Using enantioselective dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the microseparation of trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine enantiomers

A new chiral separation system effective for the enantioselective extraction of racemic trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine is presented. Enantioselective dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction has been used for the chiral microseparation of trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine, with a chiral azophenolic crown ether being identified as a versatile chiral selector. The influence of various process conditions on the extraction performance was studied experimentally. It was found that the operational selectivity in one extraction step is mainly related to the type and volume of the solvents, chiral selector concentration, extraction time, temperature of sample solution, and pH. At optimum conditions (300 μL of diethyl ether as the extraction solvent 1 mL of methanol as the disperser solvent, with 5 mmol L^?1 chiral selector concentration, pH of the sample equal to 4.5, 30 min extraction time and a temperature of 10 °C), the distribution ratio of (R,R)- and (S,S)-trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine was 18.3 and 1.8, respectively, while the enantioselectivity value of 10.2 was found at the optimum condition.     

Thermal racemization of biaryl atropisomers

Many biaryl compounds possess atropisomerism due to the steric hindrance of substituents at the ortho-position of the two aromatic moieties. Upon heating, atropisomers may have enough energy to surpass the rotational energy barrier and racemize. The thermal stability of five atropisomers was studied using chiral chromatography by following the change in enantiomeric excess ratio at different temperatures. The first order racemization reaction rate was obtained at a given temperature as the slope of the change in enantiomeric excess ratio versus time. For each atropisomer, the racemization rates at different temperatures led to the value of the rotational energy barrier for racemization, ΔG³, and to the racemization half lifetime, t_1/2, indicating the atropisomer thermal stability. Binaphthol started to racemize significantly at temperature of 190 °C and above while binaphthyldiamine was much more stable showing little or very minor racemization up to 210 °C. A chloro-substituted phenylamino-naphthol was very sensitive to thermal racemization starting at a low 40 °C.     

A photocleavable low molecular weight hydrogel for light-triggered drug delivery

A photocleavable low-molecular-weight hydrogelator (LMWG) was synthesized based on coumarin derivative.~1H NMR and UV spectroscopy study suggested that the gelator had good gelling ability, and the driving force for the gelation were hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking. This molecular hydrogel exhibited satisfied photocleavage at C-N bond in 7-amino coumarin with the light irradiation (365 nm,77.5 mW/cm~2). The promising photo-triggered drug release of antineoplastics cytarabine hydrochloride has been obtained, due to the photocleavage motived gel-sol transition.     

Coumarin salen-based zinc complex for solvent-free ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone

A new zinc complex based on a tetradentate N,N,O,O-type coumarin salen ligand (H₂L) was prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and FT-IR, UV–vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The complex [Zn(L)(H₂O)]·H₂O was active in the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone under solvent-free conditions, producing polycaprolactone (PCL) with a molecular weight up to 17,700 g mol^?1 and a narrow molecular weight distribution. ¹H NMR analysis showed that the PCL obtained was mainly linear, having hydroxymethylene groups in the chain ends. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that the polymer had high crystallinity (61%) and that TGA had a decomposition temperature above 300 °C.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic, structural and thermal characterizations of [(C7H6NO4)2TeBr6·4H2O]

Tellurium (IV) complexes with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate ligand were synthesized by slow evaporation from aqueous solutions yielding a new compound: [(C₇H₆NO₄)₂TeBr₆·4H₂O]. The structure of this compound was solved and refined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound is centrosymmetric P2₁/c (N°: 14) with the parameters a = 8.875(5) Å, b = 15.174(5) Å, c = 10.199(5) Å, β = 94.271° (5) and Z = 2. The structure consists of isolated H₂O, isolated [TeBr₆]^2? octahedral anions and (pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate) [C₇H₆NO₄]⁺ cations. The stability of the structure was ensured by ionic and hydrogen bonding contacts (N–H?Br and O–H?Br) and Van-Der Walls interaction. The thermal decomposition of the compound was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The FTIR and Raman spectroscopy at different temperatures confirm the existence of vibrational modes that correspond to the organic, inorganic and water molecular groups. Additionally, the UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum was recorded in order to investigate the band gap nature. The measurements show that this compound exhibits a semiconducting behavior with an optical band gap of 2.66 eV.     

