Site-selective chemistry opens new paths for the synthesis of technologically important molecules. When a reactant is placed inside a Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity, energy exchange between molecular vibrations and resonant cavity photons results in vibrational strong coupling (VSC). VSC has recently been implicated in modified chemical reactivity at spec...
Vibrational polaritonic chemistry is emerging as an exciting new sub-field of chemistry, one in which strong interactions with optical cavity vacuum fields are another degree of freedom alongside temperature, solvent, catalyst, and so on to modify thermochemical reactivity. The field stands at a fascinating juncture with experimental works on a var...
Light-molecule strong coupling has emerged within the last decade as a new method to control chemical reactions. A few years ago it was discovered that chemical reactivity could be altered by vibrational strong coupling (VSC). Only a limited number of reactions have been investigated under VSC to date, including solvolysis and deprotection reaction...
An efficient one-pot three-component Kabachnik-Fields reaction of aldehydes (acyclic nucleosides), amines (or amino acid), and triethyl phosphite proceeded for the synthesis of aminophosphonates using natural phosphate coated with iodine (I-2@NP) as a catalyst. The novel alpha-aminophosphonate and phosphonic acid acyclic nucleosides were tested for...
Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection is a critical and growing application for the disinfection of water. Current UV systems for disinfection applications are designed around the use of Low Pressure (LP) and High Pressure (HP) mercury based lamps. Increasing demand to reduce and ideally remove the use of mercury requires innovative adaptations and novel a...
The nanoporous oxide 12CaO•7Al2O3 (C12A7) can capture large concentrations of extra-framework species inside its nanopores, while maintaining its thermodynamical stability. Here we use atomistic simulation to predict the efficacy of C12A7 to encapsulate volatile fission products, in its stoichiometric and much more effective electride forms. In the...
A recent symposium and workshop in Khartoum, the capital of the Republic of Sudan, brought together broad expertise from three universities to address the current burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases facing the Sudanese healthcare system. These meetings identified common challenges that impact the burden of diseases in the country, ...
Deficiency in calcium, zinc, selenium, and iodine remains a major health issue in Africa. A selenium (Se) status survey conducted in central Kenya highlands revealed a high risk of dietary Se deficiency. This study investigates the effect of soil and foliar Se fertilizer application on Se concentration in maize and bean grains. It further tests the...
The syntheses of the reported compounds AgM9(VO4)(6)I (M = Ba, Pb) were reinvestigated. Stoichiometric amounts of AgI with either M-3(VO4)(2) (M = Ba, Pb) or PbO and V2O5 were reacted in the solid-state at elevated temperatures in air or in flame-sealed quartz vessels. The resulting products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electro...
