Comb copolymers of polystyrene-poly(tert-butyl (meth)acrylate) prepared by combination of nitroxide mediated polymerization and photoinduced iniferter technique

Comb copolymers consisting of polystyrene backbone and poly(tert-butyl (meth)acrylate) side chains were synthesized by combination of nitroxide (TEMPO)-mediated polymerization (NMP) and photoinduced grafting from macro-iniferters. First, poly(chloromethylstyrene), PCMS, with the degree of polymerization and two random poly(styrene-co-chloromethylstyrene) copolymers, P(S-co-CMS), with similar but different content (8 and 14 mol%) of CMS units, were synthesized by NMP. In the second step the CMS units both in the homopolymer and the copolymers were converted to N,N-diethyldithiocarbamyl groups (DC) yielding photosensitive multifunctional macro-iniferters. Finally, tert-butyl methacrylate tBuMA was grafted from the synthesized polymer backbones by iniferter technique under UV-irradiation yielding copolymers polystyrene-graft-poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) PS-g-P(tBuMA). Grafting initiated by the macro-iniferters containing ∼6-11 DC initiating sites per macromolecule proceeded by pseudo-living polymerization mechanism, i.e., the number-average molecular weight increased with conversion and the SEC traces were unimodal. In contrast, photo-polymerization initiated by highly functionalized polystyrene backbone was poorly controlled. Hydrolysis of loosely grafted copolymers PS-g-P(tBuMA) afforded amphiphilic copolymers polystyrene-graft-poly(methacrylic acid). Molecular parameters of the synthesized graft copolymers in dilute THF solutions were determined by scattering (DLS, SLS, SAXS) and viscometric measurements.     

Synthesis, properties, and oxidizing function of 6-substituted 7,9-dimethylcyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrrole-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates

Uracil-annulated heteroazulenes, 6-substituted 7,9-dimethylcyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrrole-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates 7a,b·BF₄⁻, which are the isoelectronic compounds of 5-dezazaflavin, were synthesized. X-Ray crystal analysis and MO calculations were carried out to clarify the structural characteristics of 7a,b·BF₄⁻. The stability of cations 7a,b is expressed by the pK_R+ values which were determined spectrophotometrically to be 10.9 and 11.2, respectively. The electrochemical reduction of 7a,b exhibited high reduction potentials at −0.84 and −0.87 (V vs Ag/AgNO₃) upon cyclic voltammetry (CV). A good linear correlation between the pK_R+ values and reduction potentials (E1_red) of 7a,b·BF₄⁻ and reference compounds 4·BF₄⁻ and 5·BF₄⁻ was obtained. In a search of the reactivity, reactions of 7a,b·BF₄⁻ with some nucleophiles, hydride and diethylamine, were carried out to clarify that the introduction of nucleophiles to give regio-isomers is dependent on the nucleophile. The photo-induced oxidation reactions of 7a,b·BF₄⁻ toward some alcohols under aerobic conditions were carried out to give the corresponding carbonyl compounds in more than 100% yield [based on compounds 7a,b·BF₄⁻], suggesting the oxidizing function of 7a,b·BF₄⁻ toward alcohols in the autorecycling process.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of three copper coordination polymers with pyridine derivatives from hydro(solvo)thermal in situ decarboxylation reactions of 2,5-dicarboxylpyridine

The hydro(solvo)thermal self-assembles of CuI, KI and 2,5-dicarboxylpyridine [2,5-(COOH)₂py] in different molar ratios in H₂O/alcohol solutions produced three Cu coordination polymers as 2-D [N-C₂H₅py][Cu₃I₄] 1, 1-D [N-CH₃py][Cu₂I₃] 2 as well as 1-D [Cu(2-COOpy)₂]H₂O 3 (N-C₂H₅py=N-ethylpyridine, N-CH₃py=N-methylpyridine, 2-COOpy=2-carboxylpyridine). N-C₂H₅py in 1 and N-CH₃py in 2 derived from the solvothermal in situ simultaneous decarboxylation and N-alkylation reactions of 2,5-(COOH)₂py. The semi-decarboxylation reaction of 2,5-(COOH)₂py into 2-COOpy occurred in the preparation of 3. X-ray single-crystal analysis revealed that CuI is transformed into a 2-D [Cu₃I₄]⁻ layer in compound 1 and a 1-D chain in compound 2, templated by [N-C₂H₅py]⁺ and [N-CH₃py]⁺, respectively. Compound 3 is a divalent Cu compound. The Cu(II) centers with a 4+2 geometry are coordinated by μ₃-mode 2-COOpy ligands. All of the title compounds were characterized by CHN analysis, IR spectrum analysis and TG analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit fluorescence properties with the maximum emissions at 581 nm for 1 and 537 nm for 2.     

Synthesis, structure and physical properties of LnNi(Sn,Sb)3 (Ln=Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb)

Five new analogues of the β-CeNiSb₃ family have been synthesized and found to be LnNi(Sn,Sb)₃ and isostructural to the previously reported β-CeNiSb₃. LnNi(Sn,Sb)₃ (Ln=Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, or Tb) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group, Pbcm, with lattice parameters of a∼12.9 Å, b∼6.1 Å, c∼12.0 Å. The structure consists of layers of nearly square nets of X (X=Sn/Sb) atoms and highly distorted NiX₆ octahedra. Lanthanide atoms are located between layers of X and NiX₆ octahedra. All analogues are metallic and experimental effective magnetic moments are in agreement with the respective Ln³⁺ calculated moments.     

Synthesis and characterization of metal substituted AlxCr1−x(acetylacetonate)3 single-source precursors for their application to MOCVD of thin films

A detailed study, involving the synthesis of a single-source precursor containing two metal ions sharing the same crystallographic site, has been undertaken to elucidate the use of such a single-source precursor in a CVD process for growing thin films of oxides comprising these two metals, ensuring a uniform composition and distribution of metal ions. The substituted complexes Cr_1−xAl_x(acac)₃, where acac = acetylacetonate, have been prepared by a co-synthesis method, and characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, TGA/DTA measurements, and single crystal X-ray diffraction at low temperature. All the studied compositions crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with Z = 4 in the unit cell. It was observed that the ratio (Al:Cr) of the site occupancy for the metal ions, obtained from single crystal refinement, is in agreement with the results obtained from complexometric titrations. All the solid state structures have the metal in an octahedral environment forming six-membered chelate rings. M–O acac bond lengths and disorder in the terminal carbon have been studied in detail for these substituted metal–organic complexes. One composition among these was chosen to evaluate their suitability as a single-source precursor in a LPMOCVD process (low-pressure metal–organic chemical vapour deposition) for the deposition of a substituted binary metal oxide thin film. The resulting thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy.     

Gloriosaols A and B, two novel phenolics from Yucca gloriosa: structural characterization and configurational assignment by a combined NMR-quantum mechanical strategy

Gloriosaols A (1) and B (2), two novel phenolic derivatives characterized by unusual spirostructures made up of two C₁₅ units linked via a γ-lactone to a central stilbenic portion were isolated from the roots of Yucca gloriosa. On the basis of an extensive NMR analysis, the same basic structure was established for the two compounds but no further information about their structural difference could be deduced. Thus two hypotheses were formulated: (1) gloriosaols A and B could be atropisomers caused by a restriction of the free rotation around the double bond due to a steric congestion of the bulky phenolic portions; (2) gloriosaols A and B could be two configurational isomers, indicating, in this case, a nonstereoselective biogenetic formation of the stereogenic center C-2. Semi-empirical calculations of the potential energy surfaces on gloriosaols A and B, together with the ¹H NMR spectra recorded at various temperatures, allowed us to unambiguously exclude the hypothesis of two restricted rotational conformers of a single configurational isomer. Finally, quantum mechanical calculations of the geometries and of the ¹H chemical shifts on the gloriasols A and B in combination with the analysis of the ROE data allowed us to deduce a diastereomeric relation between the two compounds and to assess the relative configuration of the two diastereomers.     

