Degenerative transfer living Ziegler-Natta polymerization: application to the synthesis of monomodal stereoblock polyolefins of narrow polydispersity and tunable block length

The neutral dimethyl pentamethylcyclopentadienylzirconium acetamidinate, (eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))ZrMe(2)[N(t-Bu)C(Me)N(Et)], can serve as a highly active initiator for the living Ziegler-Natta polymerization of alpha-olefins to produce polyolefins of narrow polydispersity (D < or = 1.05) when "activated" through mono demethylation by a substoichiometric amount of the borate, [PhNMe(2)H][B(C(6)F(5))(4)]. The mechanism by which this living polymerization proceeds is through a process of degenerative transfer involving rapid and reversible methyl group exchange between cationic (active) zirconium propagating centers and neutral (dormant) methyl, polymeryl zirconium end groups. Facile metal-centered epimerization of the dormant species is responsible for a loss of stereocontrol during propagation that produces iso-rich material in contrast to the pure isotactic polymer microstructure obtained when degenerative transfer is not present. By turning degenerative transfer "on" and "off" between successive monomer polymerizations, a successful strategy for the production of monomodal stereoblock polyolefins of narrow polydispersity and tunable block length has been demonstrated.     

Conductivity as a Sensor for Monitoring Relative Magnesium Corrosion Rates in Real‐time,in Serum‐containing Media under Cell Culture Conditions

Because controlling the corrosion rate of magnesium metal will be crucial to the success of biomedical implants containing pure magnesium or magnesium alloys, many ways have been sought to improve in vitro tests to analyze corrosion rates, and also to identify new methods of preparing or post‐processing magnesium. In this work, for an in vitro assay, we explored the use of a commercially available conductivity sensor to study magnesium corrosion under cell culture conditions that duplicate many physiologically appropriate parameters. With this sensor, we studied the corrosion of two previously untested magnesium single crystal samples that differed in surface treatments that could alter corrosion rates. The results show that the relative conductivity changes in (mS/cm) over the total time of immersion were proportional to the corrosion rates in (mm/y) and also to the total magnesium released, as detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS).     

Spatially resolved,intracavity absorption for inductively coupled plasma diagnostics

Continuous wave intracavity absorption provides a sensitive method for probing the distribution of absorbing species in a plasma flame. There exists considerable potential for plasma mechanistic studies using this method both as a spatial diagnostic for selected species, and as a spectral diagnostic for the detection of low concentration or low oscillator strength species.     

The Role of Pitch Memory in Pitch Discrimination and Pitch Matching

Accurate control of vocal pitch (fundamental frequency) requires coordination of sensory and motor systems. Previous research has supported the relationship between perceptual accuracy and vocal pitch matching accuracy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of memory for pitch in pitch matching and pitch discrimination ability. Three experimental tasks were used. First, a pitch matching task was completed, in which the participants listened to target tones and vocally matched the pitch of the tones. The second task was a pitch discrimination task that required the participants to judge the pitch (same or different) of complex tone pairs. The third task was pitch discrimination with memory interference task that was similar to the pitch discrimination task except interference tones were added. Results of the pitch matching and pitch discrimination tasks yielded a significant correlation between these values. When there was memory interference, pitch discrimination ability was poorer, and there was no significant correlation between pitch discrimination and pitch matching. These results support earlier findings of a relationship between pitch discrimination and pitch matching abilities. The results also suggest a possible role of pitch memory in both tasks. These findings may have implications for abilities related to accurate pitch control.     

Carbon Nanotube Fiber Ionization Mass Spectrometry: A Fundamental Study of a Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Functionalized Corona Discharge Pin for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Analysis

Mass spectrometry continues to tackle many complicated tasks, and ongoing research seeks to simplify its instrumentation as well as sampling. The desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) source was the first ambient ionization source to function without extensive gas requirements and chromatography. Electrospray techniques generally have low efficiency for ionization of nonpolar analytes and some researchers have resorted to methods such as direct analysis in real time (DART) or desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI) for their analysis. In this work, a carbon nanotube fiber ionization (nanoCFI) source was developed and was found to be capable of solid phase microextraction (SPME) of nonpolar analytes as well as ionization and sampling similar to that of direct probe atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DP-APCI). Conductivity and adsorption were maintained by utilizing a corona pin functionalized with a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) thread. Quantitative work with the nanoCFI source with a designed corona discharge pin insert demonstrated linearity up to 0.97 (R²) of three target PAHs with phenanthrene internal standard.

