Earth-abundant transition-metal-based oxides are potential candidates to replace the state-of-the-art noble-metal-based oxygen evolution catalysts (OECs) such as IrO2 and RuO2. Despite the low cost and large abundance, copper-based OER catalysts have been less frequently studied, mainly owing to the low electrical conductivity of copper oxides that results in large overpotential and sluggish kinetics for oxygen evolution. We report here the insitu fabrication of semi-metallic Cu3P nanorod arrays on commercial copper foam via a template approach; the resulting self-supported core-shell Cu-Cu3P/CuO electrode has the merits of high electrical conductivity, large active area, and short diffusion paths for electrolyte and evolved oxygen, exhibiting a low overpotential of 315mV and high durability over 50h at a current density of 10mAcm(-2) for OER in 1.0 M KOH. The remarkable OER performance reported here is not only superior to that of analogous Cu-CuO foam electrode, but also outperforms those of copper-based OER electrocatalysts in the literature.

Co-sensitization of molecular dyes and catalysts on semiconductor surfaces is a promising strategy to build photoelectrodes for solar fuel production. In such a photoelectrode, understanding the charge transfer reactions between the molecular dye, catalyst and semiconductor material is key to guide further improvement of their photocatalytic performance. Herein, femtosecond mid-infrared transient absorption spectroscopy is used, for the first time, to probe charge transfer reactions leading to catalyst reduction on co-sensitized nickel oxide (NiO) photocathodes. The NiO films were co-sensitized with a molecular dye and a proton reducing catalyst from the family of [FeFe](bdt)(CO)(6) (bdt = benzene-1,2-dithiolate) complexes. Two dyes were used: an organic push-pull dye denoted E2 with a triarylamine-oligothiophene-dicyanovinyl structure and a coumarin 343 dye. Upon photo-excitation of the dye, a clear spectroscopic signature of the reduced catalyst is observed a few picoseconds after excitation in all co-sensitized NiO films. However, kinetic analysis of the transient absorption signals of the dye and reduced catalyst reveal important mechanistic differences in the first reduction of the catalyst depending on the co-sensitized molecular dye (E2 or C343). While catalyst reduction is preceded by hole injection in NiO in C343-sensitized NiO films, the singly reduced catalyst is formed by direct electron transfer from the excited dye E2* to the catalyst in E2-sensitized NiO films. This change in mechanism also impacts the lifetime of the reduced catalyst, which is only ca. 50 ps in E2-sensitized NiO films but is >5 ns in C343-sensitized NiO films. Finally, the implication of this mechanistic study for the development of better co-sensitized photocathodes is discussed.

Conventional methods for carrying out carbon-hydrogen functionalization and carbon-nitrogen bond formation are typically conducted at elevated temperatures, and rely on expensive catalysts as well as the use of stoichiometric, and perhaps toxic, oxidants. In this regard, electrochemical synthesis has recently been recognized as a sustainable and scalable strategy for the construction of challenging carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. Here, electrosynthesis has proven to be an environmentally benign, highly effective and versatile platform for achieving a wide range of nonclassical bond disconnections via generation of radical intermediates under mild reaction conditions. This review provides an overview on the use of anodic electrochemical methods for expediting the development of carbon-hydrogen functionalization and carbon-nitrogen bond formation strategies. Emphasis is placed on methodology development and mechanistic insight and aims to provide inspiration for future synthetic applications in the field of electrosynthesis.

Lignocellulosic biomass is available in large quantities and constitutes an attractive feedstock for the sustainable production of bulk and fine chemicals. Although methods have been established for the conversion of its cellulosic fractions, valorization of lignin has proven to be challenging. The difficulty in disassembling lignin originates from its heterogeneous structure and its propensity to undergo skeletal rearrangements and condensation reactions during biorefinery fractionation or biomass pretreatment processes. A strategy for hindering the generation of these resistive interunit linkages during biomass pretreatment has now been devised using formaldehyde as a stabilizing agent. The developed method when combined with Ru/C‐catalyzed hydrogenolysis allows for efficient disassembly of all three biomass fractions: (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) and suggests that lignin upgrading can be integrated into prevailing biorefinery schemes.

