Boosted C-C coupling with Cu-Ag alloy sub-nanoclusters for CO2-to-C2H4 photosynthesis.

The selective photocatalytic conversion of CO2 and H2O to high value-added C2H4 remains a great challenge, mainly attributed to the difficulties in C-C coupling of reaction intermediates and desorption of C2H4* intermediates from the catalyst surface. These two key issues can be simultaneously overcome by alloying Ag with Cu which gives enhanced activity to both reactions. Herein, we developed a facile stepwise photodeposition strategy to load Cu-Ag alloy sub-nanoclusters (ASNCs) on TiO2 for CO2 photoreduction to produce C2H4. The optimized catalyst exhibits a record-high C2H4 formation rate (1110.6 ± 82.5 µmol g-1 h-1) with selectivity of 49.1 ± 1.9%, which is an order-of-magnitude enhancement relative to current work for C2H4 photosynthesis. The in situ FT-IR spectra combined with DFT calculations reveal the synergistic effect of Cu and Ag in Cu-Ag ASNCs, which enable an excellent C-C coupling capability like Ag and promoted C2H4* desorption property like Cu, thus advancing the selective and efficient production of C2H4. The present work provides a deeper understanding on cluster chemistry and C-C coupling mechanism for CO2 reduction on ASNCs and develops a feasible strategy for photoreduction CO2 to C2 fuels or industrial feedstocks.

Steering CO2 hydrogenation toward C-C coupling to hydrocarbons using porous organic polymer/metal interfaces.

The conversion of CO2 into fuels and chemicals is an attractive option for mitigating CO2 emissions. Controlling the selectivity of this process is beneficial to produce desirable liquid fuels, but C-C coupling is a limiting step in the reaction that requires high pressures. Here, we propose a strategy to favor C-C coupling on a supported Ru/TiO2 catalyst by encapsulating it within the polymer layers of an imine-based porous organic polymer that controls its selectivity. Such polymer confinement modifies the CO2 hydrogenation behavior of the Ru surface, significantly enhancing the C2+ production turnover frequency by 10-fold. We demonstrate that the polymer layers affect the adsorption of reactants and intermediates while being stable under the demanding reaction conditions. Our findings highlight the promising opportunity of using polymer/metal interfaces for the rational engineering of active sites and as a general tool for controlling selective transformations in supported catalyst systems.

Introduction of Molecular Complexity via the Cross-Coupling of Lithium 1,4-Dioxene with Aryl Bromides.

The synthetic potential of substituted 1,4-dioxenes is well recognised, although the chemistry of 2-aryl-1,4-dioxenes is relatively unexplored. Their transition metal-catalysed synthesis has been limited to Stille-type cross-coupling chemistry, typically showing long reaction times, or proceeding at high reaction temperatures. Here we present a facile and general methodology for the cross-coupling of aryl bromides with lithium 1,4-dioxene, affording a range of 2-aryl-1,4-dioxenes in generally good yields. We highlight the synthetic applicability of this transformation at multigram scale, and demonstrate the versatility of the products by conversion of the dioxene units to various carbonyl-based functionalities. Additionally, we present a concise two-step synthesis of an arylated analogue to a known 1,4-dioxene-based antifungal agent.

Glycerol as Reaction Medium for Sonogashira Couplings: A Green Approach for the Synthesis of New Triarylamine-Based Materials with Potential Application in Optoelectronics.

This study focuses on the design, eco-friendly synthesis, and characterization of several novel three-legged triphenylamine derivatives. By performing Sonogashira couplings of functionalized aryl iodides with tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine in glycerol, a readily available bio-derived solvent, we achieved the synthesis of target products in short times and high yields, up to 94%, with consistently lower E-factors and reduced costs compared to standard conditions using toluene as the reaction medium. The target molecules possess a D-(π-A)3 or D-(π-D)3 structure, where an electron-donating core connects to three electron-donating (D) or electron-accepting (A) peripheral aromatic subunits through an acetylene spacer. Their main optical and electronic properties have been determined experimentally and by DFT simulations and suggest a possible implementation in energy conversion technologies such as luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs).

