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At least 19 records

Understanding Electrochemical Alcohol Hydrogenolysis Enabled by Carbonyl Reduction in Lignocellulosic Biomass-Derived Aromatic Oxygenates

Molecules derived from lignocellulosic biomass are oxygenates with multiple oxygen-containing functional groups, such as hydroxyl and carbonyl groups. Therefore, the ability to selectively reduce a specific oxygenate group is essential for the reductive upgrading of such molecules. Previous studies on electrochemical biomass conversion have shown that alcohol hydrogenolysis, which involves cleavage of the σ(C–O alcohol ) bond, is extremely challenging for furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) derivatives, including furfuryl alcohol, 5-methylfurfuryl alcohol (MFA), and 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF). In contrast, HMF itself undergoes alcohol hydrogenolysis relatively easily in acidic aqueous media. Considering that the only structural difference between HMF and BHMF or MFA is the presence of a carbonyl group, this observation raises the question of whether the carbonyl group in HMF facilitates alcohol hydrogenolysis. In this study, we designed systematic experiments to provide a coherent explanation of when and how a carbonyl group enables hydrogenolysis of a copresent alcohol group. Specifically, we show that alcohol hydrogenolysis in HMF proceeds via reduction of the carbonyl group to a ketyl radical, followed by a spin-center shift (SCS) through extended π conjugation. We also elucidate the effect of pH on the selectivity between carbonyl hydrogenation and alcohol hydrogenolysis, both of which share the ketyl radical intermediate. This mechanistic understanding enhances our ability to predict and control alcohol hydrogenolysis in the reductive upgrading of biomass-derived oxygenates.

alcohols

An analysis of alcohol compression ignition strategies on different engine platforms

Strategies that enable ignition of the low cetane alcohol fuels (methanol and ethanol) include intake heating (direct or via hot residual trapping), increased compression ratio (CR), multi-injection strategies, ignition enhancers, and active prechambers. The literature consistently shows alcohol compression ignition (CI) is more efficient than diesel at high loads irrespective of ignition strategy but shows contradictory results at low loads. To understand this, this work combines data from four different engine platforms ranging from a displaced volume of 0.4 to 2.1 L/cyl. using different alcohol CI ignition strategies. Using modeling to support experimental analysis, alcohol-specific efficiency penalties are highlighted to inform alcohol combustion system development. The alcohols’ lower energy density means more fuel must be injected near top dead center to achieve a given load, increasing the relative penalty of sensible/latent heating. Pilot injections help reduce this penalty. Intake heating incurs both a heat transfer penalty and a thermodynamic penalty due to a reduced ratio of specific heats during compression. A strategy that combines elevated CR, large pilot injections, and ignition enhancers can avoid this penalty. Alternatively, a prechamber strategy can achieve this without changing the CR, nor needing ignition enhancers in the fuel. At low loads, diesel burns in a partially premixed mode characterized by high burn rates and low heat losses, reducing alcohol-specific combustion benefits. Alcohol CI on the light-duty platform showed abnormally high heat transfer over diesel compared to other platforms, favoring a more premixed/partially premixed strategy despite a combustion efficiency tradeoff.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS

Genetic and metabolic drivers of membrane remodeling in Clostridium thermocellum under alcohol stress

Clostridium thermocellum is a leading candidate for consolidated bioprocessing of lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels due to its native cellulolytic capabilities. Beyond ethanol, C. thermocellum is being developed as a platform for producing higher-chain alcohols such as isobutanol and n-butanol. However, its physiological adaptations to alcohol stress remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate how C. thermocellum remodels its membrane lipid composition in response to exogenous ethanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, and butyrate. Exposure to linear alcohols such as n-butanol or to organic acids like butyrate increased the proportion of straight-chain fatty acids in the membrane at the expense of branched-chain species, whereas exposure to the branched alcohol isobutanol produced the opposite effect. Isotope tracer experiments demonstrated that C. thermocellum directly incorporates the carbon backbones of exogenous alcohols and acids into fatty acids, providing a mechanistic basis for these contrasting shifts. We show that the bifunctional aldehyde/alcohol dehydrogenase AdhE is essential for the assimilation of exogenous alcohols into fatty acids, acting through its oxidative activity by first oxidizing alcohols to aldehydes and then converting them to acyl-CoA intermediates. Deletion of the pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase isozyme pfor4 abolished branched-chain fatty acid synthesis, but supplementation with isobutanol restored production, indicating that Pfor4 substitutes for the canonical branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex. These findings reveal two distinct routes for branched-chain fatty acid production in C. thermocellum: a Pfor4-dependent pathway from α-keto acid intermediates derived from amino acid synthesis, and an AdhE-dependent salvage pathway that assimilates exogenous branched-chain alcohols.

