Wettability and surface composition of partly and fully regenerated cellulose thin films from trimethylsilyl cellulose

The wettability and surface free energy (SFE) of partly and fully regenerated cellulose model surfaces from spin coated trimethylsilyl cellulose were determined by static contact angle (SCA) measurements. In order to gain detailed insight into the desilylation reaction of the surfaces the results from SCA measurements were compared with data from other surface analytical methods, namely thickness measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR). Additionally, the influence of ultra high vacuum treatment (UHV) during XPS measurements on the water wettability and surface morphology of regenerated cellulose thin films was investigated. The wetting of polar and non-polar liquids increased with prolonged regeneration time, which is reflected in the higher SFE values and polarities of the films. After UHV treatment the water SCA of partly regenerated films decreases, whereas fully regenerated cellulose shows a higher water SCA. Therefore it is assumed that volatile desilylation products tend to adsorb on partly regenerated films, which strongly influences their wettability.     

Gas-Free Amino- and Alkoxycarbonylation of Aryl Iodides in a Bioinspired Deep Eutectic Solvent with Mo(CO)6 as a Safe CO Source

The Pd-catalyzed amino- and alkoxycarbonylation of aryl iodides has been exploited, for the first time, in a bioinspired Deep Eutectic Solvent and under gas-free conditions, by using Mo(CO)₆ as the CO source. The method allows for the preparation of carboxylic amides and esters in high yields (up to 99 %), short reaction time (2 h) and under mild reaction conditions (80 °C), with a low catalyst loading (2.5 mol %). Noteworthy, in the case of N-hexylbenzamide, it has been demonstrated that both the catalyst and DES can be used for four consecutive runs, with a moderate decrease of catalytic efficiency. The methodology has been also applied to the preparation of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient used for the treatment of human scabies and lice.