Plasma‐Initiated Controlled/Living Radical Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate in the Presence of 2‐Cyanoprop‐2‐yl 1‐dithionaphthalate (CPDN)

Summary: Plasma‐initiated controlled/living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in the presence of 2‐cyanoprop‐2‐yl 1‐dithionaphthalate. Well‐defined poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), with a narrow polydispersity, could be synthesized. The polymerization is proposed to occur via a RAFT mechanism. Chain‐extension reactions were also successfully carried out to obtain higher molecular weight PMMA and PMMA‐block‐PSt copolymer.

Dependence of ln([M]₀/[M]) on post‐polymerization time (above), and \overline M _{\rm n} and PDI against conversion (below) for plasma initiated RAFT polymerization of MMA at 25 °C.     

Palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of (1R,2R)‐(−)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane (DACH) with various carboxylato ligands and their cytotoxicity evaluation

Several palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes analogous to oxaliplatin, bearing the enantiomerically pure (1R,2R)‐(?)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane (DACH) ligand, of the general formula {MX₂[(1R,2R)‐DACH]}, where M = Pd or Pt, X (COO)₂, CH₂(COO)₂, , , {1,1′‐C₅H₈(CH₂COO)₂}, [1,1′‐C₆H₁₀(CH₂COO)₂], [1,1′‐(COO)₂ferrocene], , , , MeCOO and Me₃CCOO, were synthesized. All the complexes prepared were characterized physicochemically and spectroscopically. Some selected complexes were screened in vitro against several tumor cell lines and the results were compared with reference standard drug, oxaliplatin. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Combined Computational and Experimental Study of Copolymerization Propagation Kinetics for 1‐Ethylcyclopentyl methacrylate and Methyl methacrylate

The crosspropagation of 1‐ethylcyclopentyl methacrylate (ECPMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) has been studied using a combination of quantum chemistry calculations and experiment. Our computational work utilizes a trimer‐to‐tetramer reaction model, coupled with an ONIOM (B3LYP/6‐31G(2df,p): B3LYP/6‐31G(d)) method for geometry optimization and an M06‐2X/6‐311+G(2df,p) method plus SMD solvation model for single point energy calculations. The results show several trends: the identity of the ultimate unit of a trimer radical affects not only the preferred conformation of the region where the reaction takes place, but also the reactivity of the radical; the addition of an ECPMA monomer to the radicals is generally favored compared to an MMA monomer; the pen‐penultimate unit of a trimer radical shows a nonnegligible entropic effect; the penultimate unit effect is implicit for the ECPMA–MMA copolymer system. Finally, terminal model reactivity ratios fitted based on the explicit rate coefficients calculated from the quantum chemical results are compared with those from experimental measurements. The computations not only agree qualitatively with experimentally derived results in terms of the selectivity of ECPMA–MMA crosspropagation, but also give reasonable quantitative predictions of reactivity ratios.

     

Homogeneous,unimolecular gas‐phase elimination kinetics of ethyl esters of glyoxylic, 2‐oxo‐propanoic,and 3‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐butanoic acids

The rates of elimination of several ethyl esters of 2‐oxo‐carboxylic acid were determined in a seasoned static reaction vessel over the temperature range 350–430°C and pressure range 33–240 Torr. The reactions, in the presence of a free‐radical inhibitor, are homogeneous, unimolecular, and follow a first‐order rate law. The overall and partial rate coefficients are expressed by the Arrhenius equation. Ethyl glyoxalate Ethyl 2‐oxo‐propionate Ethyl 3‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐butyrate The mechanisms of these elimination reactions are described in terms of concerted cyclic transition state structures. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 268–275, 2007     

The influence of vinyl activating groups on β‐allyl sulfone‐based chain transfer agents for tough methacrylate networks

In radical polymerization of monofunctional monomers, addition fragmentation chain transfer (AFCT) agents are well known to regulate polymerization and yield polymers with lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions. Papers concerning bulk photopolymerization of monomer mixtures with AFCT agents are rarely found in literature. In this article, AFCT reagents based on β‐allyl sulfones with different vinyl activating groups were synthesized and compared. The compounds were tested in mono‐ and difunctional monomer systems providing information about the influence on photoreactivity, molecular weight, as well as thermal and mechanical properties of the resultant polymers. Where more potent activating groups (‐Ph, ‐CN) markedly influenced polymerization at lower concentrations, the AFCT reagent with an ester activating group reacted at a similar rate to the methacrylate monomer (C_T ≈ 1) and provided the best overall performance. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1417‐1427     

Chain Transfer and Efficiency of End‐Group Introduction in Free Radical Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate in the Presence of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Macromonomer

Summary: Experimental and modeling studies of addition–fragmentation chain transfer (AFCT) during radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of poly(methyl methacrylate) macromonomer with 2‐carbomethoxy‐2‐propenyl ω‐ends (PMMA‐CO₂Me) at 60 °C are reported. The results revealed that AFCT involving PMMA‐CO₂Me formed in situ during methyl methacrylate polymerization has a negligible effect on the molecular weight distribution.