Acetivibrio thermocellus

Reactivity of net-zero carbon alcohol fuels and their corresponding aldehyde intermediates on PGM-based commercial oxidation catalysts for lean-burn emissions control

Alcohol net-zero carbon fuels will play a significant role in decarbonization of the hard-to-electrify transportation sectors. However, the combustion process in alcohol-fueled engines generate toxic aldehydes. For commercialization of net-zero carbon fuels on engines, compliance with the stringent U.S. EPA regulations is necessary. Here, this contribution focuses on reactivity of alcohols and aldehydes on commercial diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) to inform selection of future net-zero carbon fuels. Alcohol (and aldehyde) light-off temperatures were measured on aged DOCs under full synthetic engine-exhaust conditions. Methanol was the most reactive, while ethanol completely oxidized at higher temperatures. Alcohols typically formed less reactive aldehyde intermediates. DRIFTS revealed strongly adsorbing surface formates and acetates during methanol and ethanol oxidation, respectively, resulting in inhibition effects. Preliminary alcohol oxidation mechanisms combining flow reactor and DRIFTS observations are presented. Aldehydes inhibited CO oxidation. Minimal N 2 O formation was observed for the alcohols investigated.

Alcohol oxidation

Engineered enzymatic cascade converts diols to amino alcohols

Aliphatic amino alcohols such as 6-amino-1-hexanol are potential platform chemicals for a variety of advanced materials, but applications are currently limited by reagent costs. Aliphatic amino alcohols can currently be synthesized from biomass-derived diols at elevated temperatures and pressures using Ru-based catalysts that produce a mixture of amino-alcohol, diamine, and cyclic amine products. Replacing chemical amination with an enzymatic cascade would reduce resource needs and enable reactions under milder conditions. In this work, we characterized a two-enzyme cascade that selectively converts C4–C7 diols to the corresponding amino alcohols under aqueous conditions at room temperature and pressure. By engineering the rate-limiting enzyme and optimizing reaction conditions, we increased amino alcohol production nearly 30-fold, achieving a selectivity of 99%. The same enzyme cascade could also be used to convert amino alcohols into cyclic amines through reduction of the corresponding cyclic imine. This engineered cascade provides a green opportunity to sustainably synthesize asymmetric bifunctional platform chemicals.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH

Evaluation of Aliphatic Alcohols for CO 2 Capture Using the Characteristic Carbonate Frequency

Control over CO 2 capture and utilization are important scientific and technological challenges. Although a variety of amine absorbents are used for capture, releasing the captured CO 2 is often difficult and limits their recyclability. Therefore, it is crucial to control the strength of the CO 2 bond with the absorbent. Furthermore, it is desirable to use a method that can conveniently report the strength of this bond. This motivates exploring adducts of CO 2 with alcohols in the presence of a base, using vibrational spectroscopy to report on the bond strength. Although reactions of alcohols with CO 2 to form alkyl carbonates are known, a systematic study of these adducts has not been conducted. Here we show formation of alkyl carbonates by a series of alcohols spanning the pK a range 9.5 to 16.8. We show experimental and computational results for the frequency of the characteristic asymmetric stretch of the carbonate and demonstrate that it correlates inversely with the pK a of the alcohol. Based on computations of the bond lengths and previous work, we propose that this frequency also correlates inversely with the adduct strength. As a result, this work extends the scope of CO 2 capture reagents and inspires further research in tuning alcohols as reversible absorbents.

