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We demonstrate liquid-jet photoelectron spectroscopy from a flatjet formed by the impingement of two micron-sized cylindrical jets of different aqueous solutions. Flatjets provide flexible experimental templates enabling unique liquid-phase experiments that would not be possible using single cylindrical liquid jets. One such possibility is to generate two co-flowing liquid-jet sheets with a common interface in vacuum, with each surface facing the vacuum being representative of one of the solutions, allowing face-sensitive detection by photoelectron spectroscopy. The impingement of two cylindrical jets also enables the application of different bias potentials to each jet with the principal possibility to generate a potential gradient between the two solution phases. This is shown for the case of a flatjet composed of a sodium iodide aqueous solution and neat liquid water. The implications of asymmetric biasing for flatjet photoelectron spectroscopy are discussed. The first photoemission spectra for a sandwich-type flatjet comprised of a water layer encapsulated by two outer layers of an organic solvent (toluene) are also shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biochemical composition and bioavailability of particulate organic matter (POM) were studied in relation to abiotic (water column stratification, macronutrient concentrations) and biotic factors (phytoplankton biomass and functional groups) in the open Ross Sea and coastal area of Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica, during the austral summer 2017. The presence of different sub-systems was highlighted by spatial and temporal variations of all the considered variables, characterised by higher concentrations of particulate organic carbon and nitrogen in Terra Nova Bay, where diatoms dominated, while in the open Ross Sea was higher the contribution of haptophytes (Phaeocystis antarctica Karsten, 1905). The southernmost Ross Sea was characterised by significantly higher concentrations of carbohydrates in the entire water column. High lipid contribution and low photosynthetic activity indicated aged POM, suggesting that POM was composed mainly by the remnants of previous haptophytes production. The higher lability of the carbohydrates indicated that an increase of haptophytes in the area could alter the biogeochemical C cycle, reducing the storage of refractory carbon in the depths, and favouring the transfer and respiration of C in the trophic web, with a decrease of export rate in the Ross Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigated the spin states of the cobalt(II) complexes [Co(L1)2](X)2 (1·X; L1 = 4′-(4-N,N′-diphenylaminophenyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, X = PF6, BPh4) and [Co(L2)2](X)2 (2·X; L2 = 4′-(4-N,N′-dimethylaminophenyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, X = PF6, BPh4) in the solid state and in solution. In the solid state, 1·PF6 and 2·PF6, both containing smaller PF6− counter anions, showed gradual spin-crossover. In contrast, 1·BPh4 and 2·BPh4 remained in the high-spin state over the temperature range of 5–400 K due to a lower degree of molecular cooperativity. Each of the cobalt(II) complexes exhibited effects of temperature and concentration on their absorption spectra that were related to the spin states in various organic solvents. This work provides new insights into the spectroscopic properties resulting from the spin states of cobalt(II) complexes in solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel environmentally friendly approach for synthesizing a water-compatible superhydrophilic molecularly imprinted resin on graphene oxide (SMIR/PGO). In the design of SMIR/PGO, dopamine (DA) serves a dual role: (1) self-polymerizing on the GO surface to form polydopamine, which acts as an environmentally friendly bridge for covalently grafting SMIR and (2) acting as green hydrophilic monomers, replacing traditional phenolic monomers to obtain SMIR. The dual role of DA eliminates the need for tedious steps such as separation, washing, and drying of intermediate materials, facilitating a simple one-pot synthesis. Additionally, hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) replaces the traditional crosslinker formaldehyde, thereby avoiding direct contact with the carcinogenic formaldehyde. The NH3 produced by HMTA decomposition acts as a catalyst, obviating the need for additional catalysts in the synthesis of SMIR/PGO. This one-pot synthesis occurs in an aqueous matrix and entirely avoids the use of organic solvents, aligning with green chemistry principles and ensuring compatibility with aqueous solutions. Consequently, SMIR/PGO combines the high specific surface area of GO, the multifunctionality of polydopamine, and the excellent water compatibility and high selectivity of SMIR. This combination provides multiple adsorption interactions to achieve selective extraction of chlorogenic acid in the aqueous matrix. This environmentally friendly synthetic strategy offers an efficient means of designing superhydrophilic molecularly imprinted materials with exceptional recognition and adsorption capabilities in aqueous environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin-film selective layers fabricated via interfacial polymerization (IP) form the core of membrane-based water purification and desalination, as well as other molecular separations. The monomers and organic solvents used in the reaction are for the most part toxic chemicals, likely to be banned in the near future, for environmental protection. There is, therefore, a growing need to find alternative, sustainable, materials that can produce adequate membranes for industrial applications, fabricated via IP. The present work summarizes recent studies on fabricating RO/NF/OSN membranes via IP using sustainable solvents and/ or monomers, in comparison to the toxic chemicals used to fabricate polyamide, the chosen polymeric material for the commercial selective membrane layer. The properties of these ‘green’ materials are described, as well as the properties of the resultant membranes, discussing possible limitations in the fabrication techniques and the benefits of the process. Furthermore, an eco-scale score is calculated for representative membranes, demonstrating the utility of this tool for assessing the ‘greenness’ of the fabricated membranes. Overall, the presented literature shows that there is a great potential for fabricating more sustainable and scalable membranes. However, studies exhibit various limitations, for example, no standardization for performance tests and performance criteria for every membrane type, which prevents accurate and true comparisons among different membranes. Suggestions are made, where applicable, for future work to add aspects that assess the potential of fabricated membranes to future industrial applications. Finally, and most importantly, there is still a need for improved fundamental understanding of IP, with which to facilitate the search of alternative sustainable materials for membrane fabrication with desired properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extraction of compounds with different physicochemical properties from a complex matrix usually involves several individual steps and requires large volumes of organic solvents. In this pioneering study, we propose a comprehensive two-step supercritical fluid extraction using carbon dioxide, ethanol, and water. This novel approach allows the extraction of non-polar and polar analytes within one run in two consecutive steps. Indeed, the first step with a dominant amount of CO2 with only 2% cosolvent allowed the selective extraction of non-polar volatile terpenes only in 20 min. The conditions were then automatically switched. Increasing the cosolvent volume in the extraction solvent up to 44% (v/v) resulted in the extraction of more polar compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, in 60 min. Importantly, switching the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) conditions does not require any manual intervention but results in two separate fractions containing target compounds with distinctly different physicochemical properties. The novel method was verified in