Highly efficient extraction and oxidative desulfurization system using Na7H2LaW10O36⋅32 H2O in [bmim]BF4 at room temperature

Highly efficient, deep desulfurization of model oil containing dibenzothiophene (DBT), benzothiophene (BT), or 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) has been achieved under mild conditions by using an extraction and catalytic oxidative desulfurization system (ECODS) in which a lanthanide-containing polyoxometalate Na(7)H(2)LnW(10)O(36)?32?H(2)O (LnW(10); Ln = Eu, La) acts as catalyst, [bmim]BF(4) (bmim = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium) as extractant, and H(2)O(2) as oxidant. Sulfur removal follows the order DBT>4,6-DMDBT>BT at 30?°C. DBT can be completely oxidized to the corresponding sulfone in 25?min under mild conditions, and the LaW(10)/[bmim]BF(4) system could be recycled for ten times with only slight decrease in activity. Thus, LaW(10) in [bmim]BF(4) is one of the most efficient systems for desulfurization using ionic liquids as extractant reported so far.     

Deep Desulfurization by Amphiphilic Lanthanide‐Containing Polyoxometalates in Ionic‐Liquid Emulsion Systems under Mild Conditions

Amphiphilic lanthanide‐containing polyoxometalates (POMs) were prepared by surfactant encapsulation. Investigation of these lanthanide‐containing POMs in oxidative desulfurization (ODS) showed that highly efficient deep desulfurization could be achieved in only 14 min with 100 % conversion of dibenzothiophene under mild conditions by using (DDA)₉LaW₁₀/[omim]PF₆ (DDA=dimethyldioctadecylammonium, omim=1‐octyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium) in the presence of H₂O₂. Furthermore, deep desulfurization proceeds smoothly in model oil with an S content as low as 50 ppm. A scaled‐up experiment in which the volume of model oil was increased from 5 to 1000 mL with S content of 1000 ppm indicated that about 99 % sulfur removal can be achieved in 40 mins in an ionic‐liquid emulsion system. To the best of our knowledge, the (DDA)₉LaW₁₀/[omim]PF₆ catalyst system with H₂O₂ as oxidant is one of the most efficient desulfurization systems reported so far.     

An Efficient Synthesis of 2‐Substituted Benzoxazoles via RuCl3·3H2O Catalyzed Tandem Reactions in Ionic Liquid

An efficient synthesis of 2‐substituted benzoxazoles through RuCl₃·3H₂O catalyzed, air oxidized tandem reactions of 2‐aminophenols and aldehydes in [bmim]BF₄ was developed. This synthetic strategy has such advantages as mild reaction conditions, cost‐free oxidant, readily available starting materials, and recyclable catalyst and solvent. As an application, it was successfully used in the synthesis of the unreported 5‐(benzoxazol‐2‐yl)‐2′‐deoxyuridines with potential biological activities.     

Hexacyanoferrate‐based ionic liquids as Fenton‐like catalysts for deep oxidative desulfurization of fuels

