Thermoresponsive amphiphilic symmetrical triblock copolymers with a hydrophilic middle block made of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide): synthesis, self-organization, and hydrogel formation

Several series of symmetrical triblock copolymers were synthesized by the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer method. They consist of a long block of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) as hydrophilic, thermoresponsive middle block, which is end-capped by two small strongly hydrophobic blocks made from five different vinyl polymers. The association of the amphiphilic polymers was studied in dilute and concentrated aqueous solution. The polymer micelles found at low concentrations form hydrogels at high concentrations, typically above 30–35 wt.%. Hydrogel formation and the thermosensitive rheological behavior were studied exemplarily for copolymers with hydrophobic blocks of polystyrene, poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate), and poly(n-octadecyl acrylate). All systems exhibited a cloud point around 30 °C. Heating beyond the cloud point initially favors hydrogel formation but continued heating results in macroscopic phase separation. The rheological behavior suggests that the copolymers associate into flower-like micelles, with only a small share of polymers that bridge the micelles and act as physical cross-linkers, even at high concentrations.     

Heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants for fe(h(2)o)(6)(3+/2+) at metal oxide electrodes

The title redox couple, in noncoordinating perchlorate medium, has been used to probe the electrochemical behavior of different IrO2-based electrodes; pure oxide electrodes, as well as IrO2-SnO2 mixtures, have been investigated. The obtained results show that the electrode material strongly affects the electrochemical response. A tentative explanation, based on the different point of zero charge of the considered oxides, is presented.     

Four-membered chelate aminoalkenyl complexes of platinum(II). Synthesis,carbonylation and oxidation to aminoacidato complexes

Amination of Pt^II-allene complexes of the type cis[PtCl₂(Me₂CCCHR)(PPh₃)] gives the new four-membered C, N chelate aminoalkenyl complexes [$\text{PtC(CMe}{}_2\text{)CHRN}$Me₂(PPh₃)Cl]. These undergo ready insertion of carbon monoxide into the CPt σ-bond; the resulting acyl complexes are oxidized by hydrogen peroxide to aminoacidato complexes, and the free unsaturated β-aminoacids can be recovered in good yield by ligand displacement.     

Chemistry of iron carbonyl anions: Selective reduction of nitroarenes and α, β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds,and reductive dehalogenation of organic halides by (C2H5)4N+ HFe3(CO)11−

The tetraethylammonium undecacarbonylhydridotriferrate [(C₂H₅)₄N⁺ HFe₃(CO)₁₁^?] (I): which can be easily prepared in a two-step sequence from iron pentacarbonyl, triethylamine and tetraethylammonium chloride, selectively reduces nitroarenes to amines and α, β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds to the corresponding saturated compounds both in good yield. I reacts with some organic halides to give dehalogenated products.     

New liquid chromatography/electron ionization mass spectrometry methods in water analysis

A method to extract and analyze organic compounds from water is presented. A solid phase micro-trap (micro-SPE) directly connected to the micro-analytical column is used. Sensibility and specificity needed for trace analysis are guaranteed by mass spectrometric electron ionization (EI) detection. A new micro-HPLC/EI-MS interface called Capillary-EI (Cap-EI) is described. The ultimate evolution of this interface is also presented: in this extremely simplified interface the analytes are nebulized, vaporized and ionized in the small volume of the ion source. This interface, called Direct-EI, exploits nano- and micro-HPLC columns with a mobile phase flow rates ranging from 0.3 to 1.5 microL/min. Contemporary use of micro SPE, Cap-EI or Direct-EI gives us a powerful technique to identify and quantify organic pollutants at part per billion level (ppb).