Orienting Effect of the Cage Addends: The Case of Nucleophilic Cyclopropanation of C2‐C70(CF3)8

C₂‐C₇₀(CF₃)₈ was found to be a very promising substrate in the Bingel and the Bingel–Hirsch reactions combining perfect regioselectivity with much higher reactivity compared to its analogs. The reactions with diethyl malonate yield a single isomer of the monoadduct C₇₀(CF₃)₈[C(CO₂Et)₂] and a single C₂‐symmetrical bisadduct C₇₀(CF₃)₈[C(CO₂Et)₂]₂. The Bingel–Hirsch variation is particularly interesting in that it additionally affords, in a similar regioselective manner, the unexpected alkylated derivatives C₇₀(CF₃)₈[CH(CO₂Et)₂]H and C₇₀(CF₃)₈[C(CO₂Et)₂][CH(CO₂Et)₂]H. The novel compounds have been isolated and structurally characterized by means of ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy as well as single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The mechanistic and regiochemical aspects of the reaction are explained with the aid of DFT calculations.     

Hydrogen Bonding of Fluorinated Saccharides in Solution: F Acting as H‐Bond Acceptor in a Bifurcated H‐Bond of 4‐Fluorinated Levoglucosans

4‐Fluorinated levoglucosans were synthesised to test if OH???F H‐bonds are feasible even when the O???F distance is increased. The fluorinated 1,6‐anhydro‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoses were synthesised from 1,6 : 3,4‐dianhydro‐β‐D ‐galactopyranose ( 8 ). Treatment of 8 with KHF₂ and KF gave 43% of 4‐deoxy‐4‐fluorolevoglucosan ( 9 ), which was transformed into the 3‐O‐protected derivatives 13 by silylation and 15 by silylation, acetylation, and desilylation. 4‐Deoxy‐4‐methyllevoglucosan ( 19 ) and 4‐deoxylevoglucosan ( 21 ) were prepared as reference compounds that can only form a bivalent H‐bond from HO? C(2) to O? C(5). They were synthesised from the ⁱPr₃Si‐protected derivative of 8 . Intramolecular bifurcated H‐bonds from HO? C(2) to F? C(4) and O? C(5) of the 4‐fluorinated levoglucosans in CDCl₃ solution are evidenced by the ¹H‐NMR scalar couplings ^h1J(F,OH) and ³J(H,OH). The OH???F H‐bond over an O???F distance of ca. 3.0 Å is thus formed in apolar solvents, at least when favoured by the simultaneous formation of an OH???O H‐bond.     

Bifunctionalized Intrinsically Microporous Polyimides with Simultaneously Enhanced Gas Permeability and Selectivity

Two novel intrinsically microporous copolyimides synthesized by condensation reaction of 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride (6FDA), 3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethyl‐1,1′‐spirobisindane‐5,5′‐diamino‐6,6′‐diol, and 3,5‐diaminobenzoic acid with diamine ratios of 80/20 (Co‐80/20) and 50/50 (Co‐50/50) are reported. Unexpectedly, the Co‐80/20 not only demonstrates higher microporosity (300 m² g⁻¹) than the PIM‐6FDA‐OH homopolymer (190 m² g⁻¹) but also exhibits simultaneously enhanced CO₂ permeability (from 119 to 171 Barrer) and CO₂/CH₄ selectivity (from 35 to 41) after thermal annealing at 250 °C. This higher permeability originates from enhanced diffusivity (D _CO2) and the higher selectivity results from its increased diffusion selectivity (D _CO2/D _CH4). After crosslinking at 300 °C, the Co‐80/20 exhibits an even higher CO₂ permeability (261 Barrer) and almost unchanged CO₂/CH₄ selectivity.

