Catalyst Free Synthesis of Pyridine-2,6-bis(2-bromo-propane-1,3-dione) and Pyrdine-2,6-bis(<i>N</i>-arylthiazoline-2-thiones)

We have described herein a catalyst-free preparation method of pyridine-2,6-bis(N-alkylthiazoline-2-thiones) (4a-i) by the reaction of primary amines, CS2, and pyridine-2,6-bis(2-bromo-1,3- dicarbonyl) derivatives (2a-c) in water. Also, we have described a catalyst free, green chemistry protocols to monobromination of pyridine-2,6-bis(2-bromo-1,3-dicarbonyl) derivatives with high yield, using NBS as a brominating agent, that led to eco-friendly isolation and purification proce-dures. Furthermore, we have studied the reactivity of pyridine-2,6-bis(2-bromo-1-methyl-pro- pane-1,3-dione) (2a) towards thiourea to afford 2,6-bis(5-benzoyl-2-aminothiazol-4-yl)pyridine (9).

Mesoporous silicon carbide nanofibers with in situ embedded carbon for co-catalyst free photocatalytic hydrogen production

Silicon carbide （SIC） has been considered a promising metal-free photocatalyst due to its unique photoelectrical properties and thermal/chemical stability. However, its performance suffers from the fast recombination of charge carriers. Herein, we report mesoporous SiC nanofibers with in situ embedded graphitic carbon （SiC NFs-Cx） synthesized via a one-step carbothermal reduction between electrospun carbon nanofibers and Si powders. In the absence of a noble metal co-catalyst, the hydrogen evolution efficiency of SiC NFs-Cx is significantly improved under both simulated solar light （180.2 μmol.g-1.h-1） and visible light irradiation （31.0 ~amol-g-l-h-~） in high-pH solution. The efficient simultaneous separation of charge carriers plays a critical role in the high photocatalytic activity. The embedded carbon can swiftly transfer the photogenerated electrons and improve light absorption, whereas the additional hydroxyl anions （OH-） in high- pH solution can accelerate the trapping of holes. Our results demonstrate that the production of SiC NFs-Cx, which contains exclusively earth-abundant elements, scaled up, and is environmentally friendly, has great potential for practical applications. This work may provide a new pathway for designing stable, low- cost, high efficiency, and co-catalyst-free photocatalysts.

Glycerol mediated synthesis of 5-substituted lH-tetrazole under catalyst free conditions

We have developed simple,cost effective and environmentally benign protocol for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles via[2,3]cycloaddition reaction from organic nitriles and sodium azide in glycerol under catalyst free condition.The corresponding 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles were obtained with good to excellent yields（68-95%）.

Visible-light photoredox-mediated oxidation of N-methyl tertiaryamines under catalyst free conditions:Direct synthesis of methylene-bridged bis-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds

Mediated by visible light-induced photoredox catalysis and free of other catalysts, a new and efficient synthesis of methylene-bridged bis-l,3-dicarbonyl derivatives has been developed. A variety of N-methyl tertiaryamines and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds were investigated in this reaction.

Experimental evidence for the formation mechanism of metallic catalyst-free carbon nanotubes

Our work reported that the so-called pure carbon nanotubes(CNTs)can be synthesized without metallic catalyst by chemical vapor deposition(CVD).The as-prepared CNTs have average diameter of 50 nm and length over several microns.Analysis of intermediate objects in the products indicates that their formation mechanism follows the wire-to-tube model.Besides,according to thermodynamic analysis of the driving force combing with experimental results,we find that the thermal gradient can effectively favor the formation of CNTs in our metallic catalyst-free CVD.

Solvent- and catalyst-free synthesis of dihydropyrimidinthiones in one-pot under focused microwave irradiation conditions

Fifteen dihydropyrimidinthiones have been synthesized by microwave-assisted Biginelli reactions without any solvent or catalyst. The advantages of this novel protocol include the excellent yield, operational simplicity, short time and the avoidance of the use of organic solvents and catalysts.

