Structural changes in polymers of diethyl succinylsuccinate(1,4-diethoxycarbonyl-2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-cyclohexadiene) with diamines at high temperatures

The structural changes of the polymers having the following structures: at high temperatures were studied by the spectroscopic and thermal analysis. When the polymers were heated in air, they were oxidized predominantly to polymers having the structure: The rate of oxidation was fast and the reaction was almost completed within 2 hr at 180°C. In the case of polymer 3, an intramolecular cyclization to form acridone was detected as a minor reaction.     

Nano‐Rheology of Single Unentangled Polymeric Lubricant Films

Rheology and tribology become more and more critical issues in order to satisfy the harsh requirements for ultra‐small head/media spacing HDDs. In this communication, MD simulations with a bead/spring model were employed to examine the nano‐rheological response of nonfunctional and functional PFPEs by analyzing the shear viscosity of nanoscale PFPE films and the relaxation processes as a function of wall interaction/separation and endgroup functionality. Our simulation results indicate that thin PFPE films show more solid‐like behavior, especially under high shear rate. The film deformation and shear viscosity change by tuning the film thickness and the endgroup functionality was discussed in conjunction with the relaxation processes.

     

Synthesis of Thermosensitive PNIPAM‐co‐MBAA Nanotubes by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization within a Porous Membrane

Summary: Thermosensitive polymer nanotubes can be fabricated within an aminopropylsilane‐modified porous anodic aluminum oxide membrane by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) followed by template removal. DSC experiments prove that the synthesized PNIPAM‐co‐MBAA copolymer nanotubes have a reversible thermosensitive behavior. The temperature‐induced changes in dimension and shape of the nanotubes were studied by AFM in real time in an aqueous environment. It indicates that the nanotubes undergo a shape alteration from an “ellipse” to “circular” shape in water upon heating to LCST or above.

DSC curves of PNIPAM‐co‐MBAA nanotubes.     

Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of Amphiphilic Diblock Copolymers using a Fluorescently Labeled N‐Alkoxyamine Initiator

Summary: An initiator for nitroxide mediated ‘living’ free radical polymerization was prepared with a fluorescent tag attached to the initiating alkyl radical terminus. This was used to synthesize amphiphilic poly(acrylic acid)‐block‐polystyrene diblock copolymers, which self assembled in a tetrahydrofuran/buffer solution to form structures that are visible by fluorescence.

     

Molecular confirmation and crystal structure of the β form of poly(ethylene oxybenzoate)

The crystal structure of the β form of poly(ethylene oxybenzoate) was analyzed by x-ray diffraction. Four nearly extended molecular chains pass through a unit cell with parameters a = 8.19 Å, b = 11.07 Å, c (fiber axis) = 19.05 Å, β = 114.8°, and the space group P2₁/n-C. The structural difference between the α and β forms is mainly due to the internal rotation angles for the virtual bond and the ? CH₂? CH₂? bond. They are essentially in trans confirmation in the β form, while the α form contains cis and gauche (? CH₂? CH₂? ) conformations.     

Aziridines as templates: A general strategy for the stereospecific synthesis of 2‐azetidinones

Various routes to a variety of azridine‐2‐carboxylates have been described and the stereochemistry of these compounds has been determined by spectroscopic methods. Further, greater diversity of β‐lactams via ring expansion of these azridines‐2‐carboxylates were obtained by a general, efficient and direct stereospecific approach.     

Low‐Band Gap Polyplatinaynes with Electron‐Accepting Silole Units

Summary: The synthesis and thermal, redox and photoluminescence properties of a soluble donor‐acceptor polyplatinayne with the electron‐accepting silole ring and its model compound are described. The polymer has an optical band gap of 2.10 eV which is much lower than that of thienyl‐ or silyl‐bridged congeners. The incorporation of electron‐accepting silole unit in the metallopolymer main chain creates a new π‐conjugated system that features unique donor‐acceptor characteristics.

