Slow Down Dewetting in Polymer Films by Isocyanate-treated Graphite Oxide

Isocyanate-treated graphite oxides(i GOs) were well-dispersed into the polystyrene(PS) thin films and formed a novel network structure. With control in fabrication, an i GOs-web layer was horizontally embedded near the surface of the films and thus formed a composite slightly doped by i GOs. This work demonstrated that the i GOs network can remarkably depress the dewetting process in the polymer matrix of the composite, while dewetting often leads to rupture of polymer films and is considered as a major practical limit in using polymeric materials above their glass transition temperatures(Tg). Via annealing the 50–120 nm thick composite and associated neat PS films at temperatures ranging from 35 °C to 70 °C above Tg, surface morphology evolution of the films was monitored by atomic force microscopy(AFM). The i GOs-doped PS exhibited excellent thermal stability, i.e., the number of dewetting holes was greatly reduced and the long-term hole growth was fairly restricted. In contrast, the neat PS film showed serious surface fluctuation and a final rupture induced by ordinary dewetting. The method developed in this work may pave a road to reinforce thin polymer films and enhance their thermal stability, in order to meet requirements by technological advances.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetra</Emphasis>-EDOT substituted 3D electrochromic polymers with lower band gaps

A couple of novel electrochromic materials poly(2,3,4,5-tetrakis(2,3-hydrothieno[3,4-b]dixin-5-yl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrrole) (P(t-EDOT-mPy)) and poly(5,5′,5′′,5′′′-(thiophene-2,3,4,5-tetrayl)tetrakis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxine)) (P(t-EDOT-Th)) are electrodeposited via multi-position polymerization of their tetra-EDOT substituted monomers t-EDOT-mPy and t-EDOT-Th, respectively. Compared with the linear 2D structured poly(thiophene) (E _g=2.2 eV) and poly(2,5-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)thiophene) (E _g=1.7 eV), P(t-EDOT-Th) (E _g=1.62 eV) has the lowest band gap. Hence, we speculate that the band gaps of the two polymers, having 3D structures, are decreased in contrast to non-substituted polymers or bi-EDOT substituted polymers, thiophene and 1-methyl-1H-pyrrole. The results indicated that P(t-EDOT-Th) thin films are more stable and show higher transmittance amid two polymers, which may find their utilization in organic optoelectronics.     

Secondary self-assembly behaviors of PEO-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-P<Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>BA-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-PS triblock terpolymers in solution

A series of PEO₄₅-b-PtBA₅₃-b-PS _x (x = 42, 84, 165) triblock terpolymers were synthesized by the atom transfer radical polymerization and characterized by size exclusion chromatography and ¹H NMR. Their self-assemblies were conducted by a two-step hierarchical self-assembly method and a one-step dialysis method and the self-assembly behaviors were investigated. The morphologies, sizes, and size distributions of micelles produced by the self-assembly were determined by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The secondary self-assembled structure of PEO₄₅-b-PtBA₅₃-b-PS _x obtained by the two-step hierarchical self-assembly could be controlled by tuning the length of PS block, the core forming block. The micelles were uniform with diameters of 20–25 nm and their size distributions, except for that of PEO₄₅-b-PtBA₅₃-b-PS₁₆₅, were narrow with particle size distribution indexes ranging from 0.014 to 0.246. The one-step dialysis of the triblock terpolymers produced vesicular micelles with distinct vesicle walls that exhibited similar thicknesses. The vesicles did not show significant aggregation. The size distribution of PEO₄₅-b-PtBA₅₃-b-PS₄₂ vesicle was the narrowest with a particle size distribution index value of 0.135. The PEO₄₅-b-PtBA₅₃-b-PS₁₆₅ vesicles tended to overlap with each other.     

Localization of Failures in Structural Order of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-1,4-Butadiene Units in Interdefective Regions of a Butadiene-Nitrile Elastomer Matrix

The fractional free volume of chains passing and incorporated into the ordered structures of segments in trans-1,4-configuration in the copolymers of butadiene and acrylonitrile at different content of acrylonitrile units is calculated in order to determine the localization of order disturbances of butadiene trans-1,4-units. Amorphization of the structure occurs in the immediate vicinity of structural defects of acrylonitrilebutadiene rubbers formed by alternating acrylonitrile and trans-1,4-units of butadiene as well as cis-1,4-and 1,2-isomers of butadiene.     

