Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Weihong Song, Qinglian Du, Xiancheng Li, Shuizhong Wang, Guoyong Song
Summary: Catechyl lignin (C-lignin) is a promising biopolymer for the synthesis of bioactive molecules. Diversified transformations of propenylcatechol, a depolymerized product of C-lignin, were reported, resulting in the preparation of functional molecular skeletons for pharmaceuticals and bioactive molecules. The study demonstrated the low carbon footprint and high-quality production of bioactive molecules from C-lignin.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Bixia Fu, Gezhi Xiao, Yang Zhang, Jifeng Yuan
Summary: This study demonstrated the efficient conversion of lignin-derived substrates into gallic acid using Escherichia coli-based whole-cell biocatalytic systems. The synthesis of gallic acid from ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid was achieved with high conversion rates under optimal conditions, representing a promising approach for eco-friendly production of gallic acid from renewable feedstocks derived from lignin.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ivana Maric, Yiming Guo, Maximilian J. L. J. Furst, Korneel Van Aelst, Sander Van den Bosch, Mario De Simone, Ligia O. Martins, Bert F. Sels, Marco W. Fraaije
Summary: This study successfully produced high-yield vanillin from 4-n-propylguaiacol in lignin oil using recombinant Escherichia coli cells. It provides an environmentally friendly, efficient, and sustainable route for vanillin production and demonstrates the robustness and applicability of the employed biocatalysts.
ADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhenping Cai, Rujia Chen, Hao Zhang, Fukun Li, Jinxing Long, Lilong Jiang, Xuehui Li
Summary: The study introduces an efficient method for converting lignocellulose into diethyl maleate using a polyoxometalate ionic liquid in ethanol, achieving high yield and selectivity from corn stalk without the need for pretreatment. The performance of the ionic liquid catalyst was found to be superior to traditional catalysts, indicating a promising route for producing bio-based bulk chemicals.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Javier Fernandez-Rodriguez, Xabier Erdocia, Maria Gonzalez Alriols, Jalel Labidi
Summary: This study discusses the extraction and depolymerization of lignin from lignocellulosic waste streams, comparing the impact of different methods on phenolic monomer yields, energy requirements, and production costs. Direct depolymerization from black liquors yields higher phenolic monomer content compared to depolymerization of precipitated lignin, which leads to increased production costs but improved depolymerization performance in terms of obtaining desirable phenolic oil products.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luyan Sun, Kungang Chai, Liqin Zhou, Dankui Liao, Hongbing Ji
Summary: In this study, lignin-based aromatic porous polymers (LAPPs) were successfully synthesized for the removal of BPAF from aqueous solution with excellent adsorption performance in various conditions. The comprehensive analysis indicated that n-n interactions and pore adsorption may jointly drive the uptake process of BPAF by LAPPs, providing new insights into the development of advanced lignin-based adsorbents for water treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
C. Coffano, A. Porta, C. G. Visconti, F. Rabino, G. Franzoni, B. Picutti, L. Lietti
Summary: This study investigates the one-pot conversion of CO2 into lower olefins using a physical mixture of a methanol synthesis catalyst and a methanol-to-olefins (MTO) zeolite. The individual reactions are tested under CO2 to olefins conditions, providing insights on the reaction mechanism and catalyst stability. The operating conditions and the effects of different catalyst samples are analyzed. The study also compares the methanol-mediated and modified Fischer-Tropsch (MFT) routes, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each reaction pathway.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ling Xu, Xilei Lyu, Yuxi Jiang, Xiwen Wei, Renfeng Nie, Xiuyang Lu
Summary: A new cascade catalytic system was developed for the one-pot production of FDM from glucose and polysaccharides, achieving high yields under mild reaction conditions. This system shows great potential for industrial applications in biomass transformation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Meng Yuan, Changsheng Li, Bingjie Zhang, Jianli Wang, Jianhui Zhu, Jiawen Ji, Yongqiang Ma
Summary: A mild and one-pot activation approach of activated carbon using boric acid as the activator for the adsorption of tetracyclines antibiotics in water was studied. Boric acid activated carbon (BAC) from bioresource showed higher removal efficiency than biochar and had a maximum adsorption capacity of 173.9 mg/g for TCs. The interactions between BAC and TCs were identified as hydrogen bond interaction, pi-pi interaction, and electrostatic interaction, influenced by the surface charge of BAC and TCs' ions species in different pH environments. Adsorption kinetics, isotherm models, and thermodynamics were thoroughly studied, demonstrating a spontaneous and favorable process.
