Synthesis and free-radical polymerization of methyl α(p-substituted benzyl)acrylates

Methyl α-p-chlorobenzylacrylate and methyl α-p-methoxybenzylacrylate were synthesized from dimethylmalonate by well known organic reactions. Both monomers were polymerized by a free-radical mechanism in benzene and their ceiling temperature determined. Comparison of the ceiling temperatures with that of methyl α-benzylacrylate seems to indicate that the differences in entropic factor for the polymerization of methyl α(p-substituted benzyl)acrylates might be related to the differences in ceiling temperatures.     

Photoinduced cyclization of alkynoates to coumarins with N-Iodosuccinimide as a free-radical initiator under ambient and metal-free conditions

An efficient photoinduced strategy for the preparation of coumarins was developed. In the presence of N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) as a free-radical initiator and under LED (380–385?nm) irradiation and metal-free conditions, the reaction of alkynoates underwent smoothly to afford the corresponding coumarins in high yields at room temperature with broad substrate scope via free radical intramolecular cyclization and ester rearrangement.     

Ageing of plasticized poly(lactic acid)/poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) blend films under artificial UV irradiation and under real agricultural conditions during their application as mulches

The paper is aimed on the investigation of natural ageing of plasticized poly(lactic acid)/poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) PLA/PHB blend films during their one-season application as mulches under real field conditions in the western part of Slovakia. Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) was used as the plasticizer. The analysis was performed on three differently exposed parts of the foil: i) buried in soil, ii) exposed to sunlight, and iii) shadowed by plants. In parallel, UV irradiation of the blend under laboratory controlled conditions (constant temperature of 30°C and relative humidity of 55 %) was carried out. The degradation effect was followed by changes in the molar mass, chemical and crystalline structures, as well as in thermal and mechanical properties. The ternary PLA/PHB/ATBC blend lost its tensile properties faster when buried in soil than when exposed to sunlight. This result is in agreement with the data obtained for the UV-irradiated materials. Young’s modulus values showed a significant mechanical degradation under the UV irradiation as well as during natural ageing. The study was also focused on the influence of mulches on the yield and quality of sweet pepper production, characterized by carotenoids and vitamin C content.     

Incorporation of Titanium(IV) into Sterically Hindered Schiff Bases of Heterocyclic β -Diketones Involving Ketooximes and Glycol as Coligands: Preparation and Structural Considerations

Titanium(IV) complexes of the general formula TiL(OPr ⁱ )₂ [where LH₂ = R CH₃ where R = ─C₆H₅, ─C₆H₄Cl(p)] were prepared by the interaction of titanium isopropoxide with sterically hindered Schiff bases derived from heterocyclic β -diketones in 1:1 molar ratio in dry benzene. The complexes TiL(OPr ⁱ )₂ were used as versatile precursors for the synthesis of other titanium(IV) complexes. Titanium(IV) complexes of the type TiLL'(OPr ⁱ ) (where L'H═R¹R²C═NOH, R¹ = R² = ─CH₃; R¹ = ─CH₃,R² = ─C₆H₅; R¹ = ─COC₆H₅, R² = ─C₆H₅) were synthesized by the reaction of TiL(OPr ⁱ )₂ with ketooximes (L'H) in equimolar ratio in dry benzene. Another type of titanium(IV) complexes having the general formula TiLGH(OPr ⁱ ) (where GH₂═HO─G─OH, G = ─CH₂─CH₂─) have been prepared by the reaction of TiL(OPr ⁱ )₂ with glycol in 1:1 molar ratio in dry benzene. Plausible structures of these new titanium(IV) complexes have been proposed on the basis of analytical data, molecular weight measurements, and spectral studies.     

