Carbon Fibers: Precursor Systems,Processing, Structure,and Properties

This Review gives an overview of precursor systems, their processing, and the final precursor‐dependent structure of carbon fibers (CFs) including new developments in precursor systems for low‐cost CFs. The following CF precursor systems are discussed: poly(acrylonitrile)‐based copolymers, pitch, cellulose, lignin, poly(ethylene), and new synthetic polymeric precursors for high‐end CFs. In addition, structure–property relationships and the different models for describing both the structure and morphology of CFs will be presented.     

Synthesis,structure, and the energetic properties of tetraazidopyridine-4-carbonitrile

Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds - Nucleophilic substitution of fluorine atoms in 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine-4-carbonitrile with sodium azide was used to obtain...     

Critical Evaluation of Kinetic Method Measurements: Possible Origins of Nonlinear Effects

The kinetic method is a widely used approach for the determination of thermochemical data such as proton affinities (PA) and gas-phase acidities (ΔH° _acid ). These data are easily obtained from decompositions of noncovalent heterodimers if care is taken in the choice of the method, references used, and experimental conditions. Previously, several papers have focused on theoretical considerations concerning the nature of the references. Few investigations have been devoted to conditions required to validate the quality of the experimental results. In the present work, we are interested in rationalizing the origin of nonlinear effects that can be obtained with the kinetic method. It is shown that such deviations result from intrinsic properties of the systems investigated but can also be enhanced by artifacts resulting from experimental issues. Overall, it is shown that orthogonal distance regression (ODR) analysis of kinetic method data provides the optimum way of acquiring accurate thermodynamic information.      

First Synthesis of 1,3-Alternate 25,27-Dialkyloxy-5,17-diarylcalix[4]arenes-crown-6 as New Cesium Selective Extractants by Suzuki Cross-coupling Reaction

The synthesis of new 25,27-dialkyloxy-5,17-diarylcalix[4]arenes-crown-6 1a–f in 1,3-alternate conformation by Suzuki cross-coupling reaction is reported. Their conformation was determined using ¹H, ¹³C, 2D NMR and ROESY analysis, and X-ray crystallography. Extraction experiments using a two-phase solvent method involving sodium, potassium or cesium picrate showed good extraction of the cesium cation. The X-ray crystal structures of 1,3-alternate 25,27-dipropoxy-5,17-diphenylcalix[4]arene-crown-6 ether 1a and its cesium picrate complex were established. Solid-state data were used to determine the complexation behavior of these new ligands. The efficiency of calixarenes 1a–f for cesium ion extraction could be ascribed to the rigidity and flatness linkages caused by the aryl groups at the lower rim of the aromatic moieties in the calixarene skeleton. In addition, the introduction of these aromatic moieties in positions 5 and 17 enhanced the solubility of the metal complexes in organic media.     

Identification tree based on fragmentation rules for structure elucidation of organophosphorus esters by electrospray mass spectrometry

Organophosphorus compounds have played important roles as pesticides, chemical warfare agents and extractors of radioactive material. Structural elucidation of phosphonates poses a particular challenge because their initial forms can be hydrolyzed, thus, degradation products may predominate in samples acquired in the field. The analysis of non‐volatile organophosphorus compounds and their degradation products is possible using electrospray tandem mass spectrometry ESI‐MS/MS. Here, we present a generic strategy that allows the unambiguous identification of substituents for two families of organophosphorus compounds: the phosphonates and phosphates. General fragmentation rules were deduced based on the study of decomposition pathways of 55 organophosphorus esters, including examples found in the literature. Multistage MS (MSⁿ) experiments at high resolution in a hybrid mass spectrometer provide accurate mass measurements, whereas collision‐induced dissociation experiments in a triple quadrupole give access to small fragment ions. The creation of a specific nomenclature for each possible structure of organophosphorus compound, depending on the alkyl side chain linked to the oxygen, was achieved by applying these fragmentation rules. This led to the creation of an ‘identification tree’ based upon the unique consecutive decomposition pathways uncovered for each individual compound. Hence, seven structural motifs were created that orient an unequivocal identification using the ‘identification tree’. Despite the similar structures of the ensemble of phosphate and phosphonate esters, distinct identifications based upon characteristic neutral losses and diagnostic fragment ions were possible in all cases. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Collision cell pressure effect on CID spectra pattern using triple quadrupole instruments: a RRKM modeling

Control of the ion internal energy in mass spectrometry is needed to establish a workable mass spectral library. The purpose of this study is to understand and to compare the pressure effects on the collision‐induced dissociation (CID) spectrum pattern recorded using triple quadrupole instruments. The monoprotonated Leucine enkephalin [YGGFL, H⁺] was used as a thermometer molecule to calibrate the electrospray ionization (ESI) and the CID internal energies deposited on the molecular species and the time scale of ion decompositions. The survival yield and the ratio of a₄/b₄ fragment ions were mainly monitored. The energy uptake for the ESI source geometry used in our study has no impact on the CID spectrum fingerprint. The collision cell pressure for the [YGGFL, H⁺] has a major influence on the SY curves slope and on the experimental time scale. To demonstrate the pressure effect on internal energy distribution, three models (threshold, thermal and collisional) based on RRKM theory were built using the Masskinetics software. As a result, the limit of each model is discussed, and the investigation demonstrates that the thermal model, using truncated Maxwell‐Boltzmann internal energy distribution, is well‐suited for simulating the experimental data at high pressure widely used in the analytical conditions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the Addition of Aryl Radicals to Graphene: The Importance of Nonbonded Interactions

