Two-Dimensional Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets with Cobalt-Porphyrins for High-Performance CO2 Electroreduction

The electrochemical reduction of CO₂ presents a promising strategy to mitigate the greenhouse effect and reduce excess carbon dioxide emission to realize a carbon-neutral energy cycle, but it suffers from the lack of high-performance electrocatalysts. In this work, catalytic active cobalt porphyrin [TCPP(Co)=(5,10,15,20)-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin-Co^II] was precisely anchored onto water-stable 2D metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets (Zr-BTB) to obtain ultrathin 2D MOF nanosheets [TCPP(Co)/Zr-BTB] with accessible catalytic sites for the CO₂ reduction reaction. Compared with molecular cobalt porphyrin, the TCPP(Co)/Zr-BTB exhibits an ultrahigh turnover frequency (TOF=4768 h⁻¹ at −0.919 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE) owing to high active-site utilization. In addition, three post-modified 2D MOF nanosheets [TCPP(Co)/Zr-BTB-PABA, TCPP(Co)/Zr-BTB-PSBA, TCPP(Co)/Zr-BTB-PSABA] were obtained, with the modifiers of p-(aminomethyl)benzoic acid (PABA), p-sulfobenzoic acid potassium (PSBA), and p-sulfamidobenzoic acid (PSABA), to change the micro-environments around TCPP(Co) through the tuning of steric effects. Among them, the TCPP(Co)/Zr-BTB-PSABA exhibited the best performance with a faradaic efficiency (FE_CO) of 85.1 %, TOF of 5315 h⁻¹, and j_total of 6 mA cm⁻² at −0.769 V (vs. RHE). In addition, the long-term durability of the electrocatalysts is evaluated and the role of pH buffer is revealed.     

Cytotoxicity of Postmodified Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐90 (ZIF‐90) Nanocrystals: Correlation between Functionality and Toxicity

Using a simple method, the aldehyde groups of zeolitic imidazolate framework‐90 (ZIF‐90) nanocrystals were converted into carboxyl, amino, and thiol groups, without affecting the integrity of the framework. Notably, for the first time, correlations between functionality and cytotoxicity are also demonstrated via in vitro cytotoxicity assays. The positive charged aminated‐ZIF‐90 presumably results in either perturbation of cell membrane, more efficient cell uptake, or both. Therefore, the half‐maximal effective (EC₅₀) concentration of aminated‐ZIF‐90 has a higher cytotoxicity of about 30 μg mL^?1.     

An Alternative Way towards Preparation of Hydrophobically Associating Polyacrylamide:Chemical Post-Modification

Hydrophobically associating polyacrylamides (HAPAMs) are derivatives from polyacrylamides by incorporating a small amount of hydrophobic moieties along the water-soluble mainchain. They are now becoming a class of promising candidates as thickeners or rheology modifiers in the formulations where rheology is necessary to be regulated, such as tertiary oil recovery, drilling fluids, hydraulic fracturing and coatings. Due to association of hydrophobes in nano-domains, their aqueous solutions exhibit very interesting rheological properties and better stability against salts than the unmodified precursor, polyacrylamide.Generally, there are two synthetic routes to introduce hydrophobic portion onto water-soluble polymer chains; i.e., direct copolymerization of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers, and post-polymerization functionalization[1]. In the case of HAPAM polymers, a commonly accepted method is micellar copolymerization in which an appropriate surfactant is employed to solubilize both monomers. However, it is widely reported[2] that the obtained polymers via micellar polymerization are characterized by: (i) blocky distribution of the hydrophobes; (ii) compositional inhomogeneity and (iii) strong dependence of solution properties on the block length.In this work, the alternative process, i.e., chemical post-modification, is employed to synthesize HAPAM polymers by direct N-alkylation of parent polyacrylamide (Figure 1) in dimethyl sulfoxide[3,4].PAM HAPAMFig. 1 Schematic route to prepare HAPAM by direct N-alkylation of PAMIt is found that the final incorporation of hydrophobic groups is in good agreement with the feed ratio[4], in contrast with that from micellar copolymerization which always brings about composition drift. Furthermore, unique rheological responses to shear rate, salt, temperature are also evidenced[5].     

