Straightforward synthesis of functionalized γ-Lactams using impure CO stream as the carbon source.

Direct utilization of CO into organic synthesis finds enormous applications to synthesize pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. However, pure CO gas is essential to achieve these transformations, and the purification of CO is highly cost and energy intensive. Considering this, we describe a straightforward synthetic route for the synthesis of γ-lactams, a pivotal core structure of bioactive molecules, by using commercially available starting materials (alkenes and amines) and impure CO stream (exhaust gas is collected from the car) as the carbon source.

Challenges and recent advancements in the transformation of CO into carboxylic acids: straightforward assembly with homogeneous 3d metals.

The transformation of carbon dioxide (CO) into useful chemicals, advanced materials, and energy is a long-standing challenge in both fundamental science and industry. In recent years, utilization of CO in the presence of inexpensive and non-negligible environmentally friendly 3d metal-based catalysts (Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Ti) has become one of the most attractive topics. Particular attention has been given to the synthesis of carboxylic acids and their derivatives since these molecules serve as key intermediates in the chemical, fertilizer, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Transition metal-free approach for late-stage benzylic C(sp)-H etherifications and esterifications.

We report a transition metal-free approach for the regioselective functionalization of benzylic C(sp)-H bonds using alcohols and carboxylic acids as the nucleophiles. This straightforward and general route has provided various benzylic ethers and esters, including twelve pharmaceutically relevant compounds.

Dietary silicon intake in Belgium: Sources, availability from foods, and human serum levels.

The dietary intake of silicon by using the duplicate portion sampling technique of 24 hour-meals during 7 consecutive days is estimated.Since plant-based foods are major sources of silicon the elemental content is determined in various vegetarian foodstuffs commercially available in Belgium.Mean silicon intake from the 24-hour duplicate meals consumed daily by nearly 2000 persons was 18.