Synthesis and application of polymer-supported N-sulfonylated aminoalcohols as enantioselective catalysts

Two novel cross-linked polystyrene-supported