Reaching multi‐nanosecond timescales in combined QM/MM molecular dynamics simulations through parallel horsetail sampling

We report an enhanced sampling technique that allows to reach the multi‐nanosecond timescale in quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics molecular dynamics simulations. The proposed technique, called horsetail sampling, is a specific type of multiple molecular dynamics approach exhibiting high parallel efficiency. It couples a main simulation with a large number of shorter trajectories launched on independent processors at periodic time intervals. The technique is applied to study hydrogen peroxide at the water liquid–vapor interface, a system of considerable atmospheric relevance. A total simulation time of a little more than 6 ns has been attained for a total CPU time of 5.1 years representing only about 20 days of wall‐clock time. The discussion of the results highlights the strong influence of the solvation effects at the interface on the structure and the electronic properties of the solute. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Cross‐coupling reactions using porous multipod Cu2O microcrystals as recoverable catalyst in aqueous media

Porous multipod Cu₂O microcrystals were found to be an efficient, highly recyclable and eco‐friendly catalyst for the cross‐coupling reactions of aryl halides and terminal alkynes with high yields in aqueous media. Noteworthy, the Cu₂O catalyst can be reused for several times without significant decrease in catalytic activity.     

氯化钠水溶液结构的研究

利用上海光源(SSRF)的第三代同步辐射光源测定室温下摩尔浓度分别为0.172 mol/L、0.343 mol/L、0.699 mol/L、1.064 mol/L、2.832 mol/L、3.910 mol/L、5.289 mol/L的NaCl水溶液的X射线散射数据。由X射线散射数据可知，随着NaCl水溶液浓度的增大，X射线散射曲线的特征峰由12.6°到13.4°发生偏移。运用Pair Distribution Function(PDF)理论对X射线散射数据进行处理，得到了不同浓度NaCl水溶液及纯水的差值对分布函数，其中的O-O峰随着浓度的增大逐渐分裂为两峰，O-O峰位在0.282 nm处。利用分子动力学模拟研究不同浓度的NaCl水溶液，表明Na+、Cl-的引入对水分子的氢键结构有一定的破坏，当浓度大于15%时，这种效果尤其明显。Na+、Cl-均存在两层水化层，各离子间配位数随浓度的增大而减少。H2O分子的自扩散系数远大于Na+和Cl-的自扩散系数，后两者的值随浓度的增大逐渐减少，Na+和Cl-的水化半径均随浓度增大而降低。     

Der Einsatz von Sorbentien räumlich-globulrer Struktur zur Abtrennung radioaktiver Verunreinigungen aus Wasser

Abstract

Possibilities of using a new generation of sorbents have been investigated. Polymers of spatial-globular (spherulitic) structure (RGS polymers) have been tested to separate Cs, Sr and rare earth elements – which can also be radioactive contaminants – from different waters.

RGS polymers are both, solids and highly-disperse systems being extremely permeable to fluids and gases with low pressure decline. They were currently used to clean industrial waste-water.

It is shown that these polymers can be used successfully to separate radionuclides. Polymers RGS-81 and RGS-112 have high distribution coefficients for CS, Sr, Sc, the lanthanide series and Hf in weakly acid solutions. In HF solutions, Sc and Hf can be separated from Cs, Sr and the lanthanides.     

NIEDERKOORDINIERTE PHOSPHORVERBINDUNGEN, 631. IMINO(BISMETHYLEN)PHOSPHATE

Abstract

Two imino(bismethylene)phosphat-ions can be synthesized via reaction of phenylamino- and α-naphthylaminobismethylenephosphorane with n-butyllithium in tetrahydrofuran. Anions containing [sgrave]³λ⁶-bounded phosphorus are stabilized in the crystal with THF-solvated lithium-kations.

Zwei Imino(bismethylen)phosphat-ionen werden durch Umsetzung des Phenylamino- und des α-Naphthylaminobismethylenphosphorans mit n-Butyllithium in Tetrahydrofuran erhalten. Die Anionen mit [sgrave]³λ⁶-gebundenem Phosphor werden im Kristall durch THF-solvatisierte Lithium-Kationen stabilisiert.     

