Catalytic Acceptorless Dehydrogenation (CAD) of Secondary Benzylic Alcohols into Value-Added Ketones Using Pd(II)-NHC Complexes

For the creation of adaptable carbonyl compounds in organic synthesis, the oxidation of alcohols is a crucial step. As a sustainable alternative to the harmful traditional oxidation processes, transition-metal catalysts have recently attracted a lot of interest in acceptorless dehydrogenation reactions of alcohols. Here, using well-defined, air-stable palladium(II)-NHC catalysts (A-F), we demonstrate an effective method for the catalytic acceptorless dehydrogenation (CAD) reaction of secondary benzylic alcohols to produce the corresponding ketones and molecular hydrogen (H2). Catalytic acceptorless dehydrogenation (CAD) has been successfully used to convert a variety of alcohols, including electron-rich/electron-poor aromatic secondary alcohols, heteroaromatic secondary alcohols, and aliphatic cyclic alcohols, into their corresponding value-added ketones while only releasing molecular hydrogen as a byproduct.

A single-source precursor approach to solution processed indium arsenide thin films

This paper reports the synthesis of the novel single-source precursor, [{(MeInAs ^t Bu)₃}₂(Me₂InAs( ^t Bu)H)₂] and the subsequent first report of aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition of InAs thin films. Owing to the use of the single-source precursor, highly crystalline and stoichiometric films were grown at a relatively low deposition temperature of 450 °C. Core level XPS depth profiling studies showed some partial oxidation of the film surface, however this was self-limiting and disappeared on etch profiles. Valence band XPS analysis matched well with the simulated density of state spectrum. Hall effect measurements performed on the films showed that the films were n-type with promising resistivity (3.6 × 10^-3 Ω cm) and carrier mobility (410 cm² V^-1 s^-1) values despite growth on amorphous glass substrates.

Bismuth oxyhalides: synthesis, structure and photoelectrochemical activity

We report the synthesis and photoelectrochemical assessment of phase pure tetragonal matlockite structured BiOX (where X = Cl, Br, I) films.

We report the synthesis and photoelectrochemical assessment of phase pure tetragonal matlockite structured BiOX (where X = Cl, Br, I) films. The materials were deposited using aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition. The measured optical bandgaps of the oxyhalides, supported by density functional theory calculations, showed a red shift with the increasing size of halide following the binding energy of the anion p-orbitals that form the valence band. Stability and photoelectrochemical studies carried out without a sacrificial electron donor showed the n-type BiOBr film to have the highest photocurrent reported for BiOBr in the literature to date (0.3 mA cm^–2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE), indicating it is an excellent candidate for solar fuel production with a very low onset potential of 0.2 V vs. RHE. The high performance was attributed to the preferred growth of the film in the [011] direction, as shown by X-ray diffraction, leading to internal electric fields that minimize charge carrier recombination.

Correction: Self-decoration of Pt metal particles on TiO2 nanotubes used for highly efficient photocatalytic H2 production

Correction for ‘Self-decoration of Pt metal particles on TiO₂ nanotubes used for highly efficient photocatalytic H₂ production’ by Sulaiman N. Basahel et al., Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 6123–6125.

Effect of pretreatment temperature on the photocatalytic activity of microwave irradiated porous nanocrystalline ZnO

ZnO treated at 200 °C offered high photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (99%) in a short time (90 min). The activity can be attributed to several factors including low crystallite size, high band gap energy and porosity.

Bis(triphenylphosphine)gold(I) Perrhenate

Bis(triphenylphosphine)gold(I) perrhenate [Ph3PAuPPh3]+ReO4 - has been prepared in high yield from Ph3PAuCl, Ph3P and AgReO4 in a mixed solvent. The compound is stable in air and decomposes at 235 °C. In the crystal structure, the two independent perrhenate anions are not approaching the gold centers of the two independent cations, but weak interionic interactions are entertained via π-π stacking of phenyl groups and C-H···O contacts. As three-blade chiral rotors, the Ph3P ligands of the cations are in a staggered conformation at the gold atoms with only slightly bent P-Au-P axes. IR and NMR data show no anomalies and are close to those of alkali or onium perrhenates.

Self-decoration of Pt metal particles on TiO2 nanotubes used for highly efficient photocatalytic H2 production

Pt decorated TiO₂ has, over the past decades, been a key material for photocatalytic hydrogen production.

Combinatorial atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition of graded TiO₂-VO₂ mixed-phase composites and their dual functional property as self-cleaning and photochromic window coatings

A combinatorial film with a phase gradient from V:TiO₂ (V: Ti ≥ 0.08), through a range of TiO₂-VO₂ composites, to a vanadium-rich composite (V: Ti = 1.81) was grown by combinatorial atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (cAPCVD). The film was grown from the reaction of TiCl₄, VCl₄, ethyl acetate (EtAc), and H₂O at 550 °C on glass. The gradient in gas mixtures across the reactor induced compositional film growth, producing a single film with numerous phases and compositions at different positions. Seventeen unique positions distributed evenly along a central horizontal strip were investigated. The physical properties were characterized by wavelength dispersive X-ray (WDX) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-visible spectroscopy. The functional properties examined included the degree of photoinduced hydrophilicity (PIH), UVC-photocatalysis, and thermochromism. Superhydrophilic contact angles could be achieved at all positions, even within a highly VO₂-rich composite (V: Ti = 1.81). A maximum level of UVC photocatalysis was observed at a position bordering the solubility limit of V:TiO₂ (V: Ti ≈ 0.21) and fragmentation into a mixed-phase composite. Within the mixed-phase TiO₂: VO₂ composition region (V: Ti = 1.09 to 1.81) a decrease in the semiconductor-to-metal transition temperature of VO₂ from 68 to 51 °C was observed.