Formation of Active Structures in Monolith Copper–Manganese Oxide Catalysts for Air-Heating Devices

Impregnation catalysts based on CuO, MnO_x, and CuO–MnO_x with different Cu/Mn ratios supported on ceramic monoliths of alumina and silica are studied by BET, mercury porosimetry, X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, temperature-programmed reduction with H₂, diffuse reflectance electron spectroscopy, and differential dissolution. It is found that, in the butane oxidation reaction, CuO–MnO_x catalysts exert a synergistic effect, which is attributed to the formation of highly defective phases of complex oxides of the nonstoichiometric spinel type with a large number of interparticle boundaries in the near-surface layers of the support.     

High-Valent Metal–Oxo Species at the Nodes of Metal–Triazolate Frameworks: The Effects of Ligand Exchange and Two-State Reactivity for C−H Bond Activation

Through quantum-chemical calculations, we investigate a family of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) containing triazolate linkers, M₂X₂(BBTA) (M=metal, X=bridging anion, H₂BBTA=1H,5H-benzo(1,2-d:4,5-d′)bistriazole), for their ability to form terminal metal–oxo sites and subsequently activate the C−H bond of methane. By varying the metal and bridging anion in the framework, we show how to significantly tune the reactivity of this series of MOFs. The electronic structure of the metal–oxo active site is analyzed for each combination of metal and bridging ligand, and we find that spin density localized on the oxo ligand is not an inherent requirement for low C−H activation barriers. For the Mn- and Fe-containing frameworks, a transition from ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic coupling between the metal binding site and terminal oxo ligand during the C−H activation process can greatly reduce the kinetic barrier, a unique case of two-state reactivity without a change in the net spin multiplicity.     

Amides as surrogates of aldehydes for C–C bond formation:amide-based direct Knoevenagel-type condensation reaction and related reactions

Aldehydes are perhaps the most versatile compounds that enable many C–C bond forming reactions, which are not amenable for other subclasses of carbonyl compounds. We report the first use of amides as surrogates of aldehydes for C–C bond formation,namely, the direct Knoevenagel-type condensation based on amides. The one-pot method consists of controlled reduction of an amide with LDBIPA [Li Al H(i Bu)2(Oi Pr)], Lewis acid-mediated release of a reactive iminium ion intermediate, nucleophilic addition, and in situ elimination of amine. The reaction shows good functional group tolerance. We also demonstrated that the Schwartz reagent could be used as an alternative of LDBIPA. The employment of nitromethane and a silyl enol ether as the nucleophiles opens an avenue for the unprecedented amide-based nitro-aldol condensation reaction and aldol condensation reaction, respectively.     

Rhodium-Catalyzed Pauson–Khand-Type Cyclization of 1,5-Allene-Alkynes: A Chirality Transfer Strategy for Optically Active Bicyclic Ketones

An efficient chirality transfer in the [RhCl(CO)₂]₂-catalyzed [2+2+1] cyclization of optically active axially chiral 1,3-disubstituted allenynes with CO to access optically active bicyclopentenone compounds has been developed. The distal C=C bond of allenes reacted with the alknye unit and CO to afford [4.3.0]-bicyclic products with high ee values under mild reaction conditions with an excellent selectivity.     

Chitosan–Alginate Microcapsules for Oral Delivery of Egg Yolk Immunoglobulin (IgY): Effects of Chitosan Concentration

In our previous study, chitosan–alginate microcapsules were developed to protect egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) from gastric inactivation. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of chitosan concentration (0–0.8%; w/v) on various properties of the microcapsules in order to produce the optimum chitosan–alginate microcapsules for use in the oral delivery of IgY. The properties investigated included microcapsule morphology, loading capacity for IgY (expressed as the IgY loading percentage, w/w, of microcapsules), encapsulation efficiency (EE%), in vitro gastroresistance, and IgY release. IgY loading percentage and EE% were both highest at 0.2% (w/v) chitosan, and, above this level, further increases were not observed. The stability of IgY in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) was significantly improved by encapsulation in alginate microcapsules (IgY retained 43.5% of its activity) and was further improved by including chitosan at any of the chitosan concentrations assessed (IgY retained an average of 69.4% activity) although there was no difference in protection of gastric inactivation among concentrations of chitosan varying from 0.05% to 0.8% (w/v). Higher chitosan concentrations (i.e., ≥0.2%; w/v) prolonged the release of IgY from the microcapsules during simulated intestinal fluid incubation (pH 6.8). However, above the 0.2% (w/v) level, no significant differences were observed. We conclude that the optimum chitosan concentration for microencapsulation is 0.2% (w/v).     

Metal–Organic Framework-Encapsulated CoCu Nanoparticles for the Selective Transfer Hydrogenation of Nitrobenzaldehydes: Engineering Active Armor by the Half-Way Injection Method

A novel armor-type composite of metal–organic framework (MOF)-encapsulated CoCu nanoparticles with a Fe₃O₄ core (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-NH₂-CoCu@UiO-66) has been designed and synthesized by the half-way injection method, which successfully serves as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the selective transfer hydrogenation. In this half-way injection approach, the pre-synthetic Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-NH₂-CoCu was injected into the UiO-66 precursor solution halfway through the MOF budding period. The formed MOF armor could play a role of providing significant additional catalytic sites besides CoCu nanoparticles, protecting CoCu nanoparticles, and improving the catalyst stability, thus facilitating the selective transfer hydrogenation of nitrobenzaldehydes into corresponding nitrobenzyl alcohols in high selectivity (99 %) and conversion (99 %) rather than nitro group reduction products. Notably, this method achieves the precise assembly of a MOF-encapsulated composite, and the ingenious combination of MOF and nanoparticles exhibits excellent catalytic performance in the selective hydrogen transfer reaction, implementing a “1+1>2” strategy in catalysis.     

Correction to: Densities of Active Species in R/x%(N2–5%H2) (R = Ar or He) Microwave Flowing Afterglows

Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing - Unfortunately, the original publication contains errors. The authors would like to correct the errors as given.     

Complex Formation of Crown Ethers and Cations in Water–Organic Solvent Mixtures: Part XI. Effects of the Preferential Solvation of Benzo-15-Crown-5 and Acid-Base Properties of the Mixtures on the Thermodynamic Functions for Complex Formation of Benzo-15-Crown-5 with Na+ in Propan-1-ol–Water Mixtures at 298.15 K

The thermodynamic functions of complex formation of benzo-15-crown-5 ether (B15C5) and sodium cation (Na⁺) in the mixtures of propan-1-ol (PrOH) with water at 298.15 K have been calculated from experimental measurements. The equilibrium constants of B15C5/Na⁺ complex formation have been determined by conductivity measurements. The enthalpic effect of complex formation has been measured by a calorimetric method. The complexes are enthalpy stabilized but entropy destabilized in the PrOH–H₂O mixtures. The effects of preferential solvation of B15C5 by molecules of the organic solvent, solvation of the sodium cation, as well as the acid-base properties of propan-1-ol–water mixtures on the complex formation processes are discussed.