One-pot photoreduction to prepare NIR-absorbing plasmonic gold nanoparticles tethered by amphiphilic polypeptide copolymer for synergistic photothermal-chemotherapy

We developed one-pot photoreduction strategy to fabricate the NIR-absorbing plasmonic PLC-b-PEO@Au NPs. It possessed strong NIR absorption at 700-1100 nm, an ultrahigh photothermal conversion efficiency of 62.1%, and good photostability.     

CO oxidation over ceria supported Au22 nanoclusters: Shape effect of the support

CO oxidation over ceria-supported Au₂₂ nanoclusters shows strong dependence on the support shape: the lattice oxygen in CeO₂ rods is more reactive than in the cubes and thus make rods a superior support for Au nanoclusters in catalyzing low temperature CO oxidation.     

Anionic polymerization initiated by lithium amides for preparing high molecular weight polyacrylonitrile

Lithium amides have been proved to be effective anionic initiators for the anionic polymerization of acrylonitrile to get high molecular weight polyacrylonitrile in this study. Polyacrylonitrile with weightaverage molecular weight ranging from 1.02 × 10~6 g/mol to 1.23 ×10~6 g/mol (M_w/M_n= 1.9-2.2) could be prepared utilizing lithium amides derived from diisopropylamine, diethylamine, hexamethyldisilazane,dicyclohexylamine, and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine as initiators. The polymerization of acrylonitrile proceeded in a homogeneous manner in N,N-di methyl for mamide and insignificant contribution of side reactions was confirmed.     

A nitroxide diradical containing a ferrocen-1,1′-diyl-substituted 1,3-diazetidine-2,4-diimine coupler

An Aza-Wittig reaction of 1,1′-bis(triphenylphosphoranylidenamino)-ferrocene with 3-isocyanato-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-1-oxyl and subsequent intramolecular [2+2]-cycloaddition of the bis(carbodiimide) intermediate was used for the synthesis of a 1,3-diazetidine-2,4-diimine moiety bearing two radical groups and bridging the cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings. According to single-crystal X-ray data, the planar 2,4-diimino-1,3-diazetidine moiety adopts a perpendicular orientation with respect to the eclipsed Cp rings. One of the radical groups lies almost within the plane of the four-membered 1,3-diazetidine ring, while the other has a conformationally preferred orientation with dihedral angles ±62.3°. The two Cp rings are constricted by the 1,3-diazetidine-2,4-diimine moiety so that the angle between their planes is 11.0°. The synthesized diradical contains ferrocene and nitroxide redox signaling units that can be oxidized step-by-step at E_1/2 = 0.26 and 0.48 V (vs Fc/Fc⁺), respectively. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy revealed a moderate exchange interaction (|J| ～ a_N) between the two nitroxide radical moieties and the following values of zero-field splitting parameters: ∣D∣ = 3.5 mT and E/D = 0 were obtained. These data were in agreement with density functional theory calculations. The newly developed approach to multispin systems may be interesting for the construction of weakly coupled rigid polyradicals for quantum technologies, the molecular design of magnets, and the creation of ferrocene-based electron-paramagnetic-resonance–active chemical sensors.     

