On the Relative Gain Array (RGA) with singular and rectangular matrices

This paper identifies a significant deficiency in the literature on the application of the Relative Gain Array (RGA) formalism in the case of singular matrices. Specifically, it is shown that the conventional use of the Moore–Penrose pseudoinverse is inappropriate because it fails to preserve critical properties that can be assumed in the nonsingular case. It is then shown that such properties can be rigorously preserved using an alternative generalized matrix inverse.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Stitching Polymerization of 1,5‐Hexadiynes and Related Oligoalkynes

A new mode of polymerization, rhodium‐catalyzed stitching polymerization, has been developed for the synthesis of π‐conjugated polymers with bridged repeating units from nonconjugated 1,5‐hexadiynes containing both terminal and internal alkyne moieties as monomers. The polymerization proceeded smoothly with a high degree of stitching efficiency under mild conditions, and 1,5,9‐decatriyne and 1,5,9,13‐tetradecatetrayne monomers could also be employed. The present polymerization strategy would be particularly beneficial for the synthesis of polymers consisting of a repeating unit that is difficult to prepare as a stable monomer because it does not require the use of a preformed bridged π‐conjugated monomer.     

Inhibition effect of butan-1-ol on the corrosion behavior of austenitic stainless steel (Type 304) in dilute sulfuric acid

The electrochemical behavior of austenitic stainless steel (Type 304) in 3 M sulfuric acid with 3.5% recrystallized sodium chloride at specific concentrations of butan-1-ol was investigated with the aid of potentiodynamic polarization, open circuit measurement and weight loss technique. Butan-1-ol effectively inhibited the steel corrosion with a maximum inhibition efficiency of 78.7% from weight-loss analysis and 80.9% from potentiodynamic polarization test at highest concentration studied. Adsorption of the compound obeyed the Freundlich isotherm. Thermodynamic calculations reveal physiochemical interactions and spontaneous adsorption mechanism. Surface characterizations showed the absence of corrosion products and topographic modifications of the steel. Statistical analysis depicts the overwhelming influence and statistical significance of inhibitor concentration on the inhibition performance.     

Cyclohexane‐1,3‐dione as a derivatizing agent for the analysis of aldehydes by micelar electrokinetic chromatography with diode array detection

Aldehydes are important compounds in a large number of samples, especially food and beverages. In this work, for the first time, cyclohexane‐1,3‐dione (CHD) was used as a derivatizing reagent aiming aldehyde (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, and valeraldehyde) analysis by MEKC‐DAD. The optimized separation of the derivates was performed using a voltage program (+20 kV, 0–15 min.; +23 kV, 15–17 min.) at a temperature of 26°C, and using as the running buffer a mixture containing 100 mmol/L of sodium dodecyl sulfate and 29 mmol/L of sodium tetraborate at pH 9.2, with maximum absorbance at 260 nm. CHD was compared with two other derivatizing agents: 3‐methyl‐2‐benzothiazolinone hydrazone and phenylhydrazine‐4‐sulfonic acid. The CHD‐aldehyde derivatives were also characterized by LC‐MS. The calibration curves for all aldehydes had r² above 0.999 and LODs ranged from 0.01 to 0.7 mg/L. The optimized methodology was applied in sugar cane brandy (cachaça) samples successfully. CHD showed to be an alternative derivatization reagent due to its stability, aqueous solubility, high selectivity and sensitivity, reduced impurities, and simple preparation steps.     

Insight into shear‐induced modification for improving processability of polymers: Effect of shear rate on the evolution of entanglement state

Many experimental results have revealed that the re‐entanglement kinetics of disentangled polymers is much slower than that predicted by tube theory. This retarded recovery of fully entangled state is of practical significance that shear‐induced modification may offer a way to improve processability for a polymer by reducing viscosity. This work tried to figure out the shear‐rate dependence variation of viscosity in the view of evolution of entanglement state through disentanglement and re‐entanglement, aiming to provide fundamental insights into application prospect of shear‐induced modification in preparing “in‐pellet” disentangled polymers prior to final processing. High‐density polyethylene was sheared on a parallel‐plate rotational rheometer with a linearly increased shear rate. Results showed that higher shear rate could induce further disentanglement, resulting in a lower viscosity with a reduction rate up to 93.7%, larger molecular weight between entanglements M_e , and longer re‐entanglement time. Additionally, less entanglement would give a larger lamellar thickness of sheared samples after nonisothermal crystallization. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 598–606     