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Dibyajyoti Haldar, Pinaki Dey, Jibu Thomas, Reeta Rani Singhania, Anil Kumar Patel
Summary: This article critically reviews the advancements in one-pot reaction systems for the production of value-added products from lignocellulosic biomass. It highlights the novelty of one-pot reactions in the fractionation of biomass into individual constituents and discusses the importance of direct conversion of cellulose and lignin into valuable products. The article also explores the opportunities, challenges, and possible solutions in lignocellulosic biorefinery.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haixu Wang, Dongjie Yang, Wenlong Xiong, Weifeng Liu, Xueqing Qiu
Summary: The study utilized modified amphipathic lignin as a modifier for silica to prepare hydrophobic lignin/SiO2 nanoparticles using a one-pot co-precipitation method, resulting in improved mechanical properties of high-density polyethylene.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaoqi Wang, Mo Qiu, Yiwei Tang, Jirui Yang, Feng Shen, Xinhua Qi, Yingliang Yu
Summary: By synthesizing sulfonated lignin-derived ordered mesoporous carbon solid acid using the EISA method, a high xylose conversion rate and furfural yield were achieved. The catalyst showed excellent stability and reusability, making it suitable for catalytic conversion of xylan.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yiming Guo, Laura Alvigini, Mohammad Saifuddin, Ben Ashley, Milos Trajkovic, Lur Alonso-Cotchico, Andrea Mattevi, Marco W. Fraaije
Summary: This study presents a one-pot biocatalytic cascade reaction for the efficient synthesis of racemic syringaresinol, a valuable compound in nutraceutical and polymer chemistry. The process utilizes renewable lignocellulosic material and involves the engineering of enzymes to achieve high conversion and chemoselectivity. The study demonstrates the potential for the biocatalytic production of syringaresinol from renewable sources.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuxin Tian, Yanbo Yin, Zuoyu Jia, Hongming Lou, Haifeng Zhou
Summary: In this study, nitrogen-doped magnetic porous carbon (M-PLAC) with a three-dimensional porous structure was successfully synthesized for the adsorption of organic pollutants in wastewater. The material exhibited high adsorption capacity and selectivity for methylene blue and tetracycline, and demonstrated good performance and regeneration ability in various complex water environments.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Nahyeon Lee, Yong Tae Kim, Jechan Lee
Summary: This review explores the potential of using lignin derived from lignocellulosic biomass as a source of platform chemicals for bio-based polymers. It discusses routes to produce renewable aromatic aldehydes from lignin feedstocks and their conversion to various bio-based polymers. Challenges and prospects of producing lignin-derived renewable chemicals and polymers are also highlighted.
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Physical
Frank Hollmann, Rafael Luque, Giovanni Talarico, Takashi Tatsumi, Ning Yan, Jeong Woo Han, In Kyu Song
MOLECULAR CATALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jingting Song, Zhongxin Chen, Xiangbin Cai, Xin Zhou, Gaolei Zhan, Runlai Li, Pingping Wei, Ning Yan, Shibo Xi, Kian Ping Loh
Summary: Reducing the particle size in supported metal catalysts to single-atom level isolates the active sites and maximizes atomic utilization efficiency. However, the large inter-atom distance in low-loading single-atom catalysts is not favorable for complex reactions. This study demonstrates that reducing the inter-atom distance of copper catalysts supported on carbon nitride allows for dinuclear-type coactivation at adjacent metal sites.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Max J. Hulsey, Victor Fung, Xudong Hou, Jishan Wu, Ning Yan
Summary: Hydrogen spillover is a common phenomenon in chemical processes, but there is still a lack of understanding about its kinetics, the structural evolution of catalysts, and the role of spilled over hydrogen in catalysis. In this study, a solubilized polyoxometalate-supported single-atom catalyst was used to provide insights into these questions. It was found that hydrogen spillover can be either detrimental or beneficial for catalysis, depending on the nature of the reducible functional group. Similar trends were observed on the Pt/WO3 catalyst, which is one of the most prototypical hydrogen spillover catalysts.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinquan Chang, Max J. Hulsey, Sikai Wang, Maoshuai Li, Xinbin Ma, Ning Yan
