The catalytic activity of Zn(II) and Mn(II) organometallic complexes

Zn(II) and Mn(II) organometallic complexes I and II were first used to catalyze the cyanosilylation reaction, and good catalytic results (24–99 %) were achieved. The catalytic activity of the complexes was determined by ¹H NMR.     

A novel synthetic method for preparation of some folates

An improved method was developed for preparation of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid (THF) and calcium-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF-Ca) by reduction of folic acid using KBH₄ catalyzed by Pb(NO₃)₂. The yields of THF and 5-MTHF-Ca were 56.5 and 42.7 %, respectively. A convenient method for measurement of THF and 5-MTHF-Ca using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) was also established, enabling analysis of those folates within 10 min without application of gradient elution.     

Synthesis of amine-modified mesoporous materials for CO2 capture by a one-pot template-free method

A one-pot template-free route was developed for the synthesis of novel tetraethylenepentamine modified porous silica as CO₂ adsorbents, the obtained materials were characterized by N₂ adsorption/desorption, thermogravimetry, elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry,scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the amine species were inserted into the silica skeleton, which considerably enhanced their dispersion. Compared with similar materials derived from impregnation, the porous structure of the silica can be better reserved, leading to a promising CO₂ adsorption capacity of 3.98 mmol CO₂/g-adsorbent and a fast adsorption kinetic in simulated flue gas at 348 K. The resulted adsorbents could also be easily regenerated and showed a good durability in multiple adsorption–desorption cycles. All these features make this method a promising option for the preparation of CO₂ adsorbents.     

Excellent degradation performance of azo dye by metallic glass/titanium dioxide composite powders

The metallic glass/titanium dioxide powders (MG/TiO₂) with enhanced photocatalytic oxidation activity were synthesized, which exhibit a higher efficiency in decolorizing methylene blue solutions (MB). Compared with the pure TiO₂ and crystalline alloy/TiO₂ (CA/TiO₂) under the same circumstances, its degradation rate was 60 % and 30 % higher, respectively. Furthermore, compared with the CA/TiO₂, the MG/TiO₂ photocatalytic rate was three times faster when decolorizing MB. Considering the excellent intrinsic high-performance photocatalytic degradation under visible light irradiation, these novel powders were proven to have potential applications in water purification industry.     

A Triazatruxene‐Based Glycocluster as a Fluorescent Sensor for Concanavalin A

A new triazatruxene‐based fluorescent glycocluster has been designed, synthesized, and fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Furthermore, its specific and selective binding properties with concanavalin A (Con A) have been investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and turbidity assay. The obtained results showed that the multivalent mannose‐modified triazatruxene exhibited specific binding with Con A, but no binding to peanut agglutinin (PNA) lectin or bovine serum albumin (BSA), corresponding to a two‐orders‐of‐magnitude higher affinity than that of monovalent mannose ligands. Most interestingly, a fluorescence enhancement of the triazatruxene‐based glycocluster was observed upon binding with Con A because of hydrophobic interactions involving sites close to the triazatruxene moiety. Furthermore, the inhibitory ability of the triazatruxene‐based glycocluster against ORN178‐ induced haemagglutination has been investigated by haemagglutination inhibition assay. The results indicated selective binding with ORN178.     

Fast Reductive Amination by Transfer Hydrogenation “on Water”

Reductive amination of various ketones and aldehydes by transfer hydrogenation under aqueous conditions has been developed, by using cyclometallated iridium complexes as catalysts and formate as hydrogen source. The pH value of the solution is shown to be critical for a high catalytic chemoselectivity and activity, with the best pH value being 4.8. In comparison with that in organic solvents, the reductive amination in an aqueous phase is faster, and the molar ratio of the substrate to the catalyst (S/C) can be set as high as 1×10⁵, the highest S/C value ever reported in reductive amination reactions. The catalyst is easy to access and the reaction is operationally simple, allowing a wide range of ketones and aldehydes to react with various amines in high yields. The protocol provides a practical and environmental friendly new method for the synthesis of amine compounds.     

