Atom transfer radical polymerization of butadiene using MoO2Cl2/PPh3 as the catalyst

Atom transfer radical polymerization has been used to successfully synthesize polybutadiene. This was achieved by using MoO2Cl2/triphenyl phosphine as the catalyst and the various organic halide compounds such as methyl-2-chloropropionate, CCl4, 1,4-dichloromethyl benzene, I-phenylethyl chloride, and benzyl chloride as initiators. The monomer conversion increased up to 50% with polymerization time. The polydispersity indices of the polymers were as high as above 1.5. However, the polymerizations were controlled and the polydispersity indices of the polymers were less than 1.5 throughout the polymerization in reverse atom transfer radical polymerization. The chemical structure of the polymer obtained was characterized by (HNMR)-H-1 and FTIR. The valency states of molybdenum in this reactive system were detected by UV-vis spectra.

Charge transfer across the water/nitrobenzene interface by three-electrode system

A droplet of aqueous solution containing a certain molar ratio of redox couple is first attached onto a platinum electrode surface, then the resulting drop electrode is immersed into the organic solution containing very hydrophobic electrolyte. Combined with reference and counter electrodes, a classical three-electrode system has been constructed, Ion transfer (IT) and electron transfer (ET) are investigated systematically using three-electrode voltammetry. Potassium ion transfer and electron transfer between potassium ferricyanide in the aqueous phase and ferrocene in nitrobenzene are observed with potassium ferricyanide/potassium ferrocyanide as the redox couple. Meanwhile, the transfer reactions of lithium, sodium, potassium, proton and ammonium ions are obtained with ferric sulfate/ferrous sulfate as the redox couple. The formal transfer potentials and the standard Gibbs transfer energy of these ions are evaluated and consistent with the results obtained by a four-electrode system and other methods.

Voltammetric study of the sodium ion transfer across micro-water/1,2-dichloroethane interface facilitated by terminal-vinyl liquid crystal crown ether

Sodium ion transfer across micro-water/1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) interface facilitated by a novel ionophore, terminal-vinyl liquid crystal crown ether (LCCE) was studied by cyclic voltammetry. LCCEs have potential applications because of their physicochemical properties and the utilization of crown ethers as selective ionophoric units in other functionalized compounds are interesting. Host-guest-type behavior for such compounds in the liquid-crystalline state is studied. The experimental results suggest that the transfer of the sodium ion facilitated by LCCE was controlled by diffusion of LCCE from bulk solution of DCE to the interface. The diffusion coefficient of LCCE in DCE was calculated to be equal to (3.62 +/- 0.20) x 10(-6) cm(2)/s. Steady-state voltammograms are due to sodium ion transfer facilitated by the formation of 1: 1 metal (M)-LCCE complex at the interface and the mechanism tends to be transfer by interfacial complexation or dissociation (TIC or TID). The stability constant of the complex formed was determined to be log beta(o) = 5.5 in DCE phase. The influence of parameters such as concentration of sodium ion and concentration of LCCE on the sodium ion transfer was investigated.

The development in oxidation of olefins to ketones catalyzed by palladium compounds

The development in the oxidation of olefins to ketones catalyzed by palladium compounds was reviewed. Some improved methods for the oxidation of olefins catalyzed by Wacker-type catalyst systems are also summarized. For this reaction, some new catalyst systems and the reaction mechanism are described. Emphasis has been given to the applications of Pd(I)/HPA(heteropoly acid), Pd(I)/FePc (iron phthalocyanine), Pd (I)/HQ (hydroquinone)/FePc, Pd (I)/HQ/HPA, Pd (I)/CuSO4/HPA catalyst systems in the oxidation of olefins to ketones; the application of Pd(I)/LCoNO2, PdCl2 (MeCN)(2)/CuCl, Pd(OAc)(2)/ pyridine, fluorous biphasic catalyst systems in the oxidation of olefins to ketones is also surveyed.

Amperometric tyrosinase biosensor based on a sol-gel-derived titanium oxide-copolymer composite matrix for detection of phenolic compounds

A new type of tyrosinase biosensor was developed for the detection of phenolic compounds, based on the immobilization of tyrosinase in a sol-gel-derived composite matrix that is composed of titanium oxide sol and a grafting copolymer of poly(vinyl alcohol) with 4-vinylpyridine. Tyrosinase entrapped in the composite matrix can retain its activity to a large extent owing to the good biocompatibility of the matrix. The parameters of the fabrication process and the variables of the experimental conditions for the enzyme electrode were optimized. The resulting sensor exhibited a fast response (20 s), high sensitivity (145.5 muA mmol(-1) 1) and good storage stability. A detection limit of 0.5 muM catechol was obtained at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3.

EQCM characterization of self-assembled kinetics of 4-pyridyl hydroquinone at Pt surface and its ion transfer in electrochemical redox

The adsorbed kinetics, proton transportation in electrochemical redox process of 4-pyridyl hydroquinone (4PHQ) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) modified Pt electrode were studied by electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) in situ. It proved that the electrode was modified by a monolayer and underwent a rapid electron transfer. It was a slow adsorbed kinetic process. The ion transfer in the electrochemical redox at the SAM-modified electrode surface mainly involved into the hydrate hydrogen ion.