During the past decade, visible light photocatalysis has become a powerful synthetic platform for promoting challenging bond constructions under mild reaction conditions. These photocatalytic systems rely on harnessing visible light energy for synthetic purposes through the generation of reactive but controllable free radical species. Recent progress in the area of visible light photocatalysis has established it as an enabling catalytic strategy for the mild and selective generation of nitrogen-centered radicals. The application of visible light for photocatalytic activation of amides, hydrazones, and imides represents a valuable approach for facilitating the formation of nitrogen-centered radicals. Within the span of only a couple of years, significant progress has been made for expediting the generation of amidyl, hydrazonyl, and imidyl radicals from a variety of precursors. This Perspective highlights the recent advances in visible light-mediated generation of these radicals. A particular emphasis is placed on the unique ability of visible light photocatalysis in accessing elusive reaction manifolds for the construction of diversely functionalized nitrogen-containing motifs and as a platform for nontraditional bond disconnections in contemporary synthetic chemistry.

The laboratory of Professor Corey Stephenson at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, USA) has had an interest in lignin depolymerization since 2014. According to Corey Stephenson there were two main reasons that initially attracted their attention towards lignin. On the one hand, there is its abundance and unique aromatic backbone, which makes it an exceptional renewable source for small aromatic chemicals. On the other hand there are only few examples of selective methodologies found in the literature regarding its depolymerization, a majority of them employing harsh conditions due to its recalcitrant nature. He added: “Since the major interest of my laboratory focuses on harnessing the energy of visible light, we saw the opportunity of using photoredox catalysis to selectively cleave the ß-O–4 bonds present in the lignin backbone, a methodology that proved to be exceptionally robust for lignin model systems.

However, a prior oxidation step was required to achieve this fragmentation, which prompted us to search for alternative oxidation methodologies.” Such a method is presented in the present ACS Central Science publication.”

Lignin valorization has long been recognized as a sustainable solution for the renewable production of aromatic compounds. Two-step oxidation/reduction strategies, whereby the first oxidation step is required to “activate” lignin systems for controlled fragmentation reactions, have recently emerged as viable routes toward this goal. Herein we describe a catalytic protocol for oxidation of lignin model systems by combining photoredox and Pd catalysis. The developed dual catalytic protocol allowed the efficient oxidation of lignin model substrates at room temperature to afford the oxidized products in good to excellent yields.

Catalysts for oxidation of water to molecular oxygen are essential in solar-driven water splitting. In order to develop more efficient catalysts for this oxidatively demanding reaction, it is vital to have mechanistic insight in order to understand how the catalysts operate. Herein, we report the mechanistic details associated with the two Ru catalysts 1 and 2. Insight into the mechanistic landscape of water oxidation catalyzed by the two single-site Ru catalysts was revealed by the use of a combination of experimental techniques and quantum chemical calculations. On the basis of the obtained results, detailed mechanisms for oxidation of water by complexes 1 and 2 are proposed. Although the two complexes are structurally related, two deviating mechanistic scenarios are proposed with metal-ligand cooperation being an important feature in both processes. The proposed mechanistic platforms provide insight for the activation of water or related small molecules through nontraditional and previously unexplored routes.

The use of photochemical transformations is a powerful strategy that allows for the formation of a high degree of molecular complexity from relatively simple building blocks in a single step. A central feature of all light-promoted transformations is the involvement of electronically excited states, generated upon absorption of photons. This produces transient reactive intermediates and significantly alters the reactivity of a chemical compound. The input of energy provided by light thus offers a means to produce strained and unique target compounds that cannot be assembled using thermal protocols. This review aims at highlighting photochemical transformations as a tool for rapidly accessing structurally and stereochemically diverse scaffolds. Synthetic designs based on photochemical transformations have the potential to afford complex polycyclic carbon skeletons with impressive efficiency, which are of high value in total synthesis.