Two hexacyanoferrate‐based ionic liquids, [C₄Py]₃Fe(CN)₆ and [C₁₆Py]₃Fe(CN)₆, were synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared and mass spectroscopies and CHN analysis. They were employed as Fenton‐like catalysts in extraction and catalytic oxidative desulfurization of model oil with dibenzothiophene (DBT), benzothiophene (BT), 4,6‐dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6‐DMDBT), 4‐methyldibenzothiophene (4‐MDBT) and 3‐methylbenzothiophene (3‐MBT) as substrates. Various polar solvents, such as ionic liquids, water and organic solvents, were applied to choose a suitable extractant. The results showed the removal of DBT reached 97.1% with [C₄Py]₃Fe(CN)₆ as a catalyst and 1‐n‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₈mim]PF₆) as an extractant under optimal conditions. The activity of sulfur removal followed the order DBT > 3‐MBT > BT > 4‐MDBT >4,6‐DMDBT. The effect of water content on sulfur removal was investigated by adding various concentrations of H₂O₂. It was found that excess water had a positive effect on sulfur removal but the catalysts were less sensitive than [FeCl₄^?]‐based catalysts to water. The mechanism was studied using electron spin‐resonance spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. O₂^?? may be the active oxygen species in the catalytic oxidative desulfurization process and the oxidation products of various sulfur compounds were the corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optical and Bioelectrochemical Characterization of Water‐Miscible Ionic Liquids Based Composites of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Acidic treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (AMWNTs) were ground with water‐miscible room temperature ionic liquids, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim]BF₄), and resulted in AMWNTs‐[bmim]BF₄ composite. Its electrical‐ionic conductivity and optical properties were compared with the other two types of carbon materials‐[bmim]BF₄ composites: pyrolytic graphite powder (PGP), pristine multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PMWNTs), through the ac impedance technology and Raman spectroscopy. The impedance data show that AMWNTs‐[bmim]BF₄ composite exhibits the highest conductivity. Raman spectra study exhibits that the [bmim]BF₄ can form gel with PMWNTs and AMWNTs but only form a viscous liquid with PGP. AMWNTs‐[bmim]BF₄ gel modified GC electrode was applied in direct electrochemistry of heme proteins (Hb and HRP) and it catalysis to the reduction of H₂O₂ was investigated.     

Deep oxidative desulfurization of benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene with a peroxophosphotungstate–ionic liquid brush assembly

A novel, efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalytic assembly of peroxophosphotungstate held in an ionic liquid brush was synthesized and an extraction and catalytic oxidative desulfurization (ECODS) procedure was developed for a model oil of benzothiophene (BT) and dibenzothiophene (DBT) using 30 wt% hydrogen peroxide as terminal oxidant and methanol as solvent under mild conditions. Several factors that affect sulfur removal were investigated in detail. The highest sulfur removal can reach 100% for BT in 7 h at 70 °C when the molar ratio of H₂O₂, S and catalyst is 10:1:0.025. The sulfur removal for DBT can also reach 100% in 4 h at 50 °C with the same molar ratio of H₂O₂, S and catalyst. The experimental results demonstrate that this ECODS process has no apparent scale‐up effect. The catalyst can be easily recovered (via simple filtration) and recycled five times without a significant decrease in activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Sustainable Synthesis of 2‐Benzoxazyl and 2‐Benzothiazyl Ketones from Alkynyl Bromides and 2‐Amino(thio)phenols Promoted by a Recyclable Catalytic System

An environmentally and economically sustainable synthesis of 2‐benzoxazyl ketones and 2‐benzothiazyl ketones through FeCl₃·6H₂O catalyzed tandem reactions of alkynyl bromides with 2‐amino(thio)phenols in [bmim]BF₄ has been developed. Remarkable advantages of this new synthetic strategy include high efficiency, readily available starting materials, and recyclable catalyst and reaction medium.     

An organic‐inorganic heterogeneous catalyst based on Keplerate polyoxometalates for oxidation of dibenzothiophene derivatives with Hydrogen peroxide

An organic‐inorganic material (NH₄)₂(MimAM)₄₀[Mo₁₃₂O₃₇₂(CH₃COO)₃₀(H₂O)₇₂] have been synthesized by reacting [(NH₄)₄₂[Mo^VI₇₂ Mo^V₆₀O₃₇₂(CH₃COO)₃₀(H₂O)₇₂] with the ionic liquid 3‐Aminoethyl‐1‐methylimidazolium bromide. The catalyst showed remarkably a high catalytic performance in the oxidation of dibenzothiophene (DBT) derivatives with H₂O₂ 35% as a safe and green oxidant. The main parameters affecting the process including catalyst, acid additive, hydrogen peroxide amounts and temperature have been investigated in detail. Sulfur removal of DBT in n‐heptane reached to 98.3% yield at 40 °C using 2.5 mmol H₂O₂ and 100 mg of (NH₄)₂(MimAM)₄₀[Mo₁₃₂O₃₇₂(CH₃COO)₃₀(H₂O)₇₂] after 90 min. Under the optimal conditions, BT (benzothiophene), DBT (dibenzothiophene) and 4,6‐DMDBT (4,6‐dimethyl‐dibenzothiophene) achieved high desulfurization efficiency. Our results showed that the reactivity order of different model sulfur compounds are thiophene <4,6‐dimethyl dibenzothiophene< dibenzothiophene. The catalysts could be easily separated from the reaction solution by simple filtration and recycled for several times without loss of activity.     

