Designing Self‐Supported Metal‐Organic Framework Derived Catalysts for Electrochemical Water Splitting

To achieve efficient water splitting, it is essential to develop catalysts with high electrochemical performance, enhanced durability and tunable properties. Most of the transition metal‐based catalysts employed for the water splitting have been fabricated on the solid‐electrode support by using binder, which decreases the activity and durability of the catalyst system. In this respect, self‐supported metal organic framework (MOF) derived catalysts have been introduced with enhanced catalytic activity and mechanical stability for the electrochemical water splitting. The self‐supported MOF derived catalysts exhibit improved electronic conductivity, high electrochemical surface area, enhanced mechanical stability and strong catalyst‐support interaction. Moreover, these catalysts possess highly porous and hollow structure with designed morphology and multi‐metallic composition. Recently, a tremendous effort has been provided to explore this newly growing field and new dimensions and directions have been achieved. Looking at this point, we have described here the basic principles of catalyst design from self‐supported MOF, structural and interface engineering by controlling the electronic structure of the catalysts to improve the water splitting activity. In addition, the challenges and difficulties associated with this field have been pointed out and addressed for the future progress in this field.     

Intra and intermolecular hydrogen bonding in formohydroxamic acid

The presence of hydrogen bonding interactions in several tautomeric forms of formohydroxamic acid (FHA) and 1:1 association among the tautomeric forms and water‐coordinated tautomeric forms of FHA is explored theoretically. Out of the seven equilibrium structures, four tautomeric forms have been selected for aggregation with single water molecule and dimer formation. Fifteen aggregates of FHA with H₂O have been optimized at MP2/AUG‐cc‐PVDZ level and analyzed for intramolecular and intermolecular H‐bond interactions. Twenty‐seven dimers of the four tautomeric forms have been obtained at MP2/6‐31+G* level. The stabilization energies associated with dimerization and adduct formation with water are the result of H‐bond interactions and range from very weak to medium. The atomic charges and NBO analysis indicate that the electrostatic and the charge transfer are the important components favoring H‐bond formation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Novel Supports Based on Polysaccharides for Sustained‐Release of Isosorbide Dinitrate

Novel supports based on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), crosslinked with epichlorohydrin (EPC), and microparticles based on acetylphthalylcellulose (APC), for sustained‐release of isosorbide dinitrate (Isoket, Ik), were obtained. The drug has been included into CMC hydrogels through diffusion from ethanol‐water solution. Studies about the ethanol–water ratio influence on including the drug have shown an increased amount of included drug at higher content of water in the alcohol‐water mixture. Isoket–ACP microparticles have been obtained by drug and polymer co‐precipitation from emulsified aqueous solution.

The kinetics for “in vitro” release of Ik from polymeric materials, in simulated conditions for intestinal tract medium, where the drug is preferentially absorbed, has been analyzed. The experimental data have shown a “zero” order kinetic for drug release, which is characteristic for systems controlled by diffusion.     

New ion exchange membrane derived from sulfochlorated polyether sulfone for electrodialysis desalination of brackish water

The purpose of this work is to study the desalination of brackish water using a new ion exchange membrane, made from sulfochlorated polyethersulfone (Cl‐PES), and crosslinked using aminated polyethersulfone (NH2‐PES) as a crosslinking reagent. This membrane, named ClNH2 membrane, has been obtained by reaction between Cl‐PES with 1.3 SO₂Cl groups per monomer unit and 0.2 equivalent amount of NH2‐PES. ClNH2 membrane has been characterized in terms of contact angle, transport number, intrinsic conductivity, and water uptake (as a function of temperature). Electrodialysis performances of the newly synthetized membranes have been measured using an electrodialysis cell at a laboratory scale and compared to commercial membranes. All the experiments have been performed using synthetic brackish water solutions prepared from sodium chloride salts with different concentrations (varying from 0.5 to 5.0 g/L). The concentration of different water samples obtained has been found to be below the amount recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water.     

Calorimetric Studies and Structural Aspects of Ionic Liquids in Designing Sorption Materials for Thermal Energy Storage

The thermal properties of a series of twenty‐four ionic liquids (ILs) have been determined by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) with the aim of simulating processes involving water sorption. For eleven water‐free ILs, the molecular structures have been determined by X‐ray crystallography in the solid state, which have been used to derive the molecular volumes of the ionic components of the ILs. Moreover, the structures reveal a high prevalence of hydrogen bonding in these compounds. A relationship between the molecular volumes and the experimentally determined energies of dilution could be established. The highest energies of dilution observed in this series were obtained for the acetate‐based ILs, which underlines their potential as working fluids in sorption‐based thermal energy storage systems.     

