Voltammetry as a Virtual Potentiometric Sensor in Modelling of a Metal/Ligand System and Refinement of Stability Constants. Part 2

A mathematical conversion of data from nonequilibrium and dynamic voltammetric techniques (direct‐current‐sampled (DC) and differential‐pulse (DP) polarography) into potentiometric, free‐metal‐ion sensor‐type data is described and employed in the study of Bi^III complexes with the ligand picolinic acid (=pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid) (labile and dynamic metal/ligand system). A novel procedure that allows evaluation of experimental data collected at very low pH values (acid‐base titration) is proposed. Software ESTA dedicated to potentiometry was successfully employed in the refinement operations performed with virtual potentiometric (VP) data obtained from DC and DP polarography, the latter being performed at fixed pH (ligand titration) as well as at fixed [L_T]/[M_T] ratio (acid‐base titration). It was possible to refine stability constants either separately from VP‐DC or VP‐DP, or simultaneously from any combination of VP‐DC and VP‐DP obtained from ligand and/or acid‐base titrations. The concept of VP‐DC or VP‐DP is employed for the first time in the study of an unknown Bi^III/picolinic acid/OH system, and numerous documented and possible advantages are discussed. Five complexes of bismuth, ML, ML₂, ML₃, ML₄, and ML₃(OH) and their stability constants (as log β) 7.48±0.01, 13.94±0.01, 18.10±0.04, 20.47±0.25, and 26.65±0.03, respectively, are reported at 0.5M (Na,H)NO₃ ionic strength and T 298 K. The proposed procedure can be easily utilized also by non‐electrochemists who are interested in, e.g., ligand‐design strategies.     

Solution Equilibria. A Unified Mathematical Treatment of Experimental Polarographic and Potentiometric Data from Acid?Base and Ligand Titrations. A Polarographic and Ion Selective Electrode Study of CdII?(N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid)?OH System

It has been demonstrated that potentiometric and polarographic data coming from either acid? base or ligand titrations can be evaluated by the same set of equations and mathematical procedures involving mass‐balance equations written for any metal? ligand model, including polynuclear species. It is shown that the concept of the complex formation curves, used previously in modeling and refinement of stability constants in acid‐base titration, is of general nature and can be successfully used in polarographic and potentiometric experiments conducted as a function of pH or an excess of a ligand. It appears that the linear relationship ΔE vs. log [M], typical for potentiometric studies with ISE, holds also in the case of the study of kinetically mixed metal‐ligand system studied by polarography when the corrected shift in the polarographic signal is used. The relationship ΔE vs. log [M] applies equally to the acid‐base and ligand titration for both experimental techniques employed (potentiometry and polarography). The significance of the corrected shift is discussed and its meaning in the study of kinetically fast or slow metal? ligand systems is elaborated. Advantages of the acid‐base titration over the ligand titration are discussed. The generalized mathematical data treatment was successfully employed in the study of the Cd^II? (N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid) system. Results obtained from both analytical techniques (potentiometry with the use of an ion selective electrode, and two polarographic techniques) and analytical procedures (acid? base and ligand titrations) compare well with each other and with the literature data (the formation and stability constants of ML and ML₂). In addition, a new complex M(HL) was identified and its stability constant is reported.     

The Reduction of 2,6‐Dimethoxy‐4‐chloro‐1,3,5‐triazine on Mercury Electrodes in Aqueous Solutions in Relation with the Reduction of s‐Triazine Herbicides

This paper presents polarographic and voltammetric studies on the electroreduction of 2,6‐dimethoxy‐4‐chloro‐1,3,5‐triazine on mercury electrodes in aqueous solutions and in the acidity range 2 M H₂SO₄ to pH 7. Above pH 6.5 no signals were obtained. In both DC and DP polarography and voltammetry, one or two partially overlapped reduction waves were observed, depending on the pH of the medium. The overall process corresponded to a four‐electron irreversible reduction. In strongly acidic media (pH<4.5) the protonated reactant was reduced through a two‐electron process to give a dechlorinated molecule that is subsequentely reduced at the potentials of the second wave. It was concluded that the reduction of the chlorinated s‐triazine rings seems to occur through the reductive cleavage of the chlorine irrespective of the nature of the groups bonded to the ring in positions 2, 6.     