The reaction of CuCl2 with 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp) does not lead to the formation of [Cu(dmp)(2)](Cl)(2) but instead to [Cu(dmp)(2)Cl]Cl, a 5-coordinated complex, in which one chloride is directly coordinated to the metal center. Attempts at removing the coordinated chloride by changing the counterion by metathesis were unsuccessful and resulted only in the exchange of the noncoordinated chloride, as confirmed from a crystal structure analysis. Complex [Cu-(dmp)(2)Cl]PF6 exhibits a reversible cyclic voltammogram characterized by a significant peak splitting between the reductive and oxidative waves (0.85 and 0.60 V vs NHE, respectively), with a half-wave potential E-1/2 = 0.73 V vs NHE. When reduced electrochemically, the complex does not convert into [Cu(dmp)(2)](+), as one may expect. Instead, [Cu(dmp)(2)](+) is isolated as a product when the reduction of [Cu(dmp)(2)Cl]PF6 is performed with L-ascorbic acid, as confirmed by electrochemistry, NMR spectroscopy, and diffractometry. [Cu(dmp)(2)](2+) complexes can be synthesized starting from Cu(II) salts with weakly and noncoordinating counterions, such as perchlorate. Growth of [Cu(dmp)(2)](ClO4)(2) crystals in acetonitrile results in a 5-coordinated complex, [Cu(dmp)(2)(CH3CN)](ClO4)(2), in which a solvent molecule is coordinated to the metal center. However, solvent coordination is associated with a dynamic decoordination-coordination behavior upon reduction and oxidation. Hence, the cyclic voltammogram of [Cu(dmp)(2)(CH3CN)](2+) is identical to the one of [Cu(dmp)(2)](+), if the measurements are performed in acetonitrile. The current results show that halide ions in precursors to Cu(II) metal-organic coordination compound synthesis, and most likely also other multivalent coordination centers, are not readily exchanged when exposed to presumed strongly binding and chelating ligand, and thus special care needs to be taken with respect to product characterization.

Binuclear ruthenium complexes bearing the 2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-dicarboxylate (bda) ligand have been demonstrated to be highly active catalysts towards water oxidation with CeIV as an oxidant. However, the catalytic properties of ruthenium dimers have not yet been explored for visible light-driven water oxidation. Herein, the photocatalytic performance of a dipyridyl propane-bridged ruthenium dimer 2 was investigated in comparison with its monomeric precursor, [Ru(bda)(pic)2] (1), in CH3CN/phosphate buffer mixed solvent in a three-component system including a photosensitizer and a sacrificial electron acceptor. Experimental results showed that the activity of each catalyst was strongly dependent on the content of CH3CN in the phosphate buffer, which not only affected the driving force for water oxidation, but also altered the kinetics of the reaction, probably through different mechanisms associated with the O–O bond formation. As a result, dimer 2 showed significantly higher activity than monomer 1 in the solvent containing a low content of CH3CN, and comparable activities were attained with a high content of CH3CN in the solvent. Under the optimal conditions, complex 2 achieved a turnover number of 638 for photocatalytic O2 evolution.

A novel blue-colored organic donor-pi-acceptor sensitizer, the so-called MKA16 dye, has been employed to construct solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (ssDSSCs). Using 2,2',7-,7'-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenyl-amine) 9,9'-spirobifuorene (Spiro-OMeTAD) as hole-transport material, a good conversion efficiency of 5.8% was recorded for cells based on the MKA16 dye and a high photovoltage of 840 mV in comparison with 5.6% efficiency using the known (Dyenamo Blue) dye. By co-sensitization using the orange-colored D35 dye and MKA16 together, the solid-state solar cells showed an excellent efficiency of 7.5%, with a high photocurrent of 12.41 mA cm(-2) and open-circuit voltage of 850 mV. The results show that the photocurrent of ssDSSCs can be significantly improved by co-sensitization mainly attributed to the wider light absorption range contributing to the photocurrent. In addition, results from photo-induced absorption spectroscopy show that the dye regeneration is efficient in co-sensitized solar cells. The current results possible routes of improving the design of aesthetic and highly efficient ssDSSCs.

