An atom-efficient conjugation approach to well-defined block copolymers using RAFT chemistry and hetero Diels-Alder cycloaddition

The tendency of electron-deficient dithioesters to undergo hetero Diels-Alder cycloadditions is successfully used to generate polymer conjugates between a RAFT-polymerized poly(styrene) and a diene-terminated poly(epsilon-caprolactone).     

Toward a magnetostructural correlation for a family of Mn6 SMMs

We have structurally and magnetically characterized a total of 12 complexes based on the Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) [MnIII6O2(sao)6(O2CH)2(MeOH) 4] (1) (where sao2- is the dianion of salicylaldoxime or 2-hydroxybenzaldeyhyde oxime) that display analogous structural cores but remarkably different magnetic behaviors. Via the use of derivatized oxime ligands and bulky carboxylates we show that it is possible to deliberately increase the value of the spin ground state of the complexes [Mn6O2(Me-sao)6(O2CCPh3)2(EtOH)4] (2), [Mn6O2(Et-sao)6(O2CCMe3)2(EtOH)5] (3), [Mn6O2(Et-sao)6(O2CPh2OPh)2(EtOH)4] (4), [Mn6O2(Et-sao)6(O2CPh4OPh)2(EtOH)4(H2O)2] (5), [Mn6O2(Me-sao)6(O2CPhBr)2(EtOH)6] (6), [Mn6O2(Et-sao)6(O2CPh)2(EtOH)4(H2O)2] (7), [Mn6O2(Et-sao)6{O2CPh(Me)2}2(EtOH)6] (8), [Mn6O2(Et-sao)6(O2C11H15)2(EtOH)6] (9), [Mn6O2(Me-sao)6(O2C-th)2(EtOH)4(H2O)2] (10), [Mn6O2(Et-sao)6(O2CPhMe)2(EtOH)4(H2O)2] (11), and [Mn6O2(Et-sao)6(O2C12H17)2(EtOH)4(H2O)2] (12) (Et-saoH2 = 2-hydroxypropiophenone oxime, Me-saoH2 = 2-hydroxyethanone oxime, HO2CCPh3 = triphenylacetic acid, HO2CCMe3 = pivalic acid, HO2CPh2OPh = 2-phenoxybenzoic acid, HO2CPh4OPh = 4-phenoxybenzoic acid, HO2CPhBr = 4-bromobenzoic acid, HO2CPh(Me)2 = 3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid, HO2C11H15 = adamantane carboxylic acid, HO2C-th = 3-thiophene carboxylic acid, HO2CPhMe = 4-methylbenzoic acid, and HO2C12H17 = adamantane acetic acid) in a stepwise fashion from S = 4 to S = 12 and, in-so-doing, enhance the energy barrier for magnetization reorientation to record levels. The change from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic exchange stems from the "twisting" or "puckering" of the (-Mn-N-O-)3 ring, as evidenced by the changes in the Mn-N-O-Mn torsion angles.     

Hexametallic manganese clusters with bulky derivatised salicylaldoximes

The reaction of Mn(ClO(4))(2)·6H(2)O with Ph-saoH(2) (Ph-saoH(2) = 2-hydroxybenzophenone oxime) in MeCN in the presence of sodium propionate forms the complex [Mn(III)(6)O(2)(Ph-sao)(6)(prop)(2)(MeCN)(2)]·5.27MeCN (1·5.27MeCN) (prop = propionate). Repeating the same reaction in EtOH produces the complex [Mn(III)(6)O(2)(Ph-sao)(6)(prop)(2)(EtOH)(4)] (2). Complexes 1 and 2 may be considered as structural isomers, since they display the same metallic core but different coordination modes of the propionate ligands; bridging in 1 and terminal in 2. Performing similar reactions and switching from sodium propionate to sodium adamantane-carboxylate (NaO(2)C-ada) and sodium pivalate (Napiv) in the presence of NEt(4)OH yields the complexes [Mn(III)(6)O(2)(Ph-sao)(6)(O(2)C-ada)(2)(MeOH)(4)] (3) and [Mn(III)(6)O(2)(Ph-sao)(6)(piv)(2)(EtOH)(4)]·0.5Et(2)O (4·0.5Et(2)O), respectively. All four complexes contain the same {Mn(III)(3)O(Ph-sao)(3)} building block. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility and magnetization studies show that all complexes possess an S = 4 ground-state.     

Chiral single-molecule magnets: a partial Mn(III) supertetrahedron from achiral components

A [Mn(III)(9)] partial supertetrahedron is a Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) with an energy barrier to magnetisation reversal of ~30 K and represents the first chiral SMM obtained from achiral starting materials.     

Molecular methods to measure intestinal bacteria: a review

The intestine is an exceptionally rich ecosystem encompassing a complex interaction among microorganisms, influenced by host factors, ingested food, and liquid. Characterizing the intestinal microbiota is currently an active area of research. Various molecular-based methods are available to characterize the intestinal microbiota, but all methods possess relative strengths, as well as salient weaknesses. It is important that researchers are cognizant of the limitations of these methods, and that they take the appropriate steps to mitigate weaknesses. Here, we discuss methodologies used to monitor intestinal bacteria including: (i) traditional clone libraries; (ii) direct sequencing using next-generation parallel sequencing technology; (iii) denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and temperature gradient gel electrophoresis; (iv) terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis; (v) fluorescent in situ hybridization; and (vi) quantitative PCR. In addition, we also discuss experimental design, sample collection and storage, DNA extraction, gene targets, PCR bias, and methods to reduce PCR bias.     

Efficient Surface Modification of Divinylbenzene Microspheres via a Combination of RAFT and Hetero Diels‐Alder Chemistry

A combination of reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and hetero Diels‐Alder (HDA) chemistry has been utilized to successfully generate functional core‐shell microspheres. Initially, precipitation polymerization in conjunction with the RAFT technique has been employed to synthesize divinylbenzene (DVB) microspheres with surface expressed RAFT groups. Subsequently, HDA cycloaddition has been performed under mild reaction conditions (50 °C, 24 h) with a diene‐functionalized poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL). While the successful grafting is immediately evident by optical inspection of the microspheres (color change from purple to white), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy (ATR) were additionally employed to characterize the chemical composition and surface functionalization of the microspheres. Further, confocal microscopy was used to confirm the presence of grafted PCL chains after labeling them with rhodamine B.