The use of nonpolar matrices for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric analysis of high boiling crude oil fractions

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) with nonpolar matrices has been investigated for its applicability to the characterization of atmospheric resid crude oil fractions. The data obtained by use of nonpolar matrices was compared with that from polar matrices as well as from direct LDI-MS and field ionization mass spectrometry. Nonpolar matrices, such as anthracene or 9-cyanoanthracene, yield only a single radical molecular cation upon LDI. Thus, no interfering matrix-related ions are present during the MALDI-TOFMS analysis of the crude oil sample. Nonpolar matrices yield molecular mass distributions from linear mode MALDI-TOFMS that are comparable to distributions found with LDI-MS. An advantage of nonpolar matrices is the increased production of analyte ions, which allows reflectron mode MALDI-TOFMS to be performed. Nonpolar matrices are also shown to be less sensitive to solvent and sample preparation conditions than conventional polar matrices. These results suggest that nonpolar matrices may be favorable alternatives to more traditional polar or acidic matrices commonly used in the MALDI mass spectral characterization of crude oil related samples.     

The boron-catalyzed polymerization of dimethylsulfoxonium methylide. A living polymethylene synthesis

Trialkyl and aryl organoboranes catalyze the polymerization of dimethylsulfoxonium methylide (1). The product of the polymerization is a tris-polymethylene organoborane. Oxidation affords linear telechelic alpha-hydroxy polymethylene. The polymer molecular weight was found to be directly proportional to the stoichiometric ratio of ylide/borane, and polydispersities as low as 1.01-1.03 have been realized. Although oligomeric polymethylene has been the most frequent synthetic target of this method, polymeric star organoboranes with molecular weights of 1.5 million have been produced. The average turnover frequency at 120 degrees C in 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene/toluene is estimated at >6 x 10(6) g of polymethylene (mol boron)(-1) h(-1). The mechanism of the polyhomologation reaction involves initial formation of a zwitterionic organoborane.ylide complex which breaks down in a rate-limiting 1,2-alkyl group migration with concomitant expulsion of a molecule of DMSO. The reaction was found to be first order in the borane catalyst and zero order in ylide. DMSO does not interfere with the reaction. The temperature dependence of the reaction rate yielded the following activation energy parameters (toluene, DeltaH(++) = 23.2 kcal/mol, DeltaS(++) = 12.6 cal deg/mol, DeltaG(++) = 19.5 kcal/mol; THF, DeltaH(++) = 26.5 kcal/mol, DeltaS(++) = 21.5 cal deg/mol, DeltaG(++) = 20.1 kcal/mol).     

Concurrent Covalent and Supramolecular Polymerization

Covalent and supramolecular polymerizations, both of which offer their own unique advantages, have emerged as popular strategies for making artificial materials. Herein, we describe a concurrent covalent and supramolecular polymerization strategy—namely, one which utilizes 1) a bis‐azide‐functionalized diazaperopyrenium dication that undergoes polymeriation covalently with a bis‐alkyne‐functionalized biphenyl derivative in one dimension as a result of a rapid and efficient β‐cyclodextrin(CD)‐accelerated, cucurbit[6]uril(CB)‐templated azide–alkyne cycloaddition, while 2) the aromatic core of the dication is able to dimerize in a criss‐cross fashion by dint of π–π interactions, enabling simultaneous supramolecular assembly, resulting in an extended polymer network in an orthogonal dimension.     

Poling and crosslinking processes in NLO polymers

A series of photocrosslinkable polymers bearing hyperpolarizable side chain chromophores was synthesized, poled and evaluated on the basis of the thermal stability of Second Harmonic Generation (SHG). Photoinitiation allowed for control of the onset of curing. Crosslinking was monitored by infrared spectroscopy and optimal conversion was achieved by applying a slow temperature ramp during exposure. The ultimate stability of the poled polymers was directly related to the number of crosslinking substituents that were attached to the chromophore pendant group. With two reactive groups per chromophore significant SHG was retained at temperatures above the initial polymer glass transition temperature. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2769–2775     

The Structural Fate of Individual Multicomponent Metal‐Oxide Nanoparticles in Polymer Nanoreactors

Multicomponent nanoparticles can be synthesized with either homogeneous or phase‐segregated architectures depending on the synthesis conditions and elements incorporated. To understand the parameters that determine their structural fate, multicomponent metal‐oxide nanoparticles consisting of combinations of Co, Ni, and Cu were synthesized by using scanning probe block copolymer lithography and characterized using correlated electron microscopy. These studies revealed that the miscibility, ratio of the metallic components, and the synthesis temperature determine the crystal structure and architecture of the nanoparticles. A Co‐Ni‐O system forms a rock salt structure largely owing to the miscibility of CoO and NiO, while Cu‐Ni‐O, which has large miscibility gaps, forms either homogeneous oxides, heterojunctions, or alloys depending on the annealing temperature and composition. Moreover, a higher‐ordered structure, Co‐Ni‐Cu‐O, was found to follow the behavior of lower ordered systems.