Viscoelastic response and interlaminar delamination resistance of epoxy/glass fiber/functionalized graphene oxide multi-scale composites

Graphene oxide (GO) was functionalized using three different diamines, namely ethylenediamine (EDA), 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) and p-phenylenediamine (PPD) to reinforce an epoxy/glass fiber (EP/GF) composite laminate, with the aim of improving the overall composite mechanical performance. Different mechanical characterization techniques were used to determine the mechanical performance, including: tensile stress strain, double cantilever beam (DCB) mode-I fracture toughness and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to support the results and conclusions. The results demonstrated remarkable enhancements in the mechanical performance of EP/GF composite laminates by incorporation of functionalized graphene oxide (FGO) nanofiller, whilst the mechanical performance of the GO reinforced composite only improved marginally. Finally, the mechanical performance of the EP/GF/FGO multi-scale composites was found to be dependent on the type of FGO functional groups; of which EDA exhibited the highest performance. These investigations confirmed that the EDA-FGO-reinforced EP/GF composites possess excellent potential to be used as multifunctional engineering materials in industrial applications.     

Single‐step oxidative homocoupling of aryl Grignard reagents via Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) Complexes under air

A simple catalytic system of direct synthesis for the symmetrical biaryls using catalytic amounts of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes has been developed. The reaction system involves in situ synthesis of Grignard reagents. The complexes, containing bidentate Schiff base and dmit (2‐thioxo‐1,3‐dithiole‐4,5‐dithiolate) ligands, were compatible with diverse functionalities and afford a high yield of biaryls in a single step, proving to be promising catalysts in homocoupling reactions. Atmospheric oxygen is used as an oxidant which renders a green, simple and economical catalytic route. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rhodium-Catalyzed Dimerization of Diaryl Acetylenes in the Presence of Grignard Reagents: Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triphenyl Naphthalene Derivatives

An efficient Rh-catalyzed dimerization of diaryl acetylenes was achieved in the presence of Wilkinson catalyst, AgF₂, and 1.5 equivalent of PhMgBr in toluene, providing the 1,2,3-triaryl naphthalene derivatives in moderate to good yields.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Synthetic Communications to view the free supplemental file.     

Unconventional stereoselective one-pot synthesis of Knoevenagel-type indoles via in situ condensation of iminium salts with active methylene reagents

A simple one-pot procedure for the stereoselective synthesis of Knoevenagel-type indoles is described. The method is based on the in situ reaction of indole iminium salts (four of them are fully characterized) with acyclic symmetrical and unsymmetrical active methylene reagents in the presence of triethylamine. In general, the overall yields are moderate to good. Some of relevant reaction parameters and steric effects affecting stereoselectivity are discussed.     

Acyl migration from N to C in aziridine-2-carboxylic esters

Acyl group migration from N to C in aziridine-2-carboxylates takes place in deprotonation reactions and, as a result, aziridine-2,2-dicarboxylates are formed. Mechanistic studies proved that the observed migration is an intramolecular reaction.     

The Behavior of Certain Coumarins and Furocoumarins Toward Sulfur Reagents

The behavior of 4-hydroxycoumarin (1), 7-hydroxycoumarin (2), 4-hydroxy-bergapten (3), and 4-hydroxyisopimpinellin (4) toward sulfur reagents, namely, thionyl chloride, phosphorus pentasulfide, thiolacetic acid, and Lawesson's reagent (5), was studied. The nature of products in each case depended upon the type of reactants and reaction conditions. Possible reaction mechanisms were considered, and structural elucidations of the new products were based upon compatible elementary and spectroscopic evidences.