Synthesis and Structures of Arene Ruthenium (II)–NHC Complexes: Efficient Catalytic α‐alkylation of ketones via Hydrogen Auto Transfer Reaction

A panel of six new arene Ru (II)‐NHC complexes 2a‐f , (NHC = 1,3‐diethyl‐(5,6‐dimethyl)benzimidazolin‐2‐ylidene 1a , 1,3‐dicyclohexylmethyl‐(5,6‐dimethyl)benzimidazolin‐2‐ylidene 1b and 1,3‐dibenzyl‐(5,6‐dimethyl)benzimidazolin‐2‐ylidene 1c ) were synthesized from the transmetallation reaction of Ag‐NHC with [(η⁶‐arene)RuCl₂]₂ and characterized. The ruthenium (II)‐NHC complexes 2a‐f were developed as effective catalysts for α‐alkylation of ketones and synthesis of bioactive quinoline using primary/amino alcohols as coupling partners respectively. The reactions were performed with 0.5 mol% catalyst load in 8 h under aerobic condition and the maximum yield was up to 96%. Besides, the different alkyl wingtips on NHC and arene moieties were studied to differentiate the catalytic robustness of the complexes in the transformations.     

Et2Zn-mediated stoichiometric C(sp)-H silylation of 1-alkynes and chlorosilanes

A first example of an Et₂Zn mediated silylation of 1-aklynes is reported. A series of functional groups are tolerated in this reaction. Mechanistic studies support Zn alkynilides as intermediates in the reaction. This reaction protocol provides a practical method for the preparation of alkynylsilanes and expands the application of organometallic zinc in organic synthesis.     

Triphenylene: A versatile molecular receptor

Since the late seventies, the search for new molecular receptors has been constant in perfecting the affinity and selectivity of recognition in different media. At present, a renewed interest in (host:guest) chemistry focuses on the molecular detection of specific targets such as biological, pollutant, toxic or explosive species. This review of triphenylene-based receptors outlines their recent contribution to molecular recognition. Two main structural approaches were investigated to transform a simple triphenylene moiety into a host for neutral aromatic compounds or cations, by tailoring multivalent molecules provided with or without a flatten cavity. The properties of different receptors are presented along with the latest synthetic methods to prepare high-value triphenylenes and the perspectives in the field of sensing. In addition, the role of functionalized triphenylenes in extended (host:guest) systems is illustrated by the main examples of discotic liquid crystals and porous coordination polymers involving this polyaromatic compound.     

A New Approach for Synthesis of Low‐moisture Glycidyl Azide Polymer

In this work, low‐moisture glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) was successfully prepared using a modified two‐step method. The modified method resembles the structure of the classical two‐step method, which is widely used to prepare the GAP. Firstly, epichlorohydrin (ECH) is polymerized into polyepicholorohydrin (PECH), which is subjected afterward to azidation step using sodium azide (NaN₃). Interestingly, minimizing the water content in the final GAP product, which is a challenging when dealing with GAP as a rocket propellant binder, was effectively achieved by utilizing low boiling point solvents instead of the relatively high boiling point Dimethyl formamide (DMF), monitoring the volatility of ECH and controlling the exothermicity of the reaction. Prepared GAP samples were investigated using Fourier transformer infra‐red (FT‐IR), gel‐permeation chromatography (GPC) and elemental analysis apparatus (CHNS) were used to characterize the product. The moisture % in the final product was examined using the Karl‐Fisher Technique. Results showed the successful preparation of GAP with low water content (<0.01 %), high average molecular weight (> 2000 g · mol^–1), 42.82 % nitrogen, a viscosity of 3484 cP at 20 °C, yield ranges between 95–98 % and a polydispersity index of 1.2. The prepared GAP is promising for replacement of the classical GAPs in the energetic materials applications.     

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF FIBROBLAST DUROTAXIS MIGRATION INDUCED BY STIFFNESS GRADIENT OF SUBSTRATE1)

建立了一种细胞趋硬性迁移的理论模型和有限元分析框架,为连续变刚度人工基质的试验设计提供理论依据。考虑了细胞体的黏弹性属性,以及细胞与基质间的配受体动态反应过程,并以配受体合成时间为时间步长,将细胞运动方程化为静力学形式进行求解。对有限元过程提出一种动约束,便于消除其结构矩阵的奇异性。结果表明,模型能够模拟黏着斑内部力的快速波动现象,细胞的运动速度与观测数据一致,可有效模拟20,h以上的长时程问题。