The maximal normal -group

Let be a prime number and let be an abelian -group. Let be the maximal normal -subgroup of and the maximal -subgroup of its centre. Let be the torsion radical of . Then . The result is new for and 3, and the proof is new and valid for all primes .

     

Electrochemical and surface analytical studies of self-assembled monolayers of three aromatic thiols on gold electrodes

Three thiols with three aromatic rings and different structure – terphenyl-4-methanethiol (TPMT), terphenyl-4-thiol (TPT), and anthracene-2-thiol (AT) – have been used to form self-assembled monolayers (SAM) on vapour-deposited and flame-annealed Au films on glass substrates. All three SAMs effectively block the anodic formation of Au oxide, indicating densely packed layers which prevent the access of water and hydrated ions through the organic layer to the metal surface. The film improves its inhibiting properties with duration of exposure to the thiol solutions, reaching completion after 1 hour [1]. The charge-transfer reaction of the Fe(CN)₆ ^3–/Fe(CN)₆ ^4– system is blocked for TPMT films with an insulation of the π-electron system from the Au surface by the methylene group. TPT and especially AT films show the current density of the redox reactions. It is proposed that the charge transfer occurs via the aromatic molecules of the SAMs to the Au surface. Electronic Publication     

New Prospects for the Grafting of Functional Groups onto Aliphatic Polyesters. Ring-Opening Polymerization of α- or γ-Substituted ε-Caprolactone Followed by Chemical Derivatization of the Substituents

Recent progress in the synthesis of aliphatic polyesters, substituted by pendent functional groups, has been reviewed. Two main strategies have to be distinguished. The first route consists of the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone substituted by various functional groups, protected if needed, in α- or γ-position. In a second strategy, the functional groups are grafted onto preformed polyesters chains in α-position of the carbonyl groups. α-chloro-ε-caprolactone is quite an interesting monomer because, after polymerization, the activated chloride can be easily derivatized by atom transfer radical addition and “click” chemistry, respectively. Similarly, γ-acrylic-ε-caprolactone is precursor of (co)polyesters well-suited to derivatization of the pendent double bonds by Michael addition.     

Amphiphilic Block Copolymers from a Direct and One‐pot RAFT Synthesis in Water

The syntheses of amphiphilic block copolymers are successfully performed in water by chain extension of hydrophilic macromolecules with styrene at 80 °C. The employed strategy is a one‐pot procedure in which poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid) or poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐poly(ethylene oxide) methyl ether methacrylate) macroRAFTs are first formed in water using 4‐cyano‐4‐thiothiopropylsulfanyl pentanoic acid (CTPPA) as a chain transfer agent. The resulting macroRAFTs are then directly used without further purification for the RAFT polymerization of styrene in water in the same reactor. This simple and straightforward strategy leads to a very good control of the resulting amphiphilic block copolymers.