     

CuYS2: Ein ternäres Kupfer(I)‐Yttrium(III)‐Sulfid mit Ketten {[Cu(S1)3/3(S2)1/1]3–} cis‐kantenverknüpfter [CuS4]7–‐Tetraeder

CuYS₂: A Ternary Copper(I) Yttrium(III) Sulfide with Chains {[Cu(S1)_3/3(S2)_1/1]^3–} of cis ‐Edge Connected [CuS₄]^7– Tetrahedra Pale yellow, lath‐shaped single crystals of the ternary copper(I) yttrium(III) sulfide CuYS₂ are obtained by the oxidation of equimolar mixtures of the metals (copper and yttrium) with sulfur in the molar ratio 1 : 1 : 2 within fourteen days at 900 °C in evacuated silica ampoules, while the presence of CsCl as fluxing agent promotes their growth. The crystal structure of CuYS₂ (orthorhombic, Pnma; a = 1345.3(1), b = 398.12(4), c = 629.08(6) pm, Z = 4) exhibits chains of cis‐edge linked [CuS₄]^7– tetrahedra with the composition {[Cu(S1)_3/3(S2)_1/1]^3–} running along [010] which are hexagonally bundled as closest rod packing. Charge equalization and three‐dimensional interconnection of these anionic chains occur via octahedrally coordinated Y³⁺ cations. These are forming together with the S^2– anions a network [Y(S1)_3/3(S2)_3/3]^– of vertex‐ and edge‐shared [YS₆]^9– octahedra with ramsdellite topology. The metall‐sulfur distances of the [CuS₄]^7– tetrahedra (230 (Cu–S2), 232 (Cu–S1), and 253 pm (Cu–S1′, 2 × )) cover a very broad interval, whilst these (Y–S: 267–280 pm) within the [YS₆]^9– octahedra range rather closely together.     

Addition–fragmentation chain transfer: Molecular weight distributions and retardation in the system methyl methacrylate/methyl α‐(bromomethyl)acrylate

A detailed investigation of addition–fragmentation chain transfer (AFCT) in the free‐radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of methyl α‐(bromomethyl)acrylate (MBMA) was carried out to elucidate mechanistic details with efficient macromonomer synthesis as an underlying goal. Advanced modeling techniques were used in connection with the experimental work. Curve fitting of simulated and experimental molecular weight distributions with respect to the rate coefficient for addition of propagating radicals to MBMA (k_add) over 60–120 °C resulted in E_add = 21.7 kJ mol^?1 and A_add = 2.18 × 10⁶ M^?1 s^?1 and a very weak temperature dependence of the chain‐transfer constant (E_add ≈ E_p). The rate coefficient for fragmentation of adduct radicals at 60 °C was estimated as k_f ≈ 39 s^?1 on the basis of experimental data of the MMA conversion and the concentration of 2‐carbomethoxy‐2‐propenyl end groups. The approach developed is generic and can be applied to any AFCT system in which copolymerization does not occur and in which the resulting unsaturated end groups do not undergo further reactions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2640–2650, 2004     

1‐[(E)‐2‐Arylethenyl]‐2,2‐diphenylcyclopropanes: Kinetics and Mechanism of Rearrangement to Cyclopentenes

