Preparation of Single‐Handed Helical Carbon/Silica and Carbonaceous Nanotubes by Using 4,4′‐Biphenylene‐Bridged Polybissilsesquioxane

Single‐handed, helical, 4,4′‐biphenylene‐bridged polybissilsesquioxane nanotubes were prepared by using the self‐assemblies of a pair of chiral low‐molecular‐weight gelators as templates. Single‐handed, helical, carbon/silica nanotubes were obtained after carbonization of the self‐assemblies, and single‐handed helical carbonaceous nanotubes were then obtained by removal of silica with aqueous HF. Samples were characterized by using field‐emission SEM, TEM, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and circular dichroism. The polysilsesquioxane and carbonaceous structures exhibited optical activity. The walls of the carbon/silica and carbonaceous nanotubes were predominantly amorphous carbon. The surface area of the left‐handed, helical, carbonaceous nanotubes was 1439 m² g^?1, and such materials have potential applications as catalyst supports, chirality sensors, supercapacitor electrodes, and adsorbents.     

Surface Diels-Alder reactions as an effective method to synthesize functional carbon materials

The post-synthesis chemical modification of various porous carbon materials with unsaturated organic compounds is reported. By this method, amine, alcohol, carboxylate, and sulfonic acid functional groups can be easily incorporated into the materials. Different carbonaceous materials with surface areas ranging from 240 to 1500?m(2)g(-1) and pore sizes between 3.0 and 7.0?nm have been studied. The resulting materials were analyzed by elemental analysis, nitrogen sorption, FTIR spectroscopy, zeta-potential measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, photoelectron spectroscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering. These analyses indicated that the degree of functionalization is dependent on the nature of the dienophile (reactivity, steric hindrance) and the porosity of the carbon material. As possible applications, the functionalized carbonaceous materials were studied as catalysts in the Knoevenagel reaction and as adsorbents for Pb(2+) from aqueous solution.     

Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Monolith for Alkaline Supercapacitors and Understanding Nitrogen‐Induced Redox Transitions

A nitrogen‐doped porous carbon monolith was synthesized as a pseudo‐capacitive electrode for use in alkaline supercapacitors. Ammonia‐assisted carbonization was used to dope the surface with nitrogen heteroatoms in a way that replaced carbon atoms but kept the oxygen content constant. Ammonia treatment expanded the micropore size‐distributions and increased the specific surface area from 383 m² g^?1 to 679 m² g^?1. The nitrogen‐containing porous carbon material showed a higher capacitance (246 F g^?1) in comparison with the nitrogen‐free one (186 F g^?1). Ex situ electrochemical spectroscopy was used to investigate the evolution of the nitrogen‐containing functional groups on the surface of the N‐doped carbon electrodes in a three‐electrode cell. In addition, first‐principles calculations were explored regarding the electronic structures of different nitrogen groups to determine their relative redox potentials. We proposed possible redox reaction pathways based on the calculated redox affinity of different groups and surface analysis, which involved the reversible attachment/detachment of hydroxy groups between pyridone and pyridine. The oxidation of nitrogen atoms in pyridine was also suggested as a possible reaction pathway.     

Boron‐Doped,Carbon‐Coated SnO2/Graphene Nanosheets for Enhanced Lithium Storage

Heteroatom doping is an effective method to adjust the electrochemical behavior of carbonaceous materials. In this work, boron‐doped, carbon‐coated SnO₂/graphene hybrids (BCTGs) were fabricated by hydrothermal carbonization of sucrose in the presence of SnO₂/graphene nanosheets and phenylboronic acid or boric acid as dopant source and subsequent thermal treatment. Owing to their unique 2D core–shell architecture and B‐doped carbon shells, BCTGs have enhanced conductivity and extra active sites for lithium storage. With phenylboronic acid as B source, the resulting hybrid shows outstanding electrochemical performance as the anode in lithium‐ion batteries with a highly stable capacity of 1165 mA h g^?1 at 0.1 A g^?1 after 360 cycles and an excellent rate capability of 600 mA h g^?1 at 3.2 A g^?1, and thus outperforms most of the previously reported SnO₂‐based anode materials.     

