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Benzimidazoles, a class of nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic compounds, play a crucial role in the development of various important drugs. These compounds exhibit diverse biological functionalities. In this study, a novel and environmentally friendly photocatalytic route is proposed for the production of benzimidazoles. This method involves the oxidation of alcohol to aldehyde using air as the oxidant under visible-light conditions. Subsequently, fast condensation with o-phenylenediamine takes place, leading to the formation of 2-substituted benzimidazoles. The key mediator in this process is a newly developed photocatalyst called WO3-ZnS, which is activated by a commercial green laser light with a wavelength of 535 nm. To characterize the nanocomposite, several techniques including FT-IR, XRD, EDS, and FE-SEM were employed. These analyses provided valuable insights into the structure and properties of the nanocomposite. Moreover, Tauc's method was utilized to estimate the optical band gap of the photocatalyst. The proposed photocatalytic process involves a radical pathway including reactive species such as •O2- and OH•, along with h+. Stability and reusability experiments confirmed the reproducibility of the nano-photocatalyst in the reaction medium. Furthermore, the primarily in-vitro cellular toxicity of WO3-ZnS nanoparticles was evaluated using the HCT-116 human cancer cell line through MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in cell viability, indicating the cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles against these cancerous cells. This finding highlights the potential of the synthesized nanoparticles as effective agents for combating gastrointestinal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterise a reversible bacterial zinc-containing benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase (BaDH) accepting either NAD+ or NADP+ as a redox cofactor. Remarkably, its redox cofactor specificity is pH-dependent with the phosphorylated cofactors favored at lower and the dephospho-forms at higher pH. BaDH also shows different steady-state kinetic behavior with the two cofactor forms. From a structural model, the pH-dependent shift may affect the charge of a histidine in the 2′-phosphate-binding pocket of the redox cofactor binding site. The enzyme is phylogenetically affiliated to a new subbranch of the Zn-containing alcohol dehydrogenases, which share this conserved residue. BaDH appears to have some specificity for its substrate, but also turns over many substituted benzyl alcohol and benzaldehyde variants, as well as compounds containing a conjugated C=C double bond with the aldehyde carbonyl group. However, compounds with an sp3-hybridised C next to the alcohol/aldehyde group are not or only weakly turned over. The enzyme appears to contain a Zn in its catalytic site and a mixture of Zn and Fe in its structural metal-binding site. Moreover, we demonstrate the use of BaDH in an enzyme cascade reaction with an acid-reducing tungsten enzyme to reduce benzoate to benzyl alcohol. Key points: •Zn-containing BaDH has activity with either NAD+or NADP+at different pH optima. •BaDH converts a broad range of substrates. •BaDH is used in a cascade reaction for the reduction of benzoate to benzyl alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a reliable redox mediator, potassium nitrate was employed in homogeneous electrolysis with CH3CN at room temperature to electrochemically oxidize aryl compounds. The oxidation reactions carried out in an undivided cell that was provided with a carbon anode and a stainless steel cathode, along with the minimum amount of H2SO4 at a current density of 50 mA/cm2. A variety of substituted toluenes and aromatic alcohols were effectively oxidized to the corresponding aldehydes with the maximum degree of selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an environment-friendly and highly efficient method for the oxidation of aromatic alcohols to carboxylic acids or ketones in air via light irradiation under external catalyst-, additive-, and base-free conditions. The photoreaction system exhibits a wide substrate scope and the potential for large-scale applications. Most of the desired products are easily obtained via recrystallization and separation from low-boiling reaction medium acetone in good yields, and the products can be subsequent directly transformed without further purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saccharomyces cerevisiae can undergo filamentous growth in response to specific environmental stressors, particularly nitrogenlimitation, whereby cells undergo pseudohyphal differentiation, a process where cells transition from a singular ellipsoidal appearance to multicellular filamentous chains from the incomplete scission of the mother-daughter cells. Previously, it was demonstrated that filamentous growth in S. cerevisiae is co-regulated by multiple signaling networks, including the glucose-sensing RAS/cAMP-PKA and SNF pathways, the nutrient-sensing TOR pathway, the filamentous growth MAPK pathway, and the Rim101 pathway, and can be induced by quorum-sensing aromatic alcohols, such as 2-phenylethanol. However, the prevalent research on the yeast-pseudohyphal transition and its induction by aromatic alcohols in S. cerevisiae has been primarily limited to the strain -1278b. Due to the prospective influence of quorum sensing on commercial fermentation, the native variation of yeast-to-filamentous phenotypic transition and its induction by 2-phenylethanol in commercial brewing strains was investigated. Image analysis software was exploited to enumerate the magnitude of whole colony filamentation in 16 commercial strains cultured on nitrogen-limiting SLAD medium; some supplemented with exogenous 2-phenylethanol. The results demonstrate that phenotypic switching is a generalized, highly varied response occurring only in select brewing strains. Nevertheless, strains exhibiting switching behavior altered their filamentation response to exogenous concentrations of 2-phenylethanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of metals modified TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared starting from titanium tetraisopropoxyde and different metal precursors to study the influence of the addition of the various foreign agents on the physico-chemical and photocatalytic properties of the catalysts. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, specific surface area measurements, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence, temperature programmed desorption after CO2 adsorption. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated using as probe reactions the partial oxidation of three aromatic alcohols: benzyl alcohol (BA), 4-methoxy benzyl alcohol (4-MBA), and 4-hydroxy benzyl alcohol (4-HBA) under simulated solar light irradiation. Different oxidation and selectivity values were obtained for the three substrates depending not only on the type of metals but also on the nature and position of the substituent in the phenyl ring of benzyl alcohol. As a general behaviour, the doped samples allowed the achievement of a greater selectivity especially for 4-MBA even if sometimes with minor conversions. The presence of W or Nb was beneficial for both conversion and selectivity for all the substrates with respect to bare TiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in daily-use chemical products providing a pleasant scent. The added fragrance molecules may induce microstructural transitions of surfactant aggregates, which further affect the physical and chemical properties of the products. Here, the effects of four types of aromatic alcohols (cinnamyl alcohol, phenyl ethanol, phenyl methanol and anisyl alcohol) on cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)/KBr aggregates were studied. The combined results from rheology, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy measurements showed that cinnamyl alcohol induced significant micellar growth, while increases in micellar growth were less obvious for the other aromatic alcohols. The changes in the interfacial molarities of water, aromatic alcohol, and bromide ions during such transitions were studied using the chemical trapping method. Transitions resulting from added cinnamyl alcohol were accompanied by significant declines in interfacial water and bromide ion molarities, and a rise in interfacial alcohol molarity. The marked decrease in interfacial water molarity was not observed in previous studies of the octanol induced formation of wormlike micelles and vesicles, indicating that a different mechanism was presented in the current system. Nuclear magnetic resonance investigation showed that π–π stacking between cinnamyl alcohols, but not cation–π interactions between alcohols and CTAB headgroups, facilitated the tight packing of alcohol molecules in CTAB aggregates and the repulsion of water from the interfacial region. The current study may provide a theoretical basis for the morphological regulation of surfactant aggregates in the presence of additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inferior contact interface and low charge transfer efficiency seriously restrict the performance of heterojunctions. Herein, chemically bonded α‐Fe2O3/Bi4MO8Cl (M=Nb, Ta) dot‐on‐plate Z‐scheme junctions with strong internal electric field are crafted by an in situ growth route. Experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that the internal electric field provides a powerful driving force for vectorial migration of photocharges between Bi4MO8Cl and α‐Fe2O3, and the interfacial Fe−O bond not only serves as an atomic‐level charge flow highway but also lowers the charge transfer energy barrier, thereby accelerating Z‐scheme charge transfer and realizing effective spatial charge separation. Impressively, α‐Fe2O3/Bi4MO8Cl manifests a significantly improved photocatalytic activity for selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols into aldehydes (Con. ≥92 %, Sel. ≥96 %), with a performance improvement of one to two orders of magnitude. This work presents atomic‐level insight into interfacial charge flow steering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The century-old, well-known odd–even effect phenomenon is still a very attractive and intriguing topic in supramolecular and nano-scale organic chemistry. As a part of our continuous efforts in the study of supramolecular chemistry, we have prepared three novel aromatic alcohols (1,2-bis[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy]butylene (Do4OH), 1,2-bis[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy]pentylene (Do5OH) and 1,2-bis[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy]hexylene (Do6OH)) and determined their crystal and molecular structures by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In all compounds, two benzyl alcohol groups are linked by an aliphatic chain of different lengths (CH2)n; n = 4, 5 and 6. The major differences in the molecular structures were found in the overall planarity of the molecules and the conformation of the aliphatic chain. Molecules with an even number of CH2 groups tend to be planar with an all-trans conformation of the aliphatic chain, while the odd-numbered molecule is non-planar, with partial gauche conformation. A direct consequence of these structural differences is visible in the melting points—odd-numbered compounds of a particular series display systematically lower melting points. Crystal and molecular structures were additionally studied by the theoretical calculations and the melting points were correlated with packing density and the number of CH2 groups. The results have shown that the generally accepted rule, higher density = higher stability = higher melting point, could not be applied to these compounds. It was found that the denser packaging causes an increase in the percentage of repulsive H‧‧‧H interactions, thereby reducing the stability of the crystal, and consequently, the melting points. Another interesting consequence of different molecular structures is their electrochemical and antioxidative properties—a non-planar structure displays the highest oxidation peak of hydroxyl groups and moderate antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an environment-friendly and highly efficient method for the oxidation of aromatic alcohols to carboxylic acids or ketones in air via light irradiation under external catalyst-, additive-, and base-free conditions. The photoreaction system exhibits a wide substrate scope and the potential for large-scale applications. Most of the desired products are easily obtained via recrystallization and separation from low-boiling reaction medium acetone in good yields, and the products can be subsequent directly transformed without further purification.

[Display omitted] • The Au/CdS photocatalysts with excellent activity were prepared. • Minimized Au deposition simultaneously maximizes the performance for SO of aromatic alcohols and SR of nitroarenes. • The synergic mechanism of photocatalytic coupling reaction system was proposed. Integrating ultra-low content precious metal and low-cost solid-state optical absorber for effective utilization of photogenerated charges has been a hopeful strategy for selective organic transformations (SOTs). Herein, series of novel Au/CdS nanocomposites with (ultra-) low-content Au were prepared via two-step solvothermal treatment for the selective oxidation (SO) of aromatic alcohols (AA) and selective reduction (SR) of nitroarenes (NA) in one coupling system. Taking the advantages of electron accumulator property of Au and virtues of formed tight heterojunction between 5 nm gold nanoparticle (Au NPs) and CdS nanorods (CdS NRs), the Au/CdS nanocomposites exhibited outstanding charge separation and transfer performance and durable stability compared with blank CdS. The activities corresponding to the oxidation of aromatic alcohols and reduction of nitroaromatic hydrocarbons on the optimal 0.0028% Au/CdS samples are about 2 and 4 times higher than those of blank CdS. This is mainly due to the introduction of Au NPs and the construction of reasonable coupling reaction system, thus realizing the synergistic utilization of photogenerated charges. Finally, the mechanism and photocatalytic reaction pathway for the coupling reaction system were also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A sparse number of available antifungal drugs, therapeutic side effects, and drug resistance are major challenges in current antifungal therapy to treat Candida albicans-associated infections. Here, we describe two