High-Con cent rat ion Electrosynthesis of Formic Acid/Formate from CO_(2):Reactor and Electrode Design Strategies

The electrochemical CO_(2)reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR),driven by renewable energy,provides a potential carbon-neutral avenue to convert CO_(2)into valuable fuels and feedstocks.Conversion of CO_(2)into formic acid/formate is considered one of the economical and feasible methods,owing to their high energy densities,and ease of distribution and storage.The separation of formic acid/formate from the reaction mixtures accounts for the majority of the overall CO_(2)RR process cost,while the increment of product concentration can lead to the reduction of separation cost,remarkably.In this paper,we give an overview of recent strategies for highly concentrated formic acid/formate products in CO_(2)RR.CO_(2)RR is a complex process with several different products,as it has different intermediates and reaction pathways.Therefore,this review focuses on recent study strategies that can enhance targeted formic acid/formate yield,such as the all-solid-state reactor design to deliver a high concentration of products during the reduction of CO_(2)in the electrolyzer.Firstly,some novel electrolyzers are introduced as an engineering strategy to improve the concentration of the formic acid/formate and reduce the cost of downstream separations.Also,the design of planar and gas diffusion electrodes(GDEs)with the potential to deliver high-concentration formic acid/formate in CO_(2)RR is summarized.Finally,the existing technological challenges are highlighted,and further research recommendations to achieve high-concentration products in CO_(2)RR.This review can provide some inspiration for future research to further improve the product concentration and economic benefits of CO_(2)RR.

Solid Bi_(2)O_(3)-derived nanostructured metallic bismuth with high formate selectivity for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO_(2)

CO_(2) electrochemical reduction(CO_(2)ER)is an important research area for carbon neutralization.However,available catalysts for CO_(2) reduction are still characterized by limited stability and activity.Recently,metallic bismuth(Bi)has emerged as a promising catalyst for CO_(2) ER.Herein,we report the solid cathode electroreduction of commercial micronized Bi2O3as a straightforward approach for the preparation of nanostructured Bi.At-1.1 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in a KHCO3aqueous electrolyte,the resulting nanostructure Bi delivers a formate current density of~40 mA·cm^(-2) with a current efficiency of~86%,and the formate selectivity reaches97.6% at-0.78 V.Using nanosized Bi2O3as the precursor can further reduce the primary particle sizes of the resulting Bi,leading to a significantly increased formate selectivity at relatively low overpotentials.The high catalytic activity of nanostructured Bi is attributable to the ultrafine and interconnected Bi nanoparticles in the nanoporous structure,which exposes abundant active sites for CO_(2) electrocatalytic reduction.

1.42-fold enhancement of formate selectivity by linker conversion on the Zn-based metal organic framework catalyst

Electro-reduction of carbon dioxide(ERCO_(2)) is considered an effective method to alleviate the greenhouse effect and produce value-added chemicals.Achieving the dominant selectivity of Zn-based catalysts for formate remains a challenge.In this article,the ZnIn-E_(12) catalyst is successfully prepared by solvent assisted ligand exchange(SALE) method to convert organic ligands,achieving a Faradaic efficiency of 72.28% for formate at-1.26 V vs.RHE(V_(RHE)),which is 1.42 times higher than the original catalyst.Evidence shows that the successful conversion of organic ligands can transform the catalyst from the original large size polyhedron to cross-linked network of particles with a diameter of about 30 nm.The increased specific surface area can expose more active sites and facilitate the electrocatalytic conversion of CO_(2) to formate.This work is expected to provide inspiration for the regulation of formate selectivity and catalyst size in Zn-based catalysts.

Plasma-assisted synthesis of porous bismuth nanosheets for electrocatalytic CO_(2)-to-formate reduction

The electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction(eCO_(2)RR)to formate,driven by clean energy,is a promising approach for producing renewable chemicals and high-value fuels.Despite its potential,further development faces challenges due to limitations in electrocatalytic activity and durability,especially for nonnoble metal-based catalysts.Here,naturally abundant bismuth-based nanosheets that can effectively drive CO_(2)-to-formate electrocatalytic reduction are prepared using the plasma-activated Bi_(2)Se_(3) followed by a reduction process.Thus-obtained plasma-activated Bi nanosheets(P-BiNS)feature ultrathin structures and high surface areas.Such nanostructures ensure the P-BiNS with outstanding eCO_(2)RR catalytic performance,highlighted by the current density of over 80 mA cm^(-2) and a formate Faradic efficiency of>90%.Furthermore,P-BiNS catalysts demonstrate excellent durability and stability without deactivation following over 50h of operation.The selectivity for formate production is also studied by density functional theory(DFT)calculations,validating the importance and efficacy of the stabilization of intermediates(^(*)OCHO)on the P-BiNS surfaces.This study provides a facile plasma-assisted approach for developing high-performance and low-cost electrocatalysts.

