Guest Exchange Mechanisms in Mono‐Metallic PdII/PtII‐Cages Based on a Tetra‐Pyridyl Calix[4]pyrrole Ligand

Planar pyridyl N‐oxides are encapsulated in mono‐metallic Pd^II/Pt^II‐cages based on a tetra‐pyridyl calix[4]pyrrole ligand. The exchange dynamics of the cage complexes are slow on both the NMR chemical shift and EXSY timescales, but encapsulation of the guests by the cages is fast on the human timescale. A “French doors” mechanism, involving the rotation of the meso‐phenyl walls of the cages, allows the passage of the planar guests. The encapsulation of quinuclidine N‐oxide, a sterically more demanding guest, is slower than pyridyl N‐oxides in the Pd^II‐cage, and does not take place in the Pt^II counterpart. A modification of the encapsulation mechanism for the quinuclidine N‐oxide is postulated that requires the partial dissociation of the Pd^II‐cage. The substrate binding selectivity featured by the cages is related to their different guest uptake/release mechanisms.     

N‐Butylpyridinium undecachlorocarbadodecaborate and comparison with similar compounds

The title compound, C₉H₁₄N⁺·CHB₁₁Cl₁₁⁻, was obtained in the course of our continuing studies of the low‐melting salts of closo‐ and nido‐carborane cage anions with alkylpyridinium and dialkylimidazolium cations. The title compound is the first example of a pyridinium salt of a perchlorinated carborane anion. The structure consists of one N‐butylpyridinium cation counterbalanced by one perchlorinated carborane cage anion per asymmetric unit. By changing the counter‐ion, different packings are observed, and to try to understand this the new structure is compared with five similar compounds.     

Polyoxometalate Ionic Liquids as Self‐Repairing Acid‐Resistant Corrosion Protection

Corrosion is a global problem for any metallic structure or material. Herein we show how metals can easily be protected against acid corrosion using hydrophobic polyoxometalate‐based ionic liquids (POM‐ILs). Copper metal disks were coated with room‐temperature POM‐ILs composed of transition‐metal functionalized Keggin anions [SiW₁₁O₃₉TM(H₂O)]^n? (TM=Cu^II, Fe^III) and quaternary alkylammonium cations (C_nH_{2 n+1})₄N⁺ (n=7–8). The corrosion resistance against acetic acid vapors and simulated “acid rain” was significantly improved compared with commercial ionic liquids or solid polyoxometalate coatings. Mechanical damage to the POM‐IL coating is self‐repaired in less than one minute with full retention of the acid protection properties. The coating can easily be removed and recovered by rinsing with organic solvents.     

Novel temperature‐ and pH‐responsive graft copolymers composed of poly(L‐glutamic acid) and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)

A series of novel temperature‐ and pH‐responsive graft copolymers, poly(L ‐glutamic acid)‐g‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide), were synthesized by coupling amino‐semitelechelic poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) with N‐hydroxysuccinimide‐activated poly(L ‐glutamic acid). The graft copolymers and their precursors were characterized, by ESI‐FTICR Mass Spectrum, intrinsic viscosity measurements and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR). The phase‐transition and aggregation behaviors of the graft copolymers in aqueous solutions were investigated by the turbidity measurements and dynamic laser scattering. The solution behavior of the copolymers showed dependence on both temperature and pH. The cloud point (CP) of the copolymer solution at pH 5.0–7.4 was slightly higher than that of the solution of the PNIPAM homopolymer because of the hydrophilic nature of the poly(glutamic acid) (PGA) backbone. The CP markedly decreased when the pH was lowered from 5 to 4.2, caused by the decrease in hydrophilicity of the PGA backbone. At a temperature above the lower critical solution temperature of the PNIPAM chain, the copolymers formed amphiphilic core‐shell aggregates at pH 4.5–7.4 and the particle size was reduced with decreasing pH. In contrast, larger hydrophobic aggregates were formed at pH 4.2. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4140–4150, 2008     

Hydrogel Formation Using New L‐Lysine‐Based Low‐Molecular‐Weight Compounds with Positively Charged Pendant Chains

