Uranyl(VI) Triflate as Catalyst for the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley Reaction

Catalytic transformation of oxygenated compounds is challenging in f-element chemistry due to the high oxophilicity of the f-block metals. We report here the first Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) reduction of carbonyl substrates with uranium-based catalysts, in particular from a series of uranyl(VI) compounds where [UO₂(OTf)₂] (1) displays the greatest efficiency (OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate). [UO₂(OTf)₂] reduces a series of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes and ketones into their corresponding alcohols with moderate to excellent yields, using ⁱPrOH as a solvent and a reductant. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions (80 °C) with an optimized catalytic charge of 2.3 mol % and KOⁱPr as a cocatalyst. The reduction of aldehydes (1-10 h) is faster than that of ketones (>15 h). NMR investigations clearly evidence the formation of hemiacetal intermediates with aldehydes, while they are not formed with ketones.

Unprecedented homochiral 3D lanthanide coordination polymers with triple-stranded helical architecture constructed from a rigid achiral aryldicarboxylate ligand

Luminescence and second harmonic generation activity of a series of homochiral 3D Ln-CPs were studied.

Nine isomorphous lanthanide–uranyl f–f bimetallic materials with 2-thiophenecarboxylic acid and terpyridine: structure and concomitant luminescent properties

Concomitant and semi-selective uranyl and lanthanide luminescence observed within a series of f–f bimetallic molecular materials (UO₂²⁺/Ln = Pr–Er).

A pair of homochiral porous metal–organic frameworks with a helical metal-carboxylate layer

By employment of predesigned proline derivative ligands ((R)-PIA and (S)-PIA) to assemble with bipy and Cd²⁺ ion, a pair of porous homochiral metal–organic frameworks (HMOFs) with a wavy Cd-PIA layer has been synthesized.

A chiral coordination polymer with double coaxially nested helical chains exhibiting spin-canting antiferromagnetism

A chiral coordination polymer is reported, which contains rarely two types of double coaxially nested helical chains, exhibiting spin-canting antiferromagnetism.