Visible-Light-Responsive 2D Photocatalysts Assembled by Evans-Showell-Type POMs and Metalloviologen Frameworks for Sulfide-Sulfoxide Transformation.

Sulfide-sulfoxide aerobic photo-oxidation is of great interest in organic and medicinal chemistry; however, developing efficient and facile heterogeneous photocatalytic systems without additional additives remains challenging. Herein, we intentionally designed and synthesized two polyoxometalate (POM)-based metalloviologen frameworks, formulated as [MII(4-PBPY)2(H2O)][MII(H2O)4][CoIII2MoVI10H4O38]·nH2O (M = Cu, n = 10 for 1; M = Co, n = 11 for 2), prepared by the mild one-step synthesis strategy and characterized in detail. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis shows that they present a two-dimensional layered structure formed by two parallel metalloviologen layers pillared by dimeric Evans-Showell-type POMs. The connection of POM to the metalloviologen framework enables easier flow of electrons to the POM port, which can theoretically further induce O2 to generate reactive oxygen species (O2•-) to oxidize substrates to form target products. As expected, both 1 and 2 exhibit outstanding photocatalytic activity in the oxidation of sulfides. Within 6 h, methyl phenyl sulfide can be quantitatively converted into methyl phenyl sulfoxide. The in-depth mechanism reveals that there is also a synergistic energy-transfer pathway in the catalytic system in addition to the electron-transfer pathway. In addition, the corresponding catalytic activity and structure can be well maintained after at least 10 cycle experiments.

Dual Recycling of Depolymerization Catalyst and Biodegradable Polyester that Markedly Outperforms Polyolefins.

Chemically recyclable, circular polymers continue to attract increasing attention, but rendering both catalysts for depolymerization and high-performance polymers recyclable is a more sustainable yet challenging goal. Here we introduce a dual catalyst/polymer recycling system in that recyclable inorganic phosphomolybdic acid catalyzes selective depolymerization of high-ceiling-temperature biodegradable poly(δ-valerolactone) in bulk phase, which, upon reaching suitable molecular weight, exhibits outstanding mechanical performance with a high tensile strength of ≈66.6 MPa, fracture strain of ≈904 %, and toughness of ≈308 MJ m-3 , and thus markedly outperforms commodity polyolefins, recovering its monomer in pure state and quantitative yield at only 100 °C. In sharp contrast, the uncatalyzed depolymerization not only requires a high temperature of >310 °C but is also low yielding and non-selective. Importantly, the recovered monomer can be repolymerized as is to reproduce the same polymer, thereby closing the circular loop, and the recycled catalyst can be reused repeatedly for depolymerization runs without loss of its catalytic activity and efficiency.

Advances in the Synthesis of Chemically Recyclable Polymers.

The development of modern society is closely related to polymer materials. However, the accumulation of polymer materials and their evolution in the environment causes not only serious environmental problems, but also waste of resources. Although physical processing can be used to reuse polymers, the properties of the resulting polymers are significantly degraded. Chemically recyclable polymers, a type of polymer that degrades into monomers, can be an effective solution to the degradation of polymer properties caused by physical recycling of polymers. The ideal chemical recycling of polymers, i. e., quantitative conversion of the polymer to monomers at low energy consumption and repolymerization of the formed monomers into polymers with comparable properties to the original, is an attractive research goal. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the design of recyclable polymers, enabling the regulation of the "polymerization-depolymerization" equilibrium and closed-loop recycling under mild conditions. This review will focus on the following aspects of closed-loop recycling of poly(sulfur) esters, polycarbonates, polyacetals, polyolefins, and poly(disulfide) polymer, illustrate the challenges in this area, and provide an outlook on future directions.

A circular polyester platform based on simple gem-disubstituted valerolactones.