Low‐molecular‐weight compounds based on L ‐lysine with alkylpyridinium or ‐imidazolium groups have been synthesized and studied for their gelation behavior in H₂O. Most compounds formed gels below a concentration of 2.5 weight‐%, the pyridinium bromide 2a and the 1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazolium bromide 3 even at 0.1 weight‐%. The minimum gel concentration (MGC) necessary for hydrogelation increased with increasing length of the Lys N^α‐alkanoyl chain, but the gelation ability concomitantly decreased. Electron‐microscopic images demonstrated that these hydrogelators create a three‐dimensional network in H₂O by entanglement of self‐assembled nanofibers. A fluorescence study with 8‐anilinonaphthalene‐1‐sulfonic acid (ANS) proved that some hydrophobic aggregates are formed at hydrogelator concentrations below an MGC of less than 50 μM (0.004%). FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR, and Fluorescence studies indicated that the driving forces for the self‐assembly into nanofibers are mainly hydrophobic interactions and H‐bonding between amide groups.     

Novel thermoresponsive fluorinated double‐hydrophilic poly{[N‐(2,2‐difluoroethyl)acrylamide]‐b‐[N‐(2‐fluoroethyl)acrylamide]} block copolymers

Novel thermoresponsive double‐hydrophilic fluorinated block copolymers were successfully synthesized by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Poly[N‐(2,2‐difluoroethyl)acrylamide] (P2F) was synthesized via RAFT polymerization of N‐(2,2‐difluoroethyl)acrylamide (M2F) using 2‐dodecylsulfanylthiocarbonylsulfanyl‐2‐methylpropionic acid (DMP) as the chain transfer agent (CTA) and 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator. The resulting P2F macroCTA was further chain extended with N‐(2‐fluoroethyl)acrylamide (M1F) to yield poly{[N‐(2,2‐difluoroethyl)acrylamide]‐b‐[N‐(2‐fluoroethyl)acrylamide]} (P2F‐b‐P1F) block copolymers with different lengths of the P1F block. Molecular weight and molecular weight distribution were determined by gel permeation chromatography. The average molecular weight (M_n) of the resulting polymers ranged from 2.9 × 10⁴ to 5.8 × 10⁴ depending on the length of the P1F block. The molecular weight distribution was low (M_w/M_n = 1.11–1.19). Turbidimetry by UV‐Visble (UV‐Vis) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and in situ temperature‐dependent ¹H NMR measurements demonstrated that the P2F block underwent a thermal transition from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, which in turn induced self‐assembly from unimers to aggregates. Transmission electron microscopy studies demonstrated that polymeric aggregates formed from an aqueous solution of P2F‐b‐P1F at 60 °C were disrupted by cooling down to 20 °C and regenerated by heating to 60 °C. Temperature‐triggered release of a model hydrophobic drug, coumarin 102, was also demonstrated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

The preparation of covalent triazine‐based framework via Friedel‐Crafts reaction of 2,4,6‐trichloro‐1,3,5‐triazine with N,N′‐diphenyl‐N,N′‐di(m‐tolyl)benzidine for capturing and sensing to iodine

The covalent triazine‐based framework (TDPDB) has been prepared by Friedel‐Crafts polymerization reaction of N,N′‐diphenyl‐N,N′‐di(m‐tolyl)benzidine (DPDB) with 2,4,6‐trichloro‐1,3,5‐triazine (TCT) catalyzed by methanesulfonic acid. The yield of the reaction (94.85%) is very high. TDPDB was provided with Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller specific surface area of 592.18 m² g^?1 and pore volume of 0.5241 cm³ g^?1. TDPDB demonstrated an excellent capacity for capturing iodine (3.93 g g^?1) and an outstanding ability to fluorescent sensing to iodine with Ksv of 5.83 × 10⁴ L mol^?1. It also showed high fluorescent sensing sensitivity to picric acid.     

Simultaneous determination of NG‐monomethyl‐l‐arginine,NG,NG‐dimethyl‐l‐arginine,NG,NG′‐dimethyl‐l‐arginine,and l‐arginine using monolithic silica disk‐packed spin columns and a monolithic silica column

