Mechanistic aspects of ester–carbonate exchange in polycarbonate/cycloaliphatic polyester with model reactions

The reactive blending of bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC) with poly(1,4‐cyclohexanedimethylene‐1,4‐cyclohexanedicarboxylate) (PCCD) was investigated with a new high‐temperature solution‐blending methodology. The ester–carbonate exchange reaction (transesterification) in the blends was studied with NMR and Fourier transform infrared. The composition analysis of the PC/PCCD blends was performed with ¹H NMR, and the molecular weights were determined with viscosity methods. 1,4‐Dimethylcyclohexanedicarboxylate, 1,4‐cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, and 1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol were reacted with PC to study the tendency of polyester chain‐end reactions such as transesterification, acidolysis, and alcoholysis. These model reactions revealed that the reactive blending was affected by both alcoholysis and transesterification, whereas acidolysis was absent. The model reaction products were used to study the mechanistic aspects of PC/PCCD reactive blending, which indicated the formation of three stable triads; two corresponded to symmetrical and unsymmetrical aromatic–cycloaliphatic esters, and the other corresponded to aromatic–cycloaliphatic ethers. The composition analysis confirmed that in PC/PCCD reactive blending, the exchange reaction predominantly occurred in the polymer main chains, and the influence of the end groups was insignificant. The effect of the catalyst concentration and PC/PCCD composition on the extent of the exchange reaction was also investigated. Thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the ester–carbonate exchange enhanced the compatibilization of PC/PCCD, and a single glass‐transition temperature was observed for the miscible blends. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3996–4008, 2004     

Pd complexes of iminophosphine ligands: A homogeneous molecular catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions under mild conditions

The complexes formed by combining Pd(OAc)₂ and iminophosphine ligands (P^N) are active catalysts in Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions under mild conditions. Aryl bromides and iodides, as well as benzyl chlorides give the corresponding coupled products in high yields at low temperatures (25–50 °C) using these catalysts. Iminophosphines containing the most sterically demanding groups attached to the N-imino moiety were the most effective ligands. New divalent Pd complexes of known iminophosphines were synthesised and their activity was compared with the in situ generated catalyst system. The complex resulting from the oxidative addition of 4-bromo anisole [Pd(4-CH₃OC₆H₄)Br(P^N)] was more active than the in situ generated system. However, palladacycles containing the iminophosphine ligand (e.g., {[C₆H₄CH(Me)₂St-Bu]Pd(P^N)}⁺PF₆⁻) were less active than the in situ generated catalyst due to the greater stability of the complexes that involve two bidentate ligands. Poisoning tests demonstrated that homogeneous mononuclear palladium species containing the iminophsophine ligand were responsible for the catalytic activity.     

Solid-state synthesis of boron subnitride, B6N: myth or reality?

Solid-state synthesis of boron subnitride, B₆N, as a result of chemical interaction between boron and boron nitride at 7.5 GPa and 1700 °C has been previously reported by Hubert et al. However, a critical analysis of the results has shown that the evidence for the formation of boron subnitride with B₆O-like structure is inconclusive. We have studied in situ the interaction between boron and BN at the same p–T conditions using X-ray diffraction with synchrotron radiation. At 7.4 GPa and 1700 °C the formation of a new phase has not been observed. At the same time, HP–HT treatment has resulted in strong and unpredictable preferred orientation of boron crystallites. This leads to the rise of some weak boron reflections that might be erroneously attributed to the appearance of a new phase. To cite this article: V.L. Solozhenko et al., C. R. Chimie 9 (2006).     

Molecular interaction of alcohols with acrylic esters in non-polar solvents

The molecular interaction between alcohols (1-propanol, 1-pentanol, 1-heptanol, and 1-octanol) and acrylic esters (methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and butyl methacrylate (BMA)) have been studied in carbon tetrachloride and benzene at 298 K using dielectric and FTIR spectroscopic methods. The result shows that, 1:1 complex is predominant in these systems. The strength of hydrogen bond (O–H:C=O) formation shows a significant dependence of on alkyl chain length of both alcohols and acrylic esters and the nature of the solvent used. To cite this article: K. Dharmalingam, et al., C. R. Chimie 9 (2006).     