Geminal disubstitution of cyclic monomers is an effective strategy to enhance the chemical recyclability of their polymers, but it is utilized for that purpose alone and often at the expense of performance properties. Here we present synergistic use of gem-α,α-disubstitution of available at-scale, bio-based δ-valerolactones to yield gem-dialkyl-substituted valerolactones ([Formula: see text]), which generate polymers that solve not only the poor chemical recyclability but also the low melting temperature and mechanical performance of the parent poly(δ-valerolactone); the gem-disubstituted polyesters ([Formula: see text]) therefore not only exhibit complete chemical recyclability but also thermal, mechanical and transport properties that rival or exceed those of polyethylene. Through a fundamental structure-property study that reveals intriguing impacts of the alkyl chain length on materials performance of [Formula: see text], this work establishes a simple circular, high-performance polyester platform based on [Formula: see text] and highlights the importance of synergistic utilization of gem-disubstitution for enhancing both chemical recyclability and materials performance of sustainable polyesters.

Accelerating supramolecular aggregation by molecular sliding.

Diffusion-based translocation along DNA or RNA molecules is essential for genome regulatory proteins to execute their biological functions. The reduced dimensionality of the searching process makes the proteins bind specific target sites at a "faster-than-diffusion-controlled rate". We herein report a photoresponsive slider-track diffusion system capable of self-assembly rate acceleration, which consists of (-)-camphorsulfonic acid, 4-(4'-n-octoxylphenylazo)benzenesulfonic acid, and isotactic poly(2-vinylpyridine). The protonated pyridine rings act as the footholds for anionic azo sliders to diffusively bind and slide along polycationic tracks via electrostatic interactions. Ultraviolet light triggers the trans to cis isomerization and aggregation of azo sliders, which can be monitored by multiple spectroscopic methods without labeling. The presence of vinyl polymer track increases the aggregation rate of cis azobenzene up to ∼20 times, depending on the stereoregularity of the polymer chain, the acid/base ratio and the addition of salt. This system has a feature of simplicity, monitorability, controllability, and could find applications in designing molecular machines with desired functionalities.

Visible-Light-Driven Oxidation of Amines to Imines in Air Catalyzed by Polyoxometalate-Tris(bipyridine)ruthenium Hybrid Compounds.

The development of visible-light photocatalysts for the selective oxidative coupling of amines to imines is an area of great interest. Herein, four hybrid compounds based on polyoxometalate anions and tris(bipyridine)ruthenium cations, Ru(bpy)3[M6O19] (M = Mo, W) 1-2, [Ru(bpy)3]2[Mo8O26] 3, [Ru(bpy)3]2[W10O32] 4, are prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction (single-crystal and powder), elemental analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and solid diffuse reflective spectroscopy. Single-crystal structural analysis indicates that polyoxometalate anions and tris(bipyridine)ruthenium cations interact with each other through extensive hydrogen bonds in these compounds. These hybrid species with strong visible-light-harvesting abilities and suitable photocatalytic energy potentials show excellent photocatalytic activity and selectivity for the oxidation of amines to imines at room temperature in air as an oxidant. Among them, compound 1 with the [Mo6O19]2- anion has the highest catalytic activity, which can swiftly convert >99.0% of benzylamine into N-benzylidenebenzylamine with a selectivity of 98.0% in 25 min illumination by a 10 W 445 nm light-emitting diode (LED). Its turnover frequency reaches 392 h-1, which is not only better than the homogeneous catalyst [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2 but also much superior to those achieved over most of reported heterogeneous catalysts. Moreover, it shows a wide generality for various aromatic amines, accompanied by the advantages of good recyclability and stability. The photocatalytic oxidation mechanism of amines to the corresponding imines over polyoxometalate-based hybrid compounds was fully investigated.

Highly Efficient Synthesis of p-Benzoquinones Catalyzed by Robust Two-Dimensional POM-Based Coordination Polymers.