An efficient and robust water oxidation catalyst based on abundant and cheap materials is the key to converting solar energy into fuels through artificial photosynthesis for the future of humans. The development of molecular water oxidation catalysts (MWOCs) is a smart way to achieve promising catalytic activity, thanks to the clear structures and catalytic mechanisms of molecular catalysts. Efficient MWOCs based on noble-metal complexes, for example, ruthenium and iridium, have been well developed over the last 30 years; however, the development of earth-abundant metal-based MWOCs is very limited and still challenging. Herein, the promising prospect of iron-based MWOCs is highlighted, with a comprehensive summary of previously reported studies and future research focus in this area.

Resistance to herbivores and pathogens is considered a key plant trait with strong adaptive value in trees, usually involving high concentrations of a diverse array of plant secondary metabolites (PSM). Intraspecific genetic variation and plasticity of PSM are widely known. However, their ecology and evolution are unclear, and even the implication of PSM as traits that provide direct effective resistance against herbivores is currently questioned. We used control and methyl jasmonate (MJ) induced clonal copies of genotypes within families from ten populations of the main distribution range of maritime pine to exhaustively characterize the constitutive and induced profile and concentration of PSM in the stem phloem, and to measure insect herbivory damage as a proxy of resistance. Then, we explored whether genetic variation in resistance to herbivory may be predicted by the constitutive concentration of PSM, and the role of its inducibility to predict the increase in resistance once the plant is induced. We found large and structured genetic variation among populations but not between families within populations in resistance to herbivory. The MJ-induction treatment strongly increased resistance to the weevil in the species, and the genetic variation in the inducibility of resistance was significantly structured among populations, with greater inducibility in the Atlantic populations. Genetic variation in resistance was largely explained by the multivariate concentration and profile of PSM at the genotypic level, rather than by bivariate correlations with individual PSM, after accounting for genetic relatedness among genotypes. While the constitutive concentration of the PSM blend did not show a clear pattern of resistance to herbivory, specific changes in the chemical profile and the increase in concentration of the PSM blend after MJ induction were related to increased resistance. To date, this is the first example of a comprehensive and rigorous approach in which inducibility of PSM in trees and its implication in resistance was analyzed excluding spurious associations due to genetic relatedness, often overlooked in intraspecific studies. Here we provide evidences that multivariate analyses of PSM, rather than bivariate correlations, provide more realistic information about the potentially causal relationships between PSM and resistance to herbivory in pine trees.

The most common view of carbocations in organic chemistry is that they are short-lived intermediates in several fundamental reactions, e.g. the classic SN1-reaction. However, carbocations that can delocalize their positive charge can be stable enough to be isolated and used as Lewis acid catalysts, phase transfer catalysts or oxidants in various reactions. The theme of this thesis concerns applying trityl cations as Lewis acid catalysts in different organic reactions. The first chapter presents a general introduction of the field of Lewis acids, the characteristics and applications of carbocations in different organic reactions, and the aims of this thesis. The second chapter describes the carbocation-catalyzed asymmetric Diels–Alder reactions assisted by chiral counteranions. The third chapter shows that carbocations can be utilized as catalysts in oxa-Diels–Alder reactions with unactivated aldehydes and dienes as substrates. The fourth chapter investigates the application of carbocation catalysis in bromination reactions for selective functionalization at the benzylic position and on the aromatic ring, respectively. The fifth chapter highlights that carbocation-catalyzed aldehyde–olefin metathesis reactions can be achieved in high yields by suppressing the decomposition of both starting materials and products.

