Photoinduced template synthesis of cyclobutane-containing crown ether

The photoinitiated [2+2]-cycloaddition of 1,5-bis[2-(3-phenyl-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl)phenoxy]-3-oxapentane in solution was studied. In the presence of potassium cations, the reaction is intramolecular and gives crown ether containing the γ-truxin-type cyclobutane fragment (anti, head-to-head) as the major product. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 204–206, January, 2008.     

Control of channel shapes in a microporous manganese(II)-borophosphate framework by variation of size and shape of organic template cations

The templated microporous compounds [H2(Templ.)][MnII{B2P3O12(OH)}], [templates: 1,3-diaminopropane, C3H10N2 (DAP); piperazine, C4H10N2 (PIP); 1,4-diazacyclo[2.2.2]octane, C6H12N2 (DABCO)] were prepared under mild hydrothermal conditions. The crystal structures (H2DAP-Mn: Pmc2(1) (no. 26), a=1259.43(5), b=949.86(5), c=1135.92(5) pm, Z=4; H2PIP-Mn: Ima2 (no. 46), a=1257.9(1), b=948.69(8), c=1158.19(8) pm, Z=4; H2DABCO-H2PIP-Mn: Ima2 (no. 46), a=1262.90(7), b=961.05(5), c=1151.42(7) pm, Z=4) are characterized by identical framework connectivities [MnII{B2P3O12(OH)}]2-, but vary in shapes (diameters) of the structural channels depending on the shapes of the templating molecule ions. The situation clearly reflects the directing effect of true templates during endotemplating reactions. The experimental results (preparation, chemical analyses, and X-ray refinements) are supported by detailed ab initio calculations (structure optimizations).     

General and Facile Syntheses of Metal Silicate Porous Hollow Nanostructures

Porous hollow nanostructures have attracted intensive interest owing to their unique structure and promising applications in various fields. A facile hydrothermal synthesis has been developed to prepare porous hollow nanostructures of silicate materials through a sacrificial‐templating process. The key factors, such as the concentration of the free metal cation and the alkalinity of the solution, are discussed. Porous hollow nanostructures of magnesium silicate, nickel silicate, and iron silicate have been successfully prepared by using SiO₂ spheres as the template, as well as a silicon source. Several yolk–shell structures have also been fabricated by a similar process that uses silica‐coated composite particles as a template. As‐prepared mesoporous magnesium silicate hollow spheres showed an excellent ability to remove Pb²⁺ ions in water treatment owing to their large specific surface and unique structures.     

Molecular-Based Design of Microporous Carbon Nanosheets

Microporous carbons afford high surface areas, large pore volumes, and good conductivity, and are fascinating over a wide range of applications. Traditionally synthesized microporous carbon materials usually suffer from some limitations, such as poor accessibility and slow mass transport of molecules due to the micrometer-scale diffusion pathways and space confinement imposed by small pore sizes. Two-dimensional microporous carbon materials, denoted as microporous carbon nanosheets (MCNs), possess nanoscale thickness, which allows fast mass and heat transport along the z axis; thus overcoming the drawbacks of their bulk counterparts. Herein, recent breakthroughs in the synthetic strategies for MCNs are summarized. Three typical methods are discussed in detail with several examples: pyrolysis of organic precursors with 2D units, a templating method that uses wet chemistry, and the molten salt method. Among them, molecular-based assembly of MCNs in the liquid phase shows more controllable morphology, thickness, and pore size distribution. Finally, challenges in this research area are discussed to inspire future explorations.     

Construction of Heterojunction Nanowires from Polythiophene/Polypyrrole for Applications as Efficient Switches

The design and fabrication of PTh–PPY heterojunction nanowires that exhibits smart responses to electrochemical redox potentials is described. In their oxidized state, PTh–PPY nanowires act as resistors, whilst in their reduced state, they acts as diodes. Furthermore, the electrical transport mode can be reversibly changed by alternately exposing the nanowires to negative and positive potentials. Constructing full‐organic heterojunction nanowires with smart, controllable properties will contribute to the development of intelligent organic devices and organic–electronic circuits on the nanoscale.     

Microporous Crystalline γ‐Al2O3 Replicated from Microporous Covalent Triazine Framework and Its Application as Support for Catalytic Hydrolysis of Ammonia Borane

Significant progress has been made on the synthesis and application of mesoporous γ‐alumina. To date, little attention has been paid to the synthesis of microporous crystalline alumina. Here, fabrication of microporous crystalline γ‐alumina using a microporous covalent triazine framework (CTF‐1) as a template is described. Microporous crystalline γ‐alumina with a micro‐meso binary pore system was replicated by infiltration of aluminum nitrate into the micropores of the CTF‐1 template through a NH₃/water‐vapor‐induced internal hydrolysis method, followed by thermal treatment, and subsequent removal of the CTF‐1 template with a 30 % H₂O₂ aqueous solution. The obtained crystalline γ‐alumina material exhibits a large surface area (349 m² g⁻¹) with micropore distribution centered at about 1.27 nm. Ru supported on microporous γ‐Al₂O₃ can be employed as catalyst for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane, and it exhibits high catalytic activity and good durability. This finding provides a new benchmark for preparing well‐defined crystalline microporous alumina materials by a template method, which can be applied in a wide range of fields.     

Photoluminescent microporous lanthanide silicate AV-21 frameworks

The hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterization of the lanthanide silicate system [Na(6)Ln(2)Si(12)O(30).x H(2)O] (Ln=La(3+), Sm(3+), Eu(3+), Gd(3+), and Tb(3+)), named AV-21, has been reported. Structural elucidation of the Sm(3+) analogue (isomorphous with the Eu(3+), Gd(3+), and Tb(3+) frameworks) using single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction and solid-state NMR spectroscopy reveal disorder in the Si(1) second coordination sphere. La-AV-21 presents a distinct framework. These materials combine microporosity and interesting photoluminescence features with structural flexibility that allows the introduction of a second or third type of lanthanide center. Room-temperature lifetime decay dynamics have been used to estimate the Ln(3+)-Ln(3+) distances and the maximum distance over which energy transfer is active. Though the majority of Ln(3+) centers occupy regular framework positions, the Ln(2) defect centers are disordered over the Na(1) sites in the pores and greatly influence the energy-transfer process, providing a unique opportunity for studying the relationship between structural disorder and photoluminescence properties in framework solids.     

Investigation of the Ion Storage/Transfer Behavior in an Electrical Double‐Layer Capacitor by Using Ordered Microporous Carbons as Model Materials

Ordered microporous carbon : The mechanism of an electrical double‐layer capacitor containing zeolite‐templated carbons as model microporous materials was investigated in detail (see figure). Its three‐dimensionally ordered and connected micropores were found to greatly reduce ion‐transfer resistance and, therefore, exhibited a high rate performance.