2-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>]pyrimidines: Synthesis and reactions with electrophilic reagents

The hydrogenation of 2-amino-5-R-7-R′-4,7-dihydro-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines with NaBH₄ led to the formation of 2-amino-5-R-7-R′-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines. Acylation, sulfonylation, and alkylation of these compounds depending on conditions and the reagent character occur at the amino group, atoms N³ or N⁴. The treatment with alkali of 2-amino-3-benzyl-5-R-7-R′-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazolo-[1,5-a]pyrimidinium bromide resulted in 2-amino-3-benzyl-5-R-7-R′-3,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]-pyrimidine, similar reaction of 2-acetamido-3-benzyl-5-R-7-R′-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]-pyrimidinium bromide gave a mesoionic product of a hydrogen elimination from the amide nitrogen atom.     

Photocrosslinkable polynorbornene-based block copolymers with enhanced dielectric and thermal properties

Block copolymers poly(endo-N-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-norbornene-pyrrolidine)-block-poly(exo-N-(cinnamoyloxyethyl)-7-oxanorborn-5-ene-2,3-dicarboximide) (endo-PTNP-b-exo-PCONBI) and poly(exo-N-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-norbornene-pyrrolidine)-block-poly(exo-N-(cinnamoyloxyethyl)-7-oxanorborn-5-ene-2,3-dicarboximide) (exo-PTNP-b-exo-PCONBI) were synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization. The endo- or exo-PTNP served as the high dielectric functional chain, and exo-PCONBI acted as the crosslinking segment. The endo-PTNP-b-exo-PCONBI, in which endo-PTNP has a high content of trans double bond and adopts isotactic configuration, shows a dielectric constant (ε) of 15.5, whereas exo-PTNP-b-exo-PCONBI, in which exo-PTNP has 67% trans double bonds and atactic microstructure, displays relatively low ε of 7.1. The cinnamate groups in exo-PCONBI were crosslinked to form three-dimensional network by cycloaddition reaction under UV irradiation. Exposed to UV-light for 10 min, the cinnamate group in polymer films has a crosslinking conversion of 36%, as determined by UV-Vis absorption measurements. By photocrosslinking, the polymer film has an increased ε of 16.6, a dielectric loss of 0.03, an elevated glass-transition temperature of 137 °C, and an enhanced decomposition temperature of 405 °C, compared to those of polymer films without irradiation.     

Comparative reactivity of substituted 1,3-and 1,4-thiasilinane <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-oxides in the sila-Pummerer rearrangement and inversion of the thiocarbonyl group

The thermal sila-Pummerer rearrangement of diastereomeric 2,3,3-trimethyl-1,3-thiasilinane S-oxides was studied. Introduction of the methyl group in the 2 position of 3,3-trimethyl-3-thiasilinane S-oxide slows down the rearrangement. When heated in CCl₄, the trans isomer (2-Me_eq, SO_eq) converts into the cis isomer (2-Me_eq, SO_ax) which rapidly rearranges into 2,2,7-trimethyl-1,6,2-oxathiasilepane. On the contrary, the isomeric 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,4-thiasilinane S-oxide is thermally stable up to 160°C in DMSO. The inversion at the sulfur atom in 2,3,3-trimethyl-1,3-thiasilinane S-oxides and 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,4-thiasilinane S-oxides under the action of triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate was studied. The trans isomer of 2,3,3-trimethyl-1,3-thiasilinane S-oxide (2-Me_eq, SO_eq) forms with Et₃O⁺BF ₄ ^? a salt which decomposes in two ways. The first involves recovery of the starting sulfoxide due to Sn2 substitution at the carbon atom of the ethoxy group, and the second, convertion into the cis isomer (2-Me_eq, SO_ax) which rearranges into 2,2,7-trimethyl-1,6,2-oxathiasilepane. Under the same conditions, the cis isomer of 2,3,3-trimethyl-1,3-thiasilinane S-oxide (2-Me_eq, SO_eq) decomposes to form siloxanes. trans-2,4,4-Trimethyl-4-thiasilinane S-oxide (2-Me_eq, SO_eq) under the action of Et₃O⁺BF ₄ ^? convers into the cis isomer (2-Me_eq, SO_ax). The B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) theoretical analysis showed that the thermal inversion at the sulfur atom in the compounds studied has a high energy barrier.     

