Metal‐Free Reduction of CO2 with Hydroboranes: Two Efficient Pathways at Play for the Reduction of CO2 to Methanol

Guanidines and amidines prove to be highly efficient metal‐free catalysts for the reduction of CO₂ to methanol with hydroboranes such as 9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9‐BBN) and catecholborane (catBH). Nitrogen bases, such as 1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene (TBD), 7‐methyl‐1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene (Me‐TBD), and 1,8‐diazabicycloundec‐7‐ene (DBU), are active catalysts for this transformation and Me‐TBD can catalyze the reduction of CO₂ to methoxyborane at room temperature with TONs and TOFs of up to 648 and 33 h^?1 (25 °C), respectively. Formate HCOOBR₂ and acetal H₂C(OBR₂)₂ derivatives have been identified as reaction intermediates in the reduction of CO₂ with R₂BH, and the first C?H‐bond formation is rate determining. Experimental and computational investigations show that TBD and Me‐TBD follow distinct mechanisms. The N?H bond of TBD is reactive toward dehydrocoupling with 9‐BBN and affords a novel frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) that can activate a CO₂ molecule and form the stable adduct 2 , which is the catalytically active species and can facilitate the hydride transfer from the boron to the carbon atoms. In contrast, Me‐TBD promotes the reduction of CO₂ through the activation of the hydroborane reagent. Detailed DFT calculations have shown that the computed energy barriers for the two mechanisms are consistent with the experimental findings and account for the reactivity of the different boron reductants.     

Activation of SO2 by N/Si+ and N/B Frustrated Lewis Pairs: Experimental and Theoretical Comparison with CO2 Activation

The guanidine 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) and the substituted derivatives [TBD–SiR₂]⁺ and TBD–BR₂ reacted with SO₂ to give different FLP–SO₂ adducts. Molecular structures, elucidated by X-ray diffraction, showed some structural similarities with the analogous CO₂ adducts. Thermodynamic stabilities were both experimentally evidenced and computed through DFT calculations. The underlying parameters governing the relative stabilities of the different SO₂ and CO₂ adducts were discussed from a theoretical standpoint, with a focus on the influence of the Lewis acidic moiety.     

Insights into the polymerization kinetics of thermoresponsive polytrimethylene carbonate bearing a methoxyethoxy side group

The ring-opening polymerization kinetics of 5-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-ethoxymethyl]-5-methyl-1,3-dioxa-2-one (TMOE-2) and 5-[2-{2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyoxy}-ethoxymethyl]-5-methyl-1,3-dioxa-2-one (TMOE-3) was investigated using different catalysts with the aim to improve control over molecular weight. The possibility of monomer impurities driving the variability in molecular weight that has been seen in different reports, was assessed and evidence of catalysis via an imidazole impurity was found. The catalysts 1,5,7-triazobicyclo(4.4.0)dec-5-ene (TBD), hydrogen chloride in diethyl ether (HCl·Et₂O), stannous 2-ethylhexanoate (SnOct₂), and catalyst free thermal polymerizations were conducted to understand the mechanisms influencing the molecular weight. TBD and HCl·Et₂O consistently achieved high conversion of the monomer; however, molecular weights greater than 7,000 Da could not be achieved due to competing side reactions. SnOct₂ catalyzed and catalyst free thermal polymerizations were highly influenced by monomer purity and achieved lower conversion than TBD and HCl·Et₂O. Understanding these mechanisms will guide future synthesis of poly(TMOE-2) and poly(TMOE-3) for biomedical applications.     

Membrane‐Anchoring Photosensitizer with Aggregation‐Induced Emission Characteristics for Combating Multidrug‐Resistant Bacteria

Traditional photosensitizers (PSs) show reduced singlet oxygen (¹O₂) production and quenched fluorescence upon aggregation in aqueous media, which greatly affect their efficiency in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Meanwhile, non‐targeting PSs generally yield low efficiency in antibacterial performance due to their short lifetimes and small effective working radii. Herein, a water‐dispersible membrane anchor (TBD‐anchor) PS with aggregation‐induced emission is designed and synthesized to generate ¹O₂ on the bacterial membrane. TBD‐anchor showed efficient antibacterial performance towards both Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram‐positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). Over 99.8 % killing efficiency was obtained for methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) when they were exposed to 0.8 μm of TBD‐anchor at a low white light dose (25 mW cm^?2) for 10 minutes. TBD‐anchor thus shows great promise as an effective antimicrobial agent to combat the menace of multidrug‐resistant bacteria.     