Kinetic measurements for the thermal rearrangement of 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐[(E)‐styryl]cyclopropane ( 22a ) to 3,4,4‐triphenylcyclopent‐1‐ene ( 23a ) in decalin furnished ΔH =31.0±1.2 kcal mol^?1 and ΔS =?6.0±2.6 e.u. The lowering of ΔH^≠ by 20 kcal mol^?1, compared with the rearrangement of the vinylcyclopropane parent, is ascribed to the stabilization of a transition structure (TS) with allylic diradical character. The racemization of (+)‐(S)‐ 22a proceeds with ΔH =28.2±0.8 kcal mol^?1 and ΔS =?5±2 e.u., and is at 150° 106 times faster than the rearrangement. Seven further 1‐(2‐arylethenyl)‐2,2‐diphenylcyclopropanes 22 , (E)‐ and (Z)‐isomers, were synthesized and characterized. The (E)‐compounds showed only modest substituent influence in their k_rac (at 119.4°) and k_isom (at 159.3°) values. The lack of solvent dependence of rate opposes charge separation in the TS, but a linear relation of log k_rac with log p.r.f., i.e., partial rate factors of radical phenylations of ArH, agrees with a diradical TS. The ring‐opening of the preponderant s‐trans‐conformation of 22 gives rise to the 1‐exo‐phenylallyl radical 26 that bears the diphenylethyl radical in 3‐exo‐position, and is responsible for racemization. The 1‐exo‐3‐endo‐substituted allylic diradical 27 arises from the minor s‐gauche‐conformation of 22 and is capable of closing the three‐ or the five‐membered ring, 22 or 23 , respectively. The discussion centers on the question whether the allylic diradical is an intermediate or merely a TS. Quantum‐chemical calculations by Houk et al. (1997) for the parent vinylcyclopropane reveal the lack of an intermediate. Can the conjugation of the allylic diradical with three Ph groups carve the well of an intermediate?     

Zwitterionic Iron Oxide (γ‐Fe2O3) Nanoparticles Based on P(2VP‐grad‐AA) Copolymers

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of zwitterionic core–shell hybrid nanoparticles consisting of a core of iron oxide multicore nanoparticles (MCNPs, γ‐Fe₂O₃) and a shell of sultonated poly(2‐vinylpyridine‐grad‐acrylic acid) copolymers. The gradient copolymers are prepared by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of 2‐vinylpyridine (2VP), followed by the addition of tert‐butyl acrylate and subsequent hydrolysis. Grafting of P(2VP‐grad‐AA) onto MCNP results in P(2VP‐grad‐AA)@MCNP, followed by quaternization using 1,3‐propanesultone—leading to P(2VP_S‐grad‐AA)@MCNP with a zwitterionic shell. The resulting particles are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and thermogravimetric analysis measurements, showing particle diameters of ≈70–90 nm and an overall content of the copolymer shell of ≈10%. Turbidity measurements indicate increased stability toward secondary aggregation after coating if compared to the pristine MCNP and additional cytotoxicity tests do not reveal any significant influence on cell viability.

     

Tuning photovoltaic performance of 9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐alt‐5,7‐bis(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,3‐biphenylthieno[3,4‐b]pyrazine copolymeric derivatives by attaching additional donor units in pendant phenyl ring

A class of the 9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐alt‐5,7‐bis(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,3‐biphenylthieno [3,4‐b]pyrazine copolymeric derivatives (PFO‐3ThPz‐D) attaching additional donor (D) units in the pendant phenyl ring with a D‐A D structure was synthesized and investigated, where the additional D unit is a substituent group of fluorene, carbazole, and triphenylamine (Tpa). Their photovoltaic properties were significantly tuned by these pending donor units. Among these copolymers, the PFO‐3ThPz‐Tpa exhibited the best photovoltaic properties in the bulk heterojunction polymeric solar cells (BHJ‐PSC). The maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.09% and the highest circuit current density (J_sc) of 7.91 mA/cm² were obtained in the cell using a blend of PFO‐3ThPz‐Tpa and PC₆₀BM (1:3, w/w) as active layer, which are 2.5 and 1.8 times higher than those corresponding levels in the other cell using the parent PFO‐3ThPz‐Ph copolymer instead of PFO‐3ThPz‐Tpa as donor, respectively. While PC₆₀BM was replaced by PC₇₀BM, the PFO‐3ThPz‐Tpa‐based BHJ‐PSC exhibited better photovoltaic properties with PCE of 3.08% and J_sc of 10.3 mA/cm². This work demonstrated that attaching donor units into the D‐A‐based copolymeric side‐chain is a simple and effective method to improve the photovoltaic properties for the resulting copolymers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

New straightforward route for the synthesis of some 1‐oxa‐2‐silacyclopentane derivatives

Tris(dimethylsilyl)methyl lithium, (HSiMe₂)₃CLi, reacts with allyl, phenyl, benzyl, n‐propyl and n‐butyl glycidyl ethers in THF at ‐5 °C to give 1‐oxa‐2‐silacyclopentane derivatives. It seems that ring closure is facilitated by conversion of the Si? H bond into an Si? O bond. Glycidyl methacrylate (GM) random copolymers with 4‐methyl‐ and 4‐methoxy styrene, synthesized by solution free radical polymerization at 70 (±1) °C with α,α‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as initiator, contained pendant epoxide functions. Treatment of these with (HSiMe₂)₃CLi did not lead to intramolecular nucleophilic attack as found for simple epoxides.     

