Modification of Montmorillonite through Intercalative Polymerization

Montmorillonite(MMT) was modified through intercalative polymerization of phenol and formaldehyde catalyzed by oxalic acid.The modified montmorillonite was delaminated at large,as demonstrated by XRD and TEM studies,It can disperse easily in epoxy resion to from exfoliated nanocomposites.The nanoscale silicate platelets dispersed in water can be metallized by silver deposition.     

Catalytically Active Hollow Fiber Membranes with Enzyme-Embedded Metal–Organic Framework Coating

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are suitable enzyme immobilization matrices. Reported here is the in situ biomineralization of glucose oxidase (GOD) into MOF crystals (ZIF-8) by interfacial crystallization. This method is effective for the selective coating of porous polyethersulfone microfiltration hollow fibers on the shell side in a straightforward one-step process. MOF layers with a thickness of 8 μm were synthesized, and fluorescence microscopy and a colorimetric protein assay revealed the successful inclusion of GOD into the ZIF-8 layer with an enzyme concentration of 29±3 μg cm⁻². Enzymatic activity tests revealed that 50 % of the enzyme activity is preserved. Continuous enzymatic reactions, by the permeation of β-d -glucose through the GOD@ZIF-8 membranes, showed a 50 % increased activity compared to batch experiments, emphasizing the importance of the convective transport of educts and products to and from the enzymatic active centers.     

Catalytically Active Peptide–Gold Nanoparticle Conjugates: Prospecting for Artificial Enzymes

The self-assembly of peptides onto the surface of gold nanoparticles has emerged as a promising strategy towards the creation of artificial enzymes. The resulting high local peptide density surrounding the nanoparticle leads to cooperative and synergistic effects, which result in rate accelerations and distinct catalytic properties compared to the unconjugated peptide. This Minireview summarizes contributions to and progress made in the field of catalytically active peptide–gold nanoparticle conjugates. The origin of distinct properties, as well as potential applications, are also discussed.     

1-Hexene Polymerization on a Highly Active Titanium–Magnesium Catalyst

Kinetics and Catalysis - The review summarizes the results obtained by the authors in a study of the polymerization of 1?hexene on a supported titanium–magnesium catalyst. The effects...     

A New Protocol to Generate Catalytically Active Species of Group 4–6 Metals by Organosilicon-Based Salt-Free Reductants

Herein, we provide a new protocol to reduce various transition-metal complexes by using organosilicon compounds in a salt-free fashion with the great advantage of generating pure low-valent metal species and metallic(0) nanoparticles, in sharp contrast to reductant-derived salt contaminants obtained by reduction with metal reductants. The organosilicon derivatives 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-2,5-cyclohexadiene ( 1 a ), 1-methyl-3,6-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,4-cyclohexadiene ( 1 b ), 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,4-diaza-2,5-cyclohexadiene ( 2 a ), 2,5-dimethyl-1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,4-diaza-2,5-cyclohexadiene ( 2 b ), 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,4-diaza-2,5-cyclohexadiene ( 2 c ), and 1,1′-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1H,1′H-4,4′-bipyridinylidene ( 3 ) all served as versatile reductants for early transition-metal complexes and produced only easy-to-remove organic compounds, such as trimethylsilylated compounds and the corresponding aromatics, for example, benzene, toluene, pyrazine, and 4,4′-bipyridyl, as the byproducts. The high solubility of the reductants in organic solvents enabled us to monitor the catalytic reactions directly and to detect any catalytically active species so that we could elucidate the reaction mechanism.     

Hydrogen Evolution on Catalytically Active Electrodeposited Ni–Re Alloy: Electrochemical Impedance Study

Hydrogen evolution reaction on the catalytically active Ni–Re alloy is studied by the method of electrochemical impedance. The alloy was fabricated by the electrodeposition from the ammonium—citrate solutions. The experiments were performed in the 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution. Based on the analysis of equivalent circuits, it is found that the absorption of hydrogen atoms on the Ni–Re cathode is controlled by diffusion. The parameters of structural elements of equivalent electric circuits are calculated, and the effect of cathodic overpotential on these parameters is analyzed.     

A Photoactivated Cu–CeO2 Catalyst with Cu-[O]-Ce Active Species Designed through MOF Crystal Engineering

Fully utilizing solar energy for catalysis requires the integration of conversion mechanisms and therefore delicate design of catalyst structures and active species. Herein, a MOF crystal engineering method was developed to controllably synthesize a copper–ceria catalyst with well-dispersed photoactive Cu-[O]-Ce species. Using the preferential oxidation of CO as a model reaction, the catalyst showed remarkably efficient and stable photoactivated catalysis, which found practical application in feed gas treatment for fuel cell gas supply. The coexistence of photochemistry and thermochemistry effects contributes to the high efficiency. Our results demonstrate a catalyst design approach with atomic or molecular precision and a combinatorial photoactivation strategy for solar energy conversion.     

Highly Active Heterogeneous PdCl2/MOF Catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reactions of Aryl Chloride

The exploration of highly efficient Pd/MOF heterogeneous catalyst system for the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling (SMC) reactions of aryl chlorides is still challenging. Herein, a PdCl₂/UiO-67-bpydc was successfully synthesized by immobilizing a low amount of PdCl₂ onto the zirconium-based MOF (UiO-67-bpydc). PdCl₂/UiO-67-bpydc showed excellent catalytic performance and good recycle ability for the SMC reaction of aryl chlorides under an ambient condition. Furthermore, PdCl₂/UiO-67-bpydc retains the high catalytic activity even after five cycles, and exhibited excellent substrate size selectivity.     

Gas–Solid Heterogeneous Postsynthetic Modification of Imine-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks

The copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reaction is among the most extensively used strategies for the post-polymerization modification of COFs. This work shows a new procedure for the postsynthetic functionalization of imine-based COFs by using a heterogeneous solid–gas reaction between alkyne-functionalized COFs and azides in the absence of a copper catalyst. This new alternative represents a step forward towards a greener postsynthetic modification of COFs opening a high potential for the development of new applications.     

Rhodium–Iodide Complex on a Catalytically Active SiO2 Surface for One-Pot Hydrosilylation–CO2 Cycloaddition

In this study, a novel Rh–iodide complex was synthesized through a surface reaction between an immobilized Rh cyclooctadiene complex and alkylammonium iodide (N⁺I⁻) on SiO₂. In the presence of ammonium cations, the SiO₂-supported Rh–iodide complex could be effectively used for the one-pot synthesis of various silylcarbonate derivatives starting from epoxy olefins, hydrosilanes, and CO₂. The maximum turnover numbers (TONs) for the hydrosilylation reaction and the CO₂ cycloaddition were 7600 (Rh) and 130 (N⁺I⁻), respectively. The catalyst exhibited much higher performance for hydrosilylation than solely the Rh complex on SiO₂. The mechanism of the Rh-catalyzed hydrosilylation reaction and the local structure of Rh, which is affected by the co-immobilized N⁺I⁻, were investigated by using Rh and I K-edge XAFS and XPS. Analysis of the XAFS profiles indicated the presence of a Rh−I bond. The Rh unit was in its electron-rich state. Curve-fitting analysis of the Rh K-edge EXAFS profiles suggests dissociation of the cycloocta-1,5-diene (COD) ligand from the Rh center. Results from spectroscopic and kinetic analyses revealed that the high activity of the catalyst (during hydrosilylation) could be attributed to a decrease in steric hindrance and the electron-rich state of the Rh. The decrease in the steric hindrance could be attributed to the absence of COD, and the electron-rich state promoted the oxidative addition of Si−H. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a one-pot silylcarbonate synthesis as well as a determination of a novel surface Rh–iodide complex and its catalysis.     

Microscopic and Mesoscopic Dual Postsynthetic Modifications of Metal–Organic Frameworks

We report the dual postsynthetic modification (PSM) of a metal–organic framework (MOF) involving the microscopic conversion of C−H bonds into C−C bonds and the mesoscopic introduction of hierarchical porosity. MOF crystals underwent single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations during the electrophilic aromatic substitution of Co₂(m-DOBDC) (m-DOBDC⁴⁻=4,6-dioxo-1,3-benzenedicarboxylate) with alkyl halides and formaldehyde. The steric hindrance caused by the proximity of the introduced functional groups to the coordination bonds reduced bond stability and facilitated the transformation into hierarchically porous mesostructures by etching with in situ generated protons (hydroniums) and halides. The numerous defect sites in the mesostructural MOFs are potential water-sorption sites. However, since the introduced functional groups are close to the main adsorption sites, even methyl groups are able to considerably decrease water adsorption, whereas hydroxy groups increase adsorption at low vapor pressures.     

Copper-Catalyzed Si-H Bond Insertion Polymerization for Synthesis of Optically Active Polyesters Containing Silicon

The synthesis and characterization of chiral polymers with diverse structure remain a long-term challenging research topic.Herein,a copper-catalyzed enantioselective insertion of carbene into Si-H bond was applied to polycondensation,giving a new type of optically active degradable polyesters containing Si-C bond in the main chain.The polymerization features mild condition,broad substrate scope,excellent yields and enantioselectivities.Chiral diols could be obtained via reduction of optically active polyesters.Thermogravimetric analysis indicated these chiral polyesters exhibit good thermal stability.     

Reversible Postsynthetic Modification in a Metal–Organic Framework

Postsynthetic modification (PSM) of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) provides access to functional materials and advanced porous solid engineering. Herein, we report the reversible PSM of a multivariate isoreticular MOF by applying dynamic furan-maleimide Diels–Alder (DA) chemistry. The key step involves incorporating a furan group into the MOF via “click” PSM, which can then undergo repeated cycles of modification and de-modification with maleimides. The structural integrity, crystallinity, and porosity of the furan-appended MOF remained intact even after three consecutive PSM/de-modification cycles using three different functionalized maleimides.     

