Providing Support in Favor of the Existence of a PdII/PdIV Catalytic Cycle in a Heck‐Type Reaction

The complex [Pd(O,N,C‐L)(OAc)], in which L is a monoanionic pincer ligand derived from 2,6‐diacetylpyridine, reacts with 2‐iodobenzoic acid at room temperature to afford the very stable pair of Pd^IV complexes (OC‐6‐54)‐ and (OC‐6‐26)‐[Pd(O,N,C‐L)(O,C‐C₆H₄CO₂‐2)I] (1.5:1 molar ratio, at ?55 °C). These complexes and the Pd^II species [Pd(O,N,C‐L)(OX)] and [Pd(O,N,C‐L′)(NCMe)]ClO₄, (X=MeC(O) or ClO₃, L′=another monoanionic pincer ligand derived from 2,6‐diacetylpyridine), are precatalysts for the arylation of CH₂?CHR (R?CO₂Me, CO₂Et, Ph) using IC₆H₄CO₂H‐2 and AgClO₄. These catalytic reactions have been studied and a tentative mechanism is proposed. The presence of two Pd^IV complexes was detected by ESI(+)‐MS during the catalytic process. All the data obtained strongly support a Pd^II/Pd^IV catalytic cycle.     

Amphiphilic sorbents based on polysiloxanes crosslinked by an N,N′‐heterocycle

New amphiphilic sorbents have been synthesized by crosslinking of the chloromethyl side‐functionalized polysiloxanes with piperazine. Three structures, differing by the crosslinking degree, have been synthesized as potential sensitive materials for humidity sensors able to work at high humidity or as metal sorbents. Correlations between structure and morphology of the polymeric matrix, as well as their swelling capacity in solvents with different polarities, are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel fluorescence nanostructured materials obtained by entrapment of an ornamental bush extract in hybrid silica glass

Synthesis of some novel fluorescence nanomaterials loaded with photoactive polyphenols originated from plants with a high spectrum of biological activity, by replacing synthetic chemicals, may open new opportunities for optical and bio-medical applications. This paper presents the synthesis, characterization and fluorescence properties of a new class of materials based on host hybrid matrices obtained through templated sol–gel route, by hydrolysis and co-condensation of tetraorthoethylsilicate with octaisobutyltetracyclo [7.3.3.1^5,11] octasiloxane-endo-3,7-diol. The aim of paper is focused on the evaluation of the behavior of the fluorescence properties of ornamental bush extract at immobilization in a templated silica matrix and in a silica-silsesquioxane network, using as templates a neutral, non-toxic and biodegradable surfactant from poly(ethyleneglycol) class and a high biocompatible non-surfactant from glucidic class. The proofs of ornamental bush extract entrapment by physical interactions in silica based networks were provided by FT-IR and UV–VIS spectroscopy. The changes of polymer network due to the hydrogen bond interactions between residual Si–OH groups and functional groups of organic molecules from extract were evidenced by shifts of specific vibrations. In UV–VIS-NIR domain, the chromophore groups from ornamental bush extract were also evidenced by similar small shifts. As a result of ornamental bush extract entrapment, in all the immobilized samples the fluorescence intensity was more than 10 times amplified in samples templated with poly(ethylenglycol) surfactant) and of about 5 times in samples with glucidic template due to the physical adsorption of polyphenolic molecules from extract, excellent synergistic optical properties of SiO₂ and silsesquioxane compound and also due to a favorable conformational arrangement. The size of synthesized polymeric materials, estimated by dynamic light scattering technique showed main diameters less then 1.4 μm, namely 1,060 and 211 nm—for samples with d-glucose template and 1,330 and 531 nm—for samples with poly(ethyleneglycol) template, respectively, with a narrow size distribution and a polidispersity varying between 0.022 and 0.426. These results are in good accordance with TEM images that evidenced the presence of some polymeric aggregates which contain the vegetal extract immobilized inside hybrid SiO₂-Sq polymeric network of about hundred nanometers size. This study bring new contributions to the development of the sol–gel procedure by entrapment of a complex vegetable mixture in polymeric matrices as integral component of silica and hybrid silica-silsesquioxane networks which leads to a significant enhancement of the functional properties of the final material, thus diversifying the potential applications of organic doped sol–gel glasses.     

