Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Umair Qasim, Sikander Rafiq, Farrukh Jamil, Ashfaq Ahmed, Touqeer Ali, Jaan Kers, M. Shahzad Khurram, Murid Hussain, Abrar Inayat, Young-Kwon Park
Summary: This article discusses the application of ionic liquids in lignocellulose processing and highlights their advantages over traditional chemicals and solvents. It also identifies areas for future research, such as the synthesis of low-cost ionic liquids and the integration of ionic liquid pretreatment processes.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ahmed Salama
Summary: The synthesis and characterization of a novel cellulose derivative as a sustainable adsorbent for cationic and anionic dyes are described. The cellulose derivative demonstrated efficient adsorption for methylene blue and methyl orange removal.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Suellen Rocha Vieira, Jania Betania Alves da Silva, Janice Izabel Druzian, Denilson de Jesus Assis, Cassamo Ussemane Mussage, Jorge Fernando Brandao Pereira, Valeria Carvalho Santos-Ebinuma, Paulo Vitor Franca Lemos, Paulo Romano Correia, Ederlan de Souza Ferreira, Carolina Oliveira de Souza
Summary: This study presents an eco-friendly method for producing cellulose nanoparticles using an ionic liquid, and evaluates their effects in starch and chitosan films. The incorporation of the nanoparticles results in a reduction of water vapor permeability and increased flexibility in starch films, while improving the thermal stability of chitosan films.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gamal Abdalla Suliman Haron, Hamayoun Mahmood, Mohd Hilmi Noh, Md Zahangir Alam, Muhammad Moniruzzaman
Summary: The crisis in the petrochemical industry and environmental pollution have led to a focus on the valorization of nanocellulose production from naturally occurring biopolymers. This review discusses the recent technological developments in utilizing ionic liquids as green solvents for biopolymer processing, highlighting their applications in NC production and their impact on structural and surface modifications of nanocellulose.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qiaoling Liu, Yang Wang, Jing Bian, Ming-Fei Li, Jun-Li Ren, Xiang Hao, Feng Peng
Summary: Developing green and effective solvents is important for utilizing lignin. Biomass-derived polar aprotic solvents were used as co-solvents with poly-deep eutectic solvents (PDESs) to highly dissolve various lignin samples at room temperature. The addition of polar aprotic solvents significantly increased lignin solubility, providing a new avenue for the high utilization of lignin.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuxin Wu, Yuncheng Ding, Jianhong Xu, Yundong Wang, Kathryn Mumford, Geoffrey W. Stevens, Weiyang Fei
Summary: The study developed a continuous-flow microreaction system for the synthesis of propylene carbonate, and comprehensively evaluated the effects of reaction temperature, molar fraction of catalyst, operating pressure, residence time, molar ratio of CO2/PO, and recycling performance of catalyst on the overall performances. Under different reaction conditions, the flow patterns varied between slug flow and annular flow. The results showed that at 140 degrees C and 3.0 MPa with a residence time of 166 s, the yield of propylene carbonate (PC) can reach 99.7%, and the recycling performance of the designed system greatly conforms the future trend of green chemistry.
GREEN ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marc Kostag, Kerstin Jedvert, Omar A. El Seoud
Summary: This review explores composites prepared from cellulose and silk fibroin for tissue engineering applications. The discussion on molecular structures, dissolution mechanisms, and fabrication and characterization of these materials reveals that they exhibit improved mechanical properties compared to precursor biopolymers, making them excellent candidates for biomedical applications due to their inherent biocompatibility.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wanyi Xie, Shixuan He, Shaoxi Fang, Bohua Yin, Rong Tian, Yunjiao Wang, Deqiang Wang
Summary: This paper proposes the use of glass nanopore technology to detect a single molecule of starch dissolved in ionic liquid [1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BmimCl)]. The influence of BmimCl on nanopore detection is discussed, showing that strong polar ionic liquids can disrupt charge distribution and increase detection noise. The motion behavior of starch near the nanopore entrance and the dominant ion of starch in the BmimCl dissolution process are analyzed using characteristic current signals. Additionally, the dissolution mechanism of amylose and amylopectin in BmimCl is briefly discussed using nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Giulia Fiorani, Alvise Perosa, Maurizio Selva
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the reactions and applications of various organic carbonates and enol esters for the functionalization and upgrading of renewable compounds. Five sections cover the synthetic methods of organic carbonates, their reactions as alkylating, carboxylating, and acylating agents, and their use as solvents. The review also discusses the pros and cons of different methods and suggests areas for future research and analysis.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Haote Liu, Lin Cao, Xiao Wang, Congjie Xu, Haoling Huo, Bixia Jiang, Hong Yuan, Zhidan Lin, Peng Zhang
Summary: The study aims to enhance the feasibility of early diagnosis of Parkinsonism by preparing CGTX-IX composite hydrogels. These hydrogels show good mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and adhesion, and can effectively detect human movements and actions.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yimian Tang, Han Yang, Silvia Vignolini
Summary: This review summarizes the recent strategies for producing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and evaluates their environmental impact. CNCs, derived from abundant and renewable biomass, have significant potential as low carbon footprint nanomaterials for various applications. The review focuses on greener isolation methods and qualitatively evaluates the environmental impact of each production method. The properties of CNCs obtained are also discussed, along with the necessary steps to promote their development in the industrial context.
ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dan Chen, Zhe Zhao, Yingying Wu, Sangeeta Prakash, Jie Wan
Summary: The dissolution behavior of three different corn starches (CS, HACS, and WCS) in two ionic liquids ([AMIM]Cl and [BMIM]Cl) was studied, and the structural and thermal properties of the regenerated starch were analyzed. WCS, with the lowest amylose content, showed the fastest dissolution rate, the most extensive structural damage, the lowest solubility, and required the most energy for dissolution. During the dissolution-regeneration process, the A-type crystalline structure of WCS and CS was completely destroyed and transformed into an amorphous structure, while the B-type structure of HACS transformed into an ordered V-shaped structure. Additionally, the thermal stability of the starch improved after dissolution-regeneration in the ILs. Among the two ILs, [AMIM]Cl demonstrated superior ability to dissolve starch with minimal damage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiangli Gao, Huan Liu, Jianbo Shuai, Junmeng Zhao, Guowen Zhou, Quanbo Huang, Hao Ling, Wenjiao Ge, Xiaohui Wang
Summary: A novel ionic liquid, [DBUC8]Cl, was synthesized and found to have stronger alkalinity than other imidazolyl ionic liquids, enabling more efficient dissolution of cellulose. Highly substituted cellulose acetate (CA) was successfully synthesized under mild conditions without the use of a catalyst, and a transparent cellulose acetate film (CAF) was obtained. The new DBU-derived ionic liquid offers a versatile platform for sustainable and efficient production of cellulose-derived bioplastics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yan Zhou, Xiaocheng Zhang, Yaohui Cheng, Jinming Zhang, Qinyong Mi, Chunchun Yin, Jin Wu, Jun Zhang
Summary: In this study, a rapid benzoylation reaction of cellulose was achieved in an ionic liquid, with a newly discovered anion-tunnel transfer effect. The resulting cellulose tribenzoates showed excellent solubility, allowing accurate determination of the molecular weight parameters by gel permeation chromatography.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Elisa Hernandez, Alejandro Belinchon, Elia Ruiz Pachon, Pablo Navarro, Jose Palomar
Summary: This study evaluates the environmental impacts of using ionic liquids in the production of propylene carbonate and proposes a liquid-liquid extraction method as an alternative to traditional distillation-based approaches. The simulations show that tuning operating variables not only improves environmental benefits but also enhances cost-effectiveness. Additionally, the choice of ionic liquids has minimal impact on process sustainability when effective recovery is designed.
ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Alessandra Travanut, Patricia F. Monteiro, Stefan Oelmann, Steven M. Howdle, Anna M. Grabowska, Philip A. Clarke, Alison A. Ritchie, Michael A. R. Meier, Cameron Alexander
Summary: The Passerini three component reaction (Passerini-3CR) is utilized to synthesize an amphiphilic diblock copolymer for drug delivery applications. The versatility of Passerini-3CR allows for customization through post-functionalization, demonstrating potential clinical utility.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Luca Filippi, Michael A. R. Meier
Summary: This work presents a straightforward and efficient synthesis approach for renewable non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) by synthesizing suitable carbamate monomers and sustainable dithiols, followed by polymerization using the thiol-ene reaction. The obtained polymers were characterized by various analytical techniques to confirm their properties and structure.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Kevin A. Waibel, Dafni Moatsou, Michael A. R. Meier
Summary: Linear uniform oligomers are modified with octaethylene glycol monomethyl ether and coupled via azide-alkyne cycloaddition to form uniform star-shaped block macromolecules with a mass ranging from 10 to 14 kDa. Characterized by NMR, ESI-MS, and SEC, these macromolecules are then tested for their ability to encapsulate dye molecules in qualitative solid-liquid phase transfer experiments.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Julian T. Windbiel, Michael A. R. Meier
Summary: The Biginelli reaction was utilized to synthesize a set of 15 new fully renewable poly(3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one)s through a simple one-pot multicomponent approach, showing high glass transition temperatures and good thermal stability.
