Substituent effect on electronic structures of halonitrobenzenes

The electronic structures and substituent effects of o-, m-, and p-chloronitrobenzene and bromonitrobenzene have been studied by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). It was found that the o-isomer possesses particular electronic properties. This characteristic depends on the conjugation between the benzene ring pi orbital and the nitro group pi orbital and the interaction of the halogen and nitro groups in the adjacent position.     

Analyses of gibberellins in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water by partial filling-micellar electrokinetic chromatography-mass spectrometry with reversal of electroosmotic flow

In this paper, we present the results of simultaneous screening of eight gibberellins (GAs) in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water by MEKC directly coupled to ESI-MS detection. During the development of MEKC-MS, partial filling (PF) was used to prevent the micelles from reaching the mass spectrometer as this is detrimental to the MS signal, and a cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium hydroxide, was added to the electrolyte to reverse the EOF. On the basis of the resolution of the neighboring peaks, different parameters (i.e., the pH and concentration of buffer, surfactant concentrations, length of the injected micellar plug, organic modifier, and applied separation voltage) were optimized to achieve a satisfactory PF-MEKC separation of eight GA standards. Under optimum conditions, a baseline separation of GA standards, including GA1, GA3, GA5, GA6, GA7, GA9, GA12, and GA13, was accomplished within 25 min. Satisfactory results were obtained in terms of precision (RSD of migration time below 0.9%), sensitivity (LODs in the range of 0.8-1.9 microM) and linearity (R2 between 0.981 and 0.997). MS/MS with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) detection was carried out to obtain sufficient selectivity. PF-MEKC-MS/MS allowed the direct identification and confirmation of the GAs presented in coconut water (CW) sample after SPE, while, the quantitative analysis of GAs was performed by PF-MEKC-MS approach. GA1 and GA3 were successfully detected and quantified in CW. It is anticipated that the current PF-MEKC-MS method can be applicable to analyze GAs in a wide range of biological samples.     

Influence of Potassium Metal-Support Interactions on Dendrite Growth

Combined synchrotron X-ray nanotomography imaging, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and modeling elucidate how potassium (K) metal-support energetics influence electrodeposit microstructure. Three model supports are employed: O-functionalized carbon cloth (potassiophilic, fully-wetted), non-functionalized cloth and Cu foil (potassiophobic, nonwetted). Nanotomography and focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) cross-sections yield complementary three-dimensional (3D) maps of cycled electrodeposits. Electrodeposit on potassiophobic support is a triphasic sponge, with fibrous dendrites covered by solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and interspersed with nanopores (sub-10 nm to 100 nm scale). Lage cracks and voids are also a key feature. On potassiophilic support, the deposit is dense and pore-free, with uniform surface and SEI morphology. Mesoscale modeling captures the critical role of substrate-metal interaction on K metal film nucleation and growth, as well as the associated stress state.     

Insights into Anion-Solvent Interactions to Boost Stable Operation of Ether-Based Electrolytes in Pure-SiOx||LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 Full Cells

Ether solvents with superior reductive stability promise excellent interphasial stability with high-capacity anodes while the limited oxidative resistance hinders their high-voltage operation. Extending the intrinsic electrochemical stability of ether-based electrolytes to construct stable-cycling high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries is challenging but rewarding. Herein, the anion-solvent interactions were concerned as the key point to optimize the anodic stability of the ether-based electrolytes and an optimized interphase was realized on both pure-SiO_x anodes and LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ cathodes. Specifically, the small-anion-size LiNO₃ and tetrahydrofuran with high dipole moment to dielectric constant ratio realized strengthened anion-solvent interactions, which enhance the oxidative stability of the electrolyte. The designed ether-based electrolyte enabled a stable cycling performance over 500 cycles in pure-SiO_x||LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ full cell, demonstrating its superior practical prospects. This work provides new insight into the design of new electrolytes for emerging high-energy density lithium-ion batteries through the regulation of interactions between species in electrolytes.     

Selective adsorption of luteolin and aloe-emodin on ionic liquids-bonded silica

Ionic liquids (ILs)-bonded silica adsorbents were prepared by chemical modification of the silica surface using N-alkylimidazolium-based ILs with Cl^?, BF₄ ^?, PF₆ ^? or NO₃ ^? anion, and applied to selective separation of the model mixture of luteolin and aloe-emodin. Among the investigated ILs-bonded silica materials, the silica grafted with N-octyllimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₈mim]PF₆@SiO₂) exhibited higher adsorption capacity and selectivity of luteolin from the model mixed solution of luteolin and aloe-emodin. The isotherm data of luteolin on [C₈mim]PF₆@SiO₂ correlated better to the Freundlich model than the Langmuir model, and the calculated thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption of luteolin was spontaneous and exothermic. The dynamic adsorption and elution experiments demonstrated that the high adsorption capacity and good desorption efficiency of luteolin on fixed bed packed with the [C₈mim]PF₆@SiO₂. Moreover, the results from batch adsorption and dynamic adsorption showed well selective separation towards the model mixture of luteolin and aloe-emodin.     

Two cadmium(II) complexes with polymeric 2D layer and discrete mononuclear motifs: Syntheses,crystal structures,and fluorescent properties

Two new 1,3-bi(4-pyridyl)propane-based cadmium(II) complexes, [Cd(Bpp)₂(Nas)₂] _n (I) and [Cd(Bpp)₂(Na)₂(H₂O)₂] (II) (Bpp = 1,3-bi(4-pyridyl)propane, Nas^– = 2-aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonate, and Na^– = 1-naphthoate) (CIF files CCDC nos. 1429589 (I), 1429590 (II)) have been hydrothermally synthesized by varying carboxylate- or sulfonate-containing coligands. Structural analyses reveal that, complex I with monodentate Nas^– ligands exhibits a two-dimensional (2D) layered motif extended by equatorial Bpp connectors. By contrast, complex II modified by monodentate Na^– ligands exhibit discrete mononuclear structure. Althouth the Nas^–/Na^– coligands showed the same monodentate binding modes, the Bpp ligand exhibits bridging or terminal binding modes in I and II, respectively. So it is obvious that the competitive coordination in the present mixed-ligands system is responsible for the aggregation or dissociation of mononuclear structural units. Furthermore, both of the two compounds are linked to 3D supramolecular architecture by intermolecular C–H···O hydrogen bonding or C–H···π stacking interactions, exhibiting strong fluorescent emissions resulting from the ligand-to-metal or Na^?-based intraligand charge transfer at room temperature, which can be hopefully used as fluorescent materials.     

Hydrothermal reactions from sodium hydrogen carbonate to phenol

We report here experimental evidence for the hydrothermal formation of a pure organic molecule, phenol, from the reaction of carbonate with water in the presence of iron powders.