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The synthesis of N‐substituted amines is one of the key transformations in synthetic chemistry and chemical industry, because amines are ubiquitous in the syntheses of agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, flavorings, fragrances, and advanced materials. In order to realize the clean and economic synthesis of N‐substituted amines, several aspects should be concerned. 1) The application of alkyl halides as alkylation reagents should be replaced by alcohol and alkane; 2) the employment of amines as nitrogen sources can be replaced by nitrobenzene, nitrile and ammonia; 3) the application of environmentally benign and low‐cost starting materials, such as CO2, HCHO, biomass resources, for the nitrogen‐containing chemicals synthesis should be established; and 4) economic, green and efficient catalyst should be developed for the above transformations. In this account, we describe our results in the clean and economic synthesis of N‐substituted amines with amine, ammonia, nitrobenzene or nitrile as nitrogen sources and alcohol, alkane or CO2, HCHO, CO, and biomass resources as alkylation or carbonylation reagents. What is the most favorite and original chemistry developed in your research group? Efficient and economic heterogeneous catalyst for catalytic amination. How do you get into this specific field? Could you please share some experiences with our readers? I got my introduction to fine chemical synthesis with heterogeneous catalyst during the post‐graduate and post‐doctor periods. Till now, the clean and economic synthesis of some fine chemicals still remains a big problem in China. Therefore, our group has been concentrating on catalyst design and preparation for amination since 11 years ago. Typically, we want to explore some novel catalyst systems to bridge the heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. What is the most important personality for scientific research? I think the originality and creativity are very important for the scientific research. What are your hobbies? What's your favorite book(s)? Reading and walking. I like to read history books. How do you keep balance between research and family? Although it is difficult, I try to keep a balance between research and family. Who influences you mostly in your life? My Ph.D. supervisor, Prof. Youquan Deng, and postdoctoral collaborating advisor, Prof. Matthias Beller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this review is to present an overview of the patent landscape for catalysts used in hydrogenation reactions. Based on patent data extracted from PatBase®, we use predefined patent classifications as well as a keyword‐based search for our analyses. The results indicate that the number of patent families that protect heterogeneous catalysts grows twice as fast as that for their homogeneous counterparts. Furthermore, the data show a shift towards abundant and non‐toxic elements in heterogeneous catalysis, while the noble metals continue to dominate the patent landscape of homogeneous catalysis. A subsequent geographical analysis reveals that the high growth rates in heterogeneous catalysis, especially for nickel and iron, are driven by China. Conversely, patenting activities with regard to homogeneous catalysts mainly take place in the USA, the EU, and Japan. The subsequent keyword‐based search illustrates the continuous industrial relevance of enantioselective hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation, as well as the rapidly increasing body of patents in hydrodeoxygenation. Setting these finding into context, we present and apply two concepts that are commonly used in patent analyses, namely the technology life cycle and the S‐curve. We conclude that hydrogenation catalysis has not reached its peak economic relevance yet and will continue to spark valuable patents and innovations in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A 3D-MoS 2 nanocomposite was fabricated based on the Donnan membrane principle. • The large host with a porous structure makes it easy to be used in flow water-treatment systems. • It displays highly selective and efficient Pb2+ capture in the presence of coexisting cations. • Superior treatment capacity with a high purification level can be achieved in a fixed-bed. • The exhausted nanocomposite can be efficiently regenerated for repeated use. Developing more practical and efficient adsorbents is highly desirable for lead purification. Although MoS 2 nanosheets have an excellent affinity for lead ions, their narrow layer spacing and ultrafine size hinder their scaled-up application. Herein, a novel type of 3D nanocomposite, W-MoS 2 @SCA, was synthesized by confining MoS 2 nanoparticles with widened interlayer spacing (W-MoS 2) in the networking pores of sulfonated cellulose aerogel (SCA). The excellent hydraulic property provided by the porous host overcomes the shortcomings of MoS 2 nanomaterials and makes the composite have a satisfactory treatment effect in the flow-through system. Combined with the Donnan membrane effect produced by the positively charged sulfonic group of the host and the excellent affinity of MoS 2 for lead ions, W-MoS 2 @SCA exhibits rapid adsorption kinetics (75 min to reach adsorption equilibrium) and superselectivity for Pb2+ removal. The distribution coefficient for Pb2+ is up to 1.01 × 105 mL/g even in complex wastewater mixed with multiple metal ions. Fixed-bed column tests indicate that an efficient application is achieved with a treatment capacity of 9000 kg wastewater/kg sorbent based on the wastewater discharges of China. Specifically, residual Pb2+ in the first 7000 kg effluent was virtually undetectable. In addition, the exhausted sorbent could be easily regenerated by the NaCl-Na 2 EDTA binary solution and maintained good reusability without significant capacity loss after 10 adsorption–desorption cycles. The results demonstrate that W-MoS 2 @SCA has great potential for use in deep purification for lead sequestration in advanced wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]