Formation, structure, and reactivities of 1:1 adducts between quadricyclane and (η-cyclopentadienyl)(1,2-diphenyl- or -dimethoxycarbonyl-1,2-ethenedithiolato)rhodium(III)

The rhodiadithiolene complexes [Rh(Cp)(S₂C₂Z₂)] (Z=Ph (1a) and COOMe (1b)) reacted with quadricyclane (Q) to give 1:1 adducts [Rh(Cp)(S₂C₂Z₂) (C₇H₈)] (Z=Ph (2a) and COOMe (2b)) in which Rh and S of the complexes are bridged by C(7) (bridge carbons) and C(5) (edge carbons) of norbornene (C₇H₈), respectively. The structure of the adduct 2a was re-investigated and determined by X-ray structural analysis. The rhodiadithiolene complexes and those adducts showed the catalytic activities for the thermal isomerization from Q to norbornadiene (NBD). Adduct 2a photochemically dissociated to give the original complex 1a and NBD upon irradiation with a high-pressure mercury lamp. Skeletal rearrangements of the hydrocarbon moiety were confirmed in the formation of these adducts and in their photo-dissociation, according to deuterium labeling experiments.     

Liquid chromatographic analysis of Hg(II) binding by thiol-rich peptides using both UV–vis and electrochemical detection

An existing method for HPLC determination of thiol-containing peptides has been successfully adapted to the analysis of mixtures of glutathione (GSH) and some related peptides with their Hg(II) complexes as a first approach to the study of phytochelatin extracts. The separation was achieved in a C18 column with a mobile phase of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and 0.1% TFA/acetonitrile. Non-derivative UV–vis detection at 202 nm used in the original method has been complemented with amperometric detection at 1.2 V on glassy carbon electrode. Two different Hg(II)–GSH complexes were observed by both detection modes and confirmed by mass spectrometry.     

Speciation Analysis of Osmium(VIII) and Osmium(IV) by UV‐VIS Spectrophotometry Using Quercetin as the Reagent

Abstract

The UV‐VIS spectrophotometric methods for the determination of Os(VIII) (as OsO₄) and Os(IV) (as OsCl₆ ^2? complex) in their mixtures were developed. Quercetin (Q), a flavonoid compound, was used as a chromogenic reagent. Both direct and derivative spectrophotometry can be employed for the determination of Os(VIII). The calculation of the first‐derivative spectrum of the examined mixture and the use of the signal at 285.1 nm allows reaching a better detection limit (0.01 µg mL^?1 Os) as compared with direct spectrophotometry (0.1 µg mL^?1 Os). Relative standard deviations of the results are in the range of 0.87%–4.65% and 0.45%–1.15% for direct and derivative mode, respectively. Selective redox reaction of OsO₄ with Q under the conditions used (0.05 M HCl, 1×10^?4 M Q, 15 min heating at 70°C) makes the basis of its determination in mixtures with the OsCl₆ ^2? complex. Quercetin does not react with the OsCl₆ ^2? complex. The signals of the OsCl₆ ^2? complex can be isolated from the examined mixtures by the calculation of the third‐order derivative spectra and the use of the values at 340.0 nm. The effectiveness of the reduction of OsO₄ in chloride solutions has been studied by the developed method.     

The Influence of β-Diketones on the Hydrolysis and Growth of Particles from Zirconium(IV) n-Propoxide

The influence of low ligand/Zr mole ratios ( = 0–0.1) on the hydrolysis and growth of oligomers from Zr(O ⁿ Pr)₄ modified with a series of -diketones (trifluoroacetylacetone, hexafluoroacetylacetone, benzoylacetone, dibenzoylmethane and dipivaloylmethane), and their subsequent aggregation to form uniform, dense spheres, has been investigated by light scattering and turbidometry. The addition of -diketones results in a large increase in the induction time, t _i (reduction in hydrolysis/condensation rates). A remarkable feature of the data is the dramatic reductions in rate observed even when a maximum of one in forty Zr–OR bonds have been replaced by the -diketone and are no longer available for hydrolysis or further condensation. The largest effect is observed with dibenzoylmethane, which increases t _i by a factor of 26 relative to acetylacetone.A mechanism rationalising the origin of the effect is discussed, which involves segregation of the -diketone ligands on the surface of the growing particle, with subsequent particle growth restricted to those sites not occupied by the chelating ligands.     

