Search

Waste polyester textiles trap copious amounts of useful polymers, which are not recycled due to separation challenges and partial structural degradation during use and thermo-mechanical recycling. Chemical recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) through depolymerization can provide a feedstock of recycled monomers to make “as-new” polymers, and reduce the accumulation of plastic waste in landfills. Enzymes are highly specific, renewable, environmentally benign catalysts, with hydrolases available that are active on common PET textile fibers and on cotton. The enzymatic PET recycling methods in development, however, have thus far been limited to clean, high-quality PET feedstocks, and most such processes require an energy-intensive melt-amorphization step ahead of enzymatic depolymerization. Here we report that high-crystallinity PET in mixed PET/cotton textiles can be directly and selectively depolymerized to terephthalic acid (TPA) by using a commercial cutinase from Humicola insolens under moist-solid reaction conditions, affording up to 30 ± 2% yield of TPA. The process is readily combined with cotton depolymerisation through simultaneous application of cellulase enzymes (CTec2®), providing up to 83 ± 4% yield of glucose without any negative influence on the TPA yield. The herein presented selective and/or simultaneous enzymatic hydrolysis of PET/cotton textiles in solid reaction mixtures can expand the biocatalytic recycling processes of PET to less-valuable waste materials, and significantly increase its profitability through operating at very high solid-loading (40%), without the need for melt-amorphization.

openaire: EC/H2020/101027061/EU//ENBIOMECH Phthalocyanines are important organic dyes with a broad applicability in optoelectronics, catalysis, sensing and nanomedicine. Currently, phthalocyanines are synthetized in high boiling organic solvents, like dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), which is a flammable, corrosive, and bioactive substance, miscible with water and harmful to the environment. Here we show a new solid-state approach for the high-yielding synthesis of phthalocyanines, which reduces up to 100-fold the amount of DMAE. Through systematic screening of solid-state reaction parameters, carried out by ball-milling and aging, we reveal the influence of key variables—temperature, presence of a template, and the amount and role of DMAE in the conversion of tBu phthalonitrile to tetra-tBu phthalocyanine. These results set the foundations to synthesize these high-performance dyes through a greener approach, opening the field of solid-state synthesis to a wider family of phthalocyanines.

Significance Although polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most recycled plastic, its recycling typically involves thermomechanical means, producing a plastic of lower quality that cannot be recycled again. In contrast, breaking PET down to its building blocks allows for repolymerization into high-quality PET. Chemical depolymerization of PET requires hazardous chemicals and conditions. Enzymes are environmentally benign, renewable catalysts that work under mild conditions. Several enzymes capable of depolymerizing low-crystallinity PET have been reported; however, efficient depolymerization of highly crystalline forms of PET typically found in consumer products has remained elusive. Here, we report that, in moist-solid reaction mixtures, the cutinase from Humicola insolens can efficiently hydrolyze highly crystalline PET to terephthalic acid with a 50% yield, without any amorphization or pretreatment of PET.

We found that cyclohexanohemicucurbit[8]uril encapsulates five- and six-membered sulfur- and oxygen-containing unsubstituted heterocycles and can be used as a selective sorption material for the extraction of sulfur-heterocycles like 1,3-dithiolane and α‑lipoic acid from water.

We demonstrate that Ullman fragment-coupling can be used to synthesise an oxacalix[4]arene monocarboxylic acid, which provides easy access to its water-soluble carboxylato derivatives. Crystallographic and computational data suggest that the new carboxyl-substituted oxacalix[4]arene adopts a 1,3-alternate conformation both in the solid-state and in methanol solution. Its water-soluble tetrabutylammonium derivate can detect the herbicide paraquat at neutral pH in aqueous media (Ka = 111 ± 3 M–1) and in methanol (Ka = 2020 ± 70 M–1).

A rapid and diastereoselective method was developed for the [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of N-allyl ammonium ylides, affording products in up to 95% isolated yields and up to 97:3 dr; most of the desired products were formed within 1 minute. For the asymmetric reaction, a chiral auxiliary was introduced to the starting compound, affording the rearrangement product with high diastereoselectivities.

An asymmetric organocatalytic cascade reaction between cyclopentane-1,2-diones and alkylidene malononitriles affords highly substituted 4H-pyrans in moderate to high enantiomeric excess. The selective reduction of a bridged double bond leads to the formation of cis-substituted cyclopentanone with three contiguous stereogenic centres.

