Property control of new forms of carbon materials by fluorination

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) based on the template carbonization technique were fluorinated in a temperature range 323-473 K by elemental fluorine. The fluorination of the carbon nanotubes results in functionalization and modification of pristine nanotubes with respect to adsorption and electrochemical properties. Selective fluorination of the inner surface of the carbon nanotubes, brings about a decrease in the surface free energy of the inner surface of the tubes and an increase in colombic efficiency of Li/nanotubes rechargeable cells in an aprotic medium. Electrochemical fluoride-ion doping of fullerene C₆₀ thin films (250-450 nm) was carried out in a fluoride-ion conductive solution, MeCN solution of 1 M Et₄NF·4HF. Galvanostatic oxidation yielded C₆₀F_ca.1-3 where fluorine exists as a semi-ionic species in the cavity surrounded by C₆₀ molecules without forming covalent CF bonds     

Synthesis, structural characterisation of new oligomeric alkyl aluminium (2,2′-methylene-p-chloro-bisphenoxides) and application as catalysts in polymerisation reactions involving cyclohexene oxide

The synthesis, spectroscopic characterisation and X-ray structure determination of the first aluminium para-chloro-bisphenoxides [Al₂(mbpcp)₂(C₂H₅)₂(THF)₂] and [Al₃(mbpcp)₂(C₂H₅)₅] (mbpcp = 2,2′-methylenebis(4-chlorophenol) are reported. 2,2′-Methylenebis(4-chlorophenol) was reacted with triethyl aluminium to yield under liberation of ethane, aluminium para-chloro-2,2′-methylene-bisphenoxides with different molecular complexities: a dinuclear and a trinuclear specie, both displaying two bridging bisphenoxide ligands. The nature of the solvent (coordinating or not) influences the aggregation degree of the final product. The use of a coordinating solvent like THF yields a dimeric structure with a bisphenol:metal ratio of 1 to 1 which displays a trigonal-bipyramidal coordination geometry around the aluminium atoms whereas using an apolar, weak-coordinating solvent like diethyl ether yields a trinuclear species with a bisphenol:metal ratio of 2 to 3, displaying aluminium atoms with both tetrahedral and trigonal-bipyramidal coordination geometries. These compounds were tested in preliminary screening tests as catalysts of the homopolymerisation of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and copolymerisation of CHO with carbon dioxide. Both aluminium bisphenoxides are highly active in the ring opening polymerisation of CHO (RT, reaction time <5 min, M_n ranging from 31 000 to 40 700 g/mol, polydispersities from 1.2 to 1.4). Both compound are also active in the copolymerisation of CHO with CO₂ although the carbonate amount remains low (75 bar, 90 °C, reaction time 8 h, M_n ranging from 6800 to 15 200 g/mol, polydispersities from 1.9 to 2.5).     

Practical synthesis of pinacolborane for one-pot synthesis of unsymmetrical biaryls via aromatic C-H borylation-cross-coupling sequence

A method for practical preparation of pinacolborane from borane-diethylaniline and pinacol was newly developed. Aromatic C-H borylation of arenes with pinacolborane or bis(pinacolato)diboron catalyzed by 1/2[Ir(OMe)(COD)]₂-(4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine) at 25 °C in hexane to give arylboronic esters was directly followed by cross-coupling with aromatic bromides at 60 °C in the presence of PdCl₂(dppf) (3.0 mol %) and K₃PO₄ in DMF. This one-pot, two-step procedure provided a variety of unsymmetrical biaryls in high yields.     

Synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes catalyzed by substituted ferrocenes

A range of substituted ferrocenes were used as catalysts for the synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon fibers (CFs). These products were obtained in the temperature range 800-1000 °C, in a reducing atmosphere of 5% H₂ by pyrolysis of (CpR)(CpR′)Fe (R and R′ = H, Me, Et and COMe) in toluene solution. The effect of pyrolysis temperature (800-1000 °C), catalyst concentration (5 and 10 wt.% in toluene) and solution injection rate (0.2 and 0.8 ml/min) on the type and yield of carbonaceous product synthesized was investigated. Carbonaceous products formed include graphite film (mostly at high temperature; 900-1000 °C), carbon nanotubes and carbon fibers. The carbonaceous materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The ferrocene ring substituents influenced both the CNT diameter and the carbon product formed.     

Tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) electrogenerated chemiluminescence sensor based on carbon nantube dispersed in sol-gel-derived titania-Nafion composite films

A highly sensitive and stable tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor was developed based on carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersed in mesoporous composite films of sol-gel titania and perfluorosulfonated ionomer (Nafion). Single-wall (SWCNT) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) can be easily dispersed in the titania-Nafion composite solution. The hydrophobic CNT in the titania-Nafion composite films coated on a glassy carbon electrode certainly increased the amount of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ immobilized in the ECL sensor by adsorption of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ onto CNT surface, the electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of hydrophobic analytes, and the electronic conductivity of the composite films. Therefore, the present ECL sensor based on the CNT-titania-Nafion showed improved ECL sensitivity for tripropylamine (TPA) compared to the ECL sensors based on both titania-Nafion composite films without CNT and pure Nafion films. The present Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ ECL sensor based on the MWCNT-titania--Nafion composite gave a linear response (R² = 0.999) for TPA concentration from 50 nM to 1.0 mM with a remarkable detection limit (S/N = 3) of 10 nM while the ECL sensors based on titania-Nafion composite without MWCNT, pure Nafion films, and MWCNT-Nafion composite gave a detection limit of 0.1 μM, 1 μM, and 50 nM, respectively. The present ECL sensor showed outstanding long-term stability (no signal loss for 4 months).     

An oxacalix[2]arene[2]pyrimidine-bis(Zn-porphyrin) tweezer as a selective receptor towards fullerene C70

An oxacalix[2]arene[2]pyrimidine-bis(Zn^II-porphyrin) conjugate was readily prepared via nucleophilic aromatic substitution of a phenolic AB₃-Zn-porphyrin on the upper rim of a (1,3-alternate) 5,17-bis(methylsulfonyl)oxacalix[4]arene precursor. Efficient 1:1 complex formation between the ‘jaws’ bisporphyrin tweezer and fullerene C₇₀ was evidenced by ¹H NMR titrations (K = 3.0 × 10⁴ M⁻¹), while no detectable complexation could be observed with C₆₀. On the other hand, an analogous oxacalix[4]arene-bis(Cu-corrole) conjugate did not show any measurable (C₆₀ or C₇₀) fullerene binding.     

Enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by Ti(IV) complexes of C2-symmetrical chiral BINOL derivatives

Enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to a series of aromatic aldehydes is developed using new chiral C₂-symmetric ligand (S)-2,2′-(1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diylbis(oxy))bis(methylene)bis(4-nitrophenol) (S)-2b. The catalytic system employing 10 mol % of (S)-2b and 120 mol % of Ti(OiPr)₄ was found to promote the addition of diethylzinc to a wide range of aromatic aldehydes with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents, giving up to 89% ee and up to 95% yield of the corresponding secondary alcohol under mild conditions.     

Comparison of several sorbents for continuous in situ derivatization and preconcentration of low-molecular mass aldehydes prior to liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric determination in water samples

A comparative study of six SPE conventional and non-conventional sorbent materials (silica RP-C₁₈, LiChrolut EN, Amberlite XAD-2, C₆₀ fullerene, multiwall carbon nanotubes and graphitized carbon black) was carried out for the in situ derivatization/preconcentration of eight aldehydes with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. Although two of the sorbents, LiChrolut EN and RP-C₁₈, turned out to be the most suitable for ultratrace analysis of the aldehydes, LiChrolut EN showed higher capacity for 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine trapping (higher efficiency for the in situ derivatization reaction) and superior performance in terms of sensitivity (likely a result of its increased sample breakthrough volume). The LiChrolut EN-based method combined with LC–MS/MS allowed the determination of aldehydes over the linear range of 0.02–15 μg l⁻¹, with limits of detection at 6–24 ng l⁻¹ and precision of 3.2–7.2%. The method was applied to determine low-molecular mass aldehydes in water samples. These results indicate that the method proposed is a straightforward and sensitive tool for the determination of these aldehydes in water samples providing better results than those LC–MS/MS reported alternatives in terms of the limit of detection, sample requirements for analysis and cost.     