The Influence of Acid on the RockMechanical Characteristics of Deep Shale in theWujiaping Formation

The microscopic characteristics and mechanical properties of rocks change after the action of acid on deep shale,which affects the fracturing effect.Accordingly,we designed and conducted indoor experiments related to the changes in macro and microscopic characteristics after the interaction of acid with the shale of Wujiaping Formation,based on which the characteristic law of fracture volume modification after acid fracturing was studied using numerical simulation.The results demonstrate that the pores and fractures are enlarged and the structure is significantly loosened after the acid immersion.And a 15%concentration of hydrochloric acid can effectively dissolve shale.Furthermore,the degree of acid-etching reaction is highly variable because of the different carbonate content,which reveals the strong inhomogeneity of the shale system in the Wujiaping Group reservoir section.After the acid interacted with the shale rock samples,the triaxial compressive strength,elastic modulus,and Poisson’s ratio of shale decreased.Moreover,the evaluation of the effect after acid fracturing simulated by fracturing software revealed that the smaller the value of elastic modulus in shale-based reservoirs,the more favorable the fracture volume modification.This discovery not only provides a theoretical basis for the expansion and extension patterns of acid-fracturing in carbonaceous shale formations but also offers research methods and theoretical insights for the fundamental exploration of other deep-seated oil and gas resources.

Formation mechanisms of ethyl acetate and organic acids in Kluyveromyces marxianus L1-1 in Chinese acid rice soup

This study aims to explore the formation mechanism of ethyl acetate and organic acids in acid rice soup(rice-acid soup)inoculated with Kluyveromyces marxianus L1-1 through the complementary analysis of transcriptome and proteome.The quantity of K.marxianus L1-1 varied significantly in the fermentation process of rice-acid soup and the first and third days were the two key turning points in the growth phase of K.marxianus L1-1.Importantly,the concentrations of ethyl acetate,ethanol,acetic acid,and L-lactic acid increased from day 1 to day 3.At least 4231 genes and 2937 proteins were identified and 610 differentially expressed proteins were annotated to 30 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathways based on the analysis results of transcriptome and proteome.The key genes and proteins including up-regulated alcohol dehydrogenase family,alcohol O-acetyltransferase,acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase,acyl-coenzyme A thioester hydrolase,and down-regulated aldehyde dehydrogenase family were involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways,starch and sucrose metabolism pathways,amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism pathways,tricarboxylic acid(TCA)cycle,and pyruvate metabolism pathways,thus promoting the formation of ethyl acetate,organic acids,alcohols,and other esters.Our results revealed the formation mechanisms of ethyl acetate and organic acids in rice-acid soup inoculated with K.marxianus L1-1.

Efficient CO_(2)Reduction to Formate on CsPbI_(3) Nanocrystals Wrapped with Reduced Graphene Oxide

Transformation of greenhouse gas(CO_(2))into valuable chemicals and fuels is a promising route to address the global issues of climate change and the energy crisis.Metal halide perovskite catalysts have shown their potential in promoting CO_(2)reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR),however,their low phase stability has limited their application perspective.Herein,we present a reduced graphene oxide(rGO)wrapped CsPbI_3 perovskite nanocrystal(NC)CO_(2)RR catalyst(CsPbI_3/rGO),demonstrating enhanced stability in the aqueous electrolyte.The CsPbI_3/rGO catalyst exhibited>92%Faradaic efficiency toward formate production at a CO_(2)RR current density of~12.7 mA cm^(-2).Comprehensive characterizations revealed the superior performance of the CsPbI_3/rGO catalyst originated from the synergistic effects between the CsPbI_3 NCs and rGO,i.e.,rGO stabilized theα-CsPbI_3 phase and tuned the charge distribution,thus lowered the energy barrier for the protonation process and the formation of~*HCOO intermediate,which resulted in high CO_(2)RR selectivity toward formate.This work shows a promising strategy to rationally design robust metal halide perovskites for achieving efficient CO_(2)RR toward valuable fuels.

