Treasuring trash: Pt/SrTiO₃ catalysts process plastic waste into high-value materials (Poeppelmeier)

The widespread use of single-use plastics is due to their cost-effectiveness, stability, and adaptable properties. Common recycling methods like mechanical recycling and pyrolysis lack precision in turning plastic waste into uniform materials for a circular economy. Catalytic hydrogenolysis, involving breaking polymer bonds using a supported catalyst and hydrogen, holds promise for transforming plastics into valuable products for commercial use. This article highlights progress in polyolefin hydrogenolysis, specifically focusing on Pt nanoparticles on SrTiO₃ nanocuboid supports. It delves into current advancements, challenges, and future directions in this field. Matter 6, 1 (2023)

Spin-Frustrated Trisradical Trication of PrismCage (Stoddart/Wasielewski)

A new type of organic trisradical, which has threefold symmetry, has garnered attention due to its unique magnetic properties linked to spin frustration. This study introduces a triangular prism-shaped organic cage termed PrismCage6+ and its trisradical trication TR3(•+). PrismCage6+ consists of three 4,4'-bipyridinium dications and two 1,3,5-phenylene units connected by six methylene groups. The solid-state structure of PrismCage6+ shows a twisted shape with near C3 symmetry, attributed to encapsulating a PF6– anion. PrismCage6+ is progressively reduced to its mono-, di-, and trisradical cations in MeCN due to strong electronic interaction between its bipyridinium units. TR3(•+), formed by reducing PrismCage6+, adopts a prism shape with nearly C2v symmetry in the solid state. Its electron paramagnetic resonance spectra suggest a doublet ground state, indicating pronounced spin frustration and potential applications in spin chemistry and organic cages. J. Am. Chem.Soc. 145, 13195 (2023)

Metal–Organic Frameworks with a Bioinspired Porous Polymer Coating for Sieving Separation (Farha/Gianneschi)

Researchers are exploring polymer and metal-organic framework (MOF) composites, aiming to combine polymer flexibility with MOF crystallinity. Traditional methods involve coating MOFs with polymers, enhancing surface polymer properties but reducing MOF porosity. A new approach introduces a porous synthetic allomelanin (AM) coating on the zirconium-based MOF UiO-66, which preserves MOF porosity while creating core-shell nanoparticles (AM@UiO-66). The strategy is adaptable for larger-pore MOFs, showing promise for hexane separation and storage capacity. This innovative technique holds potential for enhancing MOF-polymer composite properties. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 145, 18402 (2023)