Synthesis and properties of temperature-resistant and salt-tolerant tetra-acrylamide copolymer

Abstract

The acrylamide copolymer with acrylamide as its main monomer is a modified polyacrylamide. In addition, the acrylamide copolymer is generally to dissolve or swell in water and can be used as thickener, dispersant, flocculant and so on. Therefore, using Acrylamide AM, 2-acrylamide-2-methyl propanesulfonic acid AMPS, dimethyldodecyl (2-acrylamidoethyl) ammoniumbromide AQ₁₂ and vinyltriethoxysilane VTEO as raw materials so that a series of four-membered acrylamide copolymers are prepared in aqueous solution polymerization. The amphoteric structure in the polymer has a unique anti-polyelectrolyte behavior when it is electrically neutral, which can significantly improve the salt resistance of the aqueous polymer. In addition, the hydrolysis of the vinyltriethoxysilane containing silicon structure by hydrophobic association can improve the temperature resistance of the polymer. The optimal reaction conditions were determined by orthogonal experiment: the reaction temperature was 10?°C; the initiator concentration was 0.05?mol%; the monomer concentration was 25?wt% and the pH was 7. Properties of polymer solution indicated that the series of tetra-copolymer possessed salt-tolerant and heat-resisting performances. As an oil displacing agent, it can significantly improve the efficiency of oil displacement, and particularly highlights the effect of 4-member copolymer as an oil displacing agent.     

Copper‐catalyzed Clauson–Kass pyrroles synthesis in aqueous media

An efficient and convenient copper‐catalyzed Clauson–Kass reaction of 2,5‐dimethoxytetrahydrofuran with amines in aqueous media has been developed, providing a wide range of N‐substituted pyrroles in good yields. It is noteworthy that the Clauson–Kass reaction of 2,5‐dimethoxytetrahydrofuran with p‐phenylenediamine or m‐phenylenediamine proceeds smoothly to afford the corresponding monopyrroles and bispyrroles with high selectivity in impressive yields. A plausible mechanism for the formation of N‐substituted pyrroles has been proposed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aqueous/organic biphasic hydroformylation of 1‐octene catalyzed by Co2(CO)8/Ph2P(CH2CH2O)nMe

The aqueous/organic biphasic hydroformylation of 1‐octene catalyzed by Co₂(CO)₈/Ph₂P(CH₂CH₂O)_nMe, an in situ formed thermoregulated phase‐transfer cobalt catalyst, has been developed. The catalyst activity in this biphasic system was as high as that in the homogeneous system. The yield of oxo‐products was 93% when the reaction was carried out at 180 °C and under 4.0 MPa syngas pressure for 20 h. The catalyst could be easily recovered in the aqueous phase by decanting after the reaction system was cooled, and reused in consecutive reaction without any treatment. The loss of Co in the organic phase was less than 1% on average of five successive runs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of stable aqueous dispersion of graphene/polyaniline composite mediated by polystyrene sulfonic acid

A facile method of producing stable aqueous dispersion of graphene/polyaniline (PANI) composite is described, which involves the in situ polymerization of aniline on the surface of graphene with the aid of polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSS). The prepared aqueous graphene/PANI composite dispersion was very stable and no aggregation or precipitation was observed for several weeks. The excellent aqueous dispersibility and stability of the graphene/PANI composite is attributed to the cooperative interactions of π stacking interaction between PSS, PANI, and the graphene basal planes, and the electrostatic repulsions between negatively charged PSS bound on graphene/PANI composite. Fourier transform‐infrared spectrometry (FTIR), ultraviolet‐visible spectra (UV–vis), and Raman spectra confirmed the interaction of PANI and graphene in the composite, which effectively delocalize the electrons. In addition, the composite showed three orders of magnitude of conductivity increase compared with pure PANI. This new approach is simple, fast, and straightforward, representing a significant improvement in the processing of graphene/PANI composites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Efficient polymer passivation of ligand‐stripped nanocrystal surfaces

Water‐dispersible, polymer‐wrapped nanocrystals are highly sought after for use in biology and chemistry, from nanomedicine to catalysis. The hydrophobicity of their native ligand shell, however, is a significant barrier to their aqueous transfer as single particles. Ligand exchange with hydrophilic small molecules or, alternatively, wrapping over native ligands with amphiphilic polymers is widely employed for aqueous transfer; however, purification can be quite cumbersome. We report here a general two‐step method whereby reactive stripping of native ligands is first carried out using trialkyloxonium salts to reveal a bare nanocrystal surface. This is followed by chemically directed immobilization of a hydrophilic polymer coating. Polyacrylic acids, with side‐chain grafts or functional end groups, were found to be extremely versatile in this regard. The resulting polymer‐wrapped nanocrystal dispersions retained much of the compact size of their bare nanocrystal precursors, highlighting the unique role of monomer side‐chain functionality to serve as effective, conformal ligation motifs. As such, they are well poised for applications where tailored chemical functionality at the nanocrystal's periphery or improved access to their surfaces is desirable. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012