The enantioselective [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement of cinnamyloxycyclopentanone derivatives was performed in the presence of a Cinchona-based primary amine. The described method provides synthetically valuable α-hydroxy ketones with quaternary stereogenic centers in excellent enantiomeric purities. Relying on the X-ray crystal structure of the product and the DFT calculations, we propose that the rearrangement is promoted by an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the substrate and the catalyst.

The number of applications that use halogen bonding in the fields of self-assembly, supramolecular aggregation, and catalysis is growing. However, the accessibility of chiral halotriazoles shows that there is still a lot more to explore. The simple click-chemistry is applied for the straightforward synthesis of enantiomerically pure mono- and bidentate as well as multifunctional iodotriazole-based XB donors. The methodology is characterized by a wide variability due to easy access of chiral azides.

Self-organization is one of the most intriguing phenomena of chemical matter. While the self-assembly of macrocycles and cages in dilute solution has been extensively studied, it remains poorly understood in solvent-free environments. Here, we provide the first example of using anionic templates to achieve selective assembly of differently sized macrocycles in a solvent-free system. Using the acid-catalyzed synthesis of cyclohexanohemicucurbiturils as a model system, we demonstrate size-controlled quantitative synthesis of 6- or 8-membered macrocycles, taking place through spontaneous anion-directed re-organization of mechanochemically-obtained oligomers in the solid state.

Chiral cyclohexanohemicucurbit[n]urils (n = 6, 8) (cycHCs) are able to bind guests through multiple "outer surface interactions", which in the case of planar zinc porphyrins leads to induction of chirality. Crystal structures of complexes of complementary sized hosts revealed social self-sorting, while in the solution phase one cycHC can accommodate up to three porphyrin molecules with log Ktotal 9.

Here we report a study on cyclohexanohemicucurbit[8]uril (cycHC[8]) binding of sulfur-, oxygen- and nitrogen-containing heterocycles in both solid state and solution, which is investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry, and thermogravimetry. Potential guests include environmental pollutants, hazardous compounds, and bioactive substances. We found that cycHC[8] encapsulates five- and six-membered sulfur- and oxygen-containing unsubstituted heterocycles and can be used as a selective sorption material for the extraction of sulfur-heterocycles from water. Both cycHC[6] and cycHC[8] can remove a substituted heterocycle, α-lipoic acid, from an aqueous solution via the formation of an external complex. The results show that cycHC[n] is a promising reusable sorbent material with the potential to be employed in molecular recognition and highly specific solid-phase extraction of sulfur-heterocycles.

This research with title "Dynamic chiral cyclohexanohemicucurbit[12]uril" is dedicated to the memory of late Professor Hans J. Reich.Abstract:NMR and DFT studies of chiral cyclohexanohemicucurbit[12]uril indicate that the macrocycle adopts a concave octagon shape with three distinct ranges of conformational flexibility in solution. Methylene bridge flipping occurs at temperatures above 265 K, while urea monomers rotate at temperatures above 308 K resulting in the loss of confined space within the macrocycle.

We report Peacock&ndash, Weakley complexes, Na9[Ln(W5O18)2]∙35H2O, formed with Tm(III), 1, and Yb(III), 2. Their syntheses, physico-chemical characterizations, crystal structures, and magnetic properties are described. Ab initio calculations are also reported. These polyoxometalate (POM) complexes were obtained using original synthetic conditions where acidification was performed with a stoichiometric amount of nitric acid to an acidity of Z = &nu, (H+)/&nu, (WO42&ndash, ) = 8/10 = 0.80. Both the Tm(III) and Yb(III) derivatives were found to exhibit field-induced slow relaxation of their magnetization likely controlled by Raman and Orbach relaxation processes. 1 is a rare example of a Tm(III)-based single-molecule magnet (SMM) and is a consequence of the oblate tetragonal anti-prismatic symmetry of the coordination sphere.

Less than 9% of the plastic produced is recycled after use, contributing to the global plastic pollution problem. While polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most common plastics, its thermomechanical recycling generates a material of lesser quality. Enzymes are highly selective, renewable catalysts active at mild temperatures; however, the current consensus is that they lack activity towards the more crystalline forms of PET. We report here that when used in moist-solid reaction mixtures instead of the typical dilute aqueous solutions, enzymes can directly depolymerize high crystallinity PET in 13-fold higher space-time yield and a 15-fold higher enzyme efficiency than prior reports. Further, this process shows a 26-fold selectivity for terephthalic acid over other hydrolysis products, which allows the direct synthesis of UiO-66 metal-organic framework.

An enantio- and regioselective organocatalytic cascade starting from isatin has been disclosed to construct tetrahydrofuranyl spirooxindoles in high yields and stereoselectivities. Also, a triple cascade leading to the pentacyclic compound with two quaternary and a tertiary stereocenter is described. The reactions were catalyzed by cinchonine-based thiourea.