food-derived yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Issatchenkia occidentalis, that inhibit virulence traits of C. albicans, including hyphal morphogenesis, biofilm formation, and adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells. These yeasts also protect the model host Caenorhabditis elegans from C. albicans infection. We demonstrate that the protective activity is primarily retained in the secretome of the beneficial yeasts, and the protection they provide as a physical barrier is negligible. S. cerevisiae aro8 aro9 mutant analysis demonstrate that phenylethanol and tryptophol are necessary for protection, and experiments with commercially procured compounds indicate that they are sufficient to inhibit C. albicans virulence. We propose food-derived yeasts as an alternative or combination therapy to conventional antifungal therapy for C. albicans infection. IMPORTANCE The gut microbiome, primarily established by food, is complex and contributes to the health of the host. Molecular mechanisms that regulate microbial interactions and host health remain unclear. Here, we show that the pathogen C. albicans interacts with food-derived beneficial yeasts in the gut of the microscopic worm, C. elegans, forming a simple microbiome. C. albicans can colonize the worm gut, compromising the worm’s health, and exposure to the food-derived yeasts ameliorates this effect protecting the nematode host. We identify small molecules from food-derived yeasts that are necessary and sufficient to inhibit multiple virulence traits of C. albicans and protect the nematode host. The nematode gut faithfully recapitulates a mammalian intestine. This could be an effective alternative or combination therapy for C. albicans infection.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in daily-use chemical products providing a pleasant scent. The added fragrance molecules may induce microstructural transitions of surfactant aggregates, which further affect the physical and chemical properties of the products. Here, the effects of four types of aromatic alcohols (cinnamyl alcohol, phenyl ethanol, phenyl methanol and anisyl alcohol) on cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)/KBr aggregates were studied. The combined results from rheology, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy measurements showed that cinnamyl alcohol induced significant micellar growth, while increases in micellar growth were less obvious for the other aromatic alcohols. The changes in the interfacial molarities of water, aromatic alcohol, and bromide ions during such transitions were studied using the chemical trapping method. Transitions resulting from added cinnamyl alcohol were accompanied by significant declines in interfacial water and bromide ion molarities, and a rise in interfacial alcohol molarity. The marked decrease in interfacial water molarity was not observed in previous studies of the octanol induced formation of wormlike micelles and vesicles, indicating that a different mechanism was presented in the current system. Nuclear magnetic resonance investigation showed that π–π stacking between cinnamyl alcohols, but not cation–π interactions between alcohols and CTAB headgroups, facilitated the tight packing of alcohol molecules in CTAB aggregates and the repulsion of water from the interfacial region. The current study may provide a theoretical basis for the morphological regulation of surfactant aggregates in the presence of additives.

The century-old, well-known odd–even effect phenomenon is still a very attractive and intriguing topic in supramolecular and nano-scale organic chemistry. As a part of our continuous efforts in the study of supramolecular chemistry, we have prepared three novel aromatic alcohols (1,2-bis[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy]butylene (Do4OH), 1,2-bis[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy]pentylene (Do5OH) and 1,2-bis[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy]hexylene (Do6OH)) and determined their crystal and molecular structures by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In all compounds, two benzyl alcohol groups are linked by an aliphatic chain of different lengths (CH2)n; n = 4, 5 and 6. The major differences in the molecular structures were found in the overall planarity of the molecules and the conformation of the aliphatic chain. Molecules with an even number of CH2 groups tend to be planar with an all-trans conformation of the aliphatic chain, while the odd-numbered molecule is non-planar, with partial gauche conformation. A direct consequence of these structural differences is visible in the melting points—odd-numbered compounds of a particular series display systematically lower melting points. Crystal and molecular structures were additionally studied by the theoretical calculations and the melting points were correlated with packing density and the number of CH2 groups. The results have shown that the generally accepted rule, higher density = higher stability = higher melting point, could not be applied to these compounds. It was found that the denser packaging causes an increase in the percentage of repulsive H‧‧‧H interactions, thereby reducing the stability of the crystal, and consequently, the melting points. Another interesting consequence of different molecular structures is their electrochemical and antioxidative properties—a non-planar structure displays the highest oxidation peak of hydroxyl groups and moderate antioxidant activity.

Superficial and life-threatening invasive Candida infections are a major clinical challenge in hospitalized and immuno-compromised patients. Emerging drug-resistance among Candida species is exacerbated by the limited availability of antifungals and their associated side-effects. In the current review, we discuss the application of probiotic yeasts as a potential alternative/ combination therapy against Candida infections. Preclinical studies have identified several probiotic yeasts that effectively inhibit virulence of Candida species, including Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei and Candida auris. However, Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii is the only probiotic yeast commercially available. In addition, clinical studies have further confirmed the in vitro and in vivo activity of the probiotic yeasts against Candida species. Probiotics use a variety of protective mechanisms, including posing a physical barrier, the ability to aggregate pathogens and render them avirulent. Secreted metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids effectively inhibit the adhesion and morphological transition of Candida species. Overall, the probiotic yeasts could be a promising effective alternative or combination therapy for Candida infections. Additional studies would bolster the application of probiotic yeasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fungal secretome comprises various oxidative enzymes participating in the degradation of lignocellulosic biomass as a central step in carbon recycling. Among the secreted enzymes, aryl-alcohol oxidases (AAOs) are of interest for biotechnological applications including production of bio-based precursors for plastics, bioactive compounds, and flavors and fragrances. Aryl-alcohol oxidase 2 (PeAAO2) from the fungus Pleurotus eryngii was