Chemistry of Acyl(imidoyl)ketenes: IX. Synthesis and Thermolysis of 3-Aroyl-8-chloro-1,2-dihydro-4<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-pyrrolo[2,1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>][1,4]benzoxazine-1,2,4-triones

Reactions of 3-Z-aroylmethylene-6-chloro-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-2-ones with oxalyl chloride afford 3-aroyl-8-chloro-1,2-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzoxazine-1,2,4-triones and Z-3-(2-aryl-2-chlorovinyl)-6-chloro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-2-ones. Aroyl(imidoyl)ketenes generated by decarbonylation of pyrrolobenzoxazinetriones undergo dimerization through [4+2]-cycloaddition to form 4-aroyl-3-aroyloxy-2-(2-oxo-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3-yl)-1H, 5H-pyrido[2,1-c][1,4]benzoxazine-1,5-diones.     

Microstructure of Polymers Prepared in the Presence of Tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butylboron–<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-Quinone System

The microstructure of polystyrene, poly(methyl acrylate), and poly(tert-butyl acrylate) obtained in the presence of tri-n-butylboron in combination with naphthoquinone-1,4 and 2,3-dimethylbenzoquinone is studied. The stereoregularity of polymers formed under these conditions may be described in the framework of the first-order Markov chain model. The use of p-quinones in combination with tri-n-butylboron favors an increase in the content of isotactic triads in the polymers. The causes of the observed deviations are discussed.     

Effect of the particle size of the TiCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Al<Emphasis Type="Italic">i</Emphasis>-Bu<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalyst on the contribution from mono- and bimetallic active sites to the polymerization of isoprene

The interaction between the coordinatively unsaturated surface of ß-TiCl₃ particles and a liquid phase in the TiCl₄-Ali-Bu₃ catalyst is responsible for the final particle size and the regularities of isoprene polymerization. The correlations of the catalyst activity and the molecular characteristics of polyisoprene with catalyst particle size in the course of catalyst formation and reactivation are indicative of the occurrence of two groups of active sites. “Surface” active sites correspond to the monometallic Cossee model, and they are characterized by low activity and low 1,4-cis specificity in the polymerization of isoprene. “Colloid” active sites have a bimetallic structure and produce polyisoprene at a high rate; the concentration of 1,4-cis units in the resulting polyisoprene is as high as 97%. The contribution from the colloid active sites to the polymerization of isoprene increases with the particle size of ß-TiCl₃.     

The doubly thermo-responsive triblock copolymer nanoparticles prepared through seeded RAFT polymerization

The doubly thermo-responsive triblock copolymer nanoparticles of polystyrene-block-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-block-poly[N,N-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate] (PS-b-PNIPAM-b-PDMAEMA) are successfully prepared through the seeded RAFT polymerization in situ by using the PS-b-PNIPAM-TTC diblock copolymer nanoparticles as the seed. The seeded RAFT polymerization undergoes a pseudo-first-order kinetics procedure, and the molecular weight increases with the monomer conversion linearly. The hydrodynamic diameter (D _h) of the triblock copolymer nanoparticles increases with the extension of the PDMAEMA block. In addition, the double thermo-response behavior of the PS-b-PNIPAM-b-PDMAEMA nanoparticles is detected by turbidity analysis, temperature-dependent 1H-NMR analysis, and DLS analysis. The seeded RAFT polymerization is believed as a valid method to prepare triblock copolymer nanoparticles containing two thermo-responsive blocks.     

Hydroboration 95 — Relative Effectiveness of the 2-Organylapoisopinocampheylboranes for the Asymmetric Hydroboration of Representative Prochiral Alkenes

Enantiomerically pure and sterically-varied 2-organylapoisopinocampheylboranes (RapBH₂; R=Me, IpcBH₂; R=Et, EapBH₂; Pr, PraBH₂; i-Bu, i-BapBH₂; R=Ph, PapBH₂; and R=i-Pr, i-PraBH₂) were prepared from their corresponding 2-organylapopinenes (2-R-apopinenes; R=Me, Et, Pr, i-Bu, Ph, and i-Pr) and the relative efficiency of these reagents for the asymmetric hydroboration of representative prochiral alkenes compared. With the exception of Ph, the results reveal simple relationships between the steric requirements of the groups R (Me, Et, Pr, i-Bu, Ph, and i-Pr) in these reagents and the moderate to excellent enantioselectivities achieved in the asymmetric hydroboration of six representative prochiral alkenes, such as 2-methyl-1-butene, cis-2-butene, trans-2-butene, 2-methyl-2- butene, 1-methyl-1-cyclopentene, and 1-methyl-1-cyclohexene.     