Phase behaviour of a thermotropic cubic mesogen of 1,2-bis(4′-n-hexyloxybenzoyl)hydrazine under pressure

The phase behaviour of the thermotropic cubic mesogen 1,2-bis(4′-n-hexyloxybenzoyl)hydrazine [BABH(6)] was investigated under pressure up to about 55 MPa using a polarising optical microscope equipped with a high-pressure optical cell. BABH(6) shows the crystal (Cr)–cubic (Cub)–isotropic liquid (I) phase transition at ambient pressure on heating. The smectic C (SmC) phase was induced above 32 MPa, showing the unusual phase sequence of Cr–Cub–SmC–I, similar to those in BABH(n) (n = 8–10). The boundary between the Cub and SmC phases exhibited a negative slope dT/dP of about –1.0 ºC MPa^?1.     

Synthesis and characterization of binuclear μ-oxalato nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with 3,3′-diamino-N-methyl-dipropylamine or trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane

New binuclear complexes of the type [(Ni(Medpt)NO₃)₂ox] (1) (Medpt=3,3′-diamino-N-methyl-dipropylamine, H₂ox=oxalic acid), [(Ni(dach)₂)₂ox]NO₃·2H₂O (2) (dach=trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane), [(Cu(Medpt))₂ox]X₂·yH₂O (X=NO₃, y=2 2/3 (3); X=ClO₄, y=0 (4)) and [(Zn(dach)₂)₂ox](ClO₄)₂·2H₂O (5) have been prepared and characterized by IR and UV–Vis spectroscopies. Spectroscopic data are consistent with oxalate-bridged structures between six-coordinated (N₃O₃ or N₄O₂) Ni(II) (compounds 1 or 2), five-coordinated (N₃O₂) Cu(II) (compounds 3 and 4) or six-coordinated (N₄O₂) Zn(II) (compound 5). The crystal structure of [(Cu(Medpt))₂ox](NO₃)₂·2 2/3 H₂O (3) has been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The structure of (3) consists of centrosymmetric binuclear cations [(Medpt)Cu(ox)Cu(Medpt)]²⁺, nitrate anions and water molecules of crystallization. The copper atom is five-coordinated by two oxalate–oxygen and three Medpt–nitrogen atoms, in a hybrid arrangement between trigonal–bipyramidal and square–pyramidal. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility (1.8–300 K) was measured for compounds 1–4. Magnetochemical measurements show that Ni(II) complexes are antiferromagnetically coupled, J=−29.4 (1) and −32.7 cm⁻¹ (2) (H=−JS₁S₂) while the Cu(II) complexes present a very weak coupling, J=−2.6 (3) and +1.9 cm⁻¹ (4), being antiferro- and ferromagnetic in nature.     

Synthesis and equilibrium binding studies of cationic, two-coordinate gold(I) π-alkyne complexes

Reaction of a 1:1 mixture of (L)AuCl [L = P(t-Bu)₂o-biphenyl or IPr] and AgSbF₆ with internal alkynes led to isolation of the corresponding cationic, two-coordinate gold π-alkyne complexes in ≥ 90% yield. Equilibrium binding studies show that the binding affinities of alkynes to gold(I) are strongly affected by the electron density of the alkyne and to a lesser extent on the steric bulk of the alkyne. These substituent effects on alkyne binding affinity are greater than are the differences between the inherent binding affinities of alkynes and alkenes to gold(I).     