The versatility of the trityl cation (TrBF4) as a highly efficient Lewis acid organocatalyst isdemonstrated in a light induced benzylic brominaion of alkyl-arenes under mild conditions. The reaction wasconducted at ambient temperature under common hood light (55 W fluorescent light) with catalyst loadingsdown to 2.0 mol% using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) as the brominating agent. The protocol is applicable toan extensive number of substrates to give benzyl bromides in good to excellent yields. In contrast to mostpreviously reported strategies, this protocol does not require any radical initiator or extensive heating. Forelectron-rich alkyl-arenes, the trityl ion catalyzed bromination could be easily switched between benzylic sp3CH functionalization and arene sp2 CH functionalization by simply alternating the solvent. Thischemoselective switch allows for high substrate control and easy preparation of benzyl bromides andbromoarenes, respectively. The chemoselective switch was also applied in a one-pot reaction of 1-methylnaphthalene for direct introduction of both sp3 CBr and sp2 CBr functionality.

A highly efficient aldehyde-olefin metathesis catalysed by the carbocation, 4-phenylphenyl-diphenylmethylium ion, has been developed. This protocol is characterized by high yields, low catalyst loading (down to 2 mol%), good functional group compatibility and mild reaction conditions.

A highly efficient aldehyde-olefin metathesis catalyzed by the carbocation, 4-phenylphenyl-diphenylmethylium ion has been developed. This protocol is characterized by high yields, low catalyst loading (down to 2 mol%), good functional group compatibility and mild reaction conditions.

The development of an efficient, stable, and low-cost hole-transporting material (HTM) is of great significance for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) from future commercialization point of view. Herein, we specifically synthesize a dicationic salt of X60 termed X60(TFSI)(2), and adopt it as an effective and stable "doping" agent to replace the previously used lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) for the low-cost organic HTM X60 in PSCs. The incorporation of this dicationic salt significantly increases the hole conductivity of X60 by two orders of magnitude from 10(-6) to 10(-4) S cm(-1). The dramatic enhancement of the conductivity leads to an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.0% measured at 1 sun illumination (100 mW cm(-2), AM 1.5 G), which is comparable to that of the device doped with LiTFSI (19.3%) under an identical condition. More strikingly, by replacing LiTFSI, the PSC devices incorporating X60(TFSI)(2) also show an excellent long-term durability under ambient atmosphere for 30 days, mainly due to the hydrophobic nature of the X60(TFSI)(2) doped HTM layer, which can effectively prevent the moisture destroying the perovskite layer. The present work paves the way for the development of highly efficient, stable, and low-cost HTM for potential commercialization of PSCs.

Living matter is built on complex dynamic systems consisting of numerus biotransformations. By exploiting the adaptive and evolutive behaviors ofmolecular matter, dynamic chemistry has developed as an important tool tounderstand the organization of nonliving matter into complex living systems.This thesis concerns three aspects of dynamic chemistry with a general focus onthe influence of different stimuli on the structures and functions of dynamicsystems.The first section focuses on dynamic kinetic resolution, where enzymes areutilized for asymmetric synthesis of an enantiopure (2R,5R)-1,3-oxathiolane. Byemploying surfactant-treated subtilisin Carlsberg and Candida antarcticalipase B, the absolute configuration of the resulting 1,3-oxathiolane ring couldbe efficiently controlled.The second section addresses the motional dynamics of configurational enamineswitch systems controlled by multiple stimuli. Complete forward and backwardrotation around the enamine C=C bond could be precisely regulated uponaddition of acid/base or metal ions. The enamine switches exhibited specificsensing ability for CuII ions in solution. Moreover, the enamines exhibitedswitchable aggregation-induced emission in the solid state, which could beapplied in the development of sensors as well as fluorescent organogel.Lastly, the enamine switches could readily undergo constitutional exchange withprimary amines under catalytic acidic conditions, resulting in dynamic enaminesystems. However, under basic conditions or in the presence of excessive acid,this process exhibited extremely slow kinetics, leading to an efficient regulationof the exchange process by controlling the switch status with regulation of pHin the system.

An enantiopure (2R,5R)-1,3-oxathiolane derivative was obtained using amultienzymatic cascade protocol. By employing a combination of surfactant-treatedsubtilisin Carlsberg and Candida antarctica lipase B, the absolute configuration of theresulting 1,3-oxathiolane ring was efficiently controlled, resulting in an excellentenantiomeric excess (> 99%). This enantiopure 1,3-oxathiolane derivative is a keyprecursor to anti-HIV agents, such as lamivudine, through subsequent N-glycosylation.