An Alternative Method for the Preparation of Diphenylboron Chelates. The Crystal and Molecular Structures of (Pyridine‐2‐acetyloximato)diphenylboron and (1‐Phenylazo‐2‐naphtholato)diphenylboron

A convenient method for the preparation of diphenylboron chelates from ammonium tetraphenylborate is described. A variety of five‐ or six‐membered O,O‐, N,O‐ and N,N‐chelates were obtained in yields from 60 to 90 %. The isolated compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹¹B). The crystal and molecular structures of (pyridine‐2‐acetyloximato)diphenylboron and (1‐phenylazo‐2‐naphtholato)diphenylboron were determined by X‐ray diffraction on single crystals.     

Polysiloxane‐Based Luminescent Elastomers Prepared by Thiol–ene “Click” Chemistry

Side‐chain vinyl poly(dimethylsiloxane) has been modified with mercaptopropionic acid, methyl 3‐mercaptopropionate, and mercaptosuccinic acid. Coordinative bonding of Eu^III to the functionalized polysiloxanes was then carried out and crosslinked silicone elastomers were prepared by thiol–ene curing reactions of these composites. All these europium complexes could be cast to form transparent, uniform, thin elastomers with good flexibility and thermal stability. The networks were characterized by FTIR, NMR, UV/Vis, and luminescence spectroscopy as well as by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The europium elastomer luminophores exhibited intense red light at 617 nm under UV excitation at room temperature due to the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition in Eu^III ions. The newly synthesized luminescent materials offer many advantages, including the desired mechanical flexibility. They cannot be dissolved or fused, and so they have potential for use in optical and electronic applications.     

A Carbon Nanohorn?Porphyrin Supramolecular Assembly for Photoinduced Electron‐Transfer Processes

A supramolecular assembly of zinc porphyrin? carbon nanohorns ( CNH s) was constructed in a polar solvent. An ammonium cation was covalently connected to the CNH through a spacer (sp) ( CNH ‐sp‐NH₃⁺) and bound to a crown ether linked to a zinc porphyrin (Crown? ZnP). Nanohybrids CNH ‐sp‐NH₃⁺;Crown? ZnP and CNH ‐sp‐NH₃⁺ were characterized by several techniques, such as high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The photoinduced electron‐transfer processes of the nanohybrids have been confirmed by using time‐resolved absorption and fluorescence measurements by combining the steady‐state spectral data. Fluorescence quenching of the ZnP unit by CNH ‐sp‐NH₃⁺ has been observed, therefore, photoinduced charge separation through the excited singlet state of the ZnP unit is suggested for the hybrid material, CNH ‐sp‐NH₃⁺;Crown? ZnP. As transient absorption spectral experiments reveal the formation of the radical cation of the ZnP unit, electron generation is suggested as a counterpart of the charge‐separation on the CNH s; such an electron on the CNH s is further confirmed by migrating to the hexylviologen dication (HV²⁺). Accumulation of the electron captured from HV^.+ is observed as electron pooling in solution in the presence of a hole‐shifting reagent. Photovoltaic performance with moderate efficiency is confirmed for CNH‐ sp‐NH₃⁺;Crown? ZnP deposited onto nanostructured SnO₂ films.     

