Synthetic and theoretical studies of cyclobuta[1,2:3,4]dicyclopentene. Organocobalt intermediates in the construction of the unsaturated carbon skeleton and their transformation into novel cobaltacyclic complexes by C-C insertion

Theoretical and synthetic studies of the tricyclic 10pi-electron hydrocarbon cyclobuta[1,2:3,4]dicyclopentene (1), a nominally aromatic structure that has never been synthesized, are described. Geometry optimization by density-functional-theory calculations (B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)) predict that 1 is a D(2h) symmetric structure with nonalternant C-C single and double bonds. The calculations also predict that 1 is 4.7 kcal/mol higher in energy than the isomeric hydrocarbon 1,6-didehydro[10]annulene (2), a molecule known to isomerize to 1,5-didehydronaphthalene (4) above -50 degrees C. Calculated enthalpic changes of homodesmotic reactions support the notion that 1 is an aromatic molecule with a resonance stabilization energy (RSE) about half to two-thirds that of benzene on a per-molecule basis. Investigations of potential synthetic pathways to 1 initially utilized as starting material the tricyclic carbonate 11, the product of an intramolecular [2 + 2]-photocyclization reaction. In these studies, 11 was transformed in several steps to the distannane 12, which upon treatment with boron fluoride ethyl etherate is believed to have formed the unstable hydrocarbon bicyclopentadienylidene (13). In an effort to avoid cleavage of the central, four-membered ring of unsaturated tricyclo[5.3.0.0(2,6)]decane intermediates (perhaps the result of 10-electron electrocyclic ring opening of the tetraene 8), synthetic approaches to 1 employing cobalt-cyclobutadiene complexes 18 and 19 were pursued. Treatment of 18 with excess methyllithium led to the novel cobaltacyclic product 30, and dehydration of 19 in the presence of pyridine produced the ring-opening cobaltacyclic product 35. It is proposed that both processes may occur by a 10-electron electrocyclic ring-opening reaction of eta(2)-organocobalt intermediates. These processes may be related to the hypothetical transformation of tetraene 8 to bicyclopentadienylidene (13).     

SIMULTANEOUS MEASUREMENT OF ACTION SPECTRA FOR PHOTOREACTIONS I AND II OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Abstract— We have devised a method of obtaining simultaneous action spectra for photoreactions I and II by analysis of direct and indirect effects involved in enhancement. The method requires previous determination of the neutral wavelength which gives maximum quantum yield by virtue of equal fractions of open reaction centers ( p and q ) for each photoreaction. A sufficient intensity of the neutral wavelength is used as a constant background. Upon addition of a weak modulated measuring light of intensity I_m and wavelength λ _m two amperometric signals are obtained for rate of oxygen evolution. A modulated signal (AC¯) isolates the direct effect of I_m and gives action of photoreaction II as AC/ I_m . An increment in total rate (ΔDC) also includes an indirect effect of I_m in perturbing reaction center conditions ( p and q ). From analysis of interaction of the two photoreactions, action for photoreaction I can be estimated as (2 ΔDC-AC)/ I_m . The method is applicable to whole cells, properly scales the two action spectra to each other, and removes contribution of the State 1-State 2 phenomena. Action spectra were obtained for Chlorella.     

Ethylenically unsaturated polycarbosiloxanes for novel silicone hydrogels: synthesis,end‐group analysis,contact lens formulations,and structure–property correlations

A series of novel mono‐ethylenically unsaturated polycarbosiloxanes macromonomers as compatibilizer materials for soft silicon hydrogels were prepared from the anionic ring‐opening polymerization (AROP) of 2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐2,5‐disila‐1‐oxacyclopentane followed by methacrylation. The characterization was performed by end‐group analysis and included the determination of molecular weight, molecular weight distributions, end‐group functionality, and impurity profiles using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. The synthetic procedure was optimized to minimize the formation of any dimer that would have the potential to act as a low molecular weight cross linker. In addition, the novel di‐ethylenically unsaturated polycarbosiloxanes were synthesized by cationic polymerization. Use of these silicone derivatives was explored in the formulation of contact lenses, and the structure–property relationship was examined. When copoymerized with hydrophilic monomers, these were able to give transparent and wettable films with desired properties, particularly a low moduli for contact lenses. Contact lens with high modulus is often shown to impart a higher degree discomfort when worn upon the eye. It was clear from the structure–property relationship that the modulus and the tensile strength of the formulated material depend on the nature and length of the polycarbosiloxane used and may be tuned for the purpose as needed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental and Computational Study of the Thermal Decomposition of 3‐Methyl‐3‐buten‐1‐ol in m‐Xylene Solution

An experimental study of the thermal decomposition of a β‐hydroxy alkene, 3‐methyl‐3‐buten‐1‐ol, in m‐xylene solution, has been carried out at five different temperatures in the range of 513.15–563.15 K. The temperature dependence of the rate constants for the decomposition of this compound in the corresponding Arrhenius equation is given by ln k (s^?1) = (25.65 ± 1.52) ? (17,944 ± 814) (kJ·mol^?1)·T^?1. A computational study has been carried out at the M05–2X/6–31+G(d,p) level of theory to calculate the rate constants and the activation parameters by the classical transition state theory. There is a good agreement between the experimental and calculated rate constants and activation Gibbs energies. The bonding characteristics of reactant, transition state, and products have been investigated by the natural bond orbital analysis, which provides the natural atomic charges and the Wiberg bond indices. Based on the results obtained, the mechanism proposed is a one‐step process proceeding through a six‐membered cyclic transition state, being a concerted and slightly asynchronous process. The results have been compared with those obtained previously by us (Struct Chem 2013, 24, 1811–1816) for the thermal decomposition of 3‐buten‐1‐ol, in m‐xylene solution. We can conclude that in the compound studied in this work, 3‐methyl‐3‐buten‐1‐ol, the effect of substitution at position 3 by a weakly activating CH₃ group is the stabilization of the transition state formed in the reaction and therefore a small increase in the rate of thermal decomposition.     

Structural and Kinetic Aspects of Blood Plasma Protein Adsorption on the Surface of Hydrophobic Polymers

Abstract

Due to the wide use of polymers in medicine, researchers are required to solve a very important problem–to understand the interaction between materials of nonphysiological origin and the surrounding biological liquids, and tissues, particularly blood.     

Solution-processed bilayer photovoltaic devices with nematic liquid crystals

The cross-linking of polymerisable liquid crystalline semiconductors is a promising approach to solution-processable, multilayer, organic photovoltaics. Here we demonstrate an organic bilayer photovoltaic with an insoluble electron-donating layer formed by cross-linking a nematic reactive mesogen. We investigate a range of perylene diimide (PDI) materials, some of which are liquid crystalline, as the overlying electron acceptor layer. We find that carrier mobility of the acceptor materials is enhanced by liquid crystallinity and that mobility limits the performance of photovoltaic devices.