An asymmetric organocatalytic Michael addition–cyclization cascade reaction has been developed using cyclopentane-1,2-dione as a Michael donor and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes as Michael acceptors. Bicyclic hemiacetals were obtained in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. On the basis of the results, a one-pot reaction has been developed to obtain chiral 3-substituted cyclopentane-1,2-diones and substituted dihydropyrans in good yields and excellent enantioselectivity.

A novel eight-membered macrocycle of the hemicucurbit[n]uril family, chiral (all-R)-cyclohexanohemicucurbit[8]uril (cycHC[8]) binds anions in a purely protic solvent with remarkable selectivity. The cycHC[8] portals open and close to fully encapsulate anions in a 1 : 1 ratio, resembling a molecular Pac-Man™. Comprehensive gas, solution and solid phase studies prove that the binding is governed by the size, shape and charge distribution of the bound anion. Gas phase studies show an order of SbF6− ≈ PF6− > ReO4− > ClO4− > SCN− > BF4− > HSO4− > CF3SO3− for anion complexation strength. An extensive crystallographic study reveals the preferred orientations of the anions within the octahedral cavity of cycHC[8] and highlights the importance of the size- and shape-matching between the anion and the receptor cavity. The solution studies show the strongest binding of the ideally fitting SbF6− anion, with an association constant of 2.5 × 105 M−1 in pure methanol. The symmetric, receptor cavity-matching charge distribution of the anions results in drastically stronger binding than in the case of anions with asymmetric charge distribution. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) reveals the complexation to be exothermic and enthalpy-driven. The DFT calculations and VT-NMR studies confirmed that the complexation proceeds through a pre-complex formation while the exchange of methanol solvent with the anion is the rate-limiting step. The octameric cycHC[8] offers a unique example of template-controlled design of an electroneutral host for binding large anions in a competitive polar solvent.

Tertiary cyclopropanols undergo ring-opening oxidative sulfonylation to afford γ-keto sulfones when reacting with sulfinate salts in the presence of a copper(ii) acetate catalyst and an oxidant (tert-butyl hydroperoxide or atmospheric oxygen). Various fluoroalkyl, aryl and alkyl sulfinate salts are successfully employed as sulfonylation reagents, affording the corresponding sulfones in up to 94% yields. The experimental protocol is mild and tolerates a number of functionalities in the cyclopropanol substrate. The reaction proceeds via a one-pot oxidation-Michael addition mechanism and can serve as a useful addition to the existing methods for the preparation of γ-keto sulfones based on the sulfa-Michael reaction.

Tertiary cyclopropanols easily available from carboxylic esters have been used in the synthesis of distally fluorinated ketones. Cyclopropane ring cleavage reactions in methanol with aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of a copper(ii) acetate catalyst and sodium triflinate (Langlois reagent) afford β-trifluoromethyl ketones in 16-74% isolated yields. Sodium triflinate serves as a precursor of reactive trifluoromethyl copper species, enabling ring-opening trifluoromethylation, as evidenced by mechanistic studies. We also demonstrate here that other sulfinate salts, such as sodium 1,1-difluoroethanesulfinate, sodium 2-(4-bromophenyl)-1,1-difluoroethanesulfinate and sodium 1-(trifluoromethyl)cyclopropanesulfinate, can be used as fluoroalkylation reagents, resulting in the corresponding fluorinated ketones.

Mechanochemical enzymatic reactions without bulk water have emerged as a low-waste and efficient method to access useful chemicals and to depolymerize biomass components in a single step. This emergent mechanoenzymatic reaction strategy is able to take advantage of the stereospecificity, regio- and stereoselectivity, as well as renewability of enzymes, while avoiding bulk solvents, offering the opportunity to control the direction of the reaction, bypassing reactant solubility issues, and enabling reactions with water-sensitive substrates or products. Enzymes are traditionally used in dilute aqueous solution, which is quite different from their crowded, water-depleted natural environment. This review outlines recent work which demonstrates that enzymes can be equally or even more efficient under mechanochemical conditions, without bulk aqueous or organic solvent.

In the past decade halogen bond (XB) catalysis has gained considerable attention. Halo-triazoles are known XB donors, yet few examples detail their use as catalysts. As a continuation of our previous work the catalytic properties of substituted enantiomerically pure halo-triazolium salts were explored in the reaction between an imine and Danishefsky's diene leading to the formation of dihydropyridinone. The catalytic activity of the XB donors was highly dependent on the choice of the halogen atom and on the counterion. Also, it was found that impurities in the diene affected the rate of the reaction.

