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In this paper, we investigated the role of excited-state hydrogen bonding in the photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) utilizing Rose Bengal as a catalyst, through a combined experimental and theoretical approach. Experiments validated the successful conversion of CO2 to CO in a homogeneous aqueous solution system under light irradiation, without additional photosensitizers or sacrificial agents. Theoretically, the DFT/TDDFT calculations modeled the catalyst-reactants as a hydrogen-bonded complex (HBC), understanding the energy, hydrogen, and electron transfer mechanisms induced by excited-state hydrogen bonding. Combining the photophysical and photochemical insights revealed the complete catalytic cycle, identifying the water oxidation process as the rate-limiting step in the entire photocatalytic CO2RR process. Experimental and computational results provide molecular-level insights into the structure–activity relationships. This work enhances comprehension of the pivotal role of excited-state hydrogen bonding and holds significant reference value for enhancing the conversion efficiency in the photocatalytic CO2RR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report a joint experimental and computational study to elaborate the mechanism for the photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). Experimental results indicate that the catalyst (sodium magnesium chlorophyll, MgChlNa2), which has a well-defined structure for calculation and understanding, can achieve the photoreduction of CO2 to CO only using water as a dispersant, without adding any photosensitizer or sacrificial agent. Subsequently, a series of structural models of the hydrogen-bonded complexes of the catalyst were constructed and outlined via utilizing density functional theory (DFT) calculations, including photophysical and photochemical processes. The results confirm that the rate-limiting step of the whole CO2RR was the intersystem crossing process. The electron and proton transfers involved in photophysical and photochemical processes are induced by hydrogen bonds in the excited states. The combination of experiments and calculations will provide an important reference for the design of high-efficiency photocatalysts in the photocatalytic CO2RR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycolaldehyde, a C2 compound, is the simplest sugar molecule, but whether it inherently exists in plants remains unclear due to its complicated existence form in different reaction conditions. By combination of a one-step chemical derivation method and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) measurements, herein, we clarify that the glycolaldehyde monomer molecule exists in aqueous media. Consequently, we report, for the first time, the identification of glycolaldehyde in various green plants such as Chlorella, spinach, maize, and Aeonium decorum f. variegate of the genus Aeonium. The present study provides direct evidence for the determination of glycolaldehyde and enriches our understanding of the chemical processes of biological metabolism in the plant kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycolaldehyde (HOCH2CHO, GA), the simplest molecule containing both hydroxyl and aldehyde groups, is structurally the most elementary member of monosaccharide sugars, which may provide new clues for probing the origin of life on planets like the Earth. Uncovering the existing state of GA in solution systems is an important scientific issue. Generally, methanol is used as the main mobile phase in the liquid chromatography analysis of GA, but the state of GA existing in methanol solution remains unknown, thus making it difficult to analyse GA accurately. Herein, the state and dynamic equilibrium of GA in methanol solution were systematically studied by UV-visible spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results demonstrated that the equilibrium component of GA in methanol solution is different from that in aqueous solution and that glycolaldehyde hemiacetal (GAHA) is a dominant component (>90%). Laying the foundation for experimental analysis, the transformation of different components at equilibrium was studied using DFT. The results confirm that hydrogen bonding-induced proton transfer occurs between the components at equilibrium. This work provides an important reference for the analysis of sugars and related compounds in various biochemical reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report sodium trihydroxyaryl borates as the first robust tetracoordinate organoboron catalysts for reductive functionalization of CO2. These catalysts, easily synthesized from condensing boronic acids with metal hydroxides, activate main group element–hydrogen (E–H) bonds efficiently. In contrast to BX3 type boranes, boronic acids and metal-BAr4 salts, under transition metal-free conditions, sodium trihydroxyaryl borates exhibit high reactivity of reductive N-formylation toward a variety of amines (106 examples), including those with functional groups such as ester, olefin, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, halogen, MeS–, ether groups, etc. The over-performance to catalyze formylation of challenging pyridyl amines affords a promising alternative method to the use of traditional formylation reagents. Mechanistic investigation supports electrostatic interactions as the key for Si/B–H activation, enabling alkali metal borates as versatile catalysts for hydroborylation, hydrosilylation, and reductive formylation/methylation of CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient and halogen-free catalytic methodology for the synthesis of β-amino alcohols from aromatic amines and biomass-derived carbohydrates is demonstrated for the first time. The activation of C5/C6 sugars by a ruthenium catalyst selectively generates the C2 alkylating reagent glycolaldehyde. The transformation involves metal-catalyzed hydrogen borrowing for the reduction of the imine intermediate. A series of arylamines bearing various substituents were successfully transformed into the desired products in good to excellent yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of different aldehydes is found to have a significant influence on the catalytic performance when using PN(H)P type ligands for dehydrogenation of alcohols. Accordingly, hybrid multi-dentate ligands were discovered based on an oxygen-transfer alkylation of PNP ligands by aldehydes. The relevant Ru-PNN(PO) system provided the desired unsymmetrical esters in good yields via acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohols. Hydrogen bonding interactions between the phosphine oxide moieties and alcohol substrates likely assisted the observed high chemoselectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impactful regioselectivity control is crucial for cost-effective chemical synthesis. By using cheap and abundant iron(iii) salts, the hydroxycarbonylations of both aromatic and aliphatic alkenes were significantly enhanced in both reactivity and selectivity (iso/n or n/iso up to ＞99 : 1). Moreover, Pd-catalyzed carbonylation selectivity can be switched from branched to linear by using different Fe(iii) salts. In addition, similar results were obtained for the carbonylation of secondary alcohols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report a joint experimental and computational study to elaborate the mechanism for the photocatalytic CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR). Experimental results indicate that the catalyst (sodium magnesium chlorophyll, MgChlNa 2 ), which has a well-defined structure for calculation and understanding, can achieve the photoreduction of CO 2 to CO only using water as a dispersant, without adding any photosensitizer or sacrificial agent. Subsequently, a series of structural models of the hydrogen-bonded complexes of the catalyst were constructed and outlined via utilizing density functional theory (DFT) calculations, including photophysical and photochemical processes. The results confirm that the rate-limiting step of the whole CO 2 RR was the intersystem crossing process. The electron and proton transfers involved in photophysical and photochemical processes are induced by hydrogen bonds in the excited states. The combination of experiments and calculations will provide an important reference for the design of high-efficiency photocatalysts in the photocatalytic CO 2 RR.

Selective hydrogenation of dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) is an ideal way to prepare 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylate (DMCD), an important intermediate and monomer. Even though noble metal-based catalysts ( e.g. , Ru, Pd) have been developed for selective hydrogenation of DMT, the use of non-precious Ni catalysts to achieve high activity and selectivity is still challenging. In this study, we present that only 0.5 wt% of KF by post-impregnated doping can significantly improve the performance of Ni/SiO 2 catalysts (83% vs. 96% selectivity; 41% vs. 95% conversion). The selectivity of DMCD can be up to 97%, which is the highest reported over Ni catalysts. The boosting effect of KF modification might be due to higher amounts of Ni(0) species and lower amounts of moderate acidic sites, which are beneficial for selective hydrogenation of phenyl rings over hydrogenolysis of ester groups., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Triiron dodecacarbonyl allows for the selective reduction of esters into the corresponding ethers. This protocol has a wide substrate scope. In addition, cholesteryl pelarogonate has been reduced under the reaction conditions with an excellent yield.