We have developed and validated a high‐performance liquid chromatography method that uses monolithic silica disk‐packed spin columns and a monolithic silica column for the simultaneous determination of N^G‐monomethyl‐l ‐arginine, N^G,N^G‐dimethyl‐l ‐arginine, and N^G,N^G′‐dimethyl‐l ‐arginine in human plasma. For solid‐phase extraction, our method employs a centrifugal spin column packed with monolithic silica bonded to propyl benzenesulfonic acid as a cation exchanger. After pretreatment, the methylated arginines are converted to fluorescent derivatives with 4‐fluoro‐7‐nitro‐2,1,3‐benzoxadiazole, and then the derivatives are separated on a monolithic silica column. l ‐Arginine concentration was also determined in diluted samples. Standard calibration curves revealed that the assay was linear in the concentration range 0.2–1.0 μM for methylated arginines and 40–200 μM for l ‐arginine. Linear regression of the calibration curve yielded equations with correlation coefficients of 0.999 (r²). The sensitivity was satisfactory, with a limit of detection ranging from 3.75 to 9.0 fmol for all four compounds. The RSDs were 4.3–4.8% (intraday) and 3.0–6.8% (interday). When this method was applied to samples from six healthy donors, the detected concentrations of N^G‐monomethyl‐l ‐arginine, N^G,N^G‐dimethyl‐l ‐arginine, N^G,N^G′‐dimethyl‐l ‐arginine and l ‐arginine were 0.05 ± 0.01, 0.41 ± 0.07, 0.59 ± 0.11, and 83.8 ± 30.43 μM (n = 6), respectively.     

One‐Pot Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Novel Substituted N‐Dichloroacetyl‐4,5‐dimethyl‐1,3‐oxazolidines

A one‐pot and efficient synthesis of substituted N‐dichloroacetyl‐4,5‐dimethyl‐1,3‐oxazolidines utilizing the reaction of alkamine with aldehyde or ketone in refluxing benzene under microwave irradiation was described. The N‐acylation was followed with dichloroacetyl chloride and NaOH acting as the attaching acid agent. All compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and element analysis. Additionally, the absolute configuration of 4a was determined by X‐ray crystallography. All the compounds were tested for their herbicide safeners activity of protecting the maize from the injury of acetochlor.     

A pipecolic acid (Pip)‐containing dipeptide,Boc‐d‐Ala‐l‐Pip‐NHiPr

The title dipeptide, 1‐(tert‐butoxy­carbonyl‐d ‐alanyl)‐N‐iso­propyl‐l ‐pipecol­amide or Boc‐d ‐Ala‐l ‐Pip‐NHⁱPr (H‐Pip‐OH is pipecolic acid or piperidine‐2‐carboxylic acid), C₁₇H₃₁N₃­O₄, with a d –l heterochiral sequence, adopts a type II′β‐­turn conformation, with all‐trans amide functions, where the C‐terminal amide NH group interacts with the Boc carbonyl O atom to form a classical i+3 i intramolecular hydrogen bond. The C^α substituent takes an axial position [H^α (Pip) equatorial] and the trans pipecolamide function is nearly planar.     

New domino‐reaction for the synthesis of N4‐(5‐aryl‐1,3‐oxathiol‐2‐yliden)‐2‐phenylquinazolin‐4‐amines and 4‐[4‐aryl‐5‐(2‐phenylquinazolin‐4‐yl)‐1,3‐thiazol‐2‐yl]morpholine

The model morpholine‐1‐carbothioic acid (2‐phenyl‐3H‐quinazolin‐4‐ylidene) amide (1) reacts with phenacyl bromides to afford N⁴‐(5‐aryl‐1,3‐oxathiol‐2‐yliden)‐2‐phenylquinazolin‐4‐amines (4) or N⁴‐(4,5‐diphenyl‐1,3‐oxathiol‐2‐yliden)‐2‐phenyl‐4‐aminoquinazoline ( 5 ) by a thermodynamically controlled reversible reaction favoring the enolate intermediate, while the 4‐[4‐aryl‐5‐(2‐phenylquinazolin‐4‐yl)‐1,3‐thiazol‐2‐yl]morpholine ( 8 ) was produced by a kinetically controlled reaction favoring the C‐anion intermediate. ¹H nmr, ¹³C nmr, ir, mass spectroscopy and x‐ray identified compounds ( 4 ), ( 5 ) and ( 8 ).     