New rheological developments for reactive processing of poly(ε-caprolactone)

This short review aims to show how an integrated activity on reactive processing have been developed these last years in our laboratory. We can say that the originality of this approach is based on combining developments in chemistry, in line instrumentation, and rheology aspects. Our rheological works can be divided into four important contributions: rheo-physics, rheo-chemistry, rheo-mixing and rheo-processing. These different parts are illustrated from the ε-caprolactone polymerisation in bulk and dispersed media. Rheo-physics studies allowed us to calculate the molecular weight distribution and chain structures of in situ polymerised poly(ε-caprolactone) samples. From rheo-chemistry works, we are now able to predict the variation of the complex shear modulus versus the extent of the polymerisation. The developments of new rheological tools such as rheo-mixer enable us to investigate complex mixing situations encountered in reactive polymer blends and formulations. Lastly, a rheo-processing approach based on the in-line measurement of the viscosity in a slit rheometer at the die exit of the extruder allows us to envisage its application to the experimental control of the reactive processing in extruder. To cite this article: P. Cassagnau et al., C. R. Chimie 9 (2006).     

ZnCl2 and CuCl promoted aldol reactions of isocyanoacetate with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

Reaction of ethyl isocyanoacetate with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds was promoted by a stoichiometric amount of ZnCl₂ or a catalytic amount of CuCl/Et₃N (1:1) to give 5-alkenyl-4-carboethoxyoxazolines (3) in moderate yields. The oxazolines (3) were converted by palladium catalyst to 2-formamino-2,4-alkadienoic acid ethyl esters (5).     

Process monitoring of polymers by in-line ATR-IR, NIR and Raman spectroscopy and ultrasonic measurements

The aim of the present work is to show that spectroscopic and ultrasonic methods are powerful in situ methods for monitoring polymerization processes and for the determination of the composition of polymer blends and additives during extrusion. Quantitative analysis carried out with chemometric methods can determine the composition of multicomponent polymer mixtures and predict real world samples in real-time during extrusion. Examples are the modification of hyperbranched poly(urea-urethane)s, the polymerization of MMA, the real-time determination of flame retardants in PA, and the determination of the composition of the blend PE/PS. To cite this article: D. Fischer et al., C. R. Chimie 9 (2006).     

Morphology and thermal properties of a PC/PE blend with reactive compatibilization

Reactive compatibilization of immiscible polymers is becoming increasingly important and hence a representative study of a polycarbonate/high density polyethylene (PC/HDPE) system is the focus of this paper. A grafted copolymer PC‐graft‐ethylene‐co‐acrylic acid (PC‐graft‐EAA) was generated as a compatibilizer in situ during processing operation by ester and acid reaction between PC and ethylene‐acrylic acid (EAA) in the presence of the catalyst dibutyl tin oxide (DBTO). As the polyethylene (PE) matrix does not play any part during the synthesis of the copolymer and since PC and EAA are also immiscible, to simplify the system, the influence of this copolymer formation at the interface between PC and EAA on rheological properties, phase morphology, and crystallization behavior for EAA/PC binary blends was first studied. The equilibrium torque increased with the DBTO content increasing in EAA/PC blends on Haake torque rheometer, indicating the in situ formation of the graft copolymer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies of cryogenically fractured surfaces showed a significant change at the distribution and dispersion of the dispersed phase in the presence of DBTO, compared with the EAA/PC blend without the catalyst. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies suggested that the heat of fusion of the EAA phase in PC/EAA blends with or without DBTO reduced with the formation of the copolymer compared with pure EAA. Then morphological studies and crystallization behavior of the uncompatibilized and compatibilized blends of PC/PE were studied as functions of EAA phase concentration and DBTO content. Morphological observations in PC/PE blends also revealed that on increasing the EAA content or adding the catalyst DBTO, the number of microvoids was reduced and the interface was intensive as compared to the uncompatibilized PC/PE blends. Crystallization studies indicated that PE crystallized at its bulk crystallization temperature. The degree of crystallinity of PE phase in PC/PE/EAA blends was also reduced with the addition of EAA and DBTO compared to the uncompatibilized blends of PC/PE, indicating the decrease in the degree of crystallinity was more in the presence of PC‐graft‐EAA. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The synergistic effect of cobalt-dicarbollide anions on the extraction of M lanthanide cations by Calix[4]arenes: a molecular dynamics study at the water–‘oil’ interface