Stability and performance of porous silica–zirconia composite membranes for pervaporation of aqueous organic solutions

Porous silica–zirconia membranes were fabricated by the sol–gel techniques to study their stability against water and the pervaporation performance of aqueous solutions of organic solvents. Zirconia (10–70 mol%) was added to silica to obtain silica–zirconia composite membranes by firing at 400–500 °C for pervaporation tests with organic solvent/water mixtures, such as iso-propyl alcohol (IPA)/water and tetrahydrofuran (THF)/water mixtures at their normal boiling points.The membrane coatings have been done effectively by the hot-coating methods proposed previously. Boiling water treatments introduced in the coating processes have made the membranes quite stable even in the high water concentration region of aqueous organic solutions at their normal boiling points. Zirconia contents larger than about 40 mol% have made the silica–zirconia membranes quite stable. The membranes of zirconia contents less than about 30 mol% were found not stable in a dilute aqueous solution of IPA. The membranes fabricated by the conventional dip-coating methods with slow drying were not stable against water because of the probable segregation of silica and/or silica-rich phases during drying.The membranes fired at lower temperature (400 °C) gave a higher water flux of around 500 mol m⁻² h⁻¹ (9 kg m⁻² h⁻¹) with a separation factor larger than 1500 at 10 wt.% of water in the boiling feed of IPA/water mixture, for example.     

Synthesis and properties of novel heat-resistant fluorescent conjugated polymers with bisindolylmaleimide

Novel conjugated polymers with bisindolymaleimide were synthesized via simple metal-free condensation polymerization. The polymers exhibited high glass transition temperatures and decomposition temperatures with considerable luminescent properties.     

Polyimide-derived carbon nanofiber membranes as anodes for high-performance flexible lithium ion batteries

Heteroatoms-doped carbon nanofiber membranes with flexible features were prepared by electrospinning with heterocyclic polyimide (PI) structures containing biphenyl and pyrimidine rings. The products with optimized treatment could achieve 695 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g and retain 245 mAh/g at 1.5 A/g after 300 cycles when used as anode for Li-ion batteries.     

Preparation of new hybrid organic/inorganic polymeric chiral stationary phases for ligand-exchange chromatography

Three new hybrid organic/inorganic polymeric ligand-exchange chiral stationary phases were developed by radical chain transfer reaction and surface grafting on silica gel,and successfully used for the enantioseparations of DL-amino acids and DL-hydroxyl acids.The resolutions were achieved by using water containing 2.0×10~(-4) mol/L of CuAc_2 as a mobile phase,column temperature of 40℃,flow rate of 1.0mL/min and detection at UV 254 nm.The elution order of D-isomer before L-isomer was observed for all DL-amino acids resolved except DL-Pro.     

Proton transport properties of poly(aspartic acid) with different average molecular weights

We synthesized seven partially protonated poly(aspartic acids)/sodium polyaspartates (P-Asp) with different average molecular weights to study their proton transport properties. The number-average degree of polymerization (DP) for each P-Asp was 30 (P-Asp30), 115 (P-Asp115), 140 (P-Asp140), 160 (P-Asp160), 185 (P-Asp185), 205 (P-Asp205), and 250 (P-Asp250). The proton conductivity depended on the number-average DP. The maximum and minimum proton conductivities under a relative humidity of 70% and 298 K were 1.7 · 10^?3 S cm^?1 (P-Asp140) and 4.6 · 10^?4 S cm^?1 (P-Asp250), respectively. Differential thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTA) was carried out for each P-Asp. The results were classified into two categories. One exhibited two endothermic peaks between t = (270 and 300) °C, the other exhibited only one peak. The P-Asp group with two endothermic peaks exhibited high proton conductivity. The high proton conductivity is related to the stability of the polymer. The number-average molecular weight also contributed to the stability of the polymer.     

Switched enantioselectivity by solvent components and temperature in photocyclodimerization of 2-anthracenecarboxylate with 6~A,6~X-diguanidio-γ-cyclodextrins

A series of 6A,6X-diguanidio-g-cyclodextrins (CDs) were synthesized as chiral hosts for mediating the enantiodifferentiating[4+4] photocyclodimerization of 2-anthracenecarboxylic acid (AC). Variation of the temperature and the ammonia contents led to greatly enhanced head-to-head photodimers 3 and 4, companying by inversion of product chirality.     