     

Sulfonyl Fluoride‐Based Prosthetic Compounds as Potential 18F Labelling Agents

Nucleophilic incorporation of [¹⁸F]F^? under aqueous conditions holds several advantages in radiopharmaceutical development, especially with the advent of complex biological pharmacophores. Sulfonyl fluorides can be prepared in water at room temperature, yet they have not been assayed as a potential means to ¹⁸F‐labelled biomarkers for PET chemistry. We developed a general route to prepare bifunctional 4‐formyl‐, 3‐formyl‐, 4‐maleimido‐ and 4‐oxylalkynl‐arylsulfonyl [¹⁸F]fluorides from their sulfonyl chloride analogues in 1:1 mixtures of acetonitrile, THF, or tBuOH and Cs[¹⁸F]F/Cs₂CO_3(aq.) in a reaction time of 15 min at room temperature. With the exception of 4‐N‐maleimide‐benzenesulfonyl fluoride ( 3 ), pyridine could be used to simplify radiotracer purification by selectively degrading the precursor without significantly affecting observed yields. The addition of pyridine at the start of [¹⁸F]fluorination (1:1:0.8 tBuOH/Cs₂CO_3(aq.)/pyridine) did not negatively affect yields of 3‐formyl‐2,4,6‐trimethylbenzenesulfonyl [¹⁸F]fluoride ( 2 ) and dramatically improved the yields of 4‐(prop‐2‐ynyloxy)benzenesulfonyl [¹⁸F]fluoride ( 4 ). The N‐arylsulfonyl‐4‐dimethylaminopyridinium derivative of 4 ( 14 ) can be prepared and incorporates ¹⁸F efficiently in solutions of 100 % aqueous Cs₂CO₃ (10 mg mL^?1). As proof‐of‐principle, [¹⁸F] 2 was synthesised in a preparative fashion [88(±8) % decay corrected (n=6) from start‐of‐synthesis] and used to radioactively label an oxyamino‐modified bombesin(6–14) analogue [35(±6) % decay corrected (n=4) from start‐of‐synthesis]. Total preparation time was 105–109 min from start‐of‐synthesis. Although the ¹⁸F‐peptide exhibited evidence of proteolytic defluorination and modification, our study is the first step in developing an aqueous, room temperature ¹⁸F labelling strategy.     

Reduction of CO2 by Pyridine Monoimine Molybdenum Carbonyl Complexes: Cooperative Metal–Ligand Binding of CO2

[(^ArPMI)Mo(CO)₄] complexes (PMI=pyridine monoimine; Ar=Ph, 2,6‐di‐iso‐propylphenyl) were synthesized and their electrochemical properties were probed with cyclic voltammetry and infrared spectroelectrochemistry (IR‐SEC). The complexes undergo a reduction at more positive potentials than the related [(bipyridine)Mo(CO)₄] complex, which is ligand based according to IR‐SEC and DFT data. To probe the reaction product in more detail, stoichiometric chemical reduction and subsequent treatment with CO₂ resulted in the formation of a new product that is assigned as a ligand‐bound carboxylate, [(PMI)Mo(CO)₃(CO₂)]^2?, by NMR spectroscopic methods. The CO₂ adduct [(PMI)Mo(CO)₃(CO₂)]^2? could not be isolated and fully characterized. However, the C?C coupling between the CO₂ molecule and the PDI ligand was confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic characterization of one of the decomposition products of [(PMI)Mo(CO)₃(CO₂)]^2?.     

Highly Efficient Conversion of Propargylic Amines and CO2 Catalyzed by Noble‐Metal‐Free [Zn116] Nanocages

The reaction of propargylic amines and CO₂ can provide high‐value‐added chemical products. However, most of catalysts in such reactions employ noble metals to obtain high yield, and it is important to seek eco‐friendly noble‐metal‐free MOFs catalysts. Here, a giant and lantern‐like [Zn₁₁₆] nanocage in zinc‐tetrazole 3D framework [Zn₂₂(Trz)₈(OH)₁₂(H₂O)₉?8 H₂O]_n Trz=(C₄N₁₂O)^4? ( 1 ) was obtained and structurally characterized. It consists of six [Zn₁₄O₂₁] clusters and eight [Zn₄O₄] clusters. To our knowledge, this is the highest‐nuclearity nanocages constructed by Zn‐clusters as building blocks to date. Importantly, catalytic investigations reveal that 1 can efficiently catalyze the cycloaddition of propargylic amines with CO₂, exclusively affording various 2‐oxazolidinones under mild conditions. It is the first eco‐friendly noble‐metal‐free MOFs catalyst for the cyclization of propargylic amines with CO₂. DFT calculations uncover that Zn^II ions can efficiently activate both C≡C bonds of propargylic amines and CO₂ by coordination interaction. NMR and FTIR spectroscopy further prove that Zn‐clusters play an important role in activating C≡C bonds of propargylic amines. Furthermore, the electronic properties of related reactants, intermediates and products can help to understand the basic reaction mechanism and crucial role of catalyst 1 .     