Synthesis of 13-alkylbenzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>]isochromeno[4,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]indole-5,7,12(13<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>)-triones by reaction of 2-alkylamino-1,4-naphthoquinones with ninhydrin

Reactions of 2-alkylamino-1,4-naphthoquinones with 2,2-dihydroxy-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione afforded 13-alkylbenzo[f]isochromeno[4,3-b]indole-5,7,12(13H)-triones.     

Crystal structures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-dichlorobis(ethylendiamine) rhodium(III) with univalent anions

The crystal structures of the compounds trans-[Rh(en)₂Cl₂]Cl₂ · H₅O₂ (I), trans-[Rh(en)₂Cl₂]ClO₄ (II), and trans-[Rh(en)₂Cl₂]ReO₄ (III) are determined. The crystal data are: I, a = 10.860(3) Å, b = 7.795(2) Å, c = 9.023(3) Å; β = 111.56(10)°, P2₁/c space group, Z = 4, d _x = 1.875 g/cm³; II, a = 6.593(2) Å, b = 8.309(3) Å, c = 11.922(4) Å, α = 83.55(10)°, β = 79.80(10)°, γ = 75.38(10)°, P \(\bar 1\) space group, Z = 2, d _x = 2.106 g/cm³; III, a = 6.533(2) Å, b = 16.391(4) Å, c = 12.411(3) Å; β = 98.30(10)°, P2₁/c space group, Z = 4, d _x = 2.749 g/cm³. The compounds are examined by IR spectroscopy and powder XRD. The solubility of the isolated crystalline phases in water decreases in the following order: trans-[Rh(en)₂Cl₂]Cl₂·H₅O₂ > trans-[Rh(en)₂Cl₂]ClO₄ > trans-[Rh(en)₂Cl₂]ReO₄.     

Synthesis of pyranopyrazoles,benzopyrans, amino-2-chromenes and dihydropyrano[<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>]chromenes using ionic liquid with dual Brønsted acidic and Lewis basic sites

An efficient ionic liquid with both Brønsted acidic and Lewis basic sites, namely 1,4-dimethyl-1-(4-sulphobutyl)piperazinium hydrogen sulphate (IL1), was synthesised and characterised. IL1 is a “green”, homogeneous and reusable catalyst for: i) the synthesis of pyranopyrazoles (Va-Vj)and benzopyrans (VIa-VIj and VIIa-VIIf) at ambient temperature under solvent-free conditions and ii) the synthesis of amino-2-chromenes (VIIIa-VIIIi and IXa-IXi) and dihyropyrano[c]chromenes (Xa-Xi) at 80 °C under solvent-free conditions. The reactions were rapid with excellent product yields. In addition, the double Brønsted acid, 1,4-dimethyl-1,4-bis(4-sulphobutyl)piperazinium hydrogen sulphate (IL2), was prepared to evaluate the cooperation efficiency of their Brønsted acidic and Lewis basic sites as compared with the double Brønsted acidic sites in IL1.     

Structural features of monomeric octahedral <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis><Superscript>2</Superscript>-rhenium(V) monooxo complexes with oxygen atoms of bidentate-chelating neutral and acidic ligands (O,P)

The structural features of 38 mononuclear d ²-Re(V) octahedral monooxo complexes (I–XXXVIII) with oxygen atoms of bidentate-chelating (O, P) ligands (L ⁿ ) are considered. The atoms O(L ⁿ ) are mostly in trans positions to O(oxo) ligands. In three compounds of general formula [ReO(L_mono)(L ⁿ )₂] (XXXVI–XXXVIII), the O atoms of two L ⁿ ligands occupy both trans and cis positions to oxo ligands. In one complex, namely, in [ReO(L ⁿ )(L _tri ¹¹ )], n = 3 (XXXV), the atom O(L³) is in the cis position to the oxo ligand; the trans position to O(oxo) is occupied by the atom O(L _tri ¹¹ ).     