terms of repeatability, accuracy, precision, and greenness. Two-step SFE was applied to seven plant species differing in volatile terpenes and phenolic profiles. The results proved that this concept is suitable for the analysis of complex plant samples. In addition, it enables a reduction in the toxic solvents consumption, extraction time, and manual intervention required for traditional extraction approaches when isolating different groups of metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of supported catalysis has experienced increased attention with respect to the development of novel architectures for immobilizing catalytic species, aiming to maintain or enhance their activity while facilitating the easy recovery and reuse of the active moiety. Dendrimers have been identified as promising candidates capable of imparting such properties to catalysts through selective functionalization. The present study details the synthesis of two polyphosphorhydrazone (PPH) dendrons, each incorporating azide or acetylene groups at the core for subsequent coupling through "click" triazole chemistry. Employing this methodology, a novel PPH Janus dendrimer was successfully synthesized, featuring ten polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains on one side of the structure and ten Ru(p-cymene) derivatives on the other. This design was intended to confer dual properties, influencing solubility modulation, and allowing the presence of active catalytic moieties. The synthesized dendrimer underwent testing in the isomerization of allyl alcohols in organic solvents and biphasic solvent mixtures. The results demonstrated a positive dendritic effect compared with model monometallic and bimetallic species, providing a proof-ofconcept for the first PPH Janus dendrimer with tested applications in catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipases are important biocatalysts and ubiquitous in plants, animals, and microorganisms. The high growth rates of microorganisms with low production costs have enabled the wide application of microbial lipases in detergent, food, and cosmetic industries. Herein, a novel lipase from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 (Lac-Rh) was isolated and its activity analyzed under a range of reaction conditions to evaluate its potential industrial application. The isolated Lac-Rh showed a molecular weight of 24 kDa and a maximum activity of 3438.5 ± 1.8 U/mg protein at 60 °C and pH 8. Additionally, Lac-Rh retained activity in alkaline conditions and in 10% v/v concentrations of organic solvents, including glycerol and acetone. Interestingly, after pre-incubation in the presence of multiple commercial detergents, Lac-Rh maintained over 80% of its activity and the stains from cotton were successfully removed under a simulated laundry setting. Overall, the purified lipase from L. rhamnosus IDCC 3201 has potential for use as a detergent in industrial applications. Key points: • A novel lipase (Lac-Rh) was isolated from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 • Purified Lac-Rh exhibited its highest activity at a temperature of 60 °C and a pH of 8, respectively • Lac-Rh remains stable in commercial laundry detergent and enhances washing performance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the use of the enzyme PestE from Pyrobaculum calidifontis VA1 for the enzymatic synthesis of hydroxycinnamic acid amides (HCAAs). HCAAs are natural compounds with potential applications in various industries. The current methods for synthesizing HCAAs are not environmentally friendly, so enzymatic methods are being explored as a greener alternative. The study focuses on the synthesis of N-trans-feruloyltyramine using PestE and found that the reaction was most efficient at 60 °C with a specific molar ratio. The use of acetonitrile as a cosolvent posed challenges, but ascorbic acid could be added to prevent substrate oxidation. PestE was also found to catalyze the formation of other hydroxycinnamic acid amides. Overall, this enzymatic method offers a more sustainable approach to HCAA synthesis. [Extracted from the article]

The present study aims at understanding the effect of organic solvents on the specific proteolytic activity and operational stability of asclepain cI in aqueous-organic media, using correlations between geometrical and structural parameters of asclepain cI. These correlations were determined by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and the secondary structure of the enzyme validated by Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Asclepain cI exhibited significantly higher catalytic potential in 29 of the 42 aqueous-organic media tested, composed by 0.1 mM TRIS hydrochloride buffer pH 8 (TCB) and an organic solvent, than in buffer alone. Asclepain cI in water-organic miscible systems showed high FTIR spectral similarity with that obtained in TCB, while in immiscible systems the enzyme acquired different secondary structures than in buffer. Among the conditions studied, asclepain cI showed the highest catalytic potential in 50% v/v ethyl acetate in TCB. According to MD simulations, that medium elicited solvation and flexibility changes around the active center of asclepain cI and conducted to a new secondary structure with the active center preserved. These results provide valuable insights into the elucidation of the molecular mechanism of asclepain cI tolerance to organic solvents and pave the way for its future application for the synthesis of peptides in aqueous-organic media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are environmentally friendly solvents that prevent the use of toxic organic solvents and have been extensively studied in recent years. However, volatile organic compounds (VOC) are often still used during workup and isolation of products. Here, a zero‐VOC strategy for Knoevenagel reaction is reported. (Hetero)aromatic aldehydes are successfully condensed with rhodanine, thiazolidine‐2,4‐dione TZD, or barbituric acid under mild conditions in an L‐proline‐based DES and pure compounds are obtained after hydrolysis without any purification. For the less reactive TZD, activation by microwave allows diminution of reaction time from 24 h to just 1 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although trypsin is a protease naturally applicable in many processes, it is still possible to increase its efficiency and forms of use. Processes that increase their resilience to different conditions in the reaction medium can expand and/or refine their range of applications. Its performance in the presence of organic solvents, such as acetonitrile (ACN), has been indicated as a promising way to increase the efficiency of digestion processes, such as in sample treatment for MALDI-MS peptide mapping. The maintenance of the activity of trypsin immobilized on glyoxyl-agarose was herein demonstrated in different temperature and ACN ranges. Compared to the soluble, the immobilized enzyme was able to remain active above 50% ACN, where the soluble trypsin showed no activity. Although low, it was still possible to detect about 7% activity at 70% ACN when immobilized form was used. With 7.5% of ACN, the soluble enzyme has already shown loss of activity. The same only occurred with immobilized trypsin at 20% or more. Although the immobilized enzyme may have lower specific activity compared to the soluble one, as confirmed by the determined kinetic parameters, its possibility of reuse was confirmed, with no loss of activity for 5 cycles at 0% and 5% ACN. Added to this is the simplicity that the reaction can be interrupted, through the removal of the enzyme from the medium. What could prevent its own protein chain from contaminating the final product. With these characteristics added, trypsin in its immobilized form presents itself as a promising biocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tyrosinase is an enzyme implicated in fruit ripening and the browning of plant parts exposed to mechanical injury. Tyrosinase has numerous reported biotechnological importance. This enzyme was extracted from the waste peels of Musa cavendish, purified via aqueous two-phase partitioning system (ATPS) and QAE-Sephadex ion-exchange chromatography. The purified tyrosinase was biochemically characterized. Tyrosinase was thereafter immobilized, characterized, and applied in the oxidation of phenols in model wastewaters. After purification, the yield and fold obtained were 23% and 8.0 respectively. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 43.0 kDa. The purified enzyme had an optimum pH and temperature of 6.5 and 60 °C respectively. The k cat K m (M−1s−1) obtained for substrates such as L-DOPA, catechol and pyrogallol were 3.6 × 10 4 , 3.8 × 10 4 and 1.6 × 10 4 respectively. The purified enzyme was stable in organic solvents: acetone > ethanol > methanol > n-butanol. Quercetin, ascorbic acid, l-cysteine and arginine were potent inhibitors. The immobilized tyrosinase was more resistant to thermoinactivation than the free enzyme as evidenced by its kinetic ( k d , t 1 / 2 ) and thermodynamic ( Δ G d * , Δ H d * , Δ S d * ) characteristics. The immobilized tyrosinase removed 70% of 650-µM phenol after 2 h compared to 50% removal by the free tyrosinase. After six repeated cycles of phenol biodegradation using the immobilized enzyme, about 40% of phenol was removed. The fresh peels of M. cavendish served as a green-based source of relatively thermostable immobilized tyrosinase deployable in large-scale biodegradation of phenol-containing wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ω-Transaminases (ω-TAs) are significant candidate enzymes in the biosynthesis of chiral amines for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Novel thermostable ω-TAs for potential use in these industries can be discovered using homologous sequence alignment. In this study, we used well-studied B3-TA from hot spring metagenomes, the Sbv333-TA from Streptomyces sp., and TATR from Thermomicrobium roseum as starting templates to BLAST search, and found a yet unidentified thermostable ω-TA (TATP) from Thermorudis peleae. We cloned TATP into vector pET28a, leading to pET28a-TATP, and overexpressed it in Escherichia coli. The enzyme showed the highest activity at pH 8.8 and 73.6 °C, with remarkable thermostability and tolerance toward organic solvents methanol and ethanol. Substrate specificity analysis showed that TATP enzyme is active toward a broad range of substrates including glyoxylate, pyruvate, 2-phenylpropionaldehyde, 2-oxobutyrate, propionaldehyde, acetaldehyde, ethyl acetoacetate, etc. Especially, TATP enzyme presented relatively good activity toward pyruvate and glyoxylate. In addition, the active sites of TATP were analyzed via the approaches of protein sequence alignment, three-dimensional structure simulation, and coenzyme pyridoxamine phosphate docking, which provided a guideline for further enzyme engineering and suggested a potential industrial thermostable ω-TA for chiral amines synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a green and efficient synthesis method for pyrano[2,3-c]-pyrazoles, employing DL-alpha-tocopherol methoxypolyethylene glycol succinate solution (TPGS-750-M) as a green and biodegradable surfactant in water. The utilization of water as a reaction medium and TPGS-750-M as a surfactant obviates the necessity for organic solvents, thereby enhancing the environmental sustainability of the synthesis. The compounds synthesized using this novel method was characterized using various spectroscopic techniques, including 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and mass spectrometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are well established inorganic nanomaterials. They are of researcher's interest due to their anion-exchange capability, high surface-to-volume ratio, enhanced basicity due to hydroxyl anions and lewis acidity due to different metal ions present in the lattice. Their compatibility with environmental friendly solvents like water and alcohol have attracted synthetic chemists to develop green protocol in organic catalysis reactions. Interestingly, there are no reports of utilizing NiAl LDHs as a catalyst for organic transformations in greener condition. In the present study, we have utilized NiAl LDHs as a catalyst for the synthesis of thioxo-dihydroquinazolinones from isatoic anhydride, hydrazides and carbon disulphide. We have synthesized ten thioxo-dihydroquinazolinones with product yield ranging from 77 to 90%. The synthesized thioxo-dihydroquinazolinones possessing differently substituted aryl groups and heterocyclic ring could become a good precursors to discover and develop a new drug molecules. Nontoxic catalyst with both acidic and basic sites, substrate scope, environmental friendly solvents, one-pot operation, simple starting materials, good yields and reusability of NiAl LDHs catalyst up to five cycles are notable features of the present protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer material, polyglycolic acid is attracting more and more attention in the field of polymeric and biomedical materials. Consequently, the study of the transformation between different crystal forms of glycolide, the monomer of polyglycolic acid, is of great importance, because crystal forms of glycolide determine the stabilities and properties of polyglycolic acid products polymerized under different conditions in industry. Herein, this article reports the synthesis and crystallization of α‐ and β‐glycolide controlled by the type of organic solvents and/or temperatures, during which an intermediate crystal form of β′‐glycolide is newly observed. The transformation between α‐, β‐, and β′‐glycolide is investigated in detail, and the stabilities of different crystal forms are illustrated via the controlled experiments under different relative humidity (RH) as well as the theoretical calculations, which should provide fundamental concepts and guidance for the industrial production of glycolide and optimization of polyglycolic acid products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their widespread applications in sectors such as pulp and paper, textile, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and biofuel production, laccases encounter challenges related to their activity and stability under varying reaction conditions. This review accumulates data on the complex interplay between laccase characteristics and reaction conditions for maximizing their efficacy in diverse biotechnological processes. Benefits of organic media such as improved substrate selectivity and reaction control, and their risks such as enzyme denaturation and reduced activity are reported. Additionally, the effect of reaction conditions such as pH and temperature on laccase activity and stability are gathered and reported. Sources like Bacillus pumilus, Alcaligenes faecalis, Bacillus clausii, and Bacillus tequilensis SN4 are producing laccases that are both thermo-active and alkali-active. Additionally, changes induced by the presence of various substances within reaction media such as metals, inhibitors, and organic solvents are also reported. Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus licheniformis LS04 produce the most resistant laccases in this case. Finally, the remarkable laccases have been highlighted and the proper laccase source for each industrial application is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study consists of four steps. In the first, two different biocompatible organogelators were synthesized, starting with the L-isoleucine amino acid to obtain amide compounds. In the second step, the gelation potential of synthesized organogelators with fatty acid esters and organic solvents was investigated. These esters were chosen as gelation liquids due to their biocompatibility and also their penetration-enhancing properties when the drug is administered via the skin. After the minimum gel concentrations (MGCs) of the organogelators were determined, the melting point of gel Tg was found, and then, AHg gelation enthalpy values were found by means of the Van't Hoff equation. In addition to the gelation abilities and capacities of the organogelators being thus synthesized, their thermal stabilities were also determined. In the third stage of the study, the network which occurred during the formation of the gels was screened by an SEM device, and their characterizations were determined. In the study's fourth stage, the gels were loaded with ibuprofen and naproxen -- known