Syntheses of dihydrolavandulol and its related compounds from carboxylic acids and conjugated dienes

5-Methyl-2-isopropyl-4-hexenoic acid, dihydrolavandulic acid (III) , was synthesised in 65% yield from 3-methylbutanoic acid and isoprene with sodium naphthalenide in the presence of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine. Reduction of III with lithium aluminum hydride gave 5-methyl-2-isopropyl-4-hexen-l-ol, dihydrolavandulol ( IV ) (85% yield). Oxidation of IV with pyridinium chlorochromate gave 5-methyl-2-isopropyl-4-hexenal, dihydrolavandulyl aldehyde ( V ) (81 % yield).     

Nanoarchitectonics for Transition‐Metal‐Sulfide‐Based Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting

Heterogenous electrocatalysts based on transition metal sulfides (TMS) are being actively explored in renewable energy research because nanostructured forms support high intrinsic activities for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, it is described how researchers are working to improve the performance of TMS‐based materials by manipulating their internal and external nanoarchitectures. A general introduction to the water‐splitting reaction is initially provided to explain the most important parameters in accessing the catalytic performance of nanomaterials catalysts. Later, the general synthetic methods used to prepare TMS‐based materials are explained in order to delve into the various strategies being used to achieve higher electrocatalytic performance in the HER. Complementary strategies can be used to increase the OER performance of TMS, resulting in bifunctional water‐splitting electrocatalysts for both the HER and the OER. Finally, the current challenges and future opportunities of TMS materials in the context of water splitting are summarized. The aim herein is to provide insights gathered in the process of studying TMS, and describe valuable guidelines for engineering other kinds of nanomaterial catalysts for energy conversion and storage technologies.     

Polymer-derived ceramics for electrocatalytic energy conversion reactions

Polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) are being actively explored in various fields today because of their unique physiochemical properties. Very recent advances in the use of PDCs in energy storage technologies (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors) have motivated researchers to explore the possibilities of PDCs as electrocatalysts for use in energy conversion reactions. Impressively, the tunable functional properties, especially the electrical properties, of PDCs have helped to break through this “bottleneck” and enabled them to become promising materials for use in electrocatalytic conversion. This review presents an in-time summary of the progress in the development of PDCs for electrochemical energy conversion. First, a general introduction to the preparation of PDCs is provided. Later, the factors (e.g., chemical stability, electron conductivity) most closely related to electrocatalytic performance are discussed. Specifically, the parameters that affect the electron conductivity of PDCs are enumerated to delve into advanced strategies for achieving effective electrocatalysts. The relevant electrocatalytic conversion reactions (e.g., hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, and oxygen reduction reaction) and utilization of PDCs in these reactions are also comprehensively introduced. Finally, the current challenges and future opportunities for PDC materials in the field of electrochemical energy conversion are summarized.