Interfacial and Thermodynamic Properties of Formation of Water‐in‐Oil Microemulsions with Surfactants (SDS and CTAB) and Cosurfactants (n‐Alkanols C5–C9)

The interfacial and thermodynamic properties of water‐in‐oil microemulsion systems consisting of water, isopropyl myristate, n‐alkanol, and surfactant have been investigated using the method of dilution. The surfactants used were hexadecyl trimethylammonium bromide and sodium dodecylsulfate, and the cosurfactants were n‐alkanols with varying chain length from (C₅–C₉). The distribution of cosurfactant (n‐alkanol) between the interface of water and oil regions at the threshold level of stability as well as the energetics of the transfer of the cosurfactant from the oil to the interfacial region have been examined as a function of varying cosurfactant chain length (C₄–C₉) and temperature. The structural parameters (including dimension, population density and effective water pool radius) of the dispersed water droplets in the oil phase have also been evaluated and correlated with alkanol chain length.     

Syntheses of new benzoxazole derivatives

2‐(Arylidene)cyanomethylbenzoxazoles have been prepared in water from benzoxazole‐2‐ylacetonitriles. Using multi‐component reactions, a variety of heterocycles containing benzoxazole and nitrile functionality has been prepared. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Molecular assemblies of perylene bisimide dyes in water

Perylene bisimides are among the most valuable functional dyes and have numerous potential applications. As a result of their chemical robustness, photostability, and outstanding optical and electronic properties, these dyes have been applied as pigments, fluorescence sensors, and n‐semiconductors in organic electronics and photovoltaics. Moreover, the extended quadrupolar π system of this class of dyes has facilitated the construction of numerous supramolecular architectures with fascinating photophysical properties. However, the supramolecular approach to the formation of perylene bisimide aggregates has been restricted mostly to organic media. Pleasingly, considerable progress has been made in the last few years in developing water‐soluble perylene bisimides and their application in aqueous media. This Review provides an up‐to‐date overview on the self‐assembly of perylene bisimides through π–π interactions in aqueous media. Synthetic strategies for the preparation of water‐soluble perylene bisimides and the influence of water on the π–π stacking of perylene bisimides as well as the resulting applications are discussed.     

Synthesis and Interfacial Properties of Imidazoline Surfactants

Quaternary ammonium salts of 2‐undecyl (heptadecyl)‐1‐dithioureido‐ethyl‐imidazoline (SUDEI/SHDEI) have been synthesized, and their interfacial properties are investigated. The effects of temperature, alkyl chain R length, and polarity of solvents on the surface tension are discussed. The results show that surface tension of SUDEI and SHDEI in water solutions decreases with increasing of temperature, and SHDEI shows lower cmc value than SUDEI at constant temperature, indicating that it is easier for SHDEI to form micelles in water. SUDEI and SHDEI show much higher cmc in ethanol‐water (1∶4, v/v) than that in pure water. The molecular structure of SUDEI/SHDEI is composed of lipophilic group R and hydrophilic group comprising active elements S, N and imidazoline ring and the two groups are of similar length, which is similar to that of bi‐block copolymer. Thus, interesting results have been found in the preparation of nanomaterials in the presence of imidazoline surfactants. The corresponding mechanisms are still under investigation.     

Synthesis and Catalytic Water Oxidation Activities of Ruthenium Complexes Containing Neutral Ligands

Two dinuclear and one mononuclear ruthenium complexes containing neutral polypyridyl ligands have been synthesised as pre‐water oxidation catalysts and characterised by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and ESI‐MS. Their catalytic water oxidation properties in the presence of [Ce(NH₄)₂(NO₃)₆] (Ce^IV) as oxidant at pH 1.0 have been investigated. At low concentrations of Ce^IV (5 mM ), high turnover numbers of up to 4500 have been achieved. An ¹⁸O‐labelling experiment established that both O atoms in the evolved O₂ originate from water. Combined electrochemical study and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometric analysis suggest that ligand exchange between coordinated 4‐picoline and free water produces Ru aquo species as the real water oxidation catalysts.     