A new series of potentially hexadentate ligands derived from 2,2′-bipyridine

Reaction of 2,2′-bipyridine-6-carboxaldehyde with the appropriate aliphatic diamine in MeOH and subsequent reduction with NaBH₄ gives the new, potentially hexadentate, ligands N,N′-bis(2,2′-bipyridin-6-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (bmet), N,N′-bis(2,2′-bipyridin-6-ylmethyl)propane-1,3-diamine (bmpp) and N,N′-bis(2,2′-bipyridin-6-ylmethyl)hexane-1,6-diamine (bmhx). The syntheses and characterisation of these ligands are reported; the ligands are isolated as the hydrochloride salts, with purification effected by either recrystallisation or cation exchange chromatography. [Co(bmet)](ClO₄)₃ · H₂O is obtained on reaction of bmet · 4.25HCl · 2.5H₂O with Na₃[Co(O₂CO)₃] · 3H₂O, and X-ray structural analysis shows this to have a pair of very short Co–N bonds. The synthesis and characterisation of the first coordination complex containing 6-(aminomethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (amb) is also described.     

Magneto-structural study on a series of rhenium(IV) complexes containing biimH2, pyim and bipy ligands

Three rhenium(IV) mononuclear compounds of formulae [ReCl₄(biimH₂)] · 2DMF (1), [ReCl₄(pyim)] · DMF (2) and [ReCl₄(bipy)] (3) (biimH₂ = 2,2′-biimidazole, pyim = 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole, bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine and DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) have been prepared and characterized. The crystal structure of 2 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system with P2₁/c as space group. The rhenium atom is six-coordinated by four Cl atoms and two nitrogen atoms from a bidentate pyim ligand [average values of Re–Cl and Re–N bonds lengths being 2.330(2) and 2.117(4) Å, respectively]. The magnetic properties were investigated from susceptibility measurements performed on polycrystalline samples of 1–3 in the temperature range 1.9–300 K. The magnetic behaviour found is typical of antiferromagnetically coupled systems, and they exhibit susceptibility maxima at 2.8 (1 and 2) and 5.6 K (3). Short Re^IV–Cl?Cl–Re^IV contacts through space account for the antiferromagnetic behaviour observed.     

Solid-state anion interactions in the diastereoisomers of dinuclear ruthenium complexes based on 2,2′-bipyrimidine

The cations in the solid-state structures of meso-(ΛΔ)-[{Ru(bpy)₂}₂(μ-bpm)](PF₆)₄, meso-(ΛΔ)-[{Ru(Me₂bpy)₂}₂(μ-bpm)](tos)₄ · 2CH₃OH · 4H₂O and meso-(ΛΔ)-[{Ru(Me₄bpy)₂}₂(μ-bpm)](tos)₄ · 26H₂O (bpm = 2,2′-bipyrimidine; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; Me₂bpy = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine; Me₄bpy = 4,4′,5,5′-tetramethyl-2,2′-bipyridine; tos⁻ = toluene-4-sulfonate anion) exhibit similar features including comparable bond lengths and angles, and metal–metal separations of 5.56–5.59 Å. The counter-ions present in the structures reside in the clefts above and below the plane of the bridging ligand, but show considerable variation in location compared with their known occupancy in solution.     

The formation of a metallacycloheptadienyl intermediate in the reaction of palladacyclopentadienyl derivatives with tetracyanoethylene

The palladium(II) derivatives of the type 1 [Pd(LL′)(C₄R₁R₂R₃R₄)] (LL′ = HNSPh:2-(phenylthiomethyl)-pyridine (A), BiPy: 2,2′-bipyridyl (B), DPPE: bis-diphenylphosphinoethane (C), NEOC: neocuproine (2,2′-dimethyl-o-phenanthroline) (D), R₁ = R₄ = COOMe, R₂, R₃ = C₁₀H₆ (a), R₁ = R₃ = C₆H₅, R₂ = R₄ = COOMe (b), R₁ = R₂ = R₃ = R₄ = COOMe (c)) react with the electron poor olefin tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) to yield under mild conditions the type 2 cycles C₆(CN)₄R₁R₂R₃R₄ and the corresponding palladium(0) olefin derivative [Pd(η²]-TCNE)(LL′)]. The olefin insertion reactions are usually fast, but in the case of the reaction of complex 1Da with TCNE accumulation of an intermediate is observed. The low temperature NOESY spectrum allows the determination of the intermediate structure which can be described as a hepta-membered metallacycle species.     

Coordination polymers of silver(I) with bis(N-heterocyclic carbene): Structural characterization and carbene transfer

Reactions of the ethylene- and methylene-bridged bis(imidazolium) salts with an equivalent amount of silver oxide in dichloromethane at room temperature produced readily the silver NHC compounds [Ag₂LBr₂]. These compounds are partially soluble in DMF. The X-ray structure determination on 3d (L = 1,1′-dibenzyl-3,3′-ethylenediimidazolin-2,2′-diylidene) reveals the formation of bromide bibridged (Ag₂LBr₂)_n chains and a unique supramolecular motif with weak Ag?Ag interactions of 3.429 Å. Similar to monomeric silver(I) NHC complexes, the silver coordination polymers can also act as carbene transfer reagents for the formation of chelating palladium NHC complexes in excellent yields.     

A new application of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate [(NH4)2Ce(NO3)3] in fullerene chemistry—free-radical alkoxylation of C60 fullerene on reaction with primary alcohols

The reaction of [60]fullerene with primary aliphatic alcohols (ROH, R = Et, Me, Pr) mediated by cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate [(NH₄)₂Ce(NO₃)₃] affords the corresponding alkoxy-derivatives with a hydroxy group, C₆₀(OR)_x(OH) (x = 3, 4) in high yield. The reaction is characterized by a free radical mechanism confirmed by an EPR study of the alkoxy fullerenyl radical (g = 2.0023).     

Synthetic, spectral and catalytic activity studies of ruthenium bipyridine and terpyridine complexes: Implications in the mechanism of the ruthenium(pyridine-2,6-bisoxazoline)(pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate)-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of olefins utilizing H2O2

Various Ru(L₁)(L₂) (1) complexes (L₁ = 2,2′-bipyridines, 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridines, 6-(4S)-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-oxazol-2-yl-2,2′-bipyridinyl or 2,2′-bipyridinyl-6-carboxylate; L₂ = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate, pyridine-2-carboxylate or 2,2′-bipyridinyl-6-carboxylate) have been synthesized (or in situ generated) and tested on epoxidation of olefins utilizing 30% aqueous H₂O₂. The complexes containing pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate show extraordinarily high catalytic activity. Based on the stereoselective performance of chiral ruthenium complexes containing non-racemic 2,2′-bipyridines including 6-[(4S)-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-oxazol-2-yl]-[2,2′]bipyridinyl new insights on the reaction intermediates and reaction pathway of the ruthenium-catalyzed enantioselective epoxidation are proposed. In addition, a simplified protocol for epoxidation of olefins using urea hydrogen peroxide complex as oxidizing agent has been developed.     

A novel 1D organic-inorganic hybrid based on alternating heteropolyanions [GeMo12O40] and isopolyanions [Mo6O22]

A novel one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer [{Cu(2,2′-bpy)}₆(Mo₆O₂₂)][GeMo₁₂O₄₀]·H₂O (2,2′-bpy=2,2′-bipyridine), which represents the first example of 1D organic-inorganic hybrid based on a Keggin-type heteropolyanion [GeMo₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ and an unprecedented isopolyanion [Mo₆O₂₂]⁸⁻, has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data: C₆₀H₅₀Cu₆GeMo₁₈N₁₂O₆₃, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=13.9344(3), b=20.0329(3), c=17.2151(3) Å; β=94.0220(10)°, V=4793.70(15) Å³, T=293(2) K; Z=2.     

