Thermodynamically Stable Functionalization of Microporous Aromatic Frameworks with Sulfonic Acid Groups by Inserting Methylene Spacers.

Porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs) are an auspicious class of materials that allow for the introduction of sulfonic acid groups at the aromatic core units by post-synthetic modification. This makes PAFs promising for proton-exchange materials. However, the limited thermal stability of sulfonic acid groups attached to aromatic cores prevents high-temperature applications.

NaCO: The First Crystalline Compound with the Elusive C≡C-COO Anion.

By reaction of sodium electride or NaCH with the anhydrous sodium salt of propiolic acid, Na(OOC-C≡C-H), in liquid ammonia crystalline powders of NaCO were obtained. The structure analysis based on synchrotron powder diffraction data revealed that NaCO crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell (I2/a, Z=4) exhibiting the elusive Y-shaped C≡C-COO anion, which is unprecedented in a crystalline compound up to now. IR/Raman and solid-state NMR spectroscopic investigations with assignments supported by DFT-based ab initio calculations confirm this finding.

Setting new standards: Multiphasic analysis of microplastic mineralization by fungi.

Plastic materials provide numerous benefits. However, properties such as durability and resistance to degradation that make plastic attractive for variable applications likewise foster accumulation in the environment. Fragmentation of plastics leads to the formation of potentially hazardous microplastic, of which a considerable amount derives from polystyrene.

Ultrafast Proton Conduction in an Aqueous Electrolyte Confined in Adamantane-like Micropores of a Sulfonated, Aromatic Framework.

Sulfonated, cross-linked porous polymers are promising frameworks for aqueous high-performance electrolyte-host systems for electrochemical energy storage and conversion. The systems offer high proton conductivities, excellent chemical and mechanical stabilities, and straightforward water management. However, little is known about mass transport mechanisms in such nanostructured hosts.