Selective oxidation of alkyl-substituted phenols offers efficient access to p-benzoquinones (BQs) that serve as key components for synthesizing biologically active compounds, but rational manufacture of efficient recyclable catalysts for such a reaction remains a severe challenge. Herein, two crystalline 2D polyoxometalate-based coordination polymers (POMCPs), formulated as H3[CuI3(L)3]2[PM12O40]·xH2O (M = Mo, x = 4 for 1; M = W, x = 6 for 2; and HL = 4-(1H-tetazol-5-yl)pyridine), are prepared by a mineralizer-assisted one-step synthesis strategy and explored as heterogeneous catalysts for p-BQs synthesis. Both compounds have been characterized through elemental analysis, EDS analysis, infrared spectroscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum, EPR, XPS, BET, single-crystal, and powder X-ray diffraction. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that both 1 and 2 exhibit an interesting 2D sheet structure composed of 2-connected Keggin type anions [PM12O40]3- and hexa-nuclear {CuI6(HL)6} cluster-based metal-organic chains via Cu···O interactions. When used as catalysts, POMCPs 1 and 2 have excellent catalytic activities in the selective oxidation of substituted phenols to p-BQs with H2O2. Notedly, in the model reaction from 2,3,6-trimethylphenol (TMP) to the vitamin E key intermediate trimethyl-p-benzoquinone (TMBQ), the catalytic activities expressed by turnover frequency (TOF) of 1 and 2 can reach an unprecedented 2400 and 2000 h-1, respectively, at close to 100% TMBQ yield. The truly heterogeneous nature, stability, and structural integrity of both catalysts were ascertained by FTIR, PXRD techniques, and the following cycles. Mechanism studies reveal that both catalysts can involve a dual reaction pathway through a heterolytic oxygen atom transfer mechanism and homolytic radical mechanism. Moreover, the 2D POMCPs with highly accessible bilateral active sites and efficient mass transfer efficiency possess superior catalytic performance to their analogous 3D species.

Induced Circular Dichroism of Isotactic Poly(2-vinylpyridine) with Diverse and Tunable "Sergeants-and-Soldiers" Type Chiral Amplification.

Facile and efficient construction of the helical structure with diverse and tunable chiral amplification from an achiral polymer is attractive but remains a challenge to develop multiple functional materials. We report herein a macromolecular acid-base complex of highly isotactic poly(2-vinylpyridine) (mmmm > 99%), (+)-camphorsulfonic acid, and dodecylbenzensulfonic acid. The asymmetric induction of the chiral additive through the ionic interactions between pyridinium pendants and acid ions drives the polymer backbone to twist in a preferred direction in CHCl3 and its mixture with CH3CN. The sign and intensity of induced circular dichroism rely on the base to acid ratio, the chiral acid content, and the solvent nature. By systematically tuning the solvent composition, four distinct types of "sergeants-and-soldiers" mode chiral amplification are achieved for the first time within a single system owing to the solvent dependent bias of chiral-chiral and chiral-achiral ion pairs.

Spontaneous Resolution of Evans-Showell-Type Polyoxometalates in Constructing Chiral Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Architectures.

Six new hybrid compounds based on [Co2Mo10H4O38](6-) polyoxoanion, (4-H2pya)6Co2Mo10H4O38·10H2O 1 (4-Hpya =3-(4-pyridyl)acrylic acid) and (4-H2pya)4[M(H2O)6][Co2Mo10H4O38]·5H2O (M = Co 2, Ni 3, Cu 4, Zn 5, Cd 6), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TG analysis, solid diffuse reflective spectrum, powder X-ray diffraction, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space group P-1, which is built up of protonated 4-H2pya molecules and isolated [Co2Mo10H4O38](6-) polyoxoanions. Isostructural compounds 2-6 crystallize in the chiral space group P1 by spontaneous resolution, as a conglomerate of two enantiomerically pure crystals, which were obtained by adding different metal cations to the reaction system of compound 1. The structures of 2-6 comprise chiral [Co2Mo10H4O38](6-) anions, cationic [M(H2O)6](2+) units, and protonated 4-H2pya ligands. The chiral [Co2Mo10H4O38](6-) polyoxoanions can be connected up together by directional hydrogen-bonding interactions among terminal oxygen atoms of anions, coordinated water molecules and organic ligands to construct a 3D supramolecular chiral framework in 2-6. The absolute configuration of 2-6 was determined from the Flack parameter by X-ray crystallography and solid state circular dichroism spectroscopy. As far as we know, compounds 2-6 represent the first examples of chiral inroganic-organic hybrid species based on Evans-Showell-type polyoxometalates. Furthermore, the second harmonic generation (SHG) activities for 2 and 4 were measured, showing an SHG efficiency of approximately 0.9 × KH2PO4.