Dual configurational and constitutional dynamics in systems based on enamine molecularswitches has been systematically studied. pH-responsive moieties, such as 2-pyridyl and 2-quinolinyl units, were required on the “stator” part, also providing enamine stability throughintramolecular hydrogen-bonding (IMHB) effects. Upon protonation or deprotonation, forward andbackward switching could be rapidly achieved. Extension of the stator π-system in the 2-quinolinylderivative provided a higher E-isomeric equilibrium ratio under neutral conditions, pointing to ameans to achieve quantitative forward/backward isomerization processes. The ‘rotor’ part of theenamine switches exhibited constitutional exchange ability with primary amines. Interestingly,considerably higher exchange rates were observed with amines containing ester groups, indicatingpotential stabilization of the transition state trough IMHB. Acids, particularly BiIII, were found toefficiently catalyze the constitutional dynamic processes. In contrast, the enamine and the formeddynamic enamine system showed excellent stability under basic conditions. This coupledconfigurational and constitutional dynamics expand the scope of dynamic C-C and C-N bonds, andpotentiates further studies and applications in the fields of molecular machinery and systemschemistry.

A family of responsive enaminitrile molecular switches showing tunable turn-onfluorescence upon switching and aggregation is reported. Activated by addition of acid/base,isomerization around the C=C bond could be effectuated, resulting in complete, reversible switchingto the E- or Z-isomers. Typical aggregation-induced emission could be recorded for one specificstate of the different switches. By subtle tailoring of the parent structure, a series of compounds withemission covering almost the full visible color range were obtained. The switchable AIE features ofthe enaminitrile structures enabled their demonstration as solid state chemosensors to detect acidicand basic vapors, where the emission displayed an “off-on-off” effect. X-ray crystal analysis andDFT calculations suggested a restriction of intramolecular rotation mechanism, and anintramolecular charge transfer effect in the AIE luminogens.

Multistimuli-responsive enaminitrile-based configurational switches displaying aggregation-induced emission (AIE), fluorescence turn-on effects, and supergelation properties are presented. The E-isomers dominated (>97%) in neutral/basic solution, and the structures underwent precisely controlled switching around the enamine C═C bond upon addition of acid/base. Specific fluorescence output was observed in response to different external input in the solution and solid states. In response to H+, configurational switching resulted in complete formation of the nonemissive Z-H+-isomers in solution, however displaying deep-blue to blue fluorescence (ΦF up to 0.41) in the solid state. In response to CuII in the solution state, the E-isomers exhibited intense, turn-on, blue-green fluorescence, which could be turned off by addition of competitive coordination. The acid/base-activated switching, together with the induced AIE-effects, further enabled the accomplishment of a responsive superorganogelator. In nonpolar solvents, a blue-fluorescent supramolecular gel was formed upon addition of acid to the E-isomer suspension. The gelation could be reversed by addition of base, and the overall, reversible process could be repeated at least five cycles.

The low-abundance protein osteopontin is implicated in several serious diseases, where its concentration andglycosylation patterns might be analyzed for its use as a biomarker. The glycosylation has previously been studied andcharacterized mainly on digested protein. Allowing analysis of glycosylation using the intact protein would reduce theworkload and analysis time, as well as introducing less potential sources of error and bias. Here, the detection of intactosteopontin by ESI-MS is presented. By using a matrix with a high proportion of isopropanol, osteopontin could be detectedand fragmented in tandem MS at 10 µg/mL by direct infusion. A lower osteopontin mass was also present in the sample. Theresults open the possibilities of further analysis of osteopontin by tandem MS and suggests a reporter ion.

