In the aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction of N-sulfonated imines with methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) promoted by chiral phosphine Lewis base: (R)-2'-diphenylphosphanyl[1,1']binaphthalenyl-2-ol (LB1) (10 mol %), the aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts were obtained in good yields with high ee (70–94 % ee) at –30 °C in THF. The scope and limitations of this reaction have been disclosed.

Three new sulfonated porous coordination polymers (PCPs)/metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been synthesized using solvothermal methods. These PCPs possess porous structures with non-coordinating sulfonic acid groups or sulfonate with dimethyl ammonium cations and exhibit high proton conductivity at a low humidity of 60% RH (relative humidity) at ambient temperature.

A highly ion-selective membrane for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRBs) consisting of sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) (SPAEK) and polyoxometalate coupled with a graphene oxide was designed and fabricated. The SPAEK/PW-mGO composite membrane showed an effectively low self-discharge rate and excellent Coulombic efficiency (98.73%) in VRBs.

Novel ionomers based on polybenzimidazole block sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) show excellent thermal properties. The ionic aggregation of sulfonic acid groups leads to well-developed phase separated morphology and thus high proton conductivity at wide humidity range, up to 65 mS cm(-1) at 90% relative humidity.

Sulfonated polysulfone (SPSU) with high ion exchange capacity (IEC) and ion conductivity was synthesized through deep sulfonation of polysulfone using the trimethysilyl chlorosulfonate as sulfonation agent. The silicon-containing compounds formed during the synthesis of SPSU were completely removed from the SPSU by simple evaporation. Water swelling, ion exchange capacity, conductivity and fuel...