Kinetic Study of 1,5‐Hydrogen Transfer Reactions of Methyl Acrylate and Butyl Acrylate Using Quantum Chemistry

1,5‐Hydrogen transfer reactions in methyl acrylate and butyl acrylate free‐radical polymerization are studied using quantum chemistry and transition state theory to estimate the kinetic parameters (k_tr, E_a, and A) with tetrameric radicals, requiring a number of atoms that ranks among the largest polymeric mimics to date. A two‐step transformation accounted for the overall reaction: rotation from an extended conformation to a coiled conformation and abstraction of the fifth hydrogen atom by the end‐chain radical. UB3LYP/6‐31G(d) was used for geometry optimization, validation of the transition states, and calculation of frequencies that were used to obtain thermodynamic properties. The more computationally demanding level of theory, MPWB1K/6‐31G(d,p), was used for calculation of the electronic energy.

     

Cu(S2CNEt2)Cl‐Catalyzed Reverse Atom‐Transfer Radical Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers

A new copper catalyst containing chlorine and a photo‐labile diethylthiocarbamoylthiyl group was successfully employed in the reverse ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA). The polymeric chains were end‐capped with S₂CNEt₂, due to pseudo‐halogen atom‐transfer reaction between active and dormant species. Photopolymerization of this PMMA in the presence of fresh MMA and styrene monomers at ambient temperature yielded chain‐extended PMMA and MMA/styrene block copolymers, respectively.

GPC traces of (A) PMMA end‐capped with a photo‐labile group (pre‐PMMA), (B) chain‐extended PMMA (post‐PMMA), and (C) PMMA/styrene block copolymer (PMMA‐b‐PSt).     

Synthesis and bioactivity of 6‐bromo‐2‐(substituted)‐3‐(1‐phenyl‐ethyl)‐ 3,4‐dihydro‐1H‐ isophosphinoline 2‐chalcogenides

Synthesis of 6‐bromo‐2‐(substituted)‐3‐(1‐phenyl‐ethyl)‐3,4‐dihydro‐1H‐isophosphinoline 2‐chalco‐genides derivatives (6) were synthesized from 2‐[(1‐phenylethylamino)methyl]‐4‐bromophenol ( 1 ) by reaction with aryl/alkyl phosphoro dichloridates ( 2 ) in the presence of triethylamine at 55°C to 60°C to obtained the title compounds ( 6a‐g ). The title compounds ( 6h‐j ), were prepared via intermediate route. Few other title compounds ( 8a‐c ) were accomplished through a two step synthetic route involving 1 with dichlorophenyl phosphine ( 2a ) and dichloroethyl phosphine ( 2a,b ) in the presence of triethylamine in dry toluene under N₂ atmosphere to form the corresponding trivalent phosphorus intermediate (7) . In the second step they were further converted to the corresponding chalcogenides 8a‐c by reaction with hydrogen peroxide, sulfur and selenium respectively. They exhibited significant antibacterial, fungal and insecticidal activity.     

Synthesis and anti‐HIV activity of n‐(3‐amino‐3,4‐dihydro‐4‐oxopyrimidin‐2‐yl)‐4‐chloro‐2‐mercapto‐5‐methylbenzenesulfonamide derivatives

A series of N‐(3‐amino‐3,4‐dihydro‐4‐oxopyrimidin‐2‐yl)‐4‐chloro‐2‐mercapto‐5‐methylbenzenesulfonamide derivatives 10‐17 have been synthesized as potential anti‐HIV agents. The in vitro anti‐HIV‐1 activity of these compounds has been tested at the national Cancer Institute (Bethesda, MD), and the structure‐activity relationships are discussed. The selected N‐[3‐amino‐3,4‐dihydro‐6‐(tert‐butyl)‐4‐oxothieno[2,3‐e]pyrimidin‐2‐yl]‐4‐chloro‐2‐metcapto‐5‐methylbenzenesulfonamide ( 14 ) showed good anti‐HIV‐1 activity with 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) value of 15 μM and weak cytotoxic effect (IC₅₀ = 106 μM).     