Replacing the Z-phenyl Ring in Tamoxifen® with a para-Connected NCN Pincer-Pt-Cl Grouping by Post-Modification

Post-modification of a series of NCN-pincer platinum(II) complexes [PtX(NCN-R-4)] (NCN = [C₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₂-2,6]^–, R = C(O)H, C(O)Me and C(O)Et), X = Cl^– or Br^–) at the para-position using the McMurry reaction was studied. The synthetic route towards two new [PtCl(NCN-R-4)] (R = C(O)Me and C(O)Et) complexes used above is likewise described. The utility and limitations of the McMurry reaction involving these pincer complexes was systematically evaluated. The predicted “homo-coupling” reaction of [PtBr(NCN-C(O)H-4)] led to the unexpected formation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetra[(dimethylamino)methyl]-4,4′-bis(platinum halide)-benzophenone (halide = Br or Cl), referred to hereafter as the bispincer-benzophenone complex 13. This material was further characterized using X-ray crystal structure determination. The applicability of the pincer complexes in the McMurry reaction is shown to open a route towards the synthesis of tamoxifen-type derivatives of which one phenyl ring of Tamoxifen^® itself is replaced by an NCN arylplatinum pincer fragment. The newly synthesized derivatives can be used as potential candidates in anti-cancer drug screening protocols. Two NCN-arylpincer platinum tamoxifen type derivatives, 5 and 6, were successfully synthesized and of 5 the separation of the diastereomeric E-/Z-forms was achieved. Compound 6, which is the pivaloyl protected NCN pincer platinum hydroxy-Tamoxifen^® derivative, was obtained as a mixture of E-/Z-isomers. The new derivatives were further analyzed and characterized with ¹H-, ¹³C{¹H}- and ¹⁹⁵Pt{¹H}-NMR, IR, exact mass MS and elemental analysis.     

功能化金属有机骨架负载铂高效催化硅氢加成反应

采用后修饰法合成MIL-101-791,并通过简单的浸渍法制备了Pt/MIL-101-791催化材料.利用傅里叶红外光谱仪（FT-IR）、氮气吸附脱附（BET）、热重分析（TGA）、X射线衍射仪（XRD）、透射电子显微镜（TEM）和X射线光电子能谱仪（XPS）等对催化材料进行表征.采用硅氢加成反应作为Pt/MIL-101-791催化性能的探针.结果表明：Pt成功的分散在MIL-101-791上,并体现出了高效的催化活性和良好的稳定性,循环使用5次后仍能保持较高的催化活性,转化率能保持在85%以上.通过优化该反应的生产条件,得出最佳催化工艺：3%催化剂用量占总底物用量的0.24%,n（APEG）/n（MD^HM）=1.1/1,催化时间为3 h,催化温度为90℃下,MD^HM的转化率高达94%,生成的产品色泽纯净,且在植物表面具备良好的铺展性能.     

A new Brønsted acid MIL-101(Cr) catalyst by tandem post-functionalization; synthesis and its catalytic application

A new heterogeneous Brønsted solid acid catalyst was prepared by tandem post-functionalization of MIL-101(Cr) and utilized for acetic acid esterification and alcoholysis of epoxides under solvent-free conditions. First, MIL-101(Cr) was functionalized with pyrazine to achieve MIL-101(Cr)-Pyz. Afterwards, the nucleophilic reaction of MIL-101(Cr)-Pyz with 1,3-propane sultone and next acidification with diluted sulfuric acid gave MIL-101(Cr)-Pyz-RSO₃H Brønsted solid acid catalyst. Various characterization methods such as Fourier transformation infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental analysis (CHNS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersiveX-ray(EDX) spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), acid–base titration, and N₂ adsorption/desorption analysis were employed to fully characterize the prepared catalyst. The catalyst showed high activity compared to unmodified MIL-101(Cr) in both catalytic acetic acid esterification and alcoholysis of epoxides. It can also be readily isolated from the reaction mixture and reused three times without major decrease in its activity.     