Generation and Coupling of Radical Species from α-Alkoxy Bridgehead Carboxylic Acid, Selenide, Telluride, Acyl Selenide, and Acyl Telluride.

α-Alkoxy bridgehead radicals enable intermolecular construction of sterically congested C-C bonds due to their sterically accessible nature. We implemented these radical species into total syntheses of various densely oxygenated natural products and demonstrated their exceptional versatility. Herein, we employed different precursors to generate the same α-alkoxy bridgehead radical and compared the efficacy of the precursors for coupling reactions. Specifically, the bridgehead radical of the trioxaadamantane structure was formed from α-alkoxy carboxylic acid, selenide/telluride, and acyl selenide/acyl telluride, and reacted with 4-((tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy)cyclopent-2-en-1-one and 5-oxo-1-cyclopentene-1-carbonitrile. The efficiency of the bridgehead radical formation and subsequent coupling reaction significantly depended on the structures of the precursors and acceptors as well as the reaction conditions. Our findings provide new insights for selecting the appropriate substrates of key coupling reactions in the total synthesis of complex natural products.

Development of Multifunctional Catalysts for the Direct Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Higher Alcohols.

The direct hydrogenation of greenhouse gas CO2 to higher alcohols (C2+OH) provides a new route for the production of high-value chemicals. Due to the difficulty of C-C coupling, the formation of higher alcohols is more difficult compared to that of other compounds. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the development of multifunctional catalysts, including noble metal catalysts, Co-based catalysts, Cu-based catalysts, Fe-based catalysts, and tandem catalysts for the direct hydrogenation of CO2 to higher alcohols. Possible reaction mechanisms are discussed based on the structure-activity relationship of the catalysts. The reaction-coupling strategy holds great potential to regulate the reaction network. The effects of the reaction conditions on CO2 hydrogenation are also analyzed. Finally, we discuss the challenges and potential opportunities for the further development of direct CO2 hydrogenation to higher alcohols.

Regioselective Oxidative Phenol Coupling by a Mushroom Unspecific Peroxygenase.

Bioactive dimeric (pre-)anthraquinones are ubiquitous in nature. Their biosynthesis via an oxidative phenol coupling (OPC) step is catalyzed by either cytochrome P450 enzymes, peroxidases, or laccases. While the biocatalysis of OPC in molds (Ascomycota) is well-known, the respective enzymes of mushroom-forming fungi (Basidiomycota) are still unknown. Here, we report on the biosynthesis of the atropisomers phlegmacin A1 and B1, unsymmetrical 7,10'-homo-coupled dihydroanthracenones of the mushroom Cortinarius odorifer. The biosynthesis was heterologously reconstituted in the mold Aspergillus niger. We show that methylation of the dimeric (pre-)anthraquinone building block atrochrysone to its 6-O-methyl ether torosachrysone by the O-methyltransferase (CoOMT1) precedes the regioselective homo-coupling to phlegmacin, catalyzed by an unspecific peroxygenase (CoUPO1). Our results revealed an unprecedented UPO-mediated unsymmetric OPC reaction, thereby expanding the biocatalytic portfolio of OPC-type reactions beyond the commonly reported enzymes. The findings highlight the pivotal role of OPC in natural processes, demonstrating that Basidiomycota employed peroxygenases to develop the ability to selectively couple aryls, distinct and convergent to any other group of organisms.

Unconventional Electrocatalytic CO Conversion to C2 Products on Single-Atomic Pd-Agn Sites.

