Ni(OH)x/Ni-Catalyzed In Situ Hydrogenation and Ethanol Ethoxylation of 2-Methylfuran for Renewable Biofuel Co-Upgrading.

Bioethanol and furanics are currently prevailing additives to fossil-based transportation fuels. With the objective to lift the longstanding limitations of these biofuel additives, this work reports for the first time the synthesis of 2-ethoxy-2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-EO-2-MTHF) as a co-upgraded fuel by reacting ethanol with 2-methylfuran (2-MF). The formation of 2-EO-2-MTHF is achieved through ethanol ethoxylation of 2-MF, enabled by a reverse Ni(OH)/Ni catalyst under hydrogen pressure.

Affinity descriptor of metal catalysts: concept, measurement and application of oxygen affinity in the catalytic transformation of oxygenates.

Multiple oxygenate groups in biomass-based feedstocks are open to multiple catalytic pathways and products, typically resulting in low selectivity for the desired products. In this context, strategies for rational catalyst design are critical to obtain high selectivity for the desired products in biomass upgrading. The Sabatier principle provides a conceptual framework for designing optimal catalysts by following the volcanic relationship between catalyst activity for a reaction and the binding strength of a substrate on a catalyst.

Selectivity promotion of Cu by manganese oxide in hydrogenative ring opening of furfural to pentanediols.

This work reports a targeted activation of C-O-C of furfural alcohol (FA) to produce pentanediols (PeDs) over MnO-modified Cu. Infrared spectroscopy revealed the strong interaction of the furan ring and C-O-C of FA with the catalyst surface in a preferred flat adsorption configuration, thus facilitating the activation and cleavage of C-O-C to form PeDs.

Au L-shell x-ray emission induced by 154.3-423.9 MeV/u C ions.

The L-shell x-ray emissions of gold are investigated for the bombardment of high energy C ions in the high energy region of 154.3-423.9 MeV/u.

Multiple ionization of iodine for 2.5-5.0 MeV I ions impacting on Fe target.

The L-shell X-ray emissions of iodine are investigated as a function of the incident energy for I ions impacting on Fe target in the energy region near the Bohr velocity. Six distinct L-subshell X-rays, Lι, Lα, Lβ, Lβ, Lγ and Lγ, are observed. Compared to the atomic data, the energy of the experimental X ray shifts to the higher energy side.

4-Ethylphenol, A Volatile Organic Compound Produced by Disease-Resistant Soybean, Is a Potential Botanical Agrochemical Against Oomycetes.

Oomycetes, represented by , are seriously harmful to agricultural production, resulting in a decline in grain quality and agricultural products and causing great economic losses. Integrated management of oomycete diseases is becoming more challenging, and plant derivatives represent effective alternatives to synthetic chemicals as novel crop protection solutions. Biologically active secondary metabolites are rapidly synthesized and released by plants in response to biotic stress caused by herbivores or insects, as well as pathogens.

Lauric Acid Is a Potent Biological Control Agent That Damages the Cell Membrane of .

Sustainable management of plant pathogens is becoming more challenging, and novel solutions are needed. Plant biologically active secondary metabolites are important sources of novel crop protection chemistry. Effective individual compounds of these natural products have the potential to be successful new agrochemicals.

Enhanced lactic acid production from PO-pretreated biomass by domesticated Pediococcus pentosaceus without detoxification.

Expensive cellulase and complex detoxification procedures increase the cost of biomass lactic acid fermentation. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop a robust method to ferment lactic acid using biomass by avoiding cellulase and detoxification. This study demonstrates the advantage of combining mechanocatalytic PO pre-treatment and strain domestication.