Structure and properties of the δ‐form and mesophase of syndiotactic polystyrene membranes prepared from different organic solvents

Syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) membranes were prepared with different organic solvent systems and compared to get the information about the δ‐form complexing behavior of sPS. Further, the guest molecules included in the clathrate δ form of sPS are removed by stepwise extraction method. The conformational changes during the TTGG helical formation of sPS/organic solvent systems have been identified by FTIR spectroscopy, and it was concluded that the TTGG helices were constructed in regular sequences, which depends on the nature of the respective solvents. The TTGG content in the mesophase is found to be increased by removing the guest molecules. The structural changes of sPS/organic solvent systems have been characterized by WAXD analysis. Moreover, the different clathrate structures were found and showed the different crystalline reflections in the WAXD profiles, which are significantly changed with the kind of guest solvent included in sPS. The content of solvents in the clathrated sPS and the desorption temperatures were determined by thermal analysis. The resulted mesophase of sPS membrane contains the nanoporous molecular cavities that depend on the size of the guest molecule. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1873–1880, 2005     

Structure and properties of the mesophase of syndiotactic polystyrene. VIII. Solvent sorption behavior of syndiotactic polystyrene/p‐chlorotoluene mesophase membranes

A crystalline δ form of a syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) membrane was prepared from a solution of sPS (1 wt %) and p‐chlorotoluene (p‐CT) by a solution‐casting method. The mesophase (δ empty form) of sPS was obtained by the extraction of the guest solvent from the δ form of sPS by a stepwise solvent‐extraction method. The sPS/p‐CT mesophase membrane [p‐CT (A‐M)] was used for the sorption of 1 mol % p‐CT for different times and for the sorption of different concentrations of p‐CT, chlorobenzene (CB), p‐xylene (p‐X), toluene, and chloroform for 48 h. The presence of solvents in the sPS membrane was confirmed by IR analysis. A thermal study revealed that the sorption amount of 1 mol % p‐CT increased with increasing immersion time, and the sorption amounts of different solvents increased with increasing solvent concentration. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that the desorption peak temperature increased as the amount of the solvent increased in the clathrated sPS membrane. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction results showed that 2θ at 8.25° was slightly shifted toward 8°, and there was no change in the peak position at 10° for p‐CT (A‐M), which was immersed in different solvents (1 mol %); however, the intensity of 2θ at 10° was not similar for all the samples. Among the solvents used for the sorption studies at 1 mol %, p‐CT (A‐M) could sorb more p‐CT and CB than p‐X, toluene, and chloroform. The solvent sorption isotherm was the Langmuir sorption mechanism. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3439–3446, 2004     

Structure and properties of the mesophase of syndiotactic polystyrene—III. Selective sorption of the mesophase of syndiotactic polystyrene

Syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) has various crystalline forms such as α, β, γ, and δ forms, and a mesophase depending on the preparation method. In this study, we focused on the mesophase with the molecular cavity of sPS, which is obtained by step‐wise extraction of the guest molecules from the sPS δ form. To prepare the mesophase containing different shapes and sizes of the cavity, two kinds of the sPS δ form membrane cast from either toluene or chloroform solution were first prepared and then the guest molecules were removed by a step‐wise extraction method using acetone and methanol. We could succeed in the preparation of two kinds of mesophase with different shapes and sizes of the molecular cavity. Either toluene or chloroform vapor sorption to the sPS mesophase membranes was examined at 25 °C. Sorption analysis indicates that the mesophase with large molecular cavities can mainly sorb large molecules; on the other hand, the mesophase with small cavities can sorb only the small molecules, and is unable to sorb a large amount of large molecule because the cavity was too small to sorb the large molecules. Therefore, the sPS mesophase membrane has sorption selectivity based on the size of the molecular cavity. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 238–245, 2004     

Effects of the oriented mesophase on the cold crystallization of syndiotactic polystyrene and its blend with poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide)