A novel route to synthesize cubic ZrW2−xMoxO8 (x=0-1.3) solid solutions and their negative thermal expansion properties

Cubic ZrW_2−xMo_xO₈ (c-ZrW_2−xMo_xO₈) (x=0-1.3) solid solutions were prepared by a novel polymorphous precursor transition route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that the solid solutions are single phase with α- and β-ZrW₂O₈ structure for 0?x?0.8 and 0.9?x?1.3, respectively. The optimum synthesis conditions of ZrWMoO₈ are obtained from differential scanning calorimetry-thermal gravimetric analysis (DSC-TGA), XRD and mass loss-temperature/time curves. Following the above experience, the stoichiometric solid solutions of c-ZrW_2−xMo_xO₈ (x=0-1) are obtained within 1 wt% of mass loss. The relationships of lattice parameters (a), phase transition temperatures (T_c) and instantaneous coefficients of thermal expansion (α_i) against the content x of Mo are discussed based on the variation of order degree parameters of ZrW_2−xMo_xO₈.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, and magnetic properties of the antiferromagnetic double perovskites Ln2LiOsO6 (Ln=La, Pr, Nd, Sm)

A series of osmium double perovskite oxides, Ln₂LiOsO₆ (Ln=La, Pr, Nd, Sm), has been prepared as single crystals from acidic molten hydroxide. All four oxides crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n (Glazer tilt system #10, a⁻a⁻b⁺), forming a 1:1 ordered rock salt lattice of Li⁺ and Os⁵⁺ cations. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that these compounds are antiferromagnetic at low temperature with ordering temperatures of 39, 35, 23, and 32 K for Ln₂LiOsO₆ (Ln=La, Pr, Nd, Sm), respectively.     

Synthesis,structural characterization and properties of one-dimensional coordination polymers of cobalt(II)- and nickel(II)-phosphonate complexes with 2,2′-bipyridine as a secondary ligand component: Observation of both cis and trans conformations of a diphosphonic acid

Two new isomorphous cobalt and nickel phosphonates [M^II(2,2′-bipy)₂LH₄]_n[LH₂]_n, M = Co (compound 1), M = Ni (compound 2) were hydrothermally synthesized from p-xylylenediphosphonic acid (LH₄) and the corresponding metal salts with 2,2′-bipyridine as secondary ligand component. Both the compounds 1 and 2 are characterized by routine elemental analyses, IR-, electronic-spectral analyses, thermogravimetric studies and unambiguously characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structures were refined in monoclinic space group C2/c. The crystal structure consists of 1D [M(2,2′-bipy)₂LH₄]²⁺ chains and [LH₂]²⁻ anions. The flexibility of non-rigid ligand p-xylylenediphosphonic acid (LH₄) tends to adopt a rare cis conformation in the crystal structure to meet the coordination requirement of the metal center from the usual trans conformation. The hydrogen bonding in the crystal structure leads to cylindrical tubes that extend via p-xylylenediphosphonic acid resulting in a 2D supramolecular sheet throughout the crystal. Compounds 1 and 2 are additionally characterized by thermogravimetric studies.     

Synthesis, characterization, and fluorescent properties of two Pb(II) complexes: {[Pb(hca)2·DMF]·DMF}∞ and [Pb(hca)2(phen)·DMF]2

Two novel Pb(II) complexes, {[Pb(hca)₂·DMF]·DMF}_∞ and [Pb(hca)₂(phen)·DMF]₂ (hca=trans-4-hydroxycinnamic group), were obtained by solid-phase reactions of PbAc₂ and Hhca and PbAc₂, Hhca, and phen, respectively, and characterized by spectroscopy. X-ray crystallography analysis reveals that complex 1, {[Pb(hca)₂·DMF]·DMF}_∞, adopts a 2-dimensional structure through the weak interactions of Pb and O atoms and that complex 2, [Pb(hca)₂(phen)·DMF]₂, shows a discrete dimeric structure, in which hydrogen bonds link the dimers into a 2D network. Both complexes 1 and 2 show visible fluorescence and the intensity is stronger than that of the ligand. More interestingly, the intensity of emission was increased at least fivefolds when the pH of the solution was adjusted to alkalinity. This can be attributed to that the deprotonization of phenolic group enhancing the conjugation of the ligand hca. These results indicate that this method may be an effective way to increase the emission intensity of similar complexes.