Organo-iron mediated synthesis of functional dendrimers with 1 → 3 connectivity

The organo-iron mediated activation of arene in the sandwich complexes [FeCp(η⁶-arene)][PF₆] is shown to produce 1 → 3 connectivity at benzylic positions that was utilized for dendrimer syntheses. This mini-review of the work carried out in the authors’ laboratory summarizes this principle and its applications with emphasis on recent significant improvements in the CpFe⁺-mediated reactions, recyclability of the CpFe⁺ group, mechanistic features and examples of efficient and useful functionalization reactions.     

Preparation of amphiphilic polyisobutylenes-b-polyethylenamines by mannich reaction. I. Synthesis and characterization of α-phenololigoisobutylenes

The cationic polymerization of isobutylene initiated by 4-(2-hydroxy-2-propyl)phenol/BCl₃ system results mainly in α-phenol-ω-chlorooligoisobutylene; however p-(2-chloro-2,4-dimethyl-4-pentyl)phenol is present in all cases. α-Methyl-ω-chlorooligoisobutylene is formed only when the temperature is below?50°C; it results from initiation by the phenol/BCl₃ system. Thermal dehydrochlorination of α-phenol-ω-chlorooligoisobutylene is quantitative and leads to a mixture of isomeric ω-unsaturated oligoisobutylenes. α-Methyl-ω-phenololigoisobutylene is prepared by the Friedel—Crafts reaction between industrial unsaturated oligoisobutylene and phenol in the presence of SnCl₄ at ?30°C; the reaction is quantitative between ?50 and ?30°C degradation takes place. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Gas‐Phase Infrared Spectra of Three Compounds of Astrochemical Interest: Vinyl,Allenyl, and Propargyl Isocyanides

Isocyanides, isomers of the cyanides detected in the interstellar medium, are also possible components of this medium. The infrared spectra (5000–500 cm^?1) of gaseous vinyl isocyanide, allenyl isocyanide, and propargyl isocyanide have been recorded at 0.1 cm^?1 resolution. When prepared on a gram scale to produce a partial pressure of 10 mbar after evaporation in the cell, these three isocyanides, which have previously been reported to be kinetically unstable, do not display any sign of decomposition when recording the spectra. Geometry optimizations and harmonic and anharmonic vibrational frequencies were calculated using the LCCSD(T) method with the cc‐pVTZ basis set. Anharmonic frequencies of fundamental, overtone, and combination transitions were calculated using a variational approach implemented in the P Anhar.v2.0 code, to assign the experimental data for each compound. These results improve our knowledge of these under‐investigated compounds and pave the way for other physicochemical studies on functionalized isocyanides.     

Computational Studies on Intramolecular Cycloadditions of Azidoenynes and Azidobutenenitriles to Give 6H‐Pyrrolo[1,2‐c][1,2,3]triazoles and 5H‐Pyrrolo[1,2‐d]tetrazoles

Energetics of intramolecular cycloadditions of azidoenynes and azidobutenenitriles to give 6H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐c][1,2,3]triazoles and 5H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐d]tetrazoles have been calculated at the B3LYP/6.311++G(3df,3pd) level of theory in ideal gas and in H₂O as solvent. Stabilities of the corresponding anions, tautomers, and isomers are discussed. Transition states of the cyclization of parent compounds are determined at the same level of theory.     

Hydrolysis and grafting of dimethylalkoxysilanes onto stainless steel

The grafting of trialkoxysilane molecules should also give rise to the formation of a siloxane network at the substrate's surface when trialkoxysilanes are used. Other candidates that might be able to act as adhesion promoters at metallic surfaces are dimethylalkoxysilanes. The advantage of dimethylalkoxysilanes is that only one silanol group is produced during the hydrolysis step, leading to the formation of a grafted monolayer onto the steel. Moreover, the chemical grafting of stainless steel, which exhibits a low surface reactivity, is of great interest for industrial applications such as adhesive bonding or coatings. The objective of this work was to chemically graft dimethylalkoxysilanes onto AISI 316L stainless steel and to analyze the grafted layer by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Investigation of the hydrolysis of these molecules in aqueous solutions was also performed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR). The grafting of 3‐(ethoxydimethylsilyl)propylamine (APDES) and 3‐glycidoxypropyldimethylethoxysilane (GPDES) was achieved onto stainless steel after a controlled hydrolysis reaction. A pH inferior or equal to 5 was necessary to obtain a sufficient hydrolysis of silanes. XPS results have evidenced the grafting of the silanes onto stainless steel. The signal of the Si 2p peak clearly showed the formation of a covalent bond between APDES and the stainless steel surface through the O atoms giving rise to a uniform layer of adsorbed molecules. Moreover, this grafted layer is strongly stable as no removal of the alkoxysilane was observed after immersion in hot water which is very critical for these molecules. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Phosphine‐Coordinated Boron‐Centered Gomberg‐Type Radical

The P‐coordinated boryl radical [Ph₂P(naphthyl)BMes]^. (Mes=mesityl) was prepared by (electro)chemical reduction of the corresponding borenium salt or bromoborane. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis in solution and DFT calculations indicate large spin density on boron (60–70 %) and strong P–B interactions (P→B σ donation and B→P negative hyperconjugation). The radical is persistent in solution and participates in a Gomberg‐type dimerization process. The associated quinoid‐type dimer has been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

1,10‐Phenanthroline and Non‐Symmetrical 1,3,5‐Triazine Dipicolinamide‐Based Ligands For Group Actinide Extraction

The synthesis and evaluation of new extractants for spent nuclear fuel reprocessing are described. New bitopic ligands constituted of phenanthroline and 1,3,5‐triazine cores functionalized by picolinamide groups were designed. Synthetic routes were investigated and optimized to obtain twelve new polyaza‐heterocyclic ligands. In particular, an efficient and versatile methodology was developed to access non‐symmetric 2‐substituted‐4,6‐di(6‐picolin‐2‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazines from the 1,3,5‐triazapentadiene precursor in the presence of anhydride reagents. Extraction studies showed the ability of both ligand series to extract and separate actinides selectively at different oxidation states (U^VI, Np^V,VI, Am^III, Cm^III, and Pu^IV) from an acidic solution (3 M HNO₃). Phenanthroline‐based ligands show the most promising efficiency for use in the group actinide extraction (GANEX) process due to a higher number of donor nitrogen atoms and a suitable pre‐organization of the dipicolinamide‐1,10‐phenanthroline architecture.     

“Click” Chemistry Mildly Stabilizes Bifunctional Gold Nanoparticles for Sensing and Catalysis

A large family of bifunctional 1,2,3‐triazole derivatives that contain both a polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain and another functional fragment (e.g., a polymer, dendron, alcohol, carboxylic acid, allyl, fluorescence dye, redox‐robust metal complex, or a β‐cyclodextrin unit) has been synthesized by facile “click” chemistry and mildly coordinated to nanogold particles, thus providing stable water‐soluble gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the size range 3.0–11.2 nm with various properties and applications. In particular, the sensing properties of these AuNPs are illustrated through the detection of an analogue of a warfare agent (i.e., sulfur mustard) by means of a fluorescence “turn‐on” assay, and the catalytic activity of the smallest triazole–AuNPs (core of 3.0 nm) is excellent for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol in water.