Polymers with advanced structural and supramolecular features synthesized through topochemical polymerization

Polymers are an integral part of our daily life. Hence, there are constant efforts towards synthesizing novel polymers with unique properties. As the composition and packing of polymer chains influence polymer''s properties, sophisticated control over the molecular and supramolecular structure of the polymer helps tailor its properties as desired. However, such precise control via conventional solution-state synthesis is challenging. Topochemical polymerization (TP), a solvent- and catalyst-free reaction that occurs under the confinement of a crystal lattice, offers profound control over the molecular structure and supramolecular architecture of a polymer and usually results in ordered polymers. In particular, single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) TP is advantageous as we can correlate the structure and packing of polymer chains with their properties. By designing molecules appended with suitable reactive moieties and utilizing the principles of supramolecular chemistry to align them in a reactive orientation, the synthesis of higher-dimensional polymers and divergent topologies has been achieved via TP. Though there are a few reviews on TP in the literature, an exclusive review showcasing the topochemical synthesis of polymers with advanced structural features is not available. In this perspective, we present selected examples of the topochemical synthesis of organic polymers with sophisticated structures like ladders, tubular polymers, alternating copolymers, polymer blends, and other interesting topologies. We also detail some strategies adopted for obtaining distinct polymers from the same monomer. Finally, we highlight the main challenges and prospects for developing advanced polymers via TP and inspire future directions in this area.

This perspective showcases the potential of topochemical polymerization as an effective tool for synthesizing polymers with advanced molecular and supramolecular structures.     

Vibrational dephasing and hydrodynamic effects on vibrational relaxation rates in acetophenone: Raman bandshape analysis

The isotropic component of Raman band for C=O stretching mode of acetophenone in solution was analyzed by estimating the correlation coefficient with reference to Lorentzian lineshape. In the intermediate region of solute/solvent concentration there is a sharp decrease in the correlation coefficient and there appears to be a transition from non-Lorentzian to Lorentzian lineshape. The vibrational relaxation rates have been estimated from the isotropic component of Raman band in different solvents. The rate is shown to be dependent on several macroscopic as well as microscopic properties of the solute-solvent system and intermolecular interactions. The hydrodynamic and dispersion forces appear to play a major role in determining the vibrational relaxation rate and the broadening of the bands.     

Facile synthesis and antimicrobial evaluations of some novel pyrazolo[3,4-b]selenolo[3,2-e]pyrazines and their related heterocycles

A new series of pyrazolopyrazinoselenolotriazolopyrimidines was synthesized by a facile method based on condensation of 5-amino-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]selenolo[3,2-e]pyrazine-6-carbonitrile ( 3 ) with triethyl orthoformate followed by intramolecular cyclization with hydrazine to afford 7-amino-8-imino-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1,8-dihydro-7H-pyrazolo[3″,4″:5′,6′]pyrazino[2′,3′:4,5] selenolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine ( 5 ). The latter compound was utilized as a multipurpose precursor for the construction of other new triazoles fused to the pyrazolopyrazino- selenolopyrimidine moiety. Alternatively, acetylation and chloro-acetylation of compound 3 using acetic anhydride and chloroacetyl chloride yielded the acetyl amino 11 and chloroacetamido 12 derivatives, respectively. Compound 12 underwent nucleophilic substitution upon reaction with morpholine to provide the morpholinyl acetamide 13 . Furthermore, the pyrazolopyridoselenolopyrazine ring system 14 was synthesized by the reaction of the o-amino-carbonitrile 3 with malononitrile. Assignment of the chemical structures for the new compounds was confirmed depending on elemental and spectral techniques. On the other hand, most of the synthesized compounds revealed promising results against various bacterial and fungal strains.     

Quantum dynamics of heavy light heavy reactions: Application to (F + CH4 → FCH3 + H) reaction

We apply the time-dependent theory to the collinear exchange reaction F + CH₄ → FCH₃ + H. We have performed detailed calculations on two-dimensional potential surfaces representing the ground electronic potentials of the collinear F + CH₄ → FCH₃ + H reaction, at incident energies. Transmission coefficients range from zero to unity, depending upon the incident energy. Normal modes of vibrations are displayed along the reaction path.     

