Novel Mg2SiO4 structures

We describe the formation of novel, leaf-like Mg2SiO4 structures, via iodine vapour transport of magnesium onto quartz substrates.     

Novel canonical coding method for representation of three-dimensional structures

A new canonical coding method for representation of three-dimensional structures, CAST (CAnonical representation of STereochemistry), is described. CAST canonically codes stereochemistry around an atom in a molecule. The same CAST notations are given for atoms of molecules in the same conformation. The CAST code is based on the dihedral angles of four atoms that are uniquely defined by a molecular tree structure. CAST has successfully represented similarities and differences between several conformers.     

Novel diborane-analogue transition structures for borane reactions with alkyl halides

Ab initio and DFT calculations were performed to examine the mechanisms of reduction of alkyl halides and formaldehyde by borane. With alkyl halides, the optimized transition structure geometry resembled diborane, with a pair of hydrogen atoms bridging the boron and carbon atoms by three-center-two-electron bonds. A similar transition structure was found for the reduction of formaldehyde, although it was not the lowest-energy transition structure. Solvation by dimethyl ether or dimethyl sulfide disrupted this bridging with chloromethane, while both ligands dissociated from borane during the reduction of formaldehyde. The high calculated activation free energies of alkyl halide reduction are consistent with their observed lack of reactivity with borane.     

Novel route to dendritic structures and their application for surface modification

Monodisperse branched polyurethanes containing long alkyl chains have been prepared by a new convergent synthesis. This synthesis comprises two steps, with hexamethylene diisocyanate uretdione as the starting molecule. The free isocyanate groups of this monomer are reacted with long‐chain alkanols. These diurethane uretdiones are then reacted with amines or amino alcohols under ring opening and the formation of a biuret group. Branching points are not, as usual, part of the monomer but are formed during preparation. The structure of these dendrons has been established with NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, mass spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. The dendritic polyurethanes are thermally stable up to 200 °C. Surfaces coated with these materials are hydrophobic. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1372–1386, 2006     

Novel ferrocenyl nitroxides: Synthesis, structures, electrochemistry and antioxidative activity

Novel ferrocenyl nitroxides 3−6 were prepared as models for studying the linkage structure-activity relationship. Single-crystal X-ray structures of compounds 4 and 5 were determined and comparatively studied. The in vitro antioxidative activities (e.g. scavenging superoxide anion and hydroxide radical) of compounds 3−6 and 4-ferrocenamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-oxy (2) were evaluated. Compounds 3 and 5 exhibit high scavenging activities in low concentration. Results from electrochemistry and UV/Vis spectroscopy show that the redox property and antioxidative activity are closely related to the structure of the linkage bridging ferrocene and cyclic nitroxide moieties. The results further indicate that the ferrocene moiety plays a principal role in antioxidation. The modification of linkage was found to be able to decrease the ferrocene/ferrocenium potential and improve the antioxidative activity effectively.     

Novel chalcone derivatives with large conjugation structures as photosensitizers for versatile photopolymerization

Four chalcones with large conjugation structures were designed and synthesized. Strong light absorption within the UV–vis range (λ_max = 380–410 nm, ε_max = 10,200–33,600 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) matched the emission of light-emitting diodes within 385–450 nm. Compared with that of phenyl ring-containing chalcone, the bathochromic shift of the four chalcones was due to the enlarged conjugation structure and the intramolecular charge transfer effect. The reactive species produced from two- or three-component photoinitiating systems (PISs) based on chalcone-containing triphenyl amine and N-ethyl carbazole combined with an iodonium salt or/and an amine were highly efficient for versatile photopolymerizations (i.e., radical, cationic, blending, and thiol-ene polymerizations) upon soft exposure conditions (385–425 nm LEDs). UV–vis spectra, theoretical calculation, electrochemistry, real-time nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, and fluorescence quenching were investigated to determine the photochemical mechanism. Chalcone photoisomerization, which mainly occurred in anthracene-containing chalcone, weakened the initiation ability of the PISs. These chalcones have promising applications in photopolymerization.     

Novel ice structures in carbon nanopores: pressure enhancement effect of confinement

We report experimental results on the structure and melting behavior of ice confined in multi-walled carbon nanotubes and ordered mesoporous carbon CMK-3, which is the carbon replica of a SBA-15 silica template. The silica template has cylindrical mesopores with micropores connecting the walls of neighboring mesopores. The structure of the carbon replica material CMK-3 consists of carbon rods connected by smaller side-branches, with quasi-cylindrical mesopores of average pore size 4.9 nm and micropores of 0.6 nm. Neutron diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry have been used to determine the structure of the confined ice and the solid-liquid transition temperature. The results are compared with the behavior of water in multi-walled carbon nanotubes of inner diameters of 2.4 nm and 4 nm studied by the same methods. For D(2)O in CMK-3 we find evidence of the existence of nanocrystals of cubic ice and ice IX; the diffraction results also suggest the presence of ice VIII, although this is less conclusive. We find evidence of cubic ice in the case of the carbon nanotubes. For bulk water these crystal forms only occur at temperatures below 170 K in the case of cubic ice, and at pressures of hundreds or thousands of MPa in the case of ice VIII and IX. These phases appear to be stabilized by the confinement.     

Novel polyurethanes with macroheterocyclic (crown-ether) structures in the polymer backbone

The synthesis of a functionalized crown ether was accomplished in two steps by condensing 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde with bis(2-chloroethyl)ether and subsequent reduction of the reaction product, bis(formylbenzo)-18-crown-6 (4) to a diol (5). Polyurethanes that bear the dibenzo-18-crown-6 moiety in the polymer backbone were synthesized from bis(methylolbenzo)-18-crown-6 (5), a polypropylene glycol, and methylene bis(4-cyclohexyl isocyanate). The resulting polymers were fibrous white solids with glass transitions from ca. 15–120°C, depending on the starting diol composition. The thermomechanical spectra of melt pressed or solvent cast films of several crown-ether-bearing polyurethanes showed evidence of multiphase character. The polymers failed to complex effectively with sodium ions. However, their complexing ability with potassium ion was similar in magnitude to that observed with relatively simple crown ethers.     

Novel fluorescent dyes with fused perylene tetracarboxlic diimide and BODIPY analogue structures

Two novel fluorescent dyes based on perylene tetracarboxylic diimides and BODIPY were designed and synthesized. Significant features, such as longer wavelength absorption and emission, high fluorescence quantum yields, and strong electron accepting abilities, are observed for these compounds.     

Novel 3-D structures in polymer films by coupling external and internal fields

A route to produce novel three-dimensional structures in thin films is demonstrated. Such structures are most difficult to produce in a simple manner without the use of multiple fabrication steps. Here, we show the generation of 3-D cage-type structures using a combination of electrohydrodynamic instabilities and dewetting in a polymer/polymer/air trilayer. Removal of one of the components by use of a selective solvent or by degradation of one of the components reveals the formation of a three-dimensional structure, where one polymer is encased in the other. Thus, by coupling an external field with a surface field inherent to the polymers, a novel fabrication strategy is shown that has clear applications in microfluidics and microelectromechanical systems with extensions to patterned surfaces and structured fluids, like block copolymers.     

Novel 2,7-substituted pyrene derivatives: syntheses, solid-state structures, and properties

A novel series of pyrene derivatives 3-6 functionalized with different aromatic substituents at 2,7-positions of the pyrene core have been readily synthesized by Suzuki coupling reactions. Single crystals suitable for X-ray crystallographic analysis of compounds 3-6 were all successfully obtained. The optical, electrochemical, and thermal properties of these newly synthesized compounds were thoroughly investigated and discussed. Theoretical calculation was adopted to study the geometric and electronic structure of compounds 3-6. Additionally, preliminary studies demonstrated that field-effect transistors using compound 3, 5, and 6 performed as p-type semiconductors, in which a field-effect mobility as high as 0.018 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ and current on/off ratio of 10⁶ were achieved from compound 6.     