Revealing the Fine Details of Functionalized Silica Surfaces by Solid‐State NMR and Adsorption Isotherm Measurements: The Case of Fluorinated Stationary Phases for Liquid Chromatography

The structural and chromatographic characterization of two novel fluorinated mesoporous materials prepared by covalent reaction of 3‐(pentafluorophenyl)propyldimethylchlorosilane and perfluorohexylethyltrichlorosilane with 2.5 μm fully porous silica particles is reported. The adsorbents were characterized by solid state ²⁹Si, ¹³C, and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, low‐temperature nitrogen adsorption, elemental analysis (C and F), and various chromatographic measurements, including the determination of adsorption isotherms. The structure and abundance of the different organic surface species, as well as the different silanol types, were determined. In particular, the degree of so‐called horizontal polymerization, that is, Si‐O‐Si bridging parallel to the silica surface due to the reaction, under “quasi‐dry” conditions, of trifunctional silanizing agents with the silica surface was quantified. Significant agreement was found between the information provided by solid‐state NMR, elemental analysis, and excess isotherms regarding the amount of surface residual silanol groups, on the one hand, and the degree of surface functionalization, on the other. Finally, the kinetic performance of the fluorinated materials as separation media for applications in near‐ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography was evaluated. At reduced velocities of about 5.5 (ca. 600 bar backpressure at room temperature) with 3 mm diameter columns and toluene as test compound, reduced plate heights on the order of 2 were obtained on columns of both adsorbents.     

Ba3P5N10Br:Eu2+: A Natural‐White‐Light Single Emitter with a Zeolite Structure Type

Illumination sources based on phosphor‐converted light emitting diode (pcLED) technology are nowadays of great relevance. In particular, illumination‐grade pcLEDs are attracting increasing attention. Regarding this, the application of a single warm‐white‐emitting phosphor could be of great advantage. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel nitridophosphate zeolite Ba₃P₅N₁₀Br:Eu²⁺. Upon excitation by near‐UV light, natural‐white‐light luminescence was detected. The synthesis of Ba₃P₅N₁₀Br:Eu²⁺ was carried out using the multianvil technique. The crystal structure of Ba₃P₅N₁₀Br:Eu²⁺ was solved and refined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and confirmed by Rietveld refinement and FTIR spectroscopy. Furthermore, spectroscopic luminescence measurements were performed. Through the synthesis of Ba₃P₅N₁₀Br:Eu²⁺, we have shown the great potential of nitridophosphate zeolites to serve as high‐performance luminescence materials.     

Iron Metal–Organic Frameworks MIL‐88B and NH2‐MIL‐88B for the Loading and Delivery of the Gasotransmitter Carbon Monoxide

Crystals of MIL‐88B‐Fe and NH₂‐MIL‐88B‐Fe were prepared by a new rapid microwave‐assisted solvothermal method. High‐purity, spindle‐shaped crystals of MIL‐88B‐Fe with a length of about 2 μm and a diameter of 1 μm and needle‐shaped crystals of NH₂‐MIL‐88B‐Fe with a length of about 1.5 μm and a diameter of 300 nm were produced with uniform size and excellent crystallinity. The possibility to reduce the as‐prepared frameworks and the chemical capture of carbon monoxide in these materials was studied by in situ ultrahigh vacuum Fourier‐transform infrared (UHV‐FTIR) spectroscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy. CO binding occurs to unsaturated coordination sites (CUS). The release of CO from the as‐prepared materials was studied by a myoglobin assay in physiological buffer. The release of CO from crystals of MIL‐88B‐Fe with t_1/2=38 min and from crystals of NH₂‐MIL‐88B‐Fe with t_1/2=76 min were found to be controlled by the degradation of the MIL materials under physiological conditions. These MIL‐88B‐Fe and NH₂‐MIL‐88B‐Fe materials show good biocompatibility and have the potential to be used in pharmacological and therapeutic applications as carriers and delivery vehicles for the gasotransmitter carbon monoxide.     

