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.     

Iodostannate(II) mit kettenförmigen [SnI3]–‐Anionen – der Übergang von fünffach zu sechsfach koordinierten SnII‐Zentralatomen

Iodostannates(II) with Anionic [SnI₃]^– Chains – the Transition from Five to Six‐coordinated Sn^II The iodostannates (Me₄N) [SnI₃] ( 1 ), [Et₃N–(CH₂)₄–NEt₃] [SnI₃]₂ ( 2 ), [EtMe₂N–(CH₂)₂–NEtMe₂] [SnI₃]₂ ( 3 ), [Me₂HN–(CH₂)₂–NH–(CH₂)₂–NMe₂H] [SnI₃]₂ ( 4 ), [Et₃N–(CH₂)₆–NEt₃] [SnI₃]₂ ( 5 ) and [Pr₃N–(CH₂)₄–NPr₃]‐ [SnI₃]₂ · 2 DMF ( 6 ) with the same composition of the anionic [SnI₃]^– chains show differences in the coordination of the Sn^II central atoms. Whereas the Sn atoms in 1 and 2 are coordinated in an approximately regular octahedral fashion, in compounds 3 – 6 the continuous transition to coordination number five in (Pr₄N) [SnI₃] ( 7 ) or [Fe(dmf)₆] [SnI₃]₂ ( 8 ) can be observed. Together with the shortening of two or three Sn–I bonds, the bonds in trans position are elongated. Thus weak, long‐range Sn…I interactions complete the distorted octahedral environment of SnI₄ groups in 3 and 4 and SnI₃ groups in 5 and 6 . Obviously the shape, size and charge of the counterions and the related cation‐anion interactions are responsible for the variants in structure and distortion.     

Incorporating glycidyl methacrylate into block copolymers using poly(methacrylate‐ran‐styrene) macroinitiators synthesized by nitroxide‐mediated polymerization

Methyl methacrylate/styrene (MMA/S), ethyl methacrylate/styrene (EMA/S) and butyl methacrylate/styrene (BMA/S) feeds (>90 mol % methacrylate) were copolymerized in 50 wt % p‐xylene at 90 °C with 10 mol % of additional SG1‐free nitroxide mediator relative to unimolecular initiator (BlocBuilder^®) to yield methacrylate rich copolymers with polydispersities _w/ _n = 1.23–1.46. k_pK values (k_p = propagation rate constant, K = equilibrium constant) for MMA/S copolymerizations were comparable with previous literature, whereas EMA/S and BMA/S copolymerizations were characterized by slightly higher k_pK's. Chain extensions with styrene at 110 °C initiated by the methacrylate‐rich macroinitiators (number average molecular weight _n = 12.9–33.5 kg mol^?1) resulted in slightly broader molecular weight distributions with _w/ _n = 1.24–1.86 and were often bimodal. Chain extensions with glycidyl methacrylate/styrene/methacrylate (GMA/S/XMA where XMA = MMA, EMA or BMA) mixtures at 90 °C using the same macroinitiators resulted frequently in bimodal molecular weight distributions with many inactive macroinitiators and higher _w/ _n = 2.01–2.48. P(XMA/S) macroinitiators ( _n = 4.9–8.9 kg mol^?1), polymerized to low conversion and purified to remove “dead” chains, initiated chain extensions with GMA/MMA/S and GMA/EMA/S giving products with _w/ _n ～ 1.5 and much fewer unreacted macroinitiators (<5%), whereas the GMA/BMA/S chain extension was characterized by slightly more unreacted macroinitiators (～20%). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2574–2588, 2009     

Direct Cyclodextrin‐Mediated Ring Opening Polymerization of ϵ‐Caprolactone in the Presence of Yttrium Trisphenolate Catalyst

Unmodified β‐cyclodextrin has been directly used to initiate ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactone in the presence of yttrium trisphenolate. Well‐defined cyclodextrin (CD)‐centered star‐shaped poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)s have been successfully synthesized containing definite average numbers of arms (N_arm = 4–6) and narrow polydispersity indexes (below 1.10). The number‐average molecular weight ( ) and average molecular weight per arm ( ) are controlled by the feeding molar ratio of monomer to initiator. The prepared star‐PCL with of 2.7 × 10³ is in fully amorphous and that with of 13.3 × 10³ is crystallized. In addition, the obtained poly(e‐caprolactone) (PCL) stars with various molecular weights have different solubilities in methanol and tetrahydrofuran, which can be applied for further modifications.     

