Influence of Electronic Effects on the Reactivity of Triazolylidene‐Boryl Radicals: Consequences for the use of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Boranes in Organic and Polymer Synthesis

A small library of triazolylidene‐boranes that differ only in the nature of the aryl group on the external nitrogen atom was prepared. Their reactivity as hydrogen‐atom donors, as well as that of the corresponding N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐boryl radicals toward methyl acrylate and oxygen, was investigated by laser flash photolysis, molecular orbital calculations, and ESR spin‐trapping experiments, and benchmarked relative to the already known dimethyltriazolylidene‐borane. The new NHC‐boranes were also used as co‐initiators for the Type I photopolymerization of acrylates. This allowed a structure–reactivity relationship with regard to the substitution pattern of the NHC to be established and the role of electronic effects in the reactivity of NHC‐boryl radicals to be probed. Although their rate of addition to methyl acrylate depends on their electronegativity, the radicals are all nucleophilic and good initiators for photopolymerization reactions.     

Silver–N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Synthesis,Characterization, and Antimicrobial Properties

Six new silver complexes containing symmetrical N ‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC ) ligands were synthesized by the reaction of azolium salts with Ag₂O in CH₂Cl₂ . These complexes were tested against Gram‐negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ), Gram‐positive bacterial strains (Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus ), and fungal strains (Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis ), and all tested complexes showed good activity against the different microorganisms.     

Synthesis of Pyridine N‐Oxide–BF2CF3 Complexes and Their Fluorescence Properties

Pyridine N‐oxide–BF₂CF₃ and –BF₂C₂F₅ complexes and their derivatives were synthesized. Most of the complexes show fluorescence both in solution and in the solid state. By expanding the π‐conjugated skeleton, the color of the fluorescence could be changed dramatically. A fluorophore with a high solvent dependency could also be produced. Since such compounds can be synthesized on a gram scale in high yield, and are stable to oxygen, water, and heat, the complexes hold great potential as organic functional materials.     

New Phenomena in Organometallic‐Mediated Radical Polymerization (OMRP) and Perspectives for Control of Less Active Monomers

The impact of reversible bond formation between a growing radical chain and a metal complex (organometallic‐mediated radical polymerization (OMRP) equilibrium) to generate an organometallic intermediate/dormant species is analyzed with emphasis on the interplay between this and other one‐electron processes involving the metal complex, which include halogen transfer in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), hydrogen‐atom transfer in catalytic chain transfer (CCT), and catalytic radical termination (CRT). The challenges facing the controlled polymerization of “less active monomers” (LAMs) are outlined and, after reviewing the recent achievements of OMRP in this area, the perspectives of this technique are analyzed.     

Synthesis of CdSe–Poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) Nanocomposite by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization for Potential Optoelectronic Applications

A hybrid inorganic–polymer nanocomposite using CdSe nanocrystals with high electron mobility has been successfully synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). First the hydroxyl‐coated CdSe nanoparticles (i.e., CdSe–OH) were prepared via a wet chemical route. A polymerization initiator was then prepared for ATRP of N‐vinylcarbazole. FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, and XRD analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of CdSe–poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVK) nanohybrid. UV–Vis spectra and photoluminescence data revealed that grafting of PVK onto the surface of CdSe nanocrystals would reduce the band gap of PVK and cause the red shift of emission peak. TEM and SEM micrographs exhibited CdSe nanoparticles that were well‐coated with PVK polymer.

     

Red‐Light‐Induced Decomposition of an Organic Peroxy Radical: A New Source of the HO2 Radical

The gas‐phase decomposition of the α‐hydroxy methylperoxy radical has been theoretically examined, and the results provide insight into a new source of the hydroperoxy radical (HO₂) in the troposphere. Bimolecular peroxy decomposition is promoted by the red‐light or near‐IR radiation excitation. The calculations suggest for the first time, an important chemical role for the H₂O?HO₂ radical complex that exist in significant abundance in the troposphere. In particular, the reaction of organic peroxy radicals with the HO₂ radical and the H₂O?HO₂ radical complex represent an autocatalytic source of atmospheric HO₂. This reaction is a new example of red‐light‐initiated atmospheric chemistry that may help in understanding the discrepancy between the observed and measured levels of the HO_x at sunrise.     

Synthesis of Mixed Silylene–Carbene Chelate Ligands from N‐Heterocyclic Silylcarbenes Mediated by Nickel

The Ni^II‐mediated tautomerization of the N‐heterocyclic hydrosilylcarbene L²Si(H)(CH₂)NHC 1 , where L²=CH(C?CH₂)(CMe)(NAr)₂, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃; NHC=3,4,5‐trimethylimidazol‐2‐yliden‐6‐yl, leads to the first N‐heterocyclic silylene (NHSi)–carbene (NHC) chelate ligand in the dibromo nickel(II) complex [L¹Si:(CH₂)(NHC)NiBr₂] 2 (L¹=CH(MeC?NAr)₂). Reduction of 2 with KC₈ in the presence of PMe₃ as an auxiliary ligand afforded, depending on the reaction time, the N‐heterocyclic silyl–NHC bromo Ni^II complex [L²Si(CH₂)NHCNiBr(PMe₃)] 3 and the unique Ni⁰ complex [η²(Si‐H){L²Si(H)(CH₂)NHC}Ni(PMe₃)₂] 4 featuring an agostic Si? H→Ni bonding interaction. When 1,2‐bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (DMPE) was employed as an exogenous ligand, the first NHSi–NHC chelate‐ligand‐stabilized Ni⁰ complex [L¹Si:(CH₂)NHCNi(dmpe)] 5 could be isolated. Moreover, the dicarbonyl Ni⁰ complex 6 , [L¹Si:(CH₂)NHCNi(CO)₂], is easily accessible by the reduction of 2 with K(BHEt₃) under a CO atmosphere. The complexes were spectroscopically and structurally characterized. Furthermore, complex 2 can serve as an efficient precatalyst for Kumada–Corriu‐type cross‐coupling reactions.     

Synthesis and Characterization of (–)‐Menthyl Containing N‐Alkyl Cycloimmonium Salts

The reaction of 4‐phenyl‐2‐aminothiazole or 2‐amino pyridine with α‐bromo acetic (–)‐menthyl ester ( 2c ) yields new N‐alkyl cycloimmonium bromides ( 1c , 3 ) with the chiral (–)‐menthyl substituent, which were isolated and fully characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy for the first time. In addition, starting from 4‐phenyl‐2‐aminothiazole, two further N‐alkyl cycloimmonium bromides ( 1a , 1b ) were prepared. The molecular and crystal structures of all three thiazole derived N‐alkyl cycloimmonium bromides ( 1a – c ) were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In all cases the crystal structures are dominated by N–H ··· Br hydrogen bonds, which results in the formation of an extensive hydrogen bonded network in the crystal. Interestingly, in all structures S ··· Br^– distances shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii are observed.     

N‐chloro amides,lactams, carbamates,and imides. New classes of initiators for the metal‐catalyzed living radical polymerization of methacrylates

Metal‐catalyzed living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated with N‐chloro amides (N‐chloro N‐ethyl propionamide, N‐chloro benzanilide, N‐chloro methylbenzamide, and N‐chloro acetanilide), lactams (N‐chloro caprolactam and N‐chloro 2‐pyrrolidinone), carbamates or urethanes (N‐chloro ethylcarbamate or N‐chlorourethane), imides (N‐chloro phtalimide, N‐chloro succinimide, trichloroisocyanuric acid, and N‐chloro saccharin) and catalyzed with the self‐regulated catalytic system Cu₂S/2,2′‐bipyridine is reported. The initiation efficiency of these initiators is determined by their structure. Regardless of the initiator efficiency, in all cases, poly (methyl methacrylate) with narrow molecular weight distribution and functionalized chain‐ends was obtained. These new classes of initiators open new strategies for the functionalization of polymer chain‐ends and for the synthesis of complex architectures by graft copolymerization initiated from N‐chloro proteins, aliphatic, aromatic and semiaromatic polyamides, and polyurethanes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 5283–5299, 2005     

Synthesis of a novel high sensitive photo‐radical initiator with good thermal stability based on naphthalic‐1,8‐N‐alkylimide derivatives