N, F?Codoped Microporous Carbon Nanofibers as Efficient Metal?Free Electrocatalysts for ORR

Currently, the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR) mainly depends on precious metal platinum(Pt) catalysts. However, Pt-based catalysts have several shortcomings, such as high cost, scarcity, and poor long-term stability. Therefore, development of e cient metal-free electrocatalysts to replace Pt-based electrocatalysts is important. In this study, we successfully prepared nitrogen-and fluorinecodoped microporous carbon nanofibers(N, F-MCFs) via electrospinning polyacrylonitrile/polyvinylidene fluoride/polyvinylpyrrolidone(PAN/PVDF/PVP) tricomponent polymers followed by a hydrothermal process and thermal treatment, which was achieved for the first time in the literature. The results indicated that N, F-MCFs exhibit a high catalytic activity(E_(onset): 0.94 V vs. RHE, E_(1/2): 0.81 V vs. RHE, and electron transfer number: 4.0) and considerably better stability and methanol tolerance for ORR in alkaline solutions as compared to commercial Pt/carbon(Pt/C, 20 wt%) catalysts. Furthermore, in acidic media, N, F-MCFs showed a four-electron transfer pathway for ORR. This study provides a new strategy for in situ synthesis of N, F-MCFs as highly e cient metal-free electrocatalysts for ORR in fuel cells.

Purified oxygenand nitrogen-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes as metal-free catalysts for selective olefin hydrogenation

Oxygen and nitrogen-functionalized carbon nanotubes （OCNTs and NCNTs） were applied as metal-free catalysts in selective olefin hydro- genation. A series of NCNTs was synthesized by NH3 post-treatment of OCNTs. Temperature-programmed desorption, N2 physisorption, Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to characterize the surface properties of OCNTs and NCNTs, aiming at a detailed analysis of the type and amount of oxygen- and nitrogen-containing groups as well as surface defects. The gas-phase treatments applied for oxygen and nitrogen functionalization at elevated temperatures up to 600 ℃ led to the increase of surface defects, but did not cause structural damages in the bulk. NCNTs showed a clearly higher activity than the pristine CNTs and OCNTs in the hydrogenation of 1,5-cyclooctadiene, and also the selectivity to cyclooctene was higher. The favorable catalytic properties are ascribed to the nitrogen-containing surface functional groups as well as surface defects related to nitrogen species. In contrast, oxygen-containing surface groups and the surface defects caused by oxygen species did not show clear contribution to the hydrogenation catalysis.

Solvent-free preparation of arylaminotetrazole derivatives using aluminum(Ⅲ) hydrogensulfate as an effective catalyst

An efficient and simple method for the preparation of 5-arylamino-1H-tetrazole and 1-aryl-5-amino-1H-tetrazole derivatives is reported using aluminum（Ⅲ） hydrogensulfate（Al（HSO4）3） as an effective heterogeneous catalyst from secondary arylcyanamides. Generally,when the substitution in arylcyanamide is strongly electron-withdrawing the position of equilibrium would shift toward the isomer of 1-aryl-5-amino-1H-tetrazole（B） and as the electron-donating of substituent increased,the position of equilibrium is shifted toward the isomer of 5-arylamino-1H-tetrazole（A）.The present methodology offers several advantages,such as excellent yields,short reaction times,easy work-up and greener conditions.

Styrene Epoxidation in Aqueous over Triazine-Based Microporous Polymeric Network as a Metal-Free Catalyst

Tirazine based microporous polymeric (TMP) network was found to be an efficient metal-free catalyst for the epoxidation of styrene. The reactions were performed in water as an environmentally benign medium using H2O2 as a green oxidant at ambient temperature. The reaction afforded higher yield with 90% conversion of styrene and 98% selectivity to styrene oxide in 6 h. The triazine based microporous polymeric network can be readily recovered and reused up to 4 cycles without significant loss in catalytic activity and selectivity.

