Cationic para‐phenyl‐substituted α‐diimine nickel catalyzed ethylene and 4‐methyl‐1‐pentene (co)polymerizations via living/controlled chain‐walking

Upon activation with diethylaluminium chloride (Et₂AlCl), a series of phenyl‐substituted α‐diimine nickel precatalysts conducted 4‐methyl‐1‐pentene (4MP) and ethylene (E) (co)polymerizations via controlled chain‐walking to generate branched amorphous polymers with high molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n < 1.6). The obtained poly(4MP)s were amorphous elastomers with glass transition temperature (T_g) of ?10 ~ ?24 °C, which are higher than that of E‐4MP copolymer ( ? 63.0 °C). At room temperature (25 °C), 4MP polymerization proceeds in a living manner. The microstructures of the produced poly(4MP)s indicated the 2,1‐ and 1,2‐insertion followed by chain‐walking, the latter being predominant. The NMR analyses of the polymers showed that the obtained poly(4MP) possessed methyl, isobutyl, 2,4‐dimethylpentyl and 2‐methylhexyl groups, while the isobutyl and 2,4‐dimethylalkyl branches derived from 4MP were observed in the E‐4MP copolymer. The branch structures and the insertion‐type of monomer were depended on the polymerization temperature, and the content of methyl branch increased with an increase in the polymerization temperature.     

Ultrasonic assisted synthesis of nanocrystalline cellulose as support and reducing agent for Ag nanoparticles: green synthesis and novel effective nanocatalyst for degradation of organic dyes

In this study, nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) prepared from microcrystalline cellulose using high‐intensity ultrasonication as mechanical method without any chemical treatment. The obtained NCC with around 30–50 nm diameters, utilized as support, reducing and stabilizing agent for in‐situ green and eco‐friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The catalytic activity of composite was examined for degradation of environmental pollutants. The structure of as‐synthesized composite (Ag@NCC) was characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM); Transmission electron microscopy (TEM); Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results of the catalytic reaction experiments showed that spherically shaped silver nanoparticles of around 20 nm distributed on the surface of nanocellulose demonstrated high catalytic efficiency towards the removal of methyl orange (MO) and 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP).     

On the reactions of methyl radicals with nitrilotris(methylenephosphonic-acid) complexes in aqueous solutions

Abstract

The reactions of methyl radicals with M^II-(ntp)(H₂O)₂ complexes were studied. The formation of an unstable intermediate (ntp)(H₂O)M^III-CH₃ is observed. This reaction is an equilibrium process, i.e. the M^III-C bond decomposes via homolysis. The (ntp)(H₂O)M^III-CH₃ complexes isomerize to a more stable form. The results compared to those obtained in analogous reactions of the M^II-(nta)(H₂O)₂ complexes were shown to be similar with one exception – for the nta complexes no isomerization process is observed.     

Kinetic study of the reaction of nucleophilic cyclopropanation of C60 fullerene with halogenated maleopimarimide

The kinetics of nucleophilic fullerene cyclopropanation by halomethyl ketones with a diterpene fragment has been studied by the Bingel method, and the influence of the biologically active cyclopropanating agent on the process has been estimated. It has been revealed that favorable conditions for carrying out the reaction result in maximum monofunctionalized methanofullerenes formation with the maximum yield.     

Engineering nanostructures of CuO-based photocatalysts for water treatment: Current progress and future challenges

Nowadays, increasing extortions regarding environmental problems and energy scarcity have stuck the development and endurance of human society. The issue of inorganic and organic pollutants that exist in water from agricultural, domestic, and industrial activities has directed the development of advanced technologies to address the challenges of water scarcity efficiently. To solve this major issue, various scientists and researchers are looking for novel and effective technologies that can efficiently remove pollutants from wastewater. Nanoscale metal oxide materials have been proposed due to their distinctive size, physical and chemical properties along with promising applications. Cupric Oxide (CuO) is one of the most commonly used benchmark photocatalysts in photodegradation owing to the fact that they are cost-effective, non-toxic, and more efficient in absorption across a significant fraction of solar spectrum. In this review, we have summarized synthetic strategies of CuO fabrication, modification methods with applications for water treatment purposes. Moreover, an elaborative discussion on feasible strategies includes; binary and ternary heterojunction formation, Z-scheme based photocatalytic system, incorporation of rare earth/transition metal ions as dopants, and carbonaceous materials serving as a support system. The mechanistic insight inferring photo-induced charge separation and transfer, the functional reactive radical species involved in a photocatalytic reaction, have been successfully featured and examined. Finally, a conclusive remark regarding current studies and unresolved challenges related to CuO are put forth for future perspectives.     