Optical Polymer Having a High Refractive Index and High Abbe Number Prepared by Radical Polymerization Using 2,5-BiS(2-Thia-3-Butenyl)-1,4-Dithiane

Abstract

Novel poly(vinylsulfide)s were prepared by addition polymerization using 2,5-bis(2-thia-3-butenyl)-1,4-dithiane (TBD) with a radical initiator for an optical polymer having a high refractive index (n_D) and Abbe number (v). Homopolymerization of TBD (72.9% conversion) and copolymerization with acrylonitrile or acrylates having nonpolar groups (50.4–81.3% conversion according to the comonomers used) in a limited composition range yielded hard and transparent polymers suitable for application in optics. The methacrylates used yielded no polymeric product as a result of the copolymerization. The obtained polymers had T_g, n_D and v ranging between 41.0–124.0°C, 1.678–1.546 and 34.1–43.8, respectively, except that poly(TBD) did not exhibit T_g below 200°C, and it had the highest n_D Most of the polymers have higher n_D and v than those of other conventional optical polymers and moreover, their values are comparable to those of flint glasses. The copolymerizability of TBD and the group contribution to n_D and v are discussed based on the Q-e scheme and on the Lorentz-Lorenz equation, respectively. This work shows that TBD serves as a useful material for the preparation of polymers having high n_D and v along with a T_g of more than 100°C, and that the polymers thus obtained are promising optical materials.

     

Study of the carbon dioxide chemical fixation—activation by guanidines

Fixation of CO₂ is one of the most important priorities of the scientific community dedicated to reduce global warming. In this work, we propose new methods for the fixation of CO₂ using the guanidine bases tetramethylguanidine (TMG) and 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]-pyrimidine (TBD). In order to understand the reactions occurring during the CO₂ fixation and release processes, we employed several experimental methods, including solution and solid-state NMR, FTIR, and coupled TGA-FTIR. Quantum mechanical NMR calculations were also carried out. Based on the results obtained, we concluded that CO₂ fixation with both TMG and TBD guanidines is a kinetically reversible process, and the corresponding fixation products have proved to be useful as transcarboxylating compounds. Afterward, CO₂ thermal releasing from this fixation product with TBD was found to be an interesting process for CO₂ capture and isolation purposes.     

Theoretical study of TBD-catalyzed carboxylation of propylene glycol with CO2

The mechanisms for the reaction of propylene glycol (PG) with CO₂ catalyzed by 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) were theoretically investigated by density functional theory (DFT) method at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level. Through analyzing the optimized structures and energy profiles along the reaction paths, the PG-activated route was identified as the most probable reaction path, in which the rate-determining step was the nucleophilic attack of one of the O atoms in CO₂ on the hydroxyl linked C atom in PG with energy barrier 56.96 kcal/mol. The catalytic role of TBD could be considered as a proton bridge activated by the synergistic action of its N atoms.     

1,5,7-Triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-en als Reaktionsmedium: Präparativ ergiebige einstufige Herstellung von Etioporphyrin aus Protoporphyrin

1,5,7-Triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene as Reaction Medium: An Efficient One-Step Formation of Etioporphyrine from Protoporphyrine Heating the commercially available protoporphyrine ( 4 ) in molten 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) at 200° for 4 h under exclusion of O₂ produces etioporphyrine ( 6 ) in 60–70% yield by bisdecarboxylation and concomitant reduction of the two vinyl groups. Mesoporphyrine ( 5 ) is bisdecarboxylated to 6 in over 80% yield under these conditions in TBD as well as in DBU as the reaction medium.     

