Effect of non-metal doping on the photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide on the photodegradation of aqueous bisphenol A.

Non-metals B, N, P and I were doped into titanium dioxide (TiO2) to form photocatalyst particles. TiO2 doped with various ratios of B, N, P and I were thus formed and these photocatalyst particles were bonded to fix each other in a column system under sunlight as a result of the photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A (BPA). The doped TiO2 was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to elucidate the mechanism of doping reaction. Doping with B, N, P and I to form the photocatalyst greatly red-shifted the absorption wavelength, increasing the effectiveness of the photocatalyst in reducing BPA. XPS analysis following doping revealed the bonding of B, N, P, I and other functional groups of the surface of the photocatalyst. Results of an experiment that involved the photocatalysts revealed that BPA degradations of 88%, 94%, 93% and 100% in 66.5 min under sunlight using B, N, P, and I-doped titanium dioxide, respectively. The doped photocatalysts were all superior to the undoped titanium dioxide.

Preparation of functional benzofurans and indoles via chemoselective intramolecular Wittig reactions.

A general preparation of new types of benzofurans, benzothiophenes and indoles is realized via chemoselective intramolecular Wittig reactions with the corresponding ester, thioester and amide functionalities using in situ formed phosphorus ylides as key intermediates. The reaction conditions are very mild, and numerous Michael acceptors and commercially available acid chlorides can be applied very efficiently in a one-step procedure.

Enantioselective organocatalytic Michael addition of ketones to alkylidene malonates.

Organocatalysts bearing sulfide or sulfone functions (1a-d) were studied for the direct asymmetric Michael addition of ketones and alkylidene malonates. The organocatalyst (S)-2-((naphthalen-2-ylthio)methyl)pyrrolidine, bearing a pyrrolidine and a sulfide moiety, showed a very high catalytic activity in the absence of additives. The reaction condition is mild, and the Michael adducts were obtained in very good enantioselectivities (up to 96%), diastereoselectivities (up to 95:5), and chemical yields (up to 95%).

Tandem three-component reactions of aldehyde, alkyl acrylate, and dialkylmalonate catalyzed by ethyl diphenylphosphine.

A new highly efficient three-component reaction of alkyl acrylate, aldehyde and dialkyl malonate using ethyl diphenylphosphine as organocatalyst has been described. Various highly functional compounds bearing hydroxyl groups and the ester functions can be easily prepared in moderate to good yields according to our one-step procedure. The reactions are believed to proceed via Morita-Baylis-Hillman reactions of alkyl acrylate and aldehydes, followed by the Michael addition reactions of dialkyl malonates. Our reactions indicated that the intermediate species formed in the phosphine-catalyzed MBH reaction are an effective organic base to catalyze the Michael addition reactions of dialkyl malonates to the preformed MBH adducts.

Syntheses of furo[3,4-c]coumarins and related furyl coumarin derivatives via intramolecular Wittig reactions.

A new and general strategy for highly functional furo[3,4-c]coumarins and related furyl coumarin derivatives has been developed, which is based on an extraordinarily facile intramolecular Wittig reaction, starting from α,ß-unsaturated ketones, tributylphosphine, and acyl chlorides. The phosphorus ylides were proposed to be the key intermediates for constructing the crucial furan ring, leading to a wide variety of substituted furyl coumarins in one step.

Preparation of functional benzofurans, benzothiophenes, and indoles using ester, thioester, and amide via intramolecular Wittig reactions.

Preparation of new types of highly functional benzofurans, benzothiophenes, and indoles is realized via intramolecular Wittig reactions with the corresponding ester, thioester, and amide functionalities. The key intermediates, phosphorus ylides, presumably result from the addition of Bu(3)P toward aldehydes followed by acylation and deprotonation. Synthesis of functional benzofurans directly starting from salicylic aldehyde derivatives with acid chlorides in a one-step procedure is also developed.

Organocatalytic tandem three-component reaction of imine, alkyl vinyl ketone, and imide via aza-Baylis-Hillman reaction.

A highly chemoselective PPh(3)-catalyzed three-component reaction of an imine, alkyl vinyl ketone, and phthalimide or succinimide is developed. Various highly functional adducts with high diastereoselectivities can be generated via aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman reactions of aryl-substituted imines and alkyl vinyl ketones followed by Michael additions of imides and then epimerization.

A facile approach to highly functional trisubstituted furans via intramolecular Wittig reactions.

An efficient and mild synthesis of trisubstituted furans, starting from α,ß-unsaturated ketones, tributylphosphine, and acyl chlorides, is described. The strategy employs the intramolecular Wittig protocol as a key step to install the crucial furan ring, leading to a wide variety of highly functional furans in one step.

Organocatalytic tandem three-component reaction of aldehyde, alkyl vinyl ketone, and amide: one-pot syntheses of highly functional alkenes.

An EtPPh(2)- or PPh(3)-catalyzed tandem three-component reaction of aldehyde, alkyl vinyl ketone, and amide is developed. Its further application in one-pot syntheses of highly functional alkenes starting from aldehydes, alkyl vinyl ketones, and amides is realized. A wide variety of highly functional α,ß-unsaturated ketones can be furnished in 68-99% yields with high stereoselectivity (E/Z up to 98 : 2) within overall 3-29.5 h.

Preparation of tetrasubstituted furans via intramolecular Wittig reactions with phosphorus ylides as intermediates.

Novel preparation of tetrasubstituted furans, starting from the Michael acceptors, tributylphosphine, and acyl chlorides, is realized. A broad range of highly functional furans can be efficiently generated in one step at room temperature within 10 min to 21 h in moderate to high yields (60-99%). The reaction was proposed to proceed via intramolecular Wittig-type reactions, using phosphorus ylides as intermediates.