Deposits of clastic carbonate-dominated (calciclastic) sedimentary slope systems in the rock record have been identified mostly as linearly-consistent carbonate apron deposits, even though most ancient clastic carbonate slope deposits fit the submarine fan systems better. Calciclastic submarine fans are consequently rarely described and are poorly understood. Subsequently, very little is known especially in mud-dominated calciclastic submarine fan systems. Presented in this study are a sedimentological core and petrographic characterisation of samples from eleven boreholes from the Lower Carboniferous of Bowland Basin (Northwest England) that reveals a >250 m thick calciturbidite complex deposited in a calciclastic submarine fan setting. Seven facies are recognised from core and thin section characterisation and are grouped into three carbonate turbidite sequences. They include: 1) Calciturbidites, comprising mostly of highto low-density, wavy-laminated bioclast-rich facies; 2) low-density densite mudstones which are characterised by planar laminated and unlaminated muddominated facies; and 3) Calcidebrites which are muddy or hyper-concentrated debrisflow deposits occurring as poorly-sorted, chaotic, mud-supported floatstones. These

Phd by thesis

Energy production and storage have become key issues concerning our welfare in daily life. Present challenges for batteries are twofold. In the first place, the increasing demand for powering systems of portable electronic devices and zero-emission vehicles stimulates research towards high energy and high voltage systems. In the second place, low cost batteries are required in order to advance towards smart electric grids that integrate discontinuous energy flow from renewable sources, optimizing the performance of clean energy sources. Na-ion batteries can be the key for the second point, because of the huge availability of sodium, its low price and the similarity of both Li and Na insertion chemistries. In spite of the lower energy density and voltage of Na-ion based technologies, they can be focused on applications where the weight and footprint requirement is less drastic, such as electrical grid storage. Much work has to be done in the field of Na-ion in order to catch up with Li-ion technology. Cathodic and anodic materials must be optimized, and new electrolytes will be the key point for Na-ion success. This review will gather the up-to-date knowledge about Na-ion battery materials, with the aim of providing a wide view of the systems that have already been explored and a starting point for the new research on this battery technology.

Na-ion batteries, recent advances and present challenges to become low cost energy storage systems

Suzuki−Miyaura coupling reactions of aryl and heteroaryl halides with aryl-, heteroaryl- and vinylboronic acids proceed in very good to excellent yield with the use of 2-(2‘,6‘-dimethoxybiphenyl)dicyclohexylphosphine, SPhos (1). This ligand confers unprecedented activity for these processes, allowing reactions to be performed at low catalyst levels, to prepare extremely hindered biaryls and to be carried out, in general, for reactions of aryl chlorides at room temperature. Additionally, structural studies of various 1·Pd complexes are presented along with computational data that help elucidate the efficacy that 1 imparts on Suzuki−Miyaura coupling processes. Moreover, a comparison of the reactions with 1 and with 2-(2‘,4‘,6‘-triisopropylbiphenyl)diphenylphosphine (2) is presented that is informative in determining the relative importance of ligand bulk and electron-donating ability in the high activity of catalysts derived from ligands of this type. Further, when the aryl bromide becomes too hindered, an ...

Catalysts for Suzuki−Miyaura Coupling Processes: Scope and Studies of the Effect of Ligand Structure

Recent Developments in the Preparation and Chemistry of Metallacycles and Metallacages via Coordination

Iron Catalysis in Organic Synthesis

The intramolecular iron-catalyzed ring expansion reaction of epoxyalkenes was investigated with a preformed iron(salen) [Fe(Salen)] complex. The formal insertion of the alkene into the epoxide generated hexahydrocyclopenta[c]furan derivatives in moderate to good yields and diastereoselectivities depending on other functional groups present in the starting materials. In addition, oxygen-tethered epoxyalkenes were used for the synthesis of lignan isomers. The scope and limitations of the Fe(Salen)-catalyzed process of the reaction are discussed.

Synthesis of Hexahydrocyclopenta[c]furans by an Intramolecular Iron-Catalyzed Ring Expansion Reaction

Synthesis and Structural Elucidation of Novel Bisarylmethylidenes of Cyclic Enones

An efficient direct synthesis of dehydrodecaline derivatives is reported via a tandem aldol condensation–Diels–Alder cycloaddition process under Lewis acidic conditions. Addition of dienophile moieties to conjugated dienes, formed in situ from the condensation of enone 1 with aldehydes, lead to high-yield stereo­selective synthesis of the final endo products in relatively short time periods. Products precipitate upon concentration of the organic phase and are purified by recrystallization.

A Novel and Efficient Tandem Aldol Condensation–Diels–Alder Reaction Pathway for the Direct Synthesis of Dehydrodecaline Derivatives

Jahn–Teller-distorted dimeric anions in (cat)[Mn2F8(H2O)2]·2H2O (cat = pipzH2, dabcoH2) and (dabcoH2)2[Mn2F8(H2PO4)2]

The new compounds [bmmim]24[Sn36Ge24Se132] (I) (bmmim: 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium) and [bmim]24[Sn32.5Ge27.5Se132] (II) are ionothermally synthesized by heating SnCl4 and [K4(H2O)3][Ge4Se10] in [bmmim][BF4] or [bmim][BF4], respectively, in the presence of a small amount of 2,6-dimethylmorpholine (sealed pyrex tube, 150 °C, 2 d, 34 and 28% yield for (I) and (II), respectively).

Werner Massa

Papers

Synthesis of Hexahydrocyclopenta[c]furans by an Intramolecular Iron-Catalyzed Ring Expansion Reaction

Synthesis and Structural Elucidation of Novel Bisarylmethylidenes of Cyclic Enones

A Novel and Efficient Tandem Aldol Condensation–Diels–Alder Reaction Pathway for the Direct Synthesis of Dehydrodecaline Derivatives

Jahn–Teller-distorted dimeric anions in (cat)[Mn2F8(H2O)2]·2H2O (cat = pipzH2, dabcoH2) and (dabcoH2)2[Mn2F8(H2PO4)2]

“Zeoball” [Sn36Ge24Se132]24-: A Molecular Anion with Zeolite-Related Composition and Spherical Shape.