Regioselective Hydroformylation of Internal and Terminal Alkenes via Remote Supramolecular Control

Regioselective catalytic transformations using supramolecular directing groups are increasingly popular as it allows for control over challenging reactions that may otherwise be impossible. In most examples the reactive group and the directing group are close to each other and/or the linker between the directing group is very rigid. Achieving control over the regioselectivity using a remote directing group with a flexible linker is significantly more challenging due to the large conformational freedom of such substrates. Herein, we report the redesign of a supramolecular Rh–bisphosphite hydroformylation catalyst containing a neutral carboxylate receptor (DIM pocket) with a larger distance between the phosphite metal binding moieties and the DIM pocket. For the first time regioselective conversion of internal and terminal alkenes containing a remote carboxylate directing group is demonstrated. For carboxylate substrates that possess an internal double bond at the Δ-9 position regioselectivity is observed. As such, the catalyst was used to hydroformylate natural monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in a regioselective fashion, forming of an excess of the 10-formyl product (10-formyl/9-formyl product ratio of 2.51), which is the first report of a regioselective hydroformylation reaction of such substrates.     

Surface modulated hierarchical graphene film via sulfur and phosphorus dual-doping for high performance flexible supercapacitors

The steam-assistant heteroatoms of sulfur and phosphorus dual-doped graphene film fabricated via an ice-template and thermal-activation approach demonstrates an excellent pseudocapacitive behavior in flexible electrochemical capacitors.     

硅衬底GaN基LED薄膜芯片的应力调制

将Si衬底GaN基LED外延薄膜经晶圆键合、去硅衬底等工艺制作成垂直结构GaN基LED薄膜芯片,并对其进行不同温度的连续退火,通过高分辨X射线衍射(HRXRD)研究了连续退火过程中GaN薄膜芯片的应力变化。研究发现:垂直结构LED薄膜芯片在160~180℃下退火应力释放明显,200℃时应力释放充分,GaN的晶格常数接近标准值。继续升温应力不再发生明显变化,GaN薄膜的晶格常数只在标准晶格常数值附近波动。扫描电子显微镜给出的bonding层中Ag-In合金情况很好地解释了薄膜芯片应力的变化。     

LIQUID CRYSTALLINE POLYMERS. IV. THERMOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTALLINE POLY(ARYLIDENE-ETHER)S AND COPOLYMERS CONTAINING N-METHYLPIPERIDONE LINKED TO THE MAIN CHAIN THROUGH SPACERS OF VARIOUS LENGTHS

Two novel series of poly(arylidene-ether)s and copoly(arylidene-ether)s were synthesized from N-methylpiperidone and/or cyclohexanone respectively. The first series (homopolymers) was derived from 4,4′-diformyl-α,ω-diphenoxyalkane or 4,4′-diformyl-2,2′ dimethoxy-α,ω-diphenoxyalkane with N-methylpiperidone. The second series (copolymers) was derived from the diphenoxyalkanes (I–VIII) with N-methylpiperidone and cyclohexanone. The inherent viscosities of the polymers thus prepared were in the range of 0.37–0.98 dI/g. The majority of the polymers and copolymers are soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbons. DSC measurements and microscope observation under polarized light demonstrate that this type of poly(arylidene-ether)s form nematic mesophase over a wide temperature range in contrast to the corresponding copoly(arylidene-ether)s. All of the polymers and copolymers exhibited thermotropic liquid crystalline properties. In most cases, the mesophase extends up to 315°C, where thermal decomposition prevents further observation. The morphology of polymer IXb and copolymer XIb as a selected example was examined by scanning electronic microscope.     

A Luminescent Cage‐Like Complex Constructed by Bidentate Pyridine‐Containing Ligand and Silver Nitrate

The cage‐like complex, Ag₄L₄(NO₃)₄ ( 1 ) [L = 1, 4‐bis(pyridine‐2‐ylmethoxy)benzene] was synthesized by the reaction of the flexible bidentate ligand and silver nitrate. It was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TG, and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. Complex 1 is reported as the first cage‐like cluster constructed by four nitrate anions bridging two [2+2] macrocycles. A blue luminescent emission and luminescent enhancement effect are observed in complex 1 .     

Biosensors based on gold nanoelectrode ensembles and screen printed electrodes

Gold nanowires were synthesized within polycarbonate membranes according to an electroless deposition method, obtaining nanoelectrode ensembles (NEEs) with special electrochemical features. NEEs were coupled with home-produced carbon graphite screen printed electrodes and the electrochemical properties of the original nanoelectrode ensemble on screen printed substrate (NEE/SPS) assembly has been tested for sensors application. Glucose oxidase has been used as model enzyme in order to verify the feasibility of disposable gold NEE/SPS biosensors. Finally, different immobilisation and electrochemical deposition techniques based on either self assembled monolayers of cysteamine (CYS) or amino-propyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) and conductive polyaniline (PANI) molecular wires were used. Spatial patterning of the enzyme on the polycarbonate surface and of PANI wires on gold nanoelectrodes was obtained. Possible direct electron transfer between the enzyme and the PANI modified gold nanoelectrodes has been evaluated.     

Catalyzation of 1,4-additions of arylboronic acids to α,β-unsaturated substrates using nickel(I) complexes

Nickel(I) complexes were generated in situ from Ni (PPh₃)₂Cl₂ using activated iron and the complexes combined with N,N′-bis(4-fluorobenzylidene) ethane-1,2-diamine (BFBED) were then used as a catalyst for the 1,4-addition reaction of arylboronic acids to α,β-unsaturated substrates. The reaction proceeded to completion and did not require the addition of a base but the addition of potassium iodide is crucial to this cross-coupling reaction. Moreover, experimental observations suggested a possible Ni(I)–Ni(III) catalytic cycle mechanism.     

On the induced‐fit mechanism of substrate‐enzyme binding structures of nylon‐oligomer hydrolase

We present a detailed computational investigation of the induced‐fit motion in a nylon‐oligomer hydrolase (NylB) upon substrate binding. To this aim, we resort on the recently introduced parallel cascade selection molecular dynamics approach, allowing for an accelerated access to the set of conformational changes from an open‐ to a closed‐state structure to form the enzyme‐substrate complex in a specific induce‐fit mechanism. The structural investigation is quantitatively complemented by free energy analyses within the umbrella sampling algorithm accompanied by weighted histogram analysis. We find that the stabilization free energy is about 1.4 kcal/mol, whereas the highest free energy barrier to be overcome is about 2.3 kcal/mol. Conversely, the energetic contribution for the substrate binding is about 20 kcal/mol, as estimated from Generalized Born/Surface Area. This means that the open‐close induced‐fit motion could occur frequently once the substrate binds to the open state of NylB. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.