•An efficient synthetic route to 3-halo-3-arylacrylonitriles (including Cl-, Br- and I-) is described.•High regio- and stereoselectivity is achieved, only Z-isomers are observed.•Halogen atoms are sourced from readily available inorganic salts.•First systematic study on the addition of cyanoalkynes with metal halides.An efficient synthesis of 3-halo-3-arylacrylonitrile is described from the direct addition between cyanoalkynes and inorganic alkaline metal halides such as LiCl, LiBr and KI in good to satisfactory yields. No transition metal is needed for the synthesis of iodo- and bromo-products, although Pd catalyst is used to accelerate the chloro-product.Synthetic pathway towards 3-halo-3-arylacrylonitriles with high efficiency, versatility and excellent regio- and stereoselectivity.Download high-res image (76KB)Download full-size image

•Polyimide with electron-withdrawing sulfonyl connection unit is synthesized.•Li cell based on this polyimide cathode provides a flat discharge plateau at 2.5 V.•Increasing electrolyte concentration can enhance the cycling performance.•Na cell gives a flat discharge plateau at 2.3 V and a sloping plateau at 1.9 V.A sulfonyl-based polyimide has been synthesized and investigated as cathode for lithium and sodium secondary batteries. The lithium cell delivers a flat discharge plateau at 2.5 V with an average discharge voltage of 2.45 V. Increasing the lithium salt concentration can largely enhance the cycling performance. A stable discharge capacities of 120 mAh g−1 is obtained for long-term cycling (450 cycles) with concentrated electrolyte. The sodium cell provides two plateaus with an average discharge voltage of 2.0 V. The capacity retention rate of the sodium cell is 70% at 100th cycle (86 mAh g−1).A polyimide with electron-withdrawing sulfonyl group as the connection unit has been synthesized and investigated as cathode for lithium and sodium secondary batteries.

•1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium perfluorinated sulfonylimide ionic liquid crystals.•Smectic A liquid crystalline mesophase was observed.•Layered structure was determined for the crystalline phase by single-crystal XRD.•Relatively weak coulomb interaction between perfluorinated sulfonylimide anion and imidazolium headgroup.In contrast to the studies on ionic liquids based on perfluorinated sulfonylimide anions, their ionic liquid crystals were seldom reported. In the present study, four 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium perfluorinated sulfonylimide salts ([CxMIm][N(SO2RF)2], x = 18 and 22; RF = F (FSI) and CF3 (TFSI)) have been synthesized and characterized. [C22MIm][FSI], [C18MIm][FSI], and [C22MIm][TFSI] show smectic A2 liquid crystalline mesophase. Single-crystal XRD revealed that [C18MIm][FSI] and [C22MIm][TFSI] show layered structures of low-polar and high-polar layers alternate with each other in the crystalline phase. It is suggested that perfluorinated sulfonylimide anions have relatively weak coulomb interactions with imidazolium headgroups, making them relatively difficult to form mesophase.Thermal and structural properties of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium perfluorinated sulfonylimide ionic liquid crystals, and explanation for why ionic liquid crystals based on perfluorinated sulfonylimide anions are rare.

A direct oxidative cross coupling between terminal alkynes and CuCN to form 1-cyanoalkynes was reported. FeCl3 was employed as the sole additive. The reaction could be carried out under mild conditions, with moderate to good yields.

Conjugated diynes have attracted more and more attention not only for their unique rod like structures and wide existence in nature product, but also the abundant properties and derivations of them. Although oxidative dimerization of alkynes or Cadiot–Chodkiewicz reactions were the main pathway and have achieved great success in the synthesis of diynes, oxidative cross coupling, FBW rearrangement as well as diyne metathesis emerged rapidly recently. Moreover, diynes could be precursors of basic heterocycles, which represented an emerging research area. This Letter will cover the recent progresses in the synthesis and further derivations of diynes.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide