Fabricating Dual-Atom Iron Catalysts for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction: A Heteroatom Modulator Approach

Understanding the thermal aggregation behavior of metal atoms is important for the synthesis of supported metal clusters. Here, derived from a metal–organic framework encapsulating a trinuclear Fe^III₂Fe^II complex (denoted as Fe₃) within the channels, a well-defined nitrogen-doped carbon layer is fabricated as an ideal support for stabilizing the generated iron nanoclusters. Atomic replacement of Fe^II by other metal(II) ions (e.g., Zn^II/Co^II) via synthesizing isostructural trinuclear-complex precursors (Fe₂Zn/Fe₂Co), namely the “heteroatom modulator approach”, is inhibiting the aggregation of Fe atoms toward nanoclusters with formation of a stable iron dimer in an optimal metal–nitrogen moiety, clearly identified by direct transmission electron microscopy and X-ray absorption fine structure analysis. The supported iron dimer, serving as cooperative metal–metal site, acts as efficient oxygen evolution catalyst. Our findings offer an atomic insight to guide the future design of ultrasmall metal clusters bearing outstanding catalytic capabilities.     

Bimetallic Covalent Organic Frameworks for Constructing Multifunctional Electrocatalyst

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a new class of crystalline porous polymers comprised mainly of carbon atoms, and are versatile for the integration of heteroatoms such as B, O, and N into the skeletons. The designable structure and abundant composition render COFs useful as precursors for heteroatom-doped porous carbons for energy storage and conversion. Herein, we describe a multifunctional electrochemical catalyst obtained through pyrolysis of a bimetallic COF. The catalyst possesses hierarchical pores and abundant iron and cobalt nanoparticles embedded with standing carbon layers. By integrating these features, the catalyst exhibits excellent electrochemical catalytic activity in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), with a 50 mV positive half-wave potential, a higher limited diffusion current density, and a much smaller Tafel slope than a Pt-C catalyst. Moreover, the catalyst displays superior electrochemical performance toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), with overpotentials of −0.26 V and −0.33 V in acidic and alkaline aqueous solution, respectively, at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻². The overpotential in the catalysis of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) was 1.59 V at the same current density.     

PtII-Catalyzed Hydroxylation of Terminal Aliphatic C(sp3)−H Bonds with Molecular Oxygen

The practical application of Shilov-type Pt catalysis to the selective hydroxylation of terminal aliphatic C−H bonds remains a formidable challenge, due to difficulties in replacing Pt^IV with a more economically viable oxidant, particularly O₂. We report the potential of employing FeCl₂ as a suitable redox mediator to overcome the kinetic hurdles related to the direct use of O₂ in the Pt reoxidation. For the selective conversion of butyric acid to γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), a significantly enhanced catalyst activity and stability (turnover numbers (TON)>30) were achieved under 20 bar O₂ in comparison to current state-of-the-art systems (TON<10). In this regard, essential reaction parameters affecting the overall activity were identified, along with specific additives to attain catalyst stability at longer reaction times. Notably, deactivation by reduction to Pt⁰ was prevented by the addition of monodentate pyridine derivatives, such as 2-fluoropyridine, but also by introducing varying partial pressures of N₂ in the gaseous atmosphere. Finally, stability tests revealed the involvement of Pt^II and FeCl₂ in catalyzing the non-selective overoxidation of GHB. Accordingly, in situ esterification with boric acid proved to be a suitable strategy to maintain enhanced selectivities at much higher conversions (TON>60). Altogether, a useful catalytic system for the selective hydroxylation of primary aliphatic C−H bonds with O₂ is presented.     

Comparative absorption kinetics of seven active ingredients of Eucommia ulmoides extracts by intestinal in situ circulatory perfusion in normal and spontaneous hypertensive rats

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. (E. ulmoides) is a valuable and nourishing medicinal herb in China that has been used in the treatment of hypertension. Given the fact that most traditional Chinese medicine is mainly used to treat disease, investigating the pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese medicines in the pathological state is more useful than that in the normal state. However, the differences in the absorption kinetics of active ingredients of E. ulmoides extract between pathological and physiological conditions have not been reported. Therefore, in this study, the rat intestinal in situ circulatory perfusion model was used to investigate the differences in absorption kinetics of seven active ingredients of E. ulmoides extract in normal and spontaneously hypertensive rats, namely, genipinic acid, protocatechuic acid, neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, (+)-pinoresinol di-O-β-D -glucopyranoside and (+)-pinoresinol 4′-O-β-D -glucopyranoside. Our results indicate that the pathological state of spontaneous hypertension may change the absorption of active components of E. ulmoides extracts, and these findings may provide a reference for improving the rational use of E. ulmoides in the clinic.     

Recent Progress on Nickel-Based Oxide/(Oxy)Hydroxide Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Developing clean and sustainable energies as alternatives to fossil fuels is in strong demand within modern society. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the efficiency-limiting process in plenty of key renewable energy systems, such as electrochemical water splitting and rechargeable metal–air batteries. In this regard, ongoing efforts have been devoted to seeking high-performance electrocatalysts for enhanced energy conversion efficiency. Apart from traditional precious-metal-based catalysts, nickel-based compounds are the most promising earth-abundant OER catalysts, attracting ever-increasing interest due to high activity and stability. In this review, the recent progress on nickel-based oxide and (oxy)hydroxide composites for water oxidation catalysis in terms of materials design/synthesis and electrochemical performance is summarized. Some underlying mechanisms to profoundly understand the catalytic active sites are also highlighted. In addition, the future research trends and perspectives on the development of Ni-based OER electrocatalysts are discussed.     