     

Cyclization by the intermediates of phenylthio- and phenoxy carbamoyl. Formation of azasuccinic anhydrides and their polycondensation products. Intervention of the carbamoyl pyridinium cation

The N-(p-nitrophenoxy-carbonyl) derivatives of glycine, DL -alanine and DL -leucine are transformed by the action of pyridine into azasuccinic, 3-methyl-2-azasuccinic and 3-isobutyl-2-azasuccinic anhydride, respectively. These cyclisations occur probably via the intermediate N-carbamoyl-pyridinium cation , the rate of cyclisation seems to depend on the concentration of the intermediate in the form of the dipolar ion , i.e. the ionised carboxyl is necessary for the reaction. In γ-collidine the cyclisation occurs very slowly; this is attributed to the slowness due to steric hindrance of the production of N-carbamoyl-γ-collidinium cation and its instability. The azasuccinic anhydrides mentioned polycondense, yielding the corresponding polyglycine, poly-DL -alanine and poly-DL -leucine. This reaction too is catalysed by pyridine; it can also be effected by γ-collidine, but the efficacity of the latter in comparison with pyridine is even less than in the catalysis of the cyclisation described above. N-(p-nitrophenoxy-carbonyl)-glycine reacts with lysozyme in the presence of pyridine; several glycine residues are introduced into the enzyme molecule, the product being insoluble and poorly active.     

Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition of Poly(furfuryl methacrylate)

Furan ring‐functionalized solid surfaces are achieved by the initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) method, a solvent‐free process to form films under mild conditions. The polymerization of furfuryl methacrylate monomer is initiated by a resistively heated filament wire. The functionality of the furan group in the iCVD film enabled Diels–Alder chemistry with 4‐phenyl‐1,2,3‐triazolin‐3,5‐dione (N‐PTD).

     

Polymer/Laponite Composite Latexes: Particle Morphology,Film Microstructure,and Properties

Transparent film materials with excellent mechanical and thermal properties were elaborated by drying a latex suspension of armored polymer/Laponite composite particles. Low‐temperature TEM observation of ultrathin cross‐sections of the films indicated a unique network morphology characterized by a “honeycomb” distribution of the Laponite platelets remindful of the original particles morphology.

     

Heterogeneous ‘Organoclick’ Derivatization of Polysaccharides

Summary: A simple method for the direct catalytic heterogeneous modification of polysaccharides is presented. The novel method is exemplified by the combination of organic acid‐catalyzed esterification and copper‐catalyzed Huisgen reaction (click chemistry) to attach a fluorescent probe to solid cellulose. The heterogeneous ‘organoclick’ derivatization of cellulose allows for a mild, highly modular surface modification of cellulose under environmentally benign reaction conditions.

Schematic of the combined organic acid‐catalyzed esterification and copper‐catalyzed Huisgen reaction (click chemistry) to modify a polysaccharide with a fluorescent probe.     

The Guanidinium Group as a Key Part of Water‐Soluble Polymer Carriers for siRNA Complexation and Protection against Degradation

Here, the preparation of a novel block copolymer consisting of a statistical copolymer N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide‐s‐N‐(3‐aminopropyl) methacrylamide and a short terminal 3‐guanidinopropyl methacrylamide block is reported. This polymer structure forms neutral but water‐soluble nanosized complexes with siRNA. The siRNA block copolymer complexes are first analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis and their size is determined with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. The protective properties of the polymer against RNA degradation are investigated by treating the siRNA block copolymer complexes with RNase V1. Heparin competition assays confirm the efficient release of the cargo in vitro. In addition, the utilization of microscale thermophoresis is demonstrated for the determination of the binding strength between a fluorescently labeled polyanion and a polymer molecule.

     

Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized by a Dextran‐Based pH‐ and Temperature‐Sensitive Polymer

A dextran‐based dual‐sensitive polymer is employed to endow gold nanoparticles with stability and pH‐ and temperature‐sensitivity. The dual‐sensitive polymer is prepared by RAFT polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide from trithiocarbonate groups linked to dextran and succinoylation of dextran after polymerization. The functionalized nanoparticles show excellent stability under various conditions and can be stored in powder‐form. UV and DLS measurements confirm that the temperature‐induced optical changes and aggregation behaviors of the particles are strongly dependent on pH.

