Charge-dependent hierarchical self-assembling of fluorinated gold nanoclusters.

Au(SR) nanoclusters decorated with semifluorinated thiolate ligands (SFLs) self-assemble hierarchically depending on the charge state of the nanocluster component; the use of the anionic cluster ([Au]) resulted in the generation of nanofibers, whereas the neutral counterpart ([Au]) gave micron-sized filaments as a result of the bundling/twisting of the nanofibers.

Heterogenization of molecular chalcoxides for electro-& photochemical H production.

The endeavour to develop high-performance cost-effective catalytic systems with a minimal amount of active components and generation of hazardous waste is a significant and formidable step towards enhancing the hydrogen evolution reaction and the development of design principles with potential value in large scale applications. Here we investigate the heterogenization process of molecular chalcoxide catalysts and explore their electro- and photo-catalytic efficacy in driving the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).

Continuous activation of phenoxide and CFI for multiple trifluoromethylations.

The introduction of multiple trifluoromethyl (CF) groups into aromatic compounds remains a significant challenge in synthetic chemistry. Here, we report an unprecedented visible light-promoted multiple trifluoromethylation of phenols using commercially available CFI. The key to success lies in our discovery of a "continuous activation strategy" that enables sequential trifluoromethylations through single-electron transfer from photoexcited phenoxide to CFI until all or positions are occupied.

Synergy of Cu-doping and reconstruction on BiOCO for promoting CO electroreduction over a wide pH range.

A one-pot hydrothermal reaction was proposed to synthesize Cu-doped BiOCO. Doping Cu with smaller electronegativity than that of Bi and electrochemical reconstruction on BiOCO optimize the hybridization between Bi 6p of BiOCO and O 2p of *OCHO, acquiring FE of ∼100% at a current density of >100 mA cm over a wide pH range.

A label-free fluorescent-hydrogel sensor for heparin detection in diluted whole blood.

Heparin is a widely used blood anticoagulant and its monitoring in blood is essential during surgery. Unavoidable interference factors such as blood color and luminescence can interfere with the fluorescence visualization of heparin. Herein, we found a ratiometric fluorescence probe consisting of SYBR green and cresyl violet responsive to heparin mainly based on electrostatic interactions.

Intrinsically photosensitive polyimide photoresist and its double crosslinking mechanism.

A new negative-working photoinitiator-free polyimide was developed for photolithographic processes. The polyimide introduced a photosensitive benzophenone unit into the backbone and a cross-linking group (methacrylate) into the side chains. A novel pre-functionalized diamine monomer was designed to avoid using corrosive sulfonyl chloride in the polyimide side-chain introduction step.

Machine learning for a sustainable energy future.

Energy production is one of the key enablers for human activities such as food and clean water production, transportation, telecommunication, education, and healthcare; however, it is also the main cause of global warming. Hence, sustainable energy is critical for most United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and it is directly targeted in SDG7. In this review, we analyze the potential role of machine learning (ML), another enabler technology, in sustainable energy and SGDs.

Li-TFSI free carbazole-based hole transport materials enable highly stable perovskite solar cells.

It is crucial to fabricate highly stable perovskite solar cells for further commercialization. Herein, a novel cationic salt OY(TFSI)2 as an effective p-dopant to replace Li-TFSI is synthesized and introduced into the hole transport layer to improve the long-term stability of the device.

Correction: Elucidation of the mechanism of the esterification of boric acid with aliphatic diols: a computational study to help set the record straight.

Correction for 'Elucidation of the mechanism of the esterification of boric acid with aliphatic diols: a computational study to help set the record straight' by Corrado Bacchiocchi , , 2024, , 13239-13242, https://doi.org/10.1039/d4cc02999b.

Accurate prelithiation of lithium ion battery SiO anodes towards improved initial coulombic efficiency.

We propose an accurate prelithiation method for SiO anodes using ball-milling with LiF. The formation of a LiF-rich SEI layer reduces active lithium loss, resulting in excellent electrochemical performance. This study provides a new approach for developing high-performance silicon-based anodes for lithium-ion batteries.

Recent advances in the design and preparation of graphitic carbon nitride for photocatalysis.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) has recently gained tremendous attention as a promising photocatalyst for environmental and energy-related applications owing to its high thermal and physicochemical stability as well as its suitable band structure. However, bulk g-CN, typically synthesized by directly heating N-rich small molecules, often suffers from severe aggregation, a low specific surface area for light harvesting and rapid recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. These factors significantly hinder its photocatalytic efficiency.

Expression of hyperconjugative stereoelectronic interactions in borazines.

This paper discusses hyperconjugative stereoelectronic effects in borazines. A series of alkyl-substituted borazines were synthesized and analysed by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Supported by NBO analyses, the significant decreases in coupling constant for the CH groups adjacent to the boron atoms are consistent with the presence of and interactions.

Recent advances in low-temperature nitrogen oxide reduction: effects of electric field application.

This article presents a review of catalytic processes used at low temperatures to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO) and nitrous oxide (NO), which are exceedingly important in terms of their environmental impacts on the Earth. With conventional purification technologies, it has been difficult to remove these compounds under low-temperature conditions. By applying a catalytic process in an electric field for the three reactions of three-way catalysts (TWC), NO storage reduction catalysts (NSR), and direct decomposition of NO, we have achieved high catalytic activity even at low temperatures.

Access to 1-aryl-pyrazolin-5-ones photoinduced chemoselective cyclization of -methacrylo aldehyde hydrazones.