Challenges in Modelling and Optimization of Stability Constants in the Study of Metal Complexes with Monoprotonated Ligands. Part II

The influence of 2‐hydroxy‐3‐[(2‐hydroxy‐1,1‐dimethylethyl)amino]propane‐1‐sulfonic acid (AMPSO=HL) on systems containing copper(II) was studied by glass‐electrode potentiometry (GEP) and direct‐current polarography (DCP), at fixed total‐ligand‐to‐total‐metal‐concentration ratios and various pH values (25°, 0.1M KNO₃ medium). The predicted model ([CuL]⁺, [CuL(OH)], [CuL₂], [CuL₂(OH)]^?, [CuL₂(OH)₂]^2?, and [CuL₃]^?) and the overall stability constants for species found were obtained by combining results from both electrochemical techniques. The last five complexes are reported for the first time. For the species [CuL]⁺, [CuL₂], [CuL₃]^?, and [CuL₂(OH)₂]^2?, it was possible to determine stability constants with reasonable certainty and their values, as log β, were found to be 4.62±0.04, 9.5±0.1, 13.4±0.1, and 21.2±0.1, respectively. For the species [CuL(OH)] and [CuL₂(OH)]^?, stability constants 11.7±0.2 and 15.6±0.2, respectively, are presented as indicative values. It was demonstrated that AMPSO buffer may decrease the Cu²⁺ concentration by ten orders of magnitude by forming complexes with Cu²⁺. For the first time, the correction in DCP waves for the adsorption of the ligand and quasi‐reversibility of the metal allowed to determine stability‐constant values that are in good agreement with the values obtained by GEP. The importance of graphic analysis of data and significance of employing two analytical techniques was demonstrated; neither GEP nor DCP would be able to provide the correct M/L/OH^? model and reliable stability constants when used independently.     

Solid‐state NMR studies of cis‐1,4‐polyisoprene crosslinked with dicumyl peroxide in the presence of triallyl cyanurate

The network of dicumyl peroxide (DCP)/triallyl cyanurate (TAC) crosslinked cis‐1,4‐polyisoprene was studied by solid‐state NMR techniques such as direct‐polarization (DP), cross‐polarization (CP), and proton T₂ experiments. Line broadening and cis/trans isomerization of mobile carbons were observed in the DP experiments. The information on rigid carbons of network structures was observed with the CP technique. Motional heterogeneity was examined by proton T₂ relaxation experiments. Decreases in long T₂ (T_2L) values from the mobile non‐network structures and short T₂ (T_2S) values from the rigid network structures were observed with an increase in peroxide or coagent concentration. The percentage of T_2S in T₂ relaxation, which is related to network density, was observed to increase with peroxide and coagent addition. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 1417–1423, 2000     

Voltammetry as Virtual Potentiometric Sensor in Modelling of a Metal/Ligand System and Refinement of Stability Constants. Part 5

The concept of virtual potential (employed here in modelling operations), a unique experimental setup designed and built in our laboratories, and new regression equations derived for nonlinear fitting of quasi‐reversible direct‐current polarograms were combined with the existing rigorous treatment and refinement of polarographic data to establish reliable metal/ligand models and accurate stability constants for the lead(II)/glycine/OH^? and lead(II)/sarcosine/OH^? systems (sarcosine = N‐methylglycine). In the case of glycine, the complexes [M(HL)], [ML], [ML₂], and [ML₃] were identified, and their stability constants (as log β) were established to be 10.51 ± 0.06, 4.58 ± 0.02, 7.19 ± 0.10, and 9.27 ± 0.02, respectively, the complex [ML₃] being reported here for the first time (Table 2). The system with sarcosine involving [M(HL)], [ML], [ML₂], [ML₃], and [ML₂(OH)₂], with the stability constants (as log β) 11.01 ± 0.04, 4.18 ± 0.03, 7.23 ± 0.03, 9.1 ± 0.3, and 15.97 ± 0.07, respectively, is reported for the first time (Table 3). The log K₁ value for Pb^II with sarcosine is a fraction of a log unit smaller when compared with the Pb^II complex with glycine, in agreement with the literature data for Cu^II, Ni^II, and Zn^II showing the same trend for these two ligands. The proposed nonlinear curve‐fitting operations expand the applicability of polarography to study reliably and conveniently quasi‐reversible, on the polarographic time scale, metal/ligand systems (systems with involved heterogeneous kinetics).     