The effects of molecular orientation on the crystallization and polymorphic behaviors of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) and sPS/poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (PPO) blends were studied with wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry. The oriented amorphous films of sPS and sPS/PPO blends were crystallized under constraint at crystallization temperatures ranging from 140 to 240°C. The degree of crystallinity was lower in the cold‐crystallized oriented film than in the cold‐crystallized isotropic film. This was in contrast to the case of the cold crystallization of other polymers such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) and isotactic polystyrene, in which the molecular orientation induced crystallization and accelerated crystal growth. It was thought that the oriented mesophase was obtained in drawn films of sPS and that the crystallization of sPS was suppressed in that phase. The WAXD measurements showed that the crystal phase was more ordered in an sPS/PPO blend than in pure sPS under the same annealing conditions. The crystalline order recovered in the cold‐crystallized sPS/PPO blends in comparison with the cold‐crystallized pure sPS because of the decrease in the mesophase content. The crystal forms depended on the crystallization temperature, blend composition, and molecular orientation. Only the α′‐crystalline form was obtained in cold‐crystallized pure sPS, regardless of molecular orientation, whereas α′, α″, and β′ forms coexisted in the cold‐crystallized sPS/PPO blends prepared at higher crystallization temperatures (200–240°C). The β′‐form content was much lower in the oriented sPS/PPO blend than in the isotropic blend sample at the same temperature and composition. It was concluded that the oriented mesophase suppressed the crystallization of the stable β′ form more than that of the metastable α′ and α″ forms during the cold crystallization of sPS/PPO blends. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1665–1675, 2003     

K21–δNa2+δIn39 (δ = 2.8): A Cluster-Replacement Clathrate-II Structure with an Alkali Metal M136-Network

K_21–δNa_2+δIn₃₉ with δ = 2.82 was synthesized (melted at 973 K, annealed at 623 K) from the elements in sealed niobium ampoules. The compound forms prismatic crystals with silver metallic lustre and is unstable in air and moisture. The crystal structure of K_21–δNa_2+δIn₃₉ (orthorhombic; space group Pnma, No. 62; a = 17.844(5) Å, b = 17.192(3) Å, c = 25.078(7) Å; Z = 4; Pearson code oP248; δ = 2.82, obtained from the structure refinement) contains eight empty In icosahedra of two types, A (12 exo-bonds) and B (7 exobonds), and four open In₁₅ clusters (15 exo-bonds). The latter are centered by K atoms and belong to C units, which are defined as [K(Na₂M₃In₁₅)] heteroatomic clusters (M = K + Na). The spatial distribution of the In icosahedra A, B and heteroatomic clusters C is that of the atoms in the cubic Laves phase MgCu₂: MgCu₂ ? [K(Na₂M₃In₁₅)][In]₂. All the In_n clusters are interconnected by exo-bonds forming a covalent three-dimensional framework (d(In? In) = 2.832 to 3.301 Å). The remaining alkali metal atoms build up a three-dimensional M₁₃₆ network of the clathrate-II type with (16 + 8) cages, which envelopes the In icosahedra and [K(Na₂M₃In₁₅)] clusters. This structure can be described as a cluster-replacement derivative of the clathrate-II structure: (H₂S)₁₆(CCl₄)₈ · (H₂O)₁₃₆ ? [In]₁₆[K(M₅In₁₅)]₈M₁₃₆, and is one member of a novel hierarchical structure family, based upon cluster-replacement. The bonding as well as the structural relationships to other phases are discussed.     

A Novel Synthesis of γ,δ‐Unsaturated Aldehydes from α‐Formyl‐γ‐lactones

A preparatively useful one‐step transformation of γ,γ‐disubstituted α‐formyl‐γ‐lactones into trisubstituted γ,δ‐unsaturated aldehydes is described, by means of catalytic amounts of either AcOH or AcOEt in the vapor phase over a glass support. A mechanistic rationale is proposed.     

Utilization of prompt‐γ neutron activation analysis in the evaluation of Nafion membranes

Researchers have performed evaluations on Nafion membranes for many years. An important aspect of the membranes is their chemical composition and uniformity. One technique that could provide accurate and fast quantitative measurements of the chemical composition and water within the membranes is prompt‐γ neutron activation analysis (PGAA). In this work, PGAA was applied to the chemical characterization of Nafion membranes in various forms. The evaluation confirmed the necessity of pretreatment of the membranes for the elimination of contamination. A series of counterion‐exchanged membranes were examined so that we could determine the degree of conversion achieved under different conditions and residual water levels. The results indicated that the type of counterion was an important factor determining conversion levels, that partial conversion could be achieved, and that counterion displacement could be forced to occur in certain environments. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1485–1492, 2003     

γ(δ)-Thionolactones – Enantioselective Capillary GC and Sensory Characteristics of Enantiomers

The even numbered γ(δ)-thionolactones (C₆–C₁₂) were investigated, using heptakis(2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)- and heptakis(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-cyclodextrin as chiral stationary phases in capillary gas chromatography. The odor characteristics of γ(δ)-thionolactone enantiomers were investigated by enantioselective gas chromatography/olfactometry.     

