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Enantioselective conjugate addition of azlactones to ethylene sulfonyl fluoride has been achieved via the cooperative catalysis with (DHQD)2PHAL and a hydrogen-bond donor (HBD). This approach furnishes a facile access to a range of structurally diverse azlactone sulfonyl fluoride derivatives with good to excellent yields and enantioselectivities. The combination of azlactone and sulfonyl fluoride group produces valuable unnatural α-quaternary amino acid derivatives for the drug discovery.

An enantioselective Michael addition between N-2,2,2-trifluoroethylisatin ketimines and ethylene sulfonyl fluoride has been disclosed. This method provides a facile strategy to access a range of structurally diverse isatin-derived α-(trifluoromethyl)imine derivatives with excellent yields and enantioselectivities. The intriguing combination of α-(trifluoromethyl)amine and sulfonyl fluoride groups leads to the valuable candidates for the drug discovery.

Three new LnIII-MOFs, {[Dy1.5(TAPB)1.5(DMF)]·9DMF}n (Ln = Dy (1), Er (2), Ho (3); TAPB = 4, 4′, 4″-(triazine‑2, 4, 6‑triyl‑tris‑(benzene‑4, 1-diyl)) tribenzoate), have been synthesized via a solvothermal method by using a trigonal N-containing tricarboxylate as the ligand. The coordination geometries around the central metal ions in the MOFs exhibit different deviations from ideal square antiprism (D4d symmetry) because of the coordinated solvent molecules. The ac magnetic susceptibility data is consistent with single chain magnet behavior for Dy(III) and Er(III) complexes, which have been studied by the noncritical scaling theory.

Controlling electronic processes in low-dimension electron systems is centrally important for both fundamental and applied researches. While most of the previous works focused on SrTiO3-based two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs), here we report on a comprehensive investigation in this regard for amorphous-LaAlO3/KTaO3 2DEGs with the Fermi energy ranging from ∼13 meV to ∼488 meV. The most important observation is the dramatic variation of the Rashba spin–orbit coupling (SOC) as Fermi energy sweeps through 313 meV: The SOC effective field first jumps and then drops, leading to a cusp of ∼2.6 T. Above 313 meV, an additional species of mobile electrons emerges, with a 50-fold enhanced Hall mobility. A relationship between spin relaxation distance and the degree of band filling has been established in a wide range. It indicates that the maximal spin precession length is ∼70.1 nm and the maximal Rashba spin splitting energy is ∼30 meV. Both values are much larger than the previously reported ones. As evidence...

Two polycatenated metal–organic framework materials with different metal centers (Zn2+ for 1 and Cd2+ for 2) were synthesized, which underwent pronounced framework phase transition upon desolvation, and exhibited uncommon temperature-dependent stepwise adsorption and hysteretic desorption of CO2 around room temperature.

A water-stable EuIII-based metal–organic framework (MOF) with dual-emission luminescence behavior, namely {[Eu4(INO)5(μ3-OH)2Cl4(H2O)]·(NO3)·(H2O)5}n (Eu-MOF; HINO = isonicotinic acid N-oxide), was successfully constructed by the solvothermal reaction of Eu3+ ions with the organic ligand HINO. The cationic 3D framework contains microporous channels with accessible Lewis-base sites and NO3− ions as balanced anions, which all contribute to the selective detection of multifarious analytes. This MOF shows ratiometric detection of acetone, Cr2O72− ions, and nitroaromatic compounds (NACs). In particular, it shows great recognition of four NACs in water, representing the first LnIII-MOF which can display distinguishing fluorescence phenomena on NACs rather than relying on the quenching effect. Furthermore, this is also the first example of a MOF-sensor for detecting these explosives discriminatively by ratiometric methods. Additionally, the mechanisms for luminescent responses towards different analytes have been discussed in detail.

Structural, electronic, ferroelectric, and optical properties of two-dimensional (2D) BiN monolayer materials with phosphorene-like structure are studied in terms of the density functional theory a...

A facile synthesis of tetraarylpyrazoles has been developed via t- BuOK/DMF promoted intermolecular cycloaddition of hydrazones and 1,2-diarylalkynes. A possible reaction pathway via a hydrazone radical is proposed.

