Task-specific ionic liquid and CO ₂ -cocatalysed efficient hydration of propargylic alcohols to α-hydroxy ketones.

The Ru/MMT@IL-SO₃H catalyst was prepared by immobilizing Ru nanoparticles onto montmorillonite (MMT) with the assistance of an acidic ionic liquid (1-sulfobutyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrosulfate, IL-SO₃H). Transmission electron microscopy examination indicated that the loaded Ru species were distributed uniformly on the MMT support with a particle size of about 1.3 nm, which existed mainly in the form of a metallic state as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. X-Ray diffraction analysis indicated that the interlayer distance of MMT was increased due to the impregnation of IL-SO₃H. The activity of Ru/MMT@IL-SO₃H for hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of various phenolic compounds was investigated. It was demonstrated that the as-prepared catalyst served as a bifunctional catalyst and displayed high efficiency for HDO reactions of a series of phenolic compounds to cycloalkanes.

With the global energy crisis stemming from the depletion of fossil fuels, the emergence of nuclear energy has spurred advancement in radioactive element capture technology. Radioactive iodine, found in nuclear waste, poses significant threats to both the environment and public safety. Consequently, the development of efficient radioactive iodine adsorbents has become a critical objective. In this study, we have successfully designed and synthesized three novel nitrogen-rich conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs), i.e., Car-CMP-1, Car-CMP-2 and Car-CMP-3. These CMPs exhibit outstanding iodine vapor capture capacities (4.98, 3.38 and 5.10 g g⁻¹, respectively) at 75 °C under atmospheric pressure, as well as exceptional iodine capture abilities in n-hexane solution. Moreover, the captured iodine can be rapidly released in methanol, showcasing excellent recyclability. The extensive π-conjugated structure and abundant electron-donating nitrogen sites of CMPs contribute to their remarkable iodine capture performance. Additionally, the three CMP materials demonstrate superior capture efficiency for methyl iodide vapor (with adsorption capacities of 1.6 g g⁻¹, 1.1 g g⁻¹ and 1.9 g g⁻¹, respectively) and the mixed vapor of iodine and methyl iodide. FT-IR, UV-vis and Raman spectroscopy analyses reveal the presence of electron donor–acceptor pairs between the CMPs and iodine, indicating the charge-transfer (CT) interactions that confer ultra-high iodine capture capabilities to CMPs.

Reductive cleavage of aryl C–O bonds in phenols and aryl ethers was achieved using LiAlH ₄ –KO t Bu, producing arenes in high yields.

Three new labdane-type diterpenoids, callicapene M3-M5 (1–3) were isolated from the Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic method. The isolated compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activity on NO production in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells by using MTT assays. Compounds 1–3 showed potent inhibitory activity, with IC₅₀ value of 48.15, 46.31 and 38.72 μM respectively. GRAPHIC ABSTRACT