Binuclear oxomolybdenum(V) chlorides: Molecular structure of Mo2O4Cl2(DMF)4 and Mo2O4Cl2(bipy)2 · DMF

Reduction of MoO₂Cl₂(DMF)₂ (DMF = dimethylformamide) with PPh₃ in mild conditions afforded the dinuclear species Mo₂O₃Cl₄(DMF)₄. Related compounds could be prepared by substitution of DMF with stronger bases. While attempting to grow crystals of these compounds new complexes with the syn-[Mo₂O₄]²⁺ core were obtained. The molecular structures of Mo₂O₄Cl₂(DMF)₄, and Mo₂O₄Cl₂(bipy)₂ (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

New active ruthenium(II) complexes based N3,N3′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-2,2′-bipyridine-3,3′-diamine and P,P′-diphenylphosphinous acid-P,P′-[2,2′-bipyridine]-3,3′-diyl ester ligands for transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones by propan-2-ol

The dimeric starting material [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ reacts with N3,N3′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-2,2′-bipyridine-3,3′-diamine, 1 and P,P′-diphenylphosphinous acid-P,P′-[2,2′-bipyridine]-3,3′-diyl ester, 2 ligands to afford bridged dinuclear complexes [C₁₀H₆N₂{NHPPh₂-Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂}₂], 3 and [C₁₀H₆N₂{OPPh₂-Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂}₂], 4 in quantitative yields. These bis(aminophosphine) and bis(phosphinite) based Ru(II) complexes serve as active catalyst precursors for the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone derivatives in 2-propanol and especially 4 acts as a good catalyst, giving the corresponding alcohols in 99% yield in 20 min (TOF ? 280 h⁻¹).     

Asymmetric flow field flow fractionation of aqueous C60 nanoparticles with size determination by dynamic light scattering and quantification by liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure photo-ionization mass spectrometry

A size separation method was developed for aqueous C₆₀ fullerene aggregates (aqu/C₆₀) using asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF4) coupled to a dynamic light scattering detector in flow through mode. Surfactants, which are commonly used in AF4, were avoided as they may alter suspension characteristics. Aqu/C₆₀ aggregates generated by sonication in deionized water ranged in size from 80 to 260 nm in hydrodynamic diameter (D_h) as determined by DLS in flow through mode, which was corroborated by analysis of fractions by DLS in batch mode and by TEM. The mass of C₆₀ in each fraction was determined by LC–APPI–MS. Only 5.2 ± 6.7% of the total aqu/C₆₀ mass had D_h less than 80 nm, while 58 ± 32% of the total aqu/C₆₀ mass had D_h between 80 and 150 nm and 14 ± 9.2% of the total aqu/C₆₀ were between 150 and 260 nm in D_h. With the optimal fractionation parameters, 77 ± 5.8% of the aqu/C₆₀ mass eluted from the AF4 channel, indicating deposition on the AF4 membrane had occurred during fractionation; use of alternative membranes did not reduce deposition. Channel flow splitting increased detector response although channel split ratios greater than 80% of the channel flow led to decreased detector response. This is the first report on the use of AF4 for fractionating a colloidal suspension of aqu/C₆₀.     

Three novel bismetallacyclopropa[60]fullerene complexes formed via intermediate monometallacyclopropa[60]fullerene diphosphine ligands

The homodinuclear bismetallacyclopropa[60]fullerene complexes (η²-C₆₀)M(μ-η¹,η¹-trans-Ph₂PCHCH PPh₂)₂M(η²-C₆₀) (1, M = Pt; 2, M = Pd) were prepared by reaction of C₆₀ with M(dba)₂ (dba = dibenzylideneacetone) and trans-1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene in 82% and 92% yield, whereas reaction of C₆₀ with Pd(dba)₂ and trans-dppet followed by treatment with C₆₀ and Pt₂(dba)₃ gave rise to the heterodinuclear complex (η²-C₆₀) Pd(μ-η¹,η¹-trans-Ph₂PCHCH PPh₂)₂Pt(η²-C₆₀) (3) in 65% yield. Mechanistic study showed that these reactions involve the intermediates of monometallacyclopropa[60]fullerene diphosphine ligands (η²-C₆₀)M(η¹-trans-Ph₂PCHCHPPh₂)₂ (4, M = Pt; 5, M = Pd). All the mono- and bismetallacyclopropa[60]fullerene complexes 1-5 have been fully characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopy, as well as for 2 by X-ray crystallography.