Enhancing the selectivity for light olefins through catalytic cracking of n-hexane by phosphorus doping on lanthanum-modified ZSM-5.

Naphtha, as the primary raw material in the production of light olefins, could well accommodate their increasing demand through the energy-efficient process of catalytic cracking with ZSM-5. In the current work, different amounts of lanthanum and phosphorous were loaded on ZSM-5 using the wet impregnation method to tune the acidic properties of ZSM-5 for selective catalytic cracking of n-hexane to produce light olefins. Various characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), temperature-programmed desorption of NH3 (NH3-TPD), Py-Fourier transform infra-red (Py-FTIR), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), N2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy were adopted to investigate the modified zeolites. It was found that adding La to ZSM-5 (0.25 wt% to 1 wt%) improved the catalytic life and increased the n-hexane conversion (to 99.7%), while the further addition had a negative impact, reducing the conversion rate and deviating the product selectivity towards a substantial, undesired benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) fraction (33%). On the other hand, a 64% selectivity for light olefins was achieved on phosphorous-doped ZSM-5 (at a loading amount of 1 wt%) while reducing the BTX fraction (2.3%) and converting 69% of the n-hexane. A dual metal-modified ZSM-5 with optimal loading amount, 1P0.25LaZ5 (phosphorus 1 wt% and La 0.25 wt%), helped boost the light olefin selectivity to 62% in the tuned Lewis acid sites at an n-hexane conversion of about 77% while decreasing the undesired BTX selectivity to 3% by reducing the number of Brønsted sites. Thus, the current study reveals that tuning the acidic sites of ZMS-5 by dual metal augmentation with P.La is an effective way of controlling the amount of undesirable BTX produced at a stable n-hexane conversion rate and substantial olefin selectivity.

Chemistry Aspects and Designing Strategies of Flexible Materials for High-Performance Flexible Lithium-Ion Batteries.

In recent years, flexible and wearable electronics such as smart cards, smart fabrics, bio-sensors, soft robotics, and internet-linked electronics have impacted our lives. In order to meet the requirements of more flexible and adaptable paradigm shifts, wearable products may need to be seamlessly integrated. A great deal of effort has been made in the last two decades to develop flexible lithium-ion batteries (FLIBs). The selection of suitable flexible materials is important for the development of flexible electrolytes self-supported and supported electrodes. This review is focused on the critical discussion of the factors that evaluate the flexibility of the materials and their potential path toward achieving the FLIBs. Following this analysis, we present how to evaluate the flexibility of the battery materials and FLIBs. We describe the chemistry of carbon-based materials, covalent-organic frameworks (COFs), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and MXene-based materials and their flexible cell design that represented excellent electrochemical performances during bending. Furthermore, the application of state-of-the-art solid polymer and solid electrolytes to accelerate the development of FLIBs is introduced. Analyzing the contributions and developments of different countries has also been highlighted in the past decade. In addition, the prospects and potential of flexible materials and their engineering are also discussed, providing the roadmap for further developments in this fast-evolving field of FLIB research.

Deep eutectic solvent mediated synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones and evaluation of biological activities targeting neurodegenerative disorders.

Substitution of hazardous and often harmful organic solvents with "green" and "sustainable" alternative reaction media is always desirous. Ionic liquids (IL) have emerged as valuable and versatile liquids that can replace most organic solvents in a variety of syntheses. However, recently new types of low melting mixtures termed as Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) have been utilized in organic syntheses. DES are non-volatile in nature, have sufficient thermal stability, and also have the ability to be recycled and reused. Hence DES have been used as alternative reaction media to perform different organic reactions. The availability of green, inexpensive and easy to handle alternative solvents for organic synthesis is still scarce, hence our interest in DES mediated syntheses. Herein we have investigated Biginelli reaction in different DES for the synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones. Monoamine oxidases and cholinesterases are important drug targets for the treatment of various neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression and anxiety. The compounds synthesized herein were evaluated for their inhibitory potential against these enzymes. Some of the compounds were found to be highly potent and selective inhibitors. Compounds 1 h and 1c were the most active monoamine oxidase A (MAO A) (IC50 = 0.31 ± 0.11 µM) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) (IC50 = 0.34 ± 0.04 µM) inhibitors respectively. All compounds were selective AChE inhibitors and did not inhibit BChE (<29% inhibition). Compound 1 k (IC50 = 0.13 ± 0.09 µM) was the most active AChE inhibitor.