Methane preconcentration by adsorption: a methodology for materials and conditions selection

Methane (CH \(_4\) ) adsorption has been widely studied, mainly in the context of natural gas purification. A much less prominent, but highly relevant application is the preconcentration of CH \(_4\) from ambient air. In this study, we compare six different commercial adsorbent materials with respect to their effectiveness for methane preconcentration: a macroporous polymeric resin (HayeSep D), multi-walled carbon nanotubes, two microporous metal-organic frameworks (HKUST-1 and ZIF-8), and two zeolites (5A and 13X). The most relevant properties, such as isosteric enthalpy of adsorption, specific surface area and the selectivity for CH \(_4\) adsorption over N \(_2\) were characterized by analyzing adsorption/desorption isotherms. Using these parameters, we discuss the tested adsorbents with respect to the most important properties and identify the most promising candidates. Furthermore we identify the experimental conditions that are expected to give the best results with respect to practical applications.     

Cycloadditions of 1H-1,3-Benzazaphospholes with o-Chloranil

NH-Functional 1H-1,3-benzazaphospholes 1a–1c and o-chloranil (tetrachloro-o-benzoquinone - TCBQ) undergo rapid [1+4]-cycloaddition in a 1:2 molar ratio to give 2a – 2c as high-melting zwitterionic σ⁶λ⁵-phosphorus compounds. In the case of 2a the yield is high (rel. to TCBQ) even if the reactants were used in a 1:0.5 molar ratio. For the 2-tert-butyl-substituted compounds 2b and 2c the yields were significantly lower, in part by unidentified byproducts. Addition of excess TCBQ to crude 2c containing unconverted 1c did not increase but strongly decrease the amount of 2c . Crystallization and XRD analysis led to detection of a minor side or consecutive product 3c , formally corresponding to P=C bond cleavage and [1+4] cycloaddition of three equivalents TCBQ, two at the phosphinidene and one at the carbene end. NMR spectroscopic data of 2a – 2c including conclusive ¹³C data for 2a give evidence of the structures of the new compounds.     

SuFEx-enabled,chemoselective synthesis of triflates,triflamides and triflimidates

Sulfur(vi) Fluoride Exchange (SuFEx) chemistry has emerged as a next-generation click reaction, designed to assemble functional molecules quickly and modularly. Here, we report the ex situ generation of trifluoromethanesulfonyl fluoride (CF₃SO₂F) gas in a two chamber system, and its use as a new SuFEx handle to efficiently synthesize triflates and triflamides. This broadly tolerated protocol lends itself to peptide modification or to telescoping into coupling reactions. Moreover, redesigning the S^VI–F connector with a S O → S NR replacement furnished the analogous triflimidoyl fluorides as SuFEx electrophiles, which were engaged in the synthesis of rarely reported triflimidate esters. Notably, experiments showed H₂O to be the key towards achieving chemoselective trifluoromethanesulfonation of phenols vs. amine groups, a phenomenon best explained—using ab initio metadynamics simulations—by a hydrogen bonded termolecular transition state for the CF₃SO₂F triflylation of amines.

Triflyl fluoride gas (CF₃SO₂F) and its aza analogues are reported as new SuFEx activators. These S^VI–F reagents react efficiently with a variety of nucleophiles, yet the presence of water grants complete chemoselectivity to phenols.