heterologously expressed and secreted at one of the highest yields reported so far of 315 mg/l using the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris (recently reclassified as Komagataella phaffii). The glycosylated PeAAO2 exhibited a high stability in a broad pH range between pH 3.0 and 9.0 and high thermal stability up to 55 °C. Substrate screening with 41 compounds revealed that PeAAO2 oxidized typical AAO substrates like p-anisyl alcohol, veratryl alcohol, and trans,trans-2,4-hexadienol with up to 8-fold higher activity than benzyl alcohol. Several compounds not yet reported as substrates for AAOs were oxidized by PeAAO2 as well. Among them, cumic alcohol and piperonyl alcohol were oxidized to cuminaldehyde and piperonal with high catalytic efficiencies of 84.1 and 600.2 mM−1 s−1, respectively. While the fragrance and flavor compound piperonal also serves as starting material for agrochemical and pharmaceutical building blocks, various positive health effects have been attributed to cuminaldehyde including anticancer, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective effects. PeAAO2 is thus a promising biocatalyst for biotechnological applications. Key points: • Aryl-alcohol oxidase PeAAO2 from P. eryngii was produced in P. pastoris at 315 mg/l. • Purified enzyme exhibited stability over a broad pH and temperature range. • Oxidation products cuminaldehyde and piperonal are of biotechnological interest. Graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aromatic alcohols, often used for the synthesis of plasticizers, coatings and pharmaceuticals, are currently produced from the oxidation of petroleum‐derived aromatic hydrocarbons. Herein, we report a non‐petroleum and environmentally friendly route for the production of aromatic alcohols: cofeeding methanol with ethanol over cobalt‐hydroxyapatite catalyst, in which the distribution of aromatic alcohols products can be regulated by varying methanol pressure. Co species on hydroxyapatite can activate both methanol and ethanol to yield their corresponding aldehydes (formaldehyde and acetaldehyde). The followed cross‐ and self‐condensations of aldehydes are catalyzed by hydroxyapatite to produce acrolein and 2‐butenal, which are the key intermediates for the formation of aromatic oxygenates. The sequential cross‐condensation and dehydrocyclization of acrolein and 2‐butenal yield benzaldehyde, which is then hydrogenated to benzyl alcohol. The direct production of benzyl alcohol from methanol and ethanol could be regarded as a cutting‐edge example, which ensures a promising route for sustainable aromatic alcohols production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols into value-added chemicals has attracted increasing attention. Yet most processes suffer from sluggish charge kinetics, weak O 2 affinity, low conversion efficiency and selectivity, which restrict their practical development. Herein, PbBiO 2 Cl ultrathin bowls (UBs) with rich oxygen vacancies (R OV) were initially fabricated via a combined microemulsion method and in-situ reduction process. The ultrathin bowl-shaped geometry and rich OVs effectively boost light absorption and charge separation. Theoretical results indicate the OVs on PbBiO 2 Cl not only generate abundant localized electrons, but also afford strong interfacial covalent bonds between O 2 and OVs, which can act as atomic-level electron transfer highway and effectively promote the O 2 adsorption and activation. As a result, R OV -PbBiO 2 Cl UBs show a 5.2-fold enhanced activity for aerobic oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes relative to PbBiO 2 Cl nanoplates (NPs). This work may inspire the design of more open hollow scaffolds with defect engineering for artificial photosynthesis. [Display omitted] • Ultrathin bowl-shaped PbBiO 2 Cl with rich oxygen vacancies is initially prepared. • OVs in PbBiO 2 Cl reinforce covalent interaction and electron exchange with O 2. • R OV -PbBiO 2 Cl UBs show 5.2-fold enhanced activity for aerobic oxidation of alcohols. • Ultrathin bowls and OVs collaboratively boost aromatic alcohols oxidation. • The OVs mediated mechanism of aerobic oxidation with PbBiO 2 Cl is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • CNF/ZnO materials are efficient photocatalysts for selective alcohol oxidation. • Composite materials showed higher photocatalytic performance than neat ZnO. • The incorporation of CNF promotes charge separation and transportation. • Inserting 10% weight of CNF into the ZnO matrix, leads to the best activity and selectivity. • Organic substrate electronic nature conditions the photocatalytic performance. Abstract Zinc oxide (ZnO) prepared by chemical vapor deposition was combined with different amounts of carbon nanofibers (CNF) to obtain hybrid materials, which were thoroughly characterized using several techniques. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated towards the photocatalytic synthesis of vanillin (VAD) starting from vanillyl alcohol (VA). The incorporation of the carbon phase in ZnO (from 5% to 20% wt.) was found to increase the surface area and the photocatalytic performance of the materials. The latter was attributed to the efficient separation of charge carriers generated on the optical semiconductor. With the best performing material, the one containing 10% of CNF, the selectivity of the synthesis towards vanillin generation was increased by a factor of 2.5 compared to previous studies, with the additional advantage of carrying the reaction in aqueous medium. The same photocatalyst was successfully applied to the selective synthesis of other aromatic aldehydes, namely anisaldehyde, piperonal, and benzaldehyde. A relationship between the efficiency of the photocatalytic oxidation of the alcohols and the activating nature of their aromatic ring substituents was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HPLC chiral resolution of ten chiral aromatic alcohols were screened using six different polysaccharides-based chiral stationary phases (CSP) and under four normal phase conditions, using UV absorbance as detection. The screening showed that all compounds can be baseline resolved in at least one of the tested conditions, being the cellulose-methylbenzoate CSP the one with the best performance by resolving the full set. Furthermore, the use of two chiroptical detectors, based in optical rotation and electronic circular dichroism, permitted the ascertain of the elution order for each of the baseline separations. Finally, several options for a single-column batch analysis, in which samples of all compounds are tested for enantiomeric excess and absolute configuration, are proposed to analyze samples from the asymmetric reduction of the corresponding ketones. These options vary in the number of injections, analysis time and reliability, and their choice will mostly depend on the hardware and standards availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Borassus flabelifer peroxidase was ionically interacting with stone parts of its fruit. The apparently homogeneous membrane bound peroxidase was reversibly inhibited by various aromatic alcohols. Dixon plot clearly showed mixed type of inhibition. Ki values of peroxidase-inhibitor complexes were determined. The homogenous peroxidase had non-covalently interacting triglycerides or triglyceride esterified phytosterols. This