Rapid Hyperbranched Polythioether Synthesis Through Thiol-Michael Addition Reaction

In this study, two types of hyperbranched (HB) polythioether could readily be achieved in a short time at ambient temperature through a thiol-Michael addition reaction. Dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMADC) or methyl propiolate (A₂) and trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate) (B₃) monomers were reacted using an organobase 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) as a catalyst in chloroform at room temperature to provide subsequent HB polythioethers. The effect of TBD concentration on the polymerization was studied for the DMDAC case monitoring the molecular weight evolution against time. HB polythioethers were characterized using spectroscopic (nuclear magnetic resonance) and chromatographic (gel permeation chromatography with refractive index and light-scattering detectors) techniques. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 58, 824–830     

Synthesis and properties of renewable nonisocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) from dimethylcarbonate

Novel fully renewable AA‐BB type nonisocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) were synthesized using the transurethanization approach. Dicarbamate monomers were prepared by the reaction of a diamine with an excess of dimethylcarbonate (DMC), in presence of 1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene (TBD) as catalyst. Then, the dicarbamate was reacted with a diol to afford the polymer, in presence of TBD or K₂CO₃ as catalyst. Several renewable diamines and diols were tested. The two steps were conducted under neat conditions. The obtained materials exhibited T_g values varying from ?38 to 42 ° C, T_m values varying from 42 to 204 °C , and thermal stabilities above 200 ° C. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1351–1359     

Semi-crystalline poly(ε-caprolactone) brushes on gold substrate via “grafting from” method: New insights with AFM characterization

This paper is the first report about the morphology of semi-crystalline poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) brushes studied by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in tapping mode. This represents a convenient way to observe how the growth of a polymer proceeds from a thiol monolayer on gold substrate in terms of grafting density and thiol monolayer stability. The synthesis of semi-crystalline PCL brushes was carried out by Ring-Opening Polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) from hydroxyl end-group of thiol monolayer on gold surface as catalyzed with tin octoate (Sn(Oct)₂) at 50 °C. Addition of a sacrificial initiator was also attempted in order to get a finer control over PCL crystals. For a sake of comparison, triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) was also investigated as another ROP catalyst active at ambient temperature. The composition and the morphology of resulting semi-crystalline PCL brushes were characterized using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and AFM. In the case of Sn(Oct)₂-promoted ROP of CL with or without free (sacrificial) initiator (i.e., benzyl alcohol), different types of morphologies were observed on the gold substrate, due to the thermal instability of thiol-gold bond under the experimental conditions. When TBD was used at ambient temperature, a regular and homogeneous crystalline morphology, i.e., compact PCL crystals, could be observed.     

One-pot tandem ring-opening polymerization of N-sulfonyl aziridines and “click” chemistry to produce well-defined star-shaped polyaziridines

An effective approach for fast synthesis of well-defined star-shaped poly(2-methyl-N-tosylaziridine)s was developed by one-pot tandem ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of N-sulfonyl aziridines with trimethylsilyl azide (TMSN₃) and “click” reaction with alkynes. Azido terminated polyaziridines (α-N₃-PAzs) could be achieved via ROP of N-sulfonyl aziridines with TMSN₃ in the presence of organic superbases. The catalytic efficiency of organobases, including 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene (DBU), 7-methyl-1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (MTBD), 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD), and N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA), was evaluated, and all of them except TBD afforded “living”/controlled ROP of 2-methyl-N-tosylaziridines (TsMAz). Star-shaped polyaziridines were then fastly synthesized by the one-pot tandem strategy. During the reaction process, PMDETA catalyzed ROP first, then was triggered to be a ligand by adding CuBr for “click” reaction. Well-defined 3- and 4-arm star P(TsMAz)s were successfully prepared, and subsequently desulfonylated to give star-shaped polypropylenimines (PPIs). PPI stars exhibited intrinsic photoluminescence properties from the polyamine arms.     