Excited Donor–Acceptor Complexes in the Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers

Butyl methacrylate was found to affect the composition of radical intermediates formed in the photoreduction of benzophenone with triethylamine. In the presence of the monomer, the yield of free radicals decreased and the yield of complexes of the geminate radical pair increased. This was explained by the formation of excited ternary complexes resulted from the interaction of the excited triplet state of benzophenone with the ground-state complex of butyl methacrylate and triethylamine. The substituent effect in benzophenone on the stability of the radical complex was studied. The reaction rate constant for the decay of the radical complex was correlated with the Hammett ⁰ _c constant that determines the mesomeric effect of the substituent.     

Low-Pressure Plasma Polymerization of Acetylene–Ammonia Mixtures for Biomedical Applications

Past research in this laboratory has focused on the deposition of nitrogen- (N)-rich thin organic coatings for biomedical applications; among usual fabrication methods are plasma polymerization (PP) at low- (“L”) or atmospheric- (high-, “H”)-pressure. In the “L” case, ethylene (“E”, C₂H₄)/ammonia (NH₃) feed-gas mixtures with different flow ratios, R, are used, by which the nitrogen- and primary amine concentrations, [N] and [–NH₂], respectively, can be reproducibly controlled. The generic symbol we use for that family of deposits is L-PPE:N. In the present research, we used acetylene (“A”, C₂H₂) as the hydrocarbon feed, because our earlier experience with “H”-type materials (H-PPE:N and H-PPA:N) revealed striking differences in physico-chemical (e.g. [N] and [–NH₂], and solubility) characteristics, which are important for applications. We now find that such differences also exist between the L-PPA:N and L-PPE:N families of coatings. This is attributed to the fundamentally different bonding structures of “A” and “E”, namely CH≡CH and CH₂=CH₂; the former leads to more highly cross-linked, [NH₂]-leaner deposits, as was also noted for the “H”-type deposits mentioned above.     

Reversible Addition–Fragmentation Chain‐Transfer Polymerization of Octadecyl Acrylate

Abstract

Polymerization of octadecyl acrylate (ODA) was carried out in benzene solution using the 2‐cyanoprop‐2‐yl dithiobenzoate (CPDB) as the reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) agent and AIBN as the initiator. The results show the obtained polymer with controlled molecular weight and low PDI value. The relationships between both of the ln([M ₀]/[M]) vs. reaction time and molecular weight vs. conversion showed a straight line. The block copolymer of ODA and styrene (PODA‐b‐PSt) obtained using poly(octadecyl acrylate) (PODA) as a macro‐RAFT agent. The polymers were characterized by ¹H NMR, DSC, and gel permeation chromatograph (GPC). The effect of molar ratio [CPDB]:[AIBN] and reaction temperature on polymerization was investigated.     

Post-synthetic Modification of Covalent Organic Frameworks through in situ Polymerization of Aniline for Enhanced Capacitive Energy Storage

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) having layered architecture with open nanochannels and high specific surface area are promising candidates for energy storage. However, the low electrical conductivity of two-dimensional COFs often limits their scope in energy storage applications. The conductivity of COFs can be enhanced through post-synthetic modification with conducting polymers. Herein, we developed polyaniline (PANI) modified triazine-based COFs via in situ polymerization of aniline within the porous frameworks. The composite materials showed high conductivity of 1.4–1.9×10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at room temperature with a 20-fold enhancement of the specific capacitance than the pristine frameworks. The fabricated supercapacitor exhibited a high energy density of 24.4 W h kg⁻¹ and a power density of 200 W kg⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹ current density. Moreover, the device fabricated using the conducting polymer-triazine COF composite could light up a green light-emitting diode for 1 min after being charged for 10 s.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Star-branched Polyisobutylene by Combination of Anionic Polymerization and Cationic Polymerization

The construction of polymer materials with controlled compositions, topologies, and functionalities has been the enduring focus in current research1,2. Among them, star polymers have been extensively studied for a long time, due to their markedly lower so…     

Kinetics of D,L–Lactide Polymerization Initiated with Zirconium Acetylacetonate

The kinetic of D,L-lactide polymerization in presence of biocompatible zirconium acetylacetonate initiator was studied by differential scanning calorimetry in isothermal mode at various temperatures and initiator concentrations. The enthalpy of D,L-lactide polymerization measured directly in DSC cell was found to be ΔH=−17.8±1.4 kJ mol⁻¹. Kinetic curves of D,L-lactide polymerization and propagation rate constants were determined for polymerization with zirconium acetylacetonate at concentrations of 250–1000 ppm and temperature of 160–220 °C. Using model or reversible polymerization the following kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were calculated: activation energy E_a=44.51±5.35 kJ mol⁻¹, preexponential constant lnA=15.47±1.38, entropy of polymerization ΔS=−25.14 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. The effect of reaction conditions on the molecular weight of poly(D,L-lactide) was shown.     

Synthesis of N-aryl-d-glucosamines through copper-catalyzed C–N coupling

A catalytic protocol was developed to synthesize N-aryl-d-glucosamines from the corresponding aryl halides. Cross-coupling of 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-β-d-glucosamine with aryl iodides or bromides was catalyzed with copper. Subsequent deprotection of the benzyl group gave the arylation product N-aryl-d-glucosamines.