Peroxidase was interacting with acid hydrolysable low density lipoprotein but not with high density lipoprotein. This may be one of the reasons for its stability and catalysis in organic solvents. Further studies may prove it as lipophilic enzyme. These waste stone parts may be utilized in extracting phytosterols and fatty acids which has medicinal value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Uniform WO 3 nanorods with tailored surface oxygen vacancies were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal route, which exhibited highly enhanced photocatalytic activity for selective oxidation of alcohols in water medium owning to the synergistic effect of the high surface area, small crystallite size and moderate amount of surface oxygen vacancies. Highlights • Uniform WO 3 nanorods synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. • Uniform WO 3 nanorods with tailored surface oxygen vacancies. • Surface oxygen vacancies inhibiting the recombination rate of photoelectron-hole. • Photocatalytic selective oxidation of alcohols to ketones in water medium. Abstract Developing metal oxides with tailored surface oxygen vacancies is very important for heterogeneous photocatalysis. In this work, uniform WO 3 nanorods with tailored surface oxygen vacancies were prepared by a facile hydrothermal route, which exhibited highly enhanced photocatalytic activity for selective oxidation of alcohols to corresponding ketones in water medium. The physicochemical structural properties of uniform WO 3 nanorods have been characterized and correlated with their photocatalytic activities. Results indicated that the enhanced photocatalytic activity of uniform WO 3 nanorods was ascribed to the synergistic effect of the following three aspects: firstly, the high surface area favored the adsorption and diffusion of alcohol molecules; secondly, the small crystallite size shortened the transfer distance of photoelectrons and thus facilitated the fast transfer of photoelectrons, thereby restrained the recombination rate of photoelectron-hole pairs; finally, the surface oxygen vacancies acted as the photoelectron sinks could capture photoelectrons and promote their separation from holes. Meanwhile, the uniform WO 3 nanorods also demonstrated good stability owning to its stable crystal phase and robust morphological structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superficial and life-threatening invasive Candida infections are a major clinical challenge in hospitalized and immuno-compromised patients. Emerging drug-resistance among Candida species is exacerbated by the limited availability of antifungals and their associated side-effects. In the current review, we discuss the application of probiotic yeasts as a potential alternative/ combination therapy against Candida infections. Preclinical studies have identified several probiotic yeasts that effectively inhibit virulence of Candida species, including Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei and Candida auris. However, Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii is the only probiotic yeast commercially available. In addition, clinical studies have further confirmed the in vitro and in vivo activity of the probiotic yeasts against Candida species. Probiotics use a variety of protective mechanisms, including posing a physical barrier, the ability to aggregate pathogens and render them avirulent. Secreted metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids effectively inhibit the adhesion and morphological transition of Candida species. Overall, the probiotic yeasts could be a promising effective alternative or combination therapy for Candida infections. Additional studies would bolster the application of probiotic yeasts.

Yeasts secrete a large diversity of compounds during alcoholic fermentation, which affect growth rates and developmental processes, like filamentous growth. Several compounds are produced during aromatic amino acid metabolism, including aromatic alcohols, serotonin, melatonin, and tryptamine. We evaluated the effects of these compounds on growth parameters in 16 different wine yeasts, including non-Saccharomyces wine strains, for which the effects of these compounds have not been well-defined. Serotonin, tryptamine, and tryptophol negatively influenced yeast growth, whereas phenylethanol and tyrosol specifically affected non-Saccharomyces strains. The effects of the aromatic alcohols were observed at concentrations commonly found in wines, suggesting a possible role in microbial interaction during wine fermentation. Additionally, we demonstrated that aromatic alcohols and ethanol are able to affect invasive and pseudohyphal growth in a manner dependent on nutrient availability. Some of these compounds showed strain-specific effects. These findings add to the understanding of the fermentation process and illustrate the diversity of metabolic communication that may occur among related species during metabolic processes.

Graphical abstract Highlights • Photogenerated electrons and holes were effectively used in one system. • Aromatic alcohols were oxidated into corresponding aldehydes by the photogenerated holes. • Protons were photocatalytically reduced to hydrogen by the photogenerated electrons. • Increased photocatalytic performance and reaction mechanism were investigated. Abstract Effective utilization of photogenerated electrons and holes in a system is always a research hotspot. Photocatalysis has been identified as a promising solution to tackle the current environmental and energy issues. However, photogenerated holes or electrons were wasted in the traditional photocatalytic process. In the paper, a dual-function photocatalytic reaction system was constructed using dispersed Pt x -modified 2D-3D Zn 3 In 2 S 6 hierarchical structures (x = 1–4). In the system, aromatic alcohols were photocatalytically selectively oxidated into aldehydes and protons were reduced to hydrogen by photogenerated holes and electrons, respectively. In the reaction process, one aromatic alcohol is first dehydrogenated into aromatic aldehyde and two H+ via the corresponding carbon-centered radical by consuming of two holes, and then two H+ ions dehydrogenated from OH group and α C H of alcohol are evolved into H 2 by depleting of two electrons. Atomically dispersed Pt x could offer the maximum atom efficiency and significantly promote visible light absorption and separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The cooperative photoredox system exhibits remarkable photocatalytic activity for visible light-driven splitting of aromatic alcohols. Under visible light irradiation for 6 h, The H 2 output over 2.14% Pt/Zn 3 In 2 S 6 reaches up to 950 μmol, which is around 7.5, 5.3 and 3.8 times higher than that over Zn 3 In 2 S 6 , Pt-nanoparticle/Zn 3 In 2 S 6 and MoS 2 /Zn 3 In 2 S 6 , respectively. The apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 2.14% Pt/Zn 3 In 2 S 6 at 400 nm is about 4.6%. The utilization rate of photogenerated electrons to holes could be achieved 98.2%. Moreover, Pt/Zn 3 In 2 S 6 hybrid shows high stability even when Zn 3 In 2 S 6 was stored for 12 months. Compared with two half-reactions: the photocatalytic selective organics transformation under O 2 atmosphere and the water splitting with sacrificial reagents, such designed dual-purpose