Electrochemical Synthesis of Sulfinate Esters: Nickel(II)-Catalyzed Oxidative Esterification of Thiols with Alcohols in an Undivided Cell

In this study, nickel-catalyzed electrochemical oxidative esterification of thiols with alcohols for the synthesis of sulfinate esters has been reported. The electrochemical oxidative esterification proceeded through a nickel-catalyzed oxidation of thiols using an undivided cell of graphite/nickel electrodes, where the nickel oxidation was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The method was conveniently and directly used for the one-pot synthesis of sulfinate esters of thiols.

Photobiological hydrogen production and artificial photosynthesis for clean energy: from bio to nanotechnologies

Global energy demand is increasing rapidly and due to intensive consumption of different forms of fuels, there are increasing concerns over the reduction in readily available conventional energy resources. Because of the deleterious atmospheric effects of fossil fuels and the uncertainties of future energy supplies, there is a surge of interest to find environmentally friendly alternative energy sources. Hydrogen (H2) has attracted worldwide attention as a secondary energy carrier, since it is the lightest carbon-neutral fuel rich in energy per unit mass and easy to store. Several methods and technologies have been developed for H2 production, but none of them are able to replace the traditional combustion fuel used in automobiles so far. Extensively modified and renovated methods and technologies are required to introduce H2 as an alternative efficient, clean, and cost-effective future fuel. Among several emerging renewable energy technologies, photobiological H2 production by oxygenic photosynthetic microbes such as green algae and cyanobacteria or by artificial photosynthesis has attracted significant interest. In this short review, we summarize the recent progress and challenges in H2-based energy production by means of biological and artificial photosynthesis routes.