Brilliant, stable, and electrically responsive photonic crystals based on dielectric particles and solvation repulsion.

Electrically responsive photonic crystals (ERPCs) capable of adjusting their structural colors in response to electric fields are promising next-generation smart optical materials. However, the poor color saturation and stability of conventional ERPCs significantly limit their practical applications. Here, a new kind of ZnS-silica/diethylene glycol ERPC was designed and fabricated by directly non-close-assembling ZnS-silica core-shell particles with high refractive indexes into a diethylene glycol with a low dielectric constant.

Brilliant Mechanochromic Scattering Structural Colors.

Conventional mechanochromic photonic crystals (MPCs) have attracted broad interest because of their force-adjustable reflective structural colors, which require three-dimensional and nonclose-packing structures. Here, a new type of MPC with monolayer close-packing structures, brilliant iridescent scattering structural colors, and unconventional mechanochromic properties has been fabricated by self-assembling ZnS particles into a layer of polycrystalline structures and then infiltrating interparticle gaps with elastic polyurethane (PU). The scattering light diffracted in the forward direction and high diffraction efficiency by the large refractive index contrast between ZnS particles and PU contributes to a high scattering color saturation.

Multicolor recordable and erasable photonic crystals based on on-off thermoswitchable mechanochromism toward inkless rewritable paper.

Mechanochromic photonic crystals are attractive due to their force-dependent structural colors; however, showing unrecordable color and unsatisfied performances, which significantly limits their development and expansion toward advanced applications. Here, a thermal-responsive mechanochromic photonic crystal with a multicolor recordability-erasability was fabricated by combining non-close-packing mechanochromic photonic crystals and phase-change materials. Multicolor recordability is realized by pressing thermal-responsive mechanochromic photonic crystals to obtain target colors over the phase-change temperature followed by fixing the target colors and deformed configuration at room temperature.

Metal-organic framework photonic crystals with bidisperse particles-based brilliant structural colors and high optical transparency for elaborate anti-counterfeiting.

Photonic crystals (PCs) have attracted great interest and wide applications in displays, printing, anti-counterfeiting, etc. However, two main challenges significantly hinder their applications: 1) the tradeoff between high optical transparency across the whole visible range and brilliant colors requiring a large refractive index contrast (Δn), and 2) the way of regulating structural colors by altering tens of different sizes. To address these issues, a new type of metal-organic framework (MOF)-based transparent photonic crystal (TPC) has been fabricated through self-assembling MOF particles into three-dimensional ordered structures which were then infiltrated by polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

Smart colloidal photonic crystal sensors.

Smart colloidal photonic crystals (PCs) with stimuli-responsive periodic micro/nano-structures, photonic bandgaps, and structural colors have shown unique advantages (high sensitivity, visual readout, wireless characteristics, etc.) in sensing by outputting diverse structural colors and reflection signals. In this review, smart PC sensors are summarized according to their fabrications, structures, sensing mechanisms, and applications.

Mechanochromic and Solvomechanochromic Fluorescent Photonic Crystals for Dual-Mode Modulating Fluorescence and Multilevel Anticounterfeiting.

Fluorescent photonic crystals (FPCs) are ideal candidates for regulating dyes' fluorescence through their unique photonic band gaps (PBGs). However, challenges, including the lack of dynamic regulation of fluorescence, dye release in solvents, and instability, dramatically limit their practical applications. Here, we report mechanochromic and solvomechanochromic rhodamine B (RhB)-based FPCs with dynamic regulation of photoluminescence (PL) by stretching and swelling, brilliant fluorescent and structural colors, and no release of the RhB in solvents.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Patterns of Cucumber Invertases and Their Inhibitor Genes.

Invertases and their inhibitors play important roles in sucrose metabolism, growth and development, signal transduction, and biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in many plant species. However, in cucumber, both the gene members and functions of invertase and its inhibitor families remain largely unclear. In this study, in comparison with the orthologues of (watermelon), (melon), and (Arabidopsis), 12 invertase genes and 12 invertase inhibitor genes were identified from the genome of (cucumber).

Structure-property-performance relationship of transition metal doped WO mixed oxides for catalytic degradation of organic pollutants.

