Synthesis of N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate functionalized 1,4-polyisoprene, from natural rubber and synthetic 1,4-polyisoprene

N,N-Diethyldithiocarbamate functionnalized 1,4-polyisoprenes were prepared from 1,4-polyisoprenes (natural or synthetic). The syntheses were performed by nucleophilic addition of N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate salts upon oxirane rings of epoxidized units according to a SN2 mechanism with ring opening. Studies on model molecules of epoxidized 1,4-polyisoprene units (1,2-epoxy-1-methylcyclohexane and 4,5-epoxy-4-methyloctane) were previously achieved to develop the procedure. The best yields were obtained at low temperature in polar medium, and more especially in water with sodium N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDT-Na) as reagent. A diastereospecific addition was noted when reaction was performed in water with DEDT-Na. Afterwards, the developed procedure was successfully generalized to epoxidized synthetic polyisoprenes and epoxidized natural rubber (in THF, then in latex medium). Excellent results were obtained in latex medium with epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) latices. As with the models, a diastereospecific addition of sodium N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate trihydrate onto epoxidized 1,4-polyisoprene units of ENR was observed at the condition to bring the latex medium to pH 8 before introduction of DEDT-Na. Influence of temperature, drc, and DEDT-Na concentration were successively examined to determine the best conditions of the addition on ENR latices.     

A general approach to cyathin diterpenes. Total synthesis of allocyathin B(3)

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of allocyathin B(3) from an advanced intermediate possessing the ring system and relative stereochemistry but lacking the isopropyl and hydroxymethyl groups is reported. The isopropyl group was introduced by radical cyclization of a methyl propargyl acetal of an alpha-bromo ketone, and the hydroxymethyl group was generated by Pd-catalyzed carbonylation of a vinyl triflate. The route provides functionalized intermediates that could allow access to more complex members of the cyathin family of diterpenes.     

Preparation and Characteristics of Porous Silica Films by a Modified Base-Catalyzed Sol-Gel Process Containing PVA: II. Film Preparation

Porous SiO₂ films were successfully deposited on silicon substrates by a modified base-catalyzed Sol-Gel process (MBCP) containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The process conditions, such as the gelation time, the synthesis temperature, the stabilizing agent of the precursor solution and the spin coating speed, the heat-treatment, the annealing temperature of the film on the microstructure and porosity of porous SiO₂ films were systematically investigated by SEM, XRD and ellipsometry techniques. This study provides a novel preparation technique for the porous SiO₂ film. Using this process, the resultant film can reach a thickness of 3.6 m for one layer, a porosity of 25–50%, a low thermal conductivity of 0.11 W/m·K. This film will be used as a low dielectric layer, an thermal-insulating layer and a low refractive index layer.     

Voltammetry and electrocatalytic properties of cobalt (1,4,8,12-tetraazacyclopentadecane) in aqueous solution

Summary The spectrochemical, electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of Co[15]aneN₄ ([15]aneN₄ = 1,4,8,12-tetraazacyclopentadecane) have been investigated. The results show that, in aqueous solution, this compound mainly exists as three species whose axial coordination positions are occupied by water and/or hydroxy ligands; it is marginal whether other substrates such as Cl^– and NO _inf3 ^sup– interact with the central ion in acid-base solutions. The approximate Pourbaix diagram of Co^III/II[15]ane N₄ was determined. There is an electrochemically-induced isomerization between two trans conformational isomers of the Co[15]aneN₄ complexes in acid and netural solutions. The Co[15]aneN₄ complex has electrocatalytic properties for reduction of nitrate and nitrite only in strong alkaline solution.     

Theorems for carbon cages

New theorems are established for cages (or polyhedra) with trivalent vertices. One theorem says that all such cages have at least three Kekulé structures (or perfect matchings). Thence, resonance generally appears as a possibility. Another theorem says that for every even vertex count >70 there is at least one cage of a preferable subclass, while for vertex count <70 the sole preferable cage is that of the truncated icosahedron. Thence, the unique role of the buckminsterfullerene structure for C₆₀ is mathematically indicated.[/p]Work supported by the Welch Foundation of Houston, Texas.     

Fullerenes-extracted soot: a new adsorbent for collecting volatile organic compounds in ambient air

Fullerenes-extracted soot (FES) is the by-product of fullerenes production. Retention characteristics at different temperatures for 17 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on FES are measured. The adsorption and desorption efficiencies for VOCs on FES adsorbent tubes range from 40.8 to 117%, most of them being 100+/-20%. The values are compared with Tenax GR, an adsorbent commonly used in environmental analysis. FES can be used as an adsorbent of low cost to collect VOCs in environmental samples.     

Anomalies and curvature ofW manifolds

We study the holomorphic structure of certain complex manifolds associated withW algebras, namely, the flag manifoldsW /T andW ₁₊/T ₁₊, and the spacesW /SL(),R) andW ₁₊/GL(,R), whereT andT ₁₊ are the maximal tori inW andW ₁₊. We compute their Ricci curvature and show how the results are related to the anomaly-freedom conditions forW andW ₁₊. We discuss the relation of these manifolds with extensions of universal Teichmüller space.Supported in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, under grant DE-AS05-81ER40039Supported in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, under grant DE-FG03-84ER40168     

Topological excitations vs intergranular phase — coherence in a HTSC Y0.5Sm0.5Ba2Cu3O7 ceramics

This paper reports a detailed study of the electrical transport properties of good quality superconducting Y_0.5Sm_0.5Ba₂Cu₃O₇ ceramic samples. Analyses of the dependence of resistance on temperature, the relations current-voltage and the magnetoresistance allows to identify:a) the mean field critical temperature (T _CO =93.73±0.01 K);b) a power law behaviorVI atT _CO . The exponent jumps abruptly from 1 to 3, at a certain temperatureT _C =93.276±0.005 K;c) an exponential inverse root-square temperature dependence of the resistivity in theT _{C–T CO} temperature range. These features, typically observed when topological excitations sets in two dimensional systems, can also be interpreted as a signature of a percolation process and a transition towards intergranular phase coherence. We analyze and discuss the relevance of both models to account for the experimental data.     

Electrical activity of dislocations: Prospects for practical utilization

The electrical activity of interfacial misfit dislocations in silicon has been examined using the electron beam induced current technique (EBIC) in a scanning electron microscope. Clean misfit dislocations, i.e. no EBIC contrast, formed during high-temperature Si(Ge) chemical vapor epitaxy were studied. These defects were subsequently decorated with known metallic impurities (Au and Ni) by diffusion at 400° C to 1130° C from a back-side evaporated layer. Qualitative analysis of the electrical activity in relation to the energy levels anticipated for the clean or decorated dislocations is presented. Of particular interest is the case of defect-induced conductivity type inversion which occurred both at the top surface and at the buried dislocated interfaces of the multilayer. The prospects for using dislocations in a beneficial manner as active elements in electronic devices are discussed.     

Plasma desorption mass spectrometry of transition metal complexes of thio- and selenosemicarbazones of 2-acetylpyridines

Summary Californium-252 plasma desorption mass spectra were recorded for complexes of the anions of various thio-and seleno-semicarbazones of 3-acetylpyridines(1–4) with the transition metal ions iron(III) and cobalt(II). Positive ion spectra gave clear evidence of the cation present and fragmentation with loss of ligands or parts of ligands was straightforward. Negative ion spectra likewise provided evidence of the intact anion except with tetracoordinate metal halide systems [MX₄]^– which lost one or more halide atoms. Evidence of fragmentation of the ligand and recombination of the fragments with the metal ion was also observed in the negative ion mode. Spectra were used to revise the structure of a complex previously reported as [FeLCl₂]⁽¹⁾ to [FeL₂]⁺[FeCl₄]^–.