Distinct Stepwise Reduction of a Nickel?Nickel‐Bonded Compound Containing an α‐Diimine Ligand: From Perpendicular to Coaxial Structures

A nickel? nickel‐bonded complex, [{Ni(μ‐L^.?)}₂] ( 1 ; L=[(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)]₂), was synthesized from reduction of the LNiBr₂ precursor by sodium metal. Further controllable reduction of 1 with 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 equiv of Na, respectively, afforded the singly, doubly, and triply reduced compounds [Na(DME)₃] ? [{Ni(μ‐L^.?)}₂] ( 2 ; DME=1,2‐dimethoxyethane), [Na(Et₂O)]Na[(L^.?)Ni? NiL^2?] ( 3 ), and [Na(Et₂O)]₂Na[L^2?Ni? NiL^2?] ( 4 ). Here L represents the neutral ligand, L^.? denotes its radical monoanion, and L^2? is the dianion. All of the four compounds feature a short Ni? Ni bond from 2.2957(6) to 2.4649(8) Å. Interestingly, they display two different structures: the perpendicular ( 1 and 2 ) and the coaxial ( 3 and 4 ) structure, in which the metal? metal bond axis is perpendicular to or collinear with the axes of the α‐diimine ligands, respectively. The electronic structures, Ni? Ni bonding nature, and energetic comparisons of the two structure types were investigated by DFT computations.     

聚合物单晶生长的三维相场模拟研究

利用元胞自动机方法与相场模型的结合建立新型三维模拟相场模型.同时,为模拟真实的、三维的高分子结晶的过程,采用元胞自动机方法离散方程,且元胞几何形状的选取符合真实聚合物晶格扩散方式的物理规律,以及新建立的相场模型套用间规聚丙烯的实验参数.利用该模型模拟了多种三维立方体或者薄层的晶体形貌及其相互之间的演化过程,包括正方形、长方形、菱形、六边形、多层单晶等.通过模拟结果与真实形貌作对比来证明所建立的相场模型真实可靠性.     

纳米层状双金属氢氧化物改性PU/PMMA的制备及其弛豫行为

采用原位聚合法,制备了聚氨酯(PU)/聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)/层状双金属氢氧化物(LDH)纳米复合体系(PU/PMMA/LDH).通过广角X射线衍射(WXRD)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)对其结构和形貌进行了表征,并通过热失重(TGA)、动态力学分析(DMA)和宽频介电谱(BDRS)研究了LDH含量(φ)对PU/PMMA体系热稳定性和弛豫行为的影响.结果表明,当φ<1 wt%时,LDH在聚合物基体中以剥离结构为主,PU/PMMA/LDH体系的玻璃化温度(Tg)降低,最大损耗因子(tanδmax)增大;而当φ>1 wt%时,LDH在聚合物基体中以插层结构为主,插层结构对聚合物分子链的限制使复合体系的Tg升高、tanδmax降低.LDH表面与PU硬段间的氢键作用,使复合体系的α介电弛豫转变随φ增加而向高温方向移动,弛豫过程激活参数增大.     

电场对金属串配合物M3(dpa)4Cl2 (M=Co,Rh, Ir; dpa=dipyridylamide)结构的影响

应用密度泛函理论PBE0 方法研究具有分子导线潜在应用的金属串配合物M₃(dpa)₄Cl₂ (1: M=Co, 2: M=Rh, 3: M=Ir; dpa=dipyridylamide)在电场作用下的几何和电子结构. 结果表明: 配合物基态均是二重态. 1和2的M₃⁶⁺金属链形成三中心三电子σ键, 3 中M₃⁶⁺形成三中心四电子σ键且存在弱的δ键. 随金属原子周期数增大其M―M键增强、LUMO与HOMO能隙减小、金属原子的反铁磁耦合减弱以至消失且自旋密度向配体的离域增强. 在Cl4→Cl5 电场作用下, 低电势端的M3－Cl5 键缩短, 高电势端的M2―Cl4 键增长, M―M平均键长略为缩短, M―M键增强, 有利于分子线的电子传递; 分子能量降低, 偶极矩线性增大. 低电势端Cl5的负电荷向高电势端Cl4 转移, 且3 中金属原子的正电荷由高电势端向低电势端的转移较明显, 自旋电子由低电势端向高电势端金属原子移动, 但桥联配体dpa^-与M和Cl 所在的分子轴间没有电荷转移. 电场使LUMO与HOMO能隙减小, 有利于分子的电子输运. 随金属原子周期数增大, 电场作用下M―M平均键长变化减小, LUMO、HOMO的能级交错现象减少.