Near‐infrared spectroscopy investigation of water effects on the cationic photopolymerization of vinyl ether systems

Real‐time Fourier transform near‐infrared spectroscopy has been used to monitor monomer and water concentrations simultaneously during cationic vinyl ether photopolymerization. The use of near‐infrared peak area methods allows the water content to be conveniently and nondestructively determined in any monomer or polymer for which the water peak has previously been calibrated by gravimetric analysis. Although the shape of the absorption band due to absorbed water in a monomer changes with the quantity of water, the integrated intensity from about 5350 to 4900 cm^?1 can be correlated directly to the water concentration, and this region is well removed from the vinyl‐based absorption at approximately 6190 cm^?1. This approach provides a highly informative, dynamic technique for examining the influence of moisture on polymerization reactions. Significant differences have been observed in the effects of absorbed water on the cationic photopolymerization kinetics of vinyl ether monomers with or without an ? OH group. Along with the rapid consumption of water coupled to vinyl ether polymerization, acid‐catalyzed hydrolysis reactions have also been spectroscopically observed, giving rise to the formation of aldehyde groups. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1985–1998, 2004     

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Azocalixarenes

Five new water‐soluble and two water‐insoluble azocalixarenes have been synthesized by coupling reaction of different substituted anilines and terta hydroxylcalix[4]arene. These dyes have been characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FAB mass, and elemental analysis.     

298.15 K下NaBr在D-海藻糖和D-纤维二糖水溶液中的活度系数

通过测定由离子选择性电极组成的电池的电动势, 分别求得了298.15 K下NaBr和二糖（D-海藻糖/D-纤维二糖）在NaBr–D-海藻糖/D-纤维二糖–水三元体系中的活度系数, 计算了NaBr和这两种二糖的相互作用参数C1. 基于糖立体结构比较讨论了NaBr与海藻糖、纤维二糖和葡萄糖相互作用的差异.     

N-甲基b-磺内酰胺氨解反应机理的理论研究

The aminolysis and the effect of water on the aminolysis processes of n-methyl β-sultam have been studied using density functional theory （DFF） method at the B3LYP/6-31G＊ level. The stationary structures and energies have been investigated for both reactions to find two different reaction channels. Specific and general solvent effects have been evaluated and the most favored pathway was found. The presence of solvent disfavors the reaction, whereas the participation of water in the aminolysis reaction plays a positive role and reduces the activation energy greatly. All transition states in the assisted aminolysis are 35-70 kJ/mol lower than those for the non-assisted reaction.     

DFT Study of Hydrogen-Bonded 1,3,5-Triazine-Water Complexes

The 1,3,5-triazine-water hydrogen bonding interactions have been investigated using the density functional theory B3LYP method and 6-31 ＋＋G^＊＊ basis, obtaining one, two and seven energy minima of the ground states for the 1,3,5-triazine-water, 1,3,5-triazine-（water）2 and 1,3,5-triazine-（water）3 complexes respectively. The fully optimized geometries and binding energies were reported for the various stationary points. The global minima of 1,3,5-triazine-（water）2 and 1,3,5-triazine-（water）3 complexes have a hydrogen bond N…H-O and a chain of water molecules, terminated by a hydrogen bond O…H-C. The binding energies are 13.38, 39.52 and 67.79 kJ/mol for the most stable 1,3,5-triazine-water, 1,3,5-triazine-（water）2 and 1,3,5-triazine-（water）3 complexes respectively, after the basis set superposition error and zero point energy corrections. The H-O symmetric stretching modes of water in the complexes are red-shifted relative to those of the monomer water. In addition, the NBO analysis indicates that inter-molecule charge transfer is 0.02145 e, 0.02501 e and 0.02777 e for the most stable 1 ： 1, 1 ： 2 and 1 ： 3 complexes between 1,3,5-triazine and water, respectively.     

细胞内第二信使3',5'-环核苷酸酯质子迁移机理的理论研究

应用密度泛函理论B3LYP/6-31G**计算方法对气相中细胞内第二信使3¢,5¢-环核苷酸酯(cAMPm)质子迁移机理进行了理论研究,此外,在相同水平上模拟了水分子作催化剂的反应机理。计算结果表明cAMPm两种构象Bm 和Dm之间的转化经过一个环状过渡态,其中,两分子水参与的H 迁移反应的势能面最低,反应更容易进行。我们的计算结果为研究相关的磷酸二酯的H质子迁移反应提供了理论依据。     