A new high‐sensitive photo‐radical initiator, N‐[2‐(2‐acryloyloxyethoxy)ethyl]‐1,8‐naphthalimide (NI6), with good thermal stability based on naphthylimide derivative was developed. NI6 was prepared by the condensation of N‐[2‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy)ethyl]‐1,8‐naphthalimide and acryloyl chloride in the presence of 4‐dimethylaminopyridine. The film consisting of NI6 and pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA) showed higher photosensitivity than those containing conventional photo‐radical initiators such as acrylic acid 2‐(2‐{2‐[2‐(4‐benzoyl‐phenoxy)‐ethoxy]‐ethoxy}‐ethoxy)‐ethyl ester, cyclohexylmaleimide, and the resulting film exhibited very high transmittance over 400 nm. The thermal stability of NI6 was very high and no decomposed residues were observed from the film consisting of NI 6 after heating at 250 °C for 1 h. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 5571–5580, 2005     

Quantifying Photoinitiation Efficiencies in a Multiphotoinitiated Free‐Radical Polymerization

Online size exclusion chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (SEC/ESI–MS) is employed for quantifying the overall initiation efficiencies of photolytically generated radical fragments. In a unique experiment, we present the first quantitative and systematic study of methyl‐substituted acetophenone‐type photoinitiators being employed in a single cocktail to initiate the free‐radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in bulk. The photoinitiators are constituted of a set of two known and four new molecules, which represent an increasing number of methyl substituents on their benzoyl fragment, that is, benzoin, 4‐methylbenzoin, 2,4‐dimethylbenzoin, 2,4,6‐trimethylbenzoin, 2,3,5,6‐tetramethylbenzoin, and 2,3,4,5,6‐pentamethylbenzoin. The absolute quantitative evaluation of the mass spectra shows a clear difference in the initiation ability of the differently substituted benzoyl‐type radical fragments: Increasing the number of methyl substituents leads to a decrease in incorporation of the radical fragments.     

Radical heterogeneous polymerization behavior of N‐methyl‐α‐fluoroacrylamide in benzene

The polymerization of N‐methyl‐α‐fluoroacrylamide (NMFAm) initiated with dimethyl 2,2′‐azobisisobutyrate (MAIB) in benzene was studied kinetically and with electron spin resonance. The polymerization proceeded heterogeneously with the highly efficient formation of long‐lived poly(NMFAm) radicals. The overall activation energy of the polymerization was 111 kJ/mol. The polymerization rate (R_p) at 50 °C is given by R_p = k[MAIB]^0.75±0.05 [NMFAm]^0.44±0.05. The concentration of the long‐lived polymer radical increased linearly with time. The formation rate (R_p?) of the long‐lived polymer radical at 50 °C is expressed by R_p? = k[MAIB]^1.0±0.1 [NMFAm]^0±0.1. The overall activation energy of the long‐lived radical formation was 128 kJ/mol, which agreed with the energy of initiation (129 kJ/mol), which was separately estimated. A comparison of R_p? with the initiation rate led to the conclusion that 1‐methoxycarbonyl‐1‐methylethyl radicals (primary radicals from MAIB), escaping from the solvent cage, were quantitatively converted into the long‐lived poly(NMFAm) radicals. Thus, this polymerization involves completely unimolecular termination due to polymer radical occlusion. ¹H NMR‐determined tacticities of resulting poly(NMFAm) were estimated to be rr = 0.34, mr = 0.48, and mm = 0.18. The copolymerization of NMFAm(M₁) and St(M₂) with MAIB at 50 °C in benzene gave monomer reactivity ratios of r₁ = 0.61 and r₂ = 1.79. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2196–2205, 2001     

SET–LRP of N‐isopropylacrylamide in the presence of chain transfer agent

In this study, single electron transfer‐living radical polymerization (SET–LRP) of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) in the presence of 2‐mercaptoethylamine chain transfer agent (CTA) was carried out by Cu(0) generated in situ from the disproportionation of CuBr/2,2′‐bipyridine (2,2′‐bpy) in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) at 90 °C. Analysis of polymerization kinetics in the presence of CTA showed that the premature termination of growing polymer chains leads to retardation. The apparent rate constant of polymerization (k) decreased from 4.49 × 10^?4 to 2.59 × 10^?4 min^?1 with increasing CTA concentration. The initiator efficiency (I_eff) and the chain transfer constant (C_s) were found to be 0.524 and 0.286, respectively. The molecular weights of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) [poly(NIPAM)] produced were significantly higher than the predicted values, and the polydispersities were less than 1.22. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Properties of Four Metal Complexes with Mulitdentate N‐Acyl‐Salicylhydrazide Ligands

The reactions of the new nitrilotriacetic acid N′,N′,N′‐tri(salicyloyl)trihydrazide (Ntash) with the corresponding metal salts gave four new complexes [Pb₄(bshz)₂] · 2DMF ( 1 ), [Co₂(bshz)(C₅H₅N)₆] · 2ClO₄ · (C₅H₅N) · 2H₂O ( 2 ), [Cu₃(fshz)₂(C₅H₅N)₂] ( 3 ), and [Zn₃(fshz)₂(C₅H₅N)₃]_n · 2DMF ( 4 ), in which two multidentate ligands, namely N,N′‐disalicyloylhydrazine (H₄bshz) and N‐formylsalicylhydrazide (H₃fshz) were generated in situ from Ntash. The structures of these complexes were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 presents a novel tetranuclear lead(II) cluster structure with the four lead(II) cations in “hemidirected” coordination spheres. The neighboring tetranuclear clusters of 1 are connected by DMF molecules through weak Pb–O bonds, forming one‐dimensional ribbons. Complexes 2 and 3 show dinuclear and linear trinuclear structures with the corresponding Co^III and Cu^II ions in distorted octahedral and square‐planar coordination environments, respectively. Complex 4 exhibits a one‐dimensional zigzag chain structure. The magnetic properties of 3 and the photoluminescent properties of 4 were also investigated.     

Tunable Fluorophores Based on 2‐(N‐Arylimino)pyrrolyl Chelates of Diphenylboron: Synthesis,Structure, Photophysical Characterization,and Application in OLEDs

Reactions of 2‐(N‐arylimino)pyrroles (HNC₄H₃C(H)?N‐Ar) with triphenylboron (BPh₃) in boiling toluene afford the respective highly emissive N,N′‐boron chelate complexes, [BPh₂{κ²N,N′‐NC₄H₃C(H)?N‐Ar}] (Ar=C₆H₅ ( 12 ), 2,6‐Me₂‐C₆H₃ ( 13 ), 2,6‐iPr₂‐C₆H₃ ( 14 ), 4‐OMe‐C₆H₄ ( 15 ), 3,4‐Me₂‐C₆H₃ ( 16 ), 4‐F‐C₆H₄ ( 17 ), 4‐NO₂‐C₆H₄ ( 18 ), 4‐CN‐C₆H₄ ( 19 ), 3,4,5‐F₃‐C₆H₂ ( 20 ), and C₆F₅ ( 21 )) in moderate to high yields. The photophysical properties of these new boron complexes largely depend on the substituents present on the aryl rings of their N‐arylimino moieties. The complexes bearing electron‐withdrawing aniline substituents 17 – 20 show more intense (e.g., ?_f=0.71 for Ar=4‐CN‐C₆H₄ ( 19 ) in THF), higher‐energy (blue) fluorescent emission compared to those bearing electron‐donating substituents, for which the emission is redshifted at the expense of lower quantum yields (?_f=0.13 and 0.14 for Ar=4‐OMe‐C₆H₄ ( 15 ) and 3,4‐Me₂‐C₆H₃ ( 16 ), respectively, in THF). The presence of substituents bulkier than a hydrogen atom at the 2,6‐positions of the aryl groups strongly restricts rotation of this moiety towards coplanarity with the iminopyrrolyl ligand framework, inducing a shift in the emission to the violet region (λ_max=410–465 nm) and a significant decrease in quantum yield (?_f=0.005, 0.023, and 0.20 for Ar=2,6‐Me₂‐C₆H₃ ( 13 ), 2,6‐iPr₂‐C₆H₃ ( 14 ), and C₆F₅ ( 21 ), respectively, in THF), even when electron‐withdrawing groups are also present. Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) calculations have indicated that the excited singlet state has a planar aryliminopyrrolyl ligand, except when prevented by steric hindrance (ortho substituents). Calculated absorption maxima reproduce the experimental values, but the error is higher for the emission wavelengths. Organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) have been fabricated with the new boron complexes, with luminances of the order of 3000 cd m^?2 being achieved for a green‐emitting device.     

