Degradation of cross-linked aliphatic polyester composed of poly(?-caprolactone-co-d,l-lactide) depending on the thermal properties

In this study, we prepared cross-linked aliphatic polyester derived from branched poly(?-caprolactone (abbreviated as CL)-co-d,l-lactide (abbreviated as LA)) macromonomers with different CL and LA compositions and investigated the effect of thermal properties on their degradation. According to the degradation study, the weight loss became larger with increasing LA composition in poly(CL-co-LA). The introduction of LA units that can degrade easily disturbed the crystallinity of the PCL segments; as result, the hydrolysis became accelerated. Also, we studied the temperature dependency of degradation of a series of cross-linked poly(CL-co-LA) materials with different melting points. We found that the degradation of these materials related closely to the crystallinity, which could be controlled by the composition of CL and LA.     

Complexation and C-H bond activation of 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridyl molecules on triosmium carbonyl clusters: Synthesis and characterization of the double-cluster {Cp3Fe4(CO)4(C5H4-terpyridyl)Os3(μ-H)(CO)n} (n = 9, 10)

Cp₃Fe₄(CO)₄(4′-C₅H₄-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) (abbreviated as Fe₄tpyH) reacts with Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ in hot methylcyclohexane to generate the double cluster (μ-H)Os₃(μ,η²-Fe₄tpy)(CO)₁₀ (1) and (μ-H)Os₃(μ,η³-Fe₄tpy)(CO)₉ (2). Similar reaction of 4′-(p-FC₆H₄)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (abbreviated as FtpyH) and Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ affords (μ-H)Os₃(μ,η²-Ftpy)(CO)₁₀ (3) and (μ-H)Os₃(μ,η³-Ftpy)(CO)₉ (4). On the other hand, treating the pristine molecule 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (abbreviated as TpyH) with Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ only isolates (μ-H)Os₃(μ,η²-Tpy)(CO)₁₀ (5). These compounds are generated by complexation and C-H bond activation of pyridyl groups on triosmium framework, and have been characterized by IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopies. The structure of 4 is determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study.     

A Novel Production of γ-Butyrolactone Catalyzed by Homogeneous Ruthenium Complexes

γ-Butyrolactone (hereafter abbreviated GBL) is produced by the two-stage hydrogenation of maleic anhydride(MAH) in the liquid phase: the hydrogenation of MAH to succinic anhydride(SAH) in the first stage and the subsequent hydrogenation of SAH to GBL in the second stage. A novel ruthenium catalyst system consisting of Ru salts, trialkylphosphine and p-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TsOH) was found very effective for the hydrogenation of SAH affording GBL, which exhibited excellent catalyst performance, exceeding 97% selectivity for GBL and high activity.     

Preparation and application of bisoxazoline ligands with a chiral spirobiindane skeleton for asymmetric cyclopropanation and allylic oxidation

A new type of bisoxazoline ligand 4 (abbreviated as SpiroBOX) containing a chiral spirobiindane scaffold were easily prepared in high yields from enantiomerically pure 1,1′-spirobiindane-7,7′-diol (SPINOL) with 1,1′-spirobiindane-7,7′-dicarboxylic acid as the key intermediate. Ligands 4 were applied to the Cu-catalyzed asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrenes with menthyl diazoacetate and allylic oxidation of cyclic alkenes with tert-butyl perbenzoates. The copper complexes of ligands 4 showed high activities and moderate to good enantioselectivities.     

Opposite ESIPT characteristic of two AIE-active isomers with different linkage sites

In this work, we report two isomers composed of 1-phenyl-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazole (PI), hydroxyl and tetraphenylethylene (TPE), abbreviated as m-PITPE and p-PITPE. It is found that they exhibit similar aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behavior but totally different excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) characteristic, as a result of the different linkage sites of PI on TPE moiety. Theoretical calculations and their different experimental responses to F^? demonstrate that only the para-linkage isomer displays ESIPT. In m-PITPE with meta-linkage, the electron cloud distribution only locates at the TPE part in the singlet excited (S₁) states, which results in the localized excited state without ESIPT characteristic.     

Study of oxidation properties and decomposition kinetics of three-dimensional (3-D) braided carbon fiber

The XRD, SEM, isothermal oxidation-weight loss and non-isothermal thermogravimetry (TG)-differential thermogravimetry (DTG) were used to study the oxidation properties and oxidation decomposition kinetics of three-dimensional (3-D) braided carbon fiber (abbreviated as fiber). The results showed that the non-isothermal oxidation process of fiber exhibited self-catalytic characteristic. The kinetic parameters and oxidation mechanism of fiber were studied through analyzing the TG and DTG data by differential and integral methods. The oxidation mechanism was random nucleation, the kinetic parameters were: lg A=10.299 min⁻¹; E_a=156.29 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Langmuir monolayers from perfluorobutyl-n-eicosane

Perfluorobutyl-n-eicosane (abbreviated as F4H20) was spread at the air/water as Langmuir monolayers and studied under different experimental conditions, such as spreading volume, subphase temperature and compression speed. The Langmuir monolayer experiments (π-A isotherms) have been complemented with Brewster angle microscopy results, which enabled direct visualization of the monolayers’ structure and estimation of the film thickness at different stages of compression. It has been found that the molecules are oriented almost vertically (with respect to the interface) in the vicinity of film collapse. The negative sign of the measured surface potential, ΔV, is evidence for the orientation of F4H20 molecules with their perfluorinated parts exposed towards the air. In the case of F4H20 a limited fluorination relative to perfluoroeicosane also results in monolayer formation, in contrast to eicosane itself, which forms lenses.     

Mesoporous carbon nanosheet-assembled flowers towards superior potassium storage

Potassium-ion batteries(PIBs) are attracted tremendous interest for large-scale energy storage systems(ESSs) owing to their economic merits.However,the main challenges of the PIBs are sluggish K-ion diffusion and large volume variations in the potassium repeated intercalation/deintercalation.Herein,mesoporous carbon nanosheet-assembled flowers(abbreviated as F-C) are designed as an original anode for superior-performance PIBs.Specifically,the F-C anode exhibits a high K-storage capacity(e.g.,381 mAh/g at 50 mA/g during the 2~(nd) cycle),excellent rate performance(e.g.,101 mAh/g at 2.0 A/g) and superior long cycle capability.Such excellent K-ion storage property is largely benefited from the large surface area(～141 m~2/g) and reasonable pore volume(0.465 cm~3/g),which not only stimulates rapid Kions diffusion and relieves the huge volume strain,but also exposes extensive active sites for K-ion capacitive storage.     

A new apparatus for measuring the vapour pressure of liquid mixtures excess Gibbs free energy of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane + cyclohexane at 308.15 K

A new apparatus for measuring the vapour pressure of liquid mixtures is described. In conjunction with an automatic pressure controller, a capacitance manometer is used as a null device to isolate the liquid and vapour. The vapour pressure is measured with a precision mercury manometer. The continuous-dilution technique for sample introduction has been incorporated in the new apparatus, so that the composition range of a mixture can be covered in two runs. The accuracy of each measured quantity is: pressure, 3 Pa; temperature (IPTS-68), 0.002 K; volume, 0.002 cm³. G^E for cyclohexane + octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (abbreviated throughout this paper as omcts) at 308.15 K has been determined: the minimum value of ?68 J mol^?1 occurs near x₂(omcts) = 0.5.     

Synthesis and surface activity of a novel heterodouble chained N-acyltaurate amphiphile

A novel double chained amphiphile,N-(α-4-hexylphenoxy)-lauroyltaurate(abbreviated as 10 6B-T),has been synthesized. The structures of main intermediate products and the title product were characterized by ~1H NMR.The new amphiphile shows high surface activity.The critical micelle concentration(cmc),which is 1.1×10~(-5)mol/L,is much lower than that of conventional double chained surfactants,such as sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate(AOT).     

Synthesis and synchrotron X-ray characterization of two 2D Hoffman related compounds [Ni(p-Xylylenediamine)nNi(CN)4] and [Ni(p-tetrafluoroxylylenediamine)nNi(CN)4]

Synchrotron X-ray single crystal structure determination of two 2D Hofmann-related compounds, [Ni(p-Xylyenediamine)_n-tetracyanonickelate] (abbreviated as Ni-pXdam) and [Ni(tetrafluoro-p-Xylyenediamine)_n-tetracyanonickelate] (abbreviated as Ni-pXdamF4), have been conducted. Both the pXdam and pXdamF4 ligands contain two short chains of -CH₂NH₂ at the para-positions of a phenyl ring. These flexible chains link the 6-fold coordinated Ni2 sites throughout the network. In Ni-pXdam, the closed-2D network of [Ni-(CN-Ni_1/4-)₄]_∞ is broken into 1D chains, leaving the C≡N groups at the trans-positions of the Ni(CN)₄ moiety unbridged. The resulting 1D chains [(trans-)-NC-Ni(CN)₂-CN-Ni-]_∞ runs along the [010] direction of the unit cell. The pXdam ligands bridge in pair between the Ni atoms of the adjacent chains. The catenation structure of [Ni{(pXdam)}]_∞ could be referred to as double -1D. In Ni-pXdamF4, the -CH₂NH₂ ligands connect the neighboring chains via the 6-fold Ni2 site. Surrounding the 4-fold Ni1 site, the two trans terminal C≡N groups were replaced by the Lewis base NH₃ during the synthesis process, therefore preventing the propagation of the 2D net to form a 3D network. Computed pore volume of both compounds indicated that there is not sufficient space in the structure to accommodate gas molecules. In both compounds, hydrogen bonds were found, and solvent of crystallization was absent due to the limited free space in the structure.     

Tris-Nethyl, m-tolyl)dithiocarbamato complexes of arsenic(III), antimony(III) and bismuth(III)

Tris-N(ethyl, m-tolyl) dithiocarbamato complexes of arsenic(III), antimony(III) and bismuth(III) abbreviated as As(S₂CNRR′)₃ Sb(S₂CNRR′)₃ and Bi(S₂CNRR′)₃, respectively, where R  C₂H₅ and R′  m-C₆H₄CH₃, have been synthesized. These complexes have been characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, molecular weight determinations, conductance measurements and infrared spectral studies. Thermal studies of these complexes have been carried out in nitrogen and air to determine their modes of decomposition. Kinetic parameters, such as apparent activation energy and order of reaction, have been determined by the graphical method of Coats and Redfern [1].     

Multiblock copolymers composed of poly(butylene succinate) and poly(1,2-propylene succinate): Effect of molar ratio of diisocyanate to polyester-diols on crosslink densities, thermal properties, mechanical properties and biodegradability

In order to study the relationship between structure and properties, multiblock copolymers composed of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly (1,2-propylene succinate) (PPSu) have been synthesized by chain-extension at various molar ratios of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) to polyester-diols, which have been abbreviated as R-values in this paper. Molecular weights of soluble fractions, gel fractions and crosslink densities have been determined. Thermal properties, mechanical properties and biodegradability have been studied and correlated with R-values. Crystallization of copolymers becomes difficult with increasing R-value. Tensile strength, flexural strength and flexural modulus tend to increase with increasing R-value up to 1.2, and vary little when R-value increases from 1.2 to 1.3, then decrease with further increase in R-value. Impact strength achieves a maximum value at R-value of 1.3. Biodegradation rate reaches a minimum value when R-value is 1.1. Biodegradation has been studied systematically by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), ¹H NMR and SEM.     

Liquid–liquid equilibria for the ternary system water+n-dodecane+2-(2-n-hexyloxyethoxy)ethanol

Experiments of the fish-shaped phase diagram for the ternary system water+n-dodecane+2-(2-n-hexyloxyethoxy)ethanol (abbreviated by C₆E₂ hereafter) under atmospheric pressure were performed at constant water/n-dodecane weight ratio (1/1) to locate the critical end points. The upper and lower critical consolute temperatures for the system of interest are 307.80 K and 282.30 K, respectively. Compositions of two- and three-phase liquid–liquid equilibrium for the ternary system water+n-dodecane+C₆E₂ at 293.15 K and 303.15 K under atmospheric pressure are presented in this paper.     

Non-centrosymmetric betaine–selenious acid crystal: Vibrational,X-ray,calorimetric, and dielectric studies

Piezoelectric crystal of betaine–selenious acid (abbreviated as B–H₂SeO₃) was studied at various temperatures by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, dielectric and vibrational spectroscopy methods. The latter was made by applying polarized techniques for the single crystal samples (Raman, infrared transmission and reflection spectra) and for the polycrystalline samples as well. B–H₂SeO₃ crystallizes in non-centrosymmetric space group (Fdd2) of orthorhombic system and does not reveal any phase transition. The high piezoelectric effect makes this crystal a candidate for nonlinear optical applications. Detailed analysis of the polarized vibrational spectra in relation to the B–H₂SeO₃ crystal structure is presented.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and catalytic activity of ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes containing ONO and ONS donor ligands

Diamagnetic ruthenium(II) complexes of the type [Ru(L)(CO)(B)(EPh₃)] [where E = As, B = AsPh₃; E = P, B = PPh₃, py (or) pip and L = dibasic tridentate ligands dehydroacetic acid semicarbazone (abbreviated as dhasc) or dehydroacetic acid phenyl thiosemicarbazone (abbreviated as dhaptsc)] were synthesized from the reaction of [RuHCl(CO)(B)(EPh₃)₂] (where E = As, B = AsPh₃; E = P, B = PPh₃, py (or) pip) with different tridentate chelating ligands derived from dehydroacetic acid with semicarbazide or phenylthiosemicarbazide. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV–Vis and ¹H NMR spectral methods. The coordination mode of the ligands and the geometry of the complexes were confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography of one of the complexes [Ru(dhaptsc)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (5). All the complexes are redox active and are monitored by cyclic voltammetric technique. Further, the catalytic efficiency of one of the ruthenium complexes (5) was determined in the case of oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols into their corresponding aldehydes and ketones in the presence of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide.     