Amphiphilic conetworks. II. Novel two‐step synthesis of poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]–polyisobutylene,poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)–polyisobutylene,and poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide)–polyisobutylene hydrogels

Amphiphilic polymer conetworks consisting of hydrophilic poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate], poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide), or poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) and hydrophobic polyisobutylene chains were synthesized with a novel two‐step procedure. In the first step, a methacrylate‐multifunctional polyisobutylene crosslinker was prepared by the cationic copolymerization of isobutylene with 3‐isopropenyl‐α,α‐dimethylbenzyl isocyanate. In the second step, the methacrylate‐multifunctional polyisobutylene crosslinker, with a number‐average molecular weight of 8200 and an average functionality of approximately 4 per chain, was copolymerized radically with 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, N‐isopropylacrylamide, or N,N‐dimethylacrylamide into transparent amphiphilic conetworks containing 42–47 mol % hydrophilic monomer. The synthesized conetworks were characterized with solid‐state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The amphiphilic nature of the conetworks was proved by swelling in both water and n‐heptane. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6378–6384, 2006     

Derivatives of some cyclic 3,4‐quinolinediyl bis‐sulfides with N,N‐dimethylcarbamoyl and N‐methyl‐N‐formylaminornethyl substituents in the 2‐quinolinyl position

Reactions of hydrogen sulfates of quino‐ and diquino‐annelated 1,4‐dithiins 11 and 2 with DMF/hydroxylamine‐O‐sulfonic acid/Fe⁺⁺ ion system took place at the α‐quinolinyl positions and led to N,N‐dimethylcarbamoyl and N‐methyl‐N‐formylaminomethyl derivatives 6 , 8 , 12 and 7 , 9 , 13 , respectively. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of N‐methyl‐N‐formylaminomethyl derivatives 7 , 9 , 13 showed the presence of rotational isomers E and Z regarding to the N‐methyl‐N‐formylaminomethyl substituent. The spectra of 6 , 7 , 8 , 12 and 13 were completely assigned with the use of 1D and 2D NMR techniques. In the case of rotational isomers 7a and 7b , the crucial correlations came from the NOE interaction between the methylene and methyl protons from CH₂N(CH₃)CHO groups and benzene‐rings protons. Synthesis of 2,3‐dihydro‐1,4‐dithiino[6,5‐e]quinoline 4‐oxide 14 was presented as well.     

Reactions of Polycyclic Ketones with Dimethoxycarbene; a Convenient Route for a ‘One‐Pot’ Preparation of Some α‐Hydroxycarboxylic Acid Esters

Polycyclic ‘cage’ ketones, such as pentacyclo[5.4.0.0^2,6.0^3,10.0^5,9]undecan‐8‐one ( 10 ), pentacyclo[5.4.0.0^2,6.0^3,10.0^5,9]undecane‐8,11‐dione ( 11 ), and adamantan‐2‐one ( 16 ) were treated with the nucleophilic dimethoxycarbene (DMC; 1 ), which was generated thermally from 2,5‐dihydro‐2,2‐dimethoxy‐5,5‐dimethyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole ( 4a ) in boiling toluene. In this ‘one‐pot’ procedure, the α‐hydroxycarboxylic acid ester 12 or a corresponding derivative 15 or 17 was obtained (Schemes 4–7). Additionally, ‘cage’ thione 21 was treated with DMC under the same conditions yielding dimethoxythiirane 22 (Scheme 8). Subsequent hydrolysis or desulfurization (followed by hydrolysis on silica gel) of 22 gave α‐mercaptocarboxylate 25 and the corresponding desulfurized ester 24 , respectively. In all cases, the addition of DMC occurred stereoselectively, and the addition from the exo‐face is postulated to explain the structures of the isolated products.     

A Reduced‐Symmetry Heterobimetallic [PdPtL4]4+ Cage: Assembly,Guest Binding,and Stimulus‐Induced Switching

A strategy is presented that enables the quantitative assembly of a heterobimetallic [PdPtL₄]⁴⁺ cage. The presence of two different metal ions (Pd^II and Pt^II) with differing labilities enables the cage to be opened and closed selectively at one end upon treatment with suitable stimuli. Combining an inert Pt^II tetrapyridylaldehyde complex with a suitably substituted pyridylamine and Pd^II ions led to the assembly of the cage. ¹H and DOSY NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry data were consistent with the quantitative formation of the cage, and the heterobimetallic structure was confirmed using single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The structure of the host–guest adduct with a 2,6‐diaminoanthraquinone guest molecule was determined. Addition of N,N′‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) resulted in the formation of the open‐cage [PtL₄]²⁺ compound and [Pd(DMAP)₄]²⁺ complex. This process could then be reversed, with the reformation of the cage, upon addition of p‐toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH).     

