Simple Ion–Gas Mixtures as a Source of Key Molecules Relevant to Prebiotic Chemistry

Very simple chemistry can result in the rapid and high-yield production of key prebiotic inorganic molecules. The two reactions investigated here involve such simple systems, (a) carbon disulfide (CS₂) and acetate (CH₃COO¯) and (b) sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and formate (HCOO¯). They have been carried out under non-aqueous conditions, either in an organic solvent or with a powdered salt exposed to the requisite gas. Under such dry conditions the first reaction generated the thioacetate anion [CH₃COS]¯ while the second produced the radical [SO₂^·]¯anion. Anhydrous conditions are not rare and may have arisen on the early earth at sites where an interface between different phases (liquid/gas or solid/gas) could be generated. This is one way to rationalize the formation of molecules and ions (such as we have produced) necessary in the prebiotic world. Interpretation of our results provides insight into scenarios consistent with the more prominent theories of abiogenesis.     

Synthesis of Thiophene‐annulated Naphthalene Diimide‐based Small‐Molecular Acceptors via Two‐step C−H Activation

Thiophene‐annulated naphthalene diimide (NTI)‐based molecules have recently emerged as an important class of n‐type electronic materials. However, their synthesis has predominantly been achieved by Stille or Suzuki coupling reactions despite the presence of a potential C?H bond in NTI. Additionally, the synthesis of NTI or more generally mono‐functionalization of naphthalene diimide (NDI) starts with a cumbersome bromination that results in a low yield, is unselective, and requires tedious purification. We herein thus address these issues via a two‐step C?H activation: a rhodium‐catalyzed direct C?H iodinization is first presented for NDI, followed by establishing an efficient direct arylation protocol for NTI with high yield and robustness. Coupling of up to four NTI units on a benzene or pyrene core is demonstrated along with other aryl bromide substrates. All the herein reported NTI‐based small molecules showed n‐type semiconductor behavior under air.     

Encapsulating Au‐Fe3O4 Nanodots into AIE‐active Supramolecular Assemblies: Ambient Visible‐light Harvesting “Dip‐Strip” Photocatalyst for C−C/C−N Bond Formation Reactions

The present study demonstrates the development of a supramolecular porous ensemble consisting of hetero‐oligophenylene derivative 6 and Au‐Fe₃O₄ nanodots. Supramolecular assemblies of AIE‐active hetero‐oligophenylene derivative 6 served as reactors for the generation of Au‐Fe₃O₄ nanodots. The as prepared supramolecular ensemble functioned as an efficient recyclable photocatalytic system for C(sp²)?H bond activation of anilines for the construction of quinoline carboxylates. Interestingly, the “dip catalyst” prepared by depositing PTh‐co‐PANI‐6: Au‐Fe₃O₄ nanodots on a filter paper served as a recyclable strip (up to 10 cycles) for C?C/C?N bond formation reaction.     

Transition‐Metal‐Mediated Cleavage of C−C Bonds in Aromatic Rings

Metal‐mediated cleavage of aromatic C?C bonds has a range of potential synthetic applications: from direct coal liquefaction to synthesis of natural products. However, in contrast to the activation of aromatic C?H bonds, which has already been widely studied and exploited in diverse set of functionalization reactions, cleavage of aromatic C?C bonds remains Terra incognita. This Minireview summarizes the recent progress in this field and outlines key challenges to be overcome to develop synthetic methods based on this fundamental organometallic transformation.     

Activation cross-sections of titanium isotopes at neutron energies of 13.5–14.8 MeV

The cross-sections for ~(46) Ti(n,2 n)~(45) Ti, ~(46) Ti(n,p)~(46 m+g) Sc+~(47) Ti(n,d*)~(46 m+g) Sc, ~(46)Ti(n,p)~(46 m+g) Sc, ~(47) Ti(n,p)~(47) Sc+~(48) Ti(n,d*)~(47) Sc, ~(47) Ti(n,p)~(47) Sc, ~(48) Ti(n,p)~(48) Sc+~(49) Ti(n,d*)~(48) Sc,~(48) Ti(n,p)~(48) Sc, and ~(50) Ti(n,α)~(47) Ca reactions were investigated around neutron energies of 13.5–14.8 Me V by means of the activation technique. Fast neutrons were produced by the~3 H(d,n)~4 He reaction. Neutron energies from different directions in the measurements were obtained in advance using the method of cross-section ratios for ~(90) Zr(n,2 n)~(89 m+g) Zr and ~(93) Nb(n,2 n)~(92 m) Nb reactions. The results obtained are analyzed and compared with the experimental data provided by the literature and verified nuclear data in the JEFF-3.3,CENDL-3.1, ENDF/B-VIII.0 libraries, as well as results calculated by Talys-1.9 code.     

Preparation of Corn Stalk-Walnut Shell Mix-based Activated Carbon and Its Adsorption of Malachite Green

The mix-based activated carbon derived from corn stalk and walnut shell was prepared by chemical activation method using phosphoric acid as the activator. The optimized conditions for preparation were obtained by the orthogonal experiment, the characterizations of the activated carbon were performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), Boehm's titration method and nitrogen adsorption. For the prepared mix-based activated carbon, the highest iodine number, methylene blue number and BET surface area are 720.5 mg/g, 195.0 mg/g and 1187 m²/g, respectively, and the pores are mainly mesopores. The mix-based activated carbon shows the higher adsorption capacity for malachite green than the raw materials, the activated carbons prepared only from corn stalk or walnut shell and the commercial activated carbon. The kinetics and thermodynamics of the adsorption can be satisfactorily described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model, separately.     