Weak hydrogen and halogen bonding in 4‐[(2,2‐difluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium iodide and 4‐[(3‐chloro‐2,2,3,3‐tetrafluoropropoxy)methyl]pyridinium iodide

To enable a comparison between a C—H…X hydrogen bond and a halogen bond, the structures of two fluorous‐substituted pyridinium iodide salts have been determined. 4‐[(2,2‐Difluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium iodide, C₈H₁₀F₂NO⁺·I⁻, (1), has a –CH₂OCH₂CF₂H substituent at the para position of the pyridinium ring and 4‐[(3‐chloro‐2,2,3,3‐tetrafluoropropoxy)methyl]pyridinium iodide, C₉H₉ClF₄NO⁺·I⁻, (2), has a –CH₂OCH₂CF₂CF₂Cl substituent at the para position of the pyridinium ring. In salt (1), the iodide anion is involved in one N—H…I and three C—H…I hydrogen bonds, which, together with C—H…F hydrogen bonds, link the cations and anions into a three‐dimensional network. For salt (2), the iodide anion is involved in one N—H…I hydrogen bond, two C—H…I hydrogen bonds and one C—Cl…I halogen bond; additional C—H…F and C—F…F interactions link the cations and anions into a three‐dimensional arrangement.     

No More HF: Teflon‐Assisted Ultrafast Removal of Silica to Generate High‐Surface‐Area Mesostructured Carbon for Enhanced CO2 Capture and Supercapacitor Performance

An innovative technique to obtain high‐surface‐area mesostructured carbon (2545 m² g^?1) with significant microporosity uses Teflon as the silica template removal agent. This method not only shortens synthesis time by combining silica removal and carbonization in a single step, but also assists in ultrafast removal of the template (in 10 min) with complete elimination of toxic HF usage. The obtained carbon material (JNC‐1) displays excellent CO₂ capture ability (ca. 26.2 wt % at 0 °C under 0.88 bar CO₂ pressure), which is twice that of CMK‐3 obtained by the HF etching method (13.0 wt %). JNC‐1 demonstrated higher H₂ adsorption capacity (2.8 wt %) compared to CMK‐3 (1.2 wt %) at ?196 °C under 1.0 bar H₂ pressure. The bimodal pore architecture of JNC‐1 led to superior supercapacitor performance, with a specific capacitance of 292 F g^?1 and 182 F g^?1 at a drain rate of 1 A g^?1 and 50 A g^?1, respectively, in 1 m H₂SO₄ compared to CMK‐3 and activated carbon.     

Synthetic Control and Multifunctional Properties of Fluorescent Covalent Triazine‐Based Frameworks

Conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs), with the virtue of high porosity and optoelectronic activity, are attracting increasing research interest and have been used in various environmental and energy areas. Efficient synthesis and the exploitation of new functionalities are the research hotspots in the CMPs research area. Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) synthesized by CF₃SO₃H catalyzed trimerization reactions show properties quite alike to CMPs and this method avoids the use of noble metal catalysts. In this study, a series of novel fluorescent covalent triazine‐based frameworks (F‐CTFs) is prepared using different tetra‐cyano compounds as the starting monomers. Both porosity and fluorescence properties of the F‐CTFs can be adjusted by the monomer structure. Gas adsorption measurement reveals that F‐CTF1 with the largest surface area of 896 m² g⁻¹ shows the highest CO₂ uptake of 3.29 mmol g⁻¹ at 273 K and 1.13 bar among the polymers. Taking advantages of their large surface areas and strong fluorescence, these F‐CTFs could be used as efficient chemical sensing agents for various nitroaromatic compounds as well.

