Synthesis of polystyrene/silica hybrid composites by the sol–gel method: effect of introduction of a flexible component (butyl acrylate) into the silylated polystyrene backbone

Polystyrene/silica, polystyrene–butylacrylate/silica, silylated polystyrene/silica, and silylated polystyrene–butylacrylate/silica hybrid composites were synthesized by the sol–gel method in tetrahydrofuran using HCl as catalyst and tetraethylorthosilicate as the silica precursor. The polymers were characterized by fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance, and gel permeation chromatography. The sol–gel mixtures were cast on glass plates and dried in air at 30°C for 72 h. The composites were characterized by FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. Silica (12.8%) could be incorporated within the silylated polystyrene–butylacrylate matrix while retaining optical transparency. These composites showed better thermal stability and water resistance in comparison to the individual polymers.

Molecular and crystal structure of ethylene acetal of <Emphasis Type="Italic">endo</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">endo</Emphasis>-3-trityloxymethylbicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2-on-7-ol

Molecular structure of ethylene acetal of 3-trityloxymethylbicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2-on-7-ol (3) was determined by X-ray investigation. It was revealed that 3 has endo-endo-configuration and adopt chair-boat-conformation. The distortion of rings was evaluated by calculation of the Zefirov–Palyulin and Cremer–Pople puckering parameters. Failure of esterification of 3 was rationalized in terms of steric hindrance and intramolecular hydrogen bonding.

Characterizing ion mobility-mass spectrometry conformation space for the analysis of complex biological samples

The conformation space occupied by different classes of biomolecules measured by ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) is described for utility in the characterization of complex biological samples. Although the qualitative separation of different classes of biomolecules on the basis of structure or collision cross section is known, there is relatively little quantitative cross-section information available for species apart from peptides. In this report, collision cross sections are measured for a large suite of biologically salient species, including oligonucleotides (n = 96), carbohydrates (n = 192), and lipids (n = 53), which are compared to reported values for peptides (n = 610). In general, signals for each class are highly correlated, and at a given mass, these correlations result in predicted collision cross sections that increase in the order oligonucleotides < carbohydrates < peptides < lipids. The specific correlations are described by logarithmic regressions, which best approximate the theoretical trend of increasing collision cross section as a function of increasing mass. A statistical treatment of the signals observed within each molecular class suggests that the breadth of conformation space occupied by each class increases in the order lipids < oligonucleotides < peptides < carbohydrates. The utility of conformation space analysis in the direct analysis of complex biological samples is described, both in the context of qualitative molecular class identification and in fine structure examination within a class. The latter is demonstrated in IM-MS separations of isobaric oligonucleotides, which are interpreted by molecular dynamics simulations. Figure Potential for performing simultaneous “omics” through the separation of biomolecular classes on the basis of structure and mass using ion mobility-mass spectrometry Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A comparative study of hydrothermal and sol–gel methods in the synthesis of MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanostructures

In this work, MnO₂ nanostructure powders with different crystalline phases have been successfully prepared by hydrothermal and sol–gel methods. The obtained products were characterized by XRD and SEM techniques and their crystallographic phases and morphological properties compared. Results showed that α-MnO₂, β-MnO₂, and δ-MnO₂ nanorods were synthesized by hydrothermal method and γ-MnO₂ polymorph was obtained by sol–gel method.

A fluorous tag-bound fluorescence derivatization reagent, F-trap pyrene, for reagent peak-free HPLC analysis of aliphatic amines

We have developed a novel pre-column fluorescence derivatization reagent for amines, F-trap pyrene. This reagent comprises a fluorescent pyrene moiety, an amine-reactive Marshall linker, and a fluorophilic perfluoroalkyl group known as fluorous tag. When the reagent reacts with aliphatic amines and amino acids to give fluorescent derivatives, the fluorous tag in the reagent is eliminated simultaneously. Therefore, excess unreacted reagents in the derivatization reaction solution still have the fluorous tag and could be removed by fluorous solid-phase extraction selectively before high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. By using this reagent, 13 kinds of aliphatic amine (C₂–C₁₆) derivatives can be separated within 40 min by reversed-phase HPLC with gradient elution. In this chromatogram, unreacted reagents peak at around 28 min, greatly decrease after fluorous solid-phase extraction, and do not interfere with the quantification of each amine. The detection limits (S/N = 3) for examined aliphatic amines are 3.6–25 fmol per 20 μL injection. We have also applied this reagent successfully to the amino acid analysis.

Formation of novel 1,3-thiazole- and 1,2-thiazole-fused aporphines and study on the simultaneously occurring benzothiazole–benzisothiazole-type isomerization

Abstract  The synthesis and acid-catalyzed rearrangement of novel thiazolomorphinandienes have been presented. An isomerization was observed simultaneously with the backbone transformation. An extensive study was performed to determine the major effects of the isomerization of 2′-alkyl- and aryl-substituted thiazoloapocodeines into 3′-alkyl- and arylisothiazoloapocodeines. The obtained results provided another practical example of the reversible benzisothiazole–benzothiazole-type isomerization emphasizing the determining role of the thermal effects in the occurrence of these isomerization products. The obtained experimental results and the proposed mechanism were in agreement with the calculated DFT data. Graphical abstract  

Encapsulating of single quantum dots into polymer particles

Single semiconductor quantum dots were embedded into polymer particles with diameters below 0.1 μm by an emulsion polymerization procedure or via a secondary dispersion approach. The photoluminescence properties of the nanocrystals are retained upon encapsulation, as demonstrated by fluorescence confocal microscopy.

Mass transfer effects on the electropolymerization current efficiency of 3-methylthiophene in the magnetic field

3-Methylthiophene was chosen as a representative conducting polymer precursor, whose electropolymerization proceeds through the coupling of cation radicals. The density of the solution that contains electrogenerated 3-methylthienyl radicals and early oligomers is higher than the density of the surrounding solution, and at low (<0.2 M) monomer concentrations the diffusion layer falls, compromising the electropolymerization current efficiency. Applying a homogeneous magnetic field (3.0 T) perpendicular to the electrode surface (θ=0°) produces concentration gradient paramagnetic forces (F _∇C) that hold the diffusion layer in contact with the electrode. This gives time for more oligomers to get oxidized and for more cation radicals to couple so that the current efficiency increases from 0.028 to 0.037 at 0.05 M of monomer concentration, and from 0.051 to 0.071 at 0.1 M. With the magnetic field parallel to the electrode surface (θ=90°) Lorenz forces causing magnetohydrodynamic convection, in combination with F _∇C forces keeping the flow pattern in contact with the electrode, increase the current efficiency even more, to 0.048 at 0.05 M of monomer concentration, and to 0.076 at 0.1 M. At higher monomer concentrations (>0.2 M), the rate of radical coupling is evidently fast enough so that, even in the absence of a magnetic field, no natural convection effects are observed and the current efficiency (0.7–0.8) is not affected by the magnetic field.

The meaning of ‘concentration’

Terminology within a small laboratory community can be informal without danger of misunderstanding, but communication with a wider audience and not least in publications, needs unequivocal terms for defined concepts. As an example, the many meanings of “concentration” are explored to present a systematic nomenclature, including a concept diagram.

On the open-circuit interaction between methanol and oxidized platinum electrodes

In the present work, results of the interaction between methanol and oxidized platinum surfaces as studied via transients of open-circuit potentials are presented. The surface oxidation before the exposure to interaction with 0.5 M methanol was performed at different polarization times at 1.4 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). In spite of the small changes in the initial oxide content, the increase of the pre-polarization time induces a considerable increase of the time needed for the oxide consumption during its interaction with methanol. The influence of the identity of the chemisorbing anion on the transients was also investigated in the following media: 0.1 M HClO₄, 0.5 M H₂SO₄, and 0.5 M H₂SO₄ + 0.1 mM Cl⁻. It was observed that the transient time increases with the energy of anion chemisorption and, more importantly, without a change in the shape of the transient, meaning that free platinum sites are available at the topmost layer all over the transient and not only in the potential region of small oxide ‘coverage’. The impact of the pre-polarization time and the effect of anion chemisorption on the transients are rationalized in terms of the presence of surface and subsurface oxygen driven by place exchange.