for their non-steroidal antiinflammatory and analgesic effects -- and their drug-loading capacities were thus determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MOF-74 or M2(dhtp) (M = metal ions, dhtp = 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid), as a typical class of metal–organic frameworks (MOF), have garnered considerable interest due to their abundant unsaturated metal sites. However, environmental and economic limitations caused by the extensive use of organic solvents in traditional syntheses hinder their industrial applications. Although water as a green solvent is considered to be the best candidate solvent, water-based MOFs often have poor crystallinity and long synthesis time, and controlling the particle size is difficult. Herein, a water-based strategy is proposed to synthesize high-quality MOF-74–Co with controllable particle sizes in a rotating packed bed (RPB) reactor using high-gravity technology. MOF-74–Co could be rapidly prepared in the RPB, and shows a smaller and more uniform particle size, higher crystallinity, and larger specific surface area, as compared to the counterpart prepared in a traditional stirred tank reactor. Further adopting acetic acid as a modulator, the as-prepared MOF-74–Co has the highest BET surface area (1599 m2 g−1) in the reported literature so far and simultaneously possesses a high space–time yield (293 kg m−3 day−1). High-quality MOF-74–Zn and MOF-74–Ni can also be prepared, proving the generality of this strategy. Furthermore, the small-sized MOF-74–Co-78 nm exhibits a faster adsorption rate and a larger saturation adsorption capacity (298 mg g−1) for CO2 compared with large-sized samples. This study not only advances the field of green synthesis of MOFs but also paves the way for efficient manufacturing processes in MOF-74 synthesis for CO2 adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective oxidation of alcohols has drawn significant attention in heterogeneous catalysis with the increasing use of Pickering interfacial catalysis (PIC) for green transformations of alcohols. However, it is still highly desirable to design and develop a solid catalyst with easy separation and recycling, made from abundant resources through a simple synthesis route, for the selective oxidation of alcohols. In this study, ferrite nanoparticles, synthesized via a hydrothermal process, were employed to act as a stabilizer and catalyst in PIC for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol using H2O2. The ferrite nanoparticles exhibited higher catalytic performance in PIC than in acetonitrile. The turnover number (TON) of the nanocatalyst in PIC was found to be 1.5–4 times higher than that in acetonitrile, and the reaction constant in PIC (kPIC = 0.712 h−1) was almost twice that in acetonitrile (kCH3CN = 0.310 h−1) for MnFe2O4 nanoparticles. Moreover, other alcohols could also be oxidized with moderately high conversion and selectivity in PIC. Significantly, the ferrite nanocatalyst could be easily separated from PIC using a magnet for reuse, achieving 88% BzOH conversion after five cycles. The use of hazardous organic solvents was avoided in PIC, making it a more advanced, green and sustainable reaction system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidation of Au0 with the synergistic Ag+/0.5 I2 system in the commercial organic solvent 1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobenzene led to the perfluoroalkoxyaluminate salt of the [Au(CO)2]+ cation known from superacid chemistry. This [Au(CO)2]+ salt proved to be an excellent 'naked' Au+-synthon yielding complex salts with [Au(η2-P4)2]+, [Au(η1-P4S3)2]+ and half-sandwich [Au(η2-C6H6)(CO)]+ cation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical excipients are classified based on the function(s) in the processing and/or finished product. However, functionality evaluations, procedures, and related acceptance criteria for excipients tend to depend on the dosage form, and assessment is usually done on a case-by-case basis. This means that any useful and reliable evaluation of the overall functionality-related properties is only possible within the context of the specific formulation method. This study evaluated the physicochemical, functional, and related properties of purified gum obtained from the stem bark of the Cussonia arborea tree. The purified gum was acidic (pH 5.32–5.50) with percentage (%) moisture content and insoluble matter of 13.33 ± 0.33 and 0.47 ± 0.01, respectively. Moreover, it was soluble in all the aqueous-based solvents but insoluble in all the organic solvents. The total ash of the gum was higher than that of international standard gum Arabic. Micromeritic properties indicated the need for a flow aid to improve flowability. Six formulated batches of tablets containing 0.5–5%w/w of gum, respectively, were generally soft with none passing the USP T 80 standard of drug dissolution indicating poor tablet binding and drug-releasing properties. The disintegration action of CAPG was poor (only batches containing 0.5 and 1% CAPG passed) and was not comparable to that of the standard corn starch. The gum was therefore considered a poor disintegrant and binder in the formulation of conventional release tablets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-cell nanoencapsulation (SCNE) has great potential in the enhancement of therapeutic effects of probiotic microbes. However, the material scope has been limited to water-soluble compounds to avoid non-biocompatible organic solvents that are harmful to living cells. In this work, the SCNE of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus with water-insoluble luteolin and Fe3+ ions is achieved by the vortex-assisted, biphasic water–oil system. The process creates L. acidophilus nanoencapsulated in the luteolin-Fe3+ shells that empower the cells with extrinsic properties, such as resistance to lysozyme attack, anti-ROS ability, and α-amylase-inhibition activity, as well as sustaining viability under acidic conditions. The proposed protocol, embracing water-insoluble flavonoids as shell components in SCNE, will be an advanced add-on to the chemical toolbox for the manipulation of living cells at the single-cell level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenolic compounds from a hydroalcoholic extract of wet olive pomace were purified and concentrated by an integrated membrane process in organic media. First, UF010104 (Solsep BV) and UP005 (Microdyn Nadir) membranes were tested to be implemented in the ultrafiltration stage, with the aim of purifying the extract and obtaining a permeate enriched in phenolic compounds. Despite the high flux observed with the UF010104 membrane (20.4 ± 0.7 L·h−1·m−2, at 2 bar), the UP005 membrane was selected because of a more suitable selectivity. Even though some secoiridoids were rejected, the permeate stream obtained with this membrane contained high concentrations of valuable simple phenols and phenolic acids, whereas sugars and macromolecules were retained. Then, the ultrafiltration permeate was subjected to a nanofiltration step employing an NF270 membrane (DuPont) for a further purification and fractionation of the phenolic compounds. The permeate flux was 50.2 ± 0.2 L·h−1·m−2, working at 15 bar. Hydroxytyrosol and some phenolic acids (such as vanillic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid) were recovered in the permeate, which was later concentrated by reverse osmosis employing an NF90 membrane. The permeate flux obtained with this membrane was 15.3 ± 0.3 L·h−1·m−2. The concentrated phenolic mixture that was obtained may have important applications as a powerful antioxidant and for the prevention of diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of lipase immobilized on an octyl-agarose support to obtain the optically pure enantiomers of chiral drugs in reactions carried out in organic solvents is a great challenge for chemical and pharmaceutical sciences. Therefore, it is extremely important to develop optimal procedures to achieve a high enantioselectivity of the biocatalysts in the organic medium. Our paper describes a new approach to biocatalysis performed in an organic solvent with the use of CALB-octyl-agarose support including the application of a polypropylene reactor, an