Covalent Grafting of BPin functions on Carbon Nanotubes and Chan–Lam–Evans Post-Functionalization

The chemical functionalization of carbon nanotubes is often a prerequisite prior to their use in various applications. The covalent grafting of 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane (BPin) functional groups directly on the surface of multi- and single-walled carbon nanotubes, activated by nucleophilic addition of nBuLi, was carried out. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ions mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) confirmed the efficiency of this methodology and proved the integrity and covalent grafting of the BPin functional groups. These groups were further reacted with various nucleophiles in the presence of a copper(II) source in the conditions of the aerobic Chan–Lam–Evans coupling. The resulting materials were characterized by TGA, XPS and ToF-SIMS. This route is efficient, reliable and among the scarce reactions that enable the direct grafting of heteroatoms at carbonaceous material surfaces.     

First principles investigations of Fe,Co, Ni in model honeycomb carbon networks

The behaviors of ferromagnetic transition metals of the first period: Fe, Co and Ni are examined within density functional theory calculations in two dimensional carbon extended networks using model structure LiC₆. Around geometry optimized structures, the energy-volume equations of states considering non magnetic and spin polarized configurations established ferromagnetic ground states with magnetizations –reduced with respect to the metals’– of 2 μ_B for FeC₆ and 1 μ_B for CoC₆ while no magnetic solution could be identified for NiC₆. In the D_6h point group of the P6/mmm space group l_m decomposition of the d states results with increasing energy into doublet state E_1g with d(x²-y²) and d(xy); singlet state A_1g d(z²) and doublet state E_2g d(xz) and d(yz) lying on E_F and responsible of the onset of magnetic moments. This was mirrored via molecular orbital approach with a construct of Fe embedded between two extended carbon networks thus validating the model structure proposed for TC₆ compounds. The 100% polarization in one spin channel allows proposing potential uses in spintronics applications.     

Fluorescent core-shell polymer particles containing luminophore dyes: synthesis and optical response to acetone

Monodisperse dye-containing crosslinked particles are promising for application in novel optical chemical sensors due to their intrinsic sensitivity. However, preparation of these particles in aqueous media still remains a challenge, since luminophores inhibit radical processes or else cannot embed into polymer chains because of difference in monomer reactivity ratios. In this work, novel dye-containing monodisperse crosslinked particles were prepared and characterized. In order to obtain dye-containing monodisperse crosslinked particles, we studied seed copolymerization of styrene in the presence of divinylbenzene. The influence of nature and concentration of the used comonomers and co-solvents on shape, size distributions and surface characteristics of the particles formed was investigated. Shapes and diameters of the particles were analyzed by DLS, TEM and SEM. The data of SEM and optical spectroscopy studies demonstrated that the synthesized particles were able to self-assemble into thin-film three-dimensional ordered structures. Finally, the structures under study are promising for development of sensor devices with optical response to acetone.     

Theoretical and experimental investigations of complexation with BF3.Et2O effects on electronic structures,energies and photophysical properties of Anil and tetraphenyl (hydroxyl) imidazol

The novel compounds (E)‐2‐(((4‐hydroxyphenyl)imino)methyl)phenol, Tetraphenyl (hydroxyl) imidazole and their corresponding Boron difluoride complexes were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Density functional theory calculations at B3LYP‐D3/6–311++G (d, p) level of theory were performed for the geometric parameters. The MEP surface studies were used to understand the behavior of molecules in terms of charge transfer and to determine how these molecules interact. We used the GIAO and the B3LYP‐D3 with a 6–311++ G (d, p) basis set to simulate the (¹H‐NMR and ¹⁹F‐NMR) and the IR spectra, respectively. The corresponding calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental data. The stability of the molecule arising from hyperconjugation interaction and charge delocalization were analyzed using NBO analysis. FMOs revealed the occurrence of charge transfer within the molecule. The complexation using BF₃.Et₂O was also found to have remarkable effects on the electrochemical properties of the studied molecules, where (b) and (d) present lower chemical stability, higher reactivity and higher polarizability than (a) and (c), respectively. Moreover, the energy gap of (a) and (c) decreased after complexation using BF₃.Et₂O, indicating the reliability of the electrochemical evaluation of LUMO and HOMO energy levels. These values are the factors explaining the possible charge transfer interaction within the molecule. The absorption and emission spectra of the model compound were also simulated and compared to experimental observations in the DMF solvent. The results of DFT calculations supported the structural and spectroscopic data and confirmed the structure modification of frontier molecular orbitals for BF₂ complexes as well as tunable potentials and energy levels.     

Dispirocycles: Platforms for the Construction of High-Performance Host Materials for Phosphorescent Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

Spirocyclic compounds such as 9,9′-spirobifluorene (SBF) are becoming more and more attractive for use as host materials in organic optoelectronic devices. Herein, two dispirocycles, namely, dispiro[fluorene-9,9′-anthracene-10′,9′′-fluorene] and 10,10′′-diphenyl-10H,10′′H-dispiro[acridine-9,9′-anthracene-10′,9′′-acridine], were used for the construction of host materials 1 – 4 . The attached triphenylamino group determines the thermal, photophysical, electrochemical, and charge-transport properties, and therefore they have different electroluminescent performances. The device based on dispiro[fluorene-9,9′-anthracene-10′,9′′-fluorene] ( 2 ) and 10,10′′-diphenyl-10H,10′′H-dispiro[acridine-9,9′-anthracene-10′,9′′-acridine] ( 3 ) molecular platforms exhibited external quantum efficiencies of greater than 21 % with a very high power efficiency (≈100 lm W⁻¹). These results demonstrate the potential of extending the application of dispirocyclic molecular platforms with inherent rigidity for developing highly efficient host materials for organic light-emitting diodes.     