Deep desulfurization of diesel by selective oxidation using amphiphilic paradodecatungstate catalyst

An amphiphilic paradodecatungstate catalyst, [(C₁₈H₃₇)₂N(CH₃)₂]₉[NaH₂W₁₂O₄₂] was prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–visible spectrum, differential thermal analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. The amphiphilic catalyst exhibits very high catalytic activity that dibenzothiophene (DBT) in model diesel can be oxidized into dibenzothiophene sulfones using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. The reactivity of sulfur compounds decreased in the order of DBT > 4,6-DMDBT > BT > 5-MBT. The reaction rates of these sulfur compounds are sensitive to the electron density on sulfur atoms and the steric hindrance of the substituted groups of sulfur compounds. The sulfur level of a commercial diesel after desulfurization can drop from 200 ppm to about 12 ppm.     

Biocatalytic Oxidative Cascade for the Conversion of Fatty Acids into α‐Ketoacids via Internal H2O2 Recycling

The functionalization of bio‐based chemicals is essential to allow valorization of natural carbon sources. An atom‐efficient biocatalytic oxidative cascade was developed for the conversion of saturated fatty acids to α‐ketoacids. Employment of P450 monooxygenase in the peroxygenase mode for regioselective α‐hydroxylation of fatty acids combined with enantioselective oxidation by α‐hydroxyacid oxidase(s) resulted in internal recycling of the oxidant H₂O₂, thus minimizing degradation of ketoacid product and maximizing biocatalyst lifetime. The O₂‐dependent cascade relies on catalytic amounts of H₂O₂ and releases water as sole by‐product. Octanoic acid was converted under mild conditions in aqueous buffer to 2‐oxooctanoic acid in a simultaneous one‐pot two‐step cascade in up to >99 % conversion without accumulation of hydroxyacid intermediate. Scale‐up allowed isolation of final product in 91 % yield and the cascade was applied to fatty acids of various chain lengths (C6:0 to C10:0).     

Dipolar S=O...C=O and C—H...O interactions in the molecular organization of 4,6‐di‐O‐acetyl‐2‐O‐tosyl‐myo‐inositol 1,3,5‐orthoesters

In the absence of conventional hydrogen bonding, the molecules of 4,6‐di‐O‐acetyl‐2‐O‐tosyl‐myo‐inositol 1,3,5‐orthoformate, C₁₈H₂₀O₁₀S, (I), and 4,6‐di‐O‐acetyl‐2‐O‐tosyl‐myo‐inositol 1,3,5‐orthobenzoate, C₂₄H₂₄O₁₀S, (II), are associated via C—H...O interactions. Molecules of (II) are additionally linked via dipolar S=O...C=O contacts. It is interesting to note that the sulfonyl O atom involved in the dipolar S=O...C=O contacts does not take part in any other interaction, indicating the competitive nature of this contact relative to the weak hydrogen‐bonding interactions.     

Poly[nickel(II)‐di‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridyl‐κ4N:N′‐μ‐dichromato‐κ2O:O′] and poly[copper(II)‐di‐μ‐4,4'‐bipyridyl‐κ4N:N′‐μ‐dichromato‐κ2O:O′]

The novel title hybrid isomorphous organic–inorganic mixed‐metal dichromates, [Ni(Cr₂O₇)(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂] and [Cu(Cr₂O₇)(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂], have been synthesized. A non‐centrosymmetric three‐dimensional (4,6)‐net is formed from a linear chain of vertex‐linked [Cr₂O]²⁻ and [MN₄O]²⁺ (M = Ni and Cu) units, which in turn are linked by the planar bidentate 4,4′‐­bipyridine ligand through the four remaining vertices of the [MN₄O]²⁺ octahedra. There are two such three‐dimensional nets that interpenetrate with inversion symmetry.     