     

Magnesium(I) Dimers Bearing Tripodal Diimine–Enolate Ligands: Proficient Reagents for the Controlled Reductive Activation of CO2 and SO2

The first examples of magnesium(I) dimers bearing tripodal ligands, [(Mg{κ³‐N,N′,O‐(ArNCMe)₂(OCCPh₂)CH})₂] [Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃ (Dip) 7 , 2,6‐Et₂C₆H₃ (Dep) 8 , or mesityl (Mes) 9 ] have been prepared by post‐synthetic modification of the β‐diketiminato ligands of previously reported magnesium(I) systems, using diphenylketene, O?C?CPh₂. In contrast, related reactions between β‐diketiminato magnesium(I) dimers and the isoelectronic ketenimine, MesN?C?CPh₂, resulted in reductive insertion of the substrate into the Mg?Mg bond of the magnesium(I) reactant, and formation of [{(Nacnac)Mg}₂{μ‐κ²‐N,C‐(Mes)NCCPh₂}] (Nacnac=[(ArNCMe)₂CH]^?; Ar=Dep 10 or Mes 11 ). Reactions of the four‐coordinate magnesium(I) dimer 8 with excess CO₂ are readily controlled, and cleanly give carbonate [(LMg)₂(μ‐κ²:κ²‐CO₃)] 12 (L=[κ³‐N,N′,O‐(DepNCMe)₂(OCCPh₂)CH]^?; thermodynamic product), or oxalate [(LMg)₂(μ‐κ²:κ²‐C₂O₄)] 13 (kinetic product), depending on the reaction temperature. Compound 12 and CO are formed by reductive disproportionation of CO₂, whereas 13 results from reductive coupling of two molecules of the gas. Treatment of 8 with an excess of N₂O cleanly gives the μ‐oxo complex [(LMg)₂(μ‐O)] 14 , which reacts facilely with CO₂ to give 12 . This result presents the possibility that 14 is an intermediate in the formation of 12 from the reaction of 8 and CO₂. In contrast to its reactions with CO₂, 8 reacts with SO₂ over a wide temperature range to give only one product; the first example of a magnesium dithionite complex, [(LMg)₂(μ‐κ²:κ²‐S₂O₄)] 16 , which is formed by reductive coupling of two molecules of SO₂, and is closely related to f‐block metal dithionite complexes derived from similar SO₂ reductive coupling processes. On the whole, this study strengthens previously proposed analogies between the reactivities of magnesium(I) systems and low‐valent f‐block metal complexes, especially with respect to small molecule activations.     

Metal‐Free Reduction of CO2 with Hydroboranes: Two Efficient Pathways at Play for the Reduction of CO2 to Methanol

Guanidines and amidines prove to be highly efficient metal‐free catalysts for the reduction of CO₂ to methanol with hydroboranes such as 9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9‐BBN) and catecholborane (catBH). Nitrogen bases, such as 1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene (TBD), 7‐methyl‐1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene (Me‐TBD), and 1,8‐diazabicycloundec‐7‐ene (DBU), are active catalysts for this transformation and Me‐TBD can catalyze the reduction of CO₂ to methoxyborane at room temperature with TONs and TOFs of up to 648 and 33 h^?1 (25 °C), respectively. Formate HCOOBR₂ and acetal H₂C(OBR₂)₂ derivatives have been identified as reaction intermediates in the reduction of CO₂ with R₂BH, and the first C?H‐bond formation is rate determining. Experimental and computational investigations show that TBD and Me‐TBD follow distinct mechanisms. The N?H bond of TBD is reactive toward dehydrocoupling with 9‐BBN and affords a novel frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) that can activate a CO₂ molecule and form the stable adduct 2 , which is the catalytically active species and can facilitate the hydride transfer from the boron to the carbon atoms. In contrast, Me‐TBD promotes the reduction of CO₂ through the activation of the hydroborane reagent. Detailed DFT calculations have shown that the computed energy barriers for the two mechanisms are consistent with the experimental findings and account for the reactivity of the different boron reductants.     

