Entanglement Transition in Hyperbranched Polyether‐Polyols

Are hyperbranched polymers capable of forming entanglements? This is the central issue of this contribution. Hyperbranched polyglycerol (hbPG) samples with different molecular weights (600–106 000 g · mol⁻¹), narrow polydispersities (1.2–1.8) and high degrees of branching (≈0.6) were prepared by anionic ring‐opening polymerization. The viscoelastic properties of these polymers with respect to molecular architecture and molar mass were investigated. At low molecular weights “classical” scaling behavior between zero shear viscosity and molecular weight can be observed, whereas between 3 000 and 10 000 g · mol⁻¹ a plateau‐like area is found. The results indicate entanglement dynamics when exceeding a critical molar mass ( ≈ 20 000 g · mol⁻¹) due to entangled hyperbranched polyglycerols.

     

Chiral ruthenium Lewis acid-catalyzed nitrile oxide cycloadditions

The synthesis of the chiral ligand (R,R)-BIPHOP-F is detailed. Its coordination to a cationic cyclopentadienyl ruthenium fragment generates [Ru (acetone)(R,R)-BIPHOP-F)Cp][SbF₆], a transition metal Lewis acid that catalyzes the [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition reaction between aryl nitrile oxides and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes to give chiral 2-isoxazolines with yields of 43-98% and asymmetric purity of 60-93% ee. The stereochemistry of the major enantiomer is S, consistent with an approach of the nitrile oxide to the C_α-Si face of the enal in the anti-s-trans conformation in the catalyst site.     

Improving Interfacial Electrochemistry of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode Coated by Mn3O4

In this work the surface of LiNi\begin{document}$_{0.5}$\end{document}Mn\begin{document}$_{1.5}$\end{document}O\begin{document}$_{4}$\end{document} (LMN) particles is modified by Mn\begin{document}$_{3}$\end{document}O\begin{document}$_{4}$\end{document} coating through a simple wet grinding method, the electronic conductivity is significantly improved from 1.53\begin{document}$\times$\end{document}10\begin{document}$^{-7}$\end{document} S/cm to 3.15\begin{document}$\times$\end{document}10\begin{document}$^{-5}$\end{document} S/cm after 2.6 wt% Mn\begin{document}$_{3}$\end{document}O\begin{document}$_{4}$\end{document} coating. The electrochemical test results indicate that Mn\begin{document}$_{3}$\end{document}O\begin{document}$_{4}$\end{document} coating dramatically enhances both rate performance and cycling capability (at 55 ℃) of LNM. Among the samples, 2.6 wt% Mn\begin{document}$_{3}$\end{document}O\begin{document}$_{4}$\end{document}-coated LNM not only exhibits excellent rate capability (a large capacity of 108 mAh/g at 10 C rate) but also shows 78% capacity retention at 55 ℃ and 1 C rate after 100 cycles.     

Enantioenriched Methylene‐Bridged Benzazocanes Synthesis by Organocatalytic and Superacid Activations

Achieving in a straightforward way the synthesis of enantioenriched elaborated three‐dimensional molecules related to bioactive natural products remains a long‐standing quest in organic synthesis. Enantioselective organocatalysis potentially offers a unique opportunity to solve this problem, especially when combined with complementary modes of activation. Here, we report the sequential association of organocatalytic and superacid activations of simple linear achiral readily available precursors to promote the formation of unique highly elaborated chiral methylene‐bridged benzazocanes exhibiting three to five fully‐controlled stereocenters. This peculiar backbone, difficult to assemble by standard synthetic approaches, is closely related to bioactive natural and synthetic morphinans and benzomorphans. The formation of a highly reactive chiral 7‐membered ring N‐acyl iminium superelectrophilic ion, evidenced by low‐temperature in situ NMR experiments, triggers a challenging stereoselective Friedel–Crafts‐type cyclization.     

