Study of flame-retardant finishing of cellulose fibres: Organic–inorganic hybrid versus conventional organophosphonate

The aim of this study was to introduce a non-formaldehyde inorganic–organic hybrid sol–gel flame-retardant precursor (SiOP) containing phosphorous, nitrogen, and silicon and to compare its functional properties with those of the conventional formaldehyde-containing organic flame-retardant agent, organophosphonate (OP). SiOP was used at concentrations of 2%, 4%, and 8%, and OP was used at a concentration of 200 g/dm³. Both agents were applied to 100% cotton (CO) woven fabric by the pad-dry-cure method under the appropriate conditions. The presence of the SiOP and OP coatings on the CO fabric was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The results of the vertical tests of flammability and the thermogravimetric analyses showed that the presence of the SiOP coating changed the thermal degradation pathway of the CO fabric and resulted in an increase in the thermo-oxidative stability of the cellulose fibres. The thermo-oxidative stability was enhanced by the addition of higher amount of dry solids. At comparable dry solids contents, OP preserved significantly greater flame retardancy and thermo-oxidative stability than did SiOP. These results indicated that the SiOP precursor could not act as an effective alternative to the OP agent in the flame-retardant protection of CO fabric.     

Basic CuCO3/ligand as a new catalyst for 'on water' borylation of Michael acceptors,alkenes and alkynes: application to the efficient asymmetric synthesis of β‐alcohol type sitagliptin side chain

The efficient 'on water' β‐borylation using bis(pinacolato)diboron agent was achieved with a newly developed catalytic system based on basic copper carbonate and various ligands. The catalytic system was used for β‐borylation of various Michael acceptors, alkenes and alkynes. The presented methodology was successfully applied to the novel synthesis of β‐alcohol type sitagliptin side chain precursor via water‐based highly enantioselective β‐borylation followed by an oxidation process. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.