Dispersion‐corrected density functional theory is utilized to study the addition of aryl radicals to perfect and defective graphene. Although the perfect sheet shows a low reactivity against aryl diazonium salts, the agglomeration of these groups and the addition onto defect sites improves the feasibility of the reaction by increasing binding energies per aryl group up to 27 kcal mol^?1. It is found that if a single phenyl radical interacts with graphene, the covalent and noncovalent additions have similar binding energies, but in the particular case of the nitrophenyl group, the adsorption is stronger than the chemisorption. The single vacancy shows the largest reactivity, increasing the binding energy per aryl group by about 80 kcal mol^?1. The zigzag edge ranks second, enhancing the reactivity 5.4 times with respect to the perfect sheet. The less reactive defect site is the Stone–Wales type, but even in this case the addition of an isolated aryl radical is exergonic. The arylation process is favored if the groups are attached nearby and on different sublattices. This is particularly true for the ortho and para positions. However, the enhancement of the binding energies decreases quickly if the distance between the two aryl radicals is increased, thereby making the addition on the perfect sheet difficult. A bandgap of 1–2 eV can be opened on functionalization of the graphene sheets with aryl radicals, but for certain configurations the sheet can maintain its semimetallic character even if there is one aryl radical per eight carbon atoms. At the highest level of functionalization achieved, that is, one aryl group per five carbon atoms, the bandgap is 1.9 eV. Regarding the effect of using aryl groups with different substituents, it is found that they all induce the same bandgap and thus the presence of NO₂, H, or Br is not relevant for the alteration of the electronic properties. Finally, it is observed that the presence of tetrafluoroborate can induce metallic character in graphene.     

Identification and functional characterization of a novel α-conotoxin (EIIA) from Conus ermineus

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are one of the most important families in the ligand-gated ion channel superfamily due to their involvement in primordial brain functions and in several neurodegenerative pathologies. The discovery of new ligands which can bind with high affinity and selectivity to nAChR subtypes is of prime interest in order to study these receptors and to potentially discover new drugs for treating various pathologies. Predatory cone snails of the genus Conus hunt their prey using venoms containing a large number of small, highly structured peptides called conotoxins. Conotoxins are classified in different structural families and target a large panel of receptors and ion channels. Interestingly, nAChRs represent the only subgroup for which Conus has developed seven distinct families of conotoxins. Conus venoms have thus received much attention as they could represent a potential source of selective ligands of nAChR subtypes. We describe the mass spectrometric-based approaches which led to the discovery of a novel α-conotoxin targeting muscular nAChR from the venom of Conus ermineus. The presence of several posttranslational modifications complicated the N-terminal sequencing. To discriminate between the different possible sequences, analogs with variable N-terminus were synthesized and fragmented by MS/MS. Understanding the fragmentation pathways in the low m/z range appeared crucial to determine the right sequence. The biological activity of this novel α-conotoxin (α-EIIA) that belongs to the unusual α4/4 subfamily was determined by binding experiments. The results revealed not only its selectivity for the muscular nAChR, but also a clear discrimination between the two binding sites described for this receptor.     

Voltammetry coupled to mass spectrometry in the presence of isotope O labeled water for the prediction of oxidative transformation pathways of activated aromatic ethers: Acebutolol

The coupling between an electrochemical cell (EC) and a mass spectrometer (MS) is a useful screening tool (EC-MS) to study the oxidative transformation pathways of various electroactive species. For that purpose, we showed that the EC-MS method, carried out in the presence and absence of isotope ¹⁸O labeled water leads not only to a fast identification of oxidation products but also leads to a fast elucidation of the mechanism pathway reaction. We examined herein the case of the electrochemical hydrolysis of activated aromatic ether. Acebutolol (β-blockers) was selected herein as model of activated aromatic ether, and its electrochemical oxidation was examined in both the presence and absence of isotope ¹⁸O labeled water. To elucidate electrochemical hydrolysis pathway reaction: O-dealkylation or O-dealkoxylation, our approach was used to prove its applicability. The electrochemical oxidation mechanism was then elucidated showing an O-dealkoxylation reaction. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations fully support the experimental conclusions.     

New Nitrogen Derivatives of Podophyllotoxin and a Novel Access to Dehydroanhydropicropodophyllin

The new compounds podophyllotoxone oxime (3) and epipodophyllotoxin azide (5) were prepared. The known dehydroanhydropicropodophyllin (6) was unexpectedly obtained from podophyllotoxin (1) by treatment with TMSCl/NaI/MeCN.