Determination of thermodynamic properties of macroporous glycidyl methacrylate‐based copolymers by inverse gas chromatography

Macroporous crosslinked poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (PGME) was synthesized by suspension copolymerization and modified by ring‐opening reaction of the pendant epoxy groups with ethylene diamine (EDA). Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) at infinite dilution was applied to determine the thermodynamic interactions of PGME and modified copolymer, PGME‐en. The specific surface areas of the initial and modified copolymer samples were determined by the BET method, from low‐temperature nitrogen adsorption isotherms. The specific retention volumes, V, of 10 organic compounds of different chemical nature and polarity (nonpolar, donor, or acceptor) were determined in the temperature range 333–413 K. The weight fraction activity coefficients of test sorbates, , and Flory–Huggins interaction parameters, , were calculated and discussed in terms of interactions of sorbates with PGME and PGME‐en. Also, the partial molar free energy, , partial molar heat of mixing, , sorption molar free energy, ΔG, sorption enthalpy ΔH, and sorption entropy, ΔS, were calculated. Glass transitions in PGME and PGME‐en, determined from IGC data, were observed in the temperature range 373–393 K and 363–373 K, respectively. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2524–2533, 2005     

Combining Modular Ligation and Supramolecular Self‐Assembly for the Construction of Star‐Shaped Macromolecules

A well‐defined random copolymer of styrene (S) and chloromethylstyrene (CMS) featuring lateral chlorine moieties with an alkyne terminal group is prepared (P(S‐co‐CMS), = 5500 Da, PDI = 1.13). The chloromethyl groups are converted into Hamilton wedge (HW) entities (P(S‐co‐HWS), = 6200 Da, PDI = 1.13). The P(S‐co‐HWS) polymer is subsequently ligated with tetrakis(4‐azidophenyl)methane to give HW‐functional star‐shaped macromolecules (P(S‐co‐HWS))₄, = 25 100 Da, PDI = 1.08). Supramolecular star‐shaped copolymers are then prepared via self‐assembly between the HW‐functionalized four‐arm star‐shaped macromolecules ( P(S‐co‐HW )) ₄ and cyanuric acid (CA) end‐functionalized PS (PS–CA, = 3700 Da, PDI = 1.04), CA end‐functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA–CA, = 8500 Da, PDI = 1.13) and CA end‐functionalized polyethylene glycol (PEG–CA, = 1700 Da, PDI = 1.05). The self‐assembly is monitored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and light scattering analyses.     

Lamellar Copper(I) Thiocyanate‐Based Coordination Polymers containing the Alkali Cation ligating Thiacrown Ether 1,10‐Dithia‐18‐crown‐6

The lamellar coordination polymer [(CuSCN)₂(μ‐1,10DT18C6)] (1,10DT18C6 = 1,10‐dithia‐18‐crown‐6), in which staircase‐like CuSCN double chains are bridged by thiacrown ether ligands, may be prepared in two triclinic modifications 1 a and 1 b by reaction of CuSCN with 1,10DT18C6 in respectively benzonitrile or water. Performing the reaction in acetonitrile in the presence of an equimolar quantity of KSCN leads, in contrast, to formation of the K⁺ ligating 2‐dimensional thiocyanatocuprate(I) net [{Cu₂(SCN)₃}^–] of 2 , half of whose Cu(I) atoms are connected by 1,10DT18C6 macrocycles. The potassium cations in [{K(CH₃CN)}{Cu₂(SCN)₃(μ‐1,10DT18C6)}] ( 2 ) are coordinated by all six potential donor atoms of a single thiacrown ether in addition to a thiocyanate S and an acetonitrile N atom. Under similar conditions, reaction of CuI, NaSCN and 1,10DT18C6 affords [{Na(CH₃CN)₂}{Cu₄I₄(SCN)(μ‐1,10DT18C6)}] ( 3 ), which contains distorted Cu₄I₄ cubes as characteristic molecular building units. These are bridged by thiocyanate and thiacrown ether ligands into corrugated Na⁺ ligating sheets. In the presence of divalent Ba²⁺ cations, charge compensation requirements lead to formation of discrete [Cu(SCN)₃(1,10DT18C6‐κS)]^2– anions in [Ba{Cu(SCN)₃(1,10DT18C6‐κS)}] ( 4 ).     

