A nanomaterial includes a ZnO nanocrystal and a surface ligand bonded to the ZnO nanocrystal. The surface ligand has a structure of ##STR00001##
R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently selected from at least one of an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, a hydroxyl group, or a hydrogen atom. R.sup.4 is selected from a hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 5 to 60. A carbon number of the alkyl group ranges from 1 to 5. A carbon number of the alkoxy group ranges from 1 to 5. A carbon number of the hydroxyalkoxy group ranges from 1 to 5.

A nanomaterial includes a ZnO nanocrystal and a surface ligand bonded to the ZnO nanocrystal. The surface ligand has a structure of ##STR00001##
R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently selected from at least one of an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, a hydroxyl group, or a hydrogen atom. R.sup.4 is selected from a hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 5 to 60. A carbon number of the alkyl group ranges from 1 to 5. A carbon number of the alkoxy group ranges from 1 to 5. A carbon number of the hydroxyalkoxy group ranges from 1 to 5.

The present disclosure relates to an improved, environmentally friendly, process for producing compounds such as hydroquinone (benzene-1,4-diol) and its derivatives. The process can be carried out at ambient temperature and pressure using a recyclable copper catalyst and recyclable intermediate materials. The process generally entails reacting an aromatic compound such as benzene with hydrogen peroxide in the present of a pure elemental copper catalyst or a copper (I) salt catalyst to form oxidation product such as benzoquinone, and reducing the compound to hydroquinone or a hydroquinone derivative.

The present disclosure relates to an improved, environmentally friendly, process for producing compounds such as hydroquinone (benzene-1,4-diol) and its derivatives. The process can be carried out at ambient temperature and pressure using a recyclable copper catalyst and recyclable intermediate materials. The process generally entails reacting an aromatic compound such as benzene with hydrogen peroxide in the present of a pure elemental copper catalyst or a copper (I) salt catalyst to form oxidation product such as benzoquinone, and reducing the compound to hydroquinone or a hydroquinone derivative.

The present disclosure relates to an improved, environmentally friendly, process for producing compounds such as hydroquinone (benzene-1,4-diol) and its derivatives. The process can be carried out at ambient temperature and pressure using a recyclable copper catalyst and recyclable intermediate materials. The process generally entails reacting an aromatic compound such as benzene with hydrogen peroxide in the present of a pure elemental copper catalyst or a copper (I) salt catalyst to form oxidation product such as benzoquinone, and reducing the compound to hydroquinone or a hydroquinone derivative.

The present disclosure relates to an improved, environmentally friendly, process for producing compounds such as hydroquinone (benzene-1,4-diol) and its derivatives. The process can be carried out at ambient temperature and pressure using a recyclable copper catalyst and recyclable intermediate materials. The process generally entails reacting an aromatic compound such as benzene with hydrogen peroxide in the present of a pure elemental copper catalyst or a copper (I) salt catalyst to form oxidation product such as benzoquinone, and reducing the compound to hydroquinone or a hydroquinone derivative.

Materials having charge-storing properties and made variously of dipyridine-fused benzoquinones of formula (1) below or derivatives thereof, dipyridine-fused benzoquinones of formula (4) below or derivatives thereof, or dipyridine-fused benzoquinone skeleton-containing polymers are provided.

##STR00001##

In the formulas, Ar.sup.1 and Ar.sup.2 are each independently a pyridine ring that forms together with two carbon atoms on a benzoquinone skeleton, or a derivative thereof. When used as electrode active materials, these charge storage materials are capable of providing high-performance batteries possessing a high capacity, high rate characteristics and high cycle characteristics.

To provide a method for obtaining a dealkoxyphenylation product with a high yield from a substrate such as a sugar bound to an alkoxyphenyl group through an oxygen atom. A dealkoxyphenylation product can be obtained with a high yield under mild conditions by reacting a substrate that is bound to a phenyl group substituted by C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkoxy at the para- or ortho-position through an oxygen atom with 3-iodane in a fluorous alcohol and water.

To provide a method for obtaining a dealkoxyphenylation product with a high yield from a substrate such as a sugar bound to an alkoxyphenyl group through an oxygen atom. A dealkoxyphenylation product can be obtained with a high yield under mild conditions by reacting a substrate that is bound to a phenyl group substituted by C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkoxy at the para- or ortho-position through an oxygen atom with 3-iodane in a fluorous alcohol and water.

Methods for asymmetric cis-dihydroxylation (AD) of quinones to produce cis-diols of quinones with high yield (i.e. a yield 30%) and high enantioselectivity (i.e. an enantiometric excess 30%) are disclosed. The method uses an iron-based catalyst, such as one or more Fe(II) complexes, as the catalyst, and can be performed under mild reaction conditions (e.g. a temperature 50 C. at 1 atom in open air). The method generally includes: (i) maintaining a reaction mixture at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a product, where the reaction mixture contains a quinone, one or more iron-based catalyst(s), and a solvent, and where the product contains a chiral cis-diol. Optionally, the method also includes adding an oxidant into the reaction mixture prior to and/or during step (i), such as a hydrogen peroxide solution.