photocatalytic reaction not only could effective use of photogenerated electrons and holes for organics transformation and hydrogen production simultaneously but also shows much higher photocatalytic activity than two half-reactions. At the same time, the work also expands the research field of photocatalysis, such as N 2 fixation and CO 2 reduction by using of the as-produced H+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • A series of Pt NPs-CdS NRs photocatalysts were fabricated. • The Pt NPs-CdS NRs exhibit high photocatalytic activity. • The content of Pt of the Pt NPs-CdS NRs is ultra-low. • The coupled reaction mechanisms of the Pt NPs-CdS NRs was proposed. Abstract A series of Pt nanoparticles (with size of 3–4 nm) decorated CdS nanorods were prepared via a simple solvothermal method. The samples were then used for photocatalytic selective oxidation (SO) of aromatic alcohols and reduction (SR) of nitroarenes in one reaction system. The platinized samples showed enhanced activity for the conversions than pristine CdS as Pt can serve as e− trapping and reaction sites, by which the recombination of photoinduced charge carriers can be suppressed and the adsorption of reactants and the SR of nitroarenes can be promoted. The sample loaded with only of 0.03% Pt showed the highest performance and, after irradiation for 4 h, the conversions of p-methoxybenzyl alcohol and nitrobenzene are as high as 92.7% and 94.8%, while the yields of p-methoxybenzaldehyde and aniline are 80.5% and 36.0%. The activities are about 2.0 times higher than that of CdS. The coupling reaction mechanism for the SO of aromatic alcohols to aldehydes and SR of nitroarenes to anilines in the reaction system was finally proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic selective organic transformations (SOTs) with sunlight offer a “green” route for synthesis of fine chemicals. In this work, a bare ternary chalcogenide CdLa 2 S 4 photocatalyst was fabricated to couple the selective oxidation (SO) of aromatic alcohols to aldehydes and selective reduction (SR) of nitroarenes to anilines in one reaction system. The photocatalyst showed a high stability and a good generality for the conversions due to the well–matched band structure and the high separation efficiency of photoinduced electrons (e–) and holes (h + ). For p–substituted aromatic alcohols, the selectivities to the corresponding aldehydes are as high as ca. 90%. The electro–donating substituent in the para position benefits the SO reactions, which are triggered by h + via a successive deprotonation; while for p–substituted nitroarenes, the SR to the corresponding anilines is vulnerable to the electro–withdrawing groups and the steric hindrance of the substituent and the selectivities to anilines are substantially lower than that of the SO conversions. H + deprotonated in the SO of aromatic alcohols is indispensable for the SR of nitroarenes as they are achieved by a H + –coupled six e– reduction process, which leads to the low conversion efficiencies. The half conversions not only be coupled by the photoinduced e– and h + , but also collaborate with each other through H + . Our results clearly demonstrate the emerging concept of a coupled reaction system for sunlight–driven synthesis of fine chemicals and reveal the underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CdIn 2 S 4 , CdS and In 2 S 3 photocatalysts were fabricated via a facile solvothermal method using indium chloride, cadmium nitrate and thiacetamide as precursors. The physicochemical and optical properties of the as-prepared samples were characterized by a series of techniques. The photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared samples were evaluated by selective aerobic oxidation of aromatic alcohols to corresponding aldehydes under visible light illumination. Compared with pure In 2 S 3 and CdS samples, CdIn 2 S 4 photocatalyst shows superior photocatalytic performance for selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BA) to benzaldehyde (BAD). Under the optimal conditions, the conversion and selectivity for photocatalytic selective oxidation of BA to BAD are 80.1 and 98.8% under visible light irradiation for 2 h, respectively. The excellent photocatalytic performance of CdIn 2 S 4 photocatalyst should be ascribed to its unique structure with a favorable absorptivity, appropriate conduction band and valence band positions and longer lifetime of photogenerated charge carriers. A possible reaction mechanism for selective oxidation of BA to BAD over CdIn 2 S 4 photocatalyst with O 2 and visible light is proposed. It is hoped that the current work could offer an avenue to prepare high-performance chalcogenide photocatalysts used in the field of photocatalytic selective organic transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) supported multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) derivatives have been prepared as easily recyclable solid reagents. These compounds have been shown to be able to mimic the alcohol dehydrogenases and monooxygenases promoted oxidation of aromatic alcohols to corresponding aldehydes. Their reactivity was found to be dependent on the degree of functionalization of MWCNTs as well as from the chemical properties of the spacers used to bind IBX on the surface of the support. Au-decorated MWCNTs and the presence of longer spacers resulted in the optimal experimental conditions. A high conversion of the substrates and yield of desired products were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yeasts secrete a large diversity of compounds during alcoholic fermentation, which affect growth rates and developmental processes, like filamentous growth. Several compounds are produced during aromatic amino acid metabolism, including aromatic alcohols, serotonin, melatonin, and tryptamine. We evaluated the effects of these compounds on growth parameters in 16 different wine yeasts, including non-Saccharomyces wine strains, for which the effects of these compounds have not been well-defined. Serotonin, tryptamine, and tryptophol negatively influenced yeast growth, whereas phenylethanol and tyrosol specifically affected non-Saccharomyces strains. The effects of the aromatic alcohols were observed at concentrations commonly found in wines, suggesting a possible role in microbial interaction during wine fermentation. Additionally, we demonstrated that aromatic alcohols and ethanol are able to affect invasive and pseudohyphal growth in a manner dependent on nutrient availability. Some of these compounds showed strain-specific effects. These findings add to the understanding of the fermentation process and illustrate the diversity of metabolic communication that may occur among related species during metabolic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving green synthesis and transformation of organics is always an ambition of scientists under mild conditions. In this paper, a series of Cd X Zn 1−X S (0 ≤ X ≤ 1) samples were synthesized by a simple wet-chemical method using cadmium nitrate, zinc nitrate and sodium sulfide as precursors, and were thoroughly characterized by many techniques, including X-ray diffraction, UV–vis absorption spectra, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and (photo)electrochemical measurements. The photocatalytic performance of the as-prepared samples