Transition metal doped WO mixed oxides (named as W-M-O, M = Nb, Fe, Cr, Cu, Ti or Sn, respectively) with high structure stability were synthesized by modified sol-gel method using citric acid as organic crosslinking agent, and were evaluated for catalytic elimination of low-concentration toluene, monochlorobenzene and 1,2-dichloroethance with high toxicity and relatively stable molecule structure, as the typical examples for the pollutants of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Results of the structure-property-performance relationship research showed that mesoporous structure and nanocrystalline/amorphous state were formed, and binary metal components were dispersed into each other, which contributed to promoting the metal/metal electron interaction and adjusting the physicochemical properties of mixed metal oxides. The sequence of apparent catalytic activity for toluene degradation was: W-Nb-O＞W-Fe-O＞W-Cr-O, W-Cu-O＞W-Ti-O＞W-Sn-O＞WO, and the sequence for monochlorobenzene degradation was: W-Nb-O＞W-Fe-O＞W-Cr-O, W-Ti-O＞W-Cu-O＞W-Sn-O＞WO.

Formation of -Hexane-in-DMF Nonaqueous Pickering Emulsions: ABC Triblock Worms versus AB Diblock Worms.

Nonaqueous Pickering emulsions exhibit promising applications in many industrial areas but have been relatively less studied in the past. In this study, -hexane-in-DMF nonaqueous Pickering emulsions stabilized by core cross-linked copolymer worms with mixed shells are demonstrated for the first time. Core cross-linked copolymer worms with mixed shells were prepared by seeded reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) quasi-solution polymerization.

CuCl·2HO/TBHP mediated synthesis of β-enaminones coupling reaction of vinyl azides with aldehydes.

A facile and efficient oxidative functionalization of vinyl azides with aldehydes furnishing a diverse array of β-acylated enaminones was developed. The cross coupling was accomplished in the presence of CuCl·2HO/TBHP and produced the desired β-acylated enaminones in a ()-stereo-selective and atom-economic manner, which make this protocol particularly attractive. In the transformation, the new C-C and C-N bonds were formed a one-pot strategy including the process of radical addition and recombination.

HO-mediated room temperature synthesis of 2-arylacetophenones from arylhydrazines and vinyl azides in water.

An environmentally benign, cost-efficient and practical methodology for the room temperature synthesis of 2-arylacetophenones in water has been discovered. The facile and efficient transformation involves the oxidative radical addition of arylhydrazines with α-aryl vinyl azides in the presence of HO (as a radical initiator) and PEG-800 (as a phase-transfer catalyst). From the viewpoint of green chemistry and organic synthesis, the present protocol is of great significance because of using cheap, non-toxic and readily available starting materials and reagents as well as amenability to gram-scale synthesis, which provides an attractive strategy to access 2-arylacetophenones.

Metallic CN monolayer as an efficient catalyst for accelerating redox kinetics of sulfur in lithium-sulfur batteries.

Lithium-sulfur battery is one of the most promising applicants for the next generation of energy storage devices whose commercial applications are impeded by the key issue of the shuttle effect. To overcome this obstacle, various two-dimensional (2D) carbon-based metal-free compounds have been proposed to serve as anchoring materials for immobilizing soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPs), which however suffer from low electronic conductivity implying unsatisfactory performance for catalyzing sulfur redox. Therefore, we have predicted metallic CN monolayers, possessing hexagonal (H) and orthorhombic (O) phases, exhibiting excellent performance for suppressing the shuttle effect.

Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Diblock Copolymer Worms Prepared Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Aqueous Dispersion Polymerization: How Does the Stimulus Sensitivity Affect the Rate of Demulsification?

Responsive Pickering emulsions exhibit promising application in industry owing to the integration of the high storage stability with on-demand demulsification. In this study, stimuli-responsive Pickering emulsions stabilized by poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate]--poly(diacetone acrylamide) (ED) worms were indicated, in which ED worms were prepared reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer-based aqueous dispersion polymerization using thermo-sensitive POEGMA as both the stabilizer block and macro-chain transfer agent. The factors influencing the morphologies of copolymers during polymerization-induced self assembly have been investigated.

Vertical growth of SnS nanobelt arrays on CuSbS nanosheets for enhanced photocatalytic reduction of CO.

Two-dimensional SnS nanobelt arrays vertically grown on two-dimensional CuSbS nanosheet (2D SnS⊥2D CuSbS) heterostructures were synthesized a facile solution-phase growth route. The resultant SnS⊥CuSbS heterostructures showed enhanced photocatalytic activity for CO reduction because of unique structural advantages and the pn heterojunction with matched energy band alignment.

An efficient domino strategy for synthesis of 3-substituted 4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridine derivatives in water.

A strategy for catalyst-free domino reaction of 4-aminopyridin-2(1H)-ones, arylglyoxal hydrates and different 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in water has been established. The mild and efficient procedure afforded pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridine derivatives with 76-94% yields after simple crystallization. The present procedure shows promising characteristics, such as readily available starting materials, the use of water as reaction media, simple and efficient one-pot operation, and avoiding the need for any hazardous or expensive catalysts.

