Thiete Dioxides as Templates Towards Twisted Scaffolds and Macrocyclic Structures

Thiete dioxide units have been employed as a template for further functionalization through C−H activation strategies. Using simple thiete dioxide building blocks, a new library of axially chiral molecules has been synthesized that owe their stability to electrostatic interactions in the solid state. Similar starting materials were further engaged in the formation of cyclic trimeric structures, opening the pathway to unprecedented macrocyclic ring systems.     

Minisci C−H Alkylation of Heteroarenes Enabled by Dual Photoredox/Bromide Catalysis in Micellar Solutions**

Aromatic heterocycles are omnipresent structural motifs in various natural products, pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. This work describes a photocatalytic Minisci-type C−H functionalization of heteroarenes with non-activated alkyl bromides. The reaction avoids stoichiometric radical-promoters, oxidants, or acids, and is conducted using blue LEDs as the light source. The reactive carbon-centered alkyl radicals are generated by merging the photoredox approach with bromide anion co-catalysis and spatial pre-aggregation of reacting species in the micellar aqueous solutions. The obtained data highlight the critical importance of microstructuring and organization of the components in the reaction mixture.     

Late-Stage Alkylation of Heterocycles Using N-(Acyloxy)phthalimides

Synthetic methods enabling late-stage modification of heterocycles hold tremendous importance in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry and drug discovery. Accordingly, efficient, functional group tolerant and selective late-stage alkylation of valuable molecular entities is of enormous significance and well-acknowledged in medicinal chemistry. Radical alkylation of heteroarenes employing carboxylic acids as the alkyl radical precursor represents one of the most direct ways of C−H functionalizations of heterocycles. Recently, the field has undergone a revolutionary development especially with regard to the generation of alkyl radicals under much milder conditions. In this regard N-(acyloxy)phthalimides (NHPI esters) have emerged as a suitable precursor of a diverse set of alkyl radicals allowing formal C−H alkylation of not only N-heteroarenes but a diverse set of non-aromatic heterocycles under visible light photocatalysis or electrochemical conditions. This review delineates all these discoveries and provides readers a comprehensive overview of this rapidly expanding field.     

Facile functionalization of isotactic polypropylene by azide and alkyne groups for click chemistry application

This paper presents two facile methods to achieve functionalization of isotactic polypropylene (i‐PP) by azide and alkyne groups. One method comprises metallocene‐catalyzed isospecific propylene polymerization with dialkylzinc as chain transfer agent to produce iodo‐terminated i‐PP, which can be transformed to azide‐terminated i‐PP. The other utilizes hydroxyl‐grafted i‐PP as a raw material to react with bis (trichloromethyl)carbonate and propargyl amine, generating grafted alkyne groups. Both approaches are effective, controllable and safe. The azide‐terminated and alkyne‐grafted i‐PP are readily applicable to click chemistry for construction of new i‐PP architecture, e.g. long‐chain branched i‐PP. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of novel photoreactive polycarbazole‐based microparticles: Reactivity features

Four types of innovative benzophenone (BPh)‐ or aryl azide (ArAz)‐containing photoreactive polycarbazole (polyCbz)‐based microparticles (MPs) were prepared using an oxidative liquid phase polymerization system. Their photochemical reactivity was evaluated by their reaction with highly inert poly(2‐chloro‐paraxylelene) (Parylene C) films. Possible mechanisms for the photochemical reaction of those MPs with Parylene C were discussed. The highly photoreactive BPh was found to react more inside the particle causing internal cross‐linking of MP polyCbz chains, fusion between adjoining particles and deformation of their spherical structure. In contrast, the less reactive but more selective ArAz‐containing MPs were found to react much more with Parylene C. The strong reactivity of such photoreactive MPs toward Parylene C films emphasizes a general method for the functionalization of stable nonfunctional polymeric coatings. This paves the way to simple and solvent‐free functionalization of nonfunctional coatings and materials by light. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Preparation of magnetically doped multilayered functional silica particles via surface modification with organic polymer

Magnetically modified functional particles are emerging as one of the most promising candidate in numerous multidisciplinary applications. In this research, a simple process has been developed to prepare magnetically modified aminated silica (SiO₂) particles. Herein, submicron‐sized SiO₂ particles were modified with poly(methylmethacrylate‐methacrylic acid) by seeded polymerization without any stabilizer. The carboxyl groups localized near the particles surface were then covalently linked with ethylene diamine to prepare aminated composite particles. Iron ions were then precipitated on the surface of aminated composite particles to obtain magnetically doped functional SiO₂ particles. The preparation of such particles was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermogravemetric analyses. Relative measurement of adsorption study of different biomolecules suggested that magnetically doped functional silica particles are comparatively hydrophobic. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of a Porous polymer by a catalyst‐free diels‐alder reaction and its structural modification by post‐reaction

A microporous polymer is prepared by a catalyst‐free Diels–Alder reaction. A cyclopentadiene with both a diene and a dienophile functionality and a dienophilic maleimide are used for the Diels–Alder reaction. 1,3,5‐Tris(bromomethyl)‐2,4,6‐trimethylbenzene is reacted with sodium cyclopentadienide to produce the multicyclopentadiene‐functionalized monomer. A crosslinked polymer ( CDAP ) is obtained by the reaction of the cyclopentadiene monomer with N,N′‐1,4‐phenylenedimaleimide. The thermal dissociation of the cyclopentadiene dimeric unit and the subsequent Diels–Alder reaction with the maleimide group are investigated by the model reaction. We are able to restructure the crosslinked polymer network by taking advantage of the thermal reversibility of the Diels–Alder linkage. After the post thermal treatment, the BET surface area of the polymer ( CDAP‐T ) is greatly increased from 317 to 1038 m² g^?1. CDAP‐T is functionalized with pyrene by bromination with N‐bromosuccinimide and the subsequent substitution reaction with aminopyrene. The adsorption property of the pyrene‐functionalized polymer for an aromatic dye is investigated using malachite green. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3646–3653     

Development and application of novel ring‐opening polymerizations to functional networked polymers

This Highlight gives an overview of the recent progress in development of new ring‐opening polymerizations (ROPs) and their applications to functional networked polymers in our group. The described ROPs involve thermally induced polymerization of 1,3‐benzoxazine, anionic alternating copolymerizations of epoxides and lactones, and those exhibiting equilibrium nature. These ROPs were successfully applied to the syntheses of the relevant networked polymers, leading to their distinctive features such as high thermal stability, small volume shrinkage, and selective decrosslinking ability, which enabled design and development of next generation materials. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4847–4858, 2009     

Novel aromatic polymers from benzaldehyde and triphenylamine derivatives: Synthesis,electrochromic, and photochemical properties

A series of novel triphenylamine‐based polymers were synthesized from benzaldehyde and triphenylamine derivatives. All the polymers having high molecular weight are readily soluble in many organic solvents and could be solution‐cast into amorphous films. They had glass transition temperatures (T_gs) in the range of 193–217 °C, and 10% weight loss temperatures in excess of 475 °C. Cyclic voltammograms of all polymers showed reversible oxidation redox peaks and E_onset around 0.42–0.90 V, indicating that the polymers are electrochemically active and stable. In addition, all these polymers revealed photochemical characteristics in conformity with their electrochromic characteristics. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2118–2131, 2009