Oxidative dehydrogenation of n-octane over a vanadium–magnesium oxide catalyst: Influence of the gas hourly space velocity

Oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of n-octane was carried out over a vanadium–magnesium oxide catalyst in a continuous flow fixed bed reactor. The catalyst was characterized by ICP–OES, powder XRD and SEM. The catalytic tests were carried out at different gas hourly space velocities (GHSVs), viz. 4000, 6000, 8000, and 10,000 h^?1. The best selectivity for octenes was obtained at the GHSV of 8000 h^?1, while that for C8 aromatics was attained at the GHSV of 6000 h^?1 at high temperatures (500 and 550 °C). The catalytic testing at the GHSV of 10,000 h^?1 showed the lowest activity, while that at the GHSV of 4000 h^?1 consistently showed the lowest ODH selectivity. Generally, the best ODH performance was obtained by the catalytic testing at the GHSVs of 6000 and 8000 h^?1. No phasic changes were observed after the catalytic testing.     

Catalytic activity of nanocrystalline ZnM2O4 (M = Fe,Co) prepared via simple and facile synthesis of thermal decomposition of mixed metal complexes of Schiff bases generated from α-ketobutyric acid and diaminoguanidine

Metal complexes ([ML₂], where M = Fe, Co, or Zn; HL = 2-[(6-ethyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-2H-[1,2,4]triazin-3-ylidene)-hydrazono]-butyric acid, C₉H₁₃N₅O₃) of a Schiff base derived from α-ketobutyric acid (α-KBA) and diaminoguanidine (Damgu) were synthesized and characterized using elemental, spectral, and thermal studies. The metal complexes exhibited similar decomposition behavior, with a highly exothermic final decomposition step resulting in the formation of metal oxides. Isomorphism among the complexes was revealed using a powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) technique. Solid solution precursors ([Zn_1/3M_2/3(L)₂], where M = Fe, Co) were synthesized and characterized using various physico-chemical techniques. A thermal decomposition technique was used to prepare spinel-type zinc cobaltite (ZnCo₂O₄) and zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) nanocrystalline particles with the synthesized single source precursors. Structural studies using PXRD ascertained the predominant crystal phase to be spinel. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) showed a mean nanoparticle size of 18 ± 2 nm. Magnetic measurements revealed a weak magnetic behavior in the synthesized spinels. In the aqueous phase, the spinels exhibited catalytic activity, reducing 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in the presence of NaBH₄ at room temperature. Additionally, the study demonstrated that the catalyst can be recovered and reused for five cycles with a more than 85% conversion efficiency.     

A conjugated alkyne functional bicyclic polybenzoxazine with superior heat resistance

A difunctional benzoxazine (coPh‐apa) with a conjugated alkyne group is synthesized by the oxidative coupling reaction from a monocycle‐benzoxazine (Ph‐apa) containing an alkyne group. A model compound, 1,4‐diphenylbutadiyne (coPa), is used to study the curing reaction process of coPh‐apa by DSC, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ¹³C NMR, and the results suggest that the conjugated alkyne groups are involved in the crosslinking reaction via the trimerization reaction of the conjugated alkynyl groups and the Diels–Alder reaction. Furthermore, thermal properties of the polybenzoxazine are studied by dynamic thermomechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. A glass‐transition temperature (T_gs) of as high as 412 °C and a char yield of 75.6% at 800 °C under nitrogen are obtained with the aid of the conjugated alkyne groups. Its excellent heat resistance dominates most thermosetting resins and will serve for heat shields. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1587–1592     

Synthesis of Organosilyl-Functionalized Cage-Type Germanoxanes Containing Fluoride Ions

Eight corners of a double-four ring cage-type germanoxane, containing a fluoride ion, were successfully silylated by the combination of chlorosilanes and silazanes. Three different silyl groups, trimethylsilyl, dimethylsilyl, and dimethylvinylsilyl, were attached on the corners of germanoxane cage. The solubility and reactivity of the cage modified with dimethylvinylsilyl groups were significantly increased, allowing for further reaction. Hydrosilylation reaction between dimethylvinylsilylated cage geramanoxanes and dimethylsilylated cage siloxanes afforded porous solids. Functionalization of the corners of germanoxanes with silyl groups should provide valuable building blocks in various functional materials.     

Synthesis,computational quantum chemical study,in silico ADMET and molecular docking analysis,in vitro biological evaluation of a novel sulfur heterocyclic thiophene derivative containing 1,2,3-triazole and pyridine moieties as a potential human topoisomerase IIα inhibiting anticancer agent

Computational quantum chemical study and biological evaluation of a synthesized novel sulfur heterocyclic thiophene derivative containing 1,2,3-triazole and pyridine moieties namely BTPT [2-(1-benzyl-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-6-methoxy-4-(thiophen-2-yl) pyridine] was presented in this study. The crystal structure was determined by SCXRD method. For the title compound BTPT, spectroscopic characterization like ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FTIR, UV–vis were carried out theoretically by computational DFT method and compared with experimental data. Druglikeness parameters of BTPT were found through in silico pharmacological ADMET properties estimation. The molecular docking investigation was performed with human topoisomerase IIα (PDB ID:1ZXM) targeting ATP binding site. In vitro cytotoxicity activity of BTPT/doxorubicin were examined by MTT assay procedure against three human cancer cell lines A549, PC-3, MDAMB-231 with IC50 values of 0.68/0.70, 1.03/0.77 and 0.88/0.98 μM, respectively. Our title compound BTPT reveals notable cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell (MDAMB-231), moderate activity with human lung cancer cell (A-549) and less inhibition with human prostate cancer cell (PC-3) compared to familiar cancer medicine doxorubicin. From the results, BTPT could be observed as a potential candidate for novel anticancer drug development process.