Metal Oxide‐Coated Three‐Dimensional Graphene Prepared by the Use of Metal–Organic Frameworks as Precursors

A simple method for the preparation of metal‐oxide‐coated three‐dimensional (3D) graphene composites was developed. The metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that served as the precursors of the metal oxides were first synthesized on the 3D graphene networks (3DGNs). The desired metal oxide/3DGN composites were then obtained by a two‐step annealing process. As a proof‐of‐concept application, the obtained ZnO/3DGN and Fe₂O₃/3DGN materials were used in a photocatalytic reaction and a lithium‐ion battery, respectively. We believe this method could be extended to the synthesis of other metal oxide/3DGN composites with 3D structures simply through the appropriate choice of specific MOFs as precursors.     

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.     

Synthesis of Chiral Exocyclic Amines by Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Aromatic Quinolin‐3‐amines

Asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic quinolin‐3‐amines was successfully developed with up to 94 % enantiomeric excess (ee). Introduction of the phthaloyl moiety to the amino group is crucial to eliminate the inhibition effect caused by the substrate and product, to activate the aromatic ring, and to improve the diastereoselectivity. This new methodology provides direct and facile access to chiral exocyclic amines. Notably, this report is the first on the highly enantioselective hydrogenation of aromatic amines.     

A Phosphine‐Catalyzed Novel Asymmetric [3+2] Cycloaddition of C,N‐Cyclic Azomethine Imines with δ‐Substituted Allenoates

Catalytic asymmetric [3+2] cycloadditions of C,N‐cyclic azomethine imines with δ‐substituted allenoates have been developed in the presence of (S)‐Me‐f‐KetalPhos, affording functionalized tetrahydroquinoline frameworks in good yields with high diastereo‐ and good enantioselectivities under mild condition. The substrate scope has been also examined. This is the first time that δ‐substituted allenoates have been applied as a δ,γ‐C?C bond participated C₂ synthon in asymmetric synthesis.     

Channelled Porous TiO2 Synthesized with a Water‐in‐Oil Microemulsion

Porous titanium dioxide synthesized with a bicontinuous surfactant template is a promising method that leads to a high active surface area electrode. The template used is based on a water/isooctane/dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate salt together with lecithin. Several parameters were varied during the synthesis to understand and optimize channel formation mechanisms. The material is patterned in stacked conical channels, widening towards the centre of the grains. The active surface area increased by 116 % when the concentration of alkoxide precursors was decreased and increased by 241 % when the template formation temperature was decreased to 10 °C. Increasing the oil phase viscosity tends to widen the pore aperture, thus decreasing the overall active surface area. Changing the phase proportions alters the microemulsion integrity and disrupts channel formation.     

The Photo‐Nazarov Reaction: Scope and Application

The reaction conditions and scope of the photo‐Nazarov reaction of aryl vinyl ketones were investigated. In contrast to the conventional acid‐catalyzed methods, this photolytic electrocyclization proceeds in the neutral or basic conditions. Irradiating substrates bearing various aromatic rings, acid‐sensitive groups, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptenyl, and unsaturated pyran with UV‐light (254 nm) smoothly yielded hexahydrofluorenones and related structures. This photo‐Nazarov reaction could also be applicable to the substrates carrying β‐alkyl groups on the enone, which gave corresponding polycyclic rings containing quaternary centers. These photo‐electrocyclized products may prove useful for synthesizing a variety of natural products and their derivatives. Further application of this mild photo‐Nazarov reaction in the synthesis of taiwaniaquinol B was achieved.     

HOMO Stabilisation in π‐Extended Dibenzotetrathiafulvalene Derivatives for Their Application in Organic Field‐Effect Transistors

Three new organic semiconductors, in which either two methoxy units are directly linked to a dibenzotetrathiafulvalene (DB‐TTF) central core and a 2,1,3‐chalcogendiazole is fused on the one side, or four methoxy groups are linked to the DB‐TTF, have been synthesised as active materials for organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs). Their electrochemical behaviour, electronic absorption and fluorescence emission as well as photoinduced intramolecular charge transfer were studied. The electron‐withdrawing 2,1,3‐chalcogendiazole unit significantly affects the electronic properties of these semiconductors, lowering both the HOMO and LUMO energy levels and hence increasing the stability of the semiconducting material. The solution‐processed single‐crystal transistors exhibit high performance with a hole mobility up to 0.04 cm² V^?1 s^?1 as well as good ambient stability.     

Palladium/Copper‐Catalyzed Oxidative Arylation of Terminal Alkenes with Aroyl Hydrazides

An unprecedented oxidative arylation reaction of terminal alkenes with simple aroyl hydrazides has been developed under aerobic conditions for the stereoselective synthesis of 1,2‐disubstituted alkenes. A range of aroyl hydrazides underwent palladium/copper‐catalyzed oxidative Mizoroki–Heck reaction with terminal alkenes open to air in a 1:1 mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide and acetonitrile to give structurally diverse 1,2‐disubstituted alkenes in moderate to excellent yields with excellent regio‐ and E‐selectivity. The reaction tolerated a wide variety of functional groups, such as alkoxy, hydroxy, amino, fluoro, chloro, bromo, cyano, nitro, ester, amide, imide, phosphine oxide, and sulfone groups, and, moreover, molecular oxygen and dimethyl sulfoxide were demonstrated to serve as terminal oxidants. This study provides a useful method for the stereoselective synthesis of 1,2‐disubstituted alkenes through direct transformation of the vinylic C?H bonds in terminal alkenes.     

Synthesis of Polycyclic Indole Skeletons by a Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Cascade Reaction

The conversion of simple, easily available urea‐substituted 3‐phenylpropargyl alcohols catalyzed by a simple IPr–gold(I) catalyst in a gold(I)‐catalyzed cascade reaction composing of a gold‐catalyzed nucleophilic addition and a subsequent gold‐catalyzed substitution reaction delivers 1H‐imidazo[1, 5?a]indol‐3(2 H)‐ones. Other gold(I) catalysts or silver catalysts gave lower yields and often gave other side products. Gold(III) and copper(II) catalysts decomposed the starting material. Twelve examples, including donor and acceptor substituents on the distal nitrogen of the urea substructure, are provided. An X‐ray crystal structure analysis confirmed the structural assignment. The mechanistic investigation including isolation and further conversion of intermediates and reactions with enantiopure starting materials indicated that after the nucleophilic‐addition step, the substrate undergoes an S_N1‐type benzylic substitution reaction at the indolyl alcohol intermediate or an intramolecular hydroamination reaction of the 2‐vinylindole intermediate.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of Yne‐Vinylidenecyclopropanes: A Three‐Carbon Synthon for [3+2] Cycloadditions

A novel type of yne‐vinylidenecyclopropanes (VDCPs) has been synthesized and applied in gold‐catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions. It was found that these compounds can undergo an intramolecular cycloisomerization and perform as a three‐carbon synthon for [3+2] cycloaddition under gold catalysis to give fused [4.3.0] and [5.3.0] bicyclic derivatives and VDCP rearranged products in moderated to good yields under mild conditions. The substrate scope of these novel transformations has been explored and plausible reaction mechanisms have been presented on the basis of deuterium labeling experiments and DFT calculations.