Lanthanide(III) Complexes of 2‐[4,7,10‐Tris(phosphonomethyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecan‐1‐yl]acetic Acid (H7DOA3P): Multinuclear‐NMR and Kinetic Studies

The protonation constants of 2‐[4,7,10‐tris(phosphonomethyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecan‐1‐yl]acetic acid (H₇DOA3P) and of the complexes [Ln(DOA3P)]^4? (Ln=Ce, Pr, Sm, Eu, and Yb) have been determined by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy in the range pD 2–13.8, without control of ionic strength. Seven out of eleven protonation steps were detected (pK =13.66, 12.11, 7.19, 6.15, 5.77, 2.99, and 1.99), and the values found compare well with the ones recently determined by potentiometry for H₇DOA3P, and for other related ligands. The overall basicity of H₇DOA3P is higher than that of H₄DOTA and trans‐H₆DO2A2P but lower than that of H₈DOTP. Based on multinuclear‐NMR spectroscopy, the protonation sequence for H₇DOA3P was also tentatively assigned. Three protonation constants (pK_MHL, pK_MH2L, and pK_MH3L) were determined for the lanthanide complexes, and the values found are relatively high, although lower than the protonation constants of the related ligand (pK , pK , and pK ), indicating that the coordinated phosphonate groups in these complexes are protonated. The acid‐assisted dissociation of [Ln(DOA3P)]^4? (Ln=Ce, Eu), in the region c_H+=0.05–3.00 mol dm^?3 and at different temperatures (25–60°), indicated that they have slightly the same kinetic inertness, being the [Eu(H₂O)₉]³⁺ aqua ion the final product for europium. The rates of complex formation for [Ln(DOA3P)]^4? (Ln=Ce, Eu) were studied by UV/VIS spectroscopy in the pH range 5.6–6.8. The reaction intermediate [Eu(DOA3P)]* as ‘out‐of‐cage’ complex contains four H₂O molecules, while the final product, [Eu(DOA3P)]^4?, does not contain any H₂O molecule, as proved by steady‐state/time‐resolved luminescence spectroscopy.     

Peculiar kinetics of the complex formation in the iron(III)–sulfate system

The results of comprehensive equilibrium and kinetic studies of the iron(III)–sulfate system in aqueous solutions at I = 1.0 M (NaClO₄), in the concentration ranges of T = 0.15–0.3 mM, and at pH 0.7–2.5 are presented. The iron(III)–containing species detected are FeOH²⁺ (=FeH_?1), (FeOH) (=Fe₂H_?2), FeSO, and Fe(SO₄) with formation constants of log β = ?2.84, log β = ?2.88, log β = 2.32, and log β = 3.83. The formation rate constants of the stepwise formation of the sulfate complexes are k_1a = 4.4 × 10³ M^?1 s^?1 for the ${\rm Fe}^{3+} + {\rm SO}_4^{2-}\,\stackrel{k_{1a}}{\rightleftharpoons}\, {\rm FeSO}_4^+The results of comprehensive equilibrium and kinetic studies of the iron(III)–sulfate system in aqueous solutions at I = 1.0 M (NaClO₄), in the concentration ranges of T = 0.15–0.3 mM, and at pH 0.7–2.5 are presented. The iron(III)–containing species detected are FeOH²⁺ (=FeH_?1), (FeOH) (=Fe₂H_?2), FeSO, and Fe(SO₄) with formation constants of log β = ?2.84, log β = ?2.88, log β = 2.32, and log β = 3.83. The formation rate constants of the stepwise formation of the sulfate complexes are k_1a = 4.4 × 10³ M^?1 s^?1 for the ${\rm Fe}^{3+} + {\rm SO}_4^{2-}\,\stackrel{k_{1a}}{\rightleftharpoons}\, {\rm FeSO}_4^+$ step and k₂ = 1.1 × 10³ M^?1 s^?1 for the ${\rm FeSO}_4^+ + {\rm SO}_4^{2-} \stackrel{k_2}{\rightleftharpoons}\, {\rm Fe}({\rm SO}_4)_2^-$ step. The mono‐sulfate complex is also formed in the ${\rm Fe}({\rm OH})^{2+} + {\rm SO}_4^{2-} \stackrel{k_{1b}}{\longrightarrow} {\rm FeSO}_4^+$ reaction with the k_1b = 2.7 × 10⁵ M^?1 s^?1 rate constant. The most surprising result is, however, that the 2 FeSO? Fe³⁺ + Fe(SO₄) equilibrium is established well before the system as a whole reaches its equilibrium state, and the main path of the formation of Fe(SO₄) is the above fast (on the stopped flow scale) equilibrium process. The use and advantages of our recently elaborated programs for the evaluation of equilibrium and kinetic experiments are briefly outlined. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 114–124, 2008     

