 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO).Solid‐state ¹³C NMR, XPS, SEM, contact angle and surface free energy analyses were performed to investigate the effects of various parameters (reaction time and oxidant and catalyst concentrations) on the surface composition, morphology and polarity of the BC. The results provided by the combined use of these techniques showed that hydrogen bonds were disrupted on the BC surface after carboxylation occurred; therefore, the surface of oxidized BC was rougher than that of the original BC, and the surface free energy, especially the polar components, increased after oxidation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

UV beam-assisted efficient formation of surface relief grating on azobenzene polymers

An efficient method is demonstrated to improve the formation of a surface relief grating (SRG) with a high amplitude. The SRG is realized by a two-beam interference technique (λ=532 nm) in an azobenzene side-chain copolymer. An UV laser beam (λ=355 nm), called assisting beam, was used to accelerate the photoisomerization process from cis-form to trans-form, resulting in a rapid cis-form ? trans-form cycle. This UV beam-assisted method allowed to increase the diffraction efficiency of the formed SRG as well as its depth. Stable gratings with modulation depth as high as 410 nm were obtained at room temperature with moderate laser power.