One-pot preparation of piperazines by regioselective ring-opening of non-activated arylaziridines

Herein we report a new straightforward synthesis of cis and trans 2,5-disubstituted N,N-dialkylpiperazines, even in enantioenriched form, by reacting non-activated N-alkyl arylaziridines in the presence of a catalytic amount of a Lewis acid. A stereochemical and NMR investigation revealed useful mechanistic insights for this process.     

Micellization Process in Poly(Ether Urethane) Solutions

Poly(ether urethane)s containing different hard segments were investigated by viscometry, fluorescence spectra, polarizing optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The polarity dependence of the vibrational structure of the pyrene emission spectrum indicated the formation of aggregates at concentrations that are significantly below the critical concentrations that define the separation of dilute‐semidilute domains. Unlike the sample with 4,4'‐methylene diphenylene diisocyanate, the sample with 2,4‐tolylene diisocyanate in hard segments gives a fluorescence spectra in which the pyrene excimer appears. Supermolecular structures associated with the form of spherulites or of spherical micelles were detected by scanning electron microscopy. The results are discussed in correlation with viscometric data and optical microscopy.     

The Study of Zeolite ZSM-5 by a Dielectric Spectroscopy Method

The dielectric absorption spectrum of zeolite ZSM-5, in the range of frequencies 100 c - 10 Mc, was studied. The influence of the crystallization degree and influence of the Si/Al ratio on the amplitude of the dielectric absorption were analysed. It was observed that _max depends on the Si/Al ratio in an exponential form. An excess of Et.OH in the mixture of crystallization influences favorably the kinetics of the process.     

From Bad Electrochemical Practices to an Environmental and Waste Reducing Approach for the Generation of Active Hydrogen Evolving Electrodes

The electrodeposition of noble metals using corresponding dissolved metal salts represents an interesting process for the improvement of the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) properties of less active substrate materials. The fact that only a small fraction of the dissolved noble metals reaches the substrate represents a serious obstacle to this common procedure. We therefore chose a different path. It was found that the HER activity of Ni42 alloy drastically increased (η=140 mV at j=10 mA cm^?2; pH 1) when a platinum counter electrode was used during polarization experiments in acid. This improvement was caused by a platinum transfer from the platinum anode to the steel cathode, a process which occurred simultaneously to the hydrogen evolution. The negligible accumulation of Pt (26 μg) in the electrolyte turns this straight‐forward transfer procedure into a highly cost‐effective, environmentally friendly, and waste reducing approach for the generation of cheap, stable and effective HER electrodes.     

Energy Transfer from the Aminophthalate Dianion to Fluorescein

Energy transfer from the excited aminophthalate dianion species to fluorescein at pH 8.32 (Tris-HCl buffer) was studied. The excited aminophthalate dianion species was obtained either by excitation with UV radiation (330 nm), with fluorescence emission, or by the well-known chemical reaction luminol-hydrogen peroxide in an alkaline medium, with chemiluminescent emission, both with _max at 425 nm. The influence of Co²⁺ and Mg²⁺ on fluorescence and chemiluminescence (CL) was studied. It was found that at low concentrations (10^–7–10^–9 M), these ions do not modify the fluorescein fluorescence, however, the CL is strong affected. The effect of the concentration of these elements, which exert an influence on CL even at a high dilution (nanomolar concentration), was determined. In the case of Co²⁺ the prooxidant character is stronger than in the case of Mg²⁺, and therefore the CL enhancer effect is higher. Compared to the system without catalyst, their presence ensures stronger, prolonged, and stable light emission. The emission spectra, in the presence of fluorescein, show two bands with maxima at 425 and 520 nm, the second one being specific to fluorescein emission. The intensity of aminophthalate dianion luminescence is lower and the duration shorter in the presence of fluorescein. The influence of Co²⁺ and Mg²⁺ catalyst and fluorescein concentration on the energy transfer process was studied. The efficiency of the energy transfer process for these two situations (fluorescence and CL) was compared. An attempt was made to replace hydrogen peroxide with superoxide anion (solubilized by means of crown ether) and its effect upon the energy transfer process was observed.     

Total synthesis of pyridovericin

The total synthesis of the naturally occurring kinase inhibitor pyridovericin 1 is reported. A flexible and efficient synthesis has been accomplished in good yield from readily available 2,4-dihydroxypyridine. Pyridovericin is a key intermediate in our proposed biomimetic synthesis of pyridomacrolidin 2.