ChemSusChem

The zeolite fantastic: The high efficiency of zeolites MFI, BEA and FAU in the cyclisation of unsaturated alcohols to afford oxygen-containing heterocyclic rings is demonstrated. It is proposed that the efficiency of the catalysts depends on the existence of the so-called dual site, at which a molecule of an unsaturated alcohol can simultaneously interact with two acid sites.

Fuel for thought: The dedicated production of 1,3-butadiene from bioethanol is expected to be an effective solution to its current substantial price increase. The Lebedev process for ethanol-to-butadiene conversion is reviewed in detail. The Review also extends to other commodity chemicals that are produced from ethanol and are involved as intermediates or byproducts in the bio-based butadiene production process.

Rough and ready: A platform technology for the hydrophobization of natural fibers in water through amphiphilic block copolymer micelle adsorption onto fibers and subsequent heating. The natural roughening of the fibers upon drying facilitates hydrophobization, and heating reveals the hydrophobic core, which allows further hydrophobizing of the surface. Heat treatment tunes the effect of changes to the advancing water contact angles of 120° to 150°.

Say it ain′t SO₂! The ionic liquid [Et₂NEMim][Tetz] is synthesized and demonstrated to have an extremely high absorption capacity and rapid absorption/desorption rates for the capture of SO₂. [Et₂NEMim][Tetz] can be regenerated and reused, making it a very attractive ionic liquid for practical SO₂ capture applications.

CuInS a phase: An amorphous Cu–In–S nanoparticle-based route to form dense CuInSe₂ absorber layers for thin-film solar cells, in which the precursor nanoparticles are prepared within one minute of reaction without external heating, is demonstrated. A power conversion efficiency as high as 7.94 % is achieved by using this method.