appropriate buffer for immobilization (Tris base—pH 9, 100 mM), a drying step, and then the storage of immobilized lipases in a climatic chamber or a refrigerator. An immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica (CALB) was used in the kinetic resolution of (R,S)-flurbiprofen by enantioselective esterification with methanol, reaching a high enantiomeric excess (eep = 89.6 ± 2.0%). As part of the immobilization optimization, the influence of different buffers was investigated. The effect of the reactor material and the reaction medium on the lipase activity was also studied. Moreover, the stability of the immobilized lipases: lipase from Candida rugosa (CRL) and CALB during storage in various temperature and humidity conditions (climatic chamber and refrigerator) was tested. The application of the immobilized CALB in a polypropylene reactor allowed for receiving over 9-fold higher conversion values compared to the results achieved when conducting the reaction in a glass reactor, as well as approximately 30-fold higher conversion values in comparison with free lipase. The good stability of the CALB-octyl-agarose support was demonstrated. After 7 days of storage in a climatic chamber or refrigerator (with protection from humidity) approximately 60% higher conversion values were obtained compared to the results observed for the immobilized form that had not been stored. The new approach involving the application of the CALB-octyl-agarose support for reactions performed in organic solvents indicates a significant role of the polymer reactor material being used in achieving high catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is imminent to develop phosphors with multiple stimuli responses due to the increasing demand on anti‐counterfeiting and information encryption technologies. Here, a zero dimensional (0D) organic–inorganic hybrid (DPPE)2MnBr4·H2O (DPPE = 4,4‐Difluoropiperidine, 1), which emits green light and exhibits reversible thermo‐ and vapor‐luminescence responses to heat and organic solvents is reported. Specifically, when heated above 100 °C for 30 s, hybrid 1 transforms into yellow‐emitting hybrid 2. Upon exposure to dichloromethane (DCM), it transforms into a red‐emitting hybrid 3. Experimental analysis reveals that Mn2+‐Mn2+ magnetic coupling interactions and coordination configuration transformation are responsible for the obvious switching of photoluminescence. Owing to its extraordinary triple‐mode switching characteristics, enabling luminescence‐adjustable transformations such as green to yellow, green to red, and yellow to red emission, this metal‐halide hybrid is promising for the application in anti‐counterfeiting and information encryption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of immobilized enzymes with high activity and stability is critical. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much academic and industrial interest in the field of enzyme immobilization due to their unique properties. In this study, the amino-functionalized ionic liquid (NIL)-modified metal–organic framework (UiO-66-NH2) was prepared to immobilize Candida rugosa lipase (CRL), using dialdehyde starch (DAS) as the cross-linker. The results of the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) confirmed that the NIL was successfully grafted to UiO-66-NH2. The CRL immobilized on NIL-modified UiO-66-NH2 (UiO-66-NH2-NIL-DAS@CRL) exhibited satisfactory activity recovery (79.33%), stability, reusability, and excellent organic solvent tolerance. The research results indicated that ionic liquid-modified UiO-66-NH2 had practical potential for application in enzyme immobilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conducting polymers like polypyrrole, polyaniline, and polythiophene with nanostructures offers several advantages, such as high conductivity, a conjugated structure, and a large surface area, making them highly desirable for energy storage applications. However, the direct synthesis of conducting polymers with nanostructures poses a challenge. In this study, we employed a hard template method to fabricate polystyrene@polypyrrole (PS@PPy) core–shell nanoparticles. It is important to note that PS itself is a nonconductive material that hinders electron and ion transport, compromising the desired electrochemical properties. To overcome this limitation, the PS cores were removed using organic solvents to create hollow PPy nanospheres. We investigated six different organic solvents (cyclohexane, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, acetone, and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)) for etching the PS cores. The resulting hollow PPy nanospheres showed various nanostructures, including intact, hollow, buckling, and collapsed structures, depending on the thickness of the PPy shell and the organic solvent used. PPy nanospheres synthesized with DMF demonstrated superior electrochemical properties compared to those prepared with other solvents, attributed to their highly effective PS removal efficiency, increased specific surface area, and improved charge transport efficiency. The specific capacitances of PPy nanospheres treated with DMF were as high as 350 F/g at 1 A/g. And the corresponding symmetric supercapacitor demonstrated a maximum energy density of 40 Wh/kg at a power density of 490 W/kg. These findings provide new insights into the synthesis method and energy storage mechanisms of PPy nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand the process and mechanism of lignin structural changes and relative product formation during PbO2 anode electrolysis, a Ti/Sb−SnO2/PbO2 composite electrode has been prepared and utilized for the alkaline electrolytic oxidation of both alkali lignin (AL) and bagasse organosolv lignin (OL). By combining electrochemical measurements, in‐situ FTIR, 2D‐HSQC NMR, and product distribution analysis, we not only investigate the impact of influence factors on the process of lignin depolymerization, but also reveal the depolymerization mechanism from the whole process of lignin structural changes in details. Under certain electrolysis conditions, the highest vanillin yield, 10.1 mg g−1, has been obtained through the electrolysis of alkali lignin, whereas the highest syringaldehyde yield of 4.0 mg g−1 has been achieved during the electrolysis of organic solvent lignin. In particular, AL mainly performs depolymerization through the selective cleavage C−C bonds to produce a series of G unit monomer products of vanillin, acetovanillone, and vanillic acid. By contrast, the depolymerization of OL shows significant selectivity in H units. Particularly, the production of the major H unit monomer product of 4‐vinylphenol has been confirmed by IR spectroelectrochemical studies from the oxidation and decarboxylation of p‐coumaric acid unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The compatibility of lithium metal with organic solvents is the most crucial for lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Even though ether solvents show excellent compatibility toward lithium metal, the reactivity of the ether solvents at elevated temperatures and high voltages hinders their utilization in lithium metal battery systems. In this study, a high‐temperature ether electrolyte is designed comprising lithium oxalyldifluoroborate (LiODFB), diethylene glycol dibutyl ether (DGDE), 3‐methoxypropionitrile (MPN), and fluorinated ethylene carbonate (FEC), which is abbreviated as MDF electrolyte. The presence of MPN in the electrolyte changes the solvation structure, thereby facilitating increased redox reactions of ODFB− and synergizing with FEC to build a robust solid electrolyte interface (SEI), effectively inhibiting lithium dendrites growth and solvent decomposition. Consequently, the MDF electrolyte exhibits not only long cyclic stability and high coulombic efficiency in Li||Cu and Li||Li cells but also excellent cyclic characteristics in both Li||LiFePO4 (LFP) and Li||LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) cells. Remarkably, these cells demonstrate stable operation even when exposed to higher temperatures of up to 80 °C, while the Li||NCM811 cell maintains consistent cyclic stability at an elevated voltage level of 4.5 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Der