Intrinsic Broadband White‐Light Emission from Ultrastable,Cationic Lead Halide Layered Materials

We report a family of cationic lead halide layered materials, formulated as [Pb₂X₂]²⁺[⁻O₂C(CH)₂CO₂⁻] (X=F, Cl, Br), exhibiting pronounced broadband white‐light emission in bulk form. These well‐defined PbX‐based structures achieve an external quantum efficiency as high as 11.8 %, which is comparable to the highest reported value (ca.9 %) for broadband phosphors based on layered organolead halide perovskites. More importantly, our cationic materials are ultrastable lead halide materials, which overcome the air/moisture‐sensitivity problems of lead perovskites. In contrast to the perovskites and other bulk emitters, the white‐light emission intensity of our materials remains undiminished after continuous UV irradiation for 30 days under atmospheric conditions (ca.60 % relative humidity). Our mechanistic studies confirm that the broadband emission is ascribed to short‐range electron‐phonon coupling in the strongly deformable lattice and generated self‐trapped carriers.     

Boosting Electrochemical CO2 Reduction on Metal–Organic Frameworks via Ligand Doping

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction relies on the availability of highly efficient and selective catalysts. Herein, we report a general strategy to boost the activity of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) towards CO₂ reduction via ligand doping. A strong electron‐donating molecule of 1,10‐phenanthroline was doped into Zn‐based MOFs of zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) as CO₂ reduction electrocatalyst. Experimental and theoretical evidences reveal that the electron‐donating nature of phenanthroline enables a charge transfer, which induces adjacent active sites at the sp² C atoms in the imidazole ligand possessing more electrons, and facilitates the generation of *COOH, hence leading to improved activity and Faradaic efficiency towards CO production.     

Intrinsic Broadband White‐Light Emission from Ultrastable,Cationic Lead Halide Layered Materials

We report a family of cationic lead halide layered materials, formulated as [Pb₂X₂]²⁺[⁻O₂C(CH)₂CO₂⁻] (X=F, Cl, Br), exhibiting pronounced broadband white‐light emission in bulk form. These well‐defined PbX‐based structures achieve an external quantum efficiency as high as 11.8 %, which is comparable to the highest reported value (ca.9 %) for broadband phosphors based on layered organolead halide perovskites. More importantly, our cationic materials are ultrastable lead halide materials, which overcome the air/moisture‐sensitivity problems of lead perovskites. In contrast to the perovskites and other bulk emitters, the white‐light emission intensity of our materials remains undiminished after continuous UV irradiation for 30 days under atmospheric conditions (ca.60 % relative humidity). Our mechanistic studies confirm that the broadband emission is ascribed to short‐range electron‐phonon coupling in the strongly deformable lattice and generated self‐trapped carriers.     

High CO2‐Capture Ability of a Porous Organic Polymer Bifunctionalized with Carboxy and Triazole Groups

A new porous organic polymer, SNU‐C1 , incorporating two different CO₂‐attracting groups, namely, carboxy and triazole groups, has been synthesized. By activating SNU‐C1 with two different methods, vacuum drying and supercritical‐CO₂ treatment, the guest‐free phases, SNU‐C1‐va and SNU‐C1‐sca , respectively, were obtained. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas of SNU‐C1‐va and SNU‐C1‐sca are 595 and 830 m²g^?1, respectively, as estimated by the N₂‐adsorption isotherms at 77 K. At 298 K and 1 atm, SNU‐C1‐va and SNU‐C1‐sca show high CO₂ uptakes, 2.31 mmol g^?1 and 3.14 mmol g^?1, respectively, the high level being due to the presence of abundant polar groups (carboxy and triazole) exposed on the pore surfaces. Five separation parameters for flue gas and landfill gas in vacuum‐swing adsorption were calculated from single‐component gas‐sorption isotherms by using the ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST). The data reveal excellent CO₂‐separation abilities of SNU‐C1‐va and SNU‐C1‐sca , namely high CO₂‐uptake capacity, high selectivity, and high regenerability. The gas‐cycling experiments for the materials and the water‐treated samples, experiments that involved treating the samples with a CO₂‐N₂ gas mixture (15:85, v/v) followed by a pure N₂ purge, further verified the high regenerability and water stability. The results suggest that these materials have great potential applications in CO₂ separation.     

