Bimetallic TiO2 Nanoparticles for Lignin-Based Model Compounds Valorization by Integrating an Optocatalytic Flow-Microreactor

The challenge of improving the activity of TiO₂ by modifying it with metals and using it for targeted applications in microreactor environments is an active area of research. Recently, microreactors have emerged as successful candidates for many photocatalytic reactions, especially for the selective oxidation process. The current work introduces ultrasound-assisted catalyst deposition on the inner walls of a perfluoro-alkoxy alkane (PFA) microtube under mild conditions. We report Cu-Au/TiO₂ and Fe-Au/TiO₂ nanoparticles synthesized using the sol–gel method. The obtained photocatalysts were thoroughly characterized by UV–Vis diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and N₂ physisorption. The photocatalytic activity under UV (375 nm) and visible light (515 nm) was estimated by the oxidation of lignin-based model aromatic alcohols in batch and fluoropolymer-based flow systems. The bimetallic catalyst exhibited improved photocatalytic selective oxidation. Herein, four aromatic alcohols were individually investigated and compared. In our experiments, the alcohols containing hydroxy and methoxy groups (coniferyl and vanillin alcohol) showed high conversion (93% and 52%, respectively) with 8% and 17% selectivity towards their respective aldehydes, with the formation of other side products. The results offer an insight into ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) complex formation, which was found to be the main reason for the activity of synthesized catalysts under visible light.     

Mulberry Ethanol Extract and Rutin Protect Alcohol-Damaged GES-1 Cells by Inhibiting the MAPK Pathway

Mulberry extract has been proven to have the effect of resisting alcohol damage, but its mechanism is still unclear. In this study, the composition of mulberry ethanol extract (MBE) was identified by LC-MS/MS and the main components of MBE were ascertained by measuring. Gastric mucosal epithelial (GES-1) cells were used to elucidate the mechanism of MBE and rutin (the central part of MBE) helped protect against alcohol damage. The results revealed that phenolics accounted for the majority of MBE, accounting for 308.6 mg/g gallic acid equivalents and 108 substances were identified, including 37 flavonoids and 50 non-flavonoids. The treatment of 400 μg/mL MBE and 320 μM rutin reduced early cell apoptosis and the content of intracellular reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and increased glutathione. The qPCR results indicated that the MBE inhibits the expression of genes in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, including p38, JNK, ERK and caspase-3; rutin inhibits the expression of p38 and caspase-3. Overall, MBE was able to reduce the oxidative stress of GES-1 cells and regulated apoptosis-related genes of the MAPK pathway. This study provides information for developing anti-ethanol injury drugs or functional foods.     

Influence of the PVOH molar mass on the morphology and functional properties of EVOH/PVOH films prepared by melt blending

The influences of the molar mass (low, medium, and high) and content of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) dispersed by melt-blending in an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer on the morphology, microstructure, thermal, mechanical, and oxygen barrier properties were investigated. Multilayer films with external low-density polyethylene layers and inner EVOH/PVOH blend layer and respective monolayer films were elaborated and characterized. EVOH/PVOH blends exhibited a good compatibility because of the initial presence of PVOH segments in EVOH. The detailed quantitative analysis of the morphology performed for all blends showed that the finest dispersion was obtained with the PVOH with the lowest molar mass. The properties of the films as a function of the PVOH content and its molar mass were determined herein. Significant improvement of barrier properties was obtained at moderated water activities (up to a_w = 0.6) by using the PVOH with the lowest molar mass. Compared to the neat EVOH material, the oxygen permeability coefficients decreased by a factor 2 by adding 15 vol% PVOH while the thermal and mechanical properties remained similar.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Addition of Diorganozinc Reagents to Pyrazole-4,5-Diones and Indoline-2,3-Diones

The catalytic enantioselective diorganozinc additions to cyclic diketones including pyrazolin-4,5-diones and isatins have been developed. In the presence of morpholine-containing chiral amino alcohol ligand, the corresponding chiral cyclic tertiary alcohols were produced in good to excellent yields (up to 97 %) and enantioselectivities (up to 95 % ee). The notable feature of this protocol includes its mild reaction conditions, Lewis acid additives free and broad functional group tolerance.     

Scalable synthesis of (−)-trans-3-hydroxypipecolic acid via a useful chiral building block

A scalable synthesis of (−)-trans-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-3-ol, a versatile chiral building block is described along with its transformation to (−)-trans-3-hydroxypipecolic acid.     

