Biomimetic Approach for Highly Selective Artificial Water Channels Based on Tubular Pillar[5]arene Dimers

Artificial water channels mimicking natural aquaporins (AQPs) can be used for selective and fast transport of water. Here, we quantify the transport performances of peralkyl-carboxylate-pillar[5]arenes dimers in bilayer membranes. They can transport ≈10⁷ water molecules/channel/second, within one order of magnitude of the transport rates of AQPs, rejecting Na⁺ and K⁺ cations. The dimers have a tubular structure, superposing pillar[5]arene pores of 5 Å diameter with twisted carboxy-phenyl pores of 2.8 Å diameter. This biomimetic platform, with variable pore dimensions within the same structure, offers size restriction reminiscent of natural proteins. It allows water molecules to selectively transit and prevents bigger hydrated cations from passing through the 2.8 Å pore. Molecular simulations prove that dimeric or multimeric honeycomb aggregates are stable in the membrane and form water pathways through the bilayer. Over time, a significant shift of the upper vs. lower layer occurs initiating new unexpected water permeation events through toroidal pores.     

SCF impregnation of polymer matrices with stable nitroxyl radicals

The ESR method is used to study the impregnation of a set of polymer matrices (co-polymer F-42, polyvinylchloride, polycarbonate, polymethylmethacrylate) with stable nitroxyl radicals of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-oxypiperidin-1-oxyl (TEMOPO) in a supercritical carbon dioxide medium. The amount of the substance incorporated into the polymer matrices increases with increase of the mass of TEMOPO samples used and converges to the limit values that for F-42 and polyvinylchloride samples are 9.6 × 10²⁰ and 7.5 × 10²⁰ paramagnetic centers per gram of the polymer, respectively. At the same time, no formation of TEMOPO clusters is observed; the spatial distribution of radicals absorbed by the polymer film is close to random and is independent from the film thickness.     

Annulation of pyrrole ring in 4-acylpyridine-3,5-dicarbonitriles in the presence of ammonia

Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds - 4-Acyl-2-amino-6-chloropyridine-3,5-dicarbonitriles underwent heterocyclization in the presence of ammonia in aqueous dioxane medium, involving the...     

Terephthalic Acid Copolyesters Containing Tetramethylcyclobutanediol for High-Performance Plastics

There is a need for high-performance applications for terephthalic acid (TPA) polyesters with high heat resistance, impact toughness, and optical clarity. Bisphenol A (BPA) based polycarbonates and polyarylates have such properties, but BPA is an endocrine disruptor. Therefore, new TPA polyesters that are less hazardous to health and the environment are becoming popular. Tetramethylcyclobutanediol (TMCD) is a difunctional monomer that can be polymerized with TPA and other diols to yield copolyesters with superior properties to conventional TPA polyesters. It has a cyclobutyl ring that makes it more rigid than cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) and EG. Thus, TMCD containing TPA copolyesters can have high heat resistance and impact strength. TPA can be made from abundantly available upcycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Therefore, this review discusses the synthesis of monomers and copolyesters, the impact of diol composition on material properties, molecular weight, effects of photodegradation, health safety, and substitution of cyclobutane diols for future polyesters.     

Unstrained C–C bond activation and directed fluorination through photocatalytically-generated radical cations

Expanding the repertoire of controlled radical fluorination techniques, we present a photosensitized unstrained C–C bond activation/directed monofluorination method using Selectfluor and 9-fluorenone. The reaction is amenable to the opening of multiple 1-acetal-2-aryl substituted rings to yield ω-fluoro carboxylic acids, esters, alcohols, and ketones with relative ease. Initial mechanistic insight suggests radical ion intermediates.