Two new metal−organic framework (MOF) compounds were synthesized by a room temperature slow diffusion reaction. The compounds, [Cd 3 (C 8 H 3 SO 7 ) 2 -(C 10 H 8 N 4 ) 3 (C 3 H 7 NO) 2 ](C 3 H 7 NO) 2 •(CH 3 OH) 4 , I, and [Cd 3 (C 8 H 3 SO 7 ) 2 (C 12 H 10 N 4 ) 3 (C 3 H 7 NO) 2 ](C 12 H 10 N 4 )• (C 3 H 7 NO) 2 , II, have comparable structures formed by Cdsulfoisopthalate layers cross-linked by bipyridyl linkers forming three-dimensional structures. The compounds have both Lewis acidic (Cd metal centers) as well as basic (azine, free pyridine, and uncoordinated sulfo oxygens) sites, and they exhibited good catalytic activity for one-pot tandem deacetalization−Knoevenagel condensation reactions. The compounds exhibit catalytic activity both in the presence of a solvent as well as in solvent-free conditions. Compound I also exhibits good proton conductivity at room temperature.

The advent of novel carbonaceous nanomaterials (CMs) associated with microalgae paved an alternate way for the bioeconomic production of biofuels as well as high value added compounds. Herein, we for the first time, present a holistic approach for sustainable biomass and lipid production from Chlorella pyrenoidosa, wherein CMs, namely N-doped carbon nanosheets (CNS) and Ndoped graphene nanosheets (NGS) were used as one of the algal growth supporting factors. Doping carbon nanomaterials with nitrogen can effectively tune its electronic structure and other intrinsic properties for efficient photocatalysis. The utilization of CNS and NGS in this process lead to rapid, environment friendly, and facile assimilation of biomass and lipids for the development of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and other bioenergy associated applications. Employing a suite of characterization methods, the intrinsic structural and morphological properties of CMs were revealed. Compared with control, the lipid content obtained in the presence of undoped carbonized carbon materials (CCM), CNS, and NGS were found to be around 1.5-, 2-, and 6-fold higher, respectively, at similar growth conditions. We, therefore, envisage that graphitic nitrogen rich NGS plays a pivotal role in enhancing the lipid production from algae. This finding, therefore, exhibits a promising potential to bring about a paradigm shift in the field of bioenergy frameworks.

Two new azide bridged copper(II) coordination polymer compounds, [Cu7(N3)14(C3H10N2)(C4H13N3)]n (I) and [Cu7(N3)14(C3H10N2)(C5H15N3)2]n (II) [where C3H10N2 = 1,2-diaminopropane (1,2-DAP); C4H13N3 = diethylenetriamine (DETA); C5H15N3 = N-2-aminoethyl-1,3-propanediamine (AEDAP)] were prepared by employing a room temperature diffusion technique involving three layers. Single crystal studies reveal that both compounds I and II, have similar connectivity forming Cu7 clusters through end-on (EO) bonding of the azide. The Cu7 clusters are connected through end-to-end (EE) connectivity of the azides forming three-dimensional structures. Magnetic studies confirmed the ferromagnetic interactions within the Cu7 units and revealed the occurrence of concomitant ferro- and antiferro-magnetic interactions between these clusters. As a result I behaves as a weak-ferromagnet with TC = 10 K.