Synthesis of a series of SG1 2‐[N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐(1‐diethoxyphosphoryl‐2,2‐dimethylpropyl)aminoxyl] based alkoxyamines,SG1‐CH(Me)CO2R,and measurement of the homolysis rate constants of the C?ON bond

During nitroxide‐mediated polymerization, the polymerization time decreases with an increasing rate constant of the cleavage of the NO? C bond of dormant alkoxyamines. Thus, knowledge of the factors influencing this cleavage is of considerable interest. We have prepared a series of SG1 2‐[N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐(1‐diethoxyphosphoryl‐2,2‐dimethylpropyl)aminoxyl] based alkoxyamines [SG1‐CH(Me)CO₂R] with various R groups (alkyl or aryl) and measured the homolysis rate constants (k_d). k_d decreases with the bulkiness and increases with the polarity of the R group. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3504–3515, 2004     

Synthesis and Characterization of New N‐Heterocyclic Silylazides

Three novel pyridine functionalized N‐heterocyclic silanes, bearing chloride and azide moieties, were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si), mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and single‐crystal XRD. The molecular structures show a comparably strong dative interaction of the pyridine‐N with the Si center, formally inducing a penta‐coordination arrangement at the silicon(IV). Under appropriate conditions, the silylazides, presented in this work, might be able to thermo‐ or photolytically liberate gaseous nitrogen giving rise to a promising synthetic option to access a variety of new transition metal silylene complexes with potential applications in various catalytic reactions.     

Asymmetric cyclopolymerization of N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐allylacrylamide in the presence of β‐cyclodextrin

The radical polymerization of N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐allylacrylamide (t‐BAA) was carried out in a dimethyl sulfoxide/H₂O mixture in the presence of β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD). The polymerization proceeded with the complete cyclization of the t‐BAA unit and yielded optically active poly(t‐BAA). The IR spectrum of the obtained polymer showed that the cyclic structure in the polymer was a five‐membered ring. The optical activity of poly(t‐BAA) increased with an increasing molar ratio of β‐CD to the t‐BAA monomer. The interaction of β‐CD with t‐BAA was confirmed by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR analyses of the polymerization system. It is suggested that interaction of the t‐BAA monomer with the hydrophobic cavity of β‐CD plays an important role in the asymmetric cyclopolymerization of t‐BAA. The radical copolymerization of t‐BAA with styrene (St), methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, or benzyl methacrylate (BMA) also produced optically active copolymers with a cyclic structure from the t‐BAA unit. St and BMA carrying a phenyl group were predicted to compete with t‐BAA for interaction with β‐CD in the copolymerization system. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2098–2105, 2000     

Facile Synthesis of Nitrogen Tetradentate Ligands and Their Applications in CuI‐Catalyzed N‐Arylation and Azide–Alkyne Cycloaddition

Five new tetradentate ligands [NNNN] with benzimidazolyl‐imine or amine nitrogen donors have been synthesized in good yields under mild conditions from easily available substrates. trans‐N,N′‐bis(1‐Ethyl‐2‐benzimidazolylmethylene)cyclohexane‐1,2‐diimine is the best accelerating ligand in this series that supports the Cu^I‐catalyzed Ullmann N‐arylation and the direct three‐component azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction to give the corresponding substituted imidazole, pyrazole, and triazole in high yields. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis of its complex with CuI reveals a novel one‐dimensional coordination polymer of the metal chain bridged alternately by the [NNNN] ligand and diiodides.     

Amphiphilic conetworks. II. Novel two‐step synthesis of poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]–polyisobutylene,poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)–polyisobutylene,and poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide)–polyisobutylene hydrogels

Amphiphilic polymer conetworks consisting of hydrophilic poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate], poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide), or poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) and hydrophobic polyisobutylene chains were synthesized with a novel two‐step procedure. In the first step, a methacrylate‐multifunctional polyisobutylene crosslinker was prepared by the cationic copolymerization of isobutylene with 3‐isopropenyl‐α,α‐dimethylbenzyl isocyanate. In the second step, the methacrylate‐multifunctional polyisobutylene crosslinker, with a number‐average molecular weight of 8200 and an average functionality of approximately 4 per chain, was copolymerized radically with 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, N‐isopropylacrylamide, or N,N‐dimethylacrylamide into transparent amphiphilic conetworks containing 42–47 mol % hydrophilic monomer. The synthesized conetworks were characterized with solid‐state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The amphiphilic nature of the conetworks was proved by swelling in both water and n‐heptane. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6378–6384, 2006