We report molecular dynamics studies on the effect of CCD^– (chlorinated cobalt-dicarbollide) anions on the Eu³⁺ lanthanide cation extraction by a calix[4]arene-CMPO ligand L, focusing on the water–‘oil’ interface, where ‘oil’ is modelled by chloroform. The free L ligand and its EuL³⁺ complex are found to adsorb and to concentrate at the interface, but are too hydrophilic to be extracted. Addition of CCD^– anions in diluted conditions (either covalent linked to L or as separated CCD^– H₃O⁺ ions) also leads to adsorption of these species at the interface. However, at high concentrations, CCD^– anions saturate the interface and promote the extraction of EuL³⁺ to the oil phase. Another important feature concerns the uncomplexed Eu(CCD)₃ salt: accumulation of CCD^– anions at the interface creates a negative potential which attracts the hydrated Eu³⁺ ions, therefore facilitating their complexation by interfacial ligands. These features allow us to better understand the synergistic effect of lipophilic anions in the assisted liquid-liquid extraction of trivalent M³⁺ lanthanide or actinide cations. To cite this article: B. Coupez, G. Wipf, C. R. Chimie 7 (2004).

Résumé

Synergie due aux anions dicarbollides lors de l’extraction d’ions lanthanides M³⁺ par des calix[4]arènes : simulations de dynamique moléculaire à l’interface eau–« huile ». Nous étudions par simulations de dynamique moléculaire l’effet de synergie dû aux anions CCD^– (cobalt-dicarbollides) lors de l’extraction de Eu³⁺ par un calix [4]arène L, en se focalisant sur l’interface eau–« huile », l’huile étant modélisée par du chloroforme. On montre que le ligand L et son complexe EuL³⁺ s’adsorbent à l’interface, mais sont trop hydrophiles pour être extraits. L’addition d’anions CCD^– (qu’ils soient sous la forme d’ions CCD^– H₃O⁺ séparés ou greffés de façon covalente au calixarène) conduit aussi à l’adsorption de ces espèces à l’interface. Cependant, aux plus fortes concentrations, les anions CCD^– saturent l’interface et induisent l’extraction du complexe EuL³⁺ vers l’huile. Un autre résultat remarquable concerne les sels Eu(CCD)₃ : l’accumulation des anions CCD^– à l’interface y crée un potentiel négatif, ce qui attire les cations Eu³⁺ et facilite ainsi leur complexation par des ligands à l’interface. Ces résultats permettent de mieux comprendre l’effet de synergie dû aux anions CCD^– lors de l’extraction d’ions lanthanides ou actinides M³⁺ et, d’une manière générale, ce qui se passe à l’interface entre l’eau et des liquides non miscibles. Pour citer cet article : B. Coupez, G. Wipf, C. R. Chimie 7 (2004).     

Palladacycle-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of arylboronic acids with carboxylic anhydrides or acyl chlorides

The triphenylphosphine–cyclopalladated ferrocenylimine (Cat. 2) exhibited highly catalytic activity for the both of arylboronic acids with carboxylic anhydrides and acyl chlorides with low catalyst loading (0.5 mol %). The reactions were unaffected by the presence of electron-releasing and electron-withdrawing substituents in both the arylboronic acids and carboxylic derivatives. Up to 98% yield was obtained for 32 examples. However, they were limited for arylboronic acid with strong electron-withdrawing groups. It is noting that catalyst 2 can be reused for eight times without losing its catalytic activity.     

Highly efficient three-component (aldehyde-alkyne-amine) coupling reactions catalyzed by a reusable PS-supported NHC-Ag(I) under solvent-free reaction conditions

The development of a highly efficient, polystyrene-supported NHC-Ag(I) catalyst for the three-component coupling reactions of aldehydes, alkynes, and amines (A³-coupling) was described. In the presence of PS-NHC-Ag(I) (2 mol %), the A³-reactions were carried out at room temperature under solvent-free reaction conditions and the corresponding propargylamines were generated in good to excellent yields. Furthermore, the catalyst could be reused at least 12 times without a significant loss of its catalytic activity.     

