We report a method for the synthesis of 2-substituted benzoxazoles from tertiary amides and 2-aminophenols in the presence of triflic anhydride (Tf₂O) and 2-Fluoropyridine (2-F-Pyr). The cascade reaction involves the activation of the amide carbonyl group by Tf₂O, nucleophilic addition, intramolecular cyclization, and elimination. Furthermore, we explore the scope of this method by varying both the amide and 2-aminophenol substrates, highlighting its versatility in the synthesis of a wide range of functionalized benzoxazole derivatives.

The hydroesterification of olefins provides a highly efficient way to produce high value-added ester products from simple and abundant olefin feedstocks. In this work, DFT calculation was performed to investigate the detailed reaction mechanism of propene hydroesterification over Rh(II)/Silicalite-2 catalysts. Three possible mechanistic pathways were systematically explored and compared in terms of their adsorption configurations, reaction energies, and transition-state barriers. Among them, the Carbonylation-First pathway exhibited the most favorable energy profile with the lowest overall kinetic barriers, indicating it to be the most likely way for ester formation. A comparison of methyl butyrate and methyl isobutyrate formation revealed that the linear product is energetically more favorable, particularly along the Carbonylation-First pathway. Moreover, the Rh(II) center demonstrates a different catalytic effect over conventional Rh(I) species by significantly lowering the energy barrier for CO insertion, a key step in both hydroformylation and hydroesterification. These findings provide fundamental insight into the role of Rh(II)/zeolite systems in carbonylation reactions and offer theoretical guidance for the design of catalysts.

A novel axially chiral all-hydrocarbon cyclo[7] (1,3-(4,6-dimethyl)benzene (CDMB-7) was designed and synthesized using atroposelective[2 + 5] cyclization through Suzuki–Miyaura coupling. CDMB-7 adopts an irregular bowl-like shape with C₂ symmetry and exhibits two diastereoisomers in its crystallographic structure. The conformational isomers of CDMB-7 racemates remain stable at high temperatures (393 K). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed that a single chiral isomer will spontaneously undergo racemization within 30 min at room temperature. This finding opens up possibilities for achieving adaptive chirality in all-hydrocarbon cyclo[7] m-benzene macrocycles.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) play a critical role in modern energy technologies, powering portable electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage systems due to their high energy density, long cycle life, and lightweight properties. However, their high energy storage capacity presents intrinsic safety challenges posed by thermal runaway, a potentially catastrophic failure mode. Recent advances in safety monitoring leverage detectable thermal runaway precursors, including temperature fluctuations, pressure variations, and gas evolution. Although significant efforts have focused on developing smart materials for early-stage thermal runaway detection, limited reviews have systematically addressed these material innovations. This review seeks to fill this gap by providing a concise overview of the mechanisms underlying thermal runaway in LIBs and the corresponding smart monitoring strategies. It also examines recent progress in smart materials tailored for temperature, pressure, and gas sensing applications. The primary objective of this survey is to offer valuable insights and guidance for enhancing thermal runaway safety management in battery systems.