The electrochemical reduction of CO or CO2 into C2+ products has mostly been focused on Cu-based catalysts. Although Ag has also been predicted as a possible catalyst for the CO-to-C2+ conversion from the thermodynamic point of view, however, due to its weak CO binding strength, CO rapidly desorbs from the Ag surface rather than participates in deep reduction. In this work, we demonstrate that single-atomic Pd sites doped in Ag lattice can tune the CO adsorption behavior and promote the deep reduction of CO toward C2 products. The monodispersed Pd-Agn sites enable the CO adsorption with both Pd-atop (PdL) and Pd-Ag bridge (PdAgB) configurations, which can increase the CO coverage and reduce the C-C coupling energy barrier. Under room temperature and ambient pressure, the Pd1Ag10 alloy catalyst exhibited a total CO-to-C2 Faradaic efficiency of ~37% at ‒0.83 V, with appreciable current densities and electrochemical stability, thus featuring unconventional non-Cu electrocatalytic CO-to-C2 conversion capability.

Tensile-Strained Cu Penetration Electrode Boosts Asymmetric C-C Coupling for Ampere-Level CO2-to-C2+ Reduction in Acid.

The synthesis of multicarbon (C2+) products remains a substantial challenge in sustainable CO2 electroreduction owing to the need for sufficient current density and faradaic efficiency alongside carbon efficiency. Herein, we demonstrate ampere-level high-efficiency CO2 electroreduction to C2+ products in both neutral and strongly acidic (pH = 1) electrolytes using a hierarchical Cu hollow-fiber penetration electrode (HPE). High concentration of K+ could concurrently suppress hydrogen evolution reaction and facilitate C-C coupling, thereby promoting C2+ production in strong acid. By optimizing the K+ and H+ concentration and CO2 flow rate, a faradaic efficiency of 84.5% and a partial current density as high as 3.1 A cm-2 for C2+ products, alongside a single-pass carbon efficiency of 81.5% and stable electrolysis for 240 h were demonstrated in a strong acidic solution of H2SO4 and KCl (pH = 1). Experimental measurements and density functional theory simulations suggested that tensile-strained Cu HPE enhances the asymmetric C-C coupling to steer the selectivity and activity of C2+ products.

Mesostructure-Specific Configuration of *CO Adsorption for Selective CO2 Electroreduction to C2+ Products.

The multi-carbon (C2+) alcohols produced by electrochemical CO2 reduction, such as ethanol and n-propanol, are considered as indispensable liquid energy carriers. In most C-C coupling cases, however, the concomitant gaseous C2H4 product results in the low selectivity of C2+ alcohols. Here, we report rational construction of mesostructured CuO electrocatalysts, specifically mesoporous CuO (m-CuO) and cylindrical CuO (c-CuO), enables selective distribution of C2+ products. The m-CuO and c-CuO showed similar selectivity towards total C2+ products (≥76%), but the corresponding predominant products were C2+ alcohols (55%) and C2H4 (52%), respectively. The ordered mesostructure not only induced the surface hydrophobicity, but selectively tailored the adsorption configuration of *CO intermediate: m-CuO preferred bridged adsorption, whereas c-CuO favored top adsorption as revealed by in situ spectroscopies. Computational calculations unraveled that bridged *CO adsorbate is prone to deep protonation into *OCH3 intermediate, thus accelerating the coupling of *CO and *OCH3 intermediates to generate C2+ alcohols; by contrast, top *CO adsorbate is apt to undergo the favorable conventional C-C coupling process to produce C2H4. This work illustrates selective C2+ products distribution via mesostructure manipulation, and paves new path into the design of efficient electrocatalysts with tunable adsorption configuration of key intermediates for targeted products.

Generating Multi-Carbon Products by Electrochemical CO2 Reduction via Catalytically Harmonious Ni/Cu Dual Active Sites.