Spectrophotometric determination of cationic surfactants by formation of ternary complexes with Fe(Ⅲ) and chrome azurol S

An extraction-free spectrophotometric method for the determination of cationic surfactants, such as cetylpyridinium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and zephiramine is proposed, which is based on the formation of ternary complexes with Fe(Ⅲ) and chrome azurol S. The molar ratio of the complex is 2:1:1 (Fe(Ⅲ):chrome azurol S:cationic surfactant). The method is simple, rapid and sensitive, giving an apparent molar absorptivity of 4.5×104 L.mol-1.cm-1 and a linear range of 0.1-6.0 umol/L cationic surfactants. The total cationic surfactant content can be determined directly in aqueous solutions by measuring the absorbance at 680 nm (pH 5.8). The method has been successfully applied to water samples.     

A total synthesis of (±)-α-cyclopiazonic acid using a cationic cascade as a key step

The indole alkaloid α-cyclopiazonic acid 1 has been synthesised by a route, which features at its core an acid-catalysed cationic cascade cyclisation terminated by a sulfonamide group.     

Structures and dynamic solution behavior of cationic, two-coordinate gold(I)-π-allene complexes

A family of seven cationic gold complexes that contain both an alkyl substituted π-allene ligand and an electron-rich, sterically hindered supporting ligand was isolated in >90% yield and characterized by spectroscopy and, in three cases, by X-ray crystallography. Solution-phase and solid-state analysis of these complexes established preferential binding of gold to the less substituted C=C bond of the allene and to the allene π face trans to the substituent on the uncomplexed allenyl C=C bond. Kinetic analysis of intermolecular allene exchange established two-term rate laws of the form rate=k(1)[complex]+k(2)[complex][allene] consistent with allene-independent and allene-dependent exchange pathways with energy barriers of ΔG(≠)(1)=17.4-18.8 and ΔG(≠)(2)=15.2-17.6 kcal mol(-1), respectively. Variable temperature (VT) NMR analysis revealed fluxional behavior consistent with facile (ΔG(≠)=8.9-11.4 kcal mol(-1)) intramolecular exchange of the allene π faces through η(1)-allene transition states and/or intermediates that retain a staggered arrangement of the allene substituents. VT NMR/spin saturation transfer analysis of [{P(tBu)(2)o-binaphthyl}Au(η(2)-4,5-nonadiene)](+)SbF(6)(-) (5), which contains elements of chirality in both the phosphine and allene ligands, revealed no epimerization of the allene ligand below the threshold for intermolecular allene exchange (ΔG(≠)(298K)=17.4 kcal mol(-1)), which ruled out the participation of a η(1)-allylic cation species in the low-energy π-face exchange process for this complex.     

Interactions of cadmium(II) ions with adenosine as well as adenosine-5′-monophosphate and diamine or triamines in the ternary systems

The mode of coordination in complexes formed in the systems Cd(II)/Ado/di- or triamine and Cd(II)/AMP/di- or triamine has been established on the basis of the equilibrium and spectral investigation. The overall stability constants (log?β) and equilibrium constants of formation (log?K _e) of the complexes formed in the above systems have been determined. In the species, the main interaction centres are the nitrogen atoms N(1) or N(7) of the purine ring of Ado and AMP, while in the nucleotide also the oxygen atoms of the phosphate group and donor nitrogen atoms of the polyamine (PA) molecule. The effect of polyamine on the coordination dichotomy has been ascertained. For example, the presence of polyamine in the ternary system is responsible for involvement of only N(7) of the nucleoside in the metallation in Cd(Ado)H(Put), while in the binary system Cd(II)/Ado, the N(1)/N(7) dichotomy occurs in the whole pH range studied. Polyamine can also affect the character of the phosphate group of the nucleotide. The phosphate group, inactive in the binary system Cd(II)/AMP, after introduction of the polyamine becomes engaged in the interactions, e.g. in the complex Cd(AMP)H(dien). In Cd(AMP)H(en) and Cd(AMP)H(Put) no participation of the oxygen atom of the phosphate group has been found. This group is involved in weak interactions with a protonated amine group PA located in the outer coordination sphere. On the other hand, in the Cd(AMP)H(3,3-tri) complex the phosphate group is the only site of Cd(II) bonding. In this species the donor nitrogen atoms N(1) and N(7) of the nucleotide are outside the inner coordination sphere and involved in noncovalent interactions with protonated amine group from 3,3-tri.     

