The redox versatility and ready availability of manganese makes it an essential element for life on Earth and many human activities.

A 4,4′-(anthracene-2,6-diylbis(azanediyl))bis(4-oxobutanoic acid) (ABDA)/TiO₂ composite thin film is fabricated through a wet-impregnation strategy, and exhibits an enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. The photocurrent generated by the optimal ABDA/TiO₂ is 1.8 times higher than pristine TiO₂. ABDA also broadens the light absorption range and promotes the separation of photoelectrons and holes.

CuZnAl catalysts derived from layered double hydroxide precursors have been successfully synthesised. The catalysts treated by ultrasound or high shear mixer stirring exhibited higher catalytic performance due to the existence of a higher copper dispersion and smaller copper particle size.

[Bmim]PF₆ blended in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) porous membranes enhances the membrane hydrophobicity. We determined how [Bmim]PF₆ influences the membrane properties and structures. The improvements in the membrane properties potentially favour their application for absorption and membrane distillation.

The C-1 tethered 6,6-dichlorobicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes 1a–c engage in a silver ion-promoted electrocyclic ring-opening/spirocyclisation reaction sequence to give products 3b–d.

The inclusion complexation behaviour of morin hydrate (MH) and quercetin (QCT) with the two amide-bridged bis(β-cyclodextrin (CD))s, 1 and 2, was investigated in both solution and the solid state.

The new core–shell structured metal–organic coordination polymer (Zn-L-CP) microspheres with a hierarchical microporous–mesoporous–macroporous structure are synthesized by a one-pot template-free method. The obtained microspheres proved to be effective heterogeneous catalysts for the deacetylation reaction. The yield is 96 %, and the yield can remain at 90 % after seven cycles.

We report the synthesis and non-linear optical properties of highly stable mimosine-decorated silver nano particles (AgNPs). The as-synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-visible absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Low optical limiting threshold and promising value of thermal diffusivity point to the application potential of the system.

Liquid polyisoprene rubber (LIR) is a green and environment friendly reactive plasticizer for rubber with broad prospects. The ternary liquid Nd(P₂₀₄)₃ catalytic system was used to initiate isoprene to obtain LIR with a high cis-1,4 unit content (cis-1,4 > 98 %), precisely controlled molecular weight, and narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n < 1.2). This synthesis strategy for high performance LIR is simple, efficient, and easy to industrialize.

Benefiting from a multilayer nanobelt structure, as-prepared TiO₂ nanobelts deliver a high reversible capacity, strong cycling stability, and ultra-long cycle life (~185 mAh g⁻¹ at 500 mA g⁻¹ after 500 cycles) as electrode materials for lithium ion batteries.