Fluoride-Responsive Organogel Based on Hydrazide Derivatives

An organogelator named N-[3-(hydroxy)-4-(dodecyloxy)-benzoyl]-N’ (4’-nitro-benzoyl) hydrazide (D12) was synthesized. It could form stable gels in some of the tested organic solvent. SEM images revealed that the molecules self- assembled into fibrous aggregates in the xerogels. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the xerogel exhibited a layered structure. FT-IR studies confirmed that intermolecular hydrogen bonding between C=O and N-H groups was the major driving force for gelation of organic solvents. The gel exhibited gel-sol transition and color change upon addition of F- . An extended conjugated system formed through the phenyl group and a five-membered ring based on intramolecular hydro-gen bonding between the oxygen atom near the deprotonation nitrogen atom and the other NH, which is responsible for the dramatic color change upon addition of F- .

Influence of soil microorganisms and physicochemical properties on plant diversity in an arid desert of Western China

Soil microorganisms and physicochemical properties are considered the two most influencing factors for maintaining plant diversity.However,the operational mechanisms and which factor is the most influential manipulator remain poorly understood.In this study,we examine the collaborative influences of soil physicochemical properties(i.e.,soil water,soil organic matter(SOM),salinity,total phosphorus and nitrogen,pH,soil bulk density and fine root biomass)and soil microorganisms(fungi and bacteria)on plant diversity across two types of tree patches dominated by big and small trees(big trees:height≥7 m and DBH≥60 cm;small trees:height≤4.5 m and DBH≤20 cm)in an arid desert region.Tree patch is consists of a single tree or group of trees and their accompanying shrubs and herbs.It was hypothesized that soil physicochemical properties and microorganisms affect plant diversity but their influence differ.The results show that plant and soil microbial diversity increased with increasing distances from big trees.SOM,salinity,fine root biomass,soil water,total phosphorus and total nitrogen contents decreased with increasing distance from big trees,while pH and soil bulk density did not change.Plant and soil microbial diversity were higher in areas close to big trees compared with small trees,whereas soil physicochemical properties were opposite.The average contribution of soil physicochemical properties(12.2%-13.5%)to plant diversity was higher than microbial diversity(4.8%-6.7%).Salinity had the largest negative affect on plant diversity(24.7%-27.4%).This study suggests that soil fungi constrain plant diversity while bacteria improve it in tree patches.Soil physicochemical properties are the most important factor modulating plant diversity in arid desert tree patches.

Cooperative NHC/Photoredox Catalysis:Three-Component Reaction of Aroyl Fluorides,Styrenes and Oxalates

Cooperative NHC/photoredox catalysis has emerged as an important research field in recent years.Herein,this article describes the use of cesium salt derivatives of tert-alcohols as alkyl radical precursors in a three-component reaction with styrene and aromatic acyl fluorides to synthesizeα-arylalkyl aryl ketones.The aroyl fluoride reacts with the NHC catalyst,leading to the formation of an acyl azolium ion.This acyl azolium ion can then be reduced by the photoredox catalyst,generating the corresponding ketyl radical anion.The C-radical generated from oxalate oxidation undergoes an addition reaction with the styrene derivative,followed by cross-coupling of the addition radical with the ketone radical,which is fragmented by NHC to give the target ketone.

Effect of groundwater depth on riparian plant diversity along riverside-desert gradients in the Tarim River

Aims Riparian plant diversity is sensitive to changes in groundwater in arid regions.However,little is known about how plant diversity responds to changes in environment along riverside-desert gradi-ents in riparian ecosystem.Our objectives were to(i)identify ri-parian plant diversity along riverside-desert gradients in Tarim desert riparian forests,(ii)analyze the impact of environment variables on plant diversity,(iii)determine the optimum groundwater depth for different plant life-forms.Methods Six transects 90 quadrats(with each size 100 m×100 m)distributed vertically to river bed along riverside-desert gradients~30 km in length were surveyed.At each quadrat,the morphological features of riparian plant communities were measured,and the groundwater depth,soil water,soil salinity,soil nutrient were also monitored at same sites.Important Finding Three distinct vegetation communities were identified based on cover and richness in the tree,shrub and herb layers:the riparian zone,the transitional zone and the desert margin zone.Twelve spe-cies were indicators of the three vegetation communities.Riparian plant diversity was influenced by groundwater depth,distance from river,soil moisture content,soil salinity and soil nutrient by redundancy analysis.In response to groundwater depth,the op-timal groundwater depths for species diversity,evenness and shrub cover were 2.8,2.7 and 3.7 m,respectively.Therefore,maintaining high plant diversity requires managers to ensure stable groundwater depth for different plant life-forms rather than for some of them.

Synthesis of 2-aminothiazoles via rhodium-catalyzed carbenoid insertion/annulation of sulfoxonium ylides with thioureas

Sulfoxonium ylides as carbene precursors couple smoothly with thioureas in the presence of 5 mol% of rhodium(Ⅱ) acetate dimmer via carbenoid insertion to afford the corresponding 2-aminothiazoles with high chemoselectivity,providing a facile and efficient approach to access a variety of 2-aminothiazole derivatives with good functional groups tolerance.