Substitution and condensation reactions with poly(anilineboronic acid): reactivity and characterization of thin films

Poly(anilineboronic acid) thin films are treated under various conditions to achieve substitution or condensation reactions involving the boronic acid moiety. These reactions are studied with polarization modulated infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results suggest the single-step formation of substituted polyanilines, such as poly(hydroxyaniline), halogenated polyanilines, and mercury chloride-substituted polyaniline. A condensation reaction of poly(anilineboronic acid) with cis-diol compounds in aqueous solution, as well as with phenylenebisboronic acid and salycilamide in THF, indicates the formation of boronic esters. The latter reactions appear to be a good entry point for the formation of complex or supramolecular polymer structures.     

Superbase-Promoted Acylation of Hindered Alcohols

The commercially available nonionic superbase P(MeNCH(2)CH(2))(3)N (1a) is very useful for the acylation of unreactive hindered alcohols as well as acid-sensitive alcohols. The reactions proceed in high yields using an acid anhydride, and 1a can be regenerated in a single step. The relative rates for benzoylation of (+/-)-menthol in C(6)D(6) using conventional acylation reagents and strong nonionic bases are compared. In general, acetylation with 1a is accelerated in the polar solvent CH(3)CN whereas benzoylation is faster in the nonpolar solvent C(6)H(6). The benzoylation intermediate RC(O)P(MeNCH(2)CH(2))(3)N(+) was found to be in equilibrium with 1a, with lower temperatures favoring the intermediate. The relative stabilities of several known acylating intermediates are compared.