Impact of lignin structure on oil production via hydroprocessing with a copper-doped porous metal oxide catalyst.

A copper-catalyzed depolymerization strategy was employed to investigate the impact of lignin structure on the distribution of hydroprocessing products. Specifically, lignin was extracted from beech wood and miscanthus grass. The extracted lignins, as well as a commercial lignin (P1000), were then fractionated using ethyl acetate to provide three different portions for each source of lignin [total of 9 fractions].

Controlling the catalytic aerobic oxidation of phenols.

The oxidation of phenols is the subject of extensive investigation, but there are few catalytic aerobic examples that are chemo- and regioselective. Here we describe conditions for the ortho-oxygenation or oxidative coupling of phenols under copper (Cu)-catalyzed aerobic conditions that give rise to ortho-quinones, biphenols or benzoxepines. We demonstrate that each product class can be accessed selectively by the appropriate choice of Cu(I) salt, amine ligand, desiccant and reaction temperature.

Thermosensitive dendrimer formulation for drug delivery at physiologically relevant temperatures.

A simple and versatile dendrimer based platform to deliver therapeutic agents at temperatures within the physiological range, is reported. Lipoic acid conjugated at the periphery of the thermosensitive dendrimer formulations undergoes slow and sustained release at 37-42 °C, and rescues the cells from oxidative stress and a pro-inflammatory endotoxic agent.