Synthesis,Structural Characterization and Properties of Two Strontium Borates Constructed from Oxo Boron Clusters

Two strontium borates Sr₂[B₆O₉(OH)₄] (1) and Sr₂B₅O₉(OH)·H₂O (2), with acentric structures have been synthesized under hydro/solvothermal conditions. Compound 1 is reported for the first time in the strontium borates system, and it crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁ with unit cell parameters a = 6.8445(5) Å, b = 8.7033(6) Å, c = 8.4632(6) Å, β = 100.581(6)°, V = 495.58(6) ų and Z = 2. Its structure consists of unusual borate layers of 3, 11-membered rings, which are interconnected via Sr–O ionic bonds and hydrogen bonds to generate a 3D supramolecular network. Compound 2 is a known strontium borate, crystallizing in the monoclinic space group C ₂ with a = 10.161 (13) Å, b = 7.965(4) Å, c = 6.393(11) Å, β = 128.0(2)°, V = 407.7(14) ų and Z = 2. Second-harmonic generation measurements on the powder samples reveal that 1 and 2 exhibits good SHG efficiency about 1.5 and 2 times that of KDP (KH₂PO₄) powder respectively.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Magnetic Property of a New Binuclear Copper (II) Complex Containing Water Clusters

A new binuclear copper (II) complex {[Cu₂(phen)₂(tar)(H₂O)]·8H₂O}_n (1) has been synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex crystallizes in monoclinic system, space group P2(1), with a = 7.1710(5), b = 22.0124(15), c = 10.6691(7) Å, β = 102.541(1)°, V = 1643.95(19) Å³, Z = 2. Compound 1 is further extended to a 2D supramolecular framework by hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions. Especially, six of the eight uncoordinated water molecules are connected via hydrogen bonding interactions forming 1D chain, which play an important role in the stabilization of the crystal structure. Furthermore, magnetic susceptibility measurements of this complex shows weak antiferromagnetic exchange between the copper (II) ions (J = ?5.92 cm^?1).     

Synthesis of a New Liquid Crystalline Polymer as a Highly Active β-Nucleator and Its Effect on Melting and Crystallization Behaviors of Isotactic Polypropylene

A new nematic liquid crystalline polymer as a highly active β-nucleator (LCP-N) of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) was synthesized and characterized. The effect of LCP-N on thermal behavior of the iPP was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry. LCP-N showed a melting transition at 85.0°C and a nematic to isotropic phase transition at 278.0°C. The incorporation of LCP-N could lead to substantial changes in the thermal behavior of the iPP. The nucleating activity of LCP-N mainly depended on its content, mesogenic molecular structure, and thermal history of processing. A high content of β-form could be obtained by the combined effect of the optimum LCP-N concentration and crystallization temperature and time. The Φ_β reached 77% when the LCP-N content, crystallization temperature, and crystallization time were 0.4 wt.%, 125°C, and 1 h, respectively.     

The influence of silicone shell on double-layered microcapsules in intumescent flame-retardant natural rubber composites

The mechanisms of the thermal degradation of polyhedral oligomeric octaphenylsilsesquioxane (OPS), octa(nitrophenyl)silsesquioxane (ONPS), and octa(aminophenyl)silsesquioxane (OAPS) were investigated. The –NO₂ or –NH₂ substituents on the phenyl group affected the mechanism of the POSS thermal degradation. The thermal stabilities of OPS, ONPS, and OAPS were characterized by TG and FTIR. Thermal degradation of OPS included mainly the degradation of caged polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane structures and phenyl groups. Nitro or amino substituents decreased its thermal stability. The thermal degradation processes of OPS, ONPS, and OAPS differed. Phenyl groups and cyclobutadiene were observed in the OPS degradation products. Oxygen radicals that caused intensive CO₂ release between 350 and 450 °C were generated by the degradation of ONPS –NO₂. OAPS released mainly aminophenyl groups at 370 °C, whereas a small number of phenyl groups decomposed at 500 °C. The OAPS reactivity could enhance the thermal stability of POSS structure in the polyimide OAPS composites.     