Self‐Assembled Mercapto‐Compound‐Gold‐Nanoparticle‐Modified Carbon Paste Electrode for Potentiometric Determination of Cadmium(II)

A new modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) based on a recently synthesized ligand [2‐mercapto‐5‐(3‐nitrophenyl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole] (MNT), self‐assembled to gold nanoparticles (GNP) as suitable carrier for Cd(II) ion with potentiometric method are described. The proposed electrode exhibits a Nernstian slope of 29.4±1.0 mV per decade for Cd(II) ion over a wide concentration range from 3.1×10^?8 to 3.1×10^?4 mol L^?1. The detection limit of electrode was 2.0×10^?8 mol L^?1 of cadmium ion. The potentiometric responses of electrode based on MNT is independent of the pH of test solution in the pH range 2.0–4.0. It has quick response with response time of about 6 s. The proposed electrode show fairly good selectivity over some alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. Finally, the proposed electrode was successfully employed to detect Cd(II) ion in hair and water samples.     

Skin‐worn Soft Microfluidic Potentiometric Detection System

A flexible skin‐mounted microfluidic potentiometric device for simultaneous electrochemical monitoring of sodium and potassium in sweat is presented. The wearable device allows efficient natural sweat pumping to the potentiometric detection chamber, containing solid‐contact ion‐selective Na⁺ and K⁺ electrodes, during exercise activity. The fabricated microchip electrolyte‐sensing device displays good analytical performance and addresses sweat mixing and carry‐over issues of early epidermal potentiometric sensors. Such soft skin‐worn microchip platform integrates potentiometric measurement, microfluidic technologies with flexible electronics for real‐time wireless data transmission to mobile devices. The new fully integrated microfluidic electrolyte‐detection device paves the way for practical fitness and health monitoring applications.     

Solvent‐induced reversible color changes in block copolymer films and new locking method of structural colors

The well‐defined polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) [PS‐block‐P4VP (SV1); lamellar morphology] and polyisoprene‐block‐poly(α‐methyl styrene) [PI‐block‐PMS (IMS1); PI spherical morphology] diblock copolymers were prepared by sequential anionic polymerization techniques. The segregated chains in the P4VP lamellar layers of the SV1 film (PS lamellae: 41 nm; P4VP lamellae: 51 nm) were crosslinked with 1,4‐dibromobutane. This crosslinked film was insoluble in organic solvents such as benzene and chloroform (CHCl₃) and exhibited various structural colors under the swollen state. The IMS1 film (body‐centered cubic lattice, diameter of PI spheres: 53 nm) was soaked in the mixture of CHCl₃/hexane (1 : 10, v/v). This solvent system resulted in the swelling of PI spherical domains. The transmitted and reflected light color through the swollen film changed to a deep blue. Such color changes were reversible upon swelling in solvent and evaporation of the solvent. Subsequently, photofunctional diethyldithiocarbamate (DC) groups were introduced into the PS block of the parent block copolymer IMS1 by means of polymer reactions. The locking of the cubic lattice was performed with living radical graft copolymerization from DC groups of swollen as‐cast film in methyl methacrylate (MMA) under UV irradiation. The locking of structural colors such as blue and green was also achieved, varying the content of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) grafted chains. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Confined Crystallization of Spin‐Crossover Nanoparticles in Block‐Copolymer Micelles

Nanoparticles of the spin‐crossover coordination polymer [FeL(bipy)]_n were synthesized by confined crystallization within the core of polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) diblock copolymer micelles. The 4VP units in the micellar core act as coordination sites for the Fe complex. In the bulk material, the spin‐crossover nanoparticles in the core are well isolated from each other allowing thermal treatment without disintegration of their structure. During annealing above the glass transition temperature of the PS block, the transition temperature is shifted gradually to higher temperatures from the as‐synthesized product (T_1/2↓=163 K and T_1/2↑=170 K) to the annealed product (T_1/2↓=203 K and T_1/2↑=217 K) along with an increase in hysteresis width from 6 K to 14 K. Thus, the spin‐crossover properties can be shifted towards the properties of the related bulk material. The stability of the nanocomposite allows further processing, such as electrospinning from solution.     

