Solvent effect on the radical polymerization of di-n-butyl itaconate

Solvent effect on the polymerization of di-n-butyl itaconate (DBI) with dimethyl azobisisobutyrate (MAIB) was investigated at 50 and 61°C. The solvents used were found to affect significantly the polymerization. The polymerization rate (R_p) and the molecular weight of the resulting polymer are lower in more polar solvents. The initiation rate (R_i) by MAIB, however, shows a trend of being rather higher in polar solvents. The stationary state concentration of propagating poly(DBI) radical was determined by ESR in seven solvents. The rate constants of propagation (k_p) and termination (k_t) were evaluated by using R_p, R_i, and the polymer radical concentration observed. The k_p value decreases fairly with increasing polarity of the solvent used, whereas k_t is not so influenced by the solvents. The solvent effect on k_p is explained in terms of a difference in the environment around the terminal radical center of the growing chain. Copolymerization of DBI with styrene (St) was also examined in three solvents with different physical properties. The poly(DBI) radical shows a lower reactivity toward St in a more polar solvent.     

Aryl-aryl coupling reaction using a novel and highly active palladium reagent prepared from Pd(OAc)2, 1,3-bis[diphenylphosphino]propane (DPPP), and Bu3P

A palladium-assisted coupling reaction of aryl triflate with arene was investigated, and a novel Pd reagent prepared from equimolar Pd(OAc)2, 1,3-Bis[diphenylphosphino]propane (DPPP), and Bu3P was developed. This method is useful for intramolecular biaryl coupling reactions, not only between aryl triflate and arene (triflate-amide), but also between aryl halide and arene (halo-amide).     

Vanadium-binding protein in a vanadium-rich ascidian Ascidia sydneiensissamea: CW and pulsed EPR studies

Some of the ascidians belonging to the suborder Phlebobranchia accumulate vanadium ion efficiently from seawater. Clarification of the mechanism of this surprisingly efficient metal-accumulation system is desirable. Two mutually similar vanadium-binding proteins (vanabin1 and vanabin2) have recently been isolated from a vanadium-rich ascidian Ascidia sydneiensis samea. In this study, the vanadium-binding properties of vanabin2 have been investigated by X-band CW EPR and pulsed EPR spectroscopy. CW EPR spectra of samples containing various ratios of VO2+ and vanabin2 invariably exhibited a usual mononuclear-type VO2+ EPR signal with the intensity dependent on the ratio [vanabin]/[V]. EPR titration has shown that vanabin2 can bind up to approximately 23.9 vanadium ions per one molecule, almost all of which ( approximately 84%) are in a mononuclear VO2+ state as estimated by EPR quantitation. Electron spin-echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectra of VO-vanabin2 exhibited reasonably intense peaks attributable to amine nitrogen. This is consistent with the fact that vanabin2 is a lysine-rich protein (14 lysines out of 91 amino acids). The present study reveals the uniqueness of vanabin2, which can bind a large number of metal ions in a mononuclear fashion in contrast to the situation for ferritin and metallothionein.     

Determination of trace amounts of vanadium in air samples with 2-(8-quinolylazo)-5-N,N-diethylaminophenol by reversed-phase liquid chromatography

A reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method for the determination of trace amounts of vanadium is described. Metal ions are converted into 2-(8-quinolylazo)-5-N,N-diethylaminophenol chelates in an off-line system. The chelates are injected onto a Zorbax CN column and separated with an aqueous acetonitrile mobile phase containing no chromogenic reagent. Unter these conditions, only vanadium(V) is spectrophotometrically detected at 540 nm among the metal ions Al(III), Ba(II), Ca(II), Cd(II), Co(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Fe(III), Ga(III), Hg(II), Mg(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), V(V) and Zn(II). Amounts of 8.0–200 pg of vanadium(V) in 100-μl injections can be determined without interference from 10-fold molar excesses of many cations. At 0.001 a.u.f.s., the detection limit (twice the peak-to-peak noise) for vanadium(V) is 8.0 pg in 100 μl of injected solution and the relative standard deviation at 120 pg of vanadium(V) in a 100-μl injection is 3.5%. The proposed method is applied to the determination of vanadium in rain water and airborne particulates.     

Metal-complex assemblies constructed from the flexible hinge-like ligand H2bhnq: structural versatility and dynamic behavior in the solid state

Novel metal-complex assemblies constructed from the flexible hinge-like ligand H(2)bhnq (H(2)bhnq=2,2'-bi(3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone)) have been synthesized. The X-ray crystal structures of these compounds reveal that four types of architectures are accessible by variation of the metal ions. In copper(II) compounds 1-3, the chelating bhnq(2-) ions bridge copper(II) centers to form one-dimensional zigzag chains. The chains of 1-3 are arranged by hydrogen-bonding interactions and stacking interactions to produce porous structures. Cobalt(II) and zinc(II) compounds 4 and 5 form one-dimensional helical chains. In 4 and 5, the crystal packing induces spontaneous resolution of the helical chains with chiral cavities formed perpendicular to the helices. Nickel(II) compounds 6 and 7 form cyclic tetramers. The fourth architecture, a dimer (compound 8), is obtained by the reaction of zinc(II) and bhnq(2-) in MeOH. In these compounds, changes of the dihedral angles and the metal-coordination mode of the bhnq(2-) ion induce the structural versatility. The assemblies of the zigzag chains of the copper(II) compounds exhibit reversible vapochromic behavior. UV/Vis, powder X-ray diffraction, EPR, and adsorption isotherm measurements indicate that this vapochromic behavior is based on the hinge-like flexibility of the bhnq(2-) ion.     