Alcohols

Mechanistic Investigation of the Ce(III) Chloride Photoredox Catalysis System: Understanding the Role of Alcohols as Additives

Photocatalytic C–H activation is an emerging area of research. While cerium chloride photocatalysts have been extensively studied, the role of alcohol additives in these systems remains a subject of ongoing discussion. It was demonstrated that the photocatalyst [NEt 4 ] 2 [Ce IV Cl 6 ] ( 1 ) produces •Cl and added alcohols exhibit zero-order kinetics. Prior studies by other researchers suggested that 1 and alcohols lead to cerium alkoxide [Ce–OR] and alkoxy radical intermediates. Here, to understand these seemingly divergent mechanistic proposals, an expanded investigation comparing cerium(IV) catalyst 1 and cerium(III) complex [NEt 4 ] 3 [Ce III Cl 6 ] ( 2 ), which exhibit markedly different reactivity and C–H selectivity, is disclosed. Our findings reveal that alcohol additives accelerate the conversion of cerium(III) to cerium(IV) catalysts, forming key intermediates such as [NEt 4 ] 2 [Ce III Cl 5 (HOCH 3 )] ( 5 ) and [NEt 4 ] 2 [Ce IV Cl 5 (OCH 3 )] ( 6 ), driven by excited-state di-tert-butyl azodicarboxylate under blue light irradiation. The active complex 6 releases the •OCH 3 radical, in sharp contrast to •Cl radicals initiated by cerium(IV) photoredox catalyst 1 . These different reactivity and selectivity profiles can be understood in the context of complex 5 generation and in situ formation of base to afford complex 6 . Experimental validation shows enhanced selectivity toward C–H bonds with different reactivity with catalyst 1 and methanol upon the addition of base and decreased selectivity with catalyst 2 and methanol upon the addition of acid. These findings unify the previously contrasting observations of cerium halide/alkoxide photocatalytic systems and provide a comprehensive understanding on the essential role of base/acid and alcohol in selectivity and reactivity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH

Major facilitator family transporters specifically enhance caffeyl alcohol uptake during C‐lignin biosynthesis

The mode of transport of lignin monomers to the sites of polymerization in the apoplast remains controversial. C-Lignin is a recently discovered form of lignin found in some seed coats that is composed exclusively of units derived from caffeyl alcohol. RNA-seq and proteome analyses identified a number of transporters co-expressed with C-lignin deposition in the seed coat of Cleome hassleriana. Cloning and influx/efflux analysis assays in yeast identified two low-affinity transporters, ChPLT3 and ChSUC1, that were active with caffeyl alcohol but not with the classical monolignols p-coumaryl, coniferyl, and sinapyl alcohols, consistent with molecular modeling and docking studies. Expression of ChPLT3 in Arabidopsis seedlings enhanced root growth in the presence of caffeyl alcohol, and expression of ChPLT3 and ChSUC1 correlated with lignin C-unit content in hairy roots of Medicago truncatula. We present a model, consistent with phylogenetic and evolutionary considerations, whereby passive caffeyl alcohol transport may be supplemented by hitchhiking on secondary active transporters to ensure the synthesis of C-lignin, and inhibition of synthesis of G-lignin, in the apoplast.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Interactions of Polar and Nonpolar Groups of Alcohols in Zeolite Pores