LINEAR ACTIVE STRUCTURES AND MODES (Ⅱ)--DISCRETE SYSTEMS AND BEAMS

The basic concepts about the active structures and some attributes of the modes were presented in paper "Liner Active Structures and Modes ( Ⅰ ) ". The characteristics of the active discrete systems and active beams were discussed, especially, the stability of the active structures and the orthogonality of the eigenvectors. The notes about modes were portrayed by a model of a seven-storeyed building with sensors and actuators. The concept of the adjoint active structure was extended from the discrete systems to the beams that were the representations of the continuous structures. Two types of beams with different placements of the measuring and actuating systems were discussed in detail. One is the beam with the discrete sensors and actuators, and the other is the beam with distributed sensor and actuator function. The orthogonality conditions were derived with the modal shapes of the active beam and its adjoint active beam. An example shows that the variation of eigenvalues with feedback amplitude for the homo-configuration and non-homo-configuration active structures.     

Photoinitiated curing of mono‐ and bifunctional epoxides by combination of active chain end and activated monomer cationic polymerization methods

Photoinitiated cationic polymerization of mono‐ and bifunctional epoxy monomers, namely cyclohexeneoxide (CHO), 4‐epoxycyclohexylmethyl‐3′,4′‐epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate (EEC), respectively by using sulphonium salts in the presence of hydroxylbutyl vinyl ether (HBVE) was studied. The real‐time FTIR spectroscopic, gel content determination, and thermal characterization studies revealed that both hydroxyl and vinyl ether functionalities of HBVE take part in the polymerization. During the polymerization, HBVE has the ability to react via both active chain end (ACE) and activated monomer mechanisms through its hydroxyl and vinyl ether functionalities, respectively. Thus, more efficient curing was observed with the addition of HBVE into EEC‐containing formulations. It was also demonstrated that HBVE is effective in facilitating the photoinduced crosslinking of monofunctional epoxy monomer, CHO in the absence of a conventional crosslinker. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4914–4920, 2007     

Mechanistic Insights into the Reversible Formation of Iodosylarene–Iron Porphyrin Complexes in the Reactions of Oxoiron(IV) Porphyrin π‐Cation Radicals and Iodoarenes: Equilibrium,Epoxidizing Intermediate,and Oxygen Exchange

We have shown previously that iodosylbenzene–iron(III ) porphyrin intermediates ( 2 ) are generated in the reactions of oxoiron(IV ) porphyrin π‐cation radicals ( 1 ) and iodobenzene (PhI), that 1 and 2 are at equilibrium in the presence of PhI, and that the epoxidation of olefins by 2 affords high yields of epoxide products. In the present work, we report detailed mechanistic studies on the nature of the equilibrium between 1 and 2 in the presence of iodoarenes (ArI), the determination of reactive species responsible for olefin epoxidation when two intermediates (i.e., 1 and 2 ) are present in a reaction solution, and the fast oxygen exchange between 1 and H₂¹⁸O in the presence of ArI. In the first part, we have provided strong evidence that 1 and 2 are indeed at equilibrium and that the equilibrium is controlled by factors such as the electronic nature of iron porphyrins, the electron richness of ArI, and the concentration of ArI. Secondly, we have demonstrated that 1 is the sole active oxidant in olefin epoxidation when 1 and 2 are present concurrently in a reaction solution. Finally, we have shown that the presence of ArI in a reaction solution containing 1 and H₂¹⁸O facilitates the oxygen exchange between the oxo group of 1 and H₂¹⁸O and that the oxygen exchange is markedly influenced by factors such as ArI incubation time, the amounts of ArI and H₂¹⁸O used, and the electronic nature of ArI. The latter results are rationalized by the formation of an undetectable amount of 2 from the reaction of 1 and ArI through equilibrium that leads to a fast oxygen exchange between 2 and H₂¹⁸O.     

An effect of application of chiral aluminium alkoxides and amides as adducts to zirconium catalyzed carbo- and cycloalumination of olefins

This paper is dedicated to a study of properties of the following novel optically active organoaluminium compounds (OACs): (1S,2S)-l,7,7-trimethyl-2-[(dialkylalumina)oxy]-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes and (1S)-N-(dialkylalumina)-6,7-dimethoxy-1-methyl-1,2,3,4- tetrahydroisoquinolines. The synthesis of the chiral OACs was carried out in the reaction of either natural camphor or salsolidine with both AlEt₃ and i-Bu₂AlH. The main goal of the research was to investigate the stereodifferentiating activity of the chiral OACs in the olefin carbo- and cycloalumination reactions, catalyzed by Cp₂ZrCl₂.     

Photochemical Reactions of Protein Tryptophanyls in the Eye Lenses of Rats in the Presence of Chloroform

The modifying action of chloroform on photochemical reactions induced in the eye lenses of rats by UVB radiation is revealed. In anesthetic concentrations, halogenmethane increases the quantum yield of photodisintegration of protein tryptophanyls with formation of a new photochemical product that absorbs radiation in the UVA range and possesses the photosensitizing activity.