Ultracompact Vernier-effect-improved sensor by a single microfiber-knot resonator.

Fiber-optic sensors are an indispensable element of modern sensing technologies by virtue of their low cost, excellent electromagnetic immunity, and remote sensing capability. Optical Vernier effect is widely used to enhance sensitivity of fiber-optic sensors but requires bulky and complex cascaded interferometers. Here we propose and experimentally demonstrate an ultracompact (∼2 mm by ∼2 mm) Vernier-effect-improved sensor by only using a single microfiber-knot resonator. With the Vernier effect achieved by controlling the optical beating with the spectral ripple of a super light emitting diode (SLED), we show ∼20x sensitivity enhancement for quantitative temperature monitoring. Our sensor creates a new practical method to realize Vernier effect in fiber-optic sensors and beyond.

FeCl3-mediated synthesis of polysubstituted tetrahydroquinolines via domino Mannich/Friedel-Crafts reactions of aldehydes and amines.

A useful method to construct highly substituted tetrahydroquinolines has been developed through an iron(III) chloride-mediated domino Mannich and intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation followed by intermolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation reactions of aliphatic aldehydes with aromatic amines.

Surfactant Effect on Formation of CaWO4:Eu3+ Crystals with Distinguished Morphologies in Hydrothermal Ambient.

Metal tungstates, expressed by the general formula of MWO4, have important properties and applications in photoluminescence, microwave applications, optical fibers, scintillator materials, humidity sensors, magnetic properties, and catalysts. In this paper, we report a successful synthesis of CaWO4:Eul+ crystals with various morphologies in mild hydrothermal conditions with surfacntant including sodium citrate, CTAB, PEG and citrate acid (CA). The formation of the crystals are strongly dependent on the employment of surfactant. The surfactant concentration has been found significant influence in the resulting morphologies due to different properties of each one. Extensive characterization have been performed by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) in search of the formation mechanism of multi-morphological CaWO4:Eu3+ crystals. The growth mechanism of monodispersed CaWO4:EuS+ crystal are proposed. And the photoluminescence properties were investigated.

Metal-free cascade radical cyclization of 1,6-enynes with aldehydes.

A new and efficient metal-free cascade cyclization of 1,6-enynes with aldehydes is developed for the synthesis of tricyclic fluorene derivatives. The reaction involves a radical process and one C(sp(2))-C(sp(2)) and two C(sp(2))-C(sp(3)) bonds are formed simultaneously in one pot by using PivOH and TBHP.

Palladium-catalyzed insertion of α,ß-unsaturated N-tosylhydrazones and trapping with carbon nucleophiles.

Palladium-catalyzed carbene migratory insertion-cyclization reactions were reported, delivering dihydronaphthalene and indene derivatives in moderate to good yields. A three-component cross-coupling was also developed. The reactions are easy to handle, under mild conditions and various functional groups are tolerated.

Palladium-catalyzed insertion of N-tosylhydrazones for the synthesis of isoindolines.

Isoindolines are synthesized by palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction of N-(2-iodobenzyl) anilines with α,ß-unsaturated N-tosylhydrazones. The reaction has several potential advantages: (1) toleration of a wide range of functional groups, (2) easy to handle and with mild conditions, (3) enriches the isoindoline family, (4) two new bonds form in one step.

Copper-catalyzed synthesis of trifluoromethyl-substituted isoxazolines.

A mild and efficient copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylation reaction which involves the cyclization of oximes has been developed. This method provides a convenient access to a variety of useful CF3-containing 4,5-dihydroisoxazoles by constructing a C-CF3 bond and a C-O bond in one step.

Palladium-catalyzed insertion of α-diazocarbonyl compounds for the synthesis of cyclic amino esters.

Two different cyclic amino esters are synthesized by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of diazoesters with N-substituted-2-iodoanilines. Aryldiazoacetates lead to cyclic α-amino esters with an α-quaternary carbon centre in the presence of CO. Additionally, arylvinyldiazoacetates afford cyclic α,ß-unsaturated γ-amino esters.