POLYMER INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Mina Heidari, Kelechukwu N. Onwukamike, Etienne Grau, Stephane Grelier, Henri Cramail, Michael A. R. Meier, Andreas Greiner
Summary: The study utilized the DBU-CO2 switchable solvent system for the direct electrospinning of cellulose, showing promising results. Different cellulose types and combinations with PVA were investigated to achieve unique fiber structures. Challenges in solvent removal and exploration of coagulation collection process for fiber recovery were highlighted.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Kevin A. Waibel, Dennis Barther, Triantafillia Malliaridou, Dafni Moatsou, Michael A. R. Meier
Summary: An efficient isocyanide-based synthesis of S-thiocarbamates was developed, allowing direct conversion of N-formamides into thiocarbamates without the need for isolation and purification of the isocyanide component, thus reducing environmental impact and increasing synthesis efficiency. The method was applied to synthesize a library of sixteen thiocarbamates and investigate reaction mechanism, as well as preparing four norbornene-based thiocarbamate monomers for controlled ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reactions. The resulting polymers were characterized using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and their properties were analyzed with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yasmin S. Raupp, Pia S. Loeser, Silke Behrens, Michael A. R. Meier
Summary: The study found that palladium nanoparticles, stabilized by poly(vinylpyrrolidone), catalyze the ring-opening of limonene dioxide with water, showing selectivity. Different concentrations of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) alone resulted in different selectivities towards exo-cyclic or endo-cyclic epoxide ring-opening.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jonas Wolfs, Roman Nickisch, Lisa Wanner, Michael A. R. Meier
Summary: The study introduces a novel concept combining tandem catalysis and cellulose derivatization, utilizing a single catalyst for three transformations in a DMSO/DBU/CO2 switchable solvent system. Results show that the tandem reaction approach is more beneficial in terms of efficiency and sustainability compared to stepwise synthesis. By analyzing the obtained products, researchers controlled the degree of substitution of O-cellulose thiocarbamates.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Julian T. Windbiel, Michael A. R. Meier
Summary: The research focuses on the synthesis of a renewable methacrylate monomer based on ricinoleic acid, which can be used in radical polymerization techniques like RAFT. Post-polymerization modification using the B-3CR allows for the synthesis of polymers with increased glass transition temperature.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Belen Martin-Matute, Michael A. R. Meier, Thomas-Xavier Metro, Stefan G. Koenig, Helen F. Sneddon, Putla Sudarsanam, Paul Watts
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
David T. Allen, D. Julie Carrier, Jingwen Chen, Nicholas Gathergood, Jeannette M. Garcia, Jinlong Gong, Hongxian Han, King Kuok (Mimi) Hii, Bing-Joe Hwang, Asha Liza James, Mihir Jha, Peter Licence, Andrew C. Marr, Michael Meier, Audrey Moores, Ryuhei Nakamura, Thalappil Pradeep, Liane Rossi, Bert Sels, Bala Subramaniam, Michael K. C. Tam, Lin Zhuang, Julio F. Serrano
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Anja Kirchberg, Masood Khabazian Esfahani, Marie-Christin Roepert, Manfred Wilhelm, Michael A. R. Meier
Summary: This work demonstrates the synthesis of non-isocyanate poly(ester urethane)s in a sustainable manner by obtaining cyclic carbonates from renewable diols and reacting them with renewable 11-amino undecanoic acid methyl ester. Various purification strategies are compared and alternative starting materials are explored. The synthesized materials are fully characterized and their rheological properties are investigated.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Roman Nickisch, Peter Conen, Michael A. R. Meier
Summary: This study presents an easy access to thermoplastic polythiosemicarbazones (polyTSCs) through condensation reaction, resulting in a variety of polymers and copolymers that were thoroughly characterized. The polymerization proceeds at room temperature with broad moiety tolerance, and the synthesized polymers exhibit good thermal stability.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Alessandra Travanut, Patricia F. Monteiro, Sean Smith, Steven M. Howdle, Anna M. Grabowska, Barrie Kellam, Michael A. R. Meier, Cameron Alexander
Summary: Passerini reactions are suitable for the preparation of drug delivery materials, enabling efficient drug conjugation and encapsulation, as well as enhanced efficacy against TNBC cells.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jonas Wolfs, Michael A. R. Meier
Summary: The homogeneous cellulose acetylation process using the DBU/CO2 switchable solvent system is demonstrated to be efficient and sustainable, utilizing vinyl acetate as a benign acetylation agent under mild conditions. It allows for straightforward recyclability of all components with high recycling ratios (87.0-98.9%). Compared to traditional methods, this process shows less cellulose backbone degradation and improved mechanical properties of solvent casted foils, resulting in an E-factor of 1.92 for the overall process, emphasizing sustainability and efficiency.
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.