An efficient synthesis of β-alkoxycarbonyl vinylsulfonium salts had been developed. Their reaction with indene-1,3-diones and other active methylene compounds provided cyclopropane carboxylates in good yields. A tentative reaction mechanism was proposed.

A simple and environmentally friendly strategy for the synthesis of E-ortho-hydroxystilbenes has been established. Two kinds of α,β-unsaturated aromatic lactones, i.e. the 3-arylcoumarins and the isoaurones, could both readily undergo a cascade hydrolyzation/decarboxylation reaction in the presence of KOH in ethylene glycol to afford the desired E-ortho-hydroxystilbenes in moderate to high yields.

An intramolecular hydroamidation of ortho-vinyl benzamides had been developed. The reaction was promoted efficiently by potassium tert-butoxide and N,N-dimethylformamide without the need for strong oxidants or transition-metal catalysts. A series of dihydroisoquinolinones and 3-benzylisoindolinones were prepared in good to excellent yields. The new method is operationally simple, scalable, and tolerant of various functional groups.

3-Arylthioindoles could be synthesized in good yields via the photoirradiation of indoles and disulfides. The reaction is efficiently promoted by the catalytic amount of sodium iodide. A reaction mechanism involving the electrophilic substitution of indoles with arylsulfenyl iodine intermediates is suggested.

A straightforward synthesis of isoindolinones has been developed via a [3 + 3] benzannulation of 4-arylmethylene-2,3-dioxopyrrolidines and 1,3-bissulfonylpropenes (or 4-sulfonylcrotonates). A series of functionalized isoindolinones were obtained in excellent yields. The reaction could be carried out under mild conditions without transition metal catalyst. The finding provides a practical approach for the preparation of isoindolinone derivatives with potential biological activities.

Two novel nortriterpenoids together with 7 known compounds were isolated from the fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, X-ray, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compound 1 is the first example of triterpenoid with a 27 (17 → 12)-abeo-five-ring skeleton. In turn, compound 2 possesses a unique C/D/E linear fused ring system and a methyl on C-21. Plausible biogenetic pathway for the new compounds 1 and 2 are also proposed. Compound 1 exhibited significantly antitumor activity against A549 and LoVo cells with IC50 values of 2.0 μM and 1.9 μM, respectively. Colony formation inhibition, cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis of compound 1 were also evaluated. Compound 2, 6, 7 and 9 showed potent neuroprotective activities against serum-deprivation induced P12 cell damage.

A series of chiral polysulfonate cyclohexyldiamine-Ni(II) catalysts were prepared via sulfur (VI) fluoride exchange click-reactions. The catalysts exhibited good catalytic activity and enantioselectivity in the Michael addition of malonates to nitroalkenes. The excellent recyclability of the catalysts was demonstrated via the reuse of the privileged catalyst 7a for ten times. The results provide a new strategy for the immobilization of chiral homogeneous catalysts.

An asymmetric conjugate addition of t-butyl nitroacetate to in situ generated o-quinone methides had been developed. A chiral squamide derived from 9-amino-9-deoxyepiquinine was found to be the efficient catalyst. α-Nitro-β,β-diaryl-propionates could be obtained in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.

A total synthesis of coumestrol (1) and aureol (2) is described. The Perkin condensation of 2-bromo-4-hydroxylphenylacetic acid (6) and o-hydroxybenzaldehydes (7) gave the corresponding 2'-bromo-3-arylcoumarins (9). A copper-catalyzed consecutive hydroxylation and aerobic oxidative coupling of 9 under microwave conditions facilitated the total synthesis of 1 and 2, respectively, with spectroscopic data highly similar to those of natural products.

A new method for the synthesis of 1-arylindazolones and 2-arylindazolones from N′-aryl-2-halobenzohydrazides promoted by KOt-Bu was developed. The difference of 2-halogen substituent exerted a significant effect on the distribution of the products. Two distinct reaction pathways are proposed for the generation of 1-arylindazolones and 2-arylindazolones, respectively.

A visible-light-promoted synthesis of benzothiazoles from 2-aminothiophenols and aldehydes has been developed. A wide range of aromatic, heteroaromatic and aliphatic aldehydes were successfully applied. The benzothiazole products were prepared in good yields. The reaction was carried out in the absence of transition-metal catalysts and extra additives. A radical reaction pathway was proposed.