Einsatz kleiner fluoreszierender Moleküle spielt in der Medizin und Arzneimittelentwicklung eine immer größere Rolle. Mit diesem Beitrag ergänzen wir das Portfolio leistungsstarker Fluorophore durch die zufällige Entdeckung und Entwicklung einer neuen Klasse mit einem Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridiniumtriflat‐Kern, die wir „PyrAt‐Verbindungen" nennen. Diese Fluorophore werden in einem einzigen Schritt aus leicht verfügbaren Materialien synthetisiert (>60 Beispiele) und zeigen Stokes‐Verschiebungen bis zu 240 nm, während sie gleichzeitig NIR−I‐Emissionen bei λmax bis zu 720 nm erreichen. Computergestützte Studien ermöglichen die Entwicklung einer Plattform für die Vorhersage von λmax und λEm. Darüber hinaus demonstrieren wir die Kompatibilität dieser neuartigen Fluorophore mit der Lebendzellbildgebung in HEK293‐Zellen, was darauf hindeutet, dass sie potente intrazelluläre Marker sind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leontopodium leontopodioides (Willd.) Beauv. (L. leontopodioides.) has been used to treat lung diseases in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, a systematic analysis of its chemical components has not been reported so far. In this study, UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS and GC-MS were applied to investigate the chemical composition of the water extracts and essential oils of L. leontopodioides. UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS adopts a heating electrospray ionization source, collecting primary and secondary mass spectrometry data in positive and negative ions, respectively, and uses Compound Discoverer 3.2 software to analyze the collected raw data. As a result, a total of 39 compounds were identified from their high-resolution mass spectra in both positive and negative ionization modes, including 13 flavonoids and their glycosides, 15 phenolic acids, 4 oligosaccharides and glycosides, 4 pentacyclic triterpenoids, and 3 other compounds. Among them, 18 chemical components have not been reported in L. leontopodioides. In the GC-MS section, two common organic solvents (n-hexane and diethyl ether) were used to extract essential oils, and the mass spectra were recorded at 70 eV (electron impact) and scanned in the range of 35∼450 m/z. Compounds were identified using NIST (version 2017), and the peak area normalization method was used to calculate their relative amounts. Finally, 17 components were identified in the volatile oil extracted with n-hexane, accounting for 80.38% of the total volatile oil, including monoterpenoids, phenylpropene, fatty acids, and aliphatic hydrocarbons. In the volatile oil extracted with diethyl ether, 16 components were identified, accounting for 73.50% of the total volatile oil, including phenylpropene, aliphatic hydrocarbons, monoterpenoids, fatty acids, and esters. This study was the first to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition of the L. leontopodioides water extract and its essential oil, and a comprehensive chemical composition spectrum was constructed, to lay a foundation for its further pharmacodynamic material basis and quality evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The smectite group of clay minerals (smectites) consists of negatively charged clay layers and interlayer exchangeable cations. They are spontaneously delaminated in water to form single clay layers when the interlayer cations are small alkaline cations such as Na+ or Li+. This phenomenon known as osmotic swelling has fundamental importance in constructing novel clay-based nanomaterials. However, osmotic swelling of smectites has not been systematically investigated in organic solvents although this phenomenon should be useful for developing novel clay-organic nanocomposites. We report herein that montmorillonite, a typical smectite, with monovalent and divalent inorganic interlayer cations shows osmotic swelling accompanied by delamination of clay layers in water-acetonitrile and water-2-propanol mixed solvents, although inorganic interlayer cations have been believed to be inappropriate for delamination of smectites in organic solvents. The delamination is confirmed by a combination of macroscopic sample appearances, XRD patterns, and SEM images. Montmorillonite with interlayer Na+ or Li+ ions shows osmotic swelling in pure water and the mixed solvents but not in pure organic solvents. Montmorillonite with alkaline earth dications in the interlayer spaces is swollen in water-organic mixed solvents but not in either pure water or organic solvents alone. Partial delamination in several systems can be clarified from SEM images even though the sample appearances and XRD patterns do not give firm evidence. Such non-uniform swelling behavior of montmorillonite is related to the disordered stacking of the aluminosilicate layers with different morphologies in the clay powders as observed by SEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

9-(4-Aminophenyl)-9-(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene reacted with 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone to afford an aromatic ketone-containing aromatic diamine. The aromatic diamine was polymerized with four kinds of tetracarboxylic dianhydrides at room temperature(rt) followed by chemical imidization (Ac2O/NEt3) at 160 °C to afford the corresponding aromatic poly(ether ketone)-polyimide (PEK-PI) alternating copolymers. The resulting PEK-PI copolymers have sufficiently high molecular weights (Mw = 37,600–47,500 or insoluble in all organic solvents), thermal stability (Tg = 269–363 °C) above aromatic poly(ether ketone)s and below aromatic polyimides, and more colorless transparency than typical aromatic poly(ether ketone)s and aromatic polyimides. PEK-PI films, which were fabricated by casting from the CHCl3 solutions, are flexible and free-standing. Hybridization of PEK and PI will lead to the creation of organosoluble (except one PEK-PI), colorless transparent, and thermally stable materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Core-shell structured magnetic wrinkled organosilica-based metal-enzyme integrated catalysts were synthesized, and their catalytic performances were studied in the chemoenzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution of chiral amines in an organic solvent, as well as in the chemoenzymatic synthesis of chiral alcohols in water. Structureperformance studies revealed the important influence of their tunable structure and composition on the optimization of activity, stability, and recyclability in chemoenzymatic catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laccases are lignolytic enzymes that catalyze and cleave various environmental pollutants. In this study, we isolated a novel laccase-producing bacterium, Bacillus aerius SP3, from compost soil using ABTS as the substrate. The production of extracellular laccase was improved through the one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) method and response surface methodology using the Box–Behnken design (BBD) in submerged fermentation. Optimization of medium components, including 20 g/L starch, 10 g/L peptone, 3.36 mM CuSO4, and 72-h incubation time, resulted in a 3.46-fold increase in extracellular laccase production compared with the unoptimized medium. The extracellular laccase obtained from the culture supernatant was purified through 60% ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis, and ion exchange chromatography using a DEAE cellulose column. SDS-PAGE estimated the molecular weight of the isolated laccase to be approximately 60 kDa. The purified laccase also decolorized textile dyes, crystal violet and methylene blue, achieving 48% and 22% removal in the presence of ABTS as a mediator. The optimal temperature and pH for laccase activity were 35 °C and 7.0, respectively. The enzyme demonstrated stability up to 40 °C for 60 min and at pH 8.0 at 4 °C for 24 h. Cu2+ and Zn2+ enhanced laccase activity by 110%, while > 50% of activity was retained in the presence of heavy metals such as Hg2+ and Cd2+. Organic solvents, including 10% ethanol and methanol, increased laccase activity by 1.5 times. These results indicate that the laccase is active at neutral/alkaline pH, tolerant to heavy metals, and