Stereoselective Synthesis of Novel C-Disaccharides via Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reaction

Novel β-C-disaccharides containing a three carbon linkage using exo-glycal as the precursor were prepared stereoselectively. The synthesis was achieved by the tandem reactions of the stereoselective hydroboration of exo-glycal and Suzuki cross-coupling reaction with an iodovinyl sugar, and followed by hydrogenated deprotection under the catalysis of Pd（OH）2/C.     

Synthesis of Tin Oxide Through Thermal Decomposition of Sn2 （NH4）2 （ C2 O4 ）3 and Its Gas Sensing Property

Nanocrystalline tin oxide samples were prepared by using Sn2 （NH4 ）2 （C2O4）3 as the precursor. The thermal decompositions were respectively conducted at 250,450 and 650 ℃. TG-DTA, XRD, TEM, FTIR were used to characterize the samples. The indirect heating sensors by using these materials as sensitive bodies were fabricated on an alumina tube with Au electrodes and platinum wires. Sensing properties of these sensors were investigated. It was found that the tin oxide sample obtained by thermal decomposition at 450 ℃ has a higher sensitivity to C2H5OH and a higher selectivity to hexane and ammonia than those obtained via the conventional precipitate method and the working temperatures needed were greatly decreased.     

A Novel Synthesis of Alkaline Earth Silicate Phosphor Sr3MgSi2O8： Eu^2＋, Dy^3＋

A novel method for synthesizing long afterglow silicate phosphor Sr3MgSi2O8：Eu^2＋,Dy^3＋using TEOS and inorganic powders as reactants was reported. Acetic acid as a catalyzer controlled the hydrolysis of TEOS by adjusting pH value of the system. The morphologies of precursor were characterized by transmission electron microscope （TEM）. The structure and optical properties of the phosphor powders were systematically investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and spectrofluorometry. TEM images have reflected the core-shell structure and quasi-spherical morphology of the precursor particles. It was found that the single-phase Sr3MgSi2O8 crystalline structures were obtained at 1050 and 1250 ℃ for the samples prepared with the nano-coating method and the solid state reaction, respectively. The emission intensities of the phosphors prepared by the present method were higher than those by the conventional process. Also, the afterglow characteristic was better than that prepared by solid-state reaction in the comparable condition.     

Effects of ZnO Buffer Layer Thickness on Properties of MgxZn1-xO Thin Films Deposited by MOCVD

High-quality MgxZn1-xO thin films were grown on sapphire（0001 ） substrates with a ZnO buffer layer of different thicknesses by means of metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. Diethyl zinc, bis-cyclopentadienyl-Mg and oxygen were used as the precursor materials. The crystalline quality, surface morphologies and optical properties of the Mg, Zn1-xO films were investigated by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and photoluminescence spectrometry. It was shown that the quality of the MgxZn1-xO thin films depends on the thickness of the ZnO buffer layer and an Mg, Zn1-xO thin film with a ZnO buffer layer whose thickness was 20 nm exhibited the best crystal-quality, optical properties and a flat and dense surface.     

STUDY ON PHOTODYNAMIC AND PHOTORESPONSIVE AZO POLYELECTROLYTES*

Several kinds of novel azobenzene-containing polyelectrolytes with special molecular design have been developedfrom acryloyl chloride or epoxy based precursor polymers. The acryloyl chloride based precursor polymer, poly(acryloylchloride), was prepared by free radical polymerization of acryloyl chloride. The azo polyelectrolytes were prepared by anesterification reaction between the precursor polymer and corresponding azo chromophores containing a reactive hydroxylgroup, followed by hydrolysis of the unreacted acyl chloride groups. The epoxy based precursor polymer was prepared by thereaction between 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol diglycidyl ether and aniline, and postfunctionalized by azo coupling reaction toform azo polymers containing chromophores with ionizable groups. The polyelectrolytes were characterized by elementalanalysis, ~1H-NMR, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The photodynamic and photoresponsive properties, as well as self-assemblyof these azo polyelectrolytes are reported in this paperp.     