Addition reactions of pendant epoxide group in poly(glycidyl methacrylate) with various active esters

Addition reactions of pendant epoxide groups in poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) with various active esters such as 1-benzotriazolyl benzoate, S-(2-benzoxazolyl) thiobenzoate, S-(2-benzothiazolyl) thiobenzoate, 4-nitrophenyl benzoate (4NPB), and S-phenyl thiobenzoate (PTB) were carried out using quaternary salts as catalysts. The reactions of PGMA with those active esters proceeded in diglyme at 100°C for 24 h quantitatively without the formation of 2-hydroxyl pendant groups in the polymer when 10 mol % of tetraethylammonium bromide was used as a catalyst. Furthermore, it was found that the respective quaternary salts have higher catalytic activity than tertiary amines in the reaction of PGMA with the active esters, and the reaction of PGMA with 4NPB gave the corresponding polymer with the highest conversion by addition of tetrabutylammonium bromide as a catalyst, while tetraethylammonium chloride showed the highest activity for the reaction of PGMA with PTB. In addition, the rate of reaction of PGMA with 4NPB was proportional to third order kinetics of the epoxide concentration, the ester concentration and the catalyst concentration as follows: ?d[Epoxide]/dt = ?[Ester]/dt = k₃[Epoxide] [Ester] [Catalyst].     

Phthalimido-prolinamide: a new chiral catalyst for solvent free enantioselective aldol reactions

A new prolinamide derivative phthalimido-prolinamide 1 was developed for organocatalytic enantioselective direct aldol reactions of various aldehydes with ketones. The catalytic protocol is effective with 15 mol % of catalyst under solvent free and additive free reaction conditions. By employing a catalytic amount of water, the efficiency of the reaction increased further and the desired products β-hydroxy carbonyl compounds were obtained in high yields and stereoselectivities.     

Novel M(II)–Hg(II) coordination polymers generated from metal-containing building blocks M(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)2 · (H2O)2 (M=Cu, Ni, Co) and HgCl2

A new class of M(II)–Hg(II) (M=Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II)) mixed-metal coordination polymers, Cu(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)₂HgCl₂ (4), [Co(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)₂(HgCl₂)₂] · 0.61H₂O (5) and [Ni(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)₂(HgCl₂)₂] · 0.77H₂O (6), have been prepared by self assembly of metal-containing building blocks, M(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)₂ · (H₂O)₂(M=Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II)), with HgCl₂. Compounds 4–6 were characterized fully by IR, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 4 crystallized in the monoclinic space group C2/c, with a=17.916(5) Å, b=7.223(2) Å, c=13.335(4) Å, β=128.726(3)°, V=1346.2(6) ų, Z=4. It contains alternating Hg(II) and Cu(II) metal centers that are cross-linked by 2-pyrazinecarboxylate spacers and chlorine co-ligands to generate a unique three-dimensional Hg(II)–Cu(II) mixed metal framework. Compound 5 crystallized in the triclinic space group P , with a=6.3879(7) Å, b=6.6626(8) Å, c=13.2286(15) Å, α=96.339(2)°, β=91.590(2)°, γ=113.462(2)°, V=511.71(10) ų, Z=1. Compound 6 also crystallized in the triclinic space group P , with a=6.3543(8) Å, b=6.6194(8) Å, c=13.2801(16) Å, α=96.449(2)°, β=92.263(2)°, γ=113.541(2)°, V=506.67(11) ų, Z=1. Compounds 5 and 6 are isostructural and in the solid state the Hg(II)M(II)Hg(II) units are connected by Hg₂Cl₂ linkages to produce a novel M(II)–Hg(II) (M=Co(II), Ni(II)) zigzag mixed-metal chain, in which a new type of M–M′–M′–M array was observed. The metal containing building blocks, M(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)₂ · (H₂O)₂ (M=Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II)), exhibit different connectivities to HgCl₂ depending on the metal cation contained within them.     

Sur un nouvel hétéropolytungstate lacunaire à squelette X2W21 dérivé du polytungstate [H6X2W22O76] (X = Sb,Bi)

A novel vacant heteropolytungstate of skeleton X₂W₂₁ derived from the polytungstate [H₆X₂W₂₂O₇₆]^8– (X = Sb,Bi). Five heteropolytungstates Na₈[H₆Sb₂W₂₁O₇₃]·16.5 H₂O, Na₈[H₆Sb₂W₂₁O₇₃]·19 H₂O, Na₈[H₆Bi₂W₂₁O₇₃]·16.5 H₂O, Li₂Na₆[H₆Sb₂W₂₂O₇₆]·14.5 H₂O, and Na₅[H₇Sb₂NiW₂₁O₇₃(H₂O)₃]·20 H₂O were prepared and studied by X-ray diffraction. The values of isotropic temperature factors of the external tungsten atom and of its three terminal oxygen atoms were compared to those of same-type atoms, firstly of the same polytungstate, and secondly inside this five-compound family. This analysis led to the conclusion that the vacant assembly X₂W₂₁O₇₃ (X = Sb,Bi) does exist and that the vacancy may be filled up with a first row transition metal such as nickel. To cite this article: Y. Jeannin, C. R. Chimie 7 (2004).     