Despite the unique advantages of single-atom catalysts, molecular dual-active sites facilitate the C-C coupling reaction for C2 products toward the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2 RR). The Ni/Cu proximal dual-active site catalyst (Ni/Cu-PASC) is developed, which is a harmonic catalyst with dual-active sites, by simply mixing commercial Ni-phthalocyanine (Ni-Pc) and Cu-phthalocyanine (Cu-Pc) molecules physically. According to scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) data, Ni and Cu atoms are separated, creating dual-active sites for the CO2 RR. The Ni/Cu-PASC generates ethanol with an FE of 55%. Conversely, Ni-Pc and Cu-Pc have only detected single-carbon products like CO and HCOO- . In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) indicates that CO generation is caused by the stable Ni active site's balanced electronic state. The CO production from Ni-Pc consistently increased the CO concentration over Cu sites attributed to subsequent reduction reaction through a C-C coupling on nearby Cu. The CO bound (HCOO- ) peak, which can be found on Cu-Pc, vanishes on Ni/Cu-PASC, as shown by in situ fourier transformation infrared (FTIR). The characteristic intermediate of *CHO instead of HCOO- proves to be the prerequisite for multi-carbon products by electrochemical CO2 RR. The work demonstrates that the harmonic dual-active sites in Ni/Cu-PASC can be readily available by the cascading proximal active Ni- and Cu-Pc sites.

Transition-Metal-Free One-Pot Synthesis of Fused Benzofuranamines and Benzo[b]thiophenamines.

A series of benzofuran and benzo[b]thiophen derivatives was synthesized via a transition-metal-free one-pot process at room temperature. This one-pot protocol enables the synthesis of compounds with high reaction efficiency, mild conditions, simple methods, and a wide-ranging substrate scope. Regioselective five-membered heterocycles were constructed in good-to-excellent yields.

An Orthogonal Synthetic Approach to Nonsymmetrical Bisazolyl 2,4,6-Trisubstituted Pyridines.

A three-step synthetic route giving access to nonsymmetrical bisazolyl 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyridines with different substituents on the pyrazole, indazole, and pyridine heterocycles is described. From the readily available 4-bromo-2,6-difluoropyridine, both fluorine atoms allow for easy selective stepwise substitution, and the bromine atom provides easy access to additional functionalities through both Suzuki and Sonogashira Pd(0) cross-coupling reactions. These synthons represent optimal structures as building blocks in complexation and metalloorganic structures for the tuning of their chelating and photophysical properties.

Ligandless Palladium-Catalyzed Direct C-5 Arylation of Azoles Promoted by Benzoic Acid in Anisole.

The palladium-catalyzed direct arylation of azoles with (hetero)aryl halides is nowadays one of the most versatile and efficient procedures for the selective synthesis of heterobiaryls. Although this procedure is, due to its characteristics, also of great interest in the industrial field, the wide use of a reaction medium such as DMF or DMA, two polar aprotic solvents coded as dangerous according to environmental, health, safety (EHS) parameters, strongly limits its actual use. In contrast, the use of aromatic solvents as the reaction medium for direct arylations, although some of them show good EHS values, is poorly reported, probably due to their low solvent power against reagents and their potential involvement in undesired side reactions. In this paper we report an unprecedented selective C-5 arylation procedure involving anisole as an EHS green reaction solvent. In addition, the beneficial role of benzoic acid as an additive was also highlighted, a role that had never been previously described.

Hybrid Metal-Boron Diatomic Site Embedded in C2 N Monolayer Promotes C-C Coupling in CO2 Electroreduction.

Double-atom catalyst (DAC) has gained much interest for its versatile tuning and synergistic effect of dual-atom active sites. Metal (M)-metal (M) diatomic sites, either homo- or heteronuclear, are typically researched. Hybrid metal-non-metal combined sites have rarely been studied and even the viability of such active sites are unknown. Herein, CO2 electroreduction (CO2 RR) is explored on M@X-C2 N (M = Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu; X = S, P, and B) which renders naturally generated M-X diatomic site. Using spin-polarized density functional theory coupled with computational hydrogen electrode model, it is demonstrated that the functionality of hybrid M-B dual-atom center is superior over that of a single- or double-M center in driving CO2 RR especially C-C coupling. Among metal-boron DACs studies, Fe@B-C2 N (µ = 2µB ) exhibits the lowest free energy barrier of 0.17 eV in C-C coupling whereas Ni@B-C2 N (µ = 0µB ) mainly produces CH4 with the lowest barrier of 0.42 eV. Hence, the electronic spin state of M can be particularly important in modulating selectivity and C-C coupling barrier in CO2 RR. Fe@B-C2 N is predicted as the promising catalyst for CO2 RR towards C2+ products owing partially to its enhanced spin state. The findings can enrich the design strategy of electrocatalysts normally running at ambient conditions.