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Toward the synthesis of spirastrellolide B: a synthesis of the C1-C23 subunit

A synthesis of the C1-C23 subunit of spirastrellolide B is described. The synthesis features two applications of a Kulinkovich-cyclopropanol ring-opening strategy for the coupling of esters with olefins to produce ketones.     

Polymicrobial Biofilm Inhibition Effects of Acetate‐Buffered Chitosan Sponge Delivery Device

Polymicrobial biofilm‐associated implant infections present a challenging clinical problem. Through modifications of lyophilized chitosan sponges, degradable drug delivery devices for antibiotic solution have been fabricated for prevention and treatment of contaminated musculoskeletal wounds. Elution of amikacin, vancomycin, or a combination of both follows a burst release pattern with vancomycin released above minimum inhibitory concentration for Staphylococcus aureus for 72 h and amikacin released above inhibitory concentrations for Pseudomonas aeruginosa for 3 h. Delivery of a vancomycin, amikacin, or a combination of both reduces biofilm formation on polytetrafluoroethylene catheters in an in vivo model of contamination. Release of dual antibiotics from sponges is more effective at preventing biofilm formation than single‐loaded chitosan sponges. Treatment of pre‐formed biofilm with high‐dose antibiotic release from chitosan sponges shows minimal reduction after 48 h. These results demonstrate infection‐preventive efficacy for antibiotic‐loaded sponges, as well as the need for modifications in the development of advanced materials to enhance treatment efficacy in removing established biofilm.

     

Living Ziegler-Natta polymerization by early transition metals: synthesis and evaluation of cationic zirconium alkyl complexes bearing beta-hydrogens as models for propagating centers

The synthesis and characterization of a series of cationic zirconium and hafnium complexes with alkyl substituents bearing beta-hydrogens of general formula {(eta(5)-C5Me5)MR[N(Et)C(Me)N(t-Bu)]}[B(C6F5)4] [M = Zr; R = Et, n-Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu, i-Bu, and 2-ethylbutyl (5a-f) and M = Hf; R = i-Bu and t-Bu (6 and 7, respectively)] is described, including several isotopically labeled derivatives. The ability of these complexes to serve as model complexes for the living Ziegler-Natta polymerization of olefins that can be effected using the initiator 2a (R = Me in 5) has been addressed. The results obtained shed additional light on the steric and electronic factors that can contribute to the living character of a Ziegler-Natta polymerization based on an early transition metal initiator.     

End-group-confined chain walking within a group 4 living polyolefin and well-defined cationic zirconium alkyl complexes for modeling this behavior

Living polymers derived from the polymerization of 1-butene using the cationic zirconium initiator, {Cp*ZrMe[N(Et)C(Me)-N(tBu)]}[B(C6F5)4] (Cp* = eta5-C5Me5) (1), have been shown to undergo end-group-confined chain walking that is competitive with direct beta-hydride elimination and chain release at -10 degrees C. The well-defined complexes, {Cp*Zr(iBu)[N(Et)C(Me)N(tBu)]}[B(C6F5)4] (2) and {Cp*Zr(2-ethylbutyl)[N(Et)C(Me)N(tBu)]}[B(C6F5)4] (3), were prepared, and each was found to possess a strong beta-hydrogen agostic interaction that is absent in the living polymer. The isotopically single- and double-labeled derivatives, {Cp*Zr(2-d-2-methylpropyl)[N(Et)C(Me)N(tBu)]}[B(C6F5)4] (2') and {Cp*Zr(1-13C-2-d-2-methylpropyl)[N(Et)C(Me)N(tBu)]}[B(C6F5)4] (2' '), were also prepared and found to undergo isotopic label scrambling at 0 degrees C. For 2' ', the observation that after scrambling each deuterium label is located on a 13C-labeled carbon atom is consistent with the Busico mechanism for chain-end epimerization rather than the Resconi mechanism. Decomposition of 3 yielded olefinic products also consistent with chain walking prior to beta-hydride elimination and chain release. Finally, the unexpected decrease in stability of the living polymer relative to that of the model complexes reveals the importance of subtle differences in steric and electronic factors in controlling beta-hydride elimination and chain release.