A new room temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-trimethylsilylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate as a solvent for extraction and preconcentration of mercury with determination by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry

A new room temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-trimethylsilylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate abbreviated as [C₄tmsim][PF₆] was synthesized and developed as a novel medium for liquid/liquid extraction of inorganic mercury in this work. Under optimal condition, o-carboxyphenyldiazoamino-p-azobenzene abbreviated as CDAA reacted with inorganic mercury to form a neutral Hg-CDAA complex, the complex was rapidly extracted into ionic liquid phase. After back-extracting into aqueous phase with sulfide sodium solution, the mercury concentration was detected by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. The extraction and back-extraction efficiencies were 99.9 and 100.1% for 5.0 μg L⁻¹ standard mercury in 1000 mL of water solution, respectively. The detection limit, calculated using three times the standard error of estimate of the calibration graph, is 0.01 ng of mercury per milliliter water sample. The proposed method has been used to the determination of trace inorganic mercury in natural water with satisfactory results. Moreover, Zeta potential and surface tension of [C₄tmsim][PF₆] solution were measured and applied to explain the extraction mechanism of [C₄tmsim][PF₆] system.     

Adsorption of benzene,toluene, ethylbenzene and p-xylene by NaOCl-oxidized carbon nanotubes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were oxidized by sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution and were employed as adsorbents to study their characterizations and adsorption performance of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and p-xylene (abbreviated as BTEX) in an aqueous solution. The physicochemical properties of CNTs such as purity, structure and surface nature were greatly improved after oxidation, which significantly enhanced BTEX adsorption capacity. The adsorption capacity of CNT(NaOCl) increased with contact time and initial adsorbate concentration, but changed insignificantly with solution ionic strength and pH. A comparative study on the BTEX adsorption revealed that the CNT(NaOCl) had better BTEX adsorption as compared to CNTs and granular activated carbon. This suggests that the CNT(NaOCl) are efficient BTEX adsorbents and that they possess good potential for BTEX removal in wastewater treatment.     

Demonstration of an alternative mechanism for G-to-G cross-link formation

The cross-link dG-to-dG is an important product of DNA nitrosation. Its formation has commonly been attributed to nucleophilic substitution of N2 in a guaninediazonium ion by guanine, while recent studies suggest guanine addition to a cyanoamine derivative formed after dediazoniation, deprotonation, and pyrimidine ring-opening. The chemical viability of the latter mechanism is supported here by the experimental demonstration of rG-to-aG formation via rG addition to a synthetic cyanoamine derivative. Thus, all known products of nitrosative guanine deamination are consistent with the postulate of pyrimidine ring-opening. This postulated mechanism not only explains what is already known but also suggests that other products and other cross-links also might be formed in DNA deamination. The study suggests one possible new product: the structure isomer aG(N1)-to-rG(C2) of the classical G(N2)-to-G(C2) cross-link. While the formation of aG(N2)-to-rG(C2) has been established by chemical synthesis, the structure isomer aG(N1)-to-rG(C2) has been assigned tentatively based on its MS/MS spectrum and because this assignment is reasonable from a mechanistic perspective. Density functional calculations show preferences for the amide-iminol tautomer of the classical cross-link G(N2)-to-G(C2) and the amide-amide tautomer of G(N1)-to-G(C2). Moreover, the results suggest that both cross-links are of comparable thermodynamic stability, and that there are no a priori energetic or structural reasons that would prevent the formation of the structure isomer in the model reaction or in DNA.     

Polarised vibrational spectra of Bet·H3AsO4 single crystal: Part II. Low temperature studies

Polarised infrared transmission (4000–400 cm⁻¹) and Raman (3500–10 cm⁻¹) spectra of betaine ortho-arsenic acid crystal ((CH₃)₃NCH₂COO·H₃AsO₄; abbreviated as BA) were measured at various temperatures and analysed. The temperature evolution of the hydrogen bonds stretching vibrations (νOH) apparent in the polarised infrared transmission spectrum (||c axis) shows that the O(4)⋯O(4) hydrogen bonds being almost parallel to the spontaneous polarisation direction plays an important role in the ferroelectric phase transition. New experimental proofs for the deformation of the AsO₄ group in H₃AsO₄ acid and rotation of betaine molecules related to the ordering of the hydrogen bonds at the ferroelectric phase transition were found.