This review gives a survey on the latest most representative developments and progress concerning ionic liquids, from their fundamental properties to their applications in catalytic processes. It also highlights their emerging use for biomass treatment and transformation.

Ionic liquids and catalysis: Recent progress from knowledge to applications

The legacy of Gilbert Newton Lewis (1875-1946) pervades the lexicon of chemical bonding and reactivity. The power of his concept of donor-acceptor bonding is evident in the eponymous foundations of electron-pair acceptors (Lewis acids) and donors (Lewis bases). Lewis recognized that acids are not restricted to those substances that contain hydrogen (Bronsted acids), and helped overthrow the "modern cult of the proton". His discovery ushered in the use of Lewis acids as reagents and catalysts for organic reactions. However, in recent years, the recognition that Lewis bases can also serve in this capacity has grown enormously. Most importantly, it has become increasingly apparent that the behavior of Lewis bases as agents for promoting chemical reactions is not merely as an electronic complement of the cognate Lewis acids: in fact Lewis bases are capable of enhancing both the electrophilic and nucleophilic character of molecules to which they are bound. This diversity of behavior leads to a remarkable versatility for the catalysis of reactions by Lewis bases.

Lewis Base Catalysis in Organic Synthesis

2. Essential Components: Earlier Developments 5449 2.1. Activated alkenes/alkynes 5450 2.1.1. Acyclic activated alkenes/ alkynes 5450 2.1.2. Cyclic activated alkenes 5451 2.2. Electrophiles 5451 2.3. Catalysts 5452 3. Essential Components: Recent Developments 5452 3.1. Activated Alkenes/Alkynes 5452 3.2. Electrophiles 5460 3.3. Catalysts 5477 4. Asymmetric Baylis-Hillman Reaction: Earlier Developments 5495

Recent contributions from the Baylis-Hillman reaction to organic chemistry.

Because of the potential applications of lanthanide-doped nanocrystals in display devices, optical communication, solid-state lasers, catalysis, and biological labeling, the controlled synthesis of these new nanomaterials has sparked considerable interest. Nanosized phosphorescent or optoelectronic devices usually exhibit novel properties, depending on their structures, shapes, and sizes, such as tunable wavelengths, rapid responses, and high efficiencies. Thus, the development of facile synthetic methods towards high-quality lanthanide-doped nanocrystals with uniform size and shape appears to be of key importance both for the exploration of their materials properties and for potential applications.This Account focuses on the recent development in our laboratory of the synthesis and applications of lanthanide-doped nanocrystals. Since 2005, when we proposed a general strategy for nanocrystal synthesis via a liquid−solid−solution process, a range of monodisperse and colloidal lanthanide-doped fluoride, oxi...

Lanthanide-doped nanocrystals: synthesis, optical-magnetic properties, and applications.

Nanocellulose, a tiny fiber with huge applications

Highly enantioselective aza-Baylis-Hillman reaction in a chiral reaction medium.

Antifouling coatings for ship hulls are a very important topic in coating research. They are essential with respect to fuel consumption of ships: without antifouling coating, biological species start to adhere to the ship's exterior, leading to a gradual increase in fuel consumption. To date, the working principle of most of the paint systems applied is based on slow release of toxins in time (self-polishing coatings). In this article, we discuss the environmental impact of marine antifouling coatings based on quantitative data available from literature. In addition, we critically review hydrophilic antifouling and hydrophobic foul-release coatings as toxin-free alternatives and discuss their potential for replacing self-polishing coatings. © 2012 American Coatings Association & Oil and Colour Chemists' Association.

A brief review of environmentally benign antifouling and foul-release coatings for marine applications

The mechanism of bifunctional activation in the asymmetric aza-Baylis−Hillman (aza-BH) reaction was studied using NMR spectroscopic techniques. The reaction involves rate-limiting proton transfer in the absence of added protic species, but exhibits no autocatalysis. Bronsted acidic additives lead to substantial rate enhancements through acceleration of the elimination step. Furthermore, it was found that phosphine catalysts either alone or in combination with protic additives can cause racemization of the aza-BH product by proton exchange at the stereogenic center. This indicates that the spatial arrangement of a bifunctional chiral catalyst for the asymmetric aza-BH reaction is crucial not only for the stereodifferentiation within the catalytic cycle but also for the prevention of subsequent racemization.

Bifunctional Activation and Racemization in the Catalytic Asymmetric Aza-Baylis−Hillman Reaction

Antireflective coatings (ARCs) are applied to reduce surface reflections. We review coatings that reduce the reflection of the surface of the transparent substrates float glass, polyethylene terephthalate, poly(methyl methacrylate), and polycarbonate. Three main coating concepts exist to lower the reflection at the interface of a transparent substrate and air: multilayer interference coatings, graded index coatings, and quarter-wave coatings. We introduce and discuss these three concepts, and zoom in on porous quarter-wave coatings comprising colloidal particles. We extensively discuss the four routes for introducing porosity in quarter-wave coatings through the use of colloidal particles, which have the highest potential for application: (1) packing of dense nanospheres, (2) integration of voids through hollow nanospheres, (3) integration of voids through sacrificial particle templates, and (4) packing of nonspherical nanoparticles. Finally, we address the remaining challenges in the field of ARCs, and elaborate on potential strategies for future research in this area.

Antireflective Coatings for Glass and Transparent Polymers

The present invention relates to a composition suitable for forming an optical coating, the composition comprising core-shell nanoparticles, wherein said nanoparticles comprise: (a) core material comprising polymer; and (b) shell material comprising metal oxide.

Pascal Buskens

Papers

Highly enantioselective aza-Baylis-Hillman reaction in a chiral reaction medium.

A brief review of environmentally benign antifouling and foul-release coatings for marine applications

Bifunctional Activation and Racemization in the Catalytic Asymmetric Aza-Baylis−Hillman Reaction

Antireflective Coatings for Glass and Transparent Polymers

Core-shell nanoparticles