In-situ constructing Cu_(1)Bi_(1)bimetallic catalyst to promote the electroreduction of CO_(2)to formate by synergistic electronic and geometric effects

Electrochemical CO_(2)reduction to formate is a potential approach to achieving global carbon neutrality.Here,Cu1Bi1bimetallic catalyst was prepared by a co-precipitation method.It has a ginger like composite structure(CuO/CuBi_(2)O_(4))and exhibited a high formate faradaic efficiency of 98.07%at–0.98 V and a large current density of–56.12 mA.cm^(-2)at–1.28 V,which is twice as high as Bi2O3catalyst.Especially,high selectivity(FE^(–)_(HCOO)>85%)is maintained over a wide potential window of 500 mV.In-situ Raman measurements and structure characterization revealed that the reduced Cu1Bi1bimetallic catalyst possesses abundant Cu-Bi interfaces and residual Bi-O structures.The abundant Cu-Bi interface structures on the catalyst surface can provide abundant active sites for CO_(2)RR,while the Bi-O structures may stabilize the CO_(2)^(*–)intermediate.The synergistic effect of abundant Cu-Bi interfaces and Bi-O species promotes the efficient synthesis of formate by following the OCHO^(*)pathway.

Direct detection of a single[4Fe-4S]cluster in a tungsten-containing enzyme:Electrochemical conversion of CO_(2) into formate by formate dehydrogenase

The conversion of CO_(2) into fuels and valuable chemicals is one of the central topics to combat climate change and meet the growing demand for renewable energy.Herein,we show that the formate dehydrogenase from Clostridium ljungdahlii(ClFDH)adsorbed on electrodes displays clear characteristic voltammetric signals that can be assigned to the reduction and oxidation potential of the[4Fe-4S]^(2+/+)cluster under nonturnover conditions.Upon adding substrates,the signals transform into a specific redox center that engages in catalytic electron transport.ClFDH catalyzes rapid and efficient reversible interconversion between CO_(2) and formate in the presence of substrates.The turnover frequency of electrochemical CO_(2) reduction is determined as 1210 s^(-1) at 25℃ and pH 7.0,which can be further enhanced up to 1786 s^(-1) at 50℃.The Faradaic efficiency at−0.6 V(vs.standard hydrogen electrode)is recorded as 99.3%in a 2-h reaction.Inhibition experiments and theoretical modeling disclose interesting pathways for CO_(2) entry,formate exit,and OCN−competition,suggesting an oxidation-state-dependent binding mechanism of catalysis.Our results provide a different perspective for understanding the catalytic mechanism of FDH and original insights into the design of synthetic catalysts.

Novel Synthetic Method for the Vilsmeier-Haack Reagent and Green Routes to Acid Chlorides, Alkyl Formates, and Alkyl Chlorides

An environmentally benign and practical preparation method for the Vilsmeier-Haack reagent (VH) has been developed by using phthaloyl dichloride with DMF in toluene or 2-chlorotoluene. Phthalic anhydride as the byproduct was recovered in high yield by simple filtration. Some aromatic acids have been transformed into the corresponding acid chlorides in good yields by employing the isolated VH. Treatment of primary or secondary alcohols with VH gave alkyl formates or alkyl chlorides by depending on the reaction conditions.

Self-supported ultrathin NiCo layered double hydroxides nanosheets electrode for efficient electrosynthesis of formate

Electrochemical CO_(2)reduction into energy-carrying compounds,such as formate,is of great importance for carbon neutrality,which however suffers from high electrical energy input and liquid products crossover.Herein,we fabricated self-supported ultrathin NiCo layered double hydroxides(LDHs)electrodes as anode for methanol electrooxidation to achieve a high formate production rate(5.89 mmol h^(-1)cm^(-2))coupled with CO_(2)electro-reduction at the cathode.A total formate faradic efficiency of both anode for methanol oxidation and cathode for CO_(2)reduction can reach up to 188%driven by a low cell potential of only 2.06 V at 100 mA cm^(-2)in membrane-electrode assembly(MEA).Physical characterizations demonstrated that Ni^(3+)species,formed on the electrochemical oxidation of Ni-containing hydroxide,acted as catalytically active species for the oxidation of methanol to formate.Furthermore,DFT calculations revealed that ultrathin LDHs were beneficial for the formation of Ni^(3+)in hydroxides and introducing oxygen vacancy in NiCo-LDH could decrease the energy barrier of the rate-determining step for methanol oxidation.This work presents a promising approach for fabricating advanced electrodes towards electrocatalytic reactions.

