Self-assembly approach toward magnetic silica-type nanoparticles of different shapes from reverse block copolymer mesophases

In the present study poly(isoprene-block-ethylene oxide), PI-b-PEO, block copolymers are used to structure iron oxide and silica precursors into reverse mesophases, which upon dissolution of the organic matrix lead to well-defined nanoparticles of spheres, cylinders, and plates based on the original structure of the mesophase prepared. The hybrid mesophases with sphere, cylinder, and lamellar morphologies containing the inorganic components in the minority phases are characterized through a combination of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). After heat treatments the respective nanoparticles on mica surfaces are characterized by scanning force microscopy (SFM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer measurements are performed to demonstrate that the heat treatment leads to the formation of a magnetic gamma-Fe2O3 crystalline phase within the amorphous aluminosilicate. The results pave the way to functional, i.e., magnetic nanoparticles where the size, shape, and iron oxide concentration can be controlled opening a range of possible applications.     

Crystallization and melting of polyethylene copolymers: Differential scanning calorimetry and atomic force microscopy studies

The Hoffman–Lauritzen theory of secondary, surface nucleation and growth was primarily relied upon for about 40 years after its introduction in about 1960 to rationalize the crystallization of flexible chain polymers into lamellar crystals. However, in about 1998, Strobl and coworkers introduced a different model for crystallization, based on the stage‐wise formation of lamellae. Two major components of this model were as follows: (1) the concept of the formation of a mesomorphic melt as a precursor to crystallization and (2) the control of the melting temperature range of lamellar crystals of homogeneous polyolefin copolymers by an inner degree of order or perfection rather than on the crystal thickness. The first concept is in disagreement with the HL theory and the second with the Gibbs‐Thomson theory, which associates melting temperature with lamella thickness. In the present study, differential scanning calorimetry and atomic force microscopy were successfully employed to monitor the in situ quiescent crystallization of polyethylene homopolymer and copolymer. In the present study, evidence was not found to support the concept of lamellae with equal thickness melting over a broad temperature range. Some evidence was found that might be interpreted to support the concept of a mesomorphic melt as a precursor to crystallization. At present, the model promoted by Strobl and coworkers appears to be at an uncertain stage at which strong proof or disproof are not available. However, this alternative model has injected a new vitality into the study of crystallization of flexible chain polymers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2369–2388, 2006     

La3Os2O10, a new compound containing isolated clusters Os2O10 with metal-metal bonds

The formula of a new compound isolated in the LaOsO system has been established by means of crystal structure determination. There are two La₃Os₂O₁₀ units in a face-centered monoclinic unit cell (S.G. $\text{C2}\text{m}$); a = 7.911(2) Å, b = 7.963(2) Å, c = 6.966(2)Å, β = 115.76(2)°;. For 1082 intensities, collected on an automated single-crystal diffractometer, the final R value was 0.025 after absorption corrections. The structure consists of isolated Os₂O₁₀ clusters composed of two edge-shared OsO₆ octahedra. These dimeric units are connected together by two types of La³⁺ ions in eightfold coordination. In view of the OsOs distance inside the pair (2.462 Å), La₃Os₂O₁₀ provides an example of metal-metal bonding involving a transition metal in a half-integral formal oxidation state of 5.5.     

Novel Mo(V)-dithiolene compounds: characterization of nonsymmetric dithiolene complexes by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Three new Mo(V) dithiolene compounds have been synthesized by addition of alkynes ((Me(3)Si)(2)C(2) (TMSA), (Me(3)Si)(2)C(4), and (Ph)(2)C(4) to MoO(2)S(2)(2-) in a MeOH/NH(3) mixture: [Mo(2)(O)(2)(mu-S)(2)(eta(2)-S(2))(eta(2)-S(2)C(2)H(2))](2)(-) 1, [Mo(2)(O)(X)(mu-S)(2)(eta(2)-S(2))(eta(2)-S(2)C(2)Ph(C(2)Ph))](2-) 2 (X = O or S), and [Mo(2)(O)(2)(mu-S)(2)(eta(2)-S(2))(eta(2)-S(2)C(2)H(C(2)H))](2-) 3. The structure of 1 as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction study (space group Pbca, a = 13.3148(1) A, b = 15.7467(4) A, c = 28.4108(7) A, V = 5956.7(2) A(3)) is discussed. 2 and 3 have been identified by ESMS (electrospray mass spectrometry), (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and infrared spectroscopies. This investigation completes our previous study devoted to the addition of DPA (C(2)Ph(2)) to MoO(2)S(2)(2-) which led to [Mo(2)(O)(X)(mu-S)(2)(eta(2)-S(2))(eta(2)-S(2)C(2)Ph(2))](2-) 4 (X = O or S). A reaction scheme is proposed to explain the formation of the different species present in solution. The reactivity of the remaining nucleophilic site of these complexes (eta(2)-S(2)) toward dicarbomethoxyacetylene (DMA) is also discussed.     

Asymmetric conjugate addition of thioglycolate to a range of chalcones using tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) N,N′-dioxide ligands

A series of novel TIQ based N,N′-oxide ligands were synthesised and screened for their catalytic activity in the enantioselective conjugate addition of thioglycolate to chalcones. Bulky groups on the side chain of the TIQ backbone provided the highest enantioselectivity of up to 88% with 10 mol % catalyst loading. It was also observed that these reactions proceeded optimally in the presence of dichloromethane as a solvent. Screening of various metals emphasized La(OTf)₃ as the ideal pre-catalyst for this particular reaction.     

Lie geometry of linear Weingarten surfaces

We show how linear Weingarten surfaces appear as special Ω-surfaces and give a characterization of those linear Weingarten surfaces that allow a Weierstrass type representation.     

Push–Pull Porphyrins via β-Pyrrole Functionalization: Evidence of Excited State Events Leading to High-Potential Charge-Separated States

A new set of free-base and zinc(II)-metallated, β-pyrrole-functionalized unsymmetrical push–pull porphyrins were designed and synthesized via β-mono- and dibrominated tetraphenylporphyrins using Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions. The ability of donors and acceptors on the push–pull porphyrins to produce high-potential charge separated states was investigated. The porphyrins were functionalized at the opposite β,β′-pyrrole positions of porphyrin ring bearing triphenylamine push groups and naphthalimide pull groups. Systematic studies involving optical absorption, steady-state and time-resolved emission revealed existence of intramolecular type interactions both in the ground and excited states. The push–pull nature of the molecular systems was supported by frontier orbitals generated on optimized structures, wherein delocalization of HOMO over the push group and LUMO over the pull group connecting the porphyrin π-system was witnessed. Electrochemical studies were performed to visualize the effect of push and pull groups on the overall redox potentials of the porphyrins. Spectroelectrochemical studies combined with frontier orbitals helped in characterizing the one-electron oxidized and reduced porphyrins. Finally, by performing transient absorption studies in polar benzonitrile, the ability of push–pull porphyrins to produce charge-separated states upon photoexcitation was confirmed and the measured rates were in the range of 10⁹ s⁻¹. The lifetime of the final charge separated state was around 5 ns. This study ascertains the importance of push–pull porphyrins in solar energy conversion and diverse optoelectronic applications, for which high-potential charge-separated states are warranted.