Gem‐dinitromethyl‐substituted Energetic Metal–Organic Framework based on 1,2,3‐Triazole from in situ Controllable Synthesis

Synthesizing energetic metal–organic frameworks at ambient temperature and pressure has been always a challenge in the research area of energetic materials. In this work, through in situ controllable synthesis, energetic metal–organic framework gem‐dinitromethyl‐substituted dipotassium 4,5‐bis(dinitromethyl)‐1,2,3‐triazole with a “cage‐like” crystal packing was obtained and characterized. Most importantly, for the first time, we found that it could be successfully afforded with a catalytic effect of trifluoroacetic acid. This new compound exhibited its high density (2.04 g cm^?3) at ambient temperature, superior detonation velocity (8715 m s^?1) to that of lead azide (5877 m s^?1) and comparable to that of RDX (8748 m s^?1). Its detonation products are mainly N₂ (48.1 %), suggesting it is also a green energetic material. The above‐mentioned performance indicates its potential applications in detonator devices as lead‐free primary explosive.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterisation of Derivatives of Tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]Dec‐8‐Ene‐3,5‐Dione with an Expected Antimicrobial Activity

Anhydrides, imides, N‐ethylimides, N‐hydroxyimides and N‐aminoimides of 1,4,5,6‐tetramethyl‐bicyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]hept‐5‐ene‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid, 1,4,5,6,7‐pentamethyl‐bicyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]hept‐5‐ene‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid and 7‐ethyl‐1,4,5,6‐tetramethyl‐bicyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]hept‐5‐ene‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid were obtained. Antimicrobial activity of the newly obtained derivatives was tested against selected Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria and fungi of the Candida species. The structures of obtained compounds and their antimicrobial activity were compared. Structure of 1b, 2b and 1e were determined by an X‐ray analysis.     

Synthesis of statistical glycidyl methacrylate‐n‐vinyl pyrrolidone copolymers and their reaction with naproxen

Free‐radical copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) with N‐vinylpyrrolidone (VPD) was carried out at 50 °C using 3.0 mol · L^?1 of N,N′‐dimethylformamide solution and 9.0 · 10^?3 mol · L^?1 of 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The modification reaction of GMA‐VPD copolymers with a model bioactive carboxylic acid, 6‐methoxy‐α‐methyl‐2‐naphthaleneacetic acid (naproxen), was studied in the homogeneous phase using basic catalysts. The influence of the type of catalyst and the GMA content was evaluated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1192–1199, 2002     

Synthesis and activity of four (N,N‐dimethylamino)benzamide nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs based on thiazole and thiazoline

Four compounds derived from 2‐aminothiazole and 2‐amino‐2‐thiazoline were prepared by coupling the respective bases with the acid chlorides of either 3‐ or 4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)benzoic acid. Products were identified using infrared spectroscopy, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectroscopy and in two cases by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Of the four, N‐(thiazol‐2‐yl)‐3‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)‐benzamide (1), N‐(thiazolin‐2‐yl)‐4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)benzamide (2), N‐(thiazolin‐2‐yl)‐3‐(N,N‐dimethylamino) benzamide (3) and N‐(thiazolin‐2‐yl)‐4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)benzamide (4), the hydrochloride salts of compounds 3 and 4 showed anti‐inflammatory activity across a concentration range of 10^?2?5 × 10^?4 M while 3 (at a concentration of 10^?5 M) was found to have no adverse effect on myocardial function. The X‐ray crystal structure of 2 and the 1:1 adduct structure of 3 with 3‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)benzoic acid are reported.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of PNIPAM‐co‐PEGMA copolymer hydrophilic to hydrophobic transition in NaCl solution

Classical molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to investigate the hydrophilic to hydrophobic transition of PNIPAM‐co‐PEGMA close to its lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in 1 M NaCl solution. PNIPAM‐co‐PEGMA is a copolymer of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA). The copolymer consists of 38 monomer units of NIPAM with two PEGMA chains attached to the PNIAPM backbone. The PNIPAM‐co‐PEGMA was observed to go through the hydrophilic?hydrophobic conformational change for simulations at temperature slightly above its LCST. Na⁺ ions were found to bind strongly and directly with amide O, even more strongly with the O atoms on PEGAMS chains, whereas Cl^? ions only exhibit weak interaction with the polymer. Significantly a novel caged stable metal‐organic complex involving a Na⁺ ion coordinated by six O atoms from the copolymer was observed after the PNIPAM‐co‐PEGMA copolymer went through conformational transition to form a hydrophobic folded structure. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011