Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yan Gao, Jing Geng, Zhuosong Xie, Ziying Zhou, Hexian Yang, Hong Yi, Xiaoyang Han, Situ Xue, Zhuorong Li
Summary: This study discovered a compound with affinity for FOXM1 and synthesized a class of ethylene glycol phenyl aminoethyl ether derivatives with anticancer activity through structural optimization. Among them, compound S2 showed strong affinity for FOXM1 and selectively inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells with high expression levels of FOXM1 protein.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Chun-Yeh Chu, Chiung-Cheng Huang, Tai-Wei Tseng, Ping-Hsun Tsai, Ching-Huang Wang, C. Will Chen
Summary: In this study, biodegradable starch-based plastics were enhanced by combining them with LPEEC, resulting in increased tensile strength and elongation at break compared to plastics without LPEEC. The mechanical properties of the plastics were found to be optimized by using LPEEC with specific molecular weight and molecular units.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Gang Wang, Shirun Zhao, Haoyu Yao
Summary: The co-production of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethylene glycol (EG) via transesterification of ethylene carbonate (EC) has been studied using metal chloride-based ionic liquids (ILs) as catalysts. The interaction between cation and methanol, as well as the activation of carbonyl group in EC by metal chloride-contained anion, showed synergistic effects on catalytic transesterification. The reaction rates were affected by the steric hindrance effect of the alkyl group substituted at the N atom in the imidazole ring. The Al2Cl7 species in AlCl3-based IL exhibited activity in the transesterification, and its content showed a linear relationship with the transformative rates of both EC and HEMC. The kinetic studies revealed that the reaction rates were first-order dependent on the concentrations of EC (or HEMC) and methanol, and the formation of HEMC intermediate was the kinetic-relevant step. The catalysis of [MDMIM]Cl/AlCl3 with an AlCl3 molar fraction of 0.67 showed higher performance compared to other metal chloride-based ILs, with a yield and selectivity of DMC (or EG) reaching up to 95% and 97%, respectively, after 12 hours of reaction at 140 degrees C. The IL also demonstrated good recyclability without decay in catalytic activity and selectivity after 10 times' recycling.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yun Li, Meng Dai, Xiaohui Chen, Yongpeng Yang, Mo Yang, Weijia Huang, Ping Cheng
Summary: This study investigates the potential of propylene carbonate (PC) + poly(ethylene glycol) bis(2-ethylhexanoate) (PEGB) as CO2 capture absorbent. The research reveals a synergetic effect between PC and PEGB for easier CO2 absorption. The study also proposes the optimum mass ratio of 0.2513 PC+0.7487 PEGB for promising CO2 capture.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Lin Ng, Adrian Chun Minh Loy, David Mcmanus, Ashwani K. Gupta, Ajit K. Sarmah, Sankar Bhattacharya
Summary: The production of cyclic carbonates is crucial for carbon capture and utilization. Ethylene carbonate (EC) is an important cyclic carbonate used in various industries, but its current synthesis methods face sustainability challenges. To address the growing demand for green chemistry, three greener alternative pathways for EC synthesis have been proposed, involving carbon-based reactants and ethylene glycol derived from biodiesel waste. This Perspective provides a quantitative and qualitative assessment of alternative EC synthesis pathways, highlighting sustainable routes, advancements in kinetic and operational methods, and differences in reactions from thermodynamic, safety, and green production perspectives. The direct carboxylation of CO2 with ethylene glycol emerges as a promising green synthesis route, but challenges such as catalyst development and water inhibition remain. Future prospects for overcoming these challenges in the green manufacturing of EC are discussed, providing valuable insights for advancing carbon capture and utilization.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tongyang Song, Yuanyuan Qi, Aiping Jia, Na Ta, Jiqing Lu, Peng Wu, Xiaohong Li
Summary: In this study, a MoOx-promoted Cu/SiO2 catalyst prepared via a modified hydrothermal method exhibited superior catalytic performance and stability for the hydrogenation of CO2-derived ethylene carbonate to methanol and ethylene glycol. The modification of Cu species by MoOx improved the electronic properties, reduced activation energy, and enhanced Cu+/(Cu-0 + Cu+) ratios, ultimately leading to enhanced selectivity and stability of the catalyst. Additionally, MoOx decoration influenced the strength and quantity of surface acid sites, further improving the catalytic performance.
JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xinwei Chen, Liguo Wang, Chanjuan Zhang, Weixia Tu, Yan Cao, Peng He, Jiachen Li, Huiquan Li
Summary: In this study, the Cu-C@SiO2-R catalyst prepared by ammonia evaporation method showed excellent catalytic performance and stability in ethylene carbonate hydrogenation. The modification with graphite oxide helped maintain the stability of Cu particle size and copper valence balance, improving the catalytic activity of the catalyst.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Abdul Shakoor Shar, Ningning Wang, Tianyu Chen, Xiaoying Zhao, Yunxuan Weng
Summary: This study investigates the use of lignin and low-viscosity epoxy resins as modifiers for poly (lactic acid) (PLA) to improve its thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties. The addition of lignin resulted in an increase in PLA's degradation temperature, crystallinity, tensile strength, and oxygen barrier. The epoxy resins acted as compatibilizers and plasticizers, reducing the glass transition, crystallization, and melting temperatures of the PLA/lignin composites and improving their oxygen barrier properties. These modified PLA/lignin composites show potential for green packaging applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Can Song, Lihong Zhao, Jie Yan, Xu Liang, Guoji Liu, Yuanli Jiang
Summary: Despite progress in coal-to-ethylene glycol technology, the obtained products differ from those produced by petroleum methods. Improving the thermodynamic performance of the system is important, and this study estimated thermodynamic data using the Benson group contribution method and calculated the values of reaction enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, and equilibrium constant in the system. Temperature was found to influence the production of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) in the dimethyl oxalate (DMO) synthesis reaction, and the DMC content affected the spontaneous formation of ethylene carbonate (EC) in the DMO hydrogenation reaction. The results showed that higher temperatures favored DMC generation, and certain limits on DMC content were identified.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yosra Snoussi, Itziar A. Escanciano, Mariana Alvarez Serafini, Neji Besbes, Juan M. Bolivar, Miguel Ladero
Summary: A Tunisian clay rich in inorganic carbonates was found to be an effective catalyst for the transcarbonation reaction between glycerol and ethylene carbonate, resulting in the production of valuable glycerol carbonate and ethylene glycol. The study also demonstrated the stability of the clay catalyst at higher temperatures, suggesting its potential for recycle use. This research is significant in exploring new applications for glycerol and improving the utilization of by-products.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Youwei Yang, Dawei Yao, Mengjiao Zhang, Antai Li, Yueqi Gao, Busha Assaba Fayisa, Mei-Yan Wang, Shouying Huang, Yue Wang, Xinbin Ma
Summary: A series of Mo-doped Cu/SiO2 catalysts were prepared and used for the hydrogenation of ethylene carbonate (EC), with the 0.5 wt% Mo-doped catalyst exhibiting the highest catalytic performance. The addition of Mo can enhance copper dispersion and prevent aggregation, leading to improved activation of EC. The insights gained from this study may help in designing more efficient copper-based catalysts for the hydrogenation of carbon-oxygen bonds.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ting Wang, Xiao-Xing Huang, Lu-Lu Huang, Li-Guang Wu, Dong-Feng Zhu, Guo-Qin Wang, Xiao-Jia Jiang
Summary: In order to reduce emissions in industries such as automotive coatings, the separation and recovery of ethylene glycol butyl ether (EB) from wastewater is crucial. This study focused on using nanomaterials as additives to construct mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for pervaporation separation of EB. The addition of nanomaterials improved the affinity and diffusion process of EB in MMMs, enhancing the separation performance. Surface modification of nanomaterials with polyethylene glycol (PEG) further enhanced the affinity and swelling performance, resulting in improved membrane flux and selectivity. The MMMs with PEG2000-grafted nanomaterials showed the best performance and stability for separating EB compared to commercial membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Borna Bayat, Kambiz Tahvildari, Alireza Hemmati, Amin Bazyari, Ahad Ghaemi
Summary: This study aimed to produce butyl glycol from the etherification of ethylene glycol and n-butanol using heterogenous Amberlyst-15 catalysts in a pressurized reactor tank. By optimizing the reaction conditions, the maximum conversion of ethylene glycol was achieved, with a decrease in catalytic activity observed after four cycles of catalyst reusability. Characterization analyses showed morphological changes and carbon-based sediments in the used catalyst, possibly leading to reduced pore diameter and volume, and ultimately affecting catalytic activity.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ioana Chiulan, Denis Mihaela Panaitescu, Elena-Ruxandra Radu, Sorin Vizireanu, Vera Satulu, Bogdan Bita, Raluca Augusta Gabor, Cristian Andi Nicolae, Monica Raduly, Valentin Raditoiu
Summary: The cellulose nanofibers (CNF) obtained through high-pressure microfluidization were oxidized with 2,6,6-tetra-methylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) to facilitate the grafting of ethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate (EGA). The analysis showed a more efficient grafting of EGA oligomers on the surface of TOCNF, resulting in increased hydrophobicity and reduced porosity. Despite a similar swelling ratio to original CNF grafted with EGA, TOCNF-EGA demonstrated good cytocompatibility and compression strength, making it suitable for applications in regenerative medicine.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Hangchuan Cai, Zhiqi Wang, Di Xie, Panpan Zhao, Jianping Sun, Daoyu Qin, Fangchao Cheng
Summary: Transparent wood was prepared by alkaline pretreatment, bleaching treatment, and impregnation of epoxy resin, resulting in a flexible material with high transparency and outstanding mechanical properties. The research found that the delignification degree and the ratio of epoxy resin addition significantly influenced the optical and mechanical properties of the flexible transparent wood, with an optimal sample achieving high transmittance, ultra-high haze value, excellent flexibility, and mechanical strength. This study broadens the potential applications of transparent wood in flexible wearable devices and materials.
JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