Speciation of 30 % tri-n-butyl phosphate solvent during extraction of nitric acid

Several solutions of 30 % TBP/n-dodecane were equilibrated with different concentrations of aqueous nitric acid solutions at 298.15 K at a phase ratio of unity. The resultant equilibrated aqueous and organic solutions were analyzed for acidity. A three-solvate model with molecular HNO₃ based mechanism was assumed for nitric acid extraction by TBP. With nonlinear chemometric methods, the coefficients were evaluated. With the set of optimized coefficients, derived on the basis of experiments reported in this work, the estimated solvate species and free-TBP species in the TBP containing organic phase were found to be in good agreement with the reported concentrations in the literature.     

Reaction of Dimethyl Acetylenedicarboxylate With 2-Mercaptoperimidine and 2-Mercaptobenzimidazole

A mixture of equimolar quantities of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate ( 2 ) with either 2-mercaptoperimidine ( 1 ) or 2-mercaptobenzimidazole ( 5 ) was heated in absolute benzene in the presence of triphenylphosphine as a catalyst under reflux conditions for 1 h (the reaction was monitored by TLC until the consumption of the starting materials). The solvent was concentrated under vacuum and the residue was subjected to chromatographic plates using toluene-ethylacetate (2:1) as an eluent. The products in each reaction were separated as two migrating zones. Each zone was removed from the plate and recrystallized from the appropriate solvent. The products of the first reaction are 10-methoxy-11-oxo-11H-8-thia-7,11a-diaza-benzo[de]anthracene-9-carboxylic acid methyl ester ( 3 ) and 8-thia-7,10a-diaza-cyclopenta[a]phenalene-9,10-dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester ( 4 ), while the products of the second reaction are 3-methoxy-4-oxo-4H-1-thia-4a,9-diaza-fluorene-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester ( 10 ) and benzo[4, 5]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-2,3-dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester ( 11 ). The mechanisms of the observed reactions are suggested.     

Effects of hydration and hydrophilicity on Na‐Clay‐supported aqueous‐phase catalysis for atom transfer radical polymerization

Hydrated sodium montmorillonite (Na‐clay) has been used as a catalyst support for the heterogeneous atom transfer radical polymerization of benzyl methacrylate in the presence of various concentrations of water, reducing agent, and CuBr₂ in anisole at ambient temperature. The polymerization was promoted via reduction of Cu^II to Cu^I through the addition of sodium ascorbate (NaAsc) as a reducing agent in aqueous solution. The polymerizaton proceeded in a controlled manner and produced poly(benzyl methacylate) with moderately narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) when performed under optimum conditions of hydration (10 wt % ≤ H₂O/Na‐clay ≤ 21 wt %) and reducing agent (0.15 ≤ [NaAsc]/[I] ≤ 0.23). The polymerization was uncontrolled if hydration and NaAsc exceed above their optimum range of concentrations. Apparent rate of the polymerization (k_app) increased in the presence of decane–anisole (1/3, v/v) mixture solvent. Selective adsorption of decane at the interfaces of the hydrated clay was attributed for the rate enhancement due to increased polymer and hydrophobic interface interaction. The polymerization progressed in a controlled manner as confirmed by the first‐order time‐conversion plot, linear increase in molecular weights, and moderately narrow MWDs over conversion. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Regiospecific oxidation of an alkyl group of aromatic amine to carbonyl group by DDQ in aq.medium

The regiospecific oxidation of alkyl group of both sterically hindered and unhindered aromatic amine to corresponding carbonyl compound was done in aq. medium by using DDQ. The optimized reaction protocol was found to be most simple, high yielding and novel method for oxidation of alkyl group of aromatic amine in to its carbonyl compound.     

A novel pathway for maytansinoid release from thioether linked antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) under oxidative conditions

A novel pathway for ex vivo maytansinoid release from thioether linked antibody maytansinoid conjugates (AMCs) upon incubation in human plasma has been identified. A thioether succinimide-linked AMC can undergo chemical oxidation followed by sulfoxide elimination under mild aqueous conditions (pH 5.5-7.5, 37 °C). Oxidized thioether-linked AMCs exhibit high, target-specific cytotoxicity toward cancer cells.