Metal oxides heterojunction derived Bi-In hybrid electrocatalyst for robust electroreduction of CO_(2) to formate

Electrochemical reduction of Bi-based metal oxides is regarded as an effective strategy to rationally design advanced electrocatalysts for electrochemical CO_(2)reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR).Realizing high selectivity at high current density is important for formate production,but remains challenging.Herein,the BiIn hybrid electrocatalyst,deriving from the Bi2O3/In2O3heterojunction(MOD-Biln),shows excellent catalytic performance for CO_(2)RR.The Faradaic efficiency of formate(FEHCOO-) can be realized over 90% at a wide potential window from-0.4 to-1.4 V vs.RHE,while the partial current density of formate(jHCOO-) reaches about 136.7 mA cm^(-2)at-1.4 V in flow cell without IR-compensation.In additio n,the MOD-Biln exhibits superior stability with high selectivity of formate at 100 mA cm^(-2).Systematic characterizations prove the optimized catalytic sites and interface charge transfer of MOD-Biln,while theoretical calculation confirms that the hybrid structure with dual Bi/In metal sites contribute to the optimal free energy of*H and*OCHO intermediates on MOD-Biln surface,thus accelerating the formation and desorption step of*HCOOH to final formate production.Our work provides a facile and useful strategy to develop highly-active and stable electrocatalysts for CO_(2)RR.

A comparison study on structure-function relationship of polysaccharides obtained from sea buckthorn berries using different methods:antioxidant and bile acid-binding capacity

In this study,the structural characters,antioxidant activities and bile acid-binding ability of sea buckthorn polysaccharides(HRPs)obtained by the commonly used hot water(HRP-W),pressurized hot water(HRP-H),ultrasonic(HRP-U),acid(HRP-C)and alkali(HRP-A)assisted extraction methods were investigated.The results demonstrated that extraction methods had significant effects on extraction yield,monosaccharide composition,molecular weight,particle size,triple-helical structure,and surface morphology of HRPs except for the major linkage bands.Thermogravimetric analysis showed that HRP-U with filamentous reticular microstructure exhibited better thermal stability.The HRP-A with the lowest molecular weight and highest arabinose content possessed the best antioxidant activities.Moreover,the rheological analysis indicated that HRPs with higher galacturonic acid content and molecular weight showed higher viscosity and stronger crosslinking network(HRP-C,HRP-W and HRP-U),which exhibited stronger bile acid binding capacity.The present findings provide scientific evidence in the preparation technology of sea buckthorn polysaccharides with good antioxidant and bile acid binding capacity which are related to the structure affected by the extraction methods.

Catalytic Systems Containing p-Toluenesulfonic Acid for the Coupling Reaction of Formaldehyde and Methyl Formate

The coupling reaction of formaldehyde （FA） and methyl formate （MF） to form methyl glycolate （MG） and methyl methoxy acetate （MMAc）, catalyzed by p-toluenesulfonic acid （p-TsOH） as well as assisted by different kinds of solvents or Ni-containing compounds, had been investigated. The results showed that when the reaction was carried out at 140 ℃, with a molar ratio of FA to MF of 0.65 ： 1, molar fraction of p-TsOH to total feedstock of 11.0%, and reaction time of 3 h, the yield of MG and MMAc was 31.1% and 17.1%, respectively, p-TsOH catalyzed the coupling reaction by means of the synergistic catalysis of protonic acidity and soft basicity. Adding extra solvents to the reaction system was unfavorable for the reaction. The composite catalytic system consisting of p-TsOH and NiX2 （X=Cl, Br, I） exhibited a high catalytic performance for the coupling reaction, and NiX2 acted as a promoter in the reaction, whose promotion for the catalysis increased in the following order： NiCl2〈NiBr2〈NiI2. The present system is less corrosive when compared with the previous system, in which strong inorganic liquid acids were used as catalysts.

