Fluorescence probes based on 9‐acridyl derivatives of aromatic amines for monitoring free‐radical polymerization

The series of 9‐acridyl derivatives of aromatic amines have been investigated as fluorescent probes for monitoring the progress of free‐radical polymerization. This study on the changes in the fluorescence intensity and spectroscopic shift of specific compounds was carried out during thermally initiated polymerization of methyl methacrylate and photoinitiated polymerization of 2‐ethyl‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐1,3‐propanediol triacrylate‐1‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidonone mixture. The purpose of this investigation was to find a relationship between the changes in the shape and intensity of fluorescent probes and the degree of monomer conversion into a polymer. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3481–3488, 2002     

The electronic absorption study of imide anion radicals in terms of time dependent density functional theory

The absorption spectra of the N-(2,5-di-tert-butylphenyl) phthalimide (1-), N-(2,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-1,8-naphthalimide (2-) and N-(2,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-perylene-3,4-dicarboximide (3-) anion radicals are studied in terms of time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). For these anion radicals a large number electronic states (from 30 to 60) was found in the visible and near-IR regions (5000-45,000 cm(-1)). In these regions the TD/B3LYP treatment at the 6-1+G* level is shown to reproduce satisfactorily the empirical absorption spectra of all three anion radicals studied. The most apparent discrepancies between purely electronic theory and the experiment could be found in the excitation region corresponding to D0-->D1 transitions in the 2- and 3- molecules. For these species we argue that the structures seen in the lowest energy part of the absorptions of the 2- and 3- species are very likely due to Franck-Condon (FC) activity of the totally symmetric vibrations not studied in this Letter.     

Nucleation of the β-modification of isotactic polypropylene

The effects of the organic pigments C.I.P. RED 177 and C.I.P. Yellow 83 as nucleating agents on the crystallization of polypropylene were studied by DSC. The anthraquinone pigment exerted a significant effect, resulting in structural modifications with lower melting point, and particularly the -modification. The DSC curves exhibit four transition regions, with the following temperature intervals: I. 415–417 K, II. 423–425 K, III. 430–432 K and IV. 438–439 K. For evaluation of the -nucleation effect of pigments, the ratio (H ₁+H ₂)/(H ₃+H ₄) was suggested.     

Synthesis of α1-(Cbz-aminoalkyl)-α2-(hydroxyalkyl)phosphinic esters

A synthesis of α₁-(Cbz-aminoalkyl)-α₂-(hydroxyalkyl)phosphinic esters was achieved by the 1,2-addition of the appropriate aldehyde to Cbz-protected phosphinic analogues of amino acid esters in the presence of at least three equivalents of trimethylsilyl chloride and NEt₃. The complete deprotection of the product esters could be achieved in one step using 35% HBr in acetic acid.     

Circular dichroism of 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene derivatives reveals both the absolute configuration and conformation: a novel approach to Mislow's helicity rule

The absolute configuration and the conformation of 9,10-trans-disubstituted 9,10-dihydrophenanthrenes, known chiral metabolites of phenanthrene-9,10-oxide, have been determined by circular dichroism. The absolute configuration assignment is based on the sign of the long-wavelength Cotton effect (A-band), which is conformation invariant and originates from benzylic chirality. This provides a new interpretation of the Mislow biphenyl-helicity rule for the case of the 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene chromophore. The sign of the B-band Cotton effect reflects the conformation of the biphenyl chromophore in 9,10-dihydrophenanthrenes. It is shown that the origin of chiroptical properties of 9,10-dihydrophenanthrenes is closely related to those of 5,6-trans-disubstituted 1,3-cyclohexadienes.     

Microanalysis of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Water Samples – Methods and Instruments

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), due to their toxicity and persistence in the environment, are particularly important pollutants. Some of these compounds are mutagens, teratogens or carcinogens, while others are responsible for the degradation of organoleptic parameters such as taste and odour of water. This review focuses on a number of key procedural steps in the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in water samples. A wide spectrum of techniques for the isolation and preconcentration of the aforementioned pollutants for trace organic analysis by gas chromatography are presented and discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are discussed and novel developments are also taken into consideration.     

Extending the coordination chemistry of molecular P(4)S(3): the polymeric Ag(P(4)S(3))(+) and Ag(P(4)S(3))(2)(+) cations

Upon reacting P(4)S(3) with AgAl(hfip)(4) and AgAl(pftb)(4) [hfip = OC(H)(CF(3))(2); pftb = OC(CF(3))(3)], the compounds Ag(P(4)S(3))Al(hfip)(4) 1 and Ag(P(4)S(3))(2)(+)[Al(pftb)(4)](-) 2 formed in CS(2) (1) or CS(2)/CH(2)Cl(2) (2) solution. Compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure determinations, Raman and solution NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. One-dimensional chains of [Ag(P(4)S(3))(x)](infinity) (x = 1, 1; x = 2, 2) formed in the solid state with P(4)S(3) ligands that bridge through a 1,3-P,S, a 2,4-P,S, or a 3,4-P,P eta(1) coordination to the silver ions. Compound 2 with the least basic anion contains the first homoleptic metal(P(4)S(3)) complex. Compounds 1 and 2 also include the long sought sulfur coordination of P(4)S(3). Raman spectra of 1 and 2 were assigned on the basis of DFT calculations of related species. The influence of the silver coordination on the geometry of the P(4)S(3) cage is discussed, additionally aided by DFT calculations. Consequences for the frequently observed degradation of the cage are suggested. An experimental silver ion affinity scale based on the solid-state structures of several weak Lewis acid base adducts of type (L)AgAl(hfip)(4) is given. The affinity of the ligand L to the silver ion increases according to P(4) < CH(2)Cl(2) < P(4)S(3) < S(8) < 1,2-C(2)H(4)Cl(2) < toluene.     