Structure and Bonding of the Hexameric Platinum(II) Dichloride,Pt6Cl12 (β‐PtCl2)

The crystal structure of Pt₆Cl₁₂ (β‐PtCl₂) was redetermined ( a_h = 13.126Å, c_h = 8.666Å, Z = 3; a_rh = 8.110Å, α = 108.04°; 367 hkl, R = 0.032). As has been shown earlier, the structure is in principle a hierarchical variant of the cubic structure type of tungsten (bcc), which atoms are replaced by the hexameric Pt₆Cl₁₂ molecules. Due to the 60° rotation of the cuboctahedral clusters about one of the trigonal axes, the symmetry is reduced from to ( ). The molecule Pt₆Cl₁₂ shows the (trigonally elongated) structure of the classic M₆X₁₂ cluster compounds with (distorted) square‐planar PtCl₄ fragments, however without metal‐metal bonds. The Pt atoms are shifted outside the Cl₁₂ cuboctahedron by Δ = +0.046Å ( (Pt—Cl) = 2.315Å; (Pt—Pt) = 3.339Å). The scalar relativistic DFT calculations results in the full symmetry for the optimized structure of the isolated molecule with d(Pt—Cl) = 2.381Å, d(Pt—Pt) = 3.468Å and Δ = +0.072Å. The electron distribution of the Pt‐Pt antibonding HOMO exhibits an outwards‐directed asymmetry perpendicular to the PtCl₄ fragments, that plays the decisive role for the cluster packing in the crystal. A comparative study of the Electron Localization Function with the hypothetical trans‐(Nb₂Zr₄)Cl₁₂ molecule shows the distinct differences between Pt₆Cl₁₂ and clusters with metal‐metal bonding. Due to the characteristic electronic structure, the crystal structure of Pt₆Cl₁₂ in space group is an optimal one, which results from comparison with rhombohedral Zr₆I₁₂ and a cubic bcc arrangement.     

Determination of Electrochemical Electron‐Transfer Reaction Standard Rate Constants at Nanoelectrodes: Standard Rate Constants for Ferrocenylmethyltrimethylammonium(III)/(II) and Hexacyanoferrate(III)/(II)

The most common approximation of electroneutrality is inappropriate for analyzing the voltammetric response of nanoelectrodes. Therefore, the microelectrode theory for extracting the standard rate constant k⁰ for electron transfer from steady‐state voltammograms is invalid for nanoelectrodes. Unlike previous approaches, we considered the influence of the interfacial potential distribution caused by the absence of electroneutrality. We estimated the magnitude of the error at low overpotential incurred as a result of ignoring the absence of electroneutrality and found that it was small. In this region, electrochemical reaction appears to be limited by the rate of electron transfer. Under these conditions, k⁰ can be obtained from steady‐state voltammogram data in a low overpotential region according to an approximate form of the Butler–Volmer equation. This procedure can greatly simplify analysis and calculation of the rate constant k⁰ at nanoelectrodes. Steady‐state voltammogram of equal‐concentration hexacyanoferrate(III)/(II) (Fe(CN) /Fe(CN) ) and ferrocenylmethyltrimethylammonium(III)/(II) (FcTMA²⁺/FcTMA⁺) redox couples were investigated at Pt? Ir nanoelectrodes in the presence of a support electrolyte. k⁰ for Fe(CN) /Fe(CN) and FcTMA²⁺/FcTMA⁺ at Pt? Ir nanoelectrodes were evaluated.     

A Fully Substituted 3‐Silolene Functions as Promising Building Block for Hyperbranched Poly(Silylenevinylene)

A 3‐silolene derivative, 2,2,5,5‐tetrakis(dimethylsilyl)‐1,1‐dimethyl‐3,4‐diphenyl‐3‐silolene (TDMSHS), is first synthesized and characterized by X‐ray diffraction crystallography and spectroscopic methods. Hydrosilylation polymerization of TDMSHS with 1,1‐dimethyl‐2,5‐bis(4‐ethynylphenyl)‐3,4‐diphenylsilole in the presence of Karstedt's catalyst generates a stereoregular silole‐containing hyperbranched poly(silylenevinylene) (hb‐SPSV) with a high molecular weight ( = 146 000, / = 1.5) in high yield (≈95%). hb‐SPSV exhibits excellent thermal stability and strong fluorescence, and the emission of its aggregates in aqueous mixture can be quenched efficiently by picric acid with large quenching constants K_SV up to 414400 M ⁻¹.     

Cationic Graft Copolymers as Carriers for Delivery of Antisense‐Oligonucleotides

Self‐assembling systems based on ionic complexes of DNA fragments (36 base pairs), bcl‐2 antisense oligonucleotides (octadecamer), oligophosphates (25 phosphate groups) or acrylic oligomers (18 groups of phosphonic acid) with poly(L ‐lysine) (PLL) ( = 130 000 and 88 000) grafted with short poly[N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] (PHPMA) chains ( = 4 300 or 8 600) were studied by static and dynamic light scattering methods as systems suitable for gene therapy applications. The graft copolymers (GPLLs) with shorter PHPMA grafts ( = 4 300) provide polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) with smaller and R_H than the corresponding GPLLs with longer grafts ( = 8 600) and the same content of PLL. The lowest aggregation number of 2 was observed for PECs prepared from the GPLL with short grafts and 40 wt.‐% of PLL. The complexes of oligonucleotides and DNA fragments with GPLLs showed quite similar behavior to that with oligophosphates and acrylic oligomer. The complexes prepared from GPLLs containing 40 wt.‐% of PLL and at excess of oligophosphate were stable for at least 48 h under physiological conditions (0.15 M NaCl) and in bovine serum albumin solutions (1 mg · mL^?1). Additionally, polyanion exchange reactions of the PECs in contact with poly(styrenesulfonate) and DNA were studied in 0.15 M NaCl solutions. The oligophosphates in complexes were at least partially substituted with high‐molecular‐weight polyanions. The structure of the initial PECs dominated the PEC structure after the exchange reaction.

The dependence of the molecular weight (a) and the hydrodynamic radius R_H (b) of complexes of the oligophosphate (OPP) and four graft copolymers (GPLLi, i = 0–3) on the mixing ratio X.     

Temperature and shear dependencies of rheology of poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐itaconic acid) dope in DMF

Poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐itaconic acid) (poly(AN‐co‐IA)) precursor required for carbon fiber production is made into a dope and spun into fibers using a suitable spinning technique. The viscosity of the resin dope is decided by the polymer concentration, polymer molecular weight, temperature, and shear force. The shear rheology of concentrated poly(AN‐co‐IA) polymer solutions in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), in the range of 1 × 10⁵–1 × 10⁶ g mol^?1, has been investigated in the shear rate (γ′) range of 1 × 10¹–5 × 10⁴ min^?1. The zero shear viscosity (η₀) has been evaluated at different temperatures. The temperature dependence of zero shear viscosity conformed to the Arrhenius–Frenkel–Eyring model. The free energy of activation of viscous flow (ΔG_V) values were in the range 5–32 kJ mol^?1 and this value increased with increase in polymer concentration and molecular weight. A master equation for the ΔG_V value of the polymer solution of any and concentration (c) is suggested. The power law fitted well for the shear dependency of viscosity of these polymer solutions. The pseudoplasticity index (n) diminished with increase in polymer concentration and molecular weight. An empirical relation between viscosity (η) and was found to exist at constant shear rate, concentration and temperature. For each , the equation relating n, c, and T was established. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Macrocyclic and Polymeric Oxaziridine‐Derivatives

Macrocyclic and polymeric imines 5,5′ and 6,6′ are obtained in excellent yields by template‐free polycondensation of 1,6‐bis(4‐formylbenzoyloxy)hexane (1) with commercially available 4,4′‐methylene‐bis(cyclohexylamine) (2) and with bis(2‐amino‐2‐methylprop‐1‐yl)adipate dihydrochloride (4), respectively. The degree of macrocyclization during imine synthesis strongly depends on the diamine. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption–ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry analysis and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurements show that (2) leads to more macrocyclic adducts than (4). The subsequent meta‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid oxidation of polyimines 5,5′ and 6,6′ ( = 1650–11 200 g mol⁻¹, = 3800–27 350 g mol⁻¹) yields the corresponding polyoxaziridines 7,7′ and 8,8′ consisting of macrocyclic and linear polymeric structures ( = 1750–8050 g mol⁻¹, = 3250–15 800 g mol⁻¹). The synthesized polyoxaziridines are relatively stable and storable at room temperature.     