Effect of lanthanum ions on tRNA(Phe) structure: Imino proton NMR spectroscopy

The effect of lanthanum ions on the structural and conformational change of yeast tRNA(Phe) was studied by H-1 NMR. The results suggest that the tertiary base pair (G-15)(C-48), which was located in the terminal in the augmented dihydrouridine helix (D-helix), was markedly affected by adding La3+ and shifted 0.33 downfield. Based pair (U-8)(A-14), which is associated with a tertiary interaction, links the base of the acceptor stem to the D-stem and anchors the elbow of the L structure, shifted 0.20 upfield. Another imino proton that may be affected by La3+ in tRNA(Phe) is the tertiary base pair (G-19)(C-56). The assignment of this resonance is tentative since it is located in the region of highly overlapping resonances between 12.6 and 12.2. This base pair helps to anchor the D-loop to the T psi C loop.

Structure, luminescence and magnetic properties of AgLnW(2)O(8) (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb and Dy) compounds

Four new compounds AgLnW(2)O(8) (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb and Dy) are prepared by solid-state reactions. They crystallize with a scheelite-related monoclinic symmetry. Infrared (IR) spectra show complicated absorption transitions in the region of 1000-400 cm(-1) that are similar to those of AgLnMo(2)O(8). Broad excitation and emission bands of the tungstate group are observed in AgGdW2O8 and AgTbW2O8 with a large Stokes shift, 12 573 and 12 387 cm(-1), respectively. Excitation and emission spectra of AgLnW(2)O(8) (Ln = Eu, Gd and Tb) show that energy transfer from the tungstate to EU3+, Gd3+ and Tb3+ occurs and that Eu3+ ions occupy a single crystallographic site with the C-2 Site symmetry. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fragmentations of some bifunctional phenylether compounds by intermediate ion/neutral complexes

The fragmentations of three bifunctional phenylether compounds including 2-(2, 6-dichloro)phenoxyl propionitrile, N-hydroxyl-4-butoxyl phenylacetyl amine(bufexamc) and 2-(1-methylethoxyl) phenol methylcarbamate (Propoxur) under electron impact ionization were reported, Metastable ion(MI) and collision-induced dissociation(CID) at a low energy have been used to study the fragmentation pathways from molecular ions. Apart from the simple bond cleavages, and the unimolecular dissociations via ion/neutral complex intermediate as a competitive mechanism were demonstrated, Moreover, the intramolecular hydrogen transfer and double hydrogen transfers in the fragmentations of these compounds were discussed in detail.

Structure and luminescence properties of some new AgLnW(2)O(8) compounds

Three new compounds, AgLnW(2)O(8) (Ln(3+)=Eu, Gd or Tb), have been prepared by a solid-state reaction and crystallize with a scheelite-related monoclinic symmetry. Their IR spectra show absorption transitions in the region 1000-400 cm(-1) similar to KLnW(2)O(8). Broad excitation and emission bands of the tungstate group with a large Stokes shift (12573 cm(-1)) are observed in AgGdW2O8. Excitation and emission spectra of AgLnW(2)O(8) (Ln=Eu or Tb) show that energy transfer from tungstate to Eu and Tb occurs and that Eu3+ ions occupy a unique crystallographic site with C-2 site symmetry.

ELECTRON-TRANSFER BETWEEN EU AND TB IN COMPLEX FLUORIDES

Europium (II) and europium (III) have been observed in MMgF(4):xEu, yTb (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) phosphors using their typical photoluminescence spectra when are synthesized in Ar or an Ar/H-2 stream. The valence state of Eu is influenced by terbium. It is notable that the intensities of the electron spin resonance peaks corresponding to Eu2+ change in a regular way when terbium ions are incorporated which can be explained by an electron transfer mechanism.

LUMINESCENCE AND ENERGY-TRANSFER IN GDP5O14-EU3+,SM3+ SINGLE-CRYSTALS

In this paper we report on the luminescence and energy transfer in GdP4O14:Eu3+,Sm3+ (GdPP:Eu,Sm) in single crystals grown by the hydrothermal method. The room temperature excitation, emission, absorption and IR spectra of the crystals have been measured and analysed. The energy transfer from Gd3+ and Sm3+ to Eu3+ ions in GPP:Eu,Sm crystals is also discussed.

