Methanol synthesis from CO2: a DFT investigation on Zn-promoted Cu catalyst

Research on Chemical Intermediates - The reaction steps during methanol synthesis from CO2/H2 are influenced by the type of catalysts such as pure Cu and Zn-decorated Cu. In this study, density...     

Remote regioselective organocatalytic asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition of N-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl isatin ketimines with cyclic 2,4-dienones

An organocatalytic asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition of trifluoromethyl-containing azomethine ylides with cyclic 2,4-dienones was developed.The process enables efficient incorporation of CF3 groups into functionalized spiro [pyrro lid in-3,2'-oxindoles] in high yields with good to excellent enantio-and diastereoselectivities.     

Defect-induced anisotropic surface reactivity and ion transfer processes of anatase nanoparticles

Surface reactivity and ion transfer processes of anatase TiO₂ nanocrystals were studied using lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfone)imide (LiTFSI) as a probing molecule. Analysis of synthesized anatase TiO₂ by electron microscopy reveals aggregated nanoparticles (average size ~8 nm) with significant defects (holes and cracks). With the introduction of LiTFSI salt, the Li⁺-adsorption propensity towards the surface along the anatase (100) step edge plane is evident in both x-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis. Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) analysis corroborates the site-preferential interaction of Li⁺ cations with oxygen vacancies and the thermodynamically favorable transport through the (100) step edge plane. Using ⁷Li nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shift and relaxometry measurements, the presence of Li⁺ cations near the interface between TiO₂ and the bulk LiTFSI phase was identified, and subsequent diffusion properties were analyzed. The lower activation energy derived from NMR analysis reveals enhanced mobility of Li⁺ cations along the surface, in good agreement with AIMD calculations. On the other hand, the TFSI^– anion interaction with defect sites leads to CF₃ bond dissociation and subsequent generation of carbonyl fluoride-type species. The multimodal spectroscopic analysis including NMR, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms the decomposition of TFSI^– anions near the anatase surface. The reaction mechanism and electronic structure of interfacial constituents were simulated using AIMD calculations. Overall, this work demonstrates the role of defects at the anatase nanoparticle surface on charge transfer and interfacial reaction processes.     

Engineering the Atomic Interface with Single Platinum Atoms for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

It is highly desirable but challenging to optimize the structure of photocatalysts at the atomic scale to facilitate the separation of electron–hole pairs for enhanced performance. Now, a highly efficient photocatalyst is formed by assembling single Pt atoms on a defective TiO₂ support (Pt₁/def‐TiO₂). Apart from being proton reduction sites, single Pt atoms promote the neighboring TiO₂ units to generate surface oxygen vacancies and form a Pt‐O‐Ti³⁺ atomic interface. Experimental results and density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the Pt‐O‐Ti³⁺ atomic interface effectively facilitates photogenerated electrons to transfer from Ti³⁺ defective sites to single Pt atoms, thereby enhancing the separation of electron–hole pairs. This unique structure makes Pt₁/def‐TiO₂ exhibit a record‐level photocatalytic hydrogen production performance with an unexpectedly high turnover frequency of 51423 h^?1, exceeding the Pt nanoparticle supported TiO₂ catalyst by a factor of 591.     

Tiara[5]arenes: Synthesis,Solid‐State Conformational Studies,Host–Guest Properties,and Application as Nonporous Adaptive Crystals

Tiara[5]arenes (T[5]s), a new class of five‐fold symmetric oligophenolic macrocycles that are not accessible from the addition of formaldehyde to phenol, were synthesized for the first time. These pillar[5]arene‐derived structures display both unique conformational freedom, differing from that of pillararenes, with a rich blend of solid‐state conformations and excellent host–guest interactions in solution. Finally we show how this novel macrocyclic scaffold can be functionalized in a variety of ways and used as functional crystalline materials to distinguish uniquely between benzene and cyclohexane.     

Synthesis of Polyfluorinated Tetraoxacalix[4]arenes by Reaction of Pentafluoronitrobenzene with Resorcinol,Orcinol, and Tetrafluororesorcinol

Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry - Successive reactions of pentafluoronitrobenzene with resorcinol, orcinol, and tetrafluororesorcinol in acetonitrile in the presence of triethylamine afforded...     

Combustion behavior and thermal stability of TPU composites based on layered yttrium hydroxides and graphene oxide

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Layered yttrium hydroxides (LYH)- and graphene oxide (GO)-supported layered yttrium hydroxides (GO–LYH) were synthesized by a co-precipitation...     

A Molecular Thermochromic Ferroelectric

Molecular ferroelectrics have attracted considerable interests because of their easy and environmentally friendly processing, low acoustical impedance and mechanical flexibility. Herein, a molecular thermochromic ferroelectric, N,N′‐dimethyl‐1,4‐diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octonium tetrachlorocuprate(II) ([DMe‐DABCO]CuCl₄) is reported, which shows both excellent ferroelectricity and intriguing thermochromism. [DMe‐DABCO]CuCl₄ undergoes a ferroelectric phase transition from Pca2₁ to Pbcm at a significantly high Curie temperature of 413 K, accompanied by a color change from yellow to red that is due to the remarkable deformation of [CuCl₄]^2? tetrahedron, where the ferroelectric and paraelectric phases correspond to yellow and red, respectively. Combined with multiple bistable physical properties, [DMe‐DABCO]CuCl₄ would be a promising candidate for next‐generation smart devices, and should inspire further exploration of multifunctional molecular ferroelectrics.     

Formation of Azulene‐Embedded Nanographene: Naphthalene to Azulene Rearrangement During the Scholl Reaction

Incorporation of a non‐hexagonal ring into a nanographene framework can lead to new electronic properties. During the attempted synthesis of naphthalene‐bridged double [6]helicene and heptagon‐containing nanographene by the Scholl reaction, an unexpected azulene‐embedded nanographene and its triflyloxylated product were obtained, as confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis and 2D NMR spectroscopy. A 5/7/7/5 ring‐fused substructure containing two formal azulene units is formed, but only one of them shows an azulene‐like electronic structure. The formation of this unique structure is explained by arenium ion mediated 1,2‐phenyl migration and a naphthalene to azulene rearrangement reaction according to an in‐silico study. This report represents the first experimental example of the thermodynamically unfavorable naphthalene to azulene rearrangement and may lead to new azulene‐based molecular materials.     

Rational Development of Remote C−H Functionalization of Biphenyl: Experimental and Computational Studies

A simple and efficient nitrile‐directed meta‐C?H olefination, acetoxylation, and iodination of biaryl compounds is reported. Compared to the previous approach of installing a complex U‐shaped template to achieve a molecular U‐turn and assemble the large‐sized cyclophane transition state for the remote C?H activation, a synthetically useful phenyl nitrile functional group could also direct remote meta‐C?H activation. This reaction provides a useful method for the modification of biaryl compounds because the nitrile group can be readily converted to amines, acids, amides, or other heterocycles. Notably, the remote meta‐selectivity of biphenylnitriles could not be expected from previous results with a macrocyclophane nitrile template. DFT computational studies show that a ligand‐containing Pd–Ag heterodimeric transition state (TS) favors the desired remote meta‐selectivity. Control experiments demonstrate the directing effect of the nitrile group and exclude the possibility of non‐directed meta‐C?H activation. Substituted 2‐pyridone ligands were found to be key in assisting the cleavage of the meta‐C?H bond in the concerted metalation–deprotonation (CMD) process.