Direct TLC Resolution of (±)-Ketamine and (±)-Lisinopril by Use of (+)-Tartaric Acid or (−)-Mandelic Acid as Impregnating Reagents or Mobile Phase Additives. Isolation of the Enantiomers

Direct resolution of the enantiomers of the racemic drugs ketamine and lisinopril has been achieved by TLC. Enantiomerically pure tartaric acid and mandelic acid were used as chiral impregnating reagents and as mobile phase additives. When (?)-mandelic acid was used as chiral impregnating reagent use of ethyl acetate–methanol–water 3:1:1 (v/v) as mobile phase enabled successful resolution of the enantiomers of both compounds. For lisinopril, the mobile phase acetonitrile–methanol–water–dichloromethane 7:1:1:0.5 (v/v) was successful when (+)-tartaric acid was used as impregnating agent. When (+)-tartaric acid was used as mobile phase additive the mobile phase acetonitrile–methanol–(+)-tartaric acid (0.5% in water, pH 5)–glacial acetic acid 7:1:1.1:0.7 (v/v) enabled successful resolution of the enantiomers of lisinopril. The effects on resolution of temperature, pH, and the amount of chiral selector were also studied. The separated enantiomers were isolated and identified. Spots were detected with iodine vapour. LODs were 0.25 and 0.27 μg for each enantiomer of ketamine with (+)-tartaric acid and (?)-mandelic acid, respectively, whereas for lisinopril LODs were 0.14 and 0.16 μg for each enantiomer with (+)-tartaric acid (both conditions) and (?)-mandelic acid, respectively.     

Facile Synthesis of Metal–Organic Framework (ZIF-11) and Ag NPs Encapsulated-ZIF-11 Composite as an Effective Heterogeneous Catalyst for Photodegradation of Methylene Blue

Facile synthesis of metal–organic framework based on zeolitic imidazolate (ZIF-11) has been optimized to get a material with rho topology. For the first time AgNPs in various dosing amounts (using 150, 300 and 500 μL of its suspension in methanol) have been successfully encapsulated within ZIF-11 matrix at room temperature using binary solvent (methanol and toluene) yielding novel multi-core-shell AgNPs@ZIF-11 (AZ1, AZ2 and AZ3) composites. Encapsulation of AgNPs (particle size: 11.76 ± 2.3 nm) has been confirmed by TEM and ultraviolet diffuse reflectance spectroscopic (UV-DRS) analysis. The lowering of band gap of ZIF-11 from 4.36 to 4.21 eV indicates the micro-environment of AgNPs within ZIF-11 framework, which has also been ensured by XPS analysis. ZIF-11 and AgNPs@ZIF-11 composites are highly stable up to 500 °C under air and N₂ atmosphere. It has been found that AZ1 composite exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity (almost 100% degradation) toward MB (1.6 mg/L) at pH ≥ 8. Further, various factors such as loading amount of AgNPs (150, 300 and 500 μL suspension in methanol), amount of catalysts (5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg) and concentration (1.6 mg L⁻¹, 3.19 mg L⁻¹ and 6.38 mg L⁻¹) of methylene blue (MB) dye during photodegradation experiments have been investigated. The capacious achievement of AZ1 composite is its reusability and recyclability; it can be reutilized up to three cycles with the same efficiency (100%) while under fourth and fifth cycle, it can degrade off 92.12% and 72.75% MB, respectively. AgNPs may act as a mediator to promote the quick transfer of photo-induced electrons and electron–hole pairs separation in ZIF-11. This work opens a new type of easily fabricated core-shell composites utilizing ZIF-11 for wastewater remediation process.