Macrocyclic Dinuclear Palladium Complex as a Novel Doubly Threaded [3]Rotaxane Scaffold and Its Application as a Rotaxane Cross‐Linker

A dinuclear Pd^II complex possessing a cyclic ligand was developed as a novel doubly threaded [3]rotaxane scaffold and applied as a rotaxane cross‐linker reagent. The dinuclear complex (PdMC)₂ was prepared by one‐step macrocyclization followed by the double palladation reaction. ¹H NMR analysis and UV/Vis measurements revealed the formation of a doubly threaded pseudo[3]rotaxane by the complexation of (PdMC)₂ with 2 equivalents of 2,6‐disubstituted pyridine 3 through double metal coordination. The treatment of (PdMC)₂ with 2 equivalents of 4‐vinylpyridine (VP) afforded a doubly threaded [3]rotaxane cross‐linker (PdMC‐VP)₂ . Radical co‐polymerization of VP and t‐butylstyrene in the presence of (PdMC‐VP)₂ afforded a stable rotaxane cross‐linked polymer (RCP). An elastic RCP was also prepared by using n‐butyl acrylate as a monomer. The obtained RCPs exhibited higher swelling ability and higher mechanical toughness compared with the corresponding covalent cross‐linked polymers.     

Graftlike interpolymer complexes from poly(2‐vinylpyridine) and end‐sulfonic acid polystyrene and polyisoprene: Intermediates to noncovalently bonded block copolymer‐like micelles

The complexation between narrow molecular weight distribution poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (P2VP) and polystyrene (suPS) or polyisoprene (suPI) end‐functionalized with one sulfonic acid group was examined in tetrahydrofuran dilute solutions by a combination of static and dynamic laser light scattering. Both apparent weight‐average molecular weight (M_w,app) and hydrodynamic radius (R_h) of the complexes exhibited a maximum at a certain molar ratio of suPS chains to P2VP monomeric units. This indicated that the P2VP backbone may be saturated by the grafted end‐functionalized chains because of repulsion between the grafted chains. By changing the molar mass of P2VP from 100,000 to 30,000 g/mol, the values of M_w,app and R_h decreased. When suPI was used instead of suPS, similar trends were observed. In the latter case, it was possible to prepare block copolymer‐like micelles by transferring the P2VP/suPI blend solutions in decane, which is a selective solvent for PI. The non‐covalent‐bonded polymeric micelle characteristics were investigated as a function of sulfonic acid/2‐vinylpyridine units ratio as well as temperature. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2454–2461, 2003     

Osmium Complexes with Tridentate 6‐Pyrazol‐3‐yl 2,2′‐Bipyridine Ligands: Coarse Tuning of Phosphorescence from the Red to the Near‐Infrared Region

We have prepared and characterized a series of osmium complexes [Os₂(CO)₄(fpbpy)₂] ( 1 ), [Os(CO)(fpbpy)₂] ( 2 ), and [Os(fpbpy)₂] ( 3 ) with tridentate 6‐pyrazol‐3‐yl 2,2′‐bipyridine chelating ligands. Upon the transformation of complex 2 into 3 through the elimination of the CO ligand, an extremely large change in the phosphorescence wavelength from 655 to 935 nm was observed. The results are rationalized qualitatively by the strong π‐accepting character of CO, which lowers the energy of the osmium d_π orbital, in combination with the lower degree of π conjugation in 2 owing to the absence of one possible pyridine‐binding site. As a result, the energy gap for both intraligand π–π* charge transfer (ILCT) and metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) is significantly greater in 2 . Firm support for this explanation was also provided by the time‐dependent DFT approach, the results of which led to the conclusion that the S₀→T₁ transition mainly involves MLCT between the osmium center and bipyridine in combination with pyrazolate‐to‐bipyridine ³π–π* ILCT. The relatively weak near‐infrared emission can be rationalized tentatively by the energy‐gap law, according to which the radiationless deactivation may be governed by certain low‐frequency motions with a high density of states. The information provided should allow the successful design of other emissive tridentate metal complexes, the physical properties of which could be significantly different from those of complexes with only a bidentate chromophore.     

Fluorescence,ion binding,and viscosity properties of poly[2‐ and 4‐vinylpyridine]s in methanol and in sulfuric acid

Fluorescence intensities of poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (P2VP) and poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (P4VP) in H₂SO₄/H₂O solutions were increased with increasing acid concentration. The intensities for P2VP were found to be six times stronger than that of P4VP. These differences were accounted for by the microenvironment of protonated pyridinium group. The ion binding properties of 4‐methylpyridine (4MP), P2VP, and P4VP were investigated in methanol using Tb³⁺ as a fluorescence probe. The increase of fluorescence intensity of Tb³⁺ in [P2VP–Tb³⁺] and [P4VP–Tb³⁺] complexes is due to both the replacement of the inner coordinated methanol molecules and ligand‐to‐metal energy transfer. The model compound 4MP was inefficient from this point of view, and the results were attributed to the polymer cooperative effect. Reduced viscosities of poly(vinylpyridine)s (PVP) in methanol were similar to nonionic polymers; however, when TbCl₃ was added into the solution, the viscosities increased upon dilution. These results also indicated that PVP form complexes with Tb³⁺ in methanol. When diluted, the counterions Cl⁻ are allowed to dissociate and the charged polymer expands. Consequently, the solution's viscosity increases. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1341–1345, 1999     