Asymmetric Disulfonimide‐Catalyzed Synthesis of δ‐Amino‐β‐Ketoester Derivatives by Vinylogous Mukaiyama–Mannich Reactions

An organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of δ‐amino‐β‐ketoester derivatives has been developed. A chiral disulfonimide (DSI) serves as a highly efficient precatalyst for a vinylogous Mukaiyama–Mannich reaction of readily available dioxinone‐derived silyloxydienes with N‐Boc‐protected imines, delivering products in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. The synthetic utility of this reaction is illustrated in various transformations, including a new C? C bond‐forming reaction, which provide useful enantioenriched building blocks. The methodology is applied in a formal synthesis of (?)‐lasubin.     

A rare occurrence of a β‐turn in an amyloid βA4 peptide

The fragment β(25–35) of the amyloid β‐peptide, like its parent βA4, has shown neurotrophic and late neurotoxic activities in cultured cells. The 3D structure of this important peptide was examined by ¹H and ¹³C 2D‐NMR and MD simulations in DMSO‐d₆ and water. The NMR parameters of chemical shift, ³J(N,Hα) coupling constants, temperature coefficients of NH chemical shifts and the pattern of intra and inter‐residue NOEs were used to deduce the structures. In DMSO‐d₆, the peptide was found to take up a type I β‐turn around the C‐terminal residues Ile⁸–Gly⁹–Leu¹⁰–Met¹¹, whereas in water at pH 5.5, it adopts a random coil conformation. This is only the second report of a β‐turn in the β‐amyloid class of peptides. The solution structures generated using restrained molecular dynamics were refined by MARDIGRAS to an R factor of 0.33 in the case of DMSO‐d₆ and to 0.56 for water. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The structure–activity relationship of some hexacoordinated dimethyltin(IV) complexes of fluorinated β‐diketone/β‐diketones and sterically congested heterocyclic β‐diketones

The study was focused on the structure–activity relationship of some newly synthesized hexacoordinated dimethyltin(IV) complexes of fluorinated β‐diketone/β‐diketones and sterically congested heterocyclic β‐diketones. These complexes were screened for their antibacterial activity against a Gram‐negative bacterium (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram‐positive bacteria (Streptomyces griseus, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and the results were compared with those of a standard antibacterial drug. Some of the complexes were also screened for their antifungal activity against various fungi (Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Trichoderma viride, Fusarium oxysporum) and were found to be active. These new hexacoordinated complexes of dimethyltin(IV) were generated by reactions of dimethyltin(IV) dichloride and sodium salts of fluorinated β‐diketone/β‐diketones and sterically congested heterocyclic β‐diketones in 1:1:1 molar ratio in refluxing dry benzene. Plausible structures of these complexes were suggested with the aid of physicochemical and spectroscopic studies. ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectral data revealed the presence of a hexacoordinated tin centre in these dimethyltin(IV) complexes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Role of oxygen content in electronic structures of Ba0.6K0.4BiO3–δ

The band structure calculations on the K-doped superconductor Ba_0.6K_0.4BiO_3–δ were carried out, and the effect of the oxygen content on its electronic structures was studied in the present work. The results show that the variation in the oxygen content caused by the partial substitution of K for Ba has a great effect on its electronic structure. The oxygen vacancies cause the saddle point singularity to be displaced gradually as the oxygen content is decreased, whereas the band structure is only translated a little and remains unchanged in shape, which reflects the non-rigid-bandlike behavior of Ba_0.6K_0.4BiO_3–δ in the presence of the oxygen vacancies. When the saddle point singularity is displaced and lies at the Fermi level E_f, the total density of states at E_f, N(E_f), has the highest value which is twice as large as that of the Ba_0.6K_0.4BiO₃ compound without the oxygen vacancies. These results reveal the important role of the oxygen content in the Ba–K–Bi–O superconducting system. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 64 : 703–710, 1997     