Understanding the quantitative interactions among zeolite pore walls, Bro̷nsted acid sites, and molecules with both polar and nonpolar regions is essential for scoping out the potential of zeolites as sorbents and catalysts. Purely siliceous zeolites (MFI and Beta in the present study) are hydrophobic, whereas those containing aluminum are considered hydrophilic, preferentially adsorbing organic molecules even in aqueous environments. To characterize these interactions, we use primary alcohols of increasing molecular weight, quantifying their specific interactions in the confined pore space of the alkyl (CH x ) and OH groups. Three types of interactions were identified: (i) alkyl CH x groups interacting with the zeolite pore walls (approximately 10 kJ mol −1 per carbon), (ii) alcohol OH groups interacting with the pore walls (30−35 kJ mol −1 ), and (iii) alcohol OH groups interacting with Bro̷nsted acid sites (37 kJ mol −1 ). All three interactions were well mirrored by computational simulations. The contribution of the alkyl CH x groups was inferred from the incremental increase in sorption enthalpy with increasing molecular weight; the interaction strength of the OH groups was determined by extrapolating the global adsorption enthalpy of the alcohols to a hypothetical OH group without an alkyl group. This value was identical to the adsorption enthalpy of water. The experiments demonstrated that only water has an adsorption enthalpy on zeolite pore walls lower than its condensation enthalpy (30−35 kJ mol −1 vs 45 kJ mol −1 ), limiting the concentration of water that can be adsorbed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH

A polyketide-based biosynthetic platform for diols, amino alcohols and hydroxy acids

Medium- and branched-chain diols and amino alcohols are important industrial solvents, polymer building blocks, cosmetics and pharmaceutical ingredients, yet biosynthetically challenging to produce. Here we present an approach that uses a modular polyketide synthase (PKS) platform for the efficient production of these compounds. This platform takes advantage of a versatile loading module from the rimocidin PKS and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent terminal thioreductases. Reduction of the terminal aldehyde with alcohol dehydrogenases enables the production of diols, oxidation enables the production of hydroxy acids and specific transaminases allow the production of various amino alcohols. Furthermore, replacement of the malonyl-coenzyme A-specific acyltransferase in the extension module with methyl- or ethylmalonyl-coenzyme A-specific acyltransferase enables the production of branched-chain diols, amino alcohols and carboxylic acids in high titres. Use of our PKS platform in Streptomyces albus demonstrated the high tunability and efficiency of the platform.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH

Advanced Catalysts for Olefin Synthesis: Copper(II) Quinoline-Fused Oxazolidines in Alcohol Dehydration

The new copper(II) catalyst [Cu( Q FOX)- (CH 3 CN)][OTf] 2 has been synthesized and found to be active for alcohol dehydration to give olefins at 120 °C with a 1% catalyst loading ( Q FOX = di-2-quinolinyl-fused-oxazolidine). Benzylic, allylic, and tertiary alcohols are all dehydrated. In some cases, ethers are observed to be produced, but these are re-entrained into the catalytic cycle. Unactivated secondary alcohols are also dehydrated. Similar catalysts employing Mn II , Fe II , Co II , and Ni II were also synthesized but showed reduced dehydration activity compared to the copper(II) derivative. A Cu I analog was also prepared but did not show improved dehydration activity.

Alcohols

Iron Single‐Atom Catalyzed N‐Alkylation of Amines with Alcohols via Solvent‐Free Borrowing Hydrogen Strategy

Abstract Industrial hydrogenation is a pivotal process in chemical synthesis. However, it has significant drawbacks, including high cost, safety risks associated with the use of molecular hydrogen gas, and substantial energy demands due to the need for elevated temperatures and pressures to achieve satisfactory yields. The borrowing hydrogen synthesis, which enables the transfer of hydrogen between molecules, offers a promising approach for green, one‐pot synthesis of industrially important chemicals and intermediates. Despite its potential, the broad application remains limited due to the reliance on toxic solvents, expensive noble metal catalysts, and the still restricted efficiency and substrate scope. In this study, the first solvent‐free strategy for theN‐alkylation of amines with alcohols is presented, employing an N‐doped graphene‐supported Fe single‐atom catalyst (Fe SA @N‐G; 1.06 wt.%). This approach achieves superior conversion and selectivity (up to 99%) along with record values for turnover number (TON, 1032.7) and turnover frequency (TOF, 413.1 h -1 ) for the coupling reaction of aniline with benzyl alcohol, surpassing all previously reported catalysts. DFT calculations, combined with experimental data, elucidated the reaction mechanism and identified the Fe 1 (III)‐N 4 active site participating in Fe‐H hydride transfer and containing two pyrrolic and two pyridinic nitrogens bound to the Fe center. The developed technology is further supported by the catalyst's excellent scalability, reusability, and performance under continuous‐flow conditions. Additionally, the exceptional efficiency of the single‐atom catalyst is demonstrated across more than 50 substrates, including reactions involving both aliphatic and aromatic amines with aliphatic and aromatic alcohols. The industrial applicability of this technology is validated through the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant compounds, including stimulant drugs, antihistamines, and pharmaceutical intermediates.