S-Substituted-2-mercaptobenzthiazolium-based chiral ionic liquids: efficient organocatalysts for enantioselective sodium borohydride reductions of prochiral ketones

Novel chiral ionic liquids having chirality in their cationic part have been synthesized for evaluation of their catalytic potential as organocatalysts in sodium borohydride reduction of prochiral ketones to yield optically active secondary alcohols. The chiral ionic liquids have been synthesized from the reaction of (?)-menthol or (?)-borneol, chloroacetic acid and S-methyl/benzyl-2-mercaptobenzthiazole. The synthesized chiral ionic liquids have been characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR and Mass spectrometry. Moderate to excellent enantiomeric excess (ee > 99%) has been obtained in asymmetric sodium borohydride reduction of prochiral ketones using these salts as chiral catalysts.     

Synthesis and properties of a thiophene-substituted diaza[7]helicene for application as a blue emitter in organic light-emitting diodes

Carbazole-based diaza[7]helicene substituted by thiophene groups, 2,12-dithiophene-5,15-dihexyl-5,15-diaza[7]helicene (6), was synthesised successfully and confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, High Resolution Mass Spectrometry, Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry. Compound 6 exhibited good solubility and excellent thermal stability with no melting point and a high decomposition temperature of 453.64 °C. A doped device with a structure of ITO/NPB (50 nm)/CBP: 10% 6 (30 nm)/Bphen (20 nm)/Mg:Ag (150 nm)/Ag (50 nm) emitted the blue light at 460 nm with Commission Internationale de LEclairage (CIE) coordinate of (0.176, 0.26). The maximum brightness and external quantum efficiency (EQE) were 2306 cd m^?2 and 0.41%, respectively.     

A selective hydration of nitriles catalysed by a Pd(OAc)2-based system in water

In situ formation of a [Pd(OAc)₂bipy] (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridyl) complex in water selectively catalyses the hydration of a wide range of organonitriles at 70 °C. Catalyst loadings of 5 mol% afford primary amide products in excellent yields in the absence of hydration-promoting additives such as oximes and hydroxylamines.     

Memory of chirality trapping of low inversion barrier 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one enolates

We have previously demonstrated that chiral, enantiopure 3-substituted 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones undergo retentive deprotonation/trapping at −78 °C, if the N1-substituent is sufficiently large (e.g., i-Pr). Stereocontrol in this reaction is attributed to the formation of an enantiopure, conformationally chiral enolate; at −78 °C a large N1 substituent (e.g., i-Pr) is needed to impart a sufficient barrier to enolate racemization. Herein, we report strategies to achieve high enantiomeric excess in deprotonation/alkylation of low inversion barrier 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones featuring small N1 substituents.     

Bioelectrocatalytic formate oxidation and carbon dioxide reduction at high current density and low overpotential with tungsten-containing formate dehydrogenase and mediators

We show a great possibility of mediated enzymatic bioelectrocatalysis in the formate oxidation and the carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction at high current densities and low overpotentials. Tungsten-containing formate dehydrogenase (FoDH1) from Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 was used as a catalyst and immobilized on a Ketjen Black-modified electrode. For the formate oxidation, a high limiting current density (j_lim) of ca. 24 mA cm^− 2 was realized with a half wave potential (E_1/2) of only 0.12 V more positive than the formal potential of the formate/CO₂ couple (E°′_CO2) at 30 °C in the presence of methyl viologen (MV^2 +) as a mediator, and j_lim reached ca. 145 mA cm^− 2 at 60 °C. Even when a viologen-functionalized polymer was co-immobilized with FoDH1 on the porous electrode, j_lim of ca. 30 mA cm^− 2 was attained at 60 °C with E_1/2 = E°′_CO2 + 0.13 V. On the other hand, the CO₂ reduction was also realized with j_lim ≈ 15 mA cm^− 2 and E_1/2 = E°′_CO2 − 0.04 V at pH 6.6 and 60 °C in the presence of MV^2 +.