Acceleration effects of 1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene with 2‐methylimidazole‐intercalated α‐zirconium phosphate as a latent thermal initiator in the reaction of glycidyl phenyl ether and hexahydro‐4‐methylphthalic anhydride

The catalytic effects of 1,5,7‐Triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene (TBD) with 2‐methylimidazole‐intercalated α‐zirconium phosphate (α‐ZrP?2MIm) in the reaction of glycidyl phenyl ether (GPE) and hexahydro‐4‐methylphthalic anhydride (MHHPA) were investigated. The reaction did not proceed within 1 h at 60 °C. On increasing the temperature to 100 °C, the conversion reached 93% for 1 h. Without the addition of TBD, the conversion was 67% at 100 °C for 1 h. Under storage conditions at 25 °C for 7 days, the conversion of GPE was only 18%. The curing behavior of 2,2‐bis(4‐glycidyloxyphenyl)propane (DGEBA) and MHHPA in the presence of TBD with α‐ZrP?2MIm was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry. The addition of TBD with α‐ZrP?2MIm as a latent thermal initiator, the storage stability was maintained and the reaction proceeded rapidly under heating conditions. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 2557–2561     

Synthesis of propylene glycol methyl ether over amine modified porous silica

Amine functionalized silica catalysts (3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS)) NH₂/SiO₂, (Diazabicycloundecene/SiO₂) DBU/SiO₂ and (1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4,4,0]dec-5-ene/SiO₂) TBD/SiO₂, which were characterized by ²⁹Si NMR, element analysis and indicator dye adsorption, were prepared by ultrasonic technique under mild conditions. Such hybrid solid bases showed high catalytic activity and good reusability towards for the synthesis of propylene glycol methyl ether.     

Organic superbase-induced chemiluminescent decomposition of a hydroxyaryl-substituted dioxetane: Unique effect of a bifunctional guanidine base on the chemiluminescence profile of a bicyclic dioxetane bearing a 4-(benzoxazol-2-yl)-3,5-dihydroxyphenyl moiety

Organic superbases represented by TBD (1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene) effectively induced the decomposition of hydroxyaryl-substituted dioxetanes in acetonitrile to give bright light. The color of the chemiluminescence from a dioxetane bearing a 4-(benzoxazol-2-yl)-3,5-dihydroxyphenyl moiety varied depending on the base used. In addition to this change in the color of emission, TBD increased the chemiluminescence efficiency 2- to 5-fold compared to the results with other base systems and accelerated decomposition of the dioxetane. These unique effects of TBD may be due to its “bifunctional” character, which is different from those of other organic superbases. Chemiluminescent decomposition of the dioxetane was effectively induced by superbases even in apolar p-xylene.     

Ring-opening polymerization of 1,4-oxathian-2-one and its copolymerization with δ-valerolactone

Monomer 1,4-oxathian-2-one ( OX ) was synthesized by a one pot two-step method, and it was oxidized to the sulfone ester monomer, 1,4-oxathian-2-one-4,4-dioxide ( OX-SO ₂ ). Three organic catalysts, 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), and diphenyl phosphate (DPP) were screened for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of OX in dichloromethane at 30°C. It was found that OX has a high polymerizability, the TBD-catalyzed ROP is very fast but with serious side reactions, the DBU-catalyzed ROP is moderately controlled, and the DPP-catalyzed ROP is well controlled until the polymerization reach equilibrium. Bulk ROP of OX-SO ₂ was achieved with stannous octoate ((Sn[Oct]₂) at 130°C. Poly(OX) is a semicrystalline polyester (T_m = 40-60°C, T_g = −39.6°C), while Poly(OX-SO ₂ ) is a highly crystalline polyester(T_g = 55°C, T_m = 211°C with decomposition). Kinetics experiments of OX and δ-valerolactone (VL) revealed that VL polymerized faster than OX with DPP as the catalyst. Thermodynamic parameters of the ROP of OX and VL under identical conditions were measured; the ROP of OX is thermodynamically more favorable than that of VL. A series of random copolymers of OX and VL was prepared using TBD as the catalyst and confirmed that the in-chain heteroatom greatly affected the crystallization of the copolymers.     