Chemistry

Effect of CO on alcohol oxidation over commercial oxidation catalysts for control of emissions from lean-burn engines

For commercialization, alcohol-based net-zero carbon fuels in diesel-driven internal combustion engines must meet emissions standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Here, a series of aged commercial oxidation catalysts, Pt diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), Pd+Pt DOC, and Pt oxidation catalyst (Pt OC), were studied using an automated flow reactor and in situ DRIFTS techniques to investigate the impact of CO on alcohol oxidation. Surface formate and acetate intermediates were formed due to partial oxidation of methanol and ethanol, respectively. Sequential introduction of alcohol and CO experiments using in situ DRIFTS on all three catalysts showed that CO inhibited low temperature methanol oxidation. Mutual inhibition effects between CO and ethanol were observed during co-oxidation. Acetate species shifted CO oxidation to higher temperatures on Pt DOC and Pt OC, whereas CO pre-exposure inhibited acetate formation. CO oxidation occurred at lower temperatures during ethanol and CO co-oxidation on Pd+Pt DOC.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS

Astrocyte Reactivity by Alcohol Dependence in the Central Amygdala

Astrocytes play essential roles in the brain, but prolonged insult can result in the loss or diminishment of homeostatic functions and increased neuroinflammatory response. The central amygdala (CeA) is an important limbic region in reward and stress responsivity as well as in the development of alcohol dependence. Using a multi-omics approach with Aldh1l1-EGFP/Rpl10a mice and the chronic intermittent ethanol – two-bottle choice exposure model, we have characterized the translational response of CeA astrocytes, as well as the proteomic and phosphoproteomic changes in dependent, non-dependent, and naïve mice. We identified astrocyte-specific alterations in neuroimmune functions and antioxidant/oxidative stress pathways in dependent animals while non-dependent EtOH drinking altered cytoskeletal plasticity related pathways. Proteomic analysis showed down-regulation of astrocyte physiological functions in dependent animals while phosphoproteomic analysis identified cytoskeleton remodeling in both dependent and non-dependent animals suggesting the development of a reactive astrocyte phenotype. Astrocyte morphological reconstruction showed increased CeA astrocyte complexity in dependent and non-dependent groups compared to naïve mice. The astrocyte-specific increase in neuroimmune functions, down-regulation of astrocyte homeostatic functions, alteration in protein phosphorylation-mediated cytoskeleton remodeling, and increased astrocyte complexity demonstrate EtOH induced astrocyte activation in the CeA and suggest the presence of both adaptive and maladaptive reactive astrocytes. These findings highlight the roles CeA astrocytes play in the progression of alcohol intake to dependence and are the first step in the identification of novel astrocyte-specific therapeutic approaches for alcohol use disorder through the potentiation of adaptive changes and inhibition of maladaptive changes in astrocytes.

Hashimoto, Joel

Aluminosilicate-mediated C(sp 2 )–H alkylation of furans using allylic alcohols

Alkyl furans have a variety of applications and therefore numerous approaches exist for their synthesis. While these methods can be effective, there are various drawbacks largely associated with the waste generated. Herein we report a novel method for the direct coupling of readily available furans with allylic alcohols. These include terpenoid alcohols such as geraniol and prenol, which are readily available from renewable, bio-derived feedstocks. Furthermore, the reaction is facilitated using aluminosilicates, including zeolites. It was found that Y-type zeolites were highly effective at mediating the coupling with furan, giving the 2-alkylated furan high yields. While various allylic alcohols were effective for this reaction, the identity of the furan proved to have a drastic impact on reactivity. For substituted furans, the reaction proved most effective with an amorphous aluminosilicate and calculations later revealed potential key factors in further developing and generalizing this methodology.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH

High‐Concentration Alcohol Generation in Bipolar Membrane CO Electrolyzer

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide offers an electricity‐powered route to make multicarbon liquid products. However, in conventional systems employing anion exchange membranes (AEMs), significant liquid product crossover leads to dilute product streams, increasing separation costs; and also produces unwanted anodic oxidation, further decreasing overall efficiency. Here, we report a forward‐biased bipolar membrane (FB‐BPM) system that achieves <10% liquid product crossover while sustaining a highly alkaline environment near the cathode, suppressing ethylene and hydrogen and favoring liquid products. By tuning catalyst composition to modulate the adsorption of *H and *OH, we steer selectivity toward acetate and alcohols. Using the FB‐BPM system, we achieve >25 wt% acetate on CuZn and >15 wt% alcohols on CuSn directly from the cathode outlet stream.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH

Properties and Autoignition Reactivity of Diesel Boiling Range Ethers Produced from Guerbet Alcohols

We examine the properties of diesel boiling range ethers made from coupling of alcohols produced by oligomerization of ethanol (Guerbet alcohols) for their utility as low-carbon liquid fuel blendstocks. Basic properties of boiling point, flash point, freezing point, density and viscosity are well suited for blending into diesel fuels. For the mixture of ethers the lightest component, di-n-butyl ether, can be present at up to 20 vol% while still having adequately high flashpoint for safe handling. Soot formation tendency (as yield sooting index) is well below that of conventional diesel. The ethers have similar compatibility with elastomers as conventional diesel, based on Hansen solubility parameter analysis. Oxidation stability was assessed for 30 vol% blends of individual ethers in a conventional diesel fuel using a long-term storage test. Over 6 weeks we observed no formation of peroxides or degradation. n-alkyl ethers with carbon number of 8 or higher have cetane number over 100, which is outside the defined range of cetane number, while branched ethers are over 70. The ethers also blend antagonistically into conventional diesel for cetane number, meaning that the blend cetane value is lower than predicted based on a linear by volume, mass, or mole model. We show that aromatics and naphthenes likely act as radical scavengers to slow or shut down autoignition of the highly reactive ethers at low to medium blend levels. Overall, diesel boiling range ethers show significant promise as high quality low-net carbon diesel blendstocks.

09 BIOMASS FUELS

Elucidating the Structural and Electronic Effects of Ni and Mn Cationic Incorporation on CoOOH for Efficient Benzyl Alcohol Electrooxidation

Transition-metal oxyhydroxides such as CoOOH are promising low-cost electrocatalysts for the selective electrooxidation of organic molecules, yet the influence of ubiquitous transition-metal impurities on their performance and durability remains poorly understood. Here, we experimentally probed the individual and synergistic electrochemical and structural effects of Ni and Mn incorporations into model CoOOH electrocatalysts toward an efficient benzyl alcohol oxidation reaction (BAOR). Comprehensive electrochemical, microscopic, and spectroscopic analyses reveal that Ni incorporation enhances charge-transfer kinetics and overall activity through the formation of catalytically active Ni 3+ sites, whereas Mn exhibited a more complex but interesting role. At the early stages of operation, Mn 4+ acts as a stabilizing surface layer that mitigates catalyst degradation but partially blocks Co sites before they undergo gradual leaching. The concurrent incorporation of both Ni and Mn yields a trimetallic 2NMC@NF electrocatalyst that integrates the activity benefits of Ni with the stability conferred by Mn, achieving 92.9% benzyl alcohol conversion and 91.4% Faradaic efficiency after 24 h at 1.5 V vs RHE. These findings elucidate how trace Ni and Mn impurities, often introduced from electrolytes or external sources, can modulate the lattice and electronic structure of CoOOH, offering a design strategy for enhancing both activity and long-term stability in electrocatalytic organic oxidation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH