Synthesis and characterization of new, modified terphenyl ligands: Increasing the rotational barrier for flanking rings

The synthesis and characterization of some new terphenyl ligands, modified by meta alkyl substitution on the central ring are described. The new ligands were designed for potential applications in the stabilization of novel low valent main group species or transition metal heteronuclear multiply bonded compounds. Compounds (1), (3) (Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl), (5) (Trip = 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl) and (6) (Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) were obtained by addition of two equivalents of the corresponding aryl Grignard reagent to the benzyne intermediate generated by lithiation with BuⁿLi of the starting material 2,4-dichloro-5-isopropylcumene, followed by quenching with iodine. The lithium salts of 2 and 4 were obtained treatment of the parent terphenyl iodides with one equivalent of nBuLi. All compounds were isolated as either colorless crystals or as white powders. They were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and (in the case of 1 and 3) by X-ray crystallography. DFT calculations were performed on model terphenyl molecules in an attempt to estimate how much the rotation barriers of the flanking aryls can be influenced by substitution by alkyl groups of the two meta positions on central ring.     

Alkaline hydrolysis of N-bromoiminothianthrene derivatives

5-(N-Bromo)iminothianthrene (2) and 5-(N-bromo)iminothianthrene 10-oxide (5) and 10,10-dioxide (8) were prepared and their alkaline hydrolyses were studied. The compound 2 and cis-5-(N-bromo)iminothianthrene 10-oxide (cis-5) afforded the corresponding sulfoximine exclusively. While, unexpectedly, both trans-5-(N-bromo)iminothianthrene 10-oxide (trans-5) and 8 afforded mainly de-brominated products, trans-5-iminothianthrene 10-oxide (trans-4) and 5-iminothianthrene 10,10-dioxide (7), respectively. In these cases, 5-iminothianthrene 5,10-dioxide (6) (Z- and E-mixture) and 5-iminothianthrene 5,10,10-trioxide (9) and further de-iminated products were also formed respectively as minor products. The stereochemical considerations on the S_N reactions are described in view of the steric effect and ‘flip-flap’ motion of the thianthrene framework.     

Thermodynamics of organic mixtures containing amines: V. Systems with pyridines

Binary mixtures containing pyridine (PY), or 2-methylpyridine (2MPY) or 3-methylpyridine (3MPY) or 4-methylpyridine (4MPY) and an organic solvent as benzene, toluene, alkane, or 1-alkanol are investigated in the framework of DISQUAC. The corresponding interaction parameters are reported. The model describes accurately a whole set of thermodynamic properties: vapor-liquid equilibria (VLE), liquid-liquid equilibria (LLE), solid-liquid equilibria (SLE), molar excess Gibbs energies (G^E), molar excess enthalpies, (H^E), molar excess heat capacities at constant pressure () and the concentration-concentration structure factor (S_CC(0)). It is remarkable that DISQUAC correctly predicts the W-shaped curve of the of the pyridine + n-hexadecane system. The model can be applied successfully to mixtures with strong positive or negative deviations from the Raoult's law. DISQUAC improves the theoretical results from UNIFAC (Dortmund version). The replacement of pyridine by a methylpyridine leads to a weakening of the amine-amine interactions, ascribed to the steric effect caused by the methyl group attached to the aromatic ring. This explains that for a given solvent (alkane, 1-alkanol) H^E(pyridine) > H^E(methylpyridine).     

Synthesis of rhodium–carbonyl complexes bearing a novel P,N-chelating ligand of Schiff-base type

Schiff-base type N,P-chelating ligands, phosphorus analogues of imino–anilido ligands, were designed and synthesized as a new type of ligands toward transition metals, and the rhodium–carbonyl complexes bearing the novel imino–phosphido and phosphaalkenyl-anilido ligands were synthesized as stable crystalline compounds. Their structures were definitively revealed by X-ray crystallographic analysis, showing the unique electronic features of the ligands. In addition, the effective trans-influence of the phosphorus atom was suggested on the basis of the structural parameters and spectroscopic features of the isolated complexes.     

Coordination steric effect of N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone on the assembly of coordination polymers

Three coordination polymers 1, 2 and 3 have been synthesized in DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide), DMA (N,N-dimethylacetamide) and NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone), respectively. In 1, DMF solvent molecule coordinates to zinc ion as an ancillary ligand, and 1D chain structure is obtained. 2 and 3 are isostructural, in which solvent molecules, DMA and NMP, do not coordinate to zinc ions, and 1D double stranded chain structures are formed. The coordination steric hindrance of the solvents is suggested as the decisive factor of the assemblies. Crystallography and thermoanalysis reveal that 2 and 3 are more stable and also include more guest solvent molecules than 1.     

Aptamer-based electrochemical biosensor for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Botulinum</Emphasis> neurotoxin

We have developed an aptamer-based electrochemical sensor for detection of Botulinum neurotoxin, where steric hindrance is applied to achieve specific signal amplification via conformational change of the aptamer. The incubation time and potassium concentration of the reaction buffer were found to be key parameters affecting the sensitivity of detection of the recognition of Botulinum neurotoxin by the aptamer. Under optimized experimental conditions, a high signal-to-noise ratio was obtained within 24 h with a limit of detection (LOD) of 40 pg/ml by two standard deviation cutoffs above the noise level.     

Polymer Chainmail: Steric Hindrance and Charge Compensation of Anion-Doped PEDOT to Boost Stress Deformation of Compressible Supercapacitor

Conducting polymers with high theoretical capacitance and deformability are among the optimal candidates for compressible supercapacitor electrode materials. However, achieving both mechanical and electrochemical stabilities in a single electrode remains a great challenge. To address this issue, the “Polymer Chainmail” is proposed with reversible deformation capability and enhances stability because of the steric hindrance and charge compensation effect of doped anions. As a proof of concept, four common anions are selected as dopants for Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and their effects on the adsorption and diffusion of H⁺ on PEDOT are verified using density functional theory calculations. Owing to the film formation effect, the doped PEDOT/nitrogen-doped carbon foam exhibits good mechanical properties. Furthermore, the composite demonstrates excellent rate performance and stability due to suitable anion doping. This finding provides new insights into the preparation of electrochemically stable conductive polymer-based compressible electrode materials.     

Regulating Steric Hindrance of Porous Organic Polymers in Composite Solid-State Electrolytes to Induce the Formation of LiF-Rich SEI in Li-Ion Batteries

Lithium fluoride (LiF) at the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) contributes to the stable operation of polymer-based solid-state lithium metal batteries. Currently, most of the methods for constructing lithium fluoride SEI are based on the design of polar groups of fillers. However, the mechanism behind how steric hindrance of fillers impacts LiF formation remains unclear. This study synthesizes three kinds of porous polyacetal amides (PAN-X, X=NH₂, NH-CH₃, N-(CH₃)₂) with varying steric hindrances by regulating the number of methyl substitutions of nitrogen atoms on the reaction monomer, which are incorporated into polymer composite solid electrolytes, to investigate the regulation mechanism of steric hindrance on the content of lithium fluoride in SEI. The results show that bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI⁻) will compete for the charge without steric effect, while excessive steric hindrance hinders the interaction between TFSI⁻ and polar groups, reducing charge acquisition. Only when one hydrogen atom on the amino group is replaced by a methyl group, steric hindrance from the methyl group prevents TFSI⁻ from capturing charge in that direction, thereby facilitating the transfer of charge from the polar group to a separate TFSI⁻ and promoting maximum LiF formation. This work provides a novel perspective on constructing LiF-rich SEI.