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The modification of metal oxide surfaces with organic moieties has been widely studied as a method of preparing organic-inorganic hybrid materials for various applications. Among the inorganic oxides, ion-exchangeable layered perovskites are particularly interesting, because of their appealing electronic and reactive properties. In particular, their protonated interlayer surface can be easily functionalized with organic groups allowing the production of stable hybrid materials. As a further step in the design of new inorganic-organic hybrid proton conductors, a combined experimental and theoretical study of two intercalated compounds (propanol and imidazole) in HLaNb2O7 is presented here. A generally very good agreement with the available experimental data is found in reproducing both structural features and C-13-NMR chemical shifts, and marked differences between the two considered intercalated compounds are evidenced, with possible important outcomes for proton conduction. Notably, the free imidazole molecules are easily protonated by the acidic protons present in the interlayer spacing, thus inhibiting an efficient charge transport mechanism. In order to overcome this problem, a model system has been considered, where the imidazoles are bound to the end of a butyl chain, the whole being intercalated between two perovskite layers. The obtained theoretical data suggest that, in such a system, proton transfer between two adjacent imidazoles is a barrierless process. These results could then open new perspectives for such hybrid proton conductors.

We describe the functionalization of the layered perovskite HLaNb2O7 with n-propanol, n-decanol, 3-mercaptopropyl-trimethoxysilane, imidazole, n-decylamine, and histamine. The use of sonication is found to significantly improve the reaction yield and to reduce the reaction time, compared to conventional thermal treatment under reflux. The obtained intercalates are thoroughly characterized through the use of several complementary experimental techniques (scanning electron microscopy, IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, magic-angle spinning NMR), clarifying their structure and chemical bonding. The implications for the design of inorganic–organic composite materials are discussed.

Proline in the presence of sodium hydrogen carbonate has been found to be an effective catalyst for the Baylis–Hillman reaction between methyl or ethyl vinyl ketone and aryl aldehydes. Screening of several amine catalysts showed that an ionizable carboxylic function directly linked to the secondary amine catalyst plays an important role in the synthesis of the desired product in good yield. The data obtained has allowed us to suggest, for the first time, that proline, sarcosine, pipecolinic acid and homoproline may act as bifunctional catalysts via a bicyclic enaminolactone species as intermediate. Quantum-mechanical calculations (PM3/COSMO and ab initio 3-21G/COSMO) support this mechanism and give more insight into the role of hydrogen carbonate.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)

Polystyrene-supported proline has been used as co-organocatalyst (10 mol%) with imidazole (10 mol%) in the Baylis–Hillman reaction between methyl or ethyl vinyl ketone and arylaldehydes. Recycling studies showed that the proline resin can be used up to five cycles with high isolated yields. This study represents the first example of supported proline as heterogeneous catalyst in the above reaction and broaden the scope of this catalytic material.

A simple and efficient synthesis of polystyrene-supported proline and prolinamide has been carried out. Polystyrene-supported proline has been used as organocatalyst in the asymmetric aldol reaction between cyclohexanone and substituted benzaldehydes in water without any additive. High yields, diastereoselectivities and ee values have been observed. The versatility of this resin was demonstrated in the α-selenenylation of aldehydes. Both proline and prolinamide resins gave high yields. Recycling studies showed that the proline resin gave better results than prolinamide resin.

A comprehensive theoretical investigation of the MLaNb2O7 (M = H, Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs) series of ion-exchangeable layered perovskite is presented. These perovskites are in particular interesting in view of their potential applications as inorganic supports for the design of new hybrid inorganic-organic proton conductors. In particular, their structural and electronic properties have been investigated by periodic calculations in the framework of Density Functional Theory, using different exchange-correlation functionals. A general very good agreement with the available experimental (XRD, NPD, and EXAFS) data has been found. The structure of the protonated HLaNb2O7 form has also been further clarified and a new tetragonal space group is proposed for this compound, better reproducing the experimental cell parameters and yielding to a more realistic picture of the system. The electronic investigation highlighted that all the compounds considered are very similar to each other and that the interaction between interlayer cations and perovskite slabs is purely ionic, except for the proton that is, instead, covalently bound.