Simple and efficient one-pot multi-step strategy for the synthesis of 2-substituted (1,2,5-triarylpyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin-3-yl)-N-arylacetamide derivatives in water.

A novel one-pot multi-step domino strategy for the synthesis of functionalized 2-substituted acetic acids, 2-substituted (1,2,5-triarylpyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin-3-yl)acetates and 2-substituted-(1,2,5-triarylpyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin-3-yl)-N-arylacetamides has been established from inexpensive and readily available starting materials. The reaction can be easily performed by employing different substrates via a one-pot multi-step domino reaction. The target products can be easily obtained with satisfactory yields by only simple recrystallization from a mixture of hot 95% ethanol and N,N-dimethylformamide.

Amphiphilic Double-Brush Copolymers with a Polyurethane Backbone: A Bespoke Macromolecular Emulsifier for Ionic Liquid-in-Oil Emulsion.

The study on ionic liquid (IL)-based emulsions is very interesting due to the "green" quality and potential wide applications of ILs, whereas the emulsifiers for the formation of IL-based emulsions are extremely limited and mainly centered on low molecular weight surfactants. In this work, synthesis of amphiphilic double-brush copolymers (DBCs) and their application as bespoke macromolecular emulsifiers for the formation of IL-containing non-aqueous emulsions are described. DBCs consisted of a polyurethane (PU) backbone and poly(-dimethyl acrylamide) (PDMA) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) chains that were grafted simultaneously at the same reactive site along the PU backbone (PU--PDMA/PMMA), which were synthesized through the combination of polyaddition and the reversible-deactivation radical polymerization reactions.

Cobalt(ii)-catalyzed hydroarylation of 1,3-diynes and internal alkynes with picolinamides promoted by alcohol.

The Co(ii)-catalyzed selective C-H alkenylation of picolinamides with 1,3-diynes has been developed. This protocol can be applied to a variety of 1,3-diynes. In addition, both symmetrical and unsymmetrical internal alkynes were well tolerated, affording the corresponding alkenyl arenes.

Janus-Like Single-Chain Polymer Nanoparticles as Two-in-One Emulsifiers for Aqueous and Nonaqueous Pickering Emulsions.

The exploration of Pickering emulsions is very significant owing to their versatile and important applications in many scopes. In this study, synthesis of a novel kind of single-chain polymer nanoparticle (SCPN) and its stabilized Pickering emulsions were demonstrated. To this end, linear-dendritic diblock copolymers consisting of poly((2-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) blocks and four-generation dendritic aliphatic polyester blocks (G) have been first synthesized by the combination of click chemistry and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization reaction.

Chitosan modified Ti-PILC supported PdO catalysts for coupling reactions of aryl halides with terminal alkynes.

Biopolymer of chitosan (CS) and titanium pillared clays (Ti-PILCs) have been combined in a hybrid as advanced supports for immobilization of PdO species to prepare novel PdO@Ti-PILC/CS nano-composite catalysts. The Ti-PILC materials showed high specific surface areas and abundant meso-porous structure with many irregular pore channels caused by collapses of layered structure of clay during Ti pillaring process. Both CS chains and sub-nano sized PdO particles were successfully incorporated into the pore channels of Ti-PILC, resulting in a decrease in both the specific surface areas and uniform distribution of pore size.

Six-Step Total Synthesis of (±)-Conolidine.

A concise total synthesis of (±)-conolidine, a potent nonopioid analgesic, in 19% overall yield is described here. A gold(I)-catalyzed Conia-ene reaction (Toste cyclization) and a Pictet-Spengler reaction served as key transformations for assembling the 1-azabicyclo[4.2.

Triple-Responsive Pickering Emulsion Stabilized by Core Cross-linked Supramolecular Polymer Particles.

It is significant to explore multiresponsive Pickering emulsions because of their flexibility in terms of demulsification in comparison with the single stimuli-responsive systems. In this study, we described a triple-responsive oil-in-water Pickering emulsion that was stabilized by amphiphilic core cross-linked supramolecular polymer particles (CCSPs). For this purpose, β-cyclodextrin-terminated poly(-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM-β-CD) and azobenzene-capped poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP-azo) were separately synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization.

Developing two-dimensional solid superacids with enhanced mass transport, extremely high acid strength and superior catalytic performance.

Solid acids have been widely used as heterogeneous catalysts in developing green and sustainable chemistry. However, it remains a challenge to improve the mass transport properties and acid strength of solid acids simultaneously. Herein, we report a class of two dimensional (2D) layered hybrid solid acids with outstanding mass transfer and extremely high acid strength by incorporating sulfonated polymers in-between montmorillonite layers.