Summary: Researchers report a new electrothermal water-gas shift (WGS) process that combines the thermal oxidation of CO and electrocatalytic H2 evolution to obtain high-purity H2 streams. By using a silicomolybdic acid-supported Pd single-atom catalyst and phosphomolybdic acid as a redox mediator, the two half-reactions are coupled to achieve stable H2 production with a purity consistently exceeding 99.99%.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gokalp Gozaydin, Qiming Sun, Myungwon Oh, Songhyun Lee, Minkee Choi, Yue Liu, Ning Yan
Summary: In this study, a method for hydrolyzing untreated chitin using low-cost and recyclable zeolites in a LiBr solution was reported. SAPO-34 and SSZ-13 zeolites showed superior performance. The work establishes a pathway for chitin hydrolysis using solid heterogeneous catalysts.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Max J. Hulsey, Sikai Wang, Bin Zhang, Shipeng Ding, Ning Yan
Summary: Single-atom catalysts offer unique advantages but are often intrinsically ill-defined. In this Account, we describe approaches to break down the complexity of supported single-atom catalysts through the careful choice of oxide supports with specific binding motives as well as the adsorption of well-defined ligands. We utilized polyoxometalate-supported single-atom catalysts as ideal systems for the in situ spectroscopic study of single atom sites during reactions.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiong Cheng, Arunmozhiarasi Armugam, Yang Yang, Fangming Jin, Yugen Zhang, Ning Yan
Summary: This study presents a convenient method for the synthesis of N,N-dimethyl chitosan oligosaccharide (DMCOS) from chitin. The synthesis protocol involves acid-catalyzed tandem depolymerization-deacetylation-N-methylation reactions using formaldehyde as the methylation reagent. The resulting DMCOS exhibits a high degree of deacetylation, a high degree of methylation, and a low average molecular weight, and shows superior antifungal activity against Candida species compared to chitosan.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kyungho Lee, Paulo C. D. Mendes, Hyungmin Jeon, Yizhen Song, Maxim Park Dickieson, Uzma Anjum, Luwei Chen, Tsung-Cheng Yang, Chia-Min Yang, Minkee Choi, Sergey M. Kozlov, Ning Yan
Summary: Metal promotion is commonly used to enhance the hydrogenation functionality of an oxide catalyst, but insufficient hydrogen delivery may compromise the enhancement effect. In this study, the authors introduced a strategy to promote a ZnZrOx methanol synthesis catalyst by optimizing the integration of ZnZrOx and Pd supported on carbon nanotube (Pd/CNT) to improve hydrogen activation and delivery. The Pd/CNT + ZnZrOx system demonstrated a 10-fold enhancement compared to the conventional Pd-promoted ZnZrOx catalyst in delivering hydrogen to a broad area on the ZnZrOx surface. It exhibited significantly boosted activity and excellent stability in CO2 hydrogenation to methanol, showing potential for practical implementation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ke Liu, Feilong Xing, Yiying Xiao, Ning Yan, Ken-ichi Shimizu, Shinya Furukawa
Summary: A pseudo-binary alloy catalyst (Ni0.5Co0.5)3Ge/SiO2 has been developed to improve the durability and reusability of dry reforming of methane. The formation of pseudo-binary alloy structure was confirmed through various characterization techniques. The alloy exhibited high catalytic activity and remarkable thermal stability even below the equilibrium conversion, which was attributed to the optimal modification of C-H activation ability by doping Co to Ni3Ge.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ying Zheng, Qiang Wang, Qi Yang, Sikai Wang, Max Joshua Hulsey, Shipeng Ding, Shinya Furukawa, Maoshuai Li, Ning Yan, Xinbin Ma
Summary: This study tunes the local coordination environment of Rh single atoms on CeO2 through calcination, creating a highly active hydroformylation catalyst. Rh single atoms on CeO2 calcined at a high temperature exhibit more oxygen vacancies, leading to the formation of a large amount of low-coordination Rh active species that are more active for hydroformylation. The best Rh/CeO2 catalyst achieved a TOF of approximately 5000 h(-1) and 100% aldehyde selectivity in propylene hydroformylation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yong You, Peijie Han, Song Song, Wei Luo, Shengnan Zhao, Kaijie Han, Ye Tian, Ning Yan, Xingang Li