From Weakly Coordinating to Non‐Coordinating Anions? A Simple Preparation of the Silver Salt of the Least Coordinating Anion and Its Application To Determine the Ground State Structure of the Ag(η2‐P4)2+ Cation

The unexpected but facile preparation of the silver salt of the least coordinating [(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? anion (R=C(CF₃)₃) by reaction of Ag[Al(OR)₄] with one equivalent of PCl₃ is described. The mechanism of the formation of Ag[(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃] is explained based on the available experimental data as well as on quantum chemical calculations with the inclusion of entropy and COSMO solvation enthalpies. The crystal structures of (RO)₃Al←OC₄H₈, Cs⁺[(RO)₂(Me)Al‐F‐Al(Me)(OR)₂]^?, Ag(CH₂Cl₂)₃⁺[(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? and Ag(η²‐P₄)₂⁺[(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? are described. From the collected data it will be shown that the [(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? anion is the least coordinating anion currently known. With respect to the fluoride ion affinity of two parent Lewis acids Al(OR)₃ of 685 kJ mol^?1, the ligand affinity (441 kJ mol^?1), the proton and copper decomposition reactions (?983 and ?297 kJ mol^?1) as well as HOMO level and HOMO–LUMO gap and in comparison with [Sb₄F₂₁]^?, [Sb(OTeF₅)₆]^?, [Al(OR)₄]^? as well as [B(R^F)₄]^? (R^F=CF₃ or C₆F₅) the [(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? anion is among the best weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) according to each value. In contrast to most of the other cited anions, the [(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃] anion is available by a simple preparation in conventional inorganic laboratories. The least coordinating character of this anion was employed to clarify the question of the ground state geometry of the Ag(η²‐P₄)₂⁺ cation (D_2h, D₂ or D_2d?). In agreement with computational data and NMR spectra it could be shown that the rotation along the Ag‐(P‐P‐centroid) vector has no barrier and that the structure adopted in the solid state depends on packing effects which lead to an almost D_2h symmetric Ag(η²‐P₄)₂⁺ cation (0 to 10.6° torsion) for the more symmetrical [Al(OR)₄]^? anion, but to a D₂ symmetric Ag(η²‐P₄)₂⁺ cation with a 44° twist angle of the two AgP₂ planes for the less symmetrical [(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? anion. This implies that silver back bonding, suggested by quantum chemical population analyses to be of importance, is only weak.     

Structurally heterogeneous electrode films of polyacrylamide and acrylamide/vinylpyridine copolymeric gels: Mediation of ascorbic acid oxidation

The surface chemistry, i.e. adsorption and surface phase formation, on Rh, Ir, Pt and Au single-crystal electrodes in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ has been studied in the potential range between 0 and 4 V vs. a standard hydrogen electrode by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Both methods gave complementary results which were interpreted as potential-dependent changes from physisorption of water to adsorption of hydroxyl groups, hydroxide film formation, and eventual growth of thick adlayers of oxyhydroxide (Rh, Ir and Au) or hydroxide (Pt) with increasing applied voltage.     

Thermolytic carbonates for potential 5'-hydroxyl protection of deoxyribonucleosides

Thermolytic groups structurally related to well-studied heat-sensitive phosphate/thiophosphate protecting groups have been evaluated for 5'-hydroxyl protection of deoxyribonucleosides as carbonates and for potential use in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis. The spatial arrangement of selected functional groups forming an asymmetric nucleosidic 5'-O-carbonic acid ester has been designed to enable heat-induced cyclodecarbonation reactions, which would result in the release of carbon dioxide and the generation of a nucleosidic 5'-hydroxyl group. The nucleosidic 5'-O-carbonates 3-8, 10-15, and 19-21 were prepared and were isolated in yields ranging from 45 to 83%. Thermolytic deprotection of these carbonates is preferably performed in aqueous organic solvent at 90 degrees C under near neutral conditions. The rates of carbonate deprotection are dependent on the nucleophilicity of the functional group involved in the postulated cyclodecarbonation reaction and on solvent polarity. Deprotection kinetics increase according to the following order: 4 < 5 < 10 < 6 < 12 < 7 < 13 < 8 < 14 congruent with 19-21 and CCl4 < dioxane < MeCN < t-BuOH < MeCN:phosphate buffer (3:1 v/v, pH 7.0) < EtOH:phosphate buffer (1:1 v/v, pH 7.0). Complete thermolytic deprotection of carbonates 7, 8, 13, and 14 is achieved within 20 min to 2 h under optimal conditions in phosphate buffer-MeCN. The 2-(2-pyridyl)amino-1-phenylethyl and 2-[N-methyl-N-(2-pyridyl)]aminoethyl groups are particularly promising for 5'-hydroxyl protection of deoxyribonucleosides as thermolytic carbonates.