Novel optical techniques for the analysis of polymer surfaces and thin films

Summary We report on novel optical techniques, based on evanescent waves, for the characterization of polymer surfaces and thin films. We first describe photo-ablation studies with polysilane films investigated by surface plasmon microscopy, a technique which is particularly well-suited for ultrathin samples. Thicker films that are homogeneous enough to carry optical waveguide modes can be characterized with high lateral resolution by the recently developed waveguide microscopy. We demonstrate this for a thin film of a solid polyelectrolyte. Finally, we report on surface plasmon field-enhanced Raman-spectroscopic and -imaging investigations of ultrathin Langmuir-Blodgett-Kuhn-layers of cadmium arachidate.W. Hickel is now with HOECHST AG, Angewandte Physik, W-6230 Frankfurt 80     

Hydrogen-bonded block mesogens derived from semiperfluorinated benzoic acids and the non-mesogenic 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene

Thermal properties of benzoic acids carrying one or two semiperfluorinated alkoxy tails on the aromatic core have been investigated in binary mixtures with the non-liquid crystalline bidirectional trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene. The hydrogen bonded complexes built from the complementary molecular species show a significantly enhanced mesophase stability compared with the fluorinated acids in their pure states. The mesophase morphologies of the complexes are governed mainly by the number of the partially fluorinated chains grafted to the acid component. Mixed systems comprising the one-chain acids exhibit a smectic C phase followed by a smectic A phase at more elevated temperatures. Incorporation of a second semiperfluorinated chain into the acid leads to the formation of columnar mesophases. These columnar phases of the H-bonded complexes should represent ribbon phases resulting from the collapse of the smectic layers.     

New disc-shaped mesogens based on pentakis(phenylethynyl)benzene derivatives

First examples of amphiphilic alkyl pentakis(phenylethynyl)benzene ethers containing functional groups at the terminal position of their alkoxy chains were synthesized by etherification of pentabromophenol with 11-bromoundecan-1-ol and 11-bromoundecanoic acid ethyl ester, respectively, and subsequent palladium catalyzed, fivefold coupling reactions with the substituted phenylacetylene. Two undecanoic acid derivatives with different pentakis(phenylethynyl)phenoxy substituents in the ω-position were prepared by ester cleavage from the corresponding ethyl esters. The thermal behaviours of five penta-alkynes in their pure states, as well as of their charge transfer complexes formed from mixtures with 2,4,7-tri-nitrofluorenone, were examined.     

Reactions of dicobalt octacarbonyl and related compounds with gem-dihalides

Dicobalt octacarbonyl and some of its derivatives (NaCo(CO)₄, Co₄(CO)₁₂, Hg[Co(CO)₄]₂, [Co(CO)₃PPh₃]₂, NaCo(CO)₃PPh₃) react with activated gem-dihalides, R₂CX₂, such as dichlorodiphenylmethane, 9,9-dihalofluorenes and dimethyl dibromomalonate, to give the ‘dimer’ olefin, R₂CCR₂. The course of this conversion involves formation of the coupling product, R₂XCCXR₂, followed by dehalogenation of the latter. These separate steps have been confirmed for activated monohalides (bromodiphenylmethane, 9-bromofluorene, dimethyl bromomalonate) which were readily coupled by cobalt carbonyls, and for activated vicinal dihalides (D,L and meso-dibromostilbene, 9,9′-dichlorobisfluorenyl) which cobalt carbonyls readily dehalogenated. A radical mechanism is favored for these processes, and indirect evidence in its favor is presented.     

Über siliciumschwefel-verbindungen : III. Neue organylthiosilane

Novel organylthio(alkoxy)silanes (I, II, III and XII) and organylthio(diethylamino)silanes (IV, V) are described. They were prepared by treating lithium or lead thiolates with the corresponding chlorosilanes or by cleavage of dimethylbis(diethylamino)silane with thiols. Phenylthiosilanes (Me₃SiSPh, III and XIII) furthermore can be obtained by reaction of chlorosilanes with benzenethiol in the presence of tertiary amines. The SiS bond of Me₃SiSPh is cleaved by chlorosilanes like Me₂Si(NEt₂)Cl or Me₂Si(OPr)Cl. This reaction is a convenient route to prepare compounds I and IV. The physical and chemical properties of the novel compounds were investigated.     

Darstellung und Kristallstruktur von LnAl3Br12 (Ln = La,Ce, Pr,Nd, Sm,Gd) und thermischer Abbau zu LnBr3

Preparation and Crystal Structure of LnAl₃Br₁₂ (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd) and Thermal Decomposition to LnBr₃ LnAl₃Br₁₂ (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd) was prepared in crystalline form for the first time. The crystal structures of LaAl₃Br₁₂, PrAl₃Br₁₂, and NdAl₃Br₁₂ were determined on single crystals by X-ray methods. The isotypic compounds crystallize with trigonal symmetry, space group P 3₁12, Z = 3. A structural comparison to lanthanoide chloroaluminates of equal composition is given and thermal decomposition of LnAl₃Br₁₂ (Ln = Nd) to the corresponding lanthanoide tribromide is described.     

Neue Macrolide und einige Sesquiterpen-Derivate aus dem Galbanum-Harz

New Macrolides and Some Sesquiterpenoid Derivatives Occurring in Galbanum Absolute Analytical investigations of a Galbanum absolute have revealed for the first time the presence of four macrolides 1 – 4 derived from the corresponding hydroxylated C₁₃–C₁₆ fatty acids by lactonization of a secondary alcoholic group with the carboxylic group. The musky odor strengthens with increasing number of members in the macrocycle, whereas the woody note is predominant in the smaller rings. Isolation, identification and synthesis of the new naturally occurring substances are described. Shyobunol ( 24 ) epishyobunol ( 25 ) as well as their acetates 26 and 27 were identified - together with 10-epijunenyl acetate ( 28 ) - in the same substrate, thus indicating 25 and 26 to be natural products. The corresponding known and already naturally occurring ketones 23 and 24 are trace components in the investigated material derived from the so-called Galbanum oleo-gum-resin.