Novel tetrahydrofuran structures derived from beta-beta-coupling reactions involving sinapyl acetate in Kenaf lignins

Free radical coupling of sinapyl gamma-acetate or cross-coupling between sinapyl acetate and sinapyl alcohol yields novel tetrahydrofuran beta-beta-(cross-)coupled dehydrodimers. Such substructures are therefore anticipated in naturally acetylated lignins, e.g. in Kenaf, if sinapyl acetate is a component of the lignin monomer pool. The DFRC (derivatization followed by reductive cleavage) method, modified by replacing all acetyl reagents and solvents with their propionyl analogs (DFRC'), allows the analysis of naturally acetylated lignins. DFRC' treatment of the sinapyl acetate-derived dimers or crossed dimers gave diagnostic products that retain at least one acetate group on a sidechain gamma-position; the products have been authenticated by comparison of their mass spectra and GC retention times with those of synthesized compounds. DFRC' of Kenaf lignins produces the same diagnostic products as from the dimers, implicating the presence of the various tetrahydrofuran units in Kenaf lignins. With data from the model compounds in hand, NMR analysis of Kenaf lignins elegantly confirms the presence of such substructures in the polymer, establishing that acetates on Kenaf lignins arise through incorporation of sinapyl acetate, as a lignin precursor, via enzyme-mediated radical coupling mechanisms.     

Novel heterodinuclear transition metal macrocyclic complexes: syntheses,characterization and crystal structures

Two unsymmetrical, macrocyclic, heterodinuclear complexes, [Cu^IIM^II(L)]?(ClO₄)₂·nH₂O (n?=?3; M?=?Zn, Cd) have been obtained by cyclocondensation of N,N′-bis(3-formyl-5-n-butylsalicylidene)ethylenediimine and 1,3-diaminopropane in the presence of M²⁺. The structures of both complexes were determined by X-ray diffraction techniques. In each complex, two metals are located in the tetraimine macrocyclic cavity, and a water molecule and a perchlorate group are separately coordinated to the metal ions on the same side of the ring. Coordination geometry around each metal is approximately square pyramidal. ESMS spectra were used to characterize the complexes and isotopic distributions were investigated.     

Novel polyaniline/titanium nitride nanocomposite: controllable structures and electrical/electrochemical properties

We first present the preparation of a new class of polyaniline (PANI)/titanium nitride (TiN) nanocomposites by in situ chemical polymerization in the presence of TiN nanoparticles. It was found that nanocrystalline TiN with an average diameter of approximately 20 nm incorporated and dispersed homogeneously within the polymer matrix, leading to enhanced conductivity and electrochemical activity. The interaction between nanocrystalline TiN and the polymer matrix was characterized by XRD, FTIR, and UV-vis spectra. Interestingly, the morphology and structure of the PANI/TiN were controlled by the content of TiN nanoparticles in the composites. Structural changes are observed at TiN > or = 30 wt %, where the in situ synthesis results in rod-shape composite particles. The electrical and electrochemical properties of the nanocomposites were also affected by the structure. The mechanisms of the property changes with the TiN contents are discussed. The structural difference was used to explain the different activation energies for the conductance process in emeraldine base (EB)/TiN composites.     

Novel drug‐eluting soy‐protein structures for wound healing applications

Naturally derived materials are becoming widely used in the biomedical field. Soy protein has advantages over the various types of natural proteins employed for biomedical applications due to its low price, nonanimal origin, and relatively long storage time and stability. In the current study, novel drug‐eluting soy‐protein films for wound healing applications were developed and studied. The films were prepared using the solvent casting technique. The analgesic drug bupivacaine and two types of wide range antibiotics (gentamicin and clindamycin) were incorporated into the soy‐protein films. The effect of drug incorporation and plasticizers content on the films' mechanical properties, drug release profiles, and cell viability was studied. Drug incorporation had a softening effect of the films, lowering mechanical strength and increasing ductility. Release profiles of bupivacaine and clindamycin exhibited high burst release of 80% to 90% of encapsulated drug within 6 hours, followed by continuous release in a decreasing rate for a period of 2 to 4 days. Gentamicin release was prolonged, probably due to interaction between the gentamicin and the polymer chains. Hybrid soy‐protein/poly (Dl‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PDLGA) microspheres structure showed potential for long and sustained release of bupivacaine. Films with no drugs and films loaded with gentamicin were found to be noncytotoxic for human fibroblasts, while bupivacaine and clindamycin were found to have some effect on cell growth. In conclusion, our new drug‐loaded soy‐protein films combine good mechanical properties and biocompatibility, with desired drug release profiles, and can therefore be potentially very useful as burn and ulcer dressings.     

Novel coordination polymers with ferrocene-containing dicarboxylate ligand: Syntheses, crystal structures and properties

A new ferrocene-containing dicarboxylate ligand, L = 5-ferrocene-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, has been prepared. Self-assembly of L, M(II) salts (M = Co and Zn) and chelating ligands dpa or phen (dpa = 2,2′-dipyridylamine and phen = 1,10-phen) gave rise to four new coordination polymers {[Co(L)(dpa)] · 2MeOH}_n (1), {[Zn(L)(dpa)] · 2MeOH}_n (2), {[Co(L)(phen)(H₂O)] · MeOH} (3), [Zn(L)(phen)(H₂O)] · MeOH (4). The isostructural complexes 1 and 2 possess 1D helical chain structures with 2₁ screw axes along the b-direction, and the right- and left-handed helical chains are alternate arrayed into 2D layer structures through hydrogen-bonding interactions; while isostructural complexes 3 and 4 are 1D linear chain structures with phen and ferrocene groups of L as pendants hanging on the different sides of the main chain. A structural comparison of complexes 1–4 demonstrated that the characteristics of subsidiary ligands and slight difference in coordination models of L play very important role in the construction of the complexes. In addition, the redox properties of complexes 1–4, as well as the magnetic properties of complexes 1 and 3 are also investigated.     

Novel one-dimensional polymers generated from p-Ferrocenylbenzoate: syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties

Treatment of p-ferrocenylbenzoate [p-HOOCH4C6Fc, Fc = (eta5-C5H5)Fe(eta5-C5H5)] with Mn(OAc)2 x 2H2O or Cd(OAc)2 x 2H2O afforded one-dimensional linear chain polymer [[Mn(OOCH4C6Fc)2(mu2-OH2)(H2O)2](H2O)]n (1), double-bridge polymer [Mn(mu2-OOCH4C6Fc)2(phen)]n (phen = phenanthroline) (2), and ladderlike framework [[Cd(mu2-OOCH4C6Fc)(eta2-OOCH4C6Fc)(bbp)](CH3OH)]n (bbp = 4,4'-trimethylene-dipyridine) (3). The solution-state cyclic voltammograms indicate that the half-wave potentials of the ferrocenyl moieties in these polymers are all shifted to positive potential compared to that of sodium p-ferrocenylbenzoate. Both 1 and 2 behave as 1D Heisenberg Mn(II) chains with weak intrachain antiferromagnetic interactions between the local high-spin Mn(II) ions, and the exchange coupling parameters J (-5.20 and -3.25 cm(-1) for 1 and 2, respectively) are larger than those of most of the reported di-Mn(II) complexes that contain mu2-aqua and mu2-carboxylato units and one-dimensional Mn(II) carboxylic polymers.     

Novel liquid crystalline structures of a chiral side chain polymer and its phase transitions

Two novel smectic bilayer structures have been identified in an enantiomerically enriched chiral side chain polymer containing the highly dipolar nitrile group at stereocentres. The structures were characterized by electron diffraction, electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. In both phases each smectic layer has a bilayer structure with backbones and spacers confined in a thin disordered region between two sublayers of mesogenic segments. One of the structures which we denote as CrE* has the unusual feature of having its side chains arranged parallel to the layer normal in spite of its enantiomeric bias and twisted nature. In the second structure side chains are tilted by 34.8° with respect to the layer normal and we denote this phase as CrH*_c In both structures each sublayer contains three different orientations of orthorhombic (CrE) or monoclinic (CrH*_c) lattices which are related to one another by rotations of ± 60° about the c-axis. In both the CrH*_c and the CrE* phases, lattices in each sublayer are regularly rotated about the c-axis by 5.9° relative to those in the adjacent sublayer. The observation of a chiral CrH phase is uncommon and in this specific case the structure is unique since the rotation between adjacent layers occurs about the sidechain axis (c-axis) (CrH*_c) and not about the layer normal (c-axis) (CrH*_c). We believe the system undergoes a change in molecular organization from CrH*_c to CrE* as a result of a chemical reaction which joins a fraction of the stereocentres through covalent bonds. With increasing temperature the CrE* structure was found to transform to a special orthorhombic untwisted smectic phase in which a = 31/2b, denoted here as CrE_h. The structure then transforms to a hexatic S_B phase and finally to a S_A phase at yet higher temperatures.