Probing site cooperativity of frustrated phosphine/borane Lewis pairs by a polymerization study.

The first highly active phosphine (P)/borane (B) Lewis pair polymerization is promoted unexpectedly by P-B adducts. The P and B site cooperativity is essential for achieving effective polymerization, as shown by this study examining the reactivity of a library of P/B Lewis pairs toward polymerization of a renewable acrylic monomer.

Controlled Divinyl Monomer Polymerization Mediated by Lewis Pairs: A Powerful Synthetic Strategy for Functional Polymers.

Lewis pair cooperation provides a facile approach for polymerizing dissymmetric divinyl polar monomers such as 4-vinylbenzyl methacrylate in excellent regioselectivity and high reactivity at mild conditions, affording soluble polymers bearing pendant active vinyl groups with high molecular weight (up to 6.4 × 105 g/mol) and narrow polydispersity (PDI < 1.5). ESI-TOF MS study demonstrated that the polymerization process only concerned the methacrylic double bond and selectively remained the pendant allylic or styrene C═C bond.

Bis(oxazolinyl)phenyl-ligated rare-earth-metal complexes: highly regioselective catalysts for cis-1,4-polymerization of isoprene.

NCN-pincer (S,S)-2,6-bis(4'-isopropyl-2'-oxazolinyl)phenyl-ligated rare-earth-metal dichlorides [(S,S)-Phebox-(i)Pr]LnCl2(THF)2 (Ln = Sc (1); Y (2); Dy (3); Ho (4); Tm (5); Lu (6)) were synthesized via transmetalation between [(S,S)-Phebox-(i)Pr]Li and LnCl3 in THF solvent. Interestingly, treatment of LaCl3 by the same method generated tris(ligand) lanthanum complex [(S,S)-Phebox-(i)Pr]3La (7). Molecular structures of complexes 1, 2, 3, and 7 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. Pincer ligand (S,S)-Phebox-(i)Pr adopts a κC:κN:κN' tridentate coordination mode to the central metal ion. Upon activation with [PhNHMe2][B(C6F5)4] and Al(i)Bu3, complexes 2-5 exhibited highly catalytic activities and more than 98% cis-1,4-selectivity for isoprene polymerization while complexes 1 and 6 were inactive for this reaction. When use of the catalyst system consisted of complex 2, [PhNHMe2][B(C6F5)4], and Al(i)Bu3 for isoprene polymerization, the resultant polymer has a high cis-1,4-selectivity up to 99.5%. The reaction temperature had little effect on the regioselectivity, and high cis-1,4-selectivity almost remained even at 80 °C.

Highly active ethylene polymerization and regioselective 1-hexene oligomerization using zirconium and titanium catalysts with tridentate [ONO] ligands.