Dion-Jacobson phases, like MLaNb2O7, are an interesting class of ion-exchangeable layered perovskites possessing electronic and photocatalytic properties. Their protonated and organo-modified homologues, in particular, have already been indicated as promising catalysts. However, the structural analysis of these highly tailorable materials is still incomplete, and both the intercalation process and thermal stability of the included organic moieties are far from being completely understood. In this study, we present a thorough solid-state NMR characterization of HLaNb2O7·xH2O intercalated with different amounts of octylamine, or with decylamine. Samples were analyzed as prepared, and after thermal treatment at different temperatures up to 220 °C. The substitution of pristine proton ions was followed via(1)H MAS NMR spectroscopy, whereas the alkyl chains were monitored through (13)C((1)H) CP MAS experiments. The interactions in the interlayer space were explored using (13)C((1)H) 2D heteronuclear correlation experiments. We demonstrate that some of the protons are involved in the functionalization reaction, and some of them are in close proximity to the alkyl ammonium chains. Heating of the hybrid materials leads first to a rearrangement of the alkyl chains and then to their degradation. The spatial arrangement of the chains, their interactions and the thermal behavior of the materials depend on the extent of the functionalization, and on the nature of the intercalated alkyl ammonium ions.

The modification of metal oxide surfaces with organic moieties has been widely studied as a method of preparing organic-inorganic hybrid materials for various applications. Among inorganic oxides, the ion-exchangeable layered perovskites [1], materials composed by perovskite-like slabs and intercalated cations, stimulated authors’ interest in reason of some encouraging electronic and reactive properties. In particular it is well known that the interlayer surface of such materials in their protonated form can be easily functionalized with organic groups (such as alcohols [2-3] or organophosphonic acids [4]) thus allowing the production of stable hybrid materials with new electronic and reactive features. As a first step to design a new inorganic-organic hybrid proton conductor, a comprehensive theoretical investigation of the MLaNb2O7 (M=H, Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs) series of ion-exchangeable layered perovskite is presented. In particular, their structural and electronic properties have been investigated by periodic calculations in the framework of DFT. A general very good agreement with the available experimental data has been found. The protonated compound (HLaNb2O7) has been then functionalized with imidazole trying two different settings: in the first arrangement the molecule is adsorbed on the layered oxide exposing the interlayer surface, in the second the organic moiety is just put between two perovskites slabs. This latter model, including the effect of the confinement, allowed to better reproduce the experimental structural XRD data and 13C-NMR measurements of the hybrid system. [1] Schaak, R. E. and Mallouk T. E., Chem. Mat. 2002, 14, 1455-1471. [2] Takahashi S. et al., Inorg. Chem. 1995, 34, 5065-5069. [3] Suzuki H. et al., Chem. Mater. 2003, 15, 636-641. [4] Shimada, A. et al., Chem. Mat. 2009, 21, 4155-4162.

The design of innovative proton conductors for intermediate-temperature fuel cells, closing the gap between PEMFC and SOFC, is a forefront research theme in materials chemistry. [1] Layered perovskites with the Dion-Jacobson structure (ALaNb2O7) have bidimensional lanthanum niobate sheets, separated by a layer of A+ cations. These can be substituted by a variety of molecules with soft chemistry, to yield inorganic-organic hybrids. In particular, the intercalation of amines, alcohols, carboxylic or phosphonic acids, and their covalent binding to the sheets has been demonstrated recently. [2-4]We present preliminary results on the intercalation and covalent bonding of different organic molecules, in order to develop hybrid proton conductors for use in intermediate temperature fuel cells. Smaller molecules (such as alcohols) are intercalated to expand the interlayer space, to form intermediates for the further binding of proton carriers such as imidazoles or sulfonates.The intercalation process is investigated by XRD (to measure the interlayer distance) and TGA (to determine the weight loss upon thermal decomposition). NMR is applied to confirm the covalent bonding between the organic and oxide parts. The intercalation behavior of different functional groups is explained in terms of van der Waals and/or hydrogen bonding between organic chains. The interplay of theory (ab initio and periodic DFT) and experiment allowed us to elucidate the 1H and 13C-NMR spectra, and to investigate the nature of interaction (i.e. ionic or covalent bond) of the organic chains with the interlayer surface.

