Ring-Enlargement of Dimethylaminopropenoyl Cyclopropanes: An Efficient Route to Substituted 2,3-Dihydrofurans

A convenient and efficient synthesis of substituted dihydrofurans is developed via ring-enlargement of 1-dimethylaminopropenoyl-1-carbamoyl/benzoyl cycloproparres catalyzed by ammonium acetate in acetic acid with high regio- and stereoselectivity. Some of the newly synthesized substituted dihydrofurans are subjected to further synthetic transformation in the presence of NaOH (aq) in ethanol to afford the corresponding 5-aryl-2,3-dihydrofuro[3,2-c]pyfidin-4(5H)-ones in high yields.

Simple Electrochemical Route to Nanofiber Junctions and Dendrites of Conducting Polymer

We first report a simple and rapid electrochemical approach to synthesize novel nanofiber junctions and dendrites of conducting poly(o-phenylenediamine) without any surfactant or template. Through controlling some parameters such as the time and potential of electrodeposition and concentration of the reactant, nanofiber junctions and dendrites of conducting polymer can be easily obtained on the solid surface.

A novel and efficient route to Se nano/microstructures with controllable phase and shape

In this paper, we demonstrate a novel and efficient route by which the shape-controlled synthesis of t-Se nano/microstructures including nanowires, nanorods, nanobelts, microtubes, and flowers, as well as uniform spheres of a-Se, can be readily realized based on solution-mediated heat treatment with commercially available Se powders. X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS), Raman spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques were used to characterize the samples.

Size-controlled synthesis and characterization of quantum-size SnO2 nanocrystallites by a solvothermal route

By using ethylenediamine as both an alkali and ligand, quantum size SnO2, nanocrystallites were synthesized with a solvothermal route. The transmission electron micrographs (TEM) were employed to characterize the morphologies of the products. The crystal sizes of the as-synthesized SnO2 were ranged form 2.5 to 3.6 nm. The crystal structure and optical properties of the products were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, optical absorption spectra, photoluminescence and Raman spectra.

Template-free, surfactantless route to fabricate In(OH)(3) monocrystalline nanoarchitectures and their conversion to In2O3

In this work, a one-dimensional microrod-based three-dimensional flowerlike indium hydroxide (In(OH)(3)) structure was fabricated, without any templates or surfactants, using a well-known hydrothermal approach at a non-high temperature. In2O3 with similar morphology was formed by annealing In(OH)3 precursors and was characterized by Raman spectrum and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum in detail.

Ag2S morphology controllable via simple template-free solution route

Different morphologies of Ag2S nano- and micro-materials, including spokewise micrometer bars, microfibers, nanowires, worm-like nanoparticles and nanopolyhedrons have been obtained controllably by a facile one-step method at room temperature. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were employed to characterize the structure and compositions of those nanomaterials. Furthermore, ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectra of Ag2S with different morphologies show different spectral features.

Novel Route to 2-Trifluoromethylated Benzofurans

A novel route for the synthesis of a variety of 2-trifluoromethylbenzofurans is reported. By selection of solvents, the key intermediates, 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropenyl phenyl acetates, were cyclized either to give 2-trifluoromethyl-substituted benzofurans or to yield trifluoromethyl modified o-alkynylphenols. The latter intermediates could also be cyclized to give 3-iodo-2-trifluoromethyl-substituted benzofurans.

Synthesis of mesoporous YF3 nanoflowers via solvent extraction route

Mesoporous YF3 nanoflowers were successfully prepared via solvent extraction route. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations indicated that these nanoflowers with uneven porous architectures had a spherical shape and were consisted of many YF3 nanosheets with a thickness of about 15 not. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis was used to check the chemical composition and purity of the products. YF3 nanoflowers had bimodal mesoporous distribution and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 116 m(2)/g.