Enabling heterogeneous catalysis to achieve carbon neutrality: Directional catalytic conversion of CO_(2) into carboxylic acids

The increase in anthropogenic carbon dioxide(CO_(2))emissions has exacerbated the deterioration of the global environment,which should be controlled to achieve carbon neutrality.Central to the core goal of achieving carbon neutrality is the utilization of CO_(2) under economic and sustainable conditions.Recently,the strong need for carbon neutrality has led to a proliferation of studies on the direct conversion of CO_(2) into carboxylic acids,which can effectively alleviate CO_(2) emissions and create high-value chemicals.The purpose of this review is to present the application prospects of carboxylic acids and the basic principles of CO_(2) conversion into carboxylic acids through photo-,electric-,and thermal catalysis.Special attention is focused on the regulation strategy of the activity of abundant catalysts at the molecular level,inspiring the preparation of high-performance catalysts.In addition,theoretical calculations,advanced technologies,and numerous typical examples are introduced to elaborate on the corresponding process and influencing factors of catalytic activity.Finally,challenges and prospects are provided for the future development of this field.It is hoped that this review will contribute to a deeper understanding of the conversion of CO_(2) into carboxylic acids and inspire more innovative breakthroughs.

Abiotic stress treatment reveals expansin like A gene OfEXLA1 improving salt and drought tolerance of Osmanthus fragrans by responding to abscisic acid

Sweet osmanthus(Osmanthus fragrans) is a having general approval aromatic tree in China that is widely applied to landscaping and gardening. However, the evergreen tree adaptability is limited by many environmental stresses. Currently, limited information is available regarding the genetic analysis and functional identification of expansin genes in response to abiotic stress in sweet osmanthus. In this study, a total of 29 expansin genes were identified and divided into four groups by genome-wide analysis from the sweet osmanthus genome. Transcriptome and quantitative Real-time PCR analysis showed that the cell wall-localized protein expansin-like A(OfEXLA1) gene was significantly induced by salt and drought treatment. Histochemical GUS staining of transgenic Arabidopsis lines in which GUS activity was driven with the OfEXLA1 promoter, GUS activity was significantly induced by salt, drought, and exogenous abscisic acid(ABA). In yeast, we found OfEXLA1overexpression significantly improved the population of cells compared with wild-type strains after NaCl and polyethylene glycol(PEG)treatment. Additionally, OfEXLA1 overexpression not only promoted plant growth, but also improved the salt and drought tolerance in Arabidopsis. To gain insight into the role of ABA signaling in the regulation of OfEXLA1 improving abiotic tolerance in sweet osmanthus, four differentially expressed ABA Insensitive 5(ABI5)-like genes(OfABL4, OfABL5, OfABL7, and OfABL8) were identified from transcriptome, and dualluciferase(dual-LUC) and yeast one hybrid(Y1H) assay showed that OfABL4 and OfABL5 might bind to OfEXLA1 promoter to accumulate the OfEXLA1 expression by responding to ABA signaling to improve abiotic tolerance in sweet osmanthus. These results provide the information for understanding the molecular functions of expansin-like A gene and molecular breeding of sweet osmanthus in future.

Bile acids,gut microbiota,and therapeutic insights in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a prevalent and aggressive liver malignancy.The interplay between bile acids(BAs)and the gut microbiota has emerged as a critical factor in HCC development and progression.Under normal conditions,BA metabolism is tightly regulated through a bidirectional interplay between gut microorganisms and BAs.The gut microbiota plays a critical role in BA metabolism,and BAs are endogenous signaling molecules that help maintain liver and intestinal homeostasis.Of note,dysbiotic changes in the gut microbiota during pathogenesis and cancer development can disrupt BA homeostasis,thereby leading to liver inflammation and fibrosis,and ultimately contributing to HCC development.Therefore,understanding the intricate interplay between BAs and the gut microbiota is crucial for elucidating the mechanisms underlying hepatocarcinogenesis.In this review,we comprehensively explore the roles and functions of BA metabolism,with a focus on the interactions between BAs and gut microorganisms in HCC.Additionally,therapeutic strategies targeting BA metabolism and the gut microbiota are discussed,including the use of BA agonists/antagonists,probiotic/prebiotic and dietary interventions,fecal microbiota transplantation,and engineered bacteria.In summary,understanding the complex BA-microbiota crosstalk can provide valuable insights into HCC development and facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic approaches for liver malignancy.