Aminic nitrogen-bearing polydentate Schiff base compounds as corrosion inhibitors for iron in acidic media: A quantum chemical calculation

Quantum chemical calculations based on DFT method were performed on three polydentate Schiff base compounds (PSCs) used as corrosion inhibitors for iron in acid media to determine the relationship between the molecular structure of PSC and inhibition efficiency. The structural parameters, such as the frontier molecular orbital energy HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) and LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital), the charge distribution of the studied inhibitors, the absolute electronegativity (chi) values, and the fraction of electrons (Delta N) transfer from inhibitors to iron, were also calculated and correlated with inhibition efficiencies. The results showed that the inhibition efficiency of PSCs increased with the increase in E-HOMO and decrease in E-LUMO-E-HOMO; and the areas containing N atoms are most possible sites for bonding the metal iron surface by donating electrons to the metal. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigation of catalyst effects in enantioselective copper- and rhodium-mediated transformations of α-diazocarbonyl compounds

This thesis describes the synthesis and reactivity of a series of α-diazocarbonyl compounds with particular emphasis on the use of copper-bis(oxazoline)-mediated enantioselective C–H insertion reactions leading to enantioenriched cyclopentanone derivatives. Through the use of additives, the enantioselectivity achieved with the copper catalysts for the first time reaches synthetically useful levels (up to 91% ee). Chapter one provides a comprehensive overview of enantioselective C–H insertions with α-diazocarbonyl compounds from the literature. The majority of reports in this section involve rhodium-catalysed systems with limited reports to date of asymmetric C–H insertion reactions in the presence of copper catalysts. Chapter two focuses on the synthesis and C–H insertion reactions of α-diazo-β-keto sulfones leading to α-sulfonyl cyclopentanones as the major product. Detailed investigation of the impact of substrate structure (both the sulfonyl substitutent and the substituent at the site of insertion), the copper source, ligand, counterion, additive and solvent was undertaken to provide an insight into the mechanistic basis for enantiocontrol in the synthetically powerful C–H insertion process and to enable optimisation of enantiocontrol and ligand design. Perhaps the most significant outcome of this work is the enhanced enantioselection achieved through use of additives, substantially improving the synthetic utility of the asymmetric C–H insertion process. In addition to the C–H insertion reaction, mechanistically interesting competing reaction pathways involving hydride transfer are observed. Chapter three reports the extension of the catalyst-additive systems, developed for C–H insertions with α-diazo-β-keto sulfones in chapter two, to C–H insertion in analogous α-diazo-β-keto phosphonate and α-diazo-β-keto ester systems. While similar patterns were seen in terms of ligand effects, the enantiopurities achieved for these reactions were lower than those in the cyclisations with analogous α-diazo-β-keto sulfones. Extension of this methodology to cyclopropanation and oxium ylide formation/[2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement was also explored. Chapter four contains the full experimental details and spectral characterisation of all novel compounds synthesised in this project, while details of chiral stationary phase HPLC analysis and X-ray crystallography are included in the appendix.

Synthesis and reactivity of pyridine substituted α-diazocarbonyl compounds and exploration of rhodium carboxylates as asymmetric catalysts

The primary objective of this thesis was the preparation of a series of pyridine-containing α-diazocarbonyl compounds and subsequent investigation of the reactivity of these compounds on exposure to transition metal catalysts. In particular, the reactivity of the pyridyl α-diazocarbonyls was compared to that of the analogous phenyl α-diazocarbonyl compounds to ascertain the impact of replacement of the phenyl ring with pyridine. The first chapter initially provides a brief introduction into α-diazocarbonyl chemistry, comprising a compendium of well-established and recently developed methods in the preparation of these compounds, as well as an outline of the reactivity of these versatile substrates. The substantive element of this introductory chapter comprises a detailed review focused on transition metal-catalysed transformations of heterocyclic α-diazocarbonyl compounds, highlighting the extraordinary diversity of reaction products which can be accessed. This review is undertaken to set the work of this thesis in context. The results of this research are discussed in the second and third chapters together with the associated experimental details, including spectroscopic and analytical data obtained in the synthesis of all compounds during this research. The second chapter describes the preparation of a range of novel pyridine-containing α-diazocarbonyl compounds via a number of synthetic strategies including both acylation and diazo transfer methodologies. In contrast to the phenyl analogues, the generation of the pyridine α-diazocarbonyl substrates was complicated by a number of factors including the inherent basicity of the pyridine ring, tautomerism and existence of rotamers. Rhodium- and copper-mediated transformations of the pyridine-containing α-diazocarbonyl compounds is discussed in detail displaying very different reactivity patterns to those seen with the phenyl analogues; oxidation to 2,3- diketones, 1,2-hydride shift to form enones and oxonium and sulfonium ylide formation/rearrangement are prominent in the pyridyl series, with no evidence of aromatic addition to the pyridine ring. The third chapter focuses on exploration of novel chiral rhodium(II) catalysts, developed in the Maguire team, in both intermolecular cyclopropanations and intramolecular C–H insertion reactions. In this chapter, the studies are focused on standard α-diazocarbonyl compounds without heteroaryl substituents. The most notable outcome was the achievement of high enantiopurities for intramolecular C–H insertions, which were competitive with, and even surpassed, established catalyst systems in some cases. This work has provided insight into solvent and temperature effects on yields as well as enantio- and diastereoselectivity, thereby providing guidance for future development and design of chiral rhodium carboxylate catalysts. While this is a preliminary study, the significance of the results lie in the fact that these are the first reactions to give substantial asymmetric induction with these novel rhodium carboxylates. While the majority of the α-diazocarbonyl compounds explored in this work were α-diazoketones, a number of α-diazoesters are also described. Details of chiral stationary phase HPLC analysis, single crystal analysis and 2D NMR experiments are included in the Appendix (Appendix III-V).