Kinetics of substitution at [tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)-hydroborato]molybdenum nitrosyl dihalides by alcohols and by aniline

The kinetics of substitution by alcohols and by aniline at [tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)hydroborato]molybdenum nitrosyl dihalides in toluene solution at 298.2 K and at atmospheric pressure are reported and interpreted in terms of an associative mechanism.

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Modeling of solvent viscosity effects on the electroreduction of Pt(II) aquachlorocomplexes

Solvent dynamics effects on the electroreduction of [PtCl₃(H₂O)]⁻ at a mercury electrode are explored in the framework of Sumi–Marcus model using an efficient computational scheme. According to results of density functional calculations, the second electron transfer step may be regarded as rate controlling. The nonmonotonous influence of solvent viscosity on the reaction rate is predicted and explained in terms of the saddle point avoidance. The results of model calculations are employed to interpret experimental data reported earlier in the literature.

X-ray structural analyses and DFT study of 7-thianorbornenes: 4-aza-4-phenyl-10-thiatricyclo[5.2.1.0.<Superscript>2,6</Superscript>]deca-8-ene-3,5-dione and 4-aza-l,4,7-trimethyl-10-thiatricyclo[5.2.1.0.<Superscript>2,6</Superscript>]deca-8-ene-3,5-dione

X-ray structures of Diels–Alder adducts of thiophene with N-methylmaleimide and 2,5-dimethylthiophene with N-phenylmaleimide were determined and compared to literature data. In addition, quantum chemical calculations at various levels of theory were used to study their molecular and electronic structure. A comparison with experimental results showed that MP2/6-31G^*, HF/6-311+G^** and PBE1PBE/6-31G^* methods give the most accurate structures.

In defence of the correlation coefficient

The relationship between calibrated range, residual standard deviation and correlation coefficient r is discussed. It is shown that in typical chemical calibration applications with appropriately distributed calibration points (particularly, with range comparable to mean and with approximately even or with ‘successive dilution’ spacing), the linear correlation coefficient has valid application as a routine criterion for acceptable fit if used with due care.

Sol–gel transitions of sodium montmorillonite dispersions by cationic end-capped poly(ethylene oxides) (surface modification of bentonites, IV)

Poly(ethylene oxides), PEO, end-capped with hexadecyl dimethylammonium, HDDMA⁺, and trimethylammonium hexyldimethylammonium, THA²⁺, changed distinctly the sol–gel transition of sodium montmorillonite dispersions. In the presence of HDDMA⁺-PEO 1,500 and 4,000, domains of sol with increased salt tolerance (c _k=550–1,000 mmol NaCl/l) were found at high polymer and low montmorillonite contents. The corresponding PEO of higher molar mass (20,000 and 35,000) led to extended fields of flocs. THA²⁺-PEO 1,500 formed attractive gels at polymer concentrations >2–5 g/l and montmorillonite contents >0.5%. These gels showed very high yield values. THA²⁺-PEO of higher molar mass acted as stabilizing agents. The salt tolerance was highest (300–750 mmol/l) in the presence of THA²⁺-PEO 20,000. The observed sol–gel diagrams reveal the interplay between polymer end-group fixation on the clay mineral particles, polymer conformation, and colloidal stabilization and destabilization mechanisms.

Electrochemical bandgaps of a series of poly-3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-phenylthiophenes