Formation of Ultrafine Apatite Fibers by Sol-gel/Electrospinning

Ultrafine apatite fibers were prepared by electrospinning of sol-gel precursor/poly（ vinyl pyrrolidone） （PVP） solutions followed by subsequent calcination. The as-electrospun and calcinated fibers were observed under a scanning electron microscope and an optical polarizing microscope. Results show that the morphology and the diameter of as-electrospun fibers strongly depend on the viscosity and the surface tension of sol-gel precursor/PVP solutions. After calcination, the smooth as-electrospun fibers shrink and the fiber diameter decreases because of the removal of the polymer. The chemical evolution upon the transformation of the precursor from a gel to the final apatite fibers was investigated by thermogravimetric-differenfial thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It is thus suggested that the crystalline structure of the calcined fibers is largely influenced by the calcination temperature. After being calcined at 600 ℃, the apatite fibers with a diameter of about 280 nm containing β-tricalcium phosphate were obtained.     

Study of K/Mn-MgO Supported Fe Catalysts with Fe（CO）5 and Fe（NO3）3 as Precursors for CO Hydrogenation to Light Alkenes

Two K/Mn-MgO supported catalysts were prepared by Fe（CO）5 and Fe（NO3）3 as precursor respectively. The obtained Fe-K/Mn-MgO catalysts were tested for CO hydrogenation to light alkenes and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction （XRD）, X-ray photoelectron spectra （XPS）, H2 temperature-programmed reduction （H2-TPR）, H2 CO and CO2 temperature-programmed desorption （H2, CO/CO2-TPD） and transmission electron microscope （TEM） The results indicated that the catalyst with 10 wt% Fe loading prepared by Fe（CO）5 as precursor showed better performance in syngas to light alkenes than ones obtained from Fe（NO3）3 as precursor, where the CO conversion was 62.50% and the selectivity was 55.95% at 350 ℃, 1.5 MPa and 1000 h^-1, respectively.     

四-邻苯二甲酰亚胺甲基酞菁锌的两种合成方法比较

Molecular precursors phthalimidomethyl phthalic acid and phthalimidomethyl phthalonitrile were synthesized for the first time and both were able to condensation to form tetra-phthalimidomethyl phthalocyanine zinc through “ammomium molybdate method” and “DBU method ”respectively. The precursors and title compounds were char-acterized by element analysis, IR, UV/Vis as well as NMR. The two synthesis methods were compared, the result indicated that using the phthalimidomethyl phthalic acid as precursor through the former method, the product was an isomer with C_4h symmetry, while using phthalimidomethyl phthalonitrile as precursor through the latter method, the products were a mixture of different isomers.     

Preparation and Characterization of Poly（γ-glutamic acid） Hydrogels as Potential Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

In this paper, methacrylated γ-PGA（m PGA） precursor was synthesized via reaction between γ-PGA and glycidyl methacrylate（GMA）. Hydrogels from this precursor were prepared under 365 nm ultraviolet irradiation. The swelling behavior and mechanical properties were studied in detail as functions of the degree of substitution（DS）, precursor concentration, and environmental p H. Results showed that the crosslink density, swelling kinetics and mechanical properties of the hdyrogel could be tailored by adjusting the DS and concentration of the precursor as well as the environmental p H. Three-dimensional photo-encapsulation of swine cartilage chondrocytes and Live/Dead assay proved the cytocompatibility of the hydrogel.     

Preparation of Zeolite X Membranes on Porous Ceramic Substrates with Zeolite Seeds

Zeolite X membranes were investigated by in-situ hydrothermal synthesis on porous ceramic tubes precoated with zeolite X seeds or precursor amorphous aluminosilicate, and porous α-Al2O3 ceramic tubes with a pore size of 50-200 nm were employed as supports. Zeolite X crystals were synthesized by the classic method and mixed into deionized water as a slurry with a concentration of 0.2-0.5wt%, having a range of crystal sizes from 0.2 to 2μm. Crystal seeds were pressed into the pores near the inner surface of the ceramic tubes, and crystallization took place at 95℃ for 24-96 h. It was also investigated that Boehmite sol added with zeolite X seeds was precoated on ceramic supports to form a layer of r-Al2O3 by heating, and hydrothermal crystallization could then take place to prepare the zeolite membranes on the composite ceramic tubes. The crystal species were characterized by XRD, and the morphology of the supports subjected to crystallization was characterized by SEM. The composite zeolite membranes hav     

Maximum tensile properties of oriented polyethylene,achieved by uniaxial drawing of solution‐grown crystal mats: Effects of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution

The effects of molecular weight (MW) and MW distribution on the maximum tensile properties of polyethylene (PE), achieved by the uniaxial drawing of solution‐grown crystal (SGC) mats, were studied. The linear‐PE samples used had wide ranges of weight‐average (M_w = 1.5–65 × 10⁵) and number‐average MWs (M_n = 2.0–100 × 10⁴), and MW distribution (M_w/M_n = 2.3–14). The SGC mats of these samples were drawn by a two‐stage draw technique, which consists of a first‐stage solid‐state coextrusion followed by a second‐stage tensile drawing, under controlled conditions. The optimum temperature for the second‐stage draw and the resulting maximum‐achieved total draw ratio (DR_t) increased with the MW. For a given PE, both the tensile modulus and strength increased steadily with the DR_t and reached constant values that are characteristic for the sample MW. The tensile modulus at a given DR_t was not significantly affected by the MW in the lower DR_t range (DR_t < 50). However, both the maximum achieved tensile modulus (80–225 GPa) and strength (1.0–5.6 GPa), as well as those at higher DR_ts > 50, were significantly higher for a higher MW. Although the maximum modulus reached 225 ± 5 for M_n ≥ 4 × 10⁵, the maximum strength continued to increase with M_n even for M_n > 4 × 10⁵, showing that strength is more strongly dependent on the M_n, even at higher M_n. Furthermore, it was found that each of the maximum tensile modulus and strength achieved could be expressed by a unique function of the M_n, independently of the wide variations of the sample MW and MW distribution. These results provide an experimental evidence that the M_n has a crucial effect on the tensile properties of extremely drawn and chain‐extended PE fibers, because the structural continuity along the fiber axis increases with the chain length, and hence with the M_n. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 153–161, 2006     

Graphene Functionalized Graphite Electrode with Diphenylacetylene for Sensitive Electrochemical Determination of Adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate

In this paper a molecular wire modified carbon paste electrode (MW‐CPE) was firstly prepared by mixing graphite powder with diphenylacetylene (DPA). Then a graphene (GR) and chitosan (CTS) composite film was further modified on the surface of MW‐CPE to receive the graphene functionalized electrode (CTS‐GR/MW‐CPE), which was used for the sensitive electrochemical detection of adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP). The CTS‐GR/MW‐CPE exhibited excellent electrochemical performance and the electrochemical behavior of ATP on the CTS‐GR/MW‐CPE was carefully studied by cyclic voltammetry with an irreversible oxidation peak appearing at 1.369 V (vs. SCE). The electrochemical parameters such as charge transfer coefficient (α) and electrode reaction standard rate constant (k_s) were calculated with the results of 0.53 and 5.28×10^?6 s^?1, respectively. By using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) as detection technique, the oxidation peak current showed good linear relationship with ATP concentration in the range from 1.0 nM to 700.0 µM with a detection limit of 0.342 nM (3σ). The common coexisting substances, such as uric acid, ascorbic acid and guanosine‐5′‐triphosphate (GTP), showed no interferences and the modified electrode was successfully applied to injection sample detection.     

Ultraviolet Radiation in the Rhône River Lenses of Low Salinity and in Marine Waters of the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea: Attenuation and Effects on Bacterial Activities and Net Community Production

The high content in nutrients of freshwater outflows induces highly productive and buoyant plumes spreading over marine waters (MW). As a consequence, the growth of organisms developing in these low‐salinity waters (LSW) might be potentially affected by UV‐R (280–400 nm). This study investigated the penetration of UV‐R and its impact on net community production (NCP) and bacterial protein (B_PROTS) and DNA (B_DNAS) synthesis in mesotrophic‐LSW formed from the Rhône River and in oligotrophic MW of the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea (Gulf of Lions) in May 2006. High concentrations of chlorophyll a (up to 8 μg L^?1) measured in the LSW (<37.8 psu, 0–10 m) were the main factor influencing the diffuse attenuation coefficients (K_d) of both UV‐R and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). The mean ratio of the K_d measured between the LSW and the MW increased with wavelength from 2.4 at 305 nm to 2.9 at 380 nm and 3.1 for PAR indicating more similarity in the UV region. NCP was severely inhibited by UV‐R at the surface of the LSW, whereas no effect was measured in the surrounding MW. In contrast, B_PROTS and B_DNAS were affected deeper by UV‐R in the MW (up to 8 m depth) compared to the LSW where inhibition was only observed at the surface. Differences in response of bacteria in LSW and MW are largely explained by differences in UV‐R transparency; however, transplant experiments indicate that bacterial assemblages from the MW were also more sensitive to UV‐R than those present in the LSW. We also observed that higher activity of bacteria after nutrient additions increased their sensitivity to UV‐R during the day, but favored their recovery during the night incubation period for both LSW and MW. Results suggest that riverine and nutrient inputs may alter the effects of UV‐R on microbial activity by attenuating the UV‐R penetration and by modifying the physiology of bacteria.     