Oxidation of petroleum-based byproducts diformyltricyclodecanes(DFTD)with O2 under catalyst-free and ultra-low temperature

Oxidation of petroleum-based byproduct dicyclopentadiene derived diformyltricyclodecanes(DFTD) to dicarboxyltriclodecanesacids(DCTDA) was conducted under catalyst-free and ultra-low temperature conditions with O2 as oxidant. In the perspective of industry process, oxygen pressure and contents, solvent and raw material initial concentrations were screened to evaluate their influence on DCTDA generation. Results indicate that DFTD oxidation can occur rather easily under no-catalyst and ultra-low temperature conditions with O2 as oxidant. Oxygen content and pressure had positive effect on DCTDA production, γ-valerolactone(GVL) behaved best on DFTD generation in dynamics, while methanol could be used as a protective solvent to preserve DFTD.Besides, the existence of water in solvent was not beneficial to DCTDA production because of poor DFTD compatibility with water. The mechanisms of O2 and solvent influence on DCTDA generation were discussed. Meanwhile,the oxidation route of DFTD–Intermediate–DCTDA was proposed. The present work exhibits the valued potential of DFTD, which will have a positive effect on high added value of petroleum based by-products.

Solvent-free and catalyst-free method for the synthesis of 2,4,5-triarylimidazoles under microwave irradiation

A facile procedure for the synthesis of 2,4,5-lriarylimidazoles is being reported starting from benzil, aromatic aldehyde and ammonium acetate. The reactions were carried out with catalyst-free, solvent-free and under microwave irradiation conditions in high yield （80-99%） with short time （3-5 min） and environmental benign, as well as convenient operation. The structures of the compounds have been confirmed on the basis of their IR, 1H NMR, and/or 13C NMR, MS, and elemental analyzer.

Catalyst-free and solvent-free method for the synthesis of quinoxalines under microwave irradiation

A facile procedure for the synthesis, of quinoxalines is being reported starting from benzil and 1,2-diaminobenzene. The reactions were carried out catalyst-free, solvent-free and under microwave irradiation conditions in high yield （84-98%） with short time （3-6 min） and environmental benign, as well as convenient operation. The structures of all the compounds have been confirmed on the basis of their IR, 1H NMR, and/or 13C NMR, mass spectral data.

Perfect Solvent- and Catalyst-Free Syntheses of Imine Derivatives Using the Pressure Reduction Technique

In the field of organic syntheses, the development of environmentally friendly methods based on the concept of green chemistry has been always required. In response to this requirement, we reported solvent- and catalyst-free syntheses of imines using the pressure reduction technique as a key technology. We found that this reaction proceeded very rapidly in the initial stage, but its rate decreased with the passage of time. It was also found that the reaction of benzaldehyde with aniline had a specificity that the phase transition occurred. In this method, the desired imines could be obtained in good to excellent yields, but target compounds had to be given by purifications using organic solvents. Therefore, we tried to develop the perfect synthetic method of imine derivatives without organic or inorganic solvents. We selected two methods and took them into this investigation. One was exactly mixing (1:1, substance ratio) aldehydes and amines and the other was employing lower pressure (>0.1 mmHg, previous method: 1.0 mmHg) at the pressure reducing technique. When this improved synthetic method was performed, it was revealed that pure target imines were obtained in excellent yields without any purification.

Catalyst and Solvent-Free Microwave Assisted Expeditious Synthesis of 3-Indolyl-3-hydroxy Oxindoles and Unsymmetrical 3,3-Di(indolyl)indolin-2-ones

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of 3-indolyl-3-hydroxy oxindoles and unsymmetrical 3,3-di(indolyl)indolin-2-ones using microwave irradiation without catalyst and solvent is described. A series of 3-indolyl-3-hydroxy oxindoles and unsymmetrical 3,3-di(indolyl)indolin-2-ones have been synthesized in very short reaction times of 5 and 10 minutes and in yields ranging from 31% to 98% and from 53% to 78% respectively. This method offers a significant advantage over the conventional methods in terms of simplicity and shorter reaction time. To the best of our knowledge compounds N-allyl-3-hydroxy-3-(1-methyl-indol-3-yl)indolin-2-one (6c), N-allyl-3-hydroxy-3-(5-methoxy-indol-3-yl)indolin-2-one (8c), N-benzyl-3-hydroxy-3-(1-methyl-indol-3-yl) indolin-2-one (10c), N-propargyl-3-hydroxy-3-(1-methyl-indol-3-yl)indolin-2-one (13c), N-propargyl-3-hydroxy-3-(5-methoxy-indol-3-yl)indolin-2-one (14c), 3-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)indolin-2-one (1e), 3-1-methyl(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)indolin-2-one (2e), 3-1-allyl(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)indolin-2-one (3e), 3-1-benzyl(5-methoxy-1H-in- dol-3-yl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)indolin-2-one (4e) and 3-1-(prop-2-ynyl)(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-3(1H-indol-3-yl)indolin-2-one (5e) are reported here for the first time. All the compounds are characterized by IR, 1H, 13C NMR and HRMS.