Extraordinary transport behavior of gases in isothermally annealed poly(4‐methyl‐1‐pentene) membranes

Poly(4‐methyl‐1‐pentene) (PMP) membranes were modified through isothermal annealing to investigate the change of their crystalline structure and rigid and mobile amorphous fractions (RAF and MAF), assuming a three‐phase model, affected the gas transport behavior. The crystalline structure was characterized by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) techniques, and the free volume properties were analyzed by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. Compared with the pristine membrane, the annealed membranes show higher crystallinity; the crystals undergo partial structural change from form III to form I. The lamellar crystal thickness, rigid amorphous fraction thickness, and long period in the lamellar stacks increase with crystallinity. The annealed PMP membranes exhibit higher permeability due to the increase in larger size free volumes in MAF and higher selectivity due to the increase in smaller size free volumes in RAF, respectively. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 2368–2376     

Methoxy and Methyl Group Rotation: Solid‐State NMR 1H Spin‐Lattice Relaxation,Electronic Structure Calculations,X‐ray Diffractometry,and Scanning Electron Microscopy

We report solid‐state ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin‐lattice relaxation experiments, X‐ray diffractometry, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, and both single‐molecule and cluster ab initio electronic structure calculations on 1‐methoxyphenanthrene ( 1 ) and 3‐methoxyphenanthrene ( 2 ) to investigate the rotation of the methoxy groups and their constituent methyl groups. The electronic structure calculations and the ¹H NMR relaxation measurements can be used together to determine barriers for the rotation of a methoxy group and its constituent methyl group and to develop models for the two coupled motions.     

Geissoschizine methyl ether N-oxide,a new alkaloid with antiacetylcholinesterase activity from Uncaria rhynchophylla

Geissoschizine methyl ether N-oxide, a new oxindole alkaloid, along with 14 known alkaloids, was isolated from the aerial part of Uncaria rhynchophylla. Their structures were identified by comprehensive spectral methods, including 2D NMR experiments, and confirmed by comparing with the literature data. In vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity assay showed that the new compound exhibited anti-AChE activity with IC₅₀ value of 23.4 μM.     

A two‐dimensional layered CdII coordination polymer with a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture incorporating mixed multidentate N‐ and O‐donor ligands

The combination of N‐heterocyclic and multicarboxylate ligands is a good choice for the construction of metal–organic frameworks. In the title coordination polymer, poly[bis{μ₂‐1‐[(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐tetrazole‐κ²N³:N⁴}(μ₄‐butanedioato‐κ⁴O¹:O^1′:O⁴:O^4′)(μ₂‐butanedioato‐κ²O¹:O⁴)dicadmium], [Cd(C₄H₄O₄)(C₉H₈N₆)]_n, each Cd^II ion exhibits an irregular octahedral CdO₄N₂ coordination geometry and is coordinated by four O atoms from three carboxylate groups of three succinate (butanedioate) ligands and two N atoms from two 1‐[(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐tetrazole (bimt) ligands. Cd^II ions are connected by two kinds of crystallographically independent succinate ligands to generate a two‐dimensional layered structure with bimt ligands located on each side of the layer. Adjacent layers are further connected by hydrogen bonding, leading to a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture in the solid state. Thermogravimetric analysis of the title polymer shows that it is stable up to 529 K and then loses weight from 529 to 918 K, corresponding to the decomposition of the bimt ligands and succinate groups. The polymer exhibits a strong fluorescence emission in the solid state at room temperature.