Synthesis and characterization of poly(higher‐α‐olefin)s with a nickel(α‐diimine)/methylaluminoxane catalyst system: Effect of chain running on the polymer properties

Homopolymerization of octadecene‐1 at different reaction conditions has been studied. Significant chain running can be seen at higher polymerization temperatures. Interestingly, insertion of octadecene‐1 into a sterically hindered nickel‐cation/carbon (secondary) bond is observed. The microstructure of the polymer was established using NMR spectroscopy. The effects of chain running on polymer melting, crystallization behavior, and dynamic mechanical thermal properties were studied using DSC and DMTA. The extent of chain running (i.e., 2,ω‐, 1,ω‐enchainments) decreases with an increase in the carbon number of α‐olefins. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 191–210, 2007     

Preparation of quinoxalines, dihydropyrazines, pyrazines and piperazines using tandem oxidation processes

Alpha-hydroxyketones undergo MnO2-mediated oxidation followed by in situ trapping with aromatic or aliphatic 1,2-diamines to give quinoxalines or dihydropyrazines, respectively, in a one pot procedure which avoids the need to isolate the highly reactive 1,2-dicarbonyl intermediates. Modifications of the procedure allow the formation of pyrazines and piperazines.     

Highly substituted pyridines via tethered imine-enamine (TIE) methodology

A tethered imine-enamine methodology has been developed for the direct conversion of 1,2,4-triazines into highly substituted pyridines via the inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction which avoids the need for a discrete aromatisation step. This TIE methodology has also been applied in one pot reaction cascades involving 1,2,4-triazines and utilising MnO(2)-mediated tandem oxidation processes (TOPs).     

Nucleation and growth mechanism of Pd/Pt bimetallic clusters in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelles as studied by in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy

We report in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) investigations on the formation of palladium-platinum (Pd/Pt) bimetallic clusters at the early stage within the water-in-oil microemulsion system of water/AOT/n-heptane. The reduction of palladium and platinum ions and the formation of corresponding clusters are monitored as a function of dosage of reducing agent, hydrazine (N(2)H(5)OH). Upon successive addition of the reducing agent, hydrazine (N(2)H(5)OH), five distinguishable steps are observed in the formation process of Pd/Pt clusters at the early stage. Both in situ X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis for both the Pd K-edge and Pt L(III)-edge revealed the formation of Pd/Pt bimetallic clusters. A corresponding structural model is proposed for each step to provide a detailed insight into the nucleation and growth mechanism of Pd/Pt bimetallic clusters. We also discussed the atomic distribution of Pd and Pt atoms in Pd/Pt bimetallic clusters based on the calculated XAS structural parameters.     

Preparation of polymandelide by reaction of α-bromophenylacetic acid and triethylamine

Polymandelide was prepared in 77% yield by reaction of α-bromophenylacetic acid and triethylamine. The product was characterized by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR and IR spectra and isolation and identification of mandelic acid from hydrolysis of the polymer. The NMR spectra indicate the presence of tacticity at CH in the polymer. Molecular weights were determined by GPC and viscosity measurements; n values of 12–20 are comparable to those reported for polymandelides prepared by other methods. The x-ray powder diffraction pattern showed the product to be completely amorphous. Thermal decomposition was studied using DSC.     

The influence of indoxyl sulfate and ammonium on the autofluorescence of human urine

Despite biological variability the spectral characteristics of undiluted human urine show relatively low autofluorescence at short UV (250-300 nm) excitation. However with dilution the fluorescence intensity remarkably increases. This paper examines the mechanisms behind this effect, by using excitation-emission matrices. Corrections for the inner filter effect were made for improved understanding of the spectral patterns. We focused on three major fluorophores (tryptophan, indoxyl sulfate and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetate) that are excited at these wavelengths, and whose content in urine is strongly linked with various health conditions. Their fluorescence was studied both individually and in combinations. We also examined the effect of ammonium on the fluorescence of these major fluorophores individually and in combinations. Through these studies we have identified the leading effects that reduce the UV fluorescence, namely higher concentration of indoxyl sulfate producing the inner filter effect and concentration quenching and quenching of fluorophores by ammonium. This result will assist in broader utilisation of UV fluorescence in medical diagnostics.     

Accurate measurement of thermal expansion of solids between 77 K and 350 K by 3-terminal capacitance method

The construction of a three-terminal capacitance cell and a bath type cryostat to measure thermal expansion of solids in the temperature range 77 K to 350 K is described. Calculation of the thermal expansion coefficients by using spline approximation is discussed along with the various errors involved in the measurement. The capacitance cell is calibrated by using aluminium and germanium as standard reference materials. The cell has an accuracy of 4% in the measurement of thermal expansion coefficient and a resolution of 1 Å change in length of sample of length 1 cm.     

Expeditious,Nano-BF3 · SiO2-Catalyzed Michaelis–Arbuzov Reaction in an Ionic Liquid: Synthesis of Privileged Aryl/Heterocyclic Phosphonates

An expeditious, simple, and green method was developed for the synthesis of privileged aryl/heterocyclicphosphonates, 8(a–c) to 13(a–c) through Michaelis–Arbuzov reaction of aryl/heterocyclic halides (Br), 1–6, and trialkylphosphites, 7(a–c), in room-temperature ionic liquid [bbim]Br using heterogeneous Lewis catalyst, nano-silica-supported boron trifluoride (BF₃-SiO₂). The advantages of this protocol are simplicity, good yield of the products, less reaction time (20–38 min), mild reaction conditions, easy workup, and reusability of the catalyst and ionic liquid. It is demonstrated that nano-BF₃-SiO₂ is a recoverable and easy accessible catalyst for the formation of C(sp²)-P bond in an ionic liquid.