A series of tridentate dianionic ligands [4-(t)Bu-6-R-2-(3-R'-5-(t)Bu-2-OC(6)H(2))N=CH C(6)H(2)O](2-) (L) [R = R' = (t)Bu (L1); R = CMe(2)Ph, R' = (t)Bu (L2); R = adamantyl, R' = (t)Bu (L3); R = R' = CMe(2)Ph (L4); R = SiMe(2)(t)Bu, R' = CMe(2)Ph (L5)] were synthesized. Reactions of TiCl(4) with 1 equiv of ligands L1-L5 in toluene afford five-coordinate titanium complexes with general formula LTiCl(2) [L = L1 (1); L2 (2); L3 (3); L4 (4); L5 (5)]. The addition of tetrahydrofuran (THF) to titanium complex 5 readily gives THF-solvated six-coordinate complex 6, which also was obtained by reaction of TiCl(4) with 1 equiv of ligand L5 in THF. Reactions of ZrCl(4) with 1 or 2 equiv of ligands L1-L5 afford six-coordinate zirconium mono(ligand) complexes LZrCl(2)(THF) [L = L2 (7); L4 (8); L5 (9)], and bis(ligand) complexes L(2)Zr [L = L1 (10); L4 (11)]. The molecular structures of complexes 2, 8, and 11 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane, complexes 1-9 are active for ethylene polymerization. The activities and half-lifes of the catalyst systems based on zirconium complexes are more than 10(6) g of polyethylene (mol Zr)(-1) h(-1) and 6 h, respectively. Complex 9 is more active and long-lived, with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 2.6 × 10(5) (mol C(2)H(4)) (mol Zr)(-1) h(-1), a half-life of >16 h, and a total turnover number (TON) of more than 10(6) (mol C(2)H(4)) (mol Zr)(-1) at 20 °C and 0.5 MPa pressure. Even at 80 °C, complex 9/MAO catalyst system has a long lifetime (t(1/2) > 2 h), as well as high activity that is comparable with that at 20 °C. When activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), complex 9 also show moderate catalytic activity and more than 99% 2,1-regioselectivity for 1-hexene oligomerization.

Large ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene spherical particles produced by AlR3 activated half-sandwich chromium(III) catalysts.

A series of half-sandwich pentamethylcyclopentadienyl chromium(III) complexes bearing a salicylaldiminato ligand, Cp*[2-R(1)-4-R(2)-6-(CH==NR(3))C(6)H(2)O]CrCl [R(1) = (i)Pr (1, 4), (t)Bu (2, 3, 5), Ad (6); R(2) = H (1, 2, 3), (t)Bu (4, 5, 6); R(3) = (i)Pr (1, 2, 5, 6), (t)Bu (3, 4)], were synthesized. All complexes were characterized by elemental analyses and the structures of complexes 1-4 and 6 were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. These complexes adopt a pseudo-octahedral coordination environment with a three-legged piano stool geometry. Upon activation with a small amount of AlR(3), complexes 1-6 all catalyze the polymerization of ethylene in a quasi living fashion with good to high catalytic activity under mild conditions and produce ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene as spherical particles with a diameter of 1-6 mm. The catalytic activity of these complexes and the molecular weight of the produced polyethylene can be tuned in a broad range by changing the R(1), R(2), and R(3) groups as well as the AlR(3) cocatalyst. It was found that complex 6 with R(1) = Ad, R(2) = (t)Bu, and R(3) = (i)Pr shows the highest catalytic activity and produces polyethylene with the highest molecular weight.

Binuclear half-metallocene chromium(III) complexes mediated ethylene polymerization with alkylaluminium as cocatalyst.

Binuclear half-metallocene chromium complexes {Cp*[3-(CH==NR)-2-O-C(10)H(5)]CrCl}(2) [Cp* = C(5)Me(5); R = (i)Pr (1), Ph (2), 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3) (3)] based on 1,1'-binaphthyl ligands, as well as their mononuclear analogues Cp*[3-(CH==NR)-2'-R'-2-O-C(20)H(11)]CrCl [R = (i)Pr, R' = (n)BuO (4), R = Ph, R' = (n)BuO (5), R = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3), R' = (n)BuO (6), R = (i)Pr, R' = H (7)], were synthesized and characterized by mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, magnetic measurement, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The molecular structures of complexes 1, 3, 5 and 6 were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. When activated with a small amount of AlMe(3), these binuclear complexes exhibited higher activities in catalyzing ethylene polymerization in comparison with their mononuclear analogues, affording high molecular weight polymers with unimodal molecular weight distributions. The highest activity up to 2.87 × 10(6) g PE (mol Cr)(-1) h(-1) was achieved in the catalyst system of complex 3 bearing a bulky 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3) group on the imine nitrogen atom in the presence of 25 equiv. AlMe(3) as activator at 20 °C. (13)C NMR analysis indicates the resultant polymers are linear and no evidence on branch was found.