(C2H10N2)[BPO4F2] — Structural Relations between [BPO4F2]2— and [Si2O6]4—

(C₂H₁₀N₂)[BPO₄F₂] — Strukturbeziehungen zwischen [BPO₄F₂]^2— und [Si₂O₆]^4— Colourless crystals of (C₂H₁₀N₂)[BPO₄F₂] were prepared from mixture of ethylendiamine, H₃BO₃, BF₃ · C₂H₅NH₂, H₃PO₄ and HCl under mild hydrothermal conditions (220 °C). The crystal structure was determined by single crystal methods (triclinic, P1¯ (no. 2), a = 451.85(5) pm, b = 710.20(8) pm, c = 1210.2(2) pm, α = 86.08(1)°, β = 88.52(2)°, γ = 71.74(1)°, Z = 2) and contains infinite tetrahedral zweier‐single‐chains {[BPO₄F₂]^2—} which are isoelectronic (48e^—) with the polyanions {[Si₂O₆]^4—} of the pyroxene family.     

A three‐dimensional inorganic/organic hybrid material, [Ni2(4,4′‐bipy)3(H2O)2V4O12]·2.5H2O

The title compound, poly­[[[di­aqua(μ‐4,4′‐bipyridyl)­di­nickel(II)]‐bis(μ‐4,4′‐bipyridyl)‐di‐μ‐hexa­oxo­di­vana­date(2?)] 2.5‐hydrate], [Ni₂­(V₂O₆)₂­(C₁₀H₈N₂)₃­(H₂O)₂]·­2.5H₂O, has been prepared hydro­thermally and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structure consists of [V₂O₆], [Ni­(4,4′‐bipy)₄O₂] and [Ni­(H₂O)₂­(4,4′‐bipy)₂O₂] polyhedra, and water of crystallization. The Ni atoms and one bipyridyl group lie on centres of symmetry.     

One‐Pot,Three‐Component Synthesis of Novel Spiro[3H‐indole‐3,2′‐thiazolidine]‐2,4′(1H)‐diones in an Ionic Liquid as a Reusable Reaction Media

A facile one‐pot, three‐component protocol for the synthesis of novel spiro[3H‐indole‐3,2′‐thiazolidine]‐2,4′(1H)‐diones by condensing 1H‐indole‐2,3‐diones, 4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐amine and 2‐sulfanylpropanoic acid in [bmim]PF₆ (1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐1H‐imidazolium hexafluorophosphate) as a recyclable ionic‐liquid solvent gave good to excellent yields in the absence of any catalyst (Scheme 1 and Table 2). The advantages of this protocol over conventional methods are the mild reaction conditions, the high product yields, a shorter reaction time, as well as the eco‐friendly conditions.     

Reaction with SO3 in Ionic Liquids: The Example of K2(S2O7)­(H2SO4)

The ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hydrogensulfate, [bmim]HSO₄, turned out to be resistant even to strong oxidizers like SO₃. Thus, it should be a suitable solvent for the preparation of polysulfates at low temperatures. As a proof of principle we here present the synthesis and crystal structure of K₂(S₂O₇)(H₂SO₄), which has been obtained from the reaction of K₂SO₄ and SO₃ in [bmim]HSO₄. In the crystal structure of K₂(S₂O₇)(H₂SO₄) (orthorhombic, Pbca, Z = 8, a = 810.64(2) pm, b = 1047.90(2) pm, c = 2328.86(6) pm, V = 1978.30(8) ų) two crystallographically unique potassium cations are coordinated by a different number of monodentate and bidentate‐chelating disulfate anions as well as by sulfuric acid molecules. The crystal structure consists of alternating layers of [K₂(S₂O₇)] slabs and H₂SO₄ molecules. Hydrogen bonds between hydrogen atoms of sulfuric acid molecules and oxygen atoms of the neighboring disulfate anions are observed.     