A method for off-line CE‑MALDI‑TOF-MS and MS², and on-target digestion under a fluorocarbon lid was developed and applied for the analysis of proteins in the spermatophore of the butterfly Pieris napi. Fractionation revealed many peptides otherwise not detected or resolved. Automated fractionation was performed with an in-lab developed robotic system, and automated on-target tryptic digestion under a fluorocarbon lid was demonstrated with the same system. Fractionation onto a pre-structured MALDI-concentration plate facilitated aligned deposition of trypsin and MALDI-matrix with the deposited sample, also under the fluorocarbon lid. Some indications of indigenous proteolysis of spermatophore proteins were seen, and searching MS² spectra suggested three tentative sequence homologies to P. rapae. The study demonstrates the functionality of the lab-made robot. Detailed manufacturing instructions and code are provided. The feasibility of automated on-target digestion under a fluorocarbon lid, and the usefulness of a structured concentration plate in CE-MALDI fractionation was shown. Further, it constitutes a preliminary study of P. napi spermatophore proteins.

Green chemistry and sustainable development have become increasingly important topics for the education of future chemists. The cross-disciplinary nature of green chemistry and sustainable development often means these subjects are taught in conjunction with other subjects, such as organic chemistry and chemical engineering. Herein, a straightforward and efficient approach for vertical integration of green chemistry concepts within existing undergraduate organic chemistry courses is shown. The gradual self-evaluation, "greenification", and reassessment of an organic chemistry course at KTH Royal Institute of Technology from 2013 to 2017 is described, with particular focus on the laboratory course and a novel green chemistry project designed to promote sustainability thinking and reasoning. The laboratory project, which can also be conducted as an independent organic chemistry laboratory exercise, required students to critically evaluate variations of the same Pechmann condensation experiment according to the twelve principles of green chemistry. The course evaluation shows that, after the modifications, students feel more comfortable with the topics "green chemistry" and "sustainability" and consider these topics more important for their future careers. Furthermore, the ability of students to discuss and critically evaluate green chemistry parameters improved considerably as determined from the laboratory project reports.

Two novel dopant-free hole-transport materials (HTMs) with spiro[dibenzo[c,h]xanthene-7,9-fluorene] (SDBXF) skeletons were prepared via facile synthesis routes. A power conversion efficiency of 15.9% in perovskite solar cells is attained by using one HTM without dopants, which is much higher than undoped Spiro-OMeTAD-based devices (10.8%). The crystal structures of both new HTMs were systematically investigated to reveal the reasons behind such differences in performance and to indicate the design principles of more advanced HTMs.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), ZIF-67, with different morphologies were synthesized via a solvent-induced method at room temperature. The photocatalytic performances towards the reduction of CO2 were evaluated by using ZIF-67 materials as cocatalysts cooperating with a ruthenium-based complex as the photosensitizer. It has been demonstrated that the two-dimensional ZIF-67 with a leaf-like morphology exhibited the best photocatalytic activity and stability due to the highest CO2 adsorption capability and efficient electron transfer from the excited [Ru(bpy)3]2+ to ZIF-67.

As a champion hole-transporting material (HTM), 2,27,7-tetrakis-(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)-9,9-spirobifluorene (Spiro-OMeTAD) has been widely used in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (ssDSCs). Owing to the low conductivity of Spiro-OMeTAD, a chemical doping strategy is commonly used to enhance its hole-transporting properties. In this study, we report a strong electron acceptor, 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) as an additive for Spiro-OMeTAD along with its application in ssDSCs. We show that the conductivity of Spiro-OMeTAD increases from 5.31 x 10(-5) to 2.22 x 10(-4) Scm upon the addition of 0.04% DDQ, and the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the ssDSCs also increases. By utilizing a donor-pi-acceptor sensitizer with a high coefficient and an HTM with an optimized doping ratio, we were able to achieve a high PCE of 6.37% for the ssDSCs under 10 0mWcm(-2) AM1.5G simulated illumination, in comparison to the PCE of the pristine device, which was only 3.50%. An increase in the application of benzoquinone-based materials for organic electronics is expected, especially for solar-cell applications.

