Versatile Organometallic Initiators for the Living Polymerization of Isocyanates

Shashoua and Sweeney first demonstrated that isocyanates could by polymerized via an anionic mechanism to form high molecular weight materials. We have sought to eliminate the problems associated with the anionic procedure by developing transition metal complexes which are capable of catalyzing the living polymerization of isocyanates. Recently, we reported the living polymerization of alkyl isocyanates using TiCl₃OCH₂CF₃, I. Using I, polyisocyanates with controlled molecular weights and narrow polydispersities can be obtained at room temperature. ε⁵-CpTiCl₂N(CH₃)₂ (Cp = cyclopentadienyl), III, is also an excellent catalyst for the polymerization of isocyanates, and in terms of ease of handling and purification and tolerance toward monomer functionality, superior to I. In order to prepare triblock copolymers containing amorphous segments sandwiched between two isocyanate segments, we have prepared bimetallic initiators comprised of titanium alkoxides con- nected by flexible linkers. These linkers may be a small molecule (1,4- dihydroxycyclohexane, V) or a polymer (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS, VI). Complexes V and VI can be used to initiate the living polymerization of isocyanates to yield polymers possessing central cyclohexyl bends (ldquo;broken worms rdquo;) or PDMS segments (triblock copolymers), respectively. Finally, cyclopolymerizations of 1,2-diisocyanates using these or- ganometallic initiators are reported.     

Chemical deposition of smooth nanocrystalline Y2O3 films from solutions of metal-organic precursors

A series of (Y(AcO)₃·4H₂O—Q—Solv) solutions (Q is monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), en, dien; Solv = MeOH, EtOH, Pr_iOH, BuOH) was studied to choose the metal-organic precursor for surface smoothing treatment of metallic tapes by chemical deposition of nanocrystalline yttria films. Based on the results of viscosity, wetting angle, and thermal stability measurements, a solution (Y(AcO)₃·4H₂O—dien—PrⁱOH) was proposed as a new metal-organic precursor. After chemical deposition of nanocrystalline yttria films about 300 nm thick on a Hastelloy C-276 metallic tape the surface roughness was reduced by a factor of 11 (from 9.0 to 0.8 nm on a surface area of 5×5 μm²).     

Electron Transfer between Hydrogen‐Bonded Pyridylphenols and a Photoexcited Rhenium(I) Complex

Two pyridylphenols with intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the phenol and pyridine units have been synthesized, characterized crystallographically, and investigated by cyclic voltammetry and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Reductive quenching of the triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer excited state of the [Re(CO)₃(phen)(py)]⁺ complex (phen=1,10‐phenanthroline, py=pyridine) by the two pyridylphenols and two reference phenol molecules is investigated by steady‐state and time‐resolved luminescence spectroscopy, as well as by transient absorption spectroscopy. Stern–Volmer analysis of the luminescence quenching data provides rate constants for the bimolecular excited‐state quenching reactions. H/D kinetic isotope effects for the pyridylphenols are on the order of 2.0, and the bimolecular quenching reactions are up to 100 times faster with the pyridylphenols than with the reference phenols. This observation is attributed to the markedly less positive oxidation potentials of the pyridylphenols with respect to the reference phenols (≈0.5 V), which in turn is caused by proton coupling of the phenol oxidation process. Transient absorption spectroscopy provides unambiguous evidence for the photogeneration of phenoxyl radicals, that is, the overall photoreaction is clearly a proton‐coupled electron‐transfer process.     

Arraying Cell Cultures Using PEG‐DMA Micromolding in Standard Culture Dishes

A robust and effortless procedure is presented, which allows for the microstructuring of standard cell culture dishes. Cell adhesion and proliferation are controlled by three‐dimensional poly(ethylene glycol)‐dimethacrylate (PEG‐DMA) microstructures. The spacing between microwells can be extended to millimeter size in order to enable the combination with robotic workstations. Cell arrays of microcolonies can be studied under boundary‐free growth conditions by lift‐off of the PEG‐DMA layer in which the growth rate is accessible via the evolution of patch areas. Alternatively, PEG‐DMA stencils can be used as templates for plasma‐induced patterning.

     

Identification and characterization of individual airborne volcanic ash particles by Raman microspectroscopy

We present for the first time the Raman microspectroscopic identification and characterization of individual airborne volcanic ash (VA) particles. The particles were collected in April/May 2010 during research aircraft flights, which were performed by Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt in the airspace near the Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption and over Europe (between Iceland and Southern Germany). In addition, aerosol particles were sampled by an Electrical Low Pressure Impactor in Munich, Germany. As references for the Raman analysis, we used the spectra of VA collected at the ground near the place of eruption, of mineral basaltic rock, and of different minerals from a database. We found significant differences in the spectra of VA and other aerosol particles (e.g., soot, nitrates, sulfates, and clay minerals), which allowed us to identify VA among other atmospheric particulate matter. Furthermore, while the airborne VA shows a characteristic Raman pattern (with broad band from ca. 200 to ca. 700 cm^?1 typical for SiO₂ glasses and additional bands of ferric minerals), the differences between the spectra of aged and fresh particles were observed, suggesting differences in their chemical composition and/or structure. We also analyzed similarities between Eyjafjallajökull VA particles collected at different sampling sites and compared the particles with a large variety of glassy and crystalline minerals. This was done by applying cluster analysis, in order to get information on the composition and structure of volcanic ash.

Synthesis Of Isomaltose Analogues

ABSTRACT

Preparation of the α-glucosides 11, 12, 13 and 14 were accomplished through glycosylation of racemic trans-1-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane using 2-thiopyridyl tetra-O-benzyl-glucoside as the glycosyl donor in acceptable overall yield for α-selectivity, but with poor regioselectivity. Glycosylation under thermodynamic control using tetrabenzyl glucopyranose acetate and trimethylsilyl triflate as the promotor gave similar results. The unprotected glucosides 12 and 13 were separated and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Similarly methyl 4-deoxy-α-isomaltoside (5a) was prepared through halide catalyzed glycosylation of methyl 2,3-di-O-benzoyl-4-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside (15) in acceptable yield and the unprotected compound characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 5a, 12a, 13a and the mixture 11a and 14a were all tested as substrates for the enzyme glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger and proved to be very poor substrates for the enzymic hydrolysis.     

Aggregation Effects in Visible‐Light Flavin Photocatalysts: Synthesis,Structure, and Catalytic Activity of 10‐Arylflavins

A series of 10‐arylflavins (10‐phenyl‐, 10‐(2′,6′‐dimethylphenyl)‐, 10‐(2′,6′‐diethylphenyl)‐, 10‐(2′,6′‐diisopropylphenyl)‐, 10‐(2′‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐, and 10‐(2′,6′‐dimethylphenyl)‐3‐methylisoalloxazine ( 2 a – f )) was prepared as potentially nonaggregating flavin photocatalysts. The investigation of their structures in the crystalline phase combined with ¹H‐DOSY NMR spectroscopic experiments in CD₃CN, CD₃CN/D₂O (1:1), and D₂O confirm the decreased ability of 10‐arylflavins 2 to form aggregates relative to tetra‐O‐acetyl riboflavin ( 1 ). 10‐Arylflavins 2 a – d do not interact by π–π interactions, which are restricted by the 10‐phenyl ring oriented perpendicularly to the isoalloxazine skeleton. On the other hand, N3? H???O hydrogen bonds were detected in their crystal structures. In the structure of 10‐aryl‐3‐methylflavin ( 2 f ) with a substituted N3 position, weak C? H???O bonds and weak π–π interactions were found. 10‐Arylflavins 2 were tested as photoredox catalysts for the aerial oxidation of 4‐methoxybenzyl alcohol to the corresponding aldehyde (model reaction), thus showing higher efficiency relative to 1 . The quantum yields of 4‐methoxybenzyl alcohol oxidation reactions mediated by arylflavins 2 were higher by almost one order of magnitude relative to values in the presence of 1 .     

Detection of potentially skin sensitizing hydroperoxides of linalool in fragranced products

On prolonged exposure to air, linalool can form sensitizing hydroperoxides. Positive hydroperoxide patch tests in dermatitis patients have frequently been reported, but their relevance has not been established. Owing to a lack of analytical methods and data, it is unclear from which sources the public might be exposed to sufficient quantities of hydroperoxides for induction of sensitization to occur. To address this knowledge gap, we developed analytical methods and performed stability studies for fine fragrances and deodorants/antiperspirants. In parallel, products recalled from consumers were analysed to investigate exposure to products used in everyday life. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry with high mass resolution was found to be optimal for the selective and sensitive detection of the organic hydroperoxide in the complex product matrix. Linalool hydroperoxide was detected in natural linalool, but the amount was not elevated by storage in a perfume formulation exposed to air. No indication of hydroperoxide formation in fine fragrances was found in stability studies. Aged fine fragrances recalled from consumers contained a geometric mean linalool concentration of 1,888 μg/g and, corrected for matrix effects, linalool hydroperoxide at a concentration of around 14 μg/g. In antiperspirants, we detected no oxidation products. In conclusion, very low levels of linalool hydroperoxide in fragranced products may originate from raw materials, but we found no evidence for oxidation during storage of products. The levels detected are orders of magnitude below the levels inducing sensitization in experimental animals, and these results therefore do not substantiate a causal link between potential hydroperoxide formation in cosmetics and positive results of patch tests. Graphical Abstract

Formation of hydroperoxides from linalool and detection by LC-MS with high resolution     

Adamantyl Side Chains as Anti-Aggregating Moieties in Dyes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Designing and evaluating novel dye concepts is crucial for the development of the field of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In our recent report, the novel concept of tethering the anti-aggregation additive chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) to dyes for DSSC was introduced. Based on the performance improvements seen for this modification, the aim of this study is to see if a simplified anti-aggregation unit could achieve similar results. The following study reports the synthesis and photovoltaic characterization of two novel dyes decorated with the steric ethyladamantyl moiety on the π-spacer, and on the triarylamine donor. This modification is demonstrated to be successful in increasing the photovoltages in devices employing copper-based electrolytes compared to the non-modified reference dye. The best photovoltaic performance is achieved by a device prepared with the adamantyl decorated donor dye and CDCA, this device achieves a power conversion efficiency of 6.1 % (Short-circuit current=8.3 mA cm⁻², Open-circuit voltage=1054 mV, Fill factor=0.69). The improved photovoltaic performance seen for the adamantyl decorated donor demonstrate the potential of ethyladamantyl side chains as a tool to ensure surface protection of TiO₂.