3D–2D–0D Stepwise Deconstruction of a Water Framework Templated by a Nanoporous Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Host

The supramolecular salt [H₂pip]₃[Ge(hedp)₂]?14 H₂O ( 1 ) [H₂pip²⁺=piperazine cation C₄H₁₂N₂²⁺; hedp^5?=deprotonated form of etidronic acid, C₂H₃P₂O₇^5?) is reported. This consists of an organic–inorganic hybrid hydrogen‐bonded nanoporous framework, the internal surface of which acts as a template for the three‐dimensional (3D) clustering of water molecules. The structure and molecular dynamics of this material are characterised by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman (H/D isotopic substitution) spectroscopy, and ²H solid‐state (wide‐line and MAS) NMR spectroscopy. Material 1 is shown to be unusual because 1) few nanoporous materials exhibit a well‐organised 3D framework of water molecules, 2) it provides a unique opportunity to follow experimentally and to rationalise the deconstruction of a 3D water framework and 3) despite the fact that the hybrid framework is a supramolecular salt, the structure does not collapse after dehydration and the final material is crystalline.     

Floating catalyst CVD synthesis of carbon nanotubes from CpFe(CO)2X (X = Me, I): Poisoning effects of I

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), carbon fibers (CFs) and carbon spheres (CSs) were synthesized by an injection chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method using toluene solutions of CpFe(CO)₂Me as catalyst. The effect of pyrolysis temperature (800-1000 °C), catalyst concentration (5 and 10 wt% in toluene) and solution injection rate (0.2 and 0.8 ml/min) on the type and yield of carbonaceous product synthesized was investigated. The carbonaceous materials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Raman spectroscopy. The use of CpFe(CO)₂I as catalyst generated only carbon fibres and balls (wide range of conditions). Studies involving the addition of I₂ to catalyst solutions confirmed the poisoning effect of I on CNT production.     

Multi‐instrument characterization of poly(divinylbenzene) microspheres for use in liquid chromatography: as received,air oxidized,carbonized, and acid treated

We report a multi‐instrument characterization of the carbon particles in carbon/polymer/nanodiamond core‐shell materials used for high‐performance liquid chromatography. These particles are prepared by the carbonization/pyrolysis of poly(divinylbenzene) (PDVB) microspheres. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the particles (4.9 µm initially) decreased in size after air oxidation (to 4.4 µm) and again after carbonization (down to 3.5 µm) but remained highly spherical. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements showed low surface areas initially (as received: 1.6 m²/g, after air oxidation: 2.6 m²/g) but high values after carbonization (445 m²/g). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the changes in the functional groups after air oxidation (C = O and C–O stretches appear), carbonization (carbon‐oxygen containing moieties disappear), and acid treatment (reintroduction of carbon‐oxygen containing moieties). X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and elemental analysis revealed the surface and bulk oxygen contents before and after treatments. By XPS, the atom percent oxygen for the as received, air oxidized, carbonized, and acid treated particles are 8.7, 16.6, 3.7, and 13.8, respectively, and by elemental analysis, the percent oxygen in the materials is 0.6, 8.1, 0.9, 16.9, respectively. A principal components analysis of time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry data identified ions that were enhanced in the different materials, where almost 90% of the variation in the analyzed peak areas was captured by two principle components. X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy suggested that the carbonized PDVB was disordered. Thermogravimetric analysis showed significant differences between the differently treated PDVB microspheres. This work applies directly to a commercial product and the process for preparing it. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Transformation of a Cp*–Iridium(III) Precatalyst for Water Oxidation when Exposed to Oxidative Stress