Harnessing dimethyl ether and methyl formate fuels for direct electrochemical energy conversion

In this work,the oxidation of a mixture of dimethyl ether(DME) and methyl formate(MF) was studied in both an aqueous electrochemical cell and a vapor-fed polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell(PEMFC)utilizing a multi-metallic alloy catalyst,Pt_(3)Pd_(3)Sn_(2)/C,discovered earlier by us.The current obtained during the bulk oxidation of a DME-saturated 1 M MF was higher than the summation of the currents provided by the two fuels separately,suggesting the cooperative effect of mixing these fuels.A significant increase in the anodic charge was realized during oxidative stripping of a pre-adsorbed DME+MF mixture as compared to DME or MF individually.This is ascribed to greater utilization of specific catalytic sites on account of the relatively lower adsorption energy of the dual-molecules than of the sum of the individual molecules as confirmed by the density fu nctional theory(DFT) calculations.Fuel cell polarization was also conducted using a Pt_(3)Pd_(3)Sn_(2)/C(anode) and Pt/C(cathode) catalysts-coated membrane(CCM).The enhanced surface coverage and active site utilization resulted in providing a higher peak power density by the DME+MF mixture-fed fuel cell(123 mW cm^(-2)at 0.45 V) than with DME(84mW cm^(-2)at 0.35 V) or MF(28 mW cm^(-2)at 0.2 V) at the same total anode hydrocarbon flow rate,temperature,and ambient pressure.

Blood glucose-lowering activity of protocatechuic acid is mediated by inhibiting a-glucosidase

α-Glucosidase inhibitors are effective in controlling postprandial hyperglycemia,which play crucial roles in the management of type 2 diabetes.Protocatechuic acid(PCA)is one of phenolic acids existing not only in various plant foods but also as a major microbial metabolite of dietary anthocyanins in the large colon.The present study investigated the inhibitory mechanism of PCA on a-glucosidase in vitro and examined its effect on postprandial blood glucose levels in vivo.Results from in vitro experiments demonstrated that PCA was a mix-type inhibitor of a-glucosidase.Driven by hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions,PCA reversibly bound withα-glucosidase to form a stable a-glucosidase-PCA complex in a spontaneous manner.The computational simulation found that PCA could insert into the active cavity of a-glucosidase and establish hydrogen bonds with catalytic amino acid residues.PCA binding aroused the steric hindrance for substrates to enter active sites and caused the structural changes of interacted catalytic amino acid residues.PCA also exhibited postprandial hypoglycemic capacity in diabetic mice.This study may provide the theoretical basis for the application of PCA as an active ingredient of functional foods in dietary management of diabetes.

Shikimic acid accelerates phase change and flowering in Chinese jujube

The juvenile-to-adult phase change with first flowering as the indicator plays a crucial role in the lifecycle of fruit trees. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying phase change in fruit trees remain largely unknown. Shikimic acid (ShA) pathway is a main metabolic pathway closely related to the synthesis of hormones and many important secondary metabolites participating in plant phase change. So,whether ShA regulates phase change in plants is worth clarifying. Here, the distinct morphological characteristics and the underlying mechanisms of phase change in jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), an important fruit tree native to China with nutritious fruit and outstanding tolerance abiotic stresses, were clarified. A combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis found that ShA is positively involved in jujube(Yuhong’×Xing 16’) phase change. The genes in the upstream of ShA synthesis pathway (ZjDAHPS, ZjDHQS and ZjSDH), the contents of ShA and the downstream secondary metabolites like phenols were significantly upregulated in the phase change period. Further, the treatment of spraying exogenous ShA verified that ShA at a very low concentration (60 mg·L^(-1)) can substantially speed up the phase change and flowering of jujube and other tested plants including Arabidopsis, tomato and wheat. The exogenous ShA (60 mg·L^(-1)) treatment in jujube seedlings could increase the accumulation of endogenous ShA, enhance leaf photosynthesis and the synthesis of phenols especially flavonoids and phenolic acids, and promote the expression of genes (ZjCOs, ZjNFYs and ZjPHYs) involved in flowering pathway. Basing on above results, we put forward a propose for the underlying mechanism of ShA regulating phase change, and a hypothesis that ShA could be considered a phytohormone-like substance because it is endogenous, ubiquitous, movable and highly efficient at very low concentrations. This study highlights the critical role of ShA in plant phase change and its phytohormone-like properties.