Synthesis of REF3 (RE = Nd, Tb) nanoparticles via a solvent extraction route

NdF3 and TbF3 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via a solvent extraction route using Cynex923 (R3P=O). X-ray diffraction (XRD) study showed that pure hexagonal phase NdF3 and pure orthorhombic phase TbF3 could be obtained under the current synthetic conditions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations indicated that as-obtained NdF3 nanoplates have a diameter of 50-80 nm and thickness of 10-20 nm and TbF3 products have sphere morphologies with diameter from 70 to 170 nm. The driving force for the growth of NdF3 nanoplates could be attributed to the hexagonal crystal structure. The luminescence properties of NdF3 and TbF3 nanoparticles were investigated, which indicated that NdF3 nanoparticles showed typical emission at 888,1064, and 1328 nm and TbF3 nanoparticles showed characteristic emission of Tb3+ (f-f).

A General Route to Construct Diverse Multifunctional Fe3O4/Metal Hybrid Nanostructures

We have developed a simple, efficient, economical, and general approach to construct diverse multifunctional Fe3O4/metal hybrid nanostructures displaying magnetization using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) as a linker. High-density Au nanoparticles (NPs) could be supported on the surface of superparamagnetic Fe3O4 spheres and used as seeds to construct Au shell-coated magnetic spheres displaying near-infrared (NIR) absorption., which may make them promising in biosensor and biomedicine applications. High-density flower-like Au/Pt hybrid NPs could be supported on the surface of Fe3O4 spheres to construct multifunctional hybrid spheres with high catalytic activity towards the electron-transfer reaction between potassium ferricyanide and sodium thiosulfate. High-density Ag or Au/Ag core/shell NPs could also be supported on the surface of Fe3O4 spheres and exhibited pronounced surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), which may possibly be used as an optical probe with magnetic function for application in high-sensitivity bioassays.

A plasma sputtering decoration route to producing thickness-tunable ZnO/TiO2 core/shell nanorod arrays

We report a radio frequency magnetron sputtering method for producing TiO2 shell coatings directly on the surface of ZnO nanorod arrays. ZnO nanorod arrays were firstly fabricated on transparent conducting oxide substrates by a hydrothermal route, and subsequently decorated with TiO2 by a plasma sputtering deposition process. The core/shell nanorods have single-crystal ZnO cores and anatase TiO2 shells. The shells are homogeneously coated onto the whole ZnO nanorods without thickness change. This approach enables us to tailor the thickness of the TiO2 shell for desired photovoltaic applications on a one-nanometer scale. The function of the TiO2 shell as a blocking layer for increasing charge separation and suppression of the surface recombination was tested in dye-sensitized solar cells. The enhanced photocurrent and open-circuit voltage gave rise to increased photovoltaic efficiency and decreased dark current, indicating successful functioning of the TiO2 shell.

Synthesis of Ruthenium Dioxide Nanoparticles by a Two-Phase Route and Their Electrochemical Properties

Dissolvable, size- and shape-controlled ruthenium dioxide nanoparticles are successfully achieved through a two-phase route. The influence of reaction time, temperature, and monomer concentration and the nature of capping agents on the morphologies of nanoparticles are studied through transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A possible mechanism for the formation and growth of nanoparticles is also involved. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) confirms the amorphous structure for as-prepared ruthenium dioxide nanoparticles. Samples are immobilized by simple dip-coating on a current collector, and the cyclic voltammetry measurement is utilized to investigate their electrochemical properties. The specific capacitance of one sample can teach as high as 840 F g(-1), which reveals the promising application potential to electrochemical capacitors.

Templateless, surfactantless, simple electrochemical route to rapid synthesis of diameter-controlled 3D flowerlike gold microstructure with "clean" surface

We report for the first time a simple low-cost electrochemical route to synthesis of diameter-controlled hierarchical flowerlike gold microstructures with "clean'' surfaces using gold nanoplates or nanopricks as building blocks without introducing any template or surfactant.

A general route to transform normal hydrophilic cloths into superhydrophobic surfaces

Herein, we describe a simple and inexpensive method for forming superhydrophobic cloths with the highest water contact angle of close to 180 degrees, in which normal commercial cloths serving as pristine materials are modified with suitable gold micro/nanostructures.