Polystyrene supported substituted prolinamide was used as catalyst in the aldol reaction between cyclohexanone or acetone and several substituted benzaldehydes in chloroform/water. This catalyst afforded aldol products in high yields and stereoselectivities, especially in the case of reactions performed with acetone. The catalyst was easily recovered by filtration and reused, after regeneration with formic acid, up to 22 times.

A new prolinamide derivative anchored to a polystyrene support has been straightforwardly prepared and employed as heterogeneous catalyst in the direct asymmetric aldol reaction with good results in terms of yield and stereoselectivity. The optimal reaction conditions were found when a 1:2 (v/v) water/chloroform mixture was used. This mixture was the best compromise between the good swelling properties of chloroform and the formation of a concentrated organic phase due to the presence of water. Noticeably, the enantioselectivities obtained employing acetone as ketone were, to the best of our knowledge, the highest achieved with a supported proline derivative. This catalyst can be easily recovered, regenerated and recycled, without loss of activity, at least for twelve cycles.

l-proline and the tripeptide H-Pro-Pro-Asp-NH2 (1) have been supported, by adsorption, onto the surface of modified silica gels functionalized with a monolayer of covalently attached 1,2-dimethyl-imidazolium chloride, tetrafluoroborate or hexafluorophosphate ionic moieties, respectively. Three different linkers were used to attach the ionic liquid moiety to the surface of these supports. The resulting materials have been used as catalysts for the aldol reaction between acetone and several substituted benzaldehydes. Good yields and enantioselectivities, comparable to or better than those obtained under homogeneous conditions, were obtained. These materials are easily recovered by filtration, and studies regarding their re-use have been carried out. Studies performed using l-proline-supported materials have shown that the re-use of these materials is dependent on the nature of the linker. The supported tripeptide H-Pro-Pro-Asp-NH2 gave higher enantioselectivities than those obtained with supported-proline. Recycling investigations using tripeptide-supported materials showed continued good selectivities but diminishing conversions over consecutive runs. l-proline-supported materials however, can be used at least nine times without loss of either conversion or selectivity. This journal is

A simple synthetic methodology for the preparation of a polystyrene- supported L-proline material is reported, and this material has been used as catalyst in direct asymmetric aldol reactions between several ketones and arylaldehydes to furnish aldol products in high yields and stereoselectivities. Screening of solvents showed that these reactions take place only in the presence of water or methanol, at lower levels of conversion in the latter case. This solvent effect, coupled with the observed high stereoselectivities, has been ex- Introduction In the last decade organocatalysis has became a field of great interest.[1] Organocatalysts are metal-free small organic molecules that are able to function as efficient and selective catalysts for a large variety of enantioselective transformations. In this context, -proline and its derivatives have emerged as powerful organocatalysts.[2] -Proline can be regarded as the simplest “enzyme” and it has been successfully applied in many reactions, such as Robinson annulations,[3] aldol reactions,[4] Mannich reactions,[5] Michael reactions,[6] direct electrophilic α-aminations,[7] Diels– Alder reactions,[8] Baylis–Hillman reactions,[9] aza-Morita- Baylis–Hillman reactions,[10] α-selenenylation,[11] oxidation,[ 12] chlorination,[13] and others.[14] Among all these processes, -proline-mediated aldol reactions affording β-hydroxy ketones have been investigated in great depth. Indeed, the aldol reaction is one of the most important C–C bond-formation methods in organic synthesis.[ 15] Proline and its derivatives operate by bifunctional catalysis and play the role of a simplified version of the type I [a] Dipartimento di Chimica Organica “E.Paternò”, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Pad. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy Fax: +39-091-596825 E-mail: mgrutt@unipa.it © 2007 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH 4688 & Co. KGaA, Weinheim Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2007, 4688–4698 plained in terms of the formation of a hydrophobic core in the inner surface of the resin, whereas the hydrophilic proline moiety lies at the resin/water interface. Such a microenvironment both promotes the aldol reaction and increases the stereoselectivity. Recycling investigations have shown that this material can be reused, without loss in levels of conversion and stereoselectivity, for at least five cycles.