Ein neues Selten‐Erd‐Metall(III)‐Fluorid‐Oxoselenat(IV): YF[SeO3]

A New Rare‐Earth Metal(III) Fluoride Oxoselenate(IV): YF[SeO₃] Just two representatives of the rare‐earth metal(III) fluoride oxoselenates(IV) with the formula type MF[SeO₃] (M = La and Lu) exist so far, whereas for the intermediate lanthanoids only M₃F[SeO₃]₄‐type compounds (M = Gd and Dy) were accessible. Because of the similar radius of Y³⁺ to the radii of the heavier lanthanoid cations, a missing link within the MF[SeO₃] series could be synthesized now with the example of yttrium(III) fluoride oxoselenate(IV). Contrary to LuF[SeO₃] with its triclinic structure, YF[SeO₃] crystallizes monoclinically in space group P2₁/c (no. 14, a = 657.65(7), b = 689.71(7), c = 717.28(7) pm, β = 99.036(5)° and Z = 4). A single Y³⁺ cation occupying the general site 4e is surrounded by six oxide and two fluoride anions forming [YO₆F₂]^11? polyhedra (d(Y–O) = 228–243 plus 263 pm, d(Y–F) = 219–220 pm). These are linked via common O···O edges to chains running along [010] and adjacent chains get tied to each other by sharing common O3···O3 and O3···F edges which results in sheets parallel to (100). The Se⁴⁺ cations connect these sheets as ψ¹‐tetrahedral [SeO₃]^2? anions (d(Se–O) = 168–174 pm) for charge balance via all oxygen atoms. Despite the different coordination numbers of seven and eight for the rare‐earth metal(III) cations the structures of LuF[SeO₃] and YF[SeO₃] appear quite similar. The chains containing pentagonal bipyramids [LuO₅F₂]^9? are connected to layers running parallel to the (100) plane again. In fact it is only necessary to shorten the partial structure of the straight chains along [001] to achieve the angular chains in YF[SeO₃]. As a result of this shortening one oxide anion at a time moves into the coordination sphere of a neighboring Y³⁺ cation and therefore adds up the coordination number for Y³⁺ to eight. For the synthesis of YF[SeO₃] yttrium sesquioxide (Y₂O₃), yttrium trifluoride (YF₃) and selenium dioxide (SeO₂) in a molar ratio of 1 : 1 : 3 with CsBr as fluxing agent were reacted within five days at 750 °C in evacuated graphitized silica ampoules.     

Chiral recognition in molecular and macromolecular pairs of (S)‐ and (R)‐1‐cyano‐2‐methylpropyl‐4′‐ {[4‐(8‐vinyloxyoctyloxy)benzoyl]oxy}biphenyl‐4‐ carboxylate enantiomers

(S)‐1‐Cyano‐2‐methylpropyl‐4′‐{[4‐(8‐vinyloxyoctyloxy)benzoyl]oxy}biphenyl‐ 4‐carboxylate [ (S)‐11 ] and (R)‐1‐cyano‐2‐methylpropyl‐4′‐{[4‐(8‐vinyloxyoctyloxy)benzoyl]oxy}biphenyl‐4‐carboxylate [( R)‐11 ] enantiomers, both greater than 99% enantiomeric excess, and their corresponding homopolymers, poly[ (S)‐11 ] and poly[ (R)‐11 ], with well‐defined molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions were synthesized and characterized. The mesomorphic behaviors of (S)‐11 and poly[ (S)‐11 ] are identical to those of (R)‐11 and poly[ (R)‐11 ], respectively. Both (S)‐11 and (R)‐11 exhibit enantiotropic S_A, S, and S_X (unidentified smectic) phases. The corresponding homopolymers exhibit S_A and S phases. The homopolymers with a degree of polymerization (DP) less than 6 also show a crystalline phase, whereas those with a DP greater than 10 exhibit a second S_X phase. Phase diagrams were investigated for four different pairs of enantiomers, (S)‐11 /( R)‐11 , (S)‐11 /poly[ (R)‐11 ], and poly[ (S)‐11 ]/poly[ (R)‐11 ], with similar and dissimilar molecular weights. In all cases, the structural units derived from the enantiomeric components are miscible and, therefore, isomorphic in the S_A and S phases over the entire range of enantiomeric composition. Chiral molecular recognition was observed in the S_A and S_X phases of the monomers but not in the S_A phase of the polymers. In addition, a very unusual chiral molecular recognition effect was detected in the S phase of the monomers below their crystallization temperature and in the S phase of the polymers below their glass‐transition temperature. In the S phase of the monomers above the melting temperature and of the polymers above the glass‐transition temperature, nonideal solution behavior was observed. However, in the S_A phase the monomer–polymer and polymer–polymer mixtures behave as an ideal solution. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3631–3655, 2000     

