Preparation and properties of polymers from aryl cyclic sulfonium zwitterions

A new class of zwitterionic monomers were prepared in which the positive and negative sites are cyclic sulfonium and phenolate. Thermal polymerization occurs by phenolic anionic attack upon the aliphatic carbon α to the sulfonium sulfur. Polymerization proceeds with ring opening and net loss of charge to form nonionic polymers. The monomeric zwitterions are generally hydrated, crystalline solids that are soluble in water or alcohol. Chlorination of the aromatic portion of the molecule yields nonhydrated species. The polymerizations of 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)tetrahydrothiophenium hydroxide inner salt (dihydrate) and 1-(3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)tetrahydrothiophenium hydroxide inner salt were studied. The latter monomer gave a polymer with M?_n of 46,000 when a nucleophile was present as an initiator. The physical properties of this polymer were determined. Cyclization appears to be the main mechanism of termination in the polymerization of zwitterions.     

Conversion of phenyl-substituted cyclopentadienes to pyrylium cations

Phenyl-substituted cyclopentadienes are proved to form phenylated pyrylium cations in the presence of silver(I) perchlorate by insertion of an oxygen atom into the cyclopentadiene-ring. Three phenylated pyrylium compounds, [(Ph(5)C(5)O(+))(ClO(4)(-))](2)(CH(2)Cl(2)) (1), Ag(ClO(4))(H(2)O)(Ph(4)HC(5)O(+)) (ClO(4)(-)) (2), and (Ph(3)H(2)C(5)O(+))(ClO(4)(-)) (3) have been synthesized and characterized. A possible reaction pathway and formation mechanism of the pyrylium cation are proposed and discussed.     

Electrodeposition of manganese and molybdenum mixed oxide thin films and their charge storage properties

Manganese and molybdenum mixed oxides in a thin film form were deposited anodically on a platinum substrate by cycling the electrode potential between 0 and +1.0 V vs Ag/AgCl in aqueous manganese(II) solutions containing molybdate anion (MoO(4)2-). A possible mechanism for the film formation is as follows. First, electrooxidation of Mn2+ ions with H2O yields Mn oxide and protons. Then, the protons being accumulated near the electrode surface react with MoO(4)2- to form polyoxomolybdate through a dehydrated condensation reaction (by protonation and dehydration). The condensed product coprecipitates with the Mn oxide. Cyclic voltammetry of the Mn/Mo oxide film-coated electrode in aqueous 0.5 M Na2SO4 solution exhibited a pseudocapacitive behavior with higher capacitance and better rate capability than that of the pure Mn oxide prepared similarly, most likely as a result of an increase in electrical conductivity of the film. Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy clearly demonstrated that the observed pseudocapacitive behavior results from reversible extraction/insertion of hydrated protons to balance the charge upon oxidation/reduction of Mn3+/Mn4+ in the film.     

Silver(I) coordination polymers of fluorescent oligo(phenylenevinylene) with pi-pi stackings: luminescence and conductivity

Three luminescent silver(I)-oligo(phenylenevinylene) complexes, [Ag2(bmsb)(ClO4)2] (1), [Ag2(bmsb)(H2O)4](BF4)2 (2), and [Ag2(bdb)(CF3SO3)2] (3) (bmsb = 1, 4-bis(methylstyryl)benzene, bdb = 4,4'-bis(2, 5-dimethylstryryl)biphenyl), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Complexes 1 and 2 are 2D networks with unique metallocyclophane motifs. Complex 3 affords a 2D zigzag sheet, in which silver triflates form tubelike double chains and bdb molecules act as linkages. Complex 2 exhibits high electric conductivity because of columnar aromatic stackings formed through intra- and intermolecular pi-pi interactions. Complexes 1-3 in the solid state exhibit luminescence, of which excitation and emission maxima are shifted to longer wavelength as compared to those of the corresponding metal-free ligands.     

Sandwich-shaped silver(I) metallomacrocycles encapsulating a XF6(2-) (X = Si, Ge and Sn) anion

A series of sandwich-shaped complexes based on two square tetranuclear Ag(I) metallomacrocycles, [[Ag4(pprd)4]2(XF6)]-(BF4)6.8MeNO2 (pprd = 4-(2-pyridyl)pyrimidine; X = Si, Ge and Sn), in which a XF6(2-) anion is encapsulated, were prepared and their structures were characterized both in the solid state and solution.     

Dramatic improvement of catalyst life by rhodium and cerium additives for Ni-based reforming catalysts

Rhodium and cerium were found to be suitable additives for improving the sulfur-tolerance of Ni-based gasoline reforming catalysts. In these cases, the Rh content was only 0.1 wt.% with 5 wt.% of Ce. The lifetime of Rh-Ce-modified Ni-based catalyst is found to be above 600 hours at 1023K, which is over a ten times longer lifetime than that of the unmodified catalysts, when premium gasoline was used.     

Simultaneous anomalous reflection and quartz-crystal microbalance measurements of protein bindings on a gold surface

Protein bindings onto a gold surface were detected simultaneously by QCM (delta F(water)) and anomalous reflection (deltaR) of gold on the same surface in aqueous solutions; the obtained delta F(water)/deltaR values correlated with surface areas and viscosity of proteins.     

Bis(μ‐6‐hydroxy­picolinato)‐μ‐oxo‐bis­[di­pyridine­manganese(III)] monohydrate

The title compound, [Mn₂(μ‐O)(C₆H₃NO₃)₂(C₅H₅N)₄]·H₂O, was isolated from the reaction of 2,6‐pyridine­di­carboxylic acid with [Mn₁₂O₁₂(CH₃COO)₁₆(H₂O)₄] in pyridine. The dimanganese complex has twofold symmetry; the Mn^III atoms are bridged by one oxo and two amidate ligands and show compressed octahedral Jahn–Teller distortion. The molecular packing comprises a three‐dimensional structure constructed by means of extensive intermolecular interactions, including three kinds of hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions.     

Lidar measurement of constituents of microparticles in air by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy using femtosecond terawatt laser pulses

We experimentally demonstrated remote sensing of the constituents of microparticles in air by combining laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and lidar, using femtosecond terawatt laser pulses. Laser pulses of 70 fs duration and 130 mJ energy generated filaments when focused at a focal length of 20 m and the pulses irradiated artificial saltwater aerosols in air at a 10 Hz pulse repetition rate. Na fluorescence was observed remotely at a distance of 16 m using a 318 mm diameter Newtonian telescope, a spectrometer, and an intensified CCD camera. These results show the possibility of remote measurement of the constituents of atmospheric particles, such as aerosols, clouds, and toxic materials, by LIBS-lidar using femtosecond terawatt laser pulses.