Oxidative benzoin reactions

A one-pot synthesis (yields over 50%) of methyl and ethyl esters from aldehydes (and the corresponding alcohol), using aromatic nitrocompounds as oxidizing agents under the catalytic action of cyanide ion or of a conjugate base of a thiazolium ion, is described. A variety of by-products (α-hydroxybenzylidenaniline) (16), α-methoxybenzylidenaniline (21), α-cyanobenzylidenaniline (27), N¹-hydroxy-N¹,N²-diphenylbenzamidine (28), and others) have been identified.     

Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ruthenium: an efficient catalyst for the redox isomerization of functionalized allylic alcohols into carbonyl compounds

The catalytic activity of the ruthenium(II) complex [RuCp^∗(CH₃CN)₃][PF₆] 1 in the transposition of allylic alcohols into carbonyl compounds, in acetonitrile, is reported. This catalyst has proven to be able to catalyze the transformation of poorly reactive and/or functionalized substrates under smooth conditions.     

Polymer supported copper(II) amine‐imine complexes in the C‐N and A3 coupling reactions

New polymer supported Cu(II) complexes based on an epoxy functionalized gel type resin were prepared using the multi‐stage procedures. The reactions of epoxy groups with ethylenediamine or tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine, and then NH₂ groups with salicylaldehydes were used for the preparation of a series of amine‐imine functionalized polymer supports. Copper(II) acetate was used as a source of metal ions. The complexes were characterized using ICP‐OES, FTIR, DR UV–Vis and TGA techniques, and tested as catalysts in two model C‐N and a series of A³ coupling reactions. Their catalytic activity was rather low in the C‐N coupling reactions between imidazole and iodobenzene or phenylboronic acid. However, the second of the reactions could be conducted effectively under milder conditions. The complexes were efficient used as recyclable catalysts in the A³ coupling reactions. A series of aromatic aldehydes and secondary amines and phenylacetylene could be coupled using 1% mol catalyst.     

Studies on the syntheses of heterocyclic compounds—DCCLXII : Alternative synthesis of trans-3-(1'R*-hydroxyethyl)-4-(2',2'-dimethoxyethyl)-2-azetidinone,a synthetic intermediate of thienamycin

Synthesis of trans-3-(1'R^*-hydroxyethyl)-4-(2',2'-dimethoxyethyl)-2-azetidinone (5), an important intermediate for the synthesis of thienamycin (1), was investigated starting from the isoxazoline derivatives 3 and 9. The most effective method was catalytic hydrogenation of trans-4-t-butoxycarbonyl-3-(2,2'-dimethoxyethyl)-5-methyl-isoxazoline (9) with Adams catalyst in acetic acid, followed by trimethylsilylation of the resulting epimeric aminoesters 11A and B, cyclization with EtMgBr, and deblocking. Novel reductions of the isoxazolines with sodium borohydride and nickel chloride or with diborane followed by catalytic hydrogenation were also reported.     

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions and electrocyclizations—efficient combinations for new cascade reactions

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions and electrocyclic transformations as well as cycloadditions can efficiently be combined in one-pot sequences to build up complex molecules from simple precursors. 1,3-Dicyclopropyl-1,2-propadiene (1) could be coupled to various aryl halides, and the 1,3,5-hexatrienes resulting after rearrangement were trapped with different dienophiles. Further exploration of the highly reactive building block bicyclopropylidene (8) demonstrates the combinatorial potential of the two reaction modes in terms of two different three-component reactions, and even a novel four-component reaction was readily developed. Additional increase of complexity was gained by combining an intramolecular Heck reaction with consecutive trapping by 8, which can be carried out with or without 6π-electrocyclization. Finally a Stille-Heck-coupling sequence of substituted 2-bromocycloalkenyl triflates with functionally substituted alkenylstannanes and acrylic esters led to highly substituted 1,3,5-hexatrienes, which smoothly underwent 6π-electrocyclization at elevated temperatures to yield bi- and tricyclic skeletons. With this methodology at hand, a new versatile access to steroid-analogues with a diene moiety in the B ring and a functionality at C-7 was developed.