A photocatalytic sulfamoylation/5- cyclization of ()-'-arylidene--phenylmethacrylohydrazides with sulfamoyl chlorides was developed. The chemoselective intramolecular addition of the carbon-centered radical intermediate to the CN bond in the hydrazone motif gave the sulfamoylated pyrazolin-5-one. Besides, sulfonyl chlorides are also suitable reaction partners to access sulfonylated pyrazolin-5-ones.

Ni(II)-catalyzed nucleophilic substitution for the synthesis of allenylselenide.

A method for synthesizing allenylselenides has been developed using readily available propargyl carbonate and phenylselenol. The reaction is catalyzed by Ni(II) and proceeds a migratory insertion and β-oxygen elimination mechanism. Due to the strong interaction between Se and Ni leading to catalyst deactivation, zinc salt was used to mitigate the deleterious effects of Se anions on the catalyst, thereby facilitating the successful synthesis of the target products.

Synergistic photocatalysis enables aerobic oxo-hydrazination of α-diazoacetates with azobenzenes.

A photocatalytic oxo-hydrazination of α-diazoacetates with azobenzenes has been developed. With air as an oxygen source, the reaction proceeded smoothly and afforded previously unknown ,'-diarylhydrazino-containing oxoacetates. Mechanistically, the reaction is enabled by cooperation of photoredox catalysis, energy transfer photocatalysis and direct photoexcitation.

Tuning interfacial charge transport Ti-O-Sn bonds for efficient CO conversion.

Here, the clever design of forming an ohmic contact between SnS and MXene can regulate interfacial electron transport through Ti-O-Sn chemical bonds. This fast directional charge transport kinetics is attributed to the built-in electric field formed by the ohmic contact. As expected, the photoreduction CO activity of the optimized SSTC-5 catalyst is 10.

Chemoselective homologative preparation of trisubstituted alkenyl halides from carbonyls and carbenoids.

The chemoselective synthesis of trisubstituted alkenyl halides (Cl, Br, F, I) starting from ketones and aldehydes and lithium halocarbenoids is reported. Upon forming the corresponding tetrahedral intermediate adduct, followed by the addition of thionyl chloride, a selective E2-type elimination is triggered, furnishing the targeted motifs. The transformation takes place under full chemocontrol: various sensitive functionalities ( ester, nitrile, nitro, or halogen groups) can be placed on the starting materials, thus documenting a wide reaction scope, as well as the application of the technique to biologically active substances.

Peptide-induced chirality transfer and circularly polarized luminescence in achiral BODIPY emitters halogen bonding.

This study explores peptide-mediated chiral induction and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) in achiral BODIPY dyes, leading to a high value of up to -1.2 × 10 through orthogonal halogen bonding and hydrogen bonding. It unravels the impact of these combined directional interactions on the formation of heterostructures and their thermal stability.

Green-light-induced selective hydroselenation of olefins with diselenides.

A selective green-light-induced hydroselenation of alkenes with diselenides using Hantzsch ester as the hydrogen donor has been developed. In the case of electron-neutral diaryl diselenides and diacyl ones, alkenes undergo anti-Markovnikov-selective hydroselenation. When switching to electron-deficient diaryl diselenides and dialkyl ones, Markovnikov-selective hydroselenation occurs.

Convenient lanthanum-mediated synthesis of bulky -alkyl amines from nitriles.

-alkyl amines can be conveniently prepared in one step from nitriles by a double addition of ethyl or propyl Grignard reagent mediated by a commercially available lanthanum chloride-lithium chloride complex solution. The reaction operates on a variety of benzonitriles, with several heterocyclic nitriles and an alkyl nitrile also being suitable substrates.

Isolation of mixed valence charge-neutral Ag, and dicationic Ag nano-clusters stabilized by carbene-phosphaalkenides.

Cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene (cAAC)-supported phosphaalkenides (cAACP) have been employed as ligands for the isolation of two atomically precise mixed valence paramagnetic AgI/012Cl, and AgI/010, nano-clusters [(Me-cAACP)AgCl] (2), and [(Me-cAACP)Ag](NTf) (4). 2 and 4 have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealing the presence of three Ag atoms, nine Ag ions (2); and two Ag atoms, eight Ag ions (4), respectively. The clustering inorganic unit AgCl in 2 has been found to be surrounded by six mono-anionic μ-cAACP moieties having 3-bar symmetry.

Pyridine oxide-decorated covalent organic framework for catalytic allylation of aromatic aldehydes with allyl(trichloro)silane.

A covalent organic framework Py-O-COF, which was directly synthesized from a monomer containing pyridine oxide with its partner imine condensation, could significantly promote the allylation of aromatic aldehydes with allyl(trichloro)silane in a heterogeneous manner.

Near-infrared fluorescent HaloTag ligands for efficient organelle labelling in live cells.

A series of HaloTag ligands that incorporate near-infrared (NIR)-emissive phospha-rhodamine (POR) dyes have been developed. The PORs that contain dealkylated amino groups exhibit a hypsochromic shift in their absorption and emission wavelengths. Subsequent refinement of the POR spirocyclization equilibrium significantly enhanced membrane permeability, thereby leading to a substantial reduction in the time necessary for labelling.

Utilizing composite recyclate as reinforcement in inverse-vulcanised polymers.

A sustainable approach to prevent filler settling in vitrimeric polymers, using a mechanically recycled composite filler, is reported. The resulting composites demonstrate over 40% improvements in flexural strength and an over 70% improvement in material hardness while maintaining recyclability and mechanical performance after remanufacturing.