Antioxidant capacities and total phenolic contents increase with gamma irradiation in two types of Malaysian honey

Two types of monofloral Malaysian honey (Gelam and Nenas) were analyzed to determine their antioxidant activities and total phenolic and flavonoid contents, with and without gamma irradiation. Our results showed that both types of honey can scavenge free radicals and exhibit high antioxidant-reducing power; however, Gelam honey exhibited higher antioxidant activity (p < 0.05) than Nenas honey, which is in good correlation (r = 0.9899) with its phenolic contents. Interestingly, we also noted that both irradiated honeys have higher antioxidant activities and total phenolic and flavonoid contents compared to nonirradiated honeys by Folin-Ciocalteu and UV-spectrophotometry methods, respectively. However, HPLC analysis for phenolic compounds showed insignificant increase between irradiated and nonirradiated honeys. The phenolic compounds such as: caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, p- coumaric acid, quercetin and hesperetin as indicated by HPLC method were found to be higher in Gelam honey versus Nenas honey. In conclusion, irradiation of honey causes enhanced antioxidant activities and flavonoid compounds.     

Density, Viscosity, Velocity and Refractive Index of Binary Mixtures of Poly(Ethylene Glycol) 200 with Ethanolamine, m-Cresol and Aniline at 298.15 K

Densities, absolute viscosities, ultrasonic velocities and refractive indices of binary mixtures of poly(ethylene glycol) 200 with ethanolamine, m-cresol and aniline have been measured at 298.15 K, under atmospheric pressure, over the entire composition range. The experimental data have been used to calculate acoustic impedance, specific heat ratio and relative association for these binary mixtures. Excess molar volume, deviation in viscosity, deviation in refractive index, deviation in isentropic compressibility, excess acoustical impedance and excess Gibbs energy of activation for viscous flow have been plotted to determine the nature and extent of interaction present in the solutions. The results have been fitted to Redlich-Kister polynomial equation. The results have been explained in terms of specific intermolecular and intramolecular interactions present in the mixtures and are found to support each other. The isothermal compressibility for the binary mixtures was predicted by an equation based on Flory??s statistical theory and three rigid sphere equations.     

Application of extended Fan sub-equation method to $$\mathbf {}$$-dimensional nonlinear dispersive modified Benjamin-Bona-Mahony equation with fractional evolution

The article studies the application of the extended Fan sub-equation method to \((1+1)\)-dimensional nonlinear dispersive modified Benjamin-Bona-Mahony equation with fractional evolution. This equation describes the hydromagnetic waves in cold plasma, acoustic waves in inharmonic crystals and acoustic gravity waves in compressible fluids. The structure of the extended Fan sub-equation method on the basis of time-fractional derivative is presented. The main idea of the method is to take full advantage of the general elliptic equation involving five parameters. The fractional derivatives are taken as in the sense of Jumarie’s modified Riemann–Liouville derivative. The method is reliable and gives more general exact solutions than the existing methods.     

Convective and peristaltic viscous fluid flow with variable viscosity

In the present investigation we have analyzed the peristaltic flow when the viscous fluid with variable viscosity is bounded with convective walls. The combined effects of thermaldiffusion (Soret effects) and diffusion-thermo (Dufour effect) are considered. Convective form of the heat and mass transport phenomenon has been given special attention in addition to the effects of magnetic field. Mathematical formulation for the physical systemis derived and simplified using long wavelength and low Reynolds number approximation. Series solutions for the velocity, temperature andmass concentration fields are computed and elaborated for different physical quantities including magnetic parameter, Soret and Dufour effects, Biot numbers, etc. Streamlines analysis is presented showing the effects of bolus movement.     

Biomimetic Nanocones that Enable High Ion Permselectivity

Artificial counterparts of conical‐shaped transmembrane protein channels are of interest in biomedical sciences for biomolecule detection and selective ion permeation based on ionic size and/or charge differences. However, industrial‐scale applications such as seawater desalination, separation of mono‐ from divalent cations, and treatment of highly‐saline industrial waste effluents are still big challenges for such biomimetic channels. A simple monomer seeding experimental approach is used to grow ionically conductive biomimetic charged nanocone pores at the surface of an acid‐functionalized membrane. These readily scalable nanocone membranes enable ultra‐fast cation permeation (Na⁺=8.4× vs. Mg²⁺=1.4×) and high ion charge selectivity (Na⁺/Mg²⁺=6×) compared to the commercial state‐of‐the‐art permselective membrane (CSO, Selemion, Japan) owing to negligible surface resistance and positively charged conical pore walls.