Programming Rapid Functional Group Diversification into a Solid-State Reaction: Aryl Nitriles for Self-Assembly,Click Reactivity,and Discovery of Coexisting Supramolecular Synthons

A method to rapidly diversify the molecules formed in organic crystals is introduced, with aryl nitriles playing a novel dual role as both hydrogen-bond acceptors and modifiable organic groups. The discovery of coexisting supramolecular synthons in the same crystal is also described. The general concept is demonstrated by using a bis(aryl nitrile) alkene that undergoes a hydrogen-bond-directed intermolecular [2+2] photodimerization to form a tetra(aryl nitrile)cyclobutane. The product is readily converted by click reactivity to a tetra(aryl tetrazole) and by hydrolysis to a tetra(aryl carboxylic acid). The integration of aryl nitriles into solid-state reactions opens broad avenues to post-modify products formed in crystalline solids for rapid diversification.     

Chemoselective Alternating Copolymerization of Limonene Dioxide and Carbon Dioxide: A New Highly Functional Aliphatic Epoxy Polycarbonate

The alternating copolymerization of biorenewable limonene dioxide with carbon dioxide (CO₂) catalyzed by a zinc β‐diiminate complex is reported. The chemoselective reaction results in linear amorphous polycarbonates that carry pendent methyloxiranes and exhibit glass transition temperatures (T_g) up to 135 °C. These polycarbonates can be efficiently modified by thiols or carboxylic acids in combination with lithium hydroxide or tetrabutylphosphonium bromide as catalysts, respectively, without destruction of the main chain. Moreover, polycarbonates bearing pendent cyclic carbonates can be quantitatively prepared by CO₂ insertion catalyzed by lithium bromide.     

Wavelength Orthogonal Photodynamic Networks

The ability of light to remotely control the properties of soft matter materials in a dynamic fashion has fascinated material scientists and photochemists for decades. However, only recently has our ability to map photochemical reactivity in a finely wavelength resolved fashion allowed for different colors of light to independently control the material properties of polymer networks with high precision, driven by monochromatic irradiation enabling orthogonal reaction control. The current concept article highlights the progress in visible light-induced photochemistry and explores how it has enabled the design of polymer networks with dynamically adjustable properties. We will explore current applications ranging from dynamic hydrogel design to the light-driven adaptation of 3D printed structures on the macro- and micro-scale. While the alternation of mechanical properties via remote control is largely reality for soft matter materials, we herein propose the next frontiers for adaptive properties, including remote switching between conductive and non-conductive properties, hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces, fluorescent or non-fluorescent, and cell adhesive vs. cell repellent properties.     

有机多孔催化研究进展

有机多孔材料POPs (Porous Organic Polymers)成为近年来的研究前沿之一. 有机多孔材料包括非晶型(如CMP, HCP, PIM等)和晶型(比如COFs等)有机多孔材料两类, 它们具有优异的孔性质、较大的比表面积、稳定性好、重量轻以及易于功能化等诸多优点, 被广泛应用于气体存储分离、传感、有机光电和多相催化等重要领域. 这里对有机多孔材料在多相催化领域中的应用做一综述. 目前, 有机多孔催化领域的研究工作主要有三类: 一类是通过“自下而上”策略将金属-配体类催化剂嵌入有机多孔骨架来构建多相催化剂; 另一类是将有机多孔材料作为载体, 通过后修饰方式负载金属纳米颗粒构建多相催化剂; 最后一类是通过“自下而上”策略将不含金属的有机小分子催化剂嵌入材料骨架来构建多孔有机催化剂. 受益于其结构的优越性, 有机多孔材料在多相催化中表现出优异的催化性能. 借鉴于均相催化的发展, 具有催化活性的有机多孔材料在多相催化领域中的应用也将会有更大的发展空间.