UV‐Absorbent Lignin‐Based Multi‐Arm Star Thermoplastic Elastomers

Lignin‐grafted copolymers, namely lignin‐graft‐poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐butyl acrylate) (lignin‐g‐P(MMA‐co‐BA)), are synthesized via “grafting from” atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with the aid of lignin‐based macroinitiators. By manipulating the monomer feed ratios of MMA/BA, grafted copolymers with tunable glass transition temperatures (−10–40 °C) are obtained. These copolymers are evaluated as sustainable thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). The results suggest that the mechanical properties of these TPEs lignin‐g‐P(MMA‐co‐BA) copolymers are improved significantly by comparing with those of linear P(MMA‐co‐BA) copolymer counterparts, and the elastic strain recovery is nearly 70%. Lignin‐g‐P(MMA‐co‐BA) copolymers exhibit high absorption in the range of the UV spectrum, which might allow for applications in UV‐blocking coatings.

     

Regioselective synthesis of pentacyclic polyheterocycles: Sequential [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of 4‐(4′‐aryloxybut‐2′‐ynyloxy)‐1‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridin‐2(1H)‐ones

A number of 4‐aryloxymethyl‐6‐phenyl‐2H‐pyrano[3,2‐c][1,8]naphthyridin‐5(6H)‐ones ( 4a‐f ) are regioselectively synthesized in 72‐78% yield by the Claisen rearrangement of 4‐(4′‐aryloxybut‐2′‐ynyloxy)‐1‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridin‐2(1H)‐ones ( 3a‐f ) in refluxing chlorobenzene for 4‐6 h. These products are then subjected to a second Claisen rearrangement catalyzed by anhydrous AlCl₃ at room temperature for 2 h to give hitherto unreported pentacyclic heterocycles ( 5a‐f ) in 78‐85% yield.     

Isomeric hexyl‐ketohydroperoxides formed by reactions of hexoxy and hexylperoxy radicals in oxygen

Isomerization reactions of peroxy radicals during oxidation of long‐chain hydrocarbons yield hydroperoxides, and therefore play an important role in combustion and atmospheric chemistry, because of their action as branching agents in these chain reaction processes. Different formation mechanisms and structures are involved. Three isomeric hexyl‐ketohydroperoxides are formed via isomerization reactions in oxygen of either hexoxy RO or hexylperoxy RO₂ radicals. In the temperature range 373–473 K, 2‐hexoxy (C₆H₁₃O) radical in O₂/N₂ mixtures gives 2‐hexanone‐5‐hydroperoxide via two consecutive isomerizations. The second one is a H transfer from a HC(OH) group occurring via a seven‐membered ring intermediate: Its rate constant has been determined at 453 and 483 K, and the general expression can be written as Hexylperoxy C₆H₁₃O₂ radical, present in n‐hexane oxidation by oxygen/nitrogen mixtures in the temperature range 543–573 K, gives 2‐hexanone‐4‐hydroperoxide, 3‐hexanone‐5‐hydroperoxide, and 2‐hexanone‐5‐hydroperoxide. The first two are formed through an isomerization reaction via a six‐membered ring intermediate, and the last through an isomerization reaction via a seven‐membered ring intermediate. The ratio of the rate constant of the isomerization reactions of RO₂ radicals via a seven‐membered ring intermediate to that via a six‐membered ring is found to be 0.795, and the rate constant expression via a seven‐membered ring intermediate is proposed: The role of these reactions in the formation of radicals in the troposphere is discussed. Other products arising in the reactional path, such as ketones, furans, and diketones, are identified. Identification of these ketohydroperoxides was made using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with electron impact, and with NH₃ (or ND₃) chemical ionization. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 354–366, 2003     

Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Reductive Cyclocarbonylation of Internal Alkynes: Atom‐Economic Process for Synthesis of 2‐Cyclopenten‐1‐ones, 5‐Alkylidenefuran‐2(5 H)‐ones and Indan‐1‐ones

Economical atoms : 2‐Cyclopenten‐1‐ones, 5‐alkylidenefuran‐2(5 H)‐ones and indan‐1‐ones have been synthesized by atom‐economic reductive cyclocarbonylation of internal alkynes with carbon monoxide catalyzed by [{RhCl(CO)₂}₂]/CO(NH₂)₂ in the presence of water (see scheme).