Summary: This study reports the efficient and selective conversion of lignocellulose-derived α-hydroxyl acids to tartaric acid derivatives, α-keto acids, and H2 using Pt-modified CdS catalysts in a solar-driven photocatalytic process. The Pt nanoparticles on CdS selectively produce tartaric acid derivatives via C-C coupling, while atomically dispersed Pt on CdS switches product selectivity to the oxidation reaction to produce α-keto acids. The study highlights the unique performance of metal sulfides in coupling reactions and demonstrates a strategy for rationally tuning product selectivity by engineering the interaction between metal sulfide and cocatalyst.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiong Cheng, Arunmozhiarasi Armugam, Yang Yang, Fangming Jin, Yugen Zhang, Ning Yan
Summary: The group of Ning Yan at the National University of Singapore presents a powerful antimicrobial 'weapon' produced by modified oligosaccharides from marine biomass, with the aid of a formaldehyde 'booster'. The Research Article itself can be accessed at 10.1002/cssc.202300591.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thuy Trang Pham, Zhen Guo, Bing Li, Alexei A. Lapkin, Ning Yan
Summary: This study developed a protocol to identify potential transformation pathways for the use of feedstocks from different origins. By analyzing existing knowledge on chemical reactions in large databases, several promising synthetic routes were shortlisted. The reaction of D-glucosamine and pyruvic acid was considered the most interesting pathway to produce pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (PCA). Optimized synthetic conditions resulted in 50% yield of PCA, with insights gained from temperature variant NMR studies.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kyungho Lee, Hao Yan, Qiming Sun, Zhenhua Zhang, Ning Yan
Summary: The conversion of CO2 to formate/formic acid and methanol is a promising method for utilizing CO2 in chemical and fuel synthesis, as well as reducing CO2 emissions. Creating efficient catalysts that can activate CO2 and H2 and selectively produce the desired products is a significant challenge. Recent advances in material synthesis and characterization techniques have allowed for a systematic understanding of catalytic reactions and the development of mechanism-guided catalysts.
ACCOUNTS OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yiying Xiao, Chia Wei Lim, Jinquan Chang, Qixin Yuan, Lei Wang, Ning Yan
Summary: Electrocatalytic reductive amination (ERA) is a promising method for synthesizing organonitrogen chemicals from renewable feedstocks. In this study, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used as an efficient catalyst for converting α-keto acids derived from biomass into amino acids using NH3 as the nitrogen source. The catalytic activity of CNTs for the conversion of 2-ketoglutaric acid into glutamic acid was significantly enhanced by increasing the intrinsic defects through ball milling treatment. The ERA process exhibited high faradaic efficiency and molar yield of glutamic acid.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xuemei Liu, Chaonan Cui, Shuoshuo Wei, Jinyu Han, Xinli Zhu, Qingfeng Ge, Hua Wang
Summary: This study presents a new strategy for designing efficient photocatalysts that can convert CO2 into hydrocarbons by utilizing synergistic catalytic sites. The findings provide a solution for the selective photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CH4.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chengxian Hu, Dan Wang, Lu Wang, Ying Fu, Zhengyin Du
Summary: A novel one-pot, three-component reaction conducted under electrochemical conditions was studied. The reaction involved 2-aminothiophenols, aldehydes, and malononitrile, using TBABF4 as an electrolyte and CuI as a catalyst. The proposed reaction mechanism suggested that CuI served as an electron relay. This method offers simplified operation, high atom economy, and mild reaction conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhi Yang, Yu Chen, Linxi Wan, Yuxiao Li, Dan Chen, Jianlin Tao, Pei Tang, Fen-Er Chen
Summary: A highly enantioselective method for the complete hydrogenation of pyrimidinium salts using Ir/(S,S)-f-Binaphane complex as the catalyst was developed. This method provides easy access to fully saturated chiral hexahydropyrimidines, which are prevalent in many bioactive molecules. The reactions exhibit high yields and enantioselectivities under mild reaction conditions without additives. Successful application of this methodology in a continuous flow fashion further extends its practical utility.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tina Jeoh, Jennifer Danger Nill, Wujun Zhao, Sankar Raju Narayanasamy, Liang Chen, Hoi-Ying N. Holman