Perfectly alternating copolymerization of CO2 and epichlorohydrin using cobalt(III)-based catalyst systems.

Selective transformations of carbon dioxide and epoxides into biodegradable polycarbonates by the alternating copolymerization of the two monomers represent some of the most well-studied and innovative technologies for potential large-scale utilization of carbon dioxide in chemical synthesis. For the most part, previous studies of these processes have focused on the use of aliphatic terminal epoxides or cyclohexene oxide derivatives, with only rare reports concerning the synthesis of CO(2) copolymers from epoxides containing electron-withdrawing groups such as styrene oxide. Herein we report the production of the CO(2) copolymer with more than 99% carbonate linkages from the coupling of CO(2) with epichlorohydrin, employing binary and bifunctional (salen)cobalt(III)-based catalyst systems. Comparative kinetic studies were performed via in situ infrared measurements as a function of temperature to assess the activation barriers for the production of cyclic carbonate versus copolymer involving two electronically different epoxides: epichlorohydrin and propylene oxide. The relative small activation energy difference between copolymer versus cyclic carbonate formation for the epichlorohydrin/CO(2) process (45.4 kJ/mol) accounts in part for the selective synthesis of copolymer to be more difficult in comparison with the propylene oxide/CO(2) case (53.5 kJ/mol). Direct observation of the propagating polymer-chain species from the binary (salen)CoX/MTBD (X = 2,4-dinitrophenoxide and MTBD = 7-methyl-1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene) catalyst system by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry confirmed the perfectly alternating nature of the copolymerization process. This observation in combination with control experiments suggests possible intermediates involving MTBD in the CO(2)/epichlorohydrin copolymerization process.

Three-dimensional architectures based on lanthanide-substituted double-Keggin-type polyoxometalates and lanthanide cations or lanthanide-organic complexes.

A family of three-dimensional (3D) architectures based on lanthanide-substituted polyoxometaloborate building blocks, [LnK(H(2)O)(12)][Ln(H(2)O)(6)](2)[(H(2)O)(4)LnBW(11)O(39)H](2)·20H(2)O (Ln = Ce 1, Nd 2), H(2)K(2)(H(2)O)(n)[(C(6)NO(2)H(5))Ln(H(2)O)(5)](2)[(H(2)O)(4)LnBW(11)O(39)H](2)·18H(2)O (Ln = Ce n = 8 3, Nd n = 9 4, C(6)NO(2)H(5) = pyridine-4-carboxylic acid), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural, and are built up of lanthanide-substituted double-Keggin-type polyoxoanions [{(H(2)O)(4)Ln(BW(11)O(39)H)}(2)](10-) linked by Ln(3+) cations to form a 3D open framework with one-dimensional (1D) channels. The polyoxoanion [{(H(2)O)(4)Ln(BW(11)O(39)H)}(2)](10-) consists of two α(1)-type mono-Ln-substituted Keggin anions, constituted by two [BW(11)O(39)H](8-) polyoxoanions and two lanthanide cations. When pyridine-4-carboxylic acid ligand was added to the reaction system of 1, 2, compounds 3, 4 were obtained. Isostructural compounds 3 and 4 are constructed from the lanthanide-substituted double-Keggin-type polyoxoanions [{(H(2)O)(4)Ln(BW(11)O(39)H)}(2)](10-) linked by the [Ln(C(6)NO(2)H(5))](3+) bridges to form a 3D channel framework. From the topological point of view, the 3D nets of compounds 1-4 are binodal with three- and six-connected nodes and exhibit a rutile topology. Compounds 1-4 represent the examples of 3D architectures based on lanthanide-substituted polyoxometalates. The magnetic properties of compounds 1-4 have been studied by measuring their magnetic susceptibility in the temperature range 2-300 K.