Di‐ and Triphosphate Recognition and Sensing with Mono‐ and Dinuclear Fluorescent Zinc(II) Complexes: Clues for the Design of Selective Chemosensors for Anions in Aqueous Media

The synthesis of a new ligand (L1) containing two 1,4,7‐triazacyclononane ([9]aneN₃) moieties linked by a 4,5‐dimethylenacridine unit is reported. The binding and fluorescence sensing properties toward Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ of L1 and receptor L2, composed of two [9]aneN₃ macrocycles bridged by a 6,6′′‐dimethylen‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine unit, have been studied by coupling potentiometric, UV/Vis absorption, and emission measurements in aqueous media. Both receptors can selectively detect Zn²⁺ thanks to fluorescence emission enhancement upon metal binding. The analysis of the binding and sensing properties of the Zn²⁺ complexes toward inorganic anions revealed that the dinuclear Zn²⁺ complex of L1 selectively binds and senses the triphosphate anion (TP), whereas the mononuclear Zn²⁺ complex of L2 displays selective recognition of diphosphate (DP). Binding of TP or DP induces emission quenching of the Zn²⁺ complexes with L1 and L2, respectively. These results are exploited to discuss the role played by pH, number of coordinated metal cations, and binding ability of the bridging units in metal and/or anion coordination and sensing.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic property of a two‐dimensional herringbone‐like network with praseodymium(III) nitrate and 1‐bromo‐ 3,5‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene (bib)

A new complex [Pr(bib)₂(NO₃)₃] ( 1 ) was synthesized by reaction of bidentate imidazole‐containing ligand 1‐bromo‐3,5‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene (bib) with Pr(NO₃)·6H₂O and characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Complex 1 has a two‐dimensional herringbone‐like structure with the ligand bib serving as a bridging ligand using its two imidazolyl nitrogen atoms. Ligand bib adopts cis and trans two different conformations, and the Pr(III) atoms are bridged by bib in two different ways. Thermogravimetric analysis for complex 1 was carried out and the result shows that the complex is stable up to 180 °C. Variable‐temperature magnetic susceptibility of complex 1 was measured between 1.8 and 300 K and the result shows that the χ_MT value decreases continuously over the whole temperature range. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel Potentiometric Sensors of Molecular Imprinted Polymers for Specific Binding of Chlormequat

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) were used as potentiometric sensors for the selective recognition and determination of chlormequat (CMQ). They were produced after radical polymerization of 4‐vinyl pyridine (4‐VP) or methacrylic acid (MAA) monomers in the presence of a cross‐linker. CMQ was used as template. Similar non‐imprinted (NI) polymers (NIP) were produced by removing the template from reaction media. The effect of kind and amount of MIP or NIP sensors on the potentiometric behavior was investigated. Main analytical features were evaluated in steady and flow modes of operation. The sensor MIP/4‐VP exhibited the best performance, presenting fast near‐Nernstian response for CMQ over the concentration range 6.2×10⁻⁶–1.0×10⁻² mol L⁻¹ with detection limits of 4.1×10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. The sensor was independent from the pH of test solutions in the range 5–10. Potentiometric selectivity coefficients of the proposed sensors were evaluated over several inorganic and organic cations. Results pointed out a good selectivity to CMQ. The sensor was applied to the potentiometric determination of CMQ in commercial phytopharmaceuticals and spiked water samples. Recoveries ranged 96 to 108.5%.     