organic solvents. Enhancement of laccase activity by organic solvents is advantageous for chemical reactions in solvent environments and treating wastewater from dyeing industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ni, Mn co-doped FePO 4 @C is synthesized by an ion exchange method in aqueous media. • Heating is benefit to increase the delithiation rate of LiFePO 4. • Ni, Mn co-doping can effectively enhance the electronic conductivity of FePO 4. • Ni, Mn co-doping can obviously increase the working voltage of FePO 4 cathode. Olivine FePO 4 is widely regarded as an optimal cathode material for sodium-ion batteries due to its impressive theoretical capacity of 177.7 mAh g−1. Nonetheless, the material's limited application stems from its intrinsic low electronic and ionic conductivities and ion diffusion rate. Previously, most modifications of olivine FePO 4 are conducted through electrochemical or ion exchange processes in organic solvents, which severely restricted its potential for large-scale applications. In this research, a novel water-based ion exchange method is proposed for the synthesis of Ni-doped, Mn-doped, and Ni, Mn co-doped FePO 4 @C, which is non-toxic, cost-effective, and demonstrating promising prospects for various applications. Fe 2.7 Mn 0.2 Ni 0.1 PO 4 @C (0.2Mn0.1Ni-FP@C) is synthesized by a straightforward ion exchange method in aqueous media. The material exhibits a discharge capacity of 154.4 mAh g−1 at 0.1C rate. After 300 cycles at 1C, the capacity retention rate remains at 70.7 %. Numerous tests and calculations conducted in this study demonstrate that 0.2Mn0.1Ni-FP@C, modified through Mn3+ and Ni3+ co-doping, exhibits superior electrochemical performance due to its enhanced electronic conductivity and ion diffusion rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study concerned with expression and biochemical characterization of lipase enzyme for potential use in detergent formulation. Lipase gene (1242 bp) of Bacillus thuringensis was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 strain using pET‐21a(+) expression vector. Maximum expression of cloned lipase gene was obtained at 37°C with an induction of 0.4 mM IPTG (Isopropyl ß‐D‐1‐thiogalactopyranoside) after 4 h of induction. Recombinant lipase was purified to homogeneity using immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography carrying 109.80 U/mg specific activity with 38.79 purification folds. Molecular mass of purified lipase was determined as 45 kDa using sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Purified recombinant lipase showed stability up to 90°C and retained significant activity (52%) after 4 h at 90°C. It was also found to be stable at a wide range of pH and in the presence of higher concentrations of several inhibitors (sodium dodecyl sulfate, dimethylsulfoxide, sodium azide, β‐mercaptoethanol, polysorbate 80, dithiothreitol) as well as organic solvents (acetone, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n‐butanol). The activity of recombinant lipase was enhanced in the presence of various metal ions and activated up to 200% by Ca2+. The compatibility of recombinant lipase with commercial detergents and other additives as well as its broad substrate specificity endorse the potential application of this enzyme in detergent formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical paraffin removal agent QLJ-1 was developed by analyzing the composition of crude oil, the wax content and the point of paraffin removal in the wellbore of an oilfield in northwest China. The orthogonal test was used to determine the formula as follows: mixed organic solvent (70% aromatics, alkane volume ratio of 2:2:1) + mixed surfactant (7% Tween-80, AEO-9, fatty acid salt mass ratio of 1:2:1) +23% pure water. The results of kinetics and emulsion stability study show that the saturated wax dissolution amount of QLJ-1 is 1.62 g, the wax dissolution rate is 0.0263 g/min, the wax dissolution equilibrium time is about 1h, and the emulsion stability time is 6 d. The wax dissolving effect of QLJ-1 is better than that of the current paraffin remover. The research results of this paper can provide technical support for improving the chemical paraffin removal process in an oilfield in Northwest China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years, eutectic solvents (ESs) have drawn the scientific community's attention because they are usually more environmentally friendly than traditional organic solvents. One of the applications of ESs is in the gas capture field, where they are considered promising absorbers to replace amine- (MEA, DEA, or MDEA processes), methanol- (Rectisol process), dimethyl ethers of polyethylene glycol- (Selexol process), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone- (Purisol process), propylene carbonate- (Fluor solvent process), or morpholine-based (Morphysorb process) solvents on CO2 capture from the atmosphere. Although several studies have reported experimental gas solubility data in ESs, especially for CO2, only a few existing options are covered. In fact, resorting to experimental methods to obtain the solubility data seems unfeasible considering the vast number of possible eutectic mixtures. Therewith, theoretical predictions of gas solubility in ESs are valuable for the fast pre-screening of prospective solvents. In this work, the ability of the thermodynamic model COSMO-RS to represent solubility data of CO2, CH4, and H2S in 17 choline chloride-based (ChCl) ESs was evaluated. The experimental data were collected from the literature at different molar ratios, at 298.15 K or 313.15 K, and in the pressure range from 1 to 125 bar. COSMO-RS offers a qualitative description of these gases' solubility, which was expected due to the model's fully predictive character. To improve the CO2 and CH4 solubility data description, a temperature–pressure-dependent correction was applied to the COSMO-RS predictions for these gases, offering a global average relative deviation of 15%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic doping has become an effective method to improve the performance of organic optoelectronic devices. However, the understanding of organic doping mechanism is limited by the difficulty in obtaining highly ordered molecular packing structure. Herein, a new donor‐acceptor type triphenylamine‐acetylene‐based isoindigo derivative, (E)‐6,6′‐bis((4‐(diphenylamino)phenyl)ethynyl)‐[3,3′‐biindolinylidene]‐2,2′‐dione (BDPEBD), is successfully designed and synthesized. The tetrahydrofuran solvent doped BDPEBD single crystal with a mass fraction of 4.33% is easily obtained through a solvent evaporation method. Tetrahydrofuran, as a dopant in its single crystal, effectively reduces the dihedral angle of BDPEBD molecules by forming strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds with BDPEBD molecules, which enhances the π–π intermolecular interaction between BDPEBD molecules, thereby resulting in excellent optoelectronic properties of its single crystal. Its phototransistors show the highest mobility of 0.3 cm2 V−1 s−1, wide spectral response from 254 to 790 nm, UV sensitivity, and a response time of 40 ms, the highest photoresponsivity exceeds 7.44 × 106 A W−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZIF-8-templated ZnIn 2 S 4 (ZIS) crystals with different morphologies have been synthesized solvothermally by varying the organic solvents, while thioacetamide (TAA) and L-cysteine (L‐cyst) were used as sulfur precursors. It is found that solvothermal properties, including ions coordination, dielectric constant, and atomic chain length, influence the nucleation and growth of ZIS composites. The differences in morphology and composition of the prepared ZIS crystals strongly affect their photophysical properties and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions (PHER). The hydrogen evolution rates for ZIS composites decrease in the following order: Leaf‐like (EG, TAA) > nanorods (EtOH, TAA) > nanoflowers (EG, L‐cyst) > nanosheets (Gly, TAA) > irregular particles (EDA, TAA) > plate‐like (DETA, TAA). The leaf‐like ZIS‐EG composite prepared using TAA as a sulfur precursor and ethylene glycol (EG) as a solvent shows an excellent PHER performance of 5208 μmol g−1 h−1 (44.91 