Reduction of α,β unsaturated carbonyl compounds by Ni–BH4

The reduction of α,β unsaturated carbonyl compounds by sodiumborohydride is catalysed by Ni(bpy)Cl₂ (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine). Various carbonyl compounds having the general formula R₁CH=CHCRO [where R₁, R=C₆H₅, H; p-MeO---C₆H₄---,C₆H₄; p-CH₃---C₆H₄, C₆H₅; (m-OMe---)(p-OMe---)C₆H₃, C₆H₅; C₆H₅, (CH₃)₂CH---; CH₃, H; m-Br---C₆H₄---, C₆H₅] are reduced to corresponding allylicalcohol [R₁CH=CHCRHOH] at 25°C within half an hour. During these reductions the double bond is partially reduced to give saturated alcohols as minor products having the molecular formula R₁CH₂CH₂CRHOH. The reduction of trans-3-phenyl-2-propenal with NaBH₄ and catalytic amounts of Ni(bpy)Cl₂ in solvents containing active deuterium (D₂O, CD₃OD), leads to the partial incorporation of deuterium at the α and γ positions to give C---D bonded alcohols.     

Synthesis and Structure of Low‐valent η4‐Cinnamaldehyde Cobalt Complexes

Three η⁴‐(C=C–C=O) coordination cobalt(I) complexes 1 – 3 were synthesized by the reactions of cinnamaldehyde, p‐fluorocinnamaldehyde, and p‐chlorocinnamaldehyde with CoMe(PMe₃)₄. Complex 4 as η²‐(C=C) coordination was prepared by the reaction of chalcone with Co(PMe₃)₄. The structures of complexes 1 – 4 were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Although the reactions didn't undergo C–H bond activation and decarbonylation, the formation of complexes 1 – 4 deepens our understanding of the reactions between α,β‐unsaturated aldehyde or ketone with low‐valent central cobalt atom.     

Formation of Fluorinated Amido Esters through Unexpected C3−C4 Bond Fission in 4‐Trifluoromethyl‐3‐oxo‐β‐lactams

4‐Trifluoromethyl‐3‐oxo‐β‐lactams were unexpectedly transformed into 2‐[(2,2‐difluorovinyl)amino]‐2‐oxoacetates as major products, accompanied by minor amounts of 2‐oxo‐2‐[(2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl)amino]acetates, upon treatment with alkyl halides and triethylamine in DMSO. This peculiar C3?C4 bond fission reactivity was investigated in‐depth, from both an experimental and a computational point of view, in order to shed light on the underlying reaction mechanism.     

Formation of Periodic γ‐Turns in α/β‐Hybrid Peptides: DFT and NMR Experimental Evidence

Hybrid peptidic oligomers comprising natural and unnatural amino acid residues that can exhibit biomolecular folding and hydrogen‐bonding mimicry have attracted considerable interest in recent years. While a variety of hybrid peptidic helices have been reported in the literature, other secondary structural patterns such as γ‐turns and ribbons have not been well explored so far. The present work reports the design of novel periodic γ‐turns in the oligomers of 1:1 natural‐α/unnatural trans‐β‐norborenene (TNAA) amino acid residues. Through DFT, NMR, and MD studies, it is convincingly shown that, in the mixed conformational pool, the heterogeneous backbone of the hybrid peptides preferentially adopt periodic 8‐membered (pseudo γ‐turn)/7‐membered (inverse γ‐turn) hydrogen bonds in both polar and non‐polar solvent media. It is observed that the stereochemistry and local conformational preference of the β‐amino acid building blocks have a profound influence on accessing the specific secondary fold. These findings may be of significant relevance for the development of molecular scaffolds that facilitate desired positioning of functional side‐chains.     

Polymerization of styrene oxide catalyzed by a diethylzinc/α-pinene oxide system

Styrene oxide (SO) was polymerized with a diethylzinc/α-pinene oxide (ZnEt₂/α-PiO) catalyst system under various conditions. Polystyrene oxide (PSO) thus obtained had a regular head-to-tail and isotactic structure. The number-average molecular weight reached 4.07 × 10⁴, and the molecular weight distribution was 5.7 (M_w/M_n). The glass-transition temperature of PSO was about 47 to 50 °C, depending on the molecular weight. The molar ratio of ZnEt₂ to α-PiO, 2 : 1, led to a high molecular weight of PSO in an 89.2% yield within 72 h. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 4640–4645, 1999