Synthesis of gem-Dihydroperoxides from Ketones and Aldehydes Using Silica Sulfuric Acid as Heterogeneous Reusable Catalyst

Silica sulfuric acid (SSA) was found to efficiently catalyze the conversion of aldehydes and ketones directly into the corresponding gem-dihydroperoxides (DHPs) on treatment with aqueous 30% H₂O₂ at room temperature. Mild reaction conditions, good to excellent yields, short reaction times, low environmental impact, and recyclability of the catalyst are the main advantages of this synthetic method.     

Efficient Synthesis of Urea Derivatives via a Sequential One-Pot Nucleophilic Addition/Ugi Five-Component Reaction Under Solvent-Free Conditions

Urea polyfunctional derivatives were successfully synthesized via a one-pot, five-component nucleophilic addition/Ugi reaction sequence. Simplicity, solvent-free conditions, and good yields of products are advantages of this method.     

Complete basis set,hybrid-DFT study,and NBO interpretations of the conformational behavior of 1,2-dihaloethanes

The conformational behavior of 1,2-difluoroethane (1), 1,2-dichloroethane (2), 1,2-dibromoethane (3), and 1,2-diiodoethane (4) have been analyzed by means of complete basis set CBS-QB3, hybrid-density functional theory (B3LYP/Def2-TZVPP) based methods and natural bond orbital (NBO) interpretation. Both methods showed the expected greater stability of the gauche conformation of compound 1 compared to its anti conformation. Contrary to compound 1, the anti conformations of compounds 2–4 are more stable than their gauche conformation. The stability of the anti conformation compared to the gauche conformation increases from compound 1 to compound 4. The NBO analysis of donor–acceptor (σ → σ*) interactions showed that the generalized anomeric effect (GAE) is in favor of the gauche conformation of compound 1. Contrary to compound 1, GAE is in favor of the anti conformations of compounds 2–4. The GAE values calculated (i.e., GAE_anti − GAE_gauche) increase from compound 1 to compound 4. On the other hand, the calculated dipole moment values for the gauche conformations decrease from compound 1 to compound 4. In the conflict between the GAE and dipole moments, the former succeeded in accounting for the increase of the anti conformation stability from compound 1 to compound 4. There is a direct correlation between the calculated GAE, ∆[r _c–c(G) − r _c–c(A)] and ∆[r _c–x(A) − r _c–x(G)] parameters. The correlations between the GAE, bond orders, total steric exchange energies (TSEEs), ΔG _{Anti–Gauche}, ΔG ^‡(Gauche → Gauche′, C _2v), ΔG ^‡(Anti → Gauche, C ₂), dipole–dipole interactions, structural parameters, and conformational behaviors of compounds 1–4 have been investigated.     

Effect of bending anisotropy on the 3D conformation of short DNA loops

The equilibrium three dimensional shape of relatively short loops of DNA is studied using an elastic model that takes into account anisotropy in bending rigidities. Using a reasonable estimate for the anisotropy, it is found that cyclized DNA with lengths that are not integer multiples of the pitch take on nontrivial shapes that involve bending out of planes and formation of kinks. The effect of sequence inhomogeneity on the shape of DNA is addressed, and shown to enhance the geometrical features. These findings could shed some light on the role of DNA conformation in protein-DNA interactions.     

Redox-Bipolar Polyimide Two-Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework Cathodes for Durable Aluminium Batteries

Emerging rechargeable aluminium batteries (RABs) offer a sustainable option for next-generation energy storage technologies with low cost and exemplary safety. However, the development of RABs is restricted by the limited availability of high-performance cathode materials. Herein, we report two polyimide two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D-COFs) cathodes with redox-bipolar capability in RAB. The optimal 2D-COF electrode achieves a high specific capacity of 132 mAh g⁻¹. Notably, the electrode presents long-term cycling stability (with a negligible ≈0.0007 % capacity decay per cycle), outperforming early reported organic RAB cathodes. 2D-COFs integrate n-type imide and p-type triazine active centres into the periodic porous polymer skeleton. With multiple characterizations, we elucidate the unique Faradaic reaction of the 2D-COF electrode, which involves AlCl²⁺ and AlCl₄⁻ dual-ions as charge carriers. This work paves the avenue toward novel organic cathodes in RABs.