A base-mediated [3 + 3] benzannulation strategy for the conversion of 1,3-bis(sulfonyl)propenes and β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters to diaryl sulfones has been developed. This method provides facile, metal-free and efficient access to highly substituted diaryl sulfones in good to excellent yields. In addition, the sulfonyl group could be easily removed or converted to other functional groups via an organostannane intermediate.

A facile synthesis of quinolinones through intramolecular addition of diarylmethanols to α,β-unsaturated amides promoted by KOt-Bu/DMF is reported. A series of 3,4-disubstituted quinolinones were obtained in moderate to good yields. A reaction pathway via the ketyl radical is proposed.

A method for the intramolecular addition of triarylmethanes to alkynes has been developed. The reaction was efficiently promoted by KOtBu/DMF without any transition-metal catalyst. A variety of indene derivatives were prepared in moderate to good yields. A cascade cyclization of 2-alkyl-substituted substrates at elevated reaction temperature gave bicyclic indene derivatives. The reaction is proposed to proceed through the generation of a triphenylmethyl radical.

A new polyhedron-based metal-organic framework (MOF), namely {[Co6(OH)2(H2O)4 (cpt)9](NO3)(DMF)13} (1, Hcpt = 4-(4′-carboxyphenyl)-1,2,4-triazole), was constructed by employment of a bifunctional triazolyl-carboxyl ligand Hcpt. Single crystal X-ray structural analysis shows that compound 1 features a rare hexanuclear {Co6(OH)2(H2O)6}10+ cluster and could be topologically viewed as a 10-connected bct net. Furthermore, compound 1 comprises octahedral cages with the inner diameter of 19.6✕12.9 A2 and 2D pore systems along the a and b axis with high density of open metal centers generated by the removal of coordinated water molecules, which contribute to a high CO2 adsorption capacity and significantly selective capture for CO2 over CH4 around room temperature. In addition, the resulting activated 1a could behave as the heterogeneous Lewis catalyst facilitates the chemical fixation of CO2 coupling with epoxides into cyclic carbonates under mind conditions.

Visible-light-promoted intermolecular radical cyclization of disulfides and alkynes has been developed. Benzothiophenes bearing ester, ketone, aldehyde and aryl substituents were synthesized in good yields. The reaction was carried out in the absence of transition-metal catalysts and extra additives. Oxygen was used as the sole oxidant. In addition, the irradiation of sunlight could also promote the reaction efficiently.

KOt-Bu/DMF promoted intramolecular addition of diarylmethanols to imines was developed. A series of 2,3-disubstituted indoles was obtained in good yields. A reaction mechanism of radical cyclization and subsequent dehydration is proposed.

Since the advent of graphene, two-dimensional (2D) materials become very attractive and there is growing interest to explore new 2D beyond graphene. Here, through density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we predict 2D wide-band-gap II-V semiconductor materials of M$_3$X$_2$ (M=Zn, Cd and X=N, P, As) with a dilated graphene-like honeycomb structure. The structure features that the group-V X atoms form two X-atomic planes symmetrically astride the centering group-IIB M atomic plane. The 2D Zn$_3$N$_2$, Zn$_3$P$_2$, and Zn$_3$As$_2$ are shown to have direct band gaps of 2.87, 3.81, and 3.55 eV, respectively, and the 2D Cd$_3$N$_2$, Cd$_3$P$_2$, and Cd$_3$As$_2$ exhibit indirect band gaps of 2.74, 3.51, and 3.29 eV, respectively. Each of the six 2D materials is shown to have effective carrier (either hole or electron) masses down to $0.03\sim 0.05$ $m_0$. The structural stability and feasibility of experimental realization of these 2D materials has been shown in terms of DFT phonon spectra and total energy comparison with related existing bulk materials. On the experimental side, there already are many similar two-coordinate structures of Zn and other transition metals in various organic materials, which can be considered to support our DFT prediction. Therefore, these 2D semiconductors can enrich the family of 2D electronic materials and may have promising potential for achieving novel transistors and optoelectronic devices., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures