2021 (work in progress)

Chemistry Günther Schlonk Chemistry Günther Schlonk

The Smythe Reagent: ~1.6 M LiOH in Hexane

The Smythe reagent is an approximately 1.6 M suspension of LiOH in hexane, and is ubiquitous in synthetic chemistry laboratories worldwide. While commercially available, it is more frequently prepared from n-butyllithium, usually by accident. We describe a range of applications for this reagent, such as the O-lithiation of carboxylic acids, hydrolysis of ethyl esters and chlorophosphines, racemisation of alpha-stereocenters and poly-Claisen condensations.

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Chemistry Günther Schlonk Chemistry Günther Schlonk

Platinum-Group Based Pentazolatocarboxylate MILFs for Direct CO2 Capture and Solar Fuel Applications

We report the preparation of a PtO-pentazole Metal Inorganically Linked Framework (MILF). This MILF was characterised by PXRD and elemental analysis, and exhibits pronounced host-guest interactions, stimulus-response behaviour, and high internal surface area. The material also shows promise as a catalyst for the conversion of CO2 to octane.

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Chemistry Günther Schlonk Chemistry Günther Schlonk

Methyl Ethyl Butyl Futyl

Eveyone who has spent more than a year in the field of organic chemistry has heard the refrain: methyl ethyl butyl futile. This joke underligns the point of diminishing returns which is reached when making analogues of the same molecule. Because of this joke, the versatile chemistry of the futyl group has been overshadowed. This review highlights some examples in the history and applications of the futyl group.

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Chemistry Günther Schlonk Chemistry Günther Schlonk

Novel Magnesium-Based Chlorin for Efficient Catalytic Reduction of CO2

Utilisation of CO2 has historically been done via catalytic conversion into methane or syngas. Such a process involves the use of inorganic and potentially environmental-unfriendly metals while the products are also not biodegradable. Much safer alternatives are proposed in this paper. It is discovered that the introduction of trace Mg2+ into a solution of Chlorin A (Figure 1) results in a catalyst capable of reducing CO2 into various polyalcohols, the latter being energy sources for many organisms.

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Chemistry Günther Schlonk Chemistry Günther Schlonk

Chemical Frenetics: Party Drugs as Organocatalysts

We have tested a range of recreational drugs as organocatalysts in the Fukovski Combobulation. Most of the tested drugs are detrimental to the reaction, but cocaine shows promise as a catalyst, with the appropriate dosage. The mechanistic roles of these molecules are probed with chemical frenetic measurements and Density Dysfunctional Theory (DDT).

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