     

Darstellung und Eigenschaften von Ti-substituierten N-Heterocyclen

Preparation and Properties of Ti-substituted N-Heterocycles The compounds (x = 2 to 6) have been prepared by transamination of Ti(NMe₂)₄ with the heterocyclic amines and have been characterised by elemental analyses and ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy. The dependence on both x and n of the thermal decomposition has been studied for the series and . The results can be interpreted in terms of the steric strain of the R₂N and substituents. Apart from the piperidido groups none of the ligands exhibit protective group properties comparable to the R₂N groups.     

Effect of Cocatalysts on the Catalytic Activities of Tantalum‐ and Niobium‐Based Catalysts for Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Norbornene

A series of pentavalent tantalum and niobium complexes with aryloxy ligands was prepared, and their catalytic behavior for the ROMP of norbornene was studied in the presence of an alkylaluminum cocatalyst. Tantalum complexes 1 – 4 showed very high activity for the ROMP of NBE in combination with ⁱBu₃Al to give high‐molecular‐weight polymers. In contrast, the niobium complexes 5 and 6 , as well as NbCl₅, exhibited very high activity upon activation with Me₃Al to give high‐molecular‐weight polymers.

     

Biomimetic Mussel Adhesive Inspired Clickable Anchors Applied to the Functionalization of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

The functionalization of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles with dopamine‐derived clickable biomimetic anchors is reported. Herein, an alkyne‐modified catechol‐derivative is employed as the anchor, as i) the catechol‐functional anchor groups possess irreversible covalent binding affinity to Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, and ii) the alkyne terminus enables further functionalization of the nanoparticles by the grafting‐onto approach with various possibilities offered by ‘click’ chemistry. In the present work, azido‐end group functionalized Rhodamine and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are utilized to coat the iron oxide nanoparticles to make them fluorescent and water soluble.

     

A Polydiacetylene Supramolecular System That Emits Red,Green, and Blue Fluorescence

A polymer system based on polydiacetylene (PDA) supramolecules that emits red, green, and blue fluorescence has been constructed. The three‐color emitting system is comprised of red‐fluorescent PDA vesicles in which green‐fluorescent fluorescein molecules are encapsulated. Finally, the blue‐fluorescence component is introduced by reacting terminal amine groups on the PDA vesicle surfaces with fluorescamine. Thin PDA‐polymer‐containing poly(vinyl alcohol) films formed by using this strategy display red, green, and blue fluorescence upon excitation with light at specific wavelengths.

     

A Catalytic Approach to Functional Poly(1,4‐ketone)s Bearing Pendant Monosaccharide Fragments

Summary: Novel alternating polyketone‐based polymers bearing pendant saccharide units that are accessible by polymerization catalysis are presented. The materials were synthesized by polymerization of carbon monoxide and α‐olefins containing protected glucose or N‐acetyl glucosamine residues. The dicationic Pd^II bis(phoshine) complex [Pd(dppp)(NCCH₃)₂](BF₄)₂ was used as a catalyst precursor. An O‐deacetylation of the copolymers afforded materials with amphiphilic character.

Structure of the poly(1,4‐ketone) copolymers synthesized here.     

Bottom‐up Assembly of Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) on Carbon Nanotubes: 2D Building Blocks for Nanoscale Circuits

Hierarchical poly(3‐hexylthiophene)(P3HT)/carbon nanotube (CNT) supramolecular structures were fabricated through a bottom‐up CNT induced P3HT crystallization strategy. P3HT nanowires growing perpendicular from CNT surface have uniform width and height. The density and the length of these nanowires can be controlled by tuning the P3HT/CNT mass ratio. The quasi‐isothermal crystallization process monitored by in situ UV–Vis spectroscopy indicates that CNTs can greatly enhance the P3HT crystallization, and the P3HT nanowire formation follows first‐order kinetics. Such bottom‐up strategy provides a general approach to build 2D functional conductive supramolecular structures that will lead to numerous applications in nanoscale electronics.