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Superhydrophobic to neutral water droplets, superhydrophilic to acidic or basic. This double transition of surface wettability in response to a single stimulus – pH – is demonstrated for the first time. The smart surface is composed of a rough gold surface modified with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) containing three thiols, HS(CH₂)₁₁CH₃, HS(CH₂)₁₀COOH, and HS(CH₂)₁₁NH₂. A ternary diagram is generated that describes wettability as a function of the SAM composition and the pH of the surrounding solution.

The spraying method is developed for the fabrication of mechanically robust and self-healing superhydrophobic coatings, which comprise highly porous and rough polyelectrolyte coatings preserved with low-surface-energy healing agents. These coatings can repetitively and autonomically restore superhydrophobicity in humid environments. After depletion of healing agents, superhydrophobic coatings with dual healing agents can regain their self-healing ability by re-spraying fluoroalkylsilane.

Robust superhydrophobic foam is fabricated by combining an ordered graphdiyne-based hierarchical structure with a low-surface-energy coating. This foam shows not only superhydrophobicity both in air (≈160.1°) and in oil (≈171.0°), but also high resistance toward abrasion cycles. Owing to its 3D porous structures and numerous superhydrophobic surfaces, it can easily separate oil from water with high efficiency and good recyclability.

Superhydrophobic/superoleophilic composites HFGO@ZIF-8 have been prepared from highly fluorinated graphene oxide (HFGO) and the nanocrystalline zeolite imidazole framework ZIF-8. The structure-directing and coordination-modulating properties of HFGO allow for the selective nucleation of ZIF-8 nanoparticles at the graphene surface oxygen functionalities. This results in localized nucleation and size-controlled ZIF-8 nanocrystals intercalated in between HFGO layers. The composite microstructure features fluoride groups bonded at the graphene. Self-assembly of a unique micro-mesoporous architecture is achieved, where the micropores originate from ZIF-8 nanocrystals, while the functionalized mesopores arise from randomly organized HFGO layers separated by ZIF-8 nanopillars. The hybrid material displays an exceptional high water contact angle of 162° and low oil contact angle of 0° and thus reveals very high sorption selectivity, fast kinetics, and good absorbencies for nonpolar/polar organic solvents and oils from water. Accordingly, Sponge@HFGO@ZIF-8 composites are successfully utilized for oil–water separation.

Pores for effect: The superhydrophobic and simutaneously superoleophilic HFGO@ZIF-8 composite were utilized for the oil–water separation. In this material zeolitic imidazolate (ZIF) nanocrystals serve as pillars between nanosheets of highly fluorinated graphene oxide.

The thermal degradation of silicones is exploited and engineered to make super­hydrophobic coatings that are scalable, healable, and ecofriendly for various outdoor applications. The coatings can be generated and regenerated at the rate of 1 m² min⁻¹ using premixed flames, adhere to a variety of substrates, and tolerate foot traffic (>1000 steps) after moderate wear and healing.

See-through surfaces: High transparency is required to use superomniphobic surfaces, which can be self-cleaning, stain-proof, anti-bio-fouling, drag-reducing, or anti-fogging, for smartphone screens (see picture), eye glasses, windshields, or flat panel displays. A spray-based method has now been developed that can fabricate transparent, flexible, and highly superomniphobic surfaces. HD=hexadecane.

An efficient method for the synthesis of organophosphorus compounds from alkenes or alkynes and P(O)H compounds under neutral and free-radical conditions was developed. The reaction takes place without solvent, at room temperature, open to the air, using just 0.1 equiv. of 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DPAP) as photoinitiator, and with the unsaturated compound and P(O)H derivative in an equimolar ratio. The reaction can also proceed under irradiation by sunlight, which makes this approach respectful to the environment.

A green and efficient hydrophosphinylation of various alkenes/alkynes is reported using 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone as photoinitiator under irradiation by UV light and/or sunlight.

By considering the high reactivity of fluorinated iron–porphyrin and good stability of porphyrin-based porous polymers, fluorinated iron–porphyrin conjugated porous polymers (FPOP-3–6) were synthesized through direct C−H arylation polymerization. The obtained materials are chemically and thermally stable, of which FPOP-3 exhibits the highest Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area (about 840 m² g⁻¹). For functional studies of the obtained polymers as heterogeneous catalysts, catalytic transformation of cycloketones into lactones by oxygen through Baeyer–Villiger oxidation was used as a model reaction. Fluorinated phenyl substituents of the iron–porphyrin not only are beneficial to the conversion, but also can stabilize the porphyrin to resist catalyst breakdown. The polymer FPOP-3, with high porosity, exhibits the best catalytic efficiency and recycling effect. The recovered catalyst also shows good catalytic activities after recycling three times with a small loss in yield.

Removed from the mix: The synthesis of fluorinated iron–porphyrin conjugated porous polymers through direct C−H arylation polymerization is described (see scheme). The application of these polymers as heterogeneous catalysts for Baeyer–Villiger oxidation is also discussed.

Research on chlorine-free conversions of P₄ into organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) has a long track record, but methods that allow desirable, direct P−C bond formations have only recently emerged. These include the use of metal organyls, carbenes, carboradicals, and photochemical approaches. The versatile product scope enables the preparation of both industrially relevant organophosphorus compounds, as well as a broad range of intriguing new compound classes. Herein we provide a concise overview of recent breakthroughs and outline the acquired fundamental insights to aid future developments.

Organic chemistry of P₄: Research on chlorine-free conversions of P₄ into organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) has a long track record (B versus A; see right), but methods that allow desirable, direct P−C bond formations have only recently emerged. Herein a concise overview of recent breakthroughs is provided together with the acquired fundamental insights to aid future developments.