Copper‐catalyzed Clauson–Kass pyrroles synthesis in aqueous media

An efficient and convenient copper‐catalyzed Clauson–Kass reaction of 2,5‐dimethoxytetrahydrofuran with amines in aqueous media has been developed, providing a wide range of N‐substituted pyrroles in good yields. It is noteworthy that the Clauson–Kass reaction of 2,5‐dimethoxytetrahydrofuran with p‐phenylenediamine or m‐phenylenediamine proceeds smoothly to afford the corresponding monopyrroles and bispyrroles with high selectivity in impressive yields. A plausible mechanism for the formation of N‐substituted pyrroles has been proposed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Copolymerization of styrene and norbornene with β‐diketiminato nickel/methylaluminoxane catalytic system

Styrene–norbornene (S‐N) copolymerizations were carried out using β‐diketiminato nickel complexes CH{C(CF₃)NAr}₂NiBr (Ar = 2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃, 1 ; Ar = 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃, 2 ) in the presence of methylaluminoxane. The influence of the comonomer feed content and polymerization temperature on the conversion and composition of the copolymers with the catalytic system was investigated. An increase in the feed ratio of S/N led to an increase in the incorporated styrene content of the resulting copolymer. NMR characterization of the copolymers generated with the catalytic systems showed that the random S‐N copolymers are produced. Differential scanning calorimetric determination of the copolymers shows higher T_g values than polystyrene, and gel permeation chromatographic measurements have shown that the copolymers possess rather narrow molecular weight distributions, suggesting that the copolymerization take place at a single active site. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of alkoxide in catalytic transfer hydrogenation of unsaturated nitrogen compounds

Alcoholate was utilized in catalytic transfer hydrogenation of unsaturated nitrogen compounds. In the reduction of nitro compounds, oximes and imines, alkoxide was used as the promoter, with alcohol as the hydrogen source, while in the reduction of nitriles, alkoxide was used as the hydrogen source.     

Discontinuous crack-bridging model for fracture toughness analysis of nacre

Studying the structure–property relation of biological materials can not only provide insight into the physical mechanisms underlying their superior properties and functions but also benefit the design and fabrication of advanced biomimetic materials. In this paper, we present a microstructure-based fracture mechanics model to investigate the toughening effect due to the crack-bridging mechanism of platelets. Our theoretical analysis demonstrates the crucial contribution of this mechanism to the high toughness of nacre. It is found that the fracture toughness of nacre exhibits distinct dependence on the sizes of platelets, and the optimized ranges for the thickness and length of platelets required to achieve higher fracture toughness are given. In addition, the effects of such factors as the mechanical properties of the organic phase (or interfaces), the effective elastic modulus of nacre, and the stacking pattern of platelets are also examined. Finally, some guidelines for the biomimetic design of novel materials are proposed based on our theoretical analysis.     

Control the self-assembly of fluorenone-based polycatenars by tuning chain length

Using Suzuki coupling reactions as key steps, a series of fluorenone-based polycatenars, consisting of a central 2,7-diphenyl-9-fluorenone core connected with the 3,4,5-trialkoxybenzoate unit via –COO- linkage at each side have been synthesized. Upon elongation of the terminal alkyl chain, these compounds self-assembled into mesophase sequence of Col_hex/p6mm - Cub_I/$\mathit{Pm}\overline{3}n$ in solid states as well as organogels with interesting morphologies varied from 3D helical fibers to spherical structures in solvents.     

Lithium–Lanthanide Bimetallic Metal–Organic Frameworks towards Negative Electrode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Novel lithium–lanthanide (Ln: cerium and praseodymium) bimetallic coordination polymers with formulas C₁₀H₂LnLiO₈ (Ln: Ce (CeLipma) and Pr (PrLipma)) and C₁₀H₃CeO₈ (Cepma) were prepared through a simple hydrothermal method. The three compounds were characterized by means of FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, SEM, TEM, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results of structural refinement show that they belong to triclinic symmetry and P space group with cerium (or praseodymium) and lithium cations, forming coordination bonds to oxygen atoms from different pyromellitic acid molecules, and leading to the construction of 3D structures. It is interesting to note that the frameworks exclude any coordination water and lattice water. As an electrode material for lithium-ion batteries, CeLipma exhibits a maximum capacity of 800.5 mAh g⁻¹ and a retention of 91.4 % after 50 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹. The favorable electrochemical properties of the lanthanide coordination polymers show potential application prospects in the field of electrode materials.     

Synthesis and Herbicidal Activity of [(Substituted Phenoxyacetoxy) (Substituted Phenyl)Methyl](Methyl) Phosphinates Containing Fluorine

Abstract

A series of [(substituted phenoxyacetoxy)(substituted phenyl)methyl](methyl)phos- phinates containing fluorine were designed and synthesized. All the synthesized compounds were identified by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, mass spectrometry. O-methyl [(2-fluorophenoxyacetoxy)(2,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl](methyl)phosphinate was further analyzed by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Their herbicidal activity against a set of weed species was examined. Some of the compounds showed potential herbicidal activity, which provided some indications for further studies on structure modification.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

TMEDA-CATALYZED SYNTHESIS OF N-ARYL-N′-ETHOXYCARBONYL THIOUREA AND ARENE (OR POLYMETHYLENE)-BIS-ETHOXYCARBONYLTHIOUREA DERIVATIVES

A novel and efficient method for synthesis ethoxycarbonyl isothiocyanate and ethoxycarbonyl thioureas catalyzed by TMEDA is reported. A series of N-aryl-N′-ethoxycarbonyl thioureas and arene (or polymethylene)-bis-ethoxycarbonyl thiourea derivatives have been synthesized in good-to-excellent yields via this method at room temperature.     

A convenient synthesis of 2β,3α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid as a natural diastereoisomer of corosolic acid

2β,3α-Dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid（6） is a naturally occurring diastereoisomer of corosolic acid with glycogen phosphorylase inhibitory activity.A new strategy for the semi-synthesis of 6 was developed.Using the commercially available ursolic acid（1） as the starting materials,6 was synthesized through five facile reactions with a high stereoselectivity and an overall yield of 47.3%.The structure of 6 was confirmed by optical rotation.ESI-MS,¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR data.