Summary: In this study, the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose was investigated using real-time infrared spectromicroscopy. The spatial heterogeneity of cellulose was found to impact the hydrolysis kinetics. Hydration affected cellulose ordering, and Cel7A preferentially removed less extensively hydrogen bonded cellulose.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tiphaine Richard, Walid Abdallah, Xavier Trivelli, Mathieu Sauthier, Clement Dumont
Summary: An effective method of grafting functionalities onto lignin based on glycerol carbonate has been developed using an efficient nickel-catalysed telomerisation reaction. This method allows lignin to have new reactive functions and reduces the glass transition temperatures of modified lignins, thereby expanding the application range of lignin-based resins.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jing Qi, Xiyan Wang, Gan Wang, Srinivas Reddy Dubbaka, Patrick ONeill, Hwee Ting Ang, Jie Wu
Summary: This study presents a green and environmentally friendly approach for the synthesis of imides using electrocatalytic oxidation with H2O as the oxygen source. The method eliminates the need for toxic or expensive oxidants and achieves high yields under mild reaction conditions. It shows broad substrate compatibility and potential for industrial applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Babasaheb Sopan Gore, Lin-Wei Pan, Jun-Hao Lin, Yi-Chi Luo, Jeh-Jeng Wang
Summary: Here, we report a visible light-promoted intramolecular radical cascade reaction for the construction of fluorenol and naphthalene-fused cyclopropyl carbaldehyde derivatives. This method offers mild reaction conditions, a broad substrate scope, excellent step efficiency, and scalability, without the need for external chemical oxidants. The novelty of this protocol was demonstrated by synthesizing chrysene analogs and performing late-stage functionalizations.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Juho Antti Sirvio, Idamaria Romakkaniemi, Juha Ahola, Svitlana Filonenko, Juha P. Heiskanen, Ari Ammala
Summary: This article discusses the method of using supramolecular interaction between an aromatic hydrogen bond donor and lignin to achieve rapid delignification of softwood at low temperatures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yunyan Meng, Chunxiang Pan, Na Liu, Hongjiang Li, Zixiu Liu, Yao Deng, Zixiang Wei, Jianbin Xu, Baomin Fan
Summary: A novel visible light-driven synthesis method for 2,3-diamines has been developed, which has mild conditions, avoids the use of metal reagents, and can synthesize diamines and diols in one pot.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mingqing Huang, Haiyang Huang, Mengyao You, Xinxin Zhang, Longgen Sun, Chao Chen, Zhichao Mei, Ruchun Yang, Qiang Xiao
Summary: A direct air-oxidized strategy for the synthesis of benzo[b]phosphole oxides was developed in this study. Arylphosphine oxides were transformed into phosphinoyl radicals, which were further combined with various alkynes to achieve the desired products. DFT calculations revealed the mechanism of phosphinoyl radical formation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anwei Wang, Jiayin Huang, Chunsheng Zhao, Yu Fan, Junfeng Qian, Qun Chen, Mingyang He, Weiyou Zhou
Summary: This study demonstrates an innovative strategy for the aerobic oxidation of C(sp(3))-H bonds using gamma-valerolactone. By optimizing the reaction conditions and utilizing specific catalysts, efficient oxidation of C(sp(3))-H bonds is achieved with good chemoselectivity in certain cases.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shun Li, Likai Tong, Zhijian Peng, Bo Zhang, Xiuli Fu
Summary: Sulfide compounds show promise as electrocatalysts for water splitting, but their performance is limited by factors such as limited active sites and hindered substance transport. This study successfully prepared a high-entropy sulfide (ZnCoMnFeAlMg)(9)S-8, which reduced grain size and increased specific surface area, enabling the realization of a dual-functional catalyst with multiple catalytic sites. High entropy also modulated the electronic properties of sulfides, reducing the potential energy barrier for hydrolysis. This research introduces a new approach for functionalizing high entropy nanomaterials and improves the performance of water splitting catalysts.