A new prolinamide derivative anchored to a polystyrene support has been straightforwardly prepared and employed as heterogeneous catalyst in the direct asymmetric aldol reaction with good results in terms of yield and stereoselectivity. The optimal reaction conditions were found when a 1:2 (v/v) water/chloroform mixture was used. This mixture was the best compromise between the good swelling properties of chloroform and the formation of a concentrated organic phase due to the presence of water. Noticeably, the enantioselectivities obtained employing acetone as ketone were, to the best of our knowledge, the highest achieved with a supported proline derivative. This catalyst can be easily recovered, regenerated and recycled, without loss of activity, at least for twelve cycles.

Proline in the presence of sodium hydrogen carbonate has been found to be an effective catalyst for the Baylis–Hillman reaction between methyl or ethyl vinyl ketone and aryl aldehydes. Screening of several amine catalysts showed that an ionizable carboxylic function directly linked to the secondary amine catalyst plays an important role in the synthesis of the desired product in good yield. The data obtained has allowed us to suggest, for the first time, that proline, sarcosine, pipecolinic acid and homoproline may act as bifunctional catalysts via a bicyclic enaminolactone species as intermediate. Quantum-mechanical calculations (PM3/COSMO and ab initio 3-21G/COSMO) support this mechanism and give more insight into the role of hydrogen carbonate.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)

L-proline and the tripeptide H–Pro–Pro–Asp–NH2 (1) have been supported, by adsorption, onto the surface of modified silica gels functionalized with a monolayer of covalently attached 1,2-dimethyl-imidazolium chloride, tetrafluoroborate or hexafluorophosphate ionic moieties, respectively. Three different linkers were used to attach the ionic liquid moiety to the surface of these supports. The resulting materials have been used as catalysts for the aldol reaction between acetone and several substituted benzaldehydes. Good yields and enantioselectivities, comparable to or better than those obtained under homogeneous conditions, were obtained. These materials are easily recovered by filtration, and studies regarding their re-use have been carried out. Studies performed using L-proline-supported materials have shown that the re-use of these materials is dependent on the nature of the linker. The supported tripeptide H–Pro–Pro–Asp–NH2 gave higher enantioselectivities than those obtained with supported-proline. Recycling investigations using tripeptide-supported materials showed continued good selectivities but diminishing conversions over consecutive runs. L-proline-supported materials however, can be used at least nine times without loss of either conversion or selectivity.

A simple synthetic methodology for the preparation of a polystyrene-supported L-proline material is reported, and this material has been used as catalyst in direct asymmetric aldol reactions between several ketones and arylaldehydes to furnish aldol products in high yields and stereoselectivities. Screening of solvents showed that these reactions take place only in the presence of water or methanol, at lower levels of conversion in the latter case. This solvent effect, coupled with the observed high stereoselectivities, has been explained in terms of the formation of a hydrophobic core in the inner surface of the resin, whereas the hydrophilic proline moiety lies at the resin/water interface. Such a microenvironment both promotes the aldol reaction and increases the stereoselectivity. Recycling investigations have shown that this material can be reused, without loss in levels of conversion and stereoselectivity, for at least five cycles. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)

The cover picture shows the aldol reaction between ketones and arylaldehydes carried out by using a polystyrene-supported L-proline catalyst. This material furnishes aldol products in high yields and stereoselectivities. Screening of solvents showed that these reactions take place only in the presence of water. This solvent effect, coupled with the high stereoselectivities observed, has been explained by the formation of a hydrophobic core in the inner surface of the resin with the hydrophilic proline moiety in the resin/water interface. Such a microenvironment promotes the aldol reaction and increases the stereoselectivity. Recycling investigations have shown that this material can be reused, without loss in conversion and stereoselectivity for, at least, five cycles. This catalyst can be considered a better mimic of natural Class I aldolase enzymes that use an enamine-mediated mechanism in water. Details are discussed in the article by M. Gruttadauria et al. on p. 4688 ff. This work is dedicated to Professor Domenico Spinelli on the occasion of his 75th birthday.