Glycidyl Tosylate: Polymerization of a “Non‐Polymerizable” Monomer permits Universal Post‐Functionalization of Polyethers

Glycidyl tosylate appears to be a non‐polymerizable epoxide when nucleophilic initiators are used because of the excellent leaving group properties of the tosylate. However, using the monomer‐activated mechanism, this unusual monomer can be copolymerized with ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO), respectively, yielding copolymers with 7–25 % incorporated tosylate‐moieties. The microstructure of the copolymers was investigated via in situ ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and the reactivity ratios of the copolymerizations have been determined. Quantitative nucleophilic substitution of the tosylate‐moiety is demonstrated for several examples. This new structure provides access to a library of functionalized polyethers that cannot be synthesized by conventional oxyanionic polymerization.     

On the mechanism of the mander carbomethoxylation of ketone enolates with methyl cyanoformate

The acylation of lithium enolates of ketones with methyl cyanoformate has been shown to proceed through an aldol-type intermediate that can be trapped at low temperature.     

SAMs of shape-persistent macrocycles: structure and binding on HOPG and Au(111)

Self-assembled monolayers of shape-persistent macrocycles have been adsorbed on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and Au(111) substrates. Their structure and binding characteristics have been investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy experiments. Special functionalization of the macrocycles for the first time has enabled their self-assembling and binding on a metal substrate and opened a new route for new functional nanostructures.     

Density functional calculations of NMR chemical shifts and ESR g-tensors

An overview is given on recent advances of density functional theory (DFT) as applied to the calculation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts and electron spin resonance (ESR) g-tensors. This is a new research area that has seen tremendous progress and success recently; we try to present some of these developments. DFT accounts for correlation effects efficiently. Therefore, it is the only first-principle method that can handle NMR calculations on large systems like transition-metal complexes. Relativistic effects become important for heavier element compounds; here we show how they can be accounted for. The ESR g-tensor is related conceptually to the NMR shielding, and results of g-tensor calculations are presented. DFT has been very successful in its application to magnetic properties, for metal complexes in particular. However, there are still certain shortcomings and limitations, e.g., in the exchange-correlation functional, that are discussed as well. Received: 24 October 1997 / Accepted: 19 December 1997     

Tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate-based coordination polymers: group II network solids,M[B(Im)4]2(H2O)2 (M = Mg,Ca, Sr)

We are using the coordinating anion tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate to construct new metal-organic framework structures. In this report, we present three alkaline earth metal network solids incorporating this anion. All three compounds have the same formula, M[B(Im)(4)](2)(H(2)O)(2) (M = Mg, Ca, Sr), and the same coordination environment about the metal. However, the three compounds have different network structures with different degrees of hydrogen bonding; the Mg material forms a two-dimensional network and the Ca and Sr compounds form one-dimensional chains. In addition, we present the structure of the protonated anion B(HIm)(Im)(3) as a model for the default structure of this anion and discuss how the conformation of tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate can affect the structure of network solids.