A novel non-invasive electrochemical biosensing device for in situ determination of the alcohol content in blood by monitoring ethanol in sweat

A non-invasive, passive and simple to use skin surface based sensing device for determining the blood's ethanol content (BAC) by monitoring transdermal alcohol concentration (TAC) is designed and developed. The proposed prototype is based on bienzyme amperometric composite biosensors that are sensitive to the variation of ethanol concentration. The prototype correlates, through previous calibration set-up, the amperometric signal generated from ethanol in sweat with its content in blood in a short period of time. The characteristics of this sensor device permit determination of the ethanol concentration in isolated and in continuous form, giving information of the BAC of a subject either in a given moment or its evolution during long periods of time (8 h). Moreover, as the measurements are performed in a biological fluid, the evaluated individual is not able to alter the result of the analysis. The maximum limit of ethanol in blood allowed by legislation is included within the linear range of the device (0.0005–0.6 g L⁻¹). Moreover, the device shows higher sensitivity than the breathalyzers marketed at the moment, allowing the monitoring of the ethanol content in blood to be obtained just 5 min after ingestion of the alcoholic drink. The comparison of the obtained results using the proposed device in the analysis of 40 volunteers with those provided by the gas chromatographic reference method for determination of BAC pointed out that there were no significant differences between both methods.     

Hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis of furfural and furfuryl alcohol catalyzed by ruthenium(II) bis(diimine) complexes

The catalytic activity of ruthenium(II) bis(diimine) complexes cis‐[Ru(6,6′‐Cl₂bpy)₂(OH₂)₂](Z)₂ ( 1 , Z = CF₃SO₃; 2 , Z = (3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)₄B, i.e. BArF) and cis‐[Ru(4,4′‐Cl₂bpy)₂(OH₂)₂](Z)₂ ( 3 , Z = CF₃SO₃; 4 , Z = BArF) for the hydrogenation and/or the hydrogenolysis of furfural (FFR) and furfuryl alcohol (FFA) was investigated. The molecular structures of cis‐[Ru(4,4′‐Cl₂bpy)₂(CH₃CN)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂ ( 3 ′) and dimeric cis‐[(Ru(4,4′‐Cl₂bpy)₂Cl)₂](BArF)₂ ( 5 ) were characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The structures are consistent with the anticipated reduction in steric hindrance about the ruthenium centers in comparison with corresponding complexes containing 6,6′‐Cl₂bpy ligands. While compounds 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 are all active and highly selective catalysts for the hydrogenation of FFR to FFA under modest reaction conditions, 3 and 4 showed decreased activity. This is best explained in terms of reduced Lewis acidity of the Ru²⁺ centers and reduced steric hindrance about the metal centers of catalysts 3 and 4 . cis‐[Ru(6,6′‐Cl₂bpy)₂(OH₂)₂](BArF)₂ ( 2 ) also displayed high catalytic efficiency for the hydrogenation of FFA to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. Presumably, this is because coordination of C═C bonds of FFA to the ruthenium center is poorly inhibited by non‐coordinating BArF counterions. Interestingly, cis‐[Ru(6,6′‐Cl₂bpy)₂(OH₂)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂ ( 1 ) showed some catalytic activity in ethanol for the hydrogenolysis of FFA to 2‐methylfuran, albeit with fairly modest selectivity. Nonetheless, these results indicate that ruthenium(II) bis(diimine) complexes need to be further explored as catalysts for the hydrogenolysis of C―O bonds of FFR, FFA, and related compounds. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Efficient Transition‐Metal‐Free Oxidation of Benzylic and Secondary Alcohols to the Carbonyl Compounds Using an N‐Bromosuccinimide/NH4Cl System

The oxidation of a variety of benzylic and secondary alcohols was achieved in excellent yields using an NBS/NH₄Cl system in aqueous acetonitrile (CH₃CN‐H₂O; 7/3 v/v) at 80°C under very mild conditions.     

Selective Oxidation of Alcohols with a New Reagent: Iron(III) Nitrate Supported on Aluminum Silicate

A selective and effective oxidation of alcohols, except aliphatic alcohols, such as 1‐hexanol or 1‐octyl alcohol, to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones using a new reagent, iron(III) nitrate supported on aluminum silicate, under heterogeneous conditions with reflux with 85–98% yield is described.     

Silver nanoparticles immobilized onto poly(4‐vinylpyridine)‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles: A robust magnetically recyclable catalyst for oxidant‐free alcohol dehydrogenation

A heterogeneous and recyclable catalyst with a high loading of silver nanoparticles was synthesized via the silver nanoparticles being supported onto the surface of magnetic nanoparticles coated with poly(4‐vinylpyridine). The synthesized catalyst was used in the dehydrogenation of alcohols to corresponding carbonyl compounds. A broad diversity of alcohols was converted into their corresponding carbonyl compounds in excellent yields. The catalyst was easily recovered by applying an external magnetic field and reused for seven reaction cycles without considerable loss of activity. The catalyst was fully characterized using various techniques.