was evaluated by photocatalytic synthesis of Schiff base compounds in the coupled system of benzyl alcohol and nitrobenzene under visible light irradiation. Results reveal that when X is 0.78 (Cd 0.78 Zn 0.22 S), the sample exhibits the highest photocatalytic performance. The yield of Schiff base is 55.2% under visible light illumination for 4 h, and the theoretical yields of benzaldehyde and aniline could reach 96.6% and 67.9%, respectively. The quantum efficiency (QE) of the sample with λ = 450 ± 10 nm is 15.8%. In addition, many other Schiff base compounds were also synthesized from the different coupled systems of aromatic alcohols and nitrobenzene. A possible reaction mechanism involving the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde by photogenerated holes and the reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline by photoinduced electrons, followed by a condensation reaction between benzaldehyde and aniline to generate Schiff base compound was proposed. It is expected that the current work could offer an avenue to fabricate a high-performance photocatalyst used in the fields of photocatalytic selective organic transformations under mild conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vacancy defect in the semiconductors plays an important role in the improvement of the electronic structure and the increase of specific reaction sites for reactant molecules, and consequently enhancing the photocatalytic activity of semiconductor photocatalysts. Through high-temperature thermal condensation of a nitric acid-pretreated melamine precursor, nitrogen vacancies were successfully introduced in the framework of g-C 3 N 4 . The nitrogen vacancies located at the uncondensed terminal NH x lattice sites were conducive to the enhancement of optical absorption, the improvement of the separation efficiency of the photogenerated charge carrier and the increase of surface area, which was beneficial to the photocatalytic oxidation process. More significantly, the novel CNNA(X) were used as efficient photocatalysts in the green process of aromatic aldehydes from the photocatalytic selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols and the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. CNNA(X) samples exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity and excellent recyclability and stability. The 68.3% benzyl alcohol conversion and almost 100% selectivity was observed for the CNNA (0.9) photocatalyst, higher than that of pure g-C 3 N 4 . Meanwhile, CNNA (0.9) showed superior photocatalytic degradation performance of organic dyes (RhB and MO). Furthermore, the underlying photocatalytic oxidation mechanism was proposed by the controlled experiments using radical scavengers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of bare and P-doped graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) photocatalysts has been prepared by thermal condensation of melamine, urea or thiourea. For the sake of comparison, a g-C 3 N 4 sample obtained in the presence of cyanuric acid and thermally exfoliated C 3 N 4 powders were also studied. The materials were physicochemically characterized and their photocatalytic activity was studied for the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BA), 4-methoxy benzyl alcohol (4-MBA) and piperonyl alcohol (PA) in water suspension both under UV and visible light irradiation. The influence of the type and position of the substituents on conversion and selectivity to aldehyde was remarkable. The presence of P in the C 3 N 4 material improved the selectivity of the reaction towards the aldehyde. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hierarchical WO 3 microspheres with controllable interior structures from solid, yolk-shell, to hollow were synthesized through sonochemical precipitation and hydrogen ion-exchange routes followed by thermal treatment. During the photocatalytic selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols to their corresponding aldehydes in aqueous medium under light irradiation with full wavelengths, the yolk-shell WO 3 microspheres exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity than those WO 3 microspheres with solid and hollow structures, respectively. This superior activity of the yolk-shell WO 3 microspheres can be attributed to the synergistic promoting effect of the following factors: firstly, the porous structure constructed by self-assembly of the interconnected nanosheets together with high surface area promoted the light harvesting and also facilitated the adsorption and diffusion of reactant molecules; secondly, the small crystallite size favored the rapid transfer of photoelectrons, which diminished the transfer distance of photoelectrons and thus inhibited their recombination with holes; thirdly, the yolk-shell structure enhanced light harvesting via multiple reflections in the yolk-shell chambers. Meanwhile, all the WO 3 photocatalysts displayed excellent durability against structural collapse due to the robust hierarchical structures. This work identifies the important role of yolk-shell structure played in photocatalytic selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bi/ZnIn 2 S 4 is first excited by visible light and generates photoexcited electron-hole pairs. Due to the existence of the Schottky junction, electrons were transferred from the conduction band of ZnIn 2 S 4 to the atomically dispersed Bi, leaving holes in the valence band of ZnIn 2 S 4. During the oxidation of R-PhCH 2 OH, hydroxyl (–OH) and C α -H bonds may be preferentially activated to produce corresponding carbon center radicals. [Display omitted] • Non-noble Bi single atom on hierarchical structure ZnIn 2 S 4 was first synthesized through a one-pot strategy, forming a -S-Bi-S- coordination structure with surrounding S atoms. • Experiments and DFT calculations show that the light response range of Bi/ZnIn 2 S 4 was extended to the near-infrared region after the introduction of Bi atoms. • Without a wasteful sacrificial agent, Bi/ZnIn 2 S 4 exhibited an excellent hydrogen evolution rate of 3658.75 µmol g-1h−1. • A series of aromatic alcohols with different substituents (RPhCH 2 OH, R = Me, OH and Cl) were tested to prove the general applicability of the Bi/ZnIn 2 S 4. It is of great significance to develop a simple method of non-noble metal atomical dispersion to establish a dual-function photocatalysis system for the oxidation of aromatic alcohols to aldehydes, and to couple it with the photocatalytic hydrogen production, so as to fully utilize the photogenerated carriers. Herein, we report a noble metal-free photocatalyst decorated with atomic dispersed Bi atoms in ZnIn 2 S 4 hierarchical structures by a one-pot method, for selective oxidation of R-PhCH 2 OH (R = H, Me, OH, Cl) coupled with high H 2 evolution. Aberration corrected transmission electron microscopy and theoretical calculations demonstrated that Bi atoms are atomically dispersed and bridged with two S atoms. Atomically dispersed Bi provides the maximum atom efficiency and promotes light absorption to the near-infrared region. By excluding all wasteful sacrificial agents, Bi/ZnIn 2 S 4 exhibits a high hydrogen evolution rate of 3658.8 µmol g-1h−1, which is approximately 14 times of that of bare ZnIn 2 S 4 (256 µmol g-1h−1). This work provides insights into the effective utilization