μmol) with an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 4.80% at 420 nm. The ZIS‐EG composites with different ZIF‐8 contents (50, 100, 150, and 200 mg) were also investigated for the PHER activity with mixed Na 2 S/Na 2 SO 3 sacrificial agent at λ ≥ 420 nm. It shows that the nature of solvents and sulfur precursors had a significant influence on the morphology, photoabsorption, electrochemical properties, and PHER performance of ZIF‐8‐templated ZIS composites, which complements the knowledge of designing efficient and perspective photocatalysts with enhanced visible‐light‐driven PHER performance. [Display omitted] • Novel morphology-dependent MOF-templated ZIS composites were prepared using a solvothermal approach. • Solvents and sulfur precursors influencing morphology and photocatalytic H 2 -evolution of ZIS composites. • The highest photocatalytic H 2 -evolution was observed for ZIS-EG composite with leaf-like morphology. • The ZIS-EG composite showed long-term cyclic stability and recyclability. • The charge transfer mechanism for enhanced photocatalytic H 2 evolution was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two‐dimensional (2D) materials with high chemical stability have attracted intensive interest in membrane design for the separation of organic solvents. As a novel 2D material, polymeric fullerenes (C60)∞ with distinctive properties are very promising for the development of innovative membranes. In this work, we report the construction of a 2D (C60)∞ nanosheet membrane for organic solvent separation. The pathways of the (C60)∞ nanosheet membrane are constructed by sub‐1‐nm lateral channels and nanoscale in‐plane pores created by the depolymerization of the (C60)∞ nanosheets. Attributing to ordered and shortened transport pathways, the ultrathin porous (C60)∞ membrane is superior in organic solvent separation. The hexane, acetone, and methanol fluxes are up to 1146.3±53, 900.4±41, and 879.5±42 kg ⋅ m−2 ⋅ h−1, respectively, which are up to 130 times higher than those of the state‐of‐the‐art membranes with similar dye rejection. Our findings demonstrate the prospect of 2D (C60)∞ as a promising nanofiltration membrane in the separation of organic solvents from macromolecular compounds such as dyes, drugs, hormones, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two‐dimensional (2D) materials with high chemical stability have attracted intensive interest in membrane design for the separation of organic solvents. As a novel 2D material, polymeric fullerenes (C60)∞ with distinctive properties are very promising for the development of innovative membranes. In this work, we report the construction of a 2D (C60)∞ nanosheet membrane for organic solvent separation. The pathways of the (C60)∞ nanosheet membrane are constructed by sub‐1‐nm lateral channels and nanoscale in‐plane pores created by the depolymerization of the (C60)∞ nanosheets. Attributing to ordered and shortened transport pathways, the ultrathin porous (C60)∞ membrane is superior in organic solvent separation. The hexane, acetone, and methanol fluxes are up to 1146.3±53, 900.4±41, and 879.5±42 kg ⋅ m−2 ⋅ h−1, respectively, which are up to 130 times higher than those of the state‐of‐the‐art membranes with similar dye rejection. Our findings demonstrate the prospect of 2D (C60)∞ as a promising nanofiltration membrane in the separation of organic solvents from macromolecular compounds such as dyes, drugs, hormones, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymatic reactions can be modulated by the incorporation of organic solvents, leading to alterations in enzyme stability, activity, and reaction rates. These solvents create a favorable microenvironment that enables hydrophobic reactions, facilities enzyme-substrate complex formation, and reduces undesirable water-dependent side reactions. However, it is crucial to understand the impact of organic solvents on enzymatic activity, as they can also induce enzyme inactivation. In this study, the enzymatic performance of Aspergillus oryzae α-amylase (Taka-amylase) in various organic solvents both experimentally and computationally was investigated. The results demonstrated that ethanol and ether sustain Taka-amylase activity up to 20% to 25% of the organic solvents, with ether providing twice the stability of ethanol. Molecular dynamics simulations further revealed that Taka-amylase has a more stable structure in ether and ethanol relative to other organic solvents. In addition, the analysis showed that the loop located near the active site in the AB-domain is a vulnerable site for enzyme destabilization when exposed to organic solvents. The ability of Taka-amylase to preserve the secondary loop structure in ether and ethanol contributed to the enzyme's activity. In addition, the solvent accessibility surface area of Taka-amylase is distributed throughout all enzyme structures, thereby contributing to the instability of Taka-amylase in the presence of most organic solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By treating KSiiPr3 with Sn[N(SiMe3)2]2 the distannene Sn2(TIPS)4 (TIPS=SiiPr3) is formed in a metathesis reaction. The crystal structure analysis of Sn2(TIPS)4 reveals a planar arrangement of the substituents in the solid‐state and hence the second planar alkene like distannene of its kind. Due to the TIPS substituents, Sn2(TIPS)4 is well soluble in all commonly used organic solvents, opening the door for various analytics and reactivity studies. Due to its stability in solution, various reactions can be performed such as cycloaddition reactions with 2,3‐dimethyl‐1,3‐butadiene (DMBD) and TMS‐azide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu complex inks are composed of Cu salts as metal precursors and complexing agents that effectively reduce the decomposition temperature of the Cu salts. The thermal decomposition of the complexed Cu salt provides the metal for the in situ formation of nanoparticles. Using Cu formate tetrahydrate as a metal precursor, the effect of the complexing agent, i.e. amino-2-propanol and hexylamine, its molar ratio compared to the Cu salt, the predrying and sintering parameters such as temperature and ramp rate, and additional organic solvents are investigated to understand the influence on the morphology of the in situ generated Cu nanoparticles. The additional solvents are used to adjust the viscosity for ink-jet printing and to control the formation of the nanoparticles. A pre-drying step with a slow ramp rate (5 °C min−1) is required before the sintering process to effectively control the evaporation of organics. However, the slow pre-drying process leads to the growth of in situ generated particles into the microscale range (2–5 μm). Adding polyethylene glycol 600 (PEG600) is observed to suppress the growth of nanoparticles and realize an ink-jet printable formulation, which is achieved even with low Cu content (<8 wt%) and dense and homogeneous traces with a bulk resistivity of 20.48 μΩ cm when sintered in a conventional oven for 5 min at 250 °C under a N2 atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underwater adhesives with injectable, organic solvent‐free, strong, fast adhesion, and hemostatic properties have become an urgent need in biomedical field. Herein, a novel polyurethane underwater adhesive (PUWA) inspired by mussels is developed utilizing the rapid post‐cure reaction of isocyanate esterification without organic solvents. The PUWA is created through the injectable two component curing process of component A (biocompatible polyurethane prepolymer) and component B (dopamine modified lysine derivatives: chain extender‐LDA and crosslinker‐L3DA). The two‐component adhesive cures quickly and firmly underwater, with an impressive bonding strength of 40 kPa on pork skin and excellent burst pressure of 394 mmHg. Moreover, the PUWA exhibits robust adhesion strength in hostile environments with acid, alkali and saline solutions. Combined with excellent biocompatibility and hemostatic performance, the PUWA demonstrates effectively sealing wounds and promoting healing. With the ability to bond diverse substrates rapidly and strongly, the PUWA holds significant potential for application in both biomedical and industrial fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]