The reaction of [Cp*Ir(bzpy)NO₃] ( 1 ; bzpy=2‐benzoylpyridine, Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl anion), a competent water‐oxidation catalyst, with several oxidants (H₂O₂, NaIO₄, cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN)) was studied to intercept and characterize possible intermediates of the oxidative transformation. NMR spectroscopy and ESI‐MS techniques provided evidence for the formation of many species that all had the intact Ir–bzpy moiety and a gradually more oxidized Cp* ligand. Initially, an oxygen atom is trapped in between two carbon atoms of Cp* and iridium, which gives an oxygen–Ir coordinated epoxide, whereas the remaining three carbon atoms of Cp* are involved in a η³ interaction with iridium ( 2 a ). Formal addition of H₂O to 2 a or H₂O₂ to 1 leads to 2 b , in which a double MeCOH functionalization of Cp* is present with one MeCOH engaged in an interaction with iridium. The structure of 2 b was unambiguously determined in the solid state and in solution by X‐ray single‐crystal diffractometry and advanced NMR spectroscopic techniques, respectively. Further oxidation led to the opening of Cp* and transformation of the diol into a diketone with one carbonyl coordinated at the metal ( 2 c ). A η³ interaction between the three non‐oxygenated carbons of “ex‐Cp*” and iridium is also present in both 2 b and 2 c . Isolated 2 b and mixtures of 2 a – c species were tested in water‐oxidation catalysis by using CAN as sacrificial oxidant. They showed substantially the same activity than 1 (turnover frequency values ranged from 9 to 14 min^?1).     

X‐ray induced degradation of surface bound azido groups during XPS analysis

Mesoporous silica SBA‐15 was synthesized and silanized with azidopropyl triethoxysilane in order to design a clickable material. Fourier transform infrared analysis permitted to prove the attachment of the azidopropylene groups to SBA‐15 resulting in the reactive and functional material N₃‐SBA‐15. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to determine the surface composition of SBA‐15. However, we unexpectedly found that the surface bound azido groups undergo X‐ray induced decomposition during the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis resulting in the formation of nitrenes. These are very reactive groups able to intercalate C―C and C―H bonds of the propylene chains as judged from the N1s peak shape. Possible mechanisms of intercalation are suggested. C1s and N1s peaks were recorded at different exposure time. N/C, N⁺/N and N⁺/C undergo exponential decay. N⁺/N reaches the value of zero in less than 80 min of exposure to the X‐ray source. The N⁺/C decay plot was fitted with first‐order kinetics, and the decomposition kinetic constant (k_dec) was found to equal to 516.4 s^?1. This is a fast X‐ray induced degradation which must be considered with care when examining clickable materials with surface bound alkyl azido groups. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Supermolecular liquid crystals with a six-armed cyclotriphosphazene core: from columnar to cubic phases

New liquid crystals having a non‐conventional structure have been synthesised from a six‐armed cyclotriphosphazene core, [N₃P₃(OC₆H₄OH‐4)₆], which was condensed with polycatenar acids. Reactions were monitored by ³¹P{¹H} and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and the chemical structure of the resulting materials was confirmed by different spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF). Results were in accordance with monodisperse, fully functionalised cyclotriphosphazenes. Thermal and mesomorphic properties were studied by optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction. All of the synthesised phosphazenes, substituted with benzyl ether chains, show a high thermal stability and exhibit mesomorphic properties, which depend on the number and type of alkyl terminal chains located at the periphery of the mesogens. Mesomorphic properties range from Col_h for cph‐A1 and cph‐A2 to a cubic phase detected for cph‐A3 , which has the larger number of alkyl chains. Furthermore, helical order was detected on X‐ray data of cph‐A2 , which has chiral branched chains. Circular dichroism spectra of annealed films at mesophase temperature show a signal attributed to the chiral helical arrangement of the mesogenic chromophores.     

A synthesis of porous activated carbon materials derived from vitamin B9 base for CO2 capture and conversion

CO₂ capture and conversion are still a favorable way to reduce CO₂ in the atmosphere. Herein, we have developed an environmentally friendly, low energy consumption porous activated carbon from vitamin B9 carbonaceous material for CO₂ capture and conversion materials. It is demonstrated that the KOH/vitamin B9 carbonaceous material impregnation ratio of 2 is the optimum condition for obtaining porous activated carbons with high specific surface area of 1903 m²g^-1, micropore surface area of 710 m²g^-1, total pore volume of 1.05 cm³g^-1 and micropore volume of 0.38 cm³g^-1. Among all the porous activated carbons prepared, the porous activated carbon synthesized with the KOH/vitamin B9 carbonaceous material impregnation ratio of 2 registers the most excellent CO₂ capture for 5.41 mmolg^?1 at 0 °C/1 bar and 3.66 mmolg^?1 at 25 °C/1 bar. They can also effectively catalyze the cycloaddition of CO₂ and epoxides under mild conditions (1 bar, 100 °C and 8 h) with a yield of 89–94%. The synthesized porous carbon materials from vitamin B9 is a promising candidate material for CO₂ capture and fixation.     