Application of a Potentiometric System with Data‐Analysis Computer Programs to the Quantification of Metal‐Chelating Activity of Two Natural Antioxidants: Caffeic Acid and Ferulic Acid

The quantification of metal‐chelating activity of caffeic and ferulic acids ( 1 and 2 , resp.) was successfully performed by using a potentiometric system with data‐analysis computer programs. The method was applied to two phenolic models, which have been systematically reported as antioxidants. Although a chain‐breaking mechanism was proposed, several studies pointed out the possibility of complexation of transition metals that can participate in single‐electron reactions and mediate the formation of oxygen‐derived free radicals. In this work, the complexation properties towards Cu^II were investigated by potentiometry with a glass electrode. Acidity constants of the ligands (phenolic acids) and the formation constants of the ligand? metal complexes were evaluated by potentiometry. The modeling of the titration curves and the data treatment were performed with the computer programs Superquad and Best. A detailed quantitative examination of the complexation species formed in the Cu^II/caffeic acid ( 1 ) and Cu^II/ferulic acid ( 2 ) systems is presented together with the formation constants (log β). Results have shown that the complexation properties of the two phenolic acids towards the transition metal are quite different: the activity of caffeic acid ( 1 ) was found higher than that of ferulic acid ( 2 ). The data are important to get insight into the mechanism of action of antioxidants, and, in this case, could partially explain the efficacy of caffeic acid in the protection of LDL oxidative damage. In addition, the analytical method developed could be applied to quantify the chelating activity of important biological compounds, such as allopurinol, uric acid, cinnamic acids, flavonoids, and anthocianins, and, in that way, could be a valuable tool to understand the mechanisms underlying their protective effects.     

A Highly Versatile Catalyst System for the Cross‐Coupling of Aryl Chlorides and Amines

The syntheses of 2‐(di‐tert‐butylphosphino)‐N,N‐dimethylaniline ( L1 , 71 %) and 2‐(di‐1‐adamantylphosphino)‐N,N‐dimethylaniline ( L2 , 74 %), and their application in Buchwald–Hartwig amination, are reported. In combination with [Pd(allyl)Cl]₂ or [Pd(cinnamyl)Cl]₂, these structurally simple and air‐stable P,N ligands enable the cross‐coupling of aryl and heteroaryl chlorides, including those bearing as substituents enolizable ketones, ethers, esters, carboxylic acids, phenols, alcohols, olefins, amides, and halogens, to a diverse range of amine and related substrates that includes primary alkyl‐ and arylamines, cyclic and acyclic secondary amines, N? H imines, hydrazones, lithium amide, and ammonia. In many cases, the reactions can be performed at low catalyst loadings (0.5–0.02 mol % Pd) with excellent functional group tolerance and chemoselectivity. Examples of cross‐coupling reactions involving 1,4‐bromochlorobenzene and iodobenzene are also reported. Under similar conditions, inferior catalytic performance was achieved when using Pd(OAc)₂, PdCl₂, [PdCl₂(cod)] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene), [PdCl₂(MeCN)₂], or [Pd₂(dba)₃] (dba=dibenzylideneacetone) in combination with L1 or L2 , or by use of [Pd(allyl)Cl]₂ or [Pd(cinnamyl)Cl]₂ with variants of L1 and L2 bearing less basic or less sterically demanding substituents on phosphorus or lacking an ortho‐dimethylamino fragment. Given current limitations associated with established ligand classes with regard to maintaining high activity across the diverse possible range of C? N coupling applications, L1 and L2 represent unusually versatile ligand systems for the cross‐coupling of aryl chlorides and amines.     

A Facile Preparation of Highly Thermally Stable Silver Nanoparticles Using PS‐b‐P4VP‐b‐PS Triblock Copolymer as Multidentate Ligand

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) of improved thermal stability against long‐term aggregation were prepared using the polystyrene‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine)‐b‐polystyrene (PS‐b‐P4VP‐b‐PS) triblock copolymer as a multidentate ligand. First, PS‐b‐P4VP‐b‐PS was synthesized by sequential reversible addition–fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization of styrene and 4‐vinylpydine using a trithiocarbonate chain transfer agent (CTA). Then Ag NPs were obtained by in situ reduction of silver nitrate using PS‐b‐P4VP‐b‐PS as a multidentate ligand. The obtained Ag NPs were stable in solution for at least 24 h while being heated at 110°C. The effect of the molar ratio of N atoms of the P4VP chain segment and AgNO₃ on the stability of Ag NPs was studied, and the results suggested that Ag NPs were very stable even if the molar ratio of N atoms of the P4VP chain segment and AgNO₃ was very low. This method is promising to scale up the preparation of metal NPs with good dispersibility and thermal stability, which still remains challenging. To further improve its thermal stability, 1,4‐dibromobutane was used to chemically crosslink the P4VP chain segment in solution. However, the results proved that the crosslink method is infeasible to further improve the thermal stability of Ag NPs in this system.