Influence of Linkage Stereochemistry and Protecting Groups on Glycosidic Bond Stability of Sodium Cationized Glycosyl Phosphates

Energy-resolved collision-induced dissociation (ER-CID) experiments of sodium cationized glycosyl phosphate complexes, [GP _x +Na]⁺, are performed to elucidate the effects of linkage stereochemistry (α versus β), the geometry of the leaving groups (1,2-cis versus 1,2-trans), and protecting groups (cyclic versus non-cyclic) on the stability of the glycosyl phosphate linkage via survival yield analyses. A four parameter logistic dynamic fitting model is used to determine CID_50% values, which correspond to the level of rf excitation required to produce 50% dissociation of the precursor ion complexes. Present results suggest that dissociation of 1,2-trans [GP _x +Na]⁺ occurs via a McLafferty-type rearrangement that is facilitated by a syn orientation of the leaving groups, whereas dissociation of 1,2-cis [GP_x+Na]⁺ is more energetic as it involves the formation of an oxocarbenium ion intermediate. Thus, the C1?C2 configuration plays a major role in determining the stability/reactivity of glycosyl phosphate stereoisomers. For 1,2-cis anomers, the cyclic protecting groups at the C4 and C6 positions stabilize the glycosidic bond, whereas for 1,2-trans anomers, the cyclic protecting groups at the C4 and C6 positions tend to activate the glycosidic bond. The C3 O-benzyl (3 BnO) substituent is key to determining whether the sugar or phosphate moiety retains the sodium cation upon CID. For 1,2-cis anomers, the 3 BnO substituent weakens the glycosidic bond, whereas for 1,2-trans anomers, the 3 BnO substituent stabilizes the glycosidic bond. The C2 O-benzyl substituent does not significantly impact the glycosidic bond stability regardless of its orientation.

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Bioactive compounds from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Smilax excelsa</Emphasis> L.

Phytochemical investigation of EtOAc extract of Smilax excelsa has led to isolation and structure elucidation of five compounds. The structures of these compounds are established by different spectroscopic techniques including 1D and 2D-NMR, HRMS and ECD spectroscopy. The compounds were: solanesol (1), violasterol A (2), trans-resveratrol (3), 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid (4) and 6-O-caffeoyl-β-d-fructofuranosyl-(2-1)-α-d-glucopyranoside (5). The configuration of compound 2 was established by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy. Meanwhile the cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of the compounds were evaluated by MTT and MIC assays. Compounds 1 and 2 showed promising inhibition on MCF-7 cell line with IC₅₀ of 161.6 and 190.0 µM, respectively. Also compounds 2 and 3 illustrated activity against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC values of 142.5 and 136.9 µM, respectively.     

Modeling the structure,absorption spectra,and cis-trans isomerization of thiacarbocyanine dyes

The relative stability of the trans-and cis-isomers of 3,3′-diethylthiacarbocyanine (Dye1) and 3,3′-diethyl-9-methylthiacarbocyanine (Dye2)¹, as well as sections of the potential energy surfaces along the internal coordinate of the isomerization reaction, were studied using the density functional theory. Calculation of the minimum energy pathway for the isomerization reaction showed that the barrier for rotation about the C₈–C₉ bond is higher for Dye1 than for Dye2. Local minimums were found for the singlet excited state of the 8,9-cis-and trans-isomers of the dyes. In the case of the trans-isomers, substantial changes in the dye structure do not occur and the local minimum of the excited state corresponds to the geometry of the starting trans-isomers, which favors efficient fluorescence. A search for the nearest local minimum of the singlet excited state of the 8,9-cis-isomers leads to structures, which differ significantly from the starting structures, and the intensity of the S₁ → S₀ transition in those structures appears to be practically zero. The results are in agreement with experimental data on the absorption, fluorescence, and fluorescence excitation spectra of the dyes.     

Simulation of copper(II) cations sorption on goethite from aqueous solutions of complexons

Effect of complexons of polyaminopolycarboxylic acid series (IDA, NTA, EDTA, and DTPA) and polyphosphonic acid series (HEDP, NTP, and EDTP) on Cu(II) cations sorption on goethite (α-FeOOH) from aqueous solutions has been studied. Obtained results have been considered in the context of complexation reactions in bulk solution and on sorbent surface. It has been found that all complexons (except for EDTA), depending on nature, produce on goethite surface (≡FeOH) triple complexes of type A (surface–metal–complexon) of composition ≡FeOCuLH _i ^1+i?n and ≡FeOCuL(OH) _j ^1?j?n or type B (surface–complexon–metal) of composition ≡FeLH _i Cu^3+i-n and ≡FeLCu(OH) _j ^3?j?n . pH-Ranges for complex existence and stability constants for the surface complexes have been determined. Factors affecting the character of complexon effect (immobilization/remobilization) on the sorbed metal have been analyzed.