Silver Nanoparticles Supported on CeO2‐SBA‐15 by Microwave Irradiation Possess Metal–Support Interactions and Enhanced Catalytic Activity

Metal–support interactions (MSIs) and particle size play important roles in catalytic reactions. For the first time, silver nanoparticles supported on CeO₂‐SBA‐15 supports are reported that possess tunable particle size and MSIs, as prepared by microwave (MW) irradiation, owing to strong charge polarization of CeO₂ clusters (i.e., MW absorption). Characterizations, including TEM, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure, were carried out to disclose the influence of CeO₂ contents on the Ag particle size, MSI effect between Ag nanoparticles and CeO₂‐SBA‐15 supports, and the strong MW absorption of CeO₂ clusters that contribute to the MSIs during Ag deposition. The Ag particle sizes were controllably tuned from 1.9 to 3.9 nm by changing the loading amounts of CeO₂ from 0.5 to 2.0 wt %. The Ag nanoparticle size was predominantly responsible for the high turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.41 min^?1 in ammonia borane dehydrogenation, whereas both particle size and MSIs contributed to the high TOF of 555 min^?1 in 4‐nitrophenol reduction for Ag/0.5CeO₂‐SBA‐15, which were twice as large as those of Ag/SBA‐15 without CeO₂ and Ag/CeO₂‐SBA‐15 prepared by conventional oil‐bath heating.     

Synthesis,conformation transition,liquid crystal phase,and self‐assembled morphology of thermosensitive homopolypeptide

Thermosensitive diethylene glycol‐derived poly(L ‐glutamate) homopolypeptides (i.e., poly‐L ‐EG₂‐Glu) with different molecular weights (MW) (M_n,GPC = 5380–32520) were synthesized via the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of EG₂‐L ‐glutamate N‐carboxyanhydride (EG₂‐Glu‐NCA) in N,N‐dimethylformamide solution at 50 °C. Their molecular structure, conformation transition, liquid crystal (LC) phase behavior, lower critical solution temperature (LCST) transition, and morphology evolution were thoroughly characterized by means of FTIR, ¹H NMR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, wide angle X‐ray diffraction, polarized optical microscope, transmission electron microscope, and dynamic light scattering. In solid state, the homopolypeptide poly‐L ‐EG₂‐Glu presented a conformation transition from α‐helix to β‐sheet with increasing their MW at room temperature, while it mainly assumed an α‐helix of 80–86% in aqueous solution. Poly‐L ‐EG₂‐Glu showed a thermotropic LC phase with a transition temperature of about 100 °C in solid state, while it gave a reversible LCST transition of 34–36 °C in aqueous solution. The amphiphilic homopolypeptide poly‐L ‐EG₂‐Glu self‐assembled into nanostructures in aqueous solution, and their critical aggregation concentrations decreased with increasing MW. Interestingly, their morphology changed from spherical micelles to worm‐like micelles, then to fiber micelles with increasing MW. This work provides a simple method for the generation of different nanostructures from a thermosensitive biodegradable homopolypeptide. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Above,below, and in‐between the two glass transitions of ultrathin free‐standing polystyrene films: Thermal expansion coefficient and physical aging

In previous work we observed two simultaneous transitions in high molecular weight (MW) free‐standing polystyrene films that were interpreted as two thickness‐dependent reduced glass transition temperatures (T_gs). The weaker lower transition agreed well with the MW‐dependent T_g(h) previously reported, while the much stronger upper transition matched the MW‐independent T_g(h) previously observed in low‐MW free‐standing films. Here, we investigate the nature of these two transitions by inspecting the temperature dependence of the films' thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) and present physical aging measurements using ellipsometry both below and in‐between the two transitions. TCE values indicate approximately 80 to 90% of the film solidifies at the upper transition, while only 10 to 20% remains mobile to lower temperatures, freezing out at the lower transition. Physical aging is observed at a temperature below the upper transition, but above the lower transition, indicative of the upper transition being an actual glass transition associated with the α‐relaxation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 64–75     

