Organic building blocks at inorganic nanomaterial interfaces

This tutorial review presents our perspective on designing organic molecules for the functionalization of inorganic nanomaterial surfaces, through the model of an "anchor-functionality" paradigm. This "anchor-functionality" paradigm is a streamlined design strategy developed from a comprehensive range of materials (e.g., lead halide perovskites, II-VI semiconductors, III-V semiconductors, metal oxides, diamonds, carbon dots, silicon, etc.) and applications (e.g., light-emitting diodes, photovoltaics, lasers, photonic cavities, photocatalysis, fluorescence imaging, photo dynamic therapy, drug delivery, etc.). The structure of this organic interface modifier comprises two key components: anchor groups binding to inorganic surfaces and functional groups that optimize their performance in specific applications. To help readers better understand and utilize this approach, the roles of different anchor groups and different functional groups are discussed and explained through their interactions with inorganic materials and external environments.

Catalytic epoxidation of olefins in liquid phase over manganese based magnetic nanoparticles

Epoxidation of olefins stands out as a crucial class of reactions and is of great interest in academic research and industry due to the production of various important fine chemicals and intermediates. Manganese complexes have the potential to catalyze the epoxidation of olefins with high efficiency. Magnetic nanocatalysts have attracted significant attention for immobilizing homogeneous transition metal complexes. Easy separation by external magnetic fields, nontoxicity, and a core shell structure are the main advantages of magnetic nanocatalysts over other heterogeneous catalysts. The method of functionalizing magnetic nanoparticles and of anchoring homogeneous metal complexes has significant effects on catalytic performance. Therefore, a critical review of recent research progress on manganese complexes' immobilization on magnetic nanoparticles for liquid phase olefin epoxidation is necessary. In this work, magnetic nanoparticles are categorized according to their preparation procedures and structures. The physical/chemical properties, catalytic performance for olefin epoxidation, reusability and plausible reaction mechanisms will be discussed, in an attempt to unravel the structure-function relationship and to guide the future study of MNPs' design for olefin epoxidations.

Recent Advances in Facile Liquid Phase Epoxidation of Light Olefins over Heterogeneous Molybdenum Catalysts

Molybdenum complexes are versatile and efficient for liquid phase olefin epoxidation reactions. Rational design of catalysts is critical to achieve high atom efficiency during epoxidation processes. Although liquid phase epoxidation has been a popular topic for decades, three key issues, (a) rational control of morphology of molybdenum nanoparticles, (b) manipulating metal-support interaction and (c) altering electronic configuration at molybdenum center remains unsolved in this area. Therefore, in this paper, we have critically revised recent research progress on heterogeneous molybdenum catalysts for facile liquid phase olefin epoxidation in terms of catalyst synthesis, surface characterization, catalytic performance and structure-function relationship. Furthermore, plausible reaction mechanisms will be systematically discussed with the aim to provide insights into fundamental understanding on novel epoxidation chemistry.