酸处理的碳作为阳极电催化剂用于直接抗坏血酸碱性膜燃料电池

为改善电催化活性和亲水性,作者对商业碳黑（BP2000）进行了酸处理,获得了酸处理碳（ATC）. 通过X光电子能谱、红外光谱、热重和接触角测试的表征方法证明了酸处理在碳表面产生了丰富的含氧基团. 本文首次利用紫外可见光谱测试了碱性条件抗坏血酸（AA）在空气中的化学氧化活化能,结果为37.1 kJ·mol^-1. 另外,利用交流阻抗谱对碱性条件下ATC作为电催化剂时AA的氧化反应的活化能进行了评价. 碱性条件下,AA在单电池中有无ATC电催化剂层条件下的活化能分别为26.5和34.5 kJ·mol^-1,活化能的降低表明ATC是一种有效的阳极电催化剂. 作者将ATC应用于直接碱性膜AA燃料电池（DAAFCs）作为阳极电催化剂,并且对DAAFC中一系列参数进行了优化,包括催化剂在膜（CCM）或气体扩散层（CDM）上的喷涂方法、阳极电催化剂的载量、阳极电催化剂中碱性聚合物的比例. 结果表明,采用CCM的膜电极制备方法、0.5 mg·cm^-2的ATC载量、25wt%的碱性聚合物添加比例时,DAAFCs单池的功率密度可达18.5 mW·cm^-2,远高于使用商品PtRu/C（5 mW·cm^-2）做阳极电催化剂的单池. 在寿命测试中,使用溶解于1 mol·L^-1 NaOH水溶液中的 0.5 mol·L^-1 AA作为燃料（流速15 mL·min^-1）,DAAFCs单池的功率密度可以在25 min内维持在4 mW·cm^-2以上（75 °C）.     

Track revelation and optical properties of pentaerythritol tetrakis (allyl carbonate) plastic for application as nuclear track detector: effects of gamma radiations

The etching conditions of an indigenously prepared thin film of pentaerythritol tetrakis(allyl carbonate) (PETAC) were standardised for the use as a nuclear track detector. The optimum etching times in 6?N NaOH at 70°C for the appearance of fission and alpha tracks recorded in this detector from a ²⁵²Cf solid source were found to be 30 min and 1.50?h, respectively. The experimentally determined values for the bulk and track-etch rates for this detector in 6?N NaOH at 70°C were found to be 1.7?±?0.1 and 88.4?±?10.7?µm/h, respectively. From these results, the important track etching properties such as the critical angle of etching, the sensitivity and the fission track registration efficiency were calculated and compared with the commercially available detectors. The activation energy value for bulk etching calculated by applying Arrhenius equation to the bulk etch rates of the detector determined at different etching temperatures was found to be 0.86?±?0.02?eV. This compares very well with the value of about 1.0?eV reported for most commonly used track detectors. The effects of gamma irradiation on this new detector in the dose range of 200–1000?kGy have also been studied using bulk etch rate technique. The activation energy values for bulk etching calculated from bulk etch rates measurements at different temperatures were found to decrease with the increase in gamma dose indicating scission of the detector due to gamma irradiation. The optical band gap of this detector was also determined using UV–visible spectrometry and the value was found to be 4.37?±?0.05?eV.     

Multiparameter kinetic analysis of alkaline hydrolysis of a series of aryl diphenylphosphinothioates: models for P=S neurotoxins

Alkaline hydrolysis of a series of X‐substituted‐phenyl diphenylphosphinothioates ( 2a‐i ) in 80 mol%/20 mol% DMSO at 25.0 ± 0.1°C has been studied kinetically and assessed through a multiparameter approach. Substrates 2a to 2i are approximately 12 to 22 times less reactive than their P=O analogues 1a to 1i (ie, the thio effect). The Brønsted‐type plot for the reactions of 2a to 2i is linear with β_lg = ?0.43, consistent with a concerted mechanism. Hammett plots correlated with σ^o and σ^? constants also support a concerted mechanism; the Yukawa‐Tsuno plot results in an excellent linear correlation with ρ_X = 1.26 and r = 0.30, indicating that expulsion of the leaving group occurs in the rate‐determining step (RDS). The ΔH^? value increases from 10.5 to 11.7 and 13.9 kcal/mol as substituent X in the leaving group changes from 3,4‐(NO₂)₂ to 4‐NO₂ and H, in turn, while TΔS^? remains constant at ?6.0 kcal/mol. The strong dependence of ΔH^? on the electronic nature of substituent X also indicates that the leaving group departs in the RDS. The reaction mechanism and origin of the thio effect are discussed by comparison of the current kinetic results with those reported for the reactions of 1a to 1i . The results suggest that for useful OP neurotoxins the mechanism of abiotic hydrolysis is concerted (with varying degrees of asynchronicity) when the substrate bears good leaving groups.     

羰基兼容的氟代反应及远端氟代脂肪酮合成的近期进展

含氟化合物在医药、农药以及材料领域有着广泛的应用, 然而温和而高效的构建sp³碳氟键却极具挑战性. 氟代脂肪酮类化合物是一类重要的含氟合成砌块. 本文将从碳氢键氟化、脱羧脱硼氟化、双键氟化、开环氟化四个方面简要概述近年来羰基兼容的氟代反应以及在合成远端氟代脂肪酮方面取得的重要进展.