Novel anhydrous proton conducting copolymers of 1‐vinyl‐1,2,4‐triazole and diisopropyl‐p‐vinylbenzyl phosphonate

Phosphonic acid functional polymers are currently of interest because of their high proton conductivity in humidified and anhydrous systems. In addition, heterocyclic compounds are used in anhydrous proton conducting polymer membranes. In that study, a new copolymer based on 1‐vinyl‐1,2,4‐triazole (VTri) and diisopropyl‐p‐vinylbenzyl phosphonate (VBP) was synthesized, and their thermal, chemical, and proton conducting properties were investigated. The copolymers were synthesized by free radical copolymerization of the corresponding monomers at several monomer feed ratios to obtain P(VTri‐co‐VBP) copolymers. The copolymer samples were then hydrolyzed to produce poly(vinyl triazole‐co‐vinyl phosphonic acid) copolymers. The composition of the copolymers was determined by elemental analysis. The copolymerization and hydrolysis reactions were verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ion exchange capacity measurements. Thermogravimetry analysis indicates that the copolymers are thermally stable up to 300°C. In order to increase the proton conductivity, the copolymers were doped with H₃PO₄ at several stoichometric ratios. The proton conductivity increases with triazole and phosphoric acid content. In the absence of humidity, the copolymer electrolyte, P(VTri‐co‐VBPA)1:0.5 X = 2, showed a proton conductivity of 0.005 S/cm at 150°C. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetic properties of single crystal alpha-benzoin oxime: An EPR study

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of gamma irradiated single crystals of alpha-benzoinoxime (ABO) have been examined between 120 and 440 K. Considering the dependence on temperature and the orientation of the spectra of single crystals in the magnetic field, we identified two different radicals formed in irradiated ABO single crystals. To theoretically determine the types of radicals, the most stable structure of ABO was obtained by molecular mechanic and B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) calculations. Four possible radicals were modeled and EPR parameters were calculated for the modeled radicals using the B3LYP method and the TZVP basis set. Calculated values of two modeled radicals were in strong agreement with experimental EPR parameters determined from the spectra. Additional simulated spectra of the modeled radicals, where calculated hyperfine coupling constants were used as starting points for simulations, were well matched with experimental spectra.     

Pre-service Teachers’ Developing Conceptions about the Nature and Pedagogy of Mathematical Modeling in the Context of a Mathematical Modeling Course

Adopting a multitiered design-based research perspective, this study examines pre-service secondary mathematics teachers’ developing conceptions about (a) the nature of mathematical modeling in simulations of “real life” problem solving, and (b) pedagogical principles and strategies needed to teach mathematics through modeling. Unlike other studies that have focused on single-topic and lesson-sized research sites, a course-sized research site was used in this study. Having been through several iterations over three teaching semesters, the 15-week long course was implemented with 25 pre-service secondary mathematics teachers. Findings revealed that pre-service teachers developed ideas about the nature of mathematical modeling involving what mathematical modeling is, the relationship between mathematical modeling and meaningful understanding, and the nature of mathematical modeling tasks. They also realized the changing roles of teachers during modeling implementations and diversity in students’ ways of thinking. The researchers’ conceptual development, on the other hand, involved realizing the critical aspect of the “teacher role” played by the instructor during modeling implementations, and the need for more experience of modeling implementations for pre-service teachers.     

Enantioselective reduction of ketones with borane catalyzed by cyclic β- amino alcohols prepared from proline

New catalysts have been prepared from (S)- and (R)- proline and the asymmetric borane reduction of prochiral ketones using these catalysts has been studied. The secondary alcohols were obtained in 76–95% yield with 57– 96% enantiomeric excesses.     

5‐Chloro‐N‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl­phenyl)­salicyl­ald­imine

The title compound, N‐(5‐chloro‐2‐oxido­benzyl­idene)‐2‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl­anilinium, C₁₄H₁₂ClNO₂, is a tridentate Schiff base with almost planar molecules. Each mol­ecule contains a strong intramolecular N—H?O hydrogen bond [2.576 (2) Å]. There is also an intermolecular O—H?O hydrogen bond [2.695 (2) Å] linking neighbouring mol­ecules into infinite chains along the [101] direction.     

EPR Studies of the Binding Properties,Guest Dynamics,and Inner‐Space Dimensions of a Water‐Soluble Resorcinarene Capsule

Nitroxide free radicals have been used to study the inner space of one of Rebek’s water‐soluble capsules. EPR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, ESI‐MS, and DFT calculations showed a preference for the formation of 1:2 complexes. EPR titrations allowed us to determine binding constants (K_a) in the order of 10⁷ M ^?2. EPR spectral‐shape analysis provided information on the guest rotational dynamics within the capsule. The interplay between optimum hydrogen bonding upon capsule formation and steric strain for guest accommodation highlights some degree of flexibility for guest inclusion, particularly at the center of the capsule where the hydrogen bond seam can be barely distorted or slightly disturbed.     

Asymmetric aldol addition of α-azido ketones to ethyl pyruvate mediated by a cinchona-based bifunctional urea catalyst

The first asymmetric synthesis of ethyl 4-aryl-3-azido-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-oxobutanoates via a cinchona organocatalyst induced aldol addition of α-azido ketones to ethyl pyruvate has been developed. The coupling reaction under optimized conditions was carried out to furnish tetrafunctionalized synthons with enantioselectivities of up to 91:9 and enriched diastereoselectivities of up to 95:5 (syn:anti).     

Oxidation of Aryl Alkyl Ketones To α-Acyloxy, α-(Camphorsulfonyloxy), or α-Hydroxy Derivatives Using Manganese(III) Acetate in Combination with Carboxylic Acids or (1S)-(+)-10-Camphorsulfonic Acid

The α-oxidation of aryl alkyl ketones using manganese(III) acetate in the presence of various carboxylic acids and (1S)-(+)-10-camphorsulfonic acid provided a convenient synthesis of α-acyloxy, α-(10-camphorsulfonyloxy), and α-hydroxy derivatives in good yield.     

Role of copper species in the oxidative dimerization of arylboronic acids: synthesis of symmetrical biaryls

Certain Cu(I) and Cu(II) salts are able to mediate the dimerization of arylboronic acids in DMF. They provide the corresponding symmetrical biaryls in moderate to very good yields. It is possible to run the reaction catalytically under an oxygen atmosphere without a significant loss of yields.