Synthesis of novel alkylamino zinc(II) phthalocyanines

The synthesis of tetramethyl‐tetraphthalimidomethyl‐phthalocyaninato zinc(II) ( 6 ) and tetramethyl‐tetraaminomethyl‐phthalocyaninato zinc(II) ( 7 ) is described.     

Cooperativity in multiple unusual weak bonds

This review covers two aspects concerning cooperativity in multiple weak bonds: a summary of literature results and a theoretical study of a complete series of model complexes. All the 15 combination of five weak bonds were explored: hydrogen bonds, hydric bonds, dihydrogen bonds, halogen bonds and ion–π interactions. Since in several cases there were no examples reported, a systematic exploration has been carried out on simple models at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level. The results thus obtained have been analyzed using the atoms in molecules methodology.     

Simultaneous determination of metal ions. Catalytic oxidation of cobalt by metal ions when extracted with quinolin-8-ol

The catalytic effect of various ions on the aerial oxidation of Co(II) when extracted from weakly acidic solutions with quinolin-8-ol in chlorofom was studied. Oxidation is complete only in the presence of Fe(III) or V(V). Mixtures of Al(III), Cu(II), Fe(III) and Ni(II) with Co(II) at concentrations in the range 1–8 μg ml^?1 were analysed by using a multi-component analysis program involving first-order derivative spectra. Because of the metal ion interaction, a multivariate calibration process is required. The recovery factors achieved ranged from 93 to 111%.     

A novel hydroxy functionalized polyester obtained by ring opening copolymerization of L‐lactide with a pyrolysis product of cellulose

A hydroxylactone ((1R,5S)‐1‐hydroxy‐3,6‐dioxabicyclo [3.2.1] octan‐2‐one, abbreviated as LAC) obtained from catalytic pyrolysis of cellulose was investigated as a monomer in the synthesis of polyesters by ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) with L ‐lactide. Although stannous octoate resulted inactive, ROP initiated by zirconium (IV) acetylacetonate afforded novel copolyesters from LAC and lactide mixtures in the bulk at 110 °C. Copolymers were obtained with different LAC content (from 19 to 45%) with a random microstructure as established by detailed NMR analysis. FTIR spectrometry confirmed the presence in the polymer chain of the OH groups originally present in LAC, which do not react during polymerization due to steric hindrance and inter/intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Reaction with trichloroacetylisocyanide proved that OH groups of the polyesters can be readily derivatized. The application of LAC as a comonomer enables the insertion of the alcohol functionality in polylactide avoiding protection/deprotection steps and potentially expanding the realm of biomaterials affordable from carbohydrate feedstock. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 247–257, 2009     

Tin oxalate as a precursor of tin dioxide and electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Tin(II) oxalate was studied as a novel precursor for active electrode materials in lithium-ion batteries. The discharge of lithium cells using tin oxalate electrodes takes place by three irreversible steps: tin reduction, forming a lithium oxalate matrix; solvent decomposition to form a passivating layer; and oxalate reduction in a two-electron process. These are followed by reversible alloying of tin with lithium, leading to a maximum discharge of 11 F/mol. Cycling of the cells showed reversible capacities higher than 600 mAh/g during the first five cycles and ca. 200 mAh/g after 50 cycles. Tin oxalate was converted to tin dioxide by thermal decomposition at 450 °C and also by a chemical method by dissolving tin oxalate powder in 33% v/v hydrogen peroxide at room temperature. The ultrafine nature of the tin dioxide powders obtained by this procedure allow their use as electrodes in lithium cells. The best capacity retention during the first five cycles was achieved for a sample heat treated to 250 °C to eliminate surface water. Electronic Publication     

Long-Distance Transmission at Zero Dispersion: Exact Expressions for One-Time Statistical Properties

We study the transmission of a signal through a dispersionless fiber with in-line amplifiers. The nonlinearities of the fiber and the noise generated at each amplifier are taken into account. Exact analytical expressions are obtained for the field averages. From these results we obtain the distributed amplification approximation, and study the conditions under which this approximation is valid.     

Spectroscopic investigations on polypropylene‐carbon nanofiber composites. I. Raman and electron spin resonance spectroscopy

Isotactic polypropylene‐vapor grown carbon nanofiber composites containing various fractions of carbon nanofibers, ranging from 0 to 20 wt %, have been prepared. Raman spectroscopy was used to analyze the effect of the dispersion of carbon nanofibers within polypropylene and the interactions between carbon nanofibers and macromolecular chains. The as‐recorded Raman spectra have been successfully fitted by a linear convolution of Lorentzian lines. Changes of the Raman lines parameters (position, intensity, width, and area) of polypropylene and carbon nanofibers were analyzed in detail. The Raman spectra of the polymeric matrix—at low concentrations of nanofibers—show important modifications that indicate strong interactions between carbon nanofibers and the polymeric matrix reflecting by vibrational dephasing of macromolecular chains. The Raman spectrum of carbon nanofibers is sensitive to the loading with carbon nanofibers, showing changes of the resonance frequencies, amplitudes, and width for both D‐ and G‐bands. Raman data reveals the increase of the disorder, as the concentration of carbon nanofibers is increased. The presence of the typical ESR line assigned to conducting electrons delocalized over carbon nanofibers is confirmed and the presence of a spurious magnetic line due to catalyst's residues is reported. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1644–1652, 2009     

Disperse red 1 end capped oligoesters. Synthesis by noncatalyzed ring opening oligomerization and structural characterization

The synthesis of novel azofunctional oligoesters through bulk ring opening of ε‐caprolactone and D ,L ‐lactide (LA) at 100 and 130 °C, respectively, mediated by N‐ethyl‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐4‐(4‐nitrophenylazo)aniline (Disperse Red 1) (DR1) is described. The synthetic procedure allows “clean” products because no catalysts were used in the reaction. Moreover, DR1 moiety is showed for the first time to promote the ring opening of cyclic esters. The molecular structure of the obtained oligoesters was established by NMR spectroscopy, MALDI ToF MS and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS). ESI‐MS/MS fragmentation experiments were used to demonstrate the nature of the chain end groups (hydroxyl and DR1). Intermolecular transesterification reactions were proved by mass spectrometry studies at least in the case of LA oligomerization. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 534–547, 2009     

Fission fragment mass yields of Th to Rf even-even nuclei

Fission properties of the actinide nuclei are deduced from theoretical analysis. We investigate potential energy surfaces and fission barriers and predict the fission fragment mass yields of actinide isotopes. The results are compared with experimental data where available. The calculations were performed in the macroscopic-microscopic approximation with the Lublin-Strasbourg Drop (LSD) for the macroscopic part, and the microscopic energy corrections were evaluated in the Yukawa-folded potential. The Fourier nuclear shape parametrization is used to describe the nuclear shape, including the non-axial degree of freedom. The fission fragment mass yields of the nuclei considered are evaluated within a 3D collective model using the Born-Oppenheimer approximation.