of photogenerated carriers in one system and the designing of promising photocatalysts with atomic precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photocatalyst construction determines the cost and photoexcited charge kinetics, whereas reaction system design ensures the synergic utilization of photoexcited charges. Herein, a novel Au13@Pt/CdS hybrid nanomaterial was prepared and used for the coupling selective redox system of aromatic alcohols and nitroarenes. The Au13@Pt nanoparticles evenly and tightly anchored on CdS provided abundant e– enrichment sites and wider charge transfer channels and largely improved photocatalytic performance. After 4 h visible-light illumination (λ > 420 nm), the optimal 0.00115 % Au13@Pt/CdS sample displays that the theoretical yields of aniline (AL) and p -methoxybenzaldehyde (p -MBA) are up to 71.5 % and 94.7 % with an impressive selectivity of over 95 %, therefore, parts of the generated AL and p -MBA further formed Schiff base with a 24.3 % yield. Therefore, this work is expected to offer a way to fabricate a dual-functional photocatalyst for selective organic transformations (P-SOTs). A coupling mechanism of simultaneous SO p -MBA and SR of NB in one system was proposed by a series of physical and chemical characterizations combined with in suit DRIFTS and theoretical calculations. [Display omitted] • A novel Au13@Pt/CdS composite photocatalyst was synthesized. • The Au13@Pt/CdS composite realized the synergic utilization of photoexcited charges. • The intermediates and products were dynamically monitored by in situ DRIFTS. • A possible mechanism for enhancing photocatalytic activity was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mild and convenient approach for direct synthesis of α,β‐unsaturated nitriles, which are ubiquitous building blocks of natural products and pharmaceuticals, has been developed. A variety of aromatic alcohols could be converted into alkenyl nitriles in moderate to good yields employing Pd/C as the catalyst and BiCl3 as the co‐catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) supported multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) derivatives have been prepared as easily recyclable solid reagents. These compounds have been shown to be able to mimic the alcohol dehydrogenases and monooxygenases promoted oxidation of aromatic alcohols to corresponding aldehydes. Their reactivity was found to be dependent on the degree of functionalization of MWCNTs as well as from the chemical properties of the spacers used to bind IBX on the surface of the support. Au-decorated MWCNTs and the presence of longer spacers resulted in the optimal experimental conditions. A high conversion of the substrates and yield of desired products were obtained.

In this part, new findings concerning the real data of the content of aromatic alcohols in Czech beers are summarized. The content of aromatic alcohols in draught, lager and non alcoholic beers was studied. In the case of non alcoholic beers, the first information concerning the influence of technological process on the changes of the content of these sensory active compounds was acquired.In this part, new findings concerning the real data of the content of aromatic alcohols in Czech beers are summarized. The content of aromatic alcohols in draught, lager and non alcoholic beers was studied. In the case of non alcoholic beers, the first information concerning the influence of technological process on the changes of the content of these sensory active compounds was acquired.

In the literature section, new findings concerning the analytical procedures of estimation of aromatic alcohols are briefly summarized and completed with short overview about their formation, role and sensory activity in beer. In the sphere of the analysis of aromatic alcohols in commercial beers, the new proposed analytical method of their SPE isolation and GCMS estimation was successfully tried out.In the literature section, new findings concerning the analytical procedures of estimation of aromatic alcohols are briefly summarized and completed with short overview about their formation, role and sensory activity in beer. In the sphere of the analysis of aromatic alcohols in commercial beers, the new proposed analytical method of their SPE isolation and GCMS estimation was successfully tried out.

Pd decorated TiO 2 nanocrystal with exposed (001) facets was synthesized via solvothermal hydrolysis combining photoreduction deposition route, which exhibited a great enhancement in activity and stability of photocatalytic selective alcohol oxidations under UV light irradiation in aqueous medium. The superior activity of Pd decorated TiO 2 nanocrystal with exposed (001) facets was attributed to the synergistic promoting effects of the following factors: firstly, the exposed (001) facets with higher surface energy facilitated the activation of reactant molecules and the photocatalytic oxidation; secondly, the increased oxygen vacancies and enhanced O 2 adsorption on (001) facets could trap photoelectrons and thus, inhibit their recombination with holes; thirdly, the decoration with Pd nanoparticles effectively reduce the photocharge recombination rate by capturing photoelectrons. Meanwhile, this photocatalyst displayed excellent durability owning to the strong Pd-TiO 2 interaction against deactivation caused by either Pd leaching or Pd aggregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism for aerobic oxidation of methylaromatic compounds using Co(CH 3 COO) 2 –Mn(CH 3 COO) 2 –KBr was further studied. The experimental results suggested that the intermediates (aromatic alcohols) are unexpectedly inert to direct oxidation via Co–Mn–Br catalysts under moderate conditions. In addition, it is found that both aromatic and aliphatic alcohols can inhibit the oxidation of the substrates and other intermediates (aromatic esters, aromatic aldehydes). UV–vis spectra indicated that oxidation from Co(II) to Co(III) would be interrupted in the presence of a given amount of alcohol. A plausible mechanism was also proposed. The intermediates analyzed by LC–MS and control experiments showed that aromatic alcohols prefer to undergo esterification rather than being directly oxidized as described in previous studies, and aromatic acetates are subsequently oxidized to corresponding aldehydes. According to the new mechanism, a strategy of highly selectively synthesizing aromatic alcohols and aldehydes from corresponding methylaromatic compounds was designed. The selectivities of aromatic alcohols and aldehydes could also be tuned by the added amount of CH 3 COOK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a simple but efficient synthetic protocol for theO-formylation of a wide range of aromatic hydroxyl/phenolic substrates using anN,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and oxalyl chloride [(COCl)2] combination in dichloromethane (DCM) as solvent at ambient temperature. The DMF/(COCl)2combination was found to be highly chemoselective for the aromatic/phenolic hydroxyl group over aliphatic hydroxyl or aromatic amine/thiol groups. This chemoselectivity of DMF/(COCl)2combination towardsO-formylation of aromatic alcohols was explained on the basis of outcomes of both experimental and density functional theory–based theoretical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]