Ionic liquids/H2O systems for the reaction of epoxides with NaN3: a new protocol for the synthesis of 2-azidoalcohols

Oxiranes undergo ring opening rapidly with sodium azide in a [bmim]BF₄/H₂O or [bmim]PF₆/H₂O (2:1) solvent system, under mild and neutral reaction conditions to afford the corresponding 2-azidoalcohols in high to quantitative yields. The remarkable features of this procedure are improved yields, enhanced reaction rates, high regioselectivity and ease of recyclability of ionic liquids (ILs). The recovered ionic liquid can be reused for four to five times but with gradual decrease in activity.     

Deep extractive desulfurization of diesel fuels by FeCl3/ionic liquids

The extractive desulfurization of dibenzothiophene（DBT）,benzothiophene（BT）,and 4,6-dimethyldi-benzothiophene （4,6-DMDBT） in model oil was carried out using anhydrous FeCl₃ and 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium chloride system（[Omim|Cl·2FeCl₃）.This new system exhibited high extractive efficiency and the sulfur removal of DBT in model oil(V_IL/V_oil=1/20) could reach 99.4%at room temperature for 30 min,which was obviously superior to single[Omim]Cl as extractant（22.9%）.When the[Omim|CI·2FeCl₃ was used,the S-removal of 4,6-DMDBT and BT could also be up to 99.3%and 96.2%, respectively.Moreover,the ionic liquid could be recycled five times without a significant decrease in extractive ability.     

Regulating sulfur removal efficiency of fuels by Lewis acidity of ionic liquids

It is urgent to develop a new deep desulfurization process of fuels as the environmental pollution increases seriously. In this work, a series of Lewis acidic ionic liquids (ILs) [C₄³MPy]Cl/nZnCl₂ (n=1, 1.5, 2, 3) were synthesized and used in extraction and catalytic oxidative desulfurization (ECOD) of the fuels. The effects of the Lewis acidity of ILs, the molar ratio of H₂O₂/sulfur, temperatures, and different substrates including dibenzothiophene (DBT), benzothiophene (BT) and thiophene (TS), on sulfur removal were investigated. The results indicated that [C₄³MPy]Cl/₃ZnCl₂ presented near 100% DBT removal of model oil under conditions of 323 K, H₂O₂/DBT molar ratio 6:1. Kinetics for the removal of DBT, BT and TS by the [C₄³MPy]Cl/₃ZnCl₂-H₂O₂ system at 323 K is first-order with the apparent rate constants of 1.1348, 0.2226 and 0.0609 h^-1, and the calculated apparent activation energies for DBT, BT and TS were 61.13, 60.66, and 68.14 kJ/mol from 298 to 308 K, respectively. After six cycles of the regenerated [CC₄³MPy]Cl/₃ZnCl₂, the sulfur removal had a slight decrease. [CC₄³MPy]Cl/₃ZnCl₂ showed a good desulfurization performance under optimal conditions.     

Cationic ring-opening polymerization of 3,3-bis（chloromethyl）oxacyclobutane in ionic liquids

Cationic ring-opening polymerization of 3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxacyclobutane catalyzed by BF_3·OEt_2 was carried out in ionic liquids [bmim]BF_4 and [bmim]PF_6.The influences of BCMO concentration and molar ratio of BCMO/BF_3·OEt_2 on the molecular weights and yield of PBCMO were investigated.The polymerization in ionic liquids proceed to high conversions,although molecular weights are limited,similar to polymerization in organic solvent such as CH_2Cl_2.Follow a viewpoint of green chemistry, we feel ionic liquid [bmim]BF_4 is superior to [bmim]PF_6.Extracting [bmim]PF_6 from the product using organic solvent as extractant limits its advantage as a green reaction media.