Nitrogen-Based Linkers with a Mesitylene Core: Synthesis and Characterization.

Mesitylene was used as a core in seven new tritopic nitrogen containing linkers. Three of the linkers, each containing three nitrile groups, were obtained through Suzuki, Sonogashira and Heck-type coupling reactions. Next, these were converted to tetrazol-5-yl moieties by the cycloaddition of sodium azide to the nitrile functionalities. The last linker, containing three 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl moieties, was synthesized by the Huisgen cycloaddition of phenyl azide to the corresponding alkyne. The latter was obtained via a Corey-Fuchs reaction sequence from the previously reported formyl derivative. As the proof of concept for their potential in MOF design, one of the nitriles was used to build an Ag-based network.

Cu-Catalyzed Arylation of Bromo-Difluoro-Acetamides by Aryl Boronic Acids, Aryl Trialkoxysilanes and Dimethyl-Aryl-Sulfonium Salts: New Entries to Aromatic Amides.

We describe a mechanism-guided discovery of a synthetic methodology that enables the preparation of aromatic amides from 2-bromo-2,2-difluoroacetamides utilizing a copper-catalyzed direct arylation. Readily available and structurally simple aryl precursors such as aryl boronic acids, aryl trialkoxysilanes and dimethyl-aryl-sulfonium salts were used as the source for the aryl substituents. The scope of the reactions was tested, and the reactions were insensitive to the electronic nature of the aryl groups, as both electron-rich and electron-deficient aryls were successfully introduced. A wide range of 2-bromo-2,2-difluoroacetamides as either aliphatic or aromatic secondary or tertiary amides were also reactive under the developed conditions. The described synthetic protocols displayed excellent efficiency and were successfully utilized for the expeditious preparation of diverse aromatic amides in good-to-excellent yields. The reactions were scaled up to gram quantities.

Ultrastable Cu Catalyst for CO2 Electroreduction to Multicarbon Liquid Fuels by Tuning C-C Coupling with CuTi Subsurface.

Production of multicarbon (C2+ ) liquid fuels is a challenging task for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction, mainly limited by the stabilization of reaction intermediates and their subsequent C-C couplings. In this work, we report a unique catalyst, the coordinatively unsaturated Cu sites on amorphous CuTi alloy (a-CuTi@Cu) toward electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to multicarbon (C2-4 ) liquid fuels. Remarkably, the electrocatalyst yields ethanol, acetone, and n-butanol as major products with a total C2-4 faradaic efficiency of about 49 % at -0.8 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), which can be maintained for at least 3 months. Theoretical simulations and in situ characterization reveals that subsurface Ti atoms can increase the electron density of surface Cu sites and enhance the adsorption of *CO intermediate, which in turn reduces the energy barriers required for *CO dimerization and trimerization.

Enantioselective Synthesis of γ-Functionalized Cyclopentenones and δ-Functionalized Cycloheptenones Utilizing a Redox-Relay Heck Strategy.

In this report, the desymmetrization of cyclic enones under relay Heck conditions with an array of aryl boronic acids, alkenyl triflates and indole derivatives is described. This method grants facile access to diverse γ-functionalized cyclopentenones and δ-functionalized cycloheptenones. Using this approach, a formal synthesis of (S)-baclofen was completed in high yield and excellent enantioselectivity.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Alkyl Allyl Ethers via Palladium-Catalyzed Redox-Relay Heck Alkenylation of O-Alkyl Enol Ethers.

Herein we report a transformation that generates an array of enantiomerically enriched, alkyl allyl ethers. Cyclic, acyclic, and heteroatom-bearing alkenyl triflates undergo an enantioselective, palladium-catalyzed C-C bond formation with diverse acyclic O-alkyl enol ethers in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities.