Enolesters as chain end-functionalizing agents for the living ring opening metathesis polymerization

Functional enolethers have previously been used to introduce functional end groups at the chain end of ruthenium carbene complex initiated living ring opening metathesis polymers. Here, we investigated whether the weaker π-donating enolesters could equally be used in regio selective reactions with ruthenium carbene complexes and thus as polymer end-functionalization reagents. Enolesters such as vinyl acetate, butenyl acetate, 3-(4-(tert-butoxy)phenyl)propenyl acetate and 6-(((benzyloxy)carbonyl)amino)hex-1-en-1-yl acetate were used as living ROMP terminating agents. All gave the expected end groups proving that enolesters are synthetically easily accessible targets for living ROMP end-functionalization. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2983–2990     

SYNTHESES,STRUCTURES AND REACTIONS OF NEW AND NOVEL FOUR-, FIVEAND SIX-MEMBERED UNSATURATED N,P-HETEROCYCLE COMPLEXES

Metal-assisted heterocyclic ligand syntheses are reported using 2-H-azaphosphirene complex 1 or 7-phosphanorbornadiene complex 7 as starting material. Thermal decomposition of complex 1 led to 1,2dihydro-1,2,3-azadiphosphete complex 2, which was transformed into 2,6-dihydro-1,3,2,6-diazadiphosphinines 5a, b via ring expansion with carbonitriles 3a, b. Insertion of tert-butyl isonitrile into the P─ P bond of 2 at ambient temperature furnished the first Δ ¹ -1,3,5-azadi-phospholene complex 6─P bond of 2 using 7 failed. The 1,2,3,4-azatriphospholene complexes 9a, b were obtained by thermolysis of complex 2 in the presence of functionalized carbonitriles 8a, b.     

On the “Tertiary Structure” of Poly‐Carbenes; Self‐Assembly of sp3‐Carbon‐Based Polymers into Liquid‐Crystalline Aggregates

The self‐assembly of poly(ethylidene acetate) (st‐PEA) into van der Waals‐stabilized liquid‐crystalline (LC) aggregates is reported. The LC behavior of these materials is unexpected, and unusual for flexible sp³‐carbon backbone polymers. Although the dense packing of polar ester functionalities along the carbon backbone of st‐PEA could perhaps be expected to lead directly to rigid‐rod behavior, molecular modeling reveals that individual st‐PEA chains are actually highly flexible and should not reveal rigid‐rod induced LC behavior. Nonetheless, st‐PEA clearly reveals LC behavior, both in solution and in the melt over a broad elevated temperature range. A combined set of experimental measurements, supported by MM/MD studies, suggests that the observed LC behavior is due to self‐aggregation of st‐PEA into higher‐order aggregates. According to MM/MD modeling st‐PEA single helices adopt a flexible helical structure with a preferred trans‐gauche syn‐syn‐anti‐anti orientation. Unexpectedly, similar modeling experiments suggest that three of these helices can self‐assemble into triple‐helical aggregates. Higher‐order assemblies were not observed in the MM/MD simulations, suggesting that the triple helix is the most stable aggregate configuration. DLS data confirmed the aggregation of st‐PEA into higher‐order structures, and suggest the formation of rod‐like particles. The dimensions derived from these light‐scattering experiments correspond with st‐PEA triple‐helix formation. Langmuir–Blodgett surface pressure–area isotherms also point to the formation of rod‐like st‐PEA aggregates with similar dimensions as st‐PEA triple helixes. Upon increasing the st‐PEA concentration, the viscosity of the polymer solution increases strongly, and at concentrations above 20 wt % st‐PEA forms an organogel. STM on this gel reveals the formation of helical aggregates on the graphite surface–solution interface with shapes and dimensions matching st‐PEA triple helices, in good agreement with the structures proposed by molecular modeling. X‐ray diffraction, WAXS, SAXS and solid state NMR spectroscopy studies suggest that st‐PEA triple helices are also present in the solid state, up to temperatures well above the melting point of st‐PEA. Formation of higher‐order aggregates explains the observed LC behavior of st‐PEA, emphasizing the importance of the “tertiary structure” of synthetic polymers on their material properties.     

Highly Selective Dimerization and Trimerization of Isobutene to Linearly Linked Products by Using Nickel Catalysts

The unique linear linkage of isobutene to generate highly valuable C₈ precursors for plasticizers is feasible by using special nickel catalysts. (4‐Cyclooctene‐1‐yl)(1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoro‐2,4‐acetylacetonato)nickel and aluminum‐alkyl‐activated nickel acetylacetonates produce isobutene dimers with high selectivities of up to 95 %. Moreover, selectivity for the head‐to‐head products (2,5‐dimethylhexenes) is remarkably high at up to 99 %. Additionally, novel C₁₂ isobutene trimers are also formed with a very high selectivity of up to 99 % for the linear linkage. The trimer structure (2,5,8‐trimethylnonenes) reflects the stepwise characteristic of the reaction mechanism. Pathways of insertion and activation and the deactivation processes of the catalyst are discussed in detail.     

Avoiding Pitfalls in Comparison of Activity and Selectivity of Solid Catalysts for Electrochemical HMF Oxidation

Electrocatalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) offers a renewable approach to produce the value-added platform chemical 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The key for the economic viability of this approach is to develop active and selective electrocatalysts. Nevertheless, a reliable catalyst evaluation protocol is still missing, leading to elusive conclusions on criteria for a high-performing catalyst. Herein, we demonstrate that besides the catalyst identity, secondary parameters such as materials of conductive substrates for the working electrode, concentration of the supporting electrolyte, and electrolyzer configurations have profound impact on the catalyst performance and thus need to be optimized before assessing the true activity of a catalyst. Moreover, we highlight the importance of those secondary parameters in suppressing side reactions, which has long been overlooked. The protocol is validated by evaluating the performance of free-standing Cu-foam, and CuCoO modified with NaPO₂H₂ and Ni, which were immobilized on boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes. Recommended practices and figure of merits in carefully evaluating the catalyst performance are proposed.     

Investigating the Disordered and Membrane-Active Peptide A-Cage-C Using Conformational Ensembles

The driving forces and conformational pathways leading to amphitropic protein-membrane binding and in some cases also to protein misfolding and aggregation is the subject of intensive research. In this study, a chimeric polypeptide, A-Cage-C, derived from α-Lactalbumin is investigated with the aim of elucidating conformational changes promoting interaction with bilayers. From previous studies, it is known that A-Cage-C causes membrane leakages associated with the sporadic formation of amorphous aggregates on solid-supported bilayers. Here we express and purify double-labelled A-Cage-C and prepare partially deuterated bicelles as a membrane mimicking system. We investigate A-Cage-C in the presence and absence of these bicelles at non-binding (pH 7.0) and binding (pH 4.5) conditions. Using in silico analyses, NMR, conformational clustering, and Molecular Dynamics, we provide tentative insights into the conformations of bound and unbound A-Cage-C. The conformation of each state is dynamic and samples a large amount of overlapping conformational space. We identify one of the clusters as likely representing the binding conformation and conclude tentatively that the unfolding around the central W23 segment and its reorientation may be necessary for full intercalation at binding conditions (pH 4.5). We also see evidence for an overall elongation of A-Cage-C in the presence of model bilayers.