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of HKUST‐1 and Functionalized HKUST‐1‐@H3PW12O40: Selective Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions in Water Analyzed with Synchrotron Radiation

A simple, rapid and efficient synthesis of the metal‐organic framework (MOF) HKUST‐1 [Cu₃(1,3,5‐benzene‐tri‐carboxilic‐acid)₂] by microwave irradiation is described, which afforded a homogeneous and highly selective material. The unusually short time to complete the synthesis by microwave irradiation is mainly attributable to rapid nucleation rather than to crystal growth rate. Using this method, HKUST‐1‐MW (MW=microwave) could be prepared within 20 min, whereas by hydrothermal synthesis, involving conventional heating, the preparation time is 8 h. Work efficiency was improved by the good performance of the obtained HKUST‐1‐MW which exhibited good selective adsorption of heavy metal ions, as well as a remarkably high adsorption affinity and adsorption capacity, but no adsorption of Hg²⁺ under the same experimental conditions. Of particular importance is the preservation of the structure after metal‐ion adsorption, which remained virtually intact, with only a few changes in X‐ray diffraction intensity and a moderate decline in surface area. Synthesis of the polyoxometalate‐containing HKUST‐1‐MW@H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ afforded a MOF with enhanced stability in water, due to the introduced Keggin‐type phosphotungstate, which systematically occluded in the cavities constituting the walls between the mesopores. Different Cu/W ratios were investigated according to the extrusion rate of cooper ions concentration, without significant structural changes after adsorption. The MOFs obtained feature particle sizes between 10–20 μm and their structures were determined using synchrotron‐based X‐ray diffraction. The results of this study can be considered important for potentially wider future applications of MOFs, especially to attend environmental issues.     

Determination of Molecular Weight of PDPS Modified Copolymers

Molecular weight (MW) determinations of polydiphenylsiloxane‐co‐polydimethylsiloxane (PDPS/PDMS), polydiphenylsiloxane‐co‐polymethylphenylsiloxane (PDPS/PMPS) and polydiphenylsiloxane‐co‐polymethyl(3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl)siloxane (PDPS/PMFPS) statistical copolymers by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), GPC coupled differential viscometer (GPC‐DV) and light scattering (LS) techniques have been compared and discussed. The MW obtained by GPC‐DV in the PDPS/PDMS and the PDPS/PMPS series agreed with that obtained by LS very well. In PDPS/PDMS copolymers, it was found that the MW obtained by GPC was much lower than that obtained by GPC‐DV and LS, as Ph₂SiO) content is higher than 50 mol%. In PDPS/PMFPS copolymers, the MW obtained by GPC was far different from that obtained by GPC‐DV and the deviation decreased with increasing Ph₂SiO) mol%. The α values of the copolymers can be explained by the structure of the polymer in tetrahydrofuran (THF). Based on the relatively soluble copolymers, not only the differential refractive index increments (dn/dc) of PMPS, PDMS and PMFPS homopolymers but also that of the PDPS homopolymer in THF could be calculated by their corresponding copolymers.     

A Solution‐Processed Air‐Stable Perylene Diimide Derivative for N‐type Organic Thin Film Transistors

For future all‐soluble organic thin film transistor (OTFT) applications, a new soluble n‐type air‐stable perylene diimide derivative semiconductor material with (trifluoromethyl)benzyl groups (TC–PDI–F) is synthesized. The film is formed by spin‐coating in air and optimized for OTFT fabrications. The transistor characteristics and air‐stability of the TC–PDI–F OTFTs is measured to investigate the feasibility of using solution‐processed TC–PDI–F for future OTFT applications. For all‐solution OTFT process applications, the transistor characteristics are demonstrated by using TC–PDI–F as an n‐type semiconductor material and liquid‐phase‐deposited SiO₂ (LPD–SiO₂) as a gate dielectric material. All processes (except material synthesis and electrode deposition) and electrical measurements are conducted in air.