A new methodology for site-selective and stereoselective C–H functionalization of aminocyclopropanes via directed remote lithiation has been developed. Treatment of N-directing group (DG = pivaloyl, tetramethylsuccinimidoyl) arylcyclopropanes with t-BuLi results in a clean β-lithiation and, following quench with electrophiles, leads to a range of cyclopropane derivatives. Sequential double lithiation–methylation to give a dimethylated cyclopropane has been achieved. X-ray, NMR, and computational studies allow rationalization of syn-DG β-deprotonation selectivity via a DG-lithium base coordinated complex.

A highly enantioselective organocatalytic [2,3]-rearrangement of oxindole derivatives is presented. The reaction was catalyzed by squaramide, and this provides access to 3-hydroxy 3-substituted oxindoles in high enantiomeric purities.

A mild protocol for the asymmetric Michael addition of dimethyl malonate to various α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds was developed. The salient feature of this methodology is that a cheap and environmentally friendly Lewis acid, CaCl2, was used as a catalyst. An aminoindanol- and pyridine-derived ligand provided in the presence of CaCl2 Michael adducts in moderate to high enantioselectivities. The scope of the reaction was demonstrated.

Isatin was activated by derivatization to a Schiff base with aniline and used as an aza-Michael donor in organocatalytic asymmetric reactions with symmetric and nonsymmetric unsaturated 1,4-diketones. After hydrolysis (in situ), the N-substituted isatins were obtained in high yields (up to >95%) with high enantioselectivity (up to 95%).

Enantiomerically pure cyclohexylhemicucurbit[8]uril (cycHC[8]), possessing a barrel-shaped cavity, has been prepared in high yield on a gram scale from either (R,R,N,N')-cyclohex-1,2-diylurea and formaldehyde or cycHC[6]. In either case, a dynamic covalent library is first generated from which the desired cycHC can be amplified using a suitable anion template.

The cucurbituril (CB) family has grown exponentially during the past two decades due to its exceptional binding ability and wide possibilities for applications. This article focuses on the description of the currently known core cucurbiturils, with the objective of bringing their homologues and derivatives under a unified nomenclature. An overview of the CB formation mechanisms, which follow the principles of dynamic covalent chemistry, is given, and synthetic methods used in cucurbituril chemistry are covered. Based on their crystal structures, a comparison of the dimensions and shapes of cucurbituril derivatives is made, and their known solubilities in water are also listed.

It is demonstrated, that a catalytic system composed of CaCl2 and a pyridine-bisoxazoline ligand efficiently promotes the asymmetric Michael addition of α,β-unsaturated ketones with dimethyl malonate.

A Schiff base isatin derivative serves as the substrate for the title reaction with unsaturated 1,4-diketones and depending on the diketone substituents the products are obtained with high to excellent yields and moderate to high enantioselectivities.

Amplification of a thermodynamically unfavoured macrocyclic product through the directed shift of the equilibrium between dynamic covalent chemistry library members is difficult to achieve. We show for the first time that during condensation of formaldehyde and cis-N,N'-cyclohexa-1,2-diylurea formation of inverted-cis-cyclohexanohemicucurbit[6]uril (i-cis-cycHC[6]) can be induced at the expense of thermodynamically favoured cis-cyclohexanohemicucurbit[6]uril (cis-cycHC[6]). The formation of i-cis-cycHC[6] is enhanced in low concentration of the templating chloride anion and suppressed in excess of this template. We found that reaction selectivity is governed by the solution-based template-aided dynamic combinatorial chemistry and continuous removal of the formed cycHC[6] macrocycles from the equilibrating solution by precipitation. Notably, the i-cis-cycHC[6] was isolated with 33% yield. Different binding affinities of three diastereomeric i-cis-, cis-cycHC[6] and their chiral isomer (R,R)-cycHC[6] for trifluoroacetic acid demonstrate the influence of macrocycle geometry on complex formation.

Solid-phase extraction that utilizes selective macrocyclic receptors can serve as a useful tool for removal of chemical wastes. Hemicucurbiturils are known to form inclusion complexes with suitably sized anions; however, their use in selective binding of non-charged species is still very limited. In this study, we found that cyclohexanohemicucurbit[8]uril encapsulates five- and six-membered sulfur- and oxygen-containing unsubstituted heterocycles, which is investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry, and thermogravimetry. The macrocycle acts as a promising selective sorption material for the extraction of sulfur heterocycles, such as 1,3-dithiolane and α-lipoic acid, from water.