Amphiphilic Poly(4‐acryloylmorpholine)/Poly[2‐(N‐carbazolyl)ethyl acrylate] Random and Block Copolymers Synthesized by NMP

A series of random copolymers and block copolymers containing water‐soluble 4AM and fluorescent VAK are synthesized by NMP. The homopolymerizations of 4AM and VAK and 4AM/VAK random copolymerization are performed in 50 wt% DMF using 10 mol% SG1, resulting in a linear increase in versus conversion, and final polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions ( < 1.4). Reactivity ratios r_VAK = 0.64 ± 0.52 and r_4AM = 0.86 ± 0.66 are obtained for the 4AM/VAK random copolymerization. In addition, a poly(4AM) macroinitiator is used to initiate a surfactant‐free suspension polymerization of VAK. After 2.5 h, the resulting amphiphilic block copolymer has = 12.6 kg · mol^?1, = 1.48, molar composition F_VAK = 0.38 with latex particle sizes between 270 and 475 nm.

     

Fe(CN)$\rm{ {_{6}^{4-}}}$‐Doped‐Glutaraldehyde‐Cross‐Linked Poly‐L‐Lysine Film Electrode. Part 1: Electrochemical Characterization and Its Electrocatalytic Activity Towards Oxidation of Ascorbic Acid

The present work describes preparation, characterization, and electrocatalytic behavior of a hexacyanoferrate‐doped‐glutaraldehyde‐cross‐linked poly‐L ‐lysine (PLL‐GA‐Fe(CN) film modified glassy carbon electrode. The modified electrode has been successfully prepared by electrostatically binding negatively charged Fe(CN) mediator into cross‐linked poly‐L ‐lysine cationic film. The dependence of the peak current of the modified electrode in pure supporting electrolyte (pH 6.8 phosphate buffer solution; PBS) shows that the charge transport in the film is fast and relatively unimpeded at lower scan rates. Cyclic voltammetry and rotating disk electrode (RDE) techniques are used to investigate the electrocatalytic activity of modified electrode towards oxidation of ascorbic acid. The rate constant (k), of catalytic reaction between electrogenerated Fe(CN) ions and ascorbic acid, obtained from RDE analysis was found to be 5.53×10⁵ cm³ mol^?1 s^?1. Finally, the PLL‐GA‐Fe(CN) film electrodes are successfully used for the individual estimation of ascorbic acid in the concentration range of physiological interest.     

2‐(2,4‐Dinitrobenzyl)pyridine (DNBP): A Potential Light‐Activated Proton Shuttle

The well‐known photochromic tautomerism of 2‐(2,4‐dinitrobenzyl)pyridine ( 1 ; CH; Scheme 1) was re‐investigated by flash photolysis in aqueous solution in view of its potential application as a light‐activated proton pump. Irradiation of 1 yields the enamine tautomer NH (λ_max=520 nm) that rapidly equilibrates with its conjugate base CNO^? (λ_max=420 nm). The pH–rate profile for the first‐order decay of NH and CNO^? provides a direct determination of the acidity constant of NH, pK =5.94±0.12 (I=0.1M ) and serves to clarify the mechanisms of proton transfer prevailing in aqueous solutions. The acidity constant of protonated 1 (CHNH⁺), pK =4.18±0.02, was determined by spectrophotometric titration.