Two New Lead(II) Coordination Polymers with (Substituted) Bipyridine and Auxiliary Nitrate Ligands

The reaction of lead(II) nitrate with 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bpy) and 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐dm‐2,2′‐bpy) or 5,5′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (5,5′‐dm‐2,2′‐bpy) resulted in the fomation of single crystals of [Pb₂(4,4′‐bpy)(5,5′‐dm‐2,2′‐bpy)₂(NO₃)₄] ( 1 ) and [Pb₃(4,4′‐bpy)₂(4,4′‐dm‐2,2′‐bpy)₂(NO₃)₆] ( 2 ). The new compounds have been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction structure analysis as well as through elemental analysis, IR, ¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy and their stability has been studied by thermal analysis. In the crystal structure of ( 1 ) formula‐like dimers are further connected to a 2‐D network through the auxiliary nitrate ligands. The crystal structure of ( 2 ) exhibits two crystallographically independent Pb^II central atoms (in a ratio of 1:2). With the aid of the 4,4′‐bpy and the nitrate ions, a 3‐D polymeric structure is achieved.     

Dianionic Tris[oxalato(2—)]silicate and Tris[oxalato(2—)]germanate Complexes: Synthesis,Properties, and Structural Characterization in the Solid State and in Solution

Reaction of tetramethoxysilane with three molar equivalents of oxalic acid and two molar equivalents of 1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐pyrrolidine or 1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)piperidine in tetrahydrofuran yielded the λ⁶Si‐silicates 1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidinium tris[oxalato(2—)]silicate ( 4 ) and 1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)piperidinium tris[oxalato(2—)]silicate ( 5 ). The related germanium compounds 1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)piperidinium tris[oxalato(2—)]germanate ( 6 ) and triethylammonium tris[oxalato(2—)]germanate ( 7 ) were synthesized analogously, starting from tetramethoxygermane and using three molar equivalents of oxalic acid and two molar equivalents of 1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)piperidine or triethylamine. Compounds 4 — 7 were characterized by elemental analyses (C, H, N), single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, solid‐state VACP/MAS NMR spectroscopy (²⁹Si), and solution NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si). The structural characterization was complemented by computational studies of the tris[oxalato(2—)]silicate dianion and the tris[oxalato(2—)]germanate dianion. In addition, the stability of compounds 4 — 7 in aqueous solution was studied by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Cooperative Acid–Base Effects with Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: Applications in Carbon–Carbon Bond‐Formation Reactions

Acid–base bifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) were prepared by a one‐step synthesis by co‐condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and silanes possessing amino and/or sulfonic acid groups. Both the functionality and morphology of the particles can be controlled. The grafted functional groups were characterized by using solid‐state ²⁹Si and ¹³C cross‐polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and elemental analysis, whereas the structural and the morphological features of the materials were evaluated by using XRD and N₂ adsorption–desorption analyses, and SEM imaging. The catalytic activities of the mono‐ and bifunctional mesoporous hybrid materials were evaluated in carbon–carbon coupling reactions like the nitroaldol reaction and the one‐pot deacetalization–nitroaldol and deacetalization–aldol reactions. Among all the catalysts evaluated, the bifunctional sample containing amine and sulfonic acid groups (MSN–NNH₂–SO₃H) showed excellent catalytic activity, whereas the homogeneous catalysts were unable to initiate the reaction due to their mutual neutralization in solution. Therefore a cooperative acid–base activation is envisaged for the carbon–carbon coupling reactions.