Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials with Unconventional Phases

The past decade witnessed a surge in research on 2D nanomaterials because of their unique physicochemical properties and promising applications. Recently, phase engineering of nanomaterials (PEN) offered new opportunities to modulate their properties and applications via changing their phases. Here, we briefly summarize the recent progress on 2D nanomaterials...

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Cyclometalated Ruthenium Catalyst Enables Ortho-Selective C–H Alkylation with Secondary Alkyl Bromides

Here, we report the first ortho-selective sp2 C–H bond alkylation with secondary alkyl bromides in the Ru catalytic platform, enabled by cyclometalated ruthenium(II) complex RuBnN. Mechanistic studies indicate that the formation of a bis-cycloruthenated intermediate enables an oxidative addition to occur, thus avoiding the single-electron transfer (SET)...

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Highly Selective Hydrogen Peroxide Electrosynthesis on Carbon: In Situ Interface Engineering with Surfactants

Wu et al. demonstrate that a >95% H2O2 selectivity can simply be achieved in an electrosynthesis by using a positively charged surfactant on metal-free carbon electrode without needing sophisticated material design. Under the oxygen reduction reaction, the positively charged promoter pulls off adsorbed peroxide as formed, promoting the release of...

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Extremely Stable Anthraquinone Negolytes Synthesized from Common Precursors

Two extremely stable anthraquinone negolytes were synthesized from inexpensive precursors that potentially decrease the mass production cost. The carbon-linked anthraquinones eliminate SN2 or SNAr side reactions. Pairing with a Fe(CN)63−/4− posolyte, they exhibited an open-circuit voltage of 1.0 V. By operating at pH 14, a record low capacity fade rate...

4w

Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials with Unconventional Phases

The past decade witnessed a surge in research on 2D nanomaterials because of their unique physicochemical properties and promising applications. Recently, phase engineering of nanomaterials (PEN) offered new opportunities to modulate their properties and applications via changing their phases. Here, we briefly summarize the recent progress on 2D nanomaterials...

4w

Cyclometalated Ruthenium Catalyst Enables Ortho-Selective C–H Alkylation with Secondary Alkyl Bromides

Here, we report the first ortho-selective sp2 C–H bond alkylation with secondary alkyl bromides in the Ru catalytic platform, enabled by cyclometalated ruthenium(II) complex RuBnN. Mechanistic studies indicate that the formation of a bis-cycloruthenated intermediate enables an oxidative addition to occur, thus avoiding the single-electron transfer (SET)...

4w

Highly Selective Hydrogen Peroxide Electrosynthesis on Carbon: In Situ Interface Engineering with Surfactants

Wu et al. demonstrate that a >95% H2O2 selectivity can simply be achieved in an electrosynthesis by using a positively charged surfactant on metal-free carbon electrode without needing sophisticated material design. Under the oxygen reduction reaction, the positively charged promoter pulls off adsorbed peroxide as formed, promoting the release of...

4w

Extremely Stable Anthraquinone Negolytes Synthesized from Common Precursors

Two extremely stable anthraquinone negolytes were synthesized from inexpensive precursors that potentially decrease the mass production cost. The carbon-linked anthraquinones eliminate SN2 or SNAr side reactions. Pairing with a Fe(CN)63−/4− posolyte, they exhibited an open-circuit voltage of 1.0 V. By operating at pH 14, a record low capacity fade rate...

4w

Regioselective Crossed Aldol Reactions under Mild Conditions via Synergistic Gold-Iron Catalysis

We report a synergistic gold-iron (Au-Fe) catalytic system to access vinyl Au reactivity by avoiding frequently occurring protodeauration. Fe(acac)3 was identified as an essential co-catalyst, facilitating vinyl Au addition to aldehydes. A broad substrate scope was obtained under mild conditions (room temperature) with excellent regioselectivity and...

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Biology-Inspired Supramolecular Peptide Systems

Biology exploits tremendous chemical and structural complexity and precise spatiotemporal control to form functional materials. Although laboratory-based construction of living matter is not yet achievable, increasing efforts in supramolecular self-assembly of peptide building blocks show promise by harnessing high levels of molecular complexity for...

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