Novel efficient preparative method for phthalocyanines from phthalimides and phthalic anhydride with HMDS

A convenient synthesis of peripherally substituted or unsubstituted phthalocyanines having a variety of metals is described. Phthalocyanines can be obtained by heating phthalimides or phthalic anhydride with metal salts, hexamethyldisilazane, a catalytic amount of p-TsOH, and DMF at 150 degrees C.     

Magnetic/Conducting Hybrid Compound Composed of 1-D Chain [Mn2Cl5(EtOH)]∞ and BEDT-TTF Stacking Layer

An assembled compound (BEDT-TTF)₂[Mn₂Cl₅(EtOH)] (1) consisting of two structural lattices of Mn(II)-Cl one-dimensional (1-D) chains and bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) stacking layers was synthesized by electrochemical crystallization. Compound 1 crystallized in triclinic space group P-1 (#2) with a=13.1628(5) Å, b=20.3985(9) Å, c=7.4966(3) Å, α=98.3498(8)°, β=104.980(1)°, γ=74.602(2)°, V=1868.3(1) ų, and Z=2. The 1-D chains and the stacking layers are aligned along the c-axis of the unit cell. The 1-D chain is described as [Mn₂Cl₅(EtOH)]_∞⁻ in which two Mn(II) ions and four Cl⁻ ions form a ladder-like chain with Kagomé (cuboidal) sublattices, and the remaining Cl⁻ ion and an ethanol molecule cap the edge-positioned Mn(II) ions of the chains. The BEDT-TTF molecules are packed between the Mn-Cl chains (ac-plane), the intermolecular S·S contacts of which are approximately found in the range 3.440(2)-3.599(2) Å. The packing feature of BEDT-TTF molecules is very similar to that of (BEDT-TTF)₂ClO₄(TCE)_0.5 (TCE=1,1,2-trichloroethane) (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 105, 297 (1983)). Regarding the electronic state of each BEDT-TTF molecule, Raman spectroscopic analysis and ESR study revealed the presence of half-valence BEDT-TTF molecules (charge delocalization) in 1. Magnetic measurements clearly demonstrated that the paramagnetic spins on the 1-D chain [Mn₂Cl₅(EtOH)]_∞⁻ arrange antiferromagnetically in the low-temperature region. Additionally, 1 exhibits metallic conductivity in the temperature range 2.0-300 K (σ=21 S cm⁻¹ at 300 K and 1719 S cm⁻¹ at 2.0 K), due to the contribution of the stacked BEDT-TTFs. Consequently, these peculiarities that correspond to antiferromagnetic/metallic conductivity demonstrate the “bi-functionality” of 1.     

Room-temperature phosphorimetric determination of biogenic indole compounds adsorbed on a thin-layer chromatographic plate

A simple and sensitive method is described for the determination of biogenic indole compounds adsorbed on cellulose or alumina plates for thin-layer chromatography by room-temperature phosphorimetry. The optimum conditions were investigated for 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-acetic acid. The compounds are spotted on the plates, which are then sprayed successively with sodium citrate or sodium acetate, and sodiu iodide solutions. The plates are dried completely under a stream of dry nitrogen, and immediately dipped in molten paraffin. The phosphorescence is stable for at least 3 h even in moist air. The limits of detection for nine biogenic indole compounds tested are between 2 and 300 pmol per sample spot.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of 3,4‐Dihydropyran‐2‐ones by Domino Michael Addition and Lactonization with New Asymmetric Organocatalysts: Cinchona‐Alkaloid‐Derived Chiral Quaternary Ammonium Phenoxides

Chiral quaternary ammonium phenoxides were readily prepared from commercially available cinchona alkaloids and proved to be useful new asymmetric organocatalysts. Among various chiral quaternary ammonium phenoxides, a cinchonidine‐derived catalyst that bears both a sterically hindered N1‐9‐anthracenylmethyl group and a strongly electron withdrawing 9‐O‐3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl group were found to be highly effective for the Michael addition of ketene silyl acetals (derived from phenyl carboxylates) and α,β‐unsaturated ketones followed by lactonization. Optically active 3,4‐dihydropyran‐2‐one derivatives were obtained in high yields with excellent control of enantio‐ and diastereoselectivity. This catalyst can be handled in air and stored at room temperature in a sealed bottle without decomposition for at least one month.     

Kinetic and ESR studies on the radical polymerization of Di-n-butyl itaconate in benzene

The polymerization of di-n-butyl itaconate (DBI) intiated with AIBN was kinetically investigated in benezene. The polymerization rate (R_p) was expressed by: R_p = k[AIBN]^0.5[DBI]^1.7. The polymerization showed a considerably low overall activation energy of 15.3 kcal/mol. The initiator efficiency of AIBN in this system decreased with increasing DBI concentration, ranging from 0.34 to 0.55°C, which is ascribable to viscosity effect due to the monomer. From an ESR study, the polymerization system was found to involve two kinds of persistent radicals, namely, primary propagating ( III ) and propagating ( I ) radicals. The relative concentration of III to I increased with decreasing monomer concentration. Azo-nitrile initiators such as AVN and ACN similarly produced two persistent radicals, while MAIB, DBPO, and PBO yielded only propagating radical I as persistent. The MAIB-initiated polymerization of DBI was also performed in benzene. Similar kinetic features were observed, that is, a higher dependence of R_p on the DBI concentration and a low overall activation energy (14.4 kcal/mol). The following rate equation was obtained at 50°C:R_p = k[MAIB]^0.5[DBI]^1.6. The initiator efficiency of MAIB decreased with increasing DBI concentration, ranging from 0.32 to 0.53 at 50°C. The concentration of propagating radical I was determined by ESR at 50 and 61°C, from which k_p and k_t were estimated. The k_p value increased with increasing monomer concentration, while the k_t one decreased with the DBI concentration. These values are much lower compared with those of MMA.