The calcined zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) under different conditions as electrode for supercapacitor applications

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) is synthesized by typical solvothermal method and subsequently calcined under air and nitrogen atmosphere, respectively. The carbon in the calcined ZIF-8 under nitrogen atmosphere was from the carbonization of the guest molecules, without adding any other carbon sources. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and electrochemical analyzer system. When the ZIF-8 is used as electrode materials for a supercapacitor in 6 M KOH electrolyte, it displays a pseudocapacitive behavior. The untreated ZIF-8 and calcined ZIF-8 under air and nitrogen atmosphere electrodes exhibit a specific capacitance of 96, 156, and 185 F g^?1, respectively, at a scan rate of 5 mV s^?1 and good stability over 1,500 cycles. These results indicate that the ZIF-8 is a promising material for supercapacitors.     

Electrochemical Synthesis of Tetrahexahedral Rhodium Nanocrystals with Extraordinarily High Surface Energy and High Electrocatalytic Activity

Noble metal nanocrystals (NCs) enclosed with high‐index facets hold a high catalytic activity thanks to the high density of low‐coordinated step atoms that they exposed on their surface. Shape‐control synthesis of the metal NCs with high‐index facets presents a big challenge owing to the high surface energy of the NCs, and the shape control for metal Rh is even more difficult because of its extraordinarily high surface energy in comparison with Pt, Pd, and Au. The successful synthesis is presented of tetrahexahedral Rh NCs (THH Rh NCs) enclosed by {830} high‐index facets through the dynamic oxygen adsorption/desorption mediated by square‐wave potential. The results demonstrate that the THH Rh NCs exhibit greatly enhanced catalytic activity over commercial Rh black catalyst for the electrooxidation of ethanol and CO.     

Facile Mechanochemical Synthesis of Nano SnO2/Graphene Composite from Coarse Metallic Sn and Graphite Oxide: An Outstanding Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

A facile method for the large‐scale synthesis of SnO₂ nanocrystal/graphene composites by using coarse metallic Sn particles and cheap graphite oxide (GO) as raw materials is demonstrated. This method uses simple ball milling to realize a mechanochemical reaction between Sn particles and GO. After the reaction, the initial coarse Sn particles with sizes of 3–30 μm are converted to SnO₂ nanocrystals (approximately 4 nm) while GO is reduced to graphene. Composite with different grinding times (1 h 20 min, 2 h 20 min or 8 h 20 min, abbreviated to 1, 2 or 8 h below) and raw material ratios (Sn:GO, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, w/w) are investigated by X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The as‐prepared SnO₂/graphene composite with a grinding time of 8 h and raw material ratio of 1:1 forms micrometer‐sized architected chips composed of composite sheets, and demonstrates a high tap density of 1.53 g cm^?3. By using such composites as anode material for LIBs, a high specific capacity of 891 mA h g^?1 is achieved even after 50 cycles at 100 mA g^?1.     

Visible‐Light‐Induced CS Bond Activation: Facile Access to 1,4‐Diketones from β‐Ketosulfones

A novel method for the synthesis of 1,4‐diketones from β‐ketosulfones was developed by means of a visible light‐induced C?S bond activation process. Symmetrical and unsymmetrical 1,4‐diketones can be easily prepared in moderate to good yields.     

Facile Access to cis‐2,6‐Disubstituted Tetrahydropyrans by Palladium‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Allylation: Total Syntheses of (±)‐Centrolobine and (+)‐Decytospolides A and B

cis‐2,6‐Tetrahydropyran is an important structural skeleton of bioactive natural products. A facile synthesis of cis‐2,6‐disubstituted‐3,6‐dihydropyrans as cis‐2,6‐tetrahydropyran precursors has been achieved in high regio‐ and stereoselectivity with high yields. This reaction involves a palladium‐catalyzed decarboxylative allylation of various 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran substrates. Extending this reaction to 1,2‐unsaturated carbohydrates allowed the achievement of challenging β‐C‐glycosylation. Based on this methodology, the total syntheses of (±)‐centrolobine and (+)‐decytospolides A and B were achieved in concise steps and overall high yields.