Kinetic and equilibrium study of the deprotonation of 4-nitrophenyl[bis(ethylsulphonyl)]methane by organic bases in acetonitrile in the presence of common cation BH<Superscript>+</Superscript> and tetrabutylammonium perchlorate

The results of kinetic and equilibrium experiments with the set of reaction of proton abstraction from 4-nitrophenyl[bis(ethylsulphonyl)]methane in acetonitrile are reported. Two strong organic bases are used: 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) and 7-methyl-1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (MTBD). The rates of proton transfer reaction have been measured by T-jump method in the presence of perchlorate of the appropriate base as a common cation BH⁺ and supporting electrolyte-tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAP) in the temperature range between 20–40°C are: k _H =1.32×10⁷−2.00×10⁷ and 2.82×10⁷−4.84×10⁷ dm ³mol⁻¹s⁻¹ for MTBD and TBD respectively. The enthalpies of activation ΔH _MTBD ^≠ =13.5 and ΔH _TBD ^≠ =18.1 kJmol⁻¹. The entropies of activation are negative: ΔS _MTBD ^≠ =−62.3 and ΔS _TBD ^≠ =−40.3 Jmol⁻¹K⁻¹. The change of the absorbance of the anion of 4-nitrophenyl[bis9ethylsulphonyl)]methane at the temperature 25°C in the presence of common cation BH⁺ gives the equilibrium constants K=705 and 906 M⁻¹ for MTBD and TBD respectively. Kinetic and equilibrium results are discussed. The possible mechanism of proton transfer reaction between 4-nitrophenyl[bis(ethylsulphonyl)]methane and cyclic organic bases: MTBD and TBD in acetonitrile is proposed.     

1,5,7-Triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) an efficient homogeneous catalyst for aldol condensation reactions. Study of the catalyst recovery and reusability using CO2

In this work it was shown that TBD (1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene), a cheap and commercially available guanidine base, efficiently catalyzes aldol condensation reactions yielding interesting products for pharmacological and fragrance industries. This methodology works under solvent-less conditions and affords with very good conversions the corresponding products. Moreover, a simple and effective separation protocol using the CO₂ fixation was employed. The catalyst could be recovered and re-used for three consecutive runs without significant loss of activity.     

Unexpected efficiency of cyclic amidine catalysts in depolymerizing poly(ethylene terephthalate)

This article describes studies on the catalytic activity of several nitrogen‐based organic catalysts for the depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), in which a few cyclic amidines work more effectively than a potent, bifunctional guanidine‐based catalyst 1,5,7‐triazabicyclo‐[4,4,0]‐dec‐5‐ene (TBD) in the presence of short chain diols that play a role in activation of carbonyl groups through hydrogen bonding. Further studies prove that the catalytic efficiency at the above specific conditions depends only on the extent of activation of a hydroxyl group rather than simply the pK_a of the bases. For glycolysis with excess short‐chain alkanediols, 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene is the best catalyst. In contrast, TBD shows outstanding catalytic activity in depolymerizations of PET with mono‐alcohols and longer‐chain diols. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Theoretical study of the structures and vibrational spectra of the hydrogen-bonded systems of 4-cyanophenol with N-bases

The structural and vibrational features of the hydrogen bonded complexes of 1,5,7-triazabicyclo [4.4.0] dec-5-ene (TBD) with one and two 4-CNPhOH molecules have been studied extensively by ab initio SCF/6-31G(d,p) and BLYP calculations with various basis sets: 6-31G(d,p), 6-31+G(d,p) and 6-31++G(d,p). Full geometry optimization was made for the complexes studied. The nature of the hydrogen bonding and the influence of the hydrogen bonding on the structural and vibrational characteristics of the monomers have been investigated. The corrected values of the dissociation energy for the hydrogen-bonded complexes have been calculated in order to estimate their stability. The calculated values of the dissociation energy per phenol molecule indicate that the complex: TBD: 4-CNPhOH (1:1) is more stable than the complex: TBD: 4-CNPhOH (1:2). The changes in the structural and vibrational characteristics upon hydrogen bonding depend on the strength of the hydrogen bonds. In agreement with the experiment, the calculations show that the complexation between TBD and 4-CNPhOH leads to considerably changes in the vibrational characteristics of the stretching O-H vibration. The vibrational frequency of the O-H stretching vibration is shifted to lower wave numbers upon hydrogen bonding. The predicted frequency shifts Deltanu(O-H) for the complexes--TBD: 4-CNPhOH (1:1) and TBD: 4-CNPhOH (1:2) are in the range from -190 cm(-1) to -586 cm(-1). In the same time the IR intensity of the O-H stretching vibration increases dramatically in the hydrogen-bonded complexes.