Polymer bound glutamic acid salicylaldehyde Schiff‐base complex ­catalyst for oxidation of olefins with ­dioxygen

The polymer bound Schiff‐base ligand (PS‐SalGlu) has been prepared from polystyrene bound salicylaldehyde and glutamic acid, and its complex (PS‐SalGlu‐Co) has also been synthesized. The polymer ligand and its complex were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, small area X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectro (ICP‐AFS). In the presence of the complex, cyclohexene can be effectively oxidized by molecular oxygen without reductant. The long‐chain linear aliphatic olefins, such as 1‐octene, 1‐decene, 1‐dodecene and 1‐tetradecene, can be directly oxidized by molecular oxygen catalyzed by PS‐SalGlu‐Co, which affords the 1,2‐epoxy alkane. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Approaching supramolecular functionality

Functional molecules require a high degree of complexity which is difficult to achieve by covalent synthesis. This article discusses supramolecular approaches to the creation of larger architectures through noncovalent bonds, self-assembly, and template strategies. It highlights selected examples for the structural and conformational control of function and attempts to identify difficulties and challenges which may arise in future.     

Modellbetrachtungen zum Verständnis unerwarteter Eigenschaften der metalloiden Clusterverbindung [Ga84(N(SiMe3)2)20][Li6Br2(THF)20]·2Toluol

Towards the Understanding of the Unexpected Properties of the Metalloid Cluster Compound [Ga₈₄(N(SiMe₃)₂)₂₀][Li₆Br₂(THF)₂₀]·2Toluol In several short communications we have recently reported on the electrical and superconducting properties of the crystalline title compound 1 which contains anionic Ga₈₄R₂₀‐moieties. Here we present a collection of these results, complemented and interpreted by using DFT‐calculations on model clusters (Ga₈₄(NH₂)₂₀^?). These calculations allow a) a first insight into the dynamics of the Ga₈₄‐moieties (e.g. a rotation of the central Ga₂‐dumbbell) and thus an explanation of the temperature‐dependent Ga‐NMR‐spectra described recently, and b) estimations on the lattice energy of 1 and its resulting unexpected energetic stabilization compared to metallic gallium. A possible contribution of the cations in the electrical conduction mechanism of 1 can also be made feasible with model calculations. The basis for all the results presented is to be found in the “perfect” arrangement of nanoscopic Ga₈₄‐clusters in the crystal. This theoretically predicted condition for superconductivity in a “chain” of identical metal cluster molecules is a requirement which can hardly be realized by means of physical fabrication methods. Therefore, on the one hand the results presented here make for some disillusionment in the field of nanoscience, but on the other hand, especially in the field of synthetic chemistry, they present rewarding challenges for fundamental work in the future.     

Rapidly converging lattice sums for nonelectrostatic interactions

The relative energies of one-, two-, and three-dimensional Bravais lattice Lennard-Jones particles can be calculated by lattice sums. The expression of lattice sums over a Lennard-Jones potential can be manipulated into a form that converges rapidly. A formalism capable of calculating the lattice potential at arbitrary points of a completely general lattice has been developed. This method provides an alternative way to calculate the relative energies from the surface and the interior bulk sites of many chemical systems. The method is illustrated with application to hcp and fcc Lennard-Jonesium, both for the relative binding energy and for calculating the potential along the geometric diffusion pathway between tetrahedral and octahedral interstitial sites. Diffusion from the tetrahedral site to the octahedral site experiences a barrier of 752.600 in units of 4 epsilon. The reverse pathway experiences a barrier of 1035.614 in units of 4 epsilon.     

Evaluation of a retention model in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Modeling the retention in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) was achieved using retention indices obtained in conventional GC. Predicted results were compared with experimental data obtained in the two-dimensional separation of a synthetic hydrocarbon mixture. This proved to be helpful in optimizing the operating conditions of GC x GC separation of a complex petroleum sample and in identifying chemical families.     

All Solid‐State pH Electrode Based on Titanium Nitride Sensitive Film

Titanium nitride was used as pH‐sensitive material to fabricate all solid‐state pH electrode. The fabrication and the response performance of the pH electrode were described in the paper. The TiN film electrode showed a linear response in the pH range of 2–12 with a near‐Nenstian response (?55 mV/pH). The response time was within 1 min, and the electrode had good reproducibility, stability and low sensitivities for different species. Compared with the glass pH electrode, the electrode exhibited some advantages, for example, without activation, rapid response and high mechanical strength. In addition, the electrode performed excellently in a corrosion medium containing F^?(1 M). Electrochemical behaviors of TiN electrode in Britton‐Robinson buffers were studied with Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS).     

The initial oxidation of magnesium: an in situ study with XPS,HERDA and ellipsometry

The initial oxidation of magnesium at oxygen partial pressures between 1.3 × 10^?8 and 1.3 × 10^?5 Pa and at temperatures ranging from 273 to 550 K has been investigated in situ with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ellipsometry and high resolution elastic recoil detection analysis (HERDA). Quantitative analysis of the XPS spectra showed a clear oxygen deficiency with respect to MgO for the initial oxide. HERDA measurements confirmed this relatively low oxygen content in the thin oxide layers formed. Ellipsometry measurements showed that the electronic structure of the initially formed oxide differs significantly from that of bulk MgO. The band gap values at room temperature for the oxide layers investigated are clearly smaller than the value for bulk MgO. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure and dynamics of self-assembled poly(ethylene glycol) based coiled-coil nano-objects.

Herein we describe the structure and dynamics of self-assembled nano-objects generated from poly(ethylene glycol) based (PEG-ylated) coiled-coil hybrid block copolymers. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments on spin-labeled samples provided a strong indication for a parallel alignment of the peptide helices in at least the dimeric coiled-coil nano-object and indicated that the PEG chains are folded rather closely around the peptide core of the nano-objects. The EPR results were supported by AFM studies, which revealed the presence of discrete nanosized objects in thin, spin cast films of the block copolymers on mica substrates. Since their size and structure may be engineered via directed mutations in the amino acid sequence, these nano-objects may be interesting building blocks for the development of supramolecular materials with various potential applications.     

On the Rigidity of Polynorbornenes with Dipolar Pendant Groups

A range of polynorbornenes (PNBs) with fused dipolar pendant groups at C‐5,6 positions was synthesized by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization catalyzed by a ruthenium carbene complex (Grubbs I). Photophysical studies, EFISH measurements, and atomic force microscopy images have been used to investigate the structures and morphology of these polymers. These results suggest that the polymers may adopt rigid rod‐like structures. The presence of the double bonds in PNBs appeared to be indispensable for the rigidity of the polymers. Interaction between unsaturated pendant groups may result in coherent alignment leading to a rod‐like structure.     

Nonisothermal Kinetics of Sub‐Solidus Phase Transitions in C10Zn,C16Zn and Their Binary System

Nonisothermal kinetics of the solid‐solid phase transition in (n‐C₁₀H₂₁NH₃)₂ZnCl₄(C₁₀Zn), (n‐C₁₆H₃₃NH₃)₂ZnCl₄(C₁₆Zn) and their binary system were determined by Kissinger and Ozawa methods from DSC measurements. The activation energy E_a of the binary system shows a waving dependence on W_C10Zn%, which is caused by not only an intermediate (C₁₀H₂₁NH₃)(n‐C₁₆H₃₃NH₃)ZnCl₄ but also three solid solution ranges (α, β, γ) in the phase diagram of C₁₀Zn‐C₁₆Zn. The variations of the layer d‐spacing are also convenient for the above result.