The change of the UV-Vis optical absorption of electropolymerized substituted poly-3-p-X-phenylthiophenes (X = -H, -CH₃, -OCH₃, -COCH₃, -COOC₂H₅, -NO₂) has been followed in situ as a function of applied electrode potential in an electrolyte solution of tetraethylammoniumtetrafluoroborate Et₄NBF₄ in acetonitrile. The UV-Vis spectra show features between 300 and 900 nm similar to those observed with many other polythiophenes having a high degree of conjugation. During stepwise oxidation of the poly-3-p-X-phenylthiophene films, the intensity of the absorption due to the π→π*-transition around 450–566 nm decreases, and a new broad absorption band associated with (bi)polaron states appears around 730–890 nm. On the other hand, during the oxidation (p-doping) of the poly-3-p-X-phenylthiophene films, a blue (hypsochromic) shift is observed for both absorption bands. This is explained by taking into account that a polymer contains a distribution of chain lengths, and the longest polymer chains (the absorption of which occurs at lower energies) start to oxidize at the relatively lowest potentials. The electrochemical bandgaps of poly-3-p-X-phenylthiophenes have been estimated based on results of cyclic voltammetry. Bandgaps obtained this way have been found to be generally higher than optical bandgaps; the actual discrepancy was found to depend on the mode of evaluation. Dedicated to Piero Zanello on the occasion of his 65th birthday in recognition of his numerous contributions to inorganic electrochemistry.

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Blue-emitting mesoporous films prepared via incorporation of luminescent Schiff base zinc(II) complex

Highly fluorescent materials have been prepared by incorporation of a zinc complex in mesoporous silica thin films with ordered pore structure. The zinc complex has been introduced into the mesoporous materials via impregnation in an ethanol solution. The incorporation into the films has been monitored by UV–Vis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry. After 18 h of immersion in the doping solution the films showed strong blue emission, increase in the refractive index. Leaching experiments performed by immersing the samples in ethanol or tetrahydrofuran have shown that the chromophore is retained in the porous matrix.

The effect of cationic disorder on the optical and electrochemical behavior of nanocrystalline ZnO preparedfrom peroxide precursors

The relation between particle size and the optical and electrochemical behavior of nanocrystalline ZnO was studied on materials prepared by the thermal decomposition of zinc peroxide. The formation of zinc oxide starts at 180°C and yields particles of characteristic size bigger than 10 nm. Smaller particles (r∼2–5 nm) may be prepared at reduced pressure and at a temperature of 150°C. The particle radius of synthesized nanocrystals increases proportionally to synthesis temperature. Regardless of actual particle size, synthesized ZnO samples show cationic disorder, with Zn distributed between 2b and 2a sites. The fraction of “octahedrally” coordinated Zn in 2a position decreases with increasing synthesis temperature. Zn disorder causes a narrowing of band gap, which results in the “red shift” of the absorption edge in the UV–Vis spectra of prepared samples with respect to bulk ZnO. The effect of the disorder on the band gap width is partially compensated by quantum size effects when the characteristic particle size drops below 5 nm. A decrease in particle size results in an asymmetric shift of valence and conduction band edges, which can be assigned to uneven effective masses of electrons and holes in nanocrystalline ZnO. Prepared nanocrystalline samples were (photo)electrochemically active; their activity, however, decreases with particle size.

State of partial oxidation of the regioregular sexi (3-octyl thiophene) oligomer in solid phase on electrode surface

An existence of a new, stable oligomer state of the solid film is reported, which is produced under electrochemical conditions. In this state, a formal charge exchanged in the redox process is about one-half of electron per oligomer molecule. The procedure, which allows controlling precisely the amount of oligomer on the electrode surface, is proposed that together with the coulometric evaluation of the electric charge provides the number of electrons involved in a redox process. This is demonstrated for a case of α-monochloro-substituted regioregular sexi (3-octylthiophene) oligomer (6OTCl). The electrochemical results are discussed together with UV–Vis–NIR spectroelectrochemical data obtained for both solution and solid phase that support the proposed interpretation.

Electrochemical studies and semiempirical calculations on π-conjugated dienones and heterocyclic nitrogen containing donor ligand molecules

Reduction potentials for the first electron transfer to a broad selection of nitrogen containing bi- and polydentate molecules considered as potential ligands have been determined. Results are compared with data obtained with semiempirical and UV-Vis spectroscopic data. Close correlations for the investigated molecules are observed. Systematic differences in properties of molecules with and without the keto moiety can be explained by invoking molecular orbital and surface interaction arguments. Similar structural arguments can be used to explain the behaviour of 2,4,6-tripyridin-2–yl[1,3,5]triazine. UV-Vis data match closely those derived from HOMO-LUMO calculations for these molecules.