Trinuclear Phosphaferroles from Alkylidyne‐Phosphaalkyne Coupling Reactions

Reaction of bisalkylidyne cluster compounds [Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃‐CR)₂] ( 1a—d ) ( a , R = H; b , R = F; c , R = Cl; d , R = Br) with the phosphaalkyne t‐C₄H₉‐C≡P ( 2 ) yield a single isomer of the phosphaferrole cluster [Fe₃(CO)₈][CR‐C(t‐Bu)‐P‐CR] ( 3a—d ). However, the three isomeric compounds [Fe₃(CO)₈][C(OEt)‐C(t‐Bu)‐P‐C(Me)] ( 5a ), [Fe₃(CO)₈][C(Me)‐C(t‐Bu)‐P‐C(OEt)] ( 5b ), and [Fe₃(CO)₈][C(OEt)‐C(Me)‐C(t‐Bu)‐P] ( 5c ) are obtained in the reaction of [Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃‐CMe)(μ₃‐C‐OEt)] ( 4 ) with 2 . As the phosphaferroles 3 possess a lone pair of electrons at the phosphorus atom they can act as ligands. [Fe₃(CO)₈][CF‐C(t‐Bu)‐P‐CF]ML_n ( 7a—c ) ( a , ML_n = Cr(CO)₅; b , ML_n = CpMn(CO)₂; c , ML_n = Cp^*Mn(CO)₂) were formed from 3b and L_nM(η²‐C₈H₁₄) ( 6a—c ). The dinuclear cluster [Fe₂(CO)₆][CF‐CF‐C(t‐Bu)‐PH(OMe)] ( 8 ) was obtained from 3b and NiCl₂·6H₂O in methanol. The structures of 3a—d , 5a—c , 7b , and 8 have been elucidated by X‐ray crystal structure determinations.     

Bipyridine‐Assisted Assembly of Au Nanoparticles on Cu Nanowires To Enhance the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2

We report a new strategy to prepare a composite catalyst for highly efficient electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR). The composite catalyst is made by anchoring Au nanoparticles on Cu nanowires via 4,4′‐bipyridine (bipy). The Au‐bipy‐Cu composite catalyzes the CO₂RR in 0.1 m KHCO₃ with a total Faradaic efficiency (FE) reaching 90.6 % at ?0.9 V to provide C‐products, among which CH₃CHO (25 % FE) dominates the liquid product (HCOO^?, CH₃CHO, and CH₃COO^?) distribution (75 %). The enhanced CO₂RR catalysis demonstrated by Au‐bipy‐Cu originates from its synergistic Au (CO₂ to CO) and Cu (CO to C‐products) catalysis which is further promoted by bipy. The Au‐bipy‐Cu composite represents a new catalyst system for effective CO₂RR conversion to C‐products.     

Dinitrosyl Iron Complex [K‐18‐crown‐6‐ether][(NO)2Fe(MePyrCO2)]: Intermediate for Capture and Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

