Computational insight into asymmetric uranyl‐salophen coordinated with α, β‐unsaturated aldehydes and ketones

The study of the catalytic activity and activation mechanism of asymmetric uranyl‐salophens with α, β‐unsaturated aldehydes or α, β‐unsaturated ketones, is a research hotspot. In this paper, the complexes of the uranyl–salophen(U‐S) modified by unilateral benzene, coordinated with cyclohexenone, cyclopentenone and acrolein, were investigated using density functional theory calculations at the level of B3LYP/6‐311G(d, p) basis set. The results showed that the uranyl‐salophen(U‐S) weakened the large π bond between C = C and C = O of the α, β‐unsaturated aldehydes and ketones, making the unsaturated aldehydes and ketones activated. In addition, the molecular‐recognition selectivity of the asymmetrical uranyl‐salophen for cyclohexenone and cyclopentenone were much higher than for acrolein.     

Poly(aryl ether ketone) composite membrane as a high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries separator

We described the design and synthesis of a modified poly(aryl ether ketone) bearing phenolphthalein and allyl groups (P‐PAEK) via nucleophilic polycondensation. A new kind of composite separator, crosslinked P‐PAEK/polyvinylidene fluoride (c‐P‐PAEK/PVDF) membrane was successfully prepared using phase separation, phase inversion method, and UV crosslinking technique. As a separator of lithium‐ion battery, c‐P‐PAEK/PVDF membrane demonstrates high porosity and uniform distribution of pores with interconnected pathways. Low thermal shrinkage, distinct shut‐down effect, high liquid electrolyte uptake capacity, and exciting liquid electrolyte wettability of the prepared c‐P‐PAEK/PVDF membrane have been revealed through comprehensive study. Moreover, the c‐P‐PAEK/PVDF membrane was applied to assemble a conventional Li/LiFePO₄ coin cell, which exhibited hopeful cell performance. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2714–2721     

Complex dynamic behavior in a viral model with state feedback control strategies

With the consideration of mechanism of prevention and control for the spread of viral diseases, in this paper, we propose two novel virus dynamics models where state feedback control strategies are introduced. The first model incorporates the density of infected cells (or free virus) as control threshold value; we analytically show the existence and orbit stability of positive periodic solution. Theoretical results imply that the density of infected cells (or free virus) can be controlled within an adequate level. The other model determines the control strategies by monitoring the density of uninfected cells when it reaches a risk threshold value. We analytically prove the existence and orbit stability of semi-trivial periodic solution, which show that the viral disease dies out. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the main results.     

Suppression of the Charge Density Wave State in Two-Dimensional 1T-TiSe2 by Atmospheric Oxidation

Two-dimensional (2D) metallic transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), such as 1T-TiSe₂, have recently emerged as unique platforms for exploring their exciting properties of superconductivity and the charge density wave (CDW). 2D 1T-TiSe₂ undergoes rapid oxidation under ambient conditions, significantly affecting its CDW phase-transition behavior. We comprehensively investigate the oxidation process of 2D TiSe₂ by tracking the evolution of the chemical composition and atomic structure with various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques and reveal its unique selenium-assisting oxidation mechanism. Our findings facilitate a better understanding of the chemistry of ultrathin TMDCs crystals, introduce an effective method to passivate their surfaces with capping layers, and thus open a way to further explore the functionality of these materials toward devices.     

Diastereoselective alkylation reactions employing a new camphor-based 2-phenylimino-2-oxazolidine chiral auxiliary

A new camphor-based 2-phenylimino-2-oxazolidine chiral auxiliary was prepared and it was shown to be a particularly effective chiral auxiliary for asymmetric alkylations affording high yields and diastereoselectivities. The alkylation products were readily cleaved by simple alkaline hydrolysis to give a-alkylated carboxylic acids in good yield and in almost enatiomerically pure form.