Two D-A-D-structured hole-transport materials (YN1 and YN2) have been synthesized and used in perovskite solar cells. The two HTMs have low-lying HOMO levels and impressive mobility. Perovskite-based solar cells (PSCs) fabricated with YN2 showed a power conversion efficiency (PCE) value of 19.27% in ambient air, which is significantly higher than that of Spiro-OMeTAD (17.80%). PSCs based on YN1 showed an inferior PCE of 16.03%. We found that the incorporation of the stronger electron-withdrawing group in the HTM YN2 improves the PCE of PSCs. Furthermore, the YN2-based PSCs exhibit good long-term stability retaining 91.3% of its initial efficiency, whereas PSCs based on Spiro-OMeTAD retained only 42.2% after 1000 h lifetime (dark conditions). These promising results can provide a new strategy for the design of D-A-D HTMs for PSC applications in future.

4-tert-Butylpyridine (t-BP) is commonly used in solid state dye-sensitized solar cells (ssDSSCs) to increase the photovoltaic performance. In this report, the mechanism how t-BP functions as a favorable additive is investigated comprehensively. ssDSSCs were prepared with different concentrations of t-BP, and a clear increase in efficiency was observed up to a maximum concentration and for higher concentrations the efficiency thereafter decreases. The energy level alignment in the complete devices was measured using hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES). The results show that the energy levels of titanium dioxide are shifted further away from the energy levels of spiro-OMeTAD as the t-BP concentration is increased. This explains the higher photovoltage obtained in the devices with higher t-BP concentration. In addition, the electron lifetime was measured for the devices and the electron lifetime was increased when adding t-BP, which can be explained by the recombination blocking effect at the surface of TiO2. The results from the HAXPES measurements agree with those obtained from density functional theory calculations and give an understanding of the mechanism for the improvement, which is an important step for the future development of solar cells including t-BP.

Perovskite photovoltaics have recently attracted extensive attention due to their unprecedented high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) in combination with primitive manufacturing conditions. However, the inherent polycrystalline nature of perovskite films renders an exceptional density of structural defects, especially at the grain boundaries (GBs) and film surfaces, representing a key challenge that impedes the further performance improvement of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and large solar module ambitions towards commercialization. Here, a novel strategy is presented utilizing a simple ethylammonium chloride (EACl) additive in combination with a facile solvent bathing approach to achieve high quality methyammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) films. Well-oriented, micron-sized grains were observed, which contribute to an extended carrier lifetime and reduced trap density. Further investigations unraveled the distinctively prominent effects of EACl in modulating the perovskite film quality. The EACl was found to promote the perovskite grain growing without undergoing the formation of intermediate phases. Moreover, the EACl was also revealed to deplete at relative low temperature to enhance the film quality without compromising the beneficial bandgap for solar cell applications. This new strategy boosts the power conversion efficiency (PCE) to 20.9% and 19.0% for devices with effective areas of 0.126 cm2 and 1.020 cm2, respectively, with negligible current hysteresis and enhanced stability. Besides, perovskite films with a size of 10 × 10 cm2, and an assembled 16 cm2(5 × 5 cm2 module) perovskite solar module with a PCE of over 11% were constructed.

Electrochemical water splitting requires efficient water oxidation catalysts to accelerate the sluggish kinetics of water oxidation reaction. Here, we report a promisingly dendritic core-shell nickel-iron-copper metal/metal oxide electrode, prepared via dealloying with an electrodeposited nickel-iron-copper alloy as a precursor, as the catalyst for water oxidation. The as-prepared core-shell nickel-iron-copper electrode is characterized with porous oxide shells and metallic cores. This tri-metal-based core-shell nickel-iron-copper electrode exhibits a remarkable activity toward water oxidation in alkaline medium with an overpotential of only 180 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2. The core-shell NiFeCu electrode exhibits pH-dependent oxygen evolution reaction activity on the reversible hydrogen electrode scale, suggesting that non-concerted proton-electron transfers participate in catalyzing the oxygen evolution reaction. To the best of our knowledge, the as-fabricated core-shell nickel-iron-copper is one of the most promising oxygen evolution catalysts.