Solvent- and Catalyst-Free Microwave-Assisted Decarboxylation of Malonic Acid Derivatives

It has been found that microwave assisted decarboxylation of malonic acid derivatives can be achieved under solvent-free and catalyst free conditions. This new method produces the corresponding carboxylic acid in a pure manner and with a high yield in a very short reaction time: 3 - 10 min. In general terms, the condition under which this reaction is carried out accelerates the decarboxylation significantly of a series of disubstituted malonic acid derivatives, and makes this new process efficient, easy and environmentally friendly.

Efficient Solvent- and Catalyst-Free Syntheses of Imine Derivatives Applying the Pressure Reduction Technique: Remarkable Change of the Reaction Rate with the Phase Transition

Because imines could be used as convenient starting materials in various fields, the development of an easy synthetic method of imine was strongly desired. In response to this demand, we thought that it would be an effective synthesis method if an aldehyde and an amine could be reacted to give an imine in good yield under solvent- and catalyst-free conditions. In fact, we tried the reaction of benzaldehyde with various amines under solvent- and catalyst-free conditions followed by removal of water that was produced in the reaction system by a vacuum pump, and desired imines could be obtained in good yields. Observation of this reaction using a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer revealed that the reaction rate was extremely fast at the initial stage but slowed over time. However, the reaction of benzaldehyde with aniline differed greatly, and the reaction rate dramatically improved in 47 - 48 minutes after the start of the reaction. At this time, we found that the reaction system underwent a phase transition from the liquid phase to the solid phase.

Aerobic oxidation assisted by ligand-free palladium catalysts

Aerobic oxidation of electron-rich benzylic and phenyl allylic alcohols was achieved with high yields with only 0.1 mol.% of Pd(OAc)2 catalyst in the absence of any ligand. This procedure was expected to be valuable for realistic industrial-scale applications from both economic as well as environmental points of view.

Active sites of Pt/CNTs nanocatalysts for aerobic base-free oxidation of glycerol

Understanding the nature of Pt active sites is of great importance for the structure-sensitive base-free oxidation of glycerol. In the present work, the remarkable Pt particle size effects on glycerol conversion and products formation from the oxidation of the primary and the secondary hydroxyl groups are understood by combining the model calculations and DFT calculations, aiming to discriminate the corresponding dominant Pt active sites. The Pt(100) facet is demonstrated to be the dominant active sites for the glycerol conversion and the products formation from the two routes. The insights revealed here could shed new light on fundamental understanding of the Pt particle size effects and then guiding the design and optimization of Pt-catalyzed base-free oxidation of glycerol toward targeted products.

Au/Cu-Co催化剂上甘油选择性氧化制二羟基丙酮的研究

二羟基丙酮(DHA)是甘油选择性氧化的高附加值产物,在农业、医药等领域具有重要的应用价值。本文以溶胶-凝胶法和硬模板法制备的CuO和Cu-Co金属氧化物复合材料为载体并负载金制备了催化剂,研究了其在非碱性条件下催化甘油氧化为二羟基丙酮的性能。活性评价结果表明,Au/Cu_(0.75)Co_(0.25)催化剂具有最高的催化活性,表现出了良好的选择性,在最佳的反应条件下,甘油转化率为69.0%,DHA选择性为99.7%,催化剂较高的活性可能是由于Co的加入增强了Au与载体之间的相互作用,使得电子云密度更容易向Au发生偏移从而形成更多的Au^(0)物种并且提高了Au的颗粒分散度,Au^(0)的增加有利于形成更多的晶格氧物种O_(latt),从而增强了甘油的活化和转化,更小的Au粒径也有利于催化剂上甘油的吸附和活化,从而促进了DHA的生成。