Continued efforts are made for the utilization of CO₂ as a C₁ feedstock for regeneration of valuable chemicals and fuels. Mechanistic study of molecular (electro‐/photo‐)catalysts disclosed that initial step for CO₂ activation involves either nucleophilic insertion or direct reduction of CO₂. In this study, nucleophilic activation of CO₂ by complex [(NO)₂Fe(μ‐^MePyr)₂Fe(NO)₂]^2? ( 2 , ^MePyr=3‐methylpyrazolate) results in the formation of CO₂‐captured complex [(NO)₂Fe(^MePyrCO₂)]^? ( 2‐CO₂ , ^MePyrCO₂=3‐methyl‐pyrazole‐1‐carboxylate). Single‐crystal structure, spectroscopic, reactivity, and computational study unravels 2‐CO₂ as a unique intermediate for reductive transformation of CO₂ promoted by Ca²⁺. Moreover, sequential reaction of 2 with CO₂, Ca(OTf)₂, and KC₈ established a synthetic cycle, 2 → 2‐CO₂ → [(NO)₂Fe(μ‐^MePyr)₂Fe(NO)₂] ( 1 ) → 2 , for selective conversion of CO₂ into oxalate. Presumably, characterization of the unprecedented intermediate 2‐CO₂ may open an avenue for systematic evaluation of the effects of alternative Lewis acids on reduction of CO₂.     

Multiple Pentafluorophenylation of 2,2,3,3,5,6,6‐Heptafluoro‐3,6‐dihydro‐2H‐1,4‐oxazine with an Organosilicon Reagent: NMR and DFT Structural Analysis of Oligo(perfluoroaryl) Compounds

The reagent Me₃Si(C₆F₅) was used for the preparation of a series of perfluorinated, pentafluorophenyl‐substituted 3,6‐dihydro‐2H‐1,4‐oxazines ( 2 – 8 ), which, otherwise, would be very difficult to synthesize. Multiple pentafluorophenylation occurred not only on the heterocyclic ring of the starting compound 1 (Scheme), but also in para position of the introduced C₆F₅ substituent(s) leading to compounds with one to three nonafluorobiphenyl (C₁₂F₉) substituents. While the tris(pentafluorophenyl)‐substituted compound 3 could be isolated as the sole product by stoichiometric control of the reagent, the higher‐substituted compounds 5 – 8 could only be obtained as mixtures. The structures of the oligo(perfluoroaryl) compounds were confirmed by ¹⁹F‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, MS, and/or X‐ray crystallography. DFT simulations of the ¹⁹F‐ and ¹³C‐NMR chemical shifts were performed at the B3LYP‐GIAO/6‐31++G(d,p) level for geometries optimized by the B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level, a technique that proved to be very useful to accomplish full NMR assignment of these complex products.     

Polyethylenimine‐assisted Synthesis of Au Nanoparticles for Efficient Syngas Production

The ability to capture, store, and use CO₂ is important for remediating greenhouse‐gas emissions and combatting global warming. Herein, Au nanoparticles (Au‐NPs) are synthesized for effective electrochemical CO₂ reduction and syngas production, using polyethylenimine (PEI) as a ligand molecule. The PEI‐assisted synthesis provides uniformly sized 3‐nm Au NPs, whereas larger irregularly shaped NPs are formed in the absence of PEI in the synthesis solution. The Au‐NPs synthesized with PEI (PEI?Au/C, average PEI Mw=2000) exhibit improved CO₂ reduction activities compared to Au‐NPs formed in the absence of PEI (bare Au NPs/C). PEI?Au/C displays a 34 % higher activity toward CO₂ reduction than bare Au NPs/C; for example, PEI?Au/C exhibits a CO partial current density (j_CO) of 28.6 mA cm^?2 at ?1.13 V_RHE, while the value for bare Au NPs/C is 21.7 mA cm^?2; the enhanced j_CO is mainly due to the larger surface area of PEI?Au/C. Furthermore, the PEI?Au/C electrode exhibits stable performance over 64 h, with an hourly current degradation rate of 0.25 %. The developed PEI?Au/C is employed in a CO₂‐reduction device coupled with an IrO₂ water‐oxidation catalyst and a proton‐conducting perfluorinated membrane to form a PEI?Au/C|Nafion|IrO₂ membrane‐electrode assembly. The device using PEI?Au/C as the CO₂‐reduction catalyst exhibits a j_CO of 4.47 mA/cm² at 2.0 V_cell. Importantly, the resulted PEI?Au/C is appropriate for efficient syngas production with a CO ratio of around 30–50 %.