Highly Efficient Redox Isomerisation of Allylic Alcohols Catalysed by Pyrazole‐Based Ruthenium(IV) Complexes in Water: Mechanisms of Bifunctional Catalysis in Water

The catalytic activity of ruthenium(IV) ([Ru(η³:η³‐C₁₀H₁₆)Cl₂L]; C₁₀H₁₆=2,7‐dimethylocta‐2,6‐diene‐1,8‐diyl, L=pyrazole, 3‐methylpyrazole, 3,5‐dimethylpyrazole, 3‐methyl‐5‐phenylpyrazole, 2‐(1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)phenol or indazole) and ruthenium(II) complexes ([Ru(η⁶‐arene)Cl₂(3,5‐dimethylpyrazole)]; arene=C₆H₆, p‐cymene or C₆Me₆) in the redox isomerisation of allylic alcohols into carbonyl compounds in water is reported. The former show much higher catalytic activity than ruthenium(II) complexes. In particular, a variety of allylic alcohols have been quantitatively isomerised by using [Ru(η³:η³‐C₁₀H₁₆)Cl₂(pyrazole)] as a catalyst; the reactions proceeded faster in water than in THF, and in the absence of base. The isomerisations of monosubstituted alcohols take place rapidly (10–60 min, turn‐over frequency=750–3000 h^?1) and, in some cases, at 35 °C in 60 min. The nature of the aqueous species formed in water by this complex has been analysed by ESI‐MS. To analyse how an aqueous medium can influence the mechanism of the bifunctional catalytic process, DFT calculations (B3LYP) including one or two explicit water molecules and using the polarisable continuum model have been carried out and provide a valuable insight into the role of water on the activity of the bifunctional catalyst. Several mechanisms have been considered and imply the formation of aqua complexes and their deprotonated species generated from [Ru(η³:η³‐C₁₀H₁₆)Cl₂(pyrazole)]. Different competitive pathways based on outer‐sphere mechanisms, which imply hydrogen‐transfer processes, have been analysed. The overall isomerisation implies two hydrogen‐transfer steps from the substrate to the catalyst and subsequent transfer back to the substrate. In addition to the conventional Noyori outer‐sphere mechanism, which involves the pyrazolide ligand, a new mechanism with a hydroxopyrazole complex as the active species can be at work in water. The possibility of formation of an enol, which isomerises easily to the keto form in water, also contributes to the efficiency in water.     

Bis‐Coenzyme Q0: Synthesis,Characteristics, and Application

A methylene‐bridged bis‐coenzyme Q₀, bis(2,3‐dimethoxy‐5‐methyl‐l,4‐benzoquinone)methane (Bis‐CoQ₀), that shows intramolecular electronic communications has been synthesized for the first time. By employing electrochemical, in situ UV/Vis, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroelectrochemical techniques, the unstable reduced intermediate species—monoradicals, diamagnetic dianions and tetraanions of Bis‐CoQ₀—have been observed. The electron‐transfer process can be defined as a three‐step reduction process with a total of four electrons in solution in CH₃CN. The chemical reaction in the third redox step process was confirmed by variable temperature cyclic voltammetry. In an aprotic CH₃CN solution, the peak potential separation between electron‐transfer steps diminished sequentially with increasing concentration of water. The hydrogen‐bonding interactions between water and the electrochemically reduced intermediates of Bis‐CoQ₀ can be estimated by peak potential shifts. The electronic communications of Bis‐CoQ₀ may have been blocked when one reduction peak was observed with proper quantities of water in CH₃CN solution. The antioxidant defense capacity of Bis‐CoQ₀‐protected cells has also been assessed.     

DFT calculations of amine‐imine tautomerism in some pyrimidine derivatives and their 1:1 and 1:2 complexes with water

Amine‐Imine tautomerization in 2‐amino‐pyrimidine (I), 2‐amino‐4,6‐dichloropyrimidine (II), 2‐amino‐4,6‐dimethylpyrimidine (III), and 2‐amino‐4,6‐dimethoxypyrimidine (IV) and their 1:1 and 1:2 H‐bonded complexes with water have been studied using the B3LYP/6‐31++G** method. Optimum molecular geometries, electronic properties, and energetics of these systems have been discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Catalyst‐free Efficient Synthesis of 3‐Thio‐2‐deoxysugar Derivatives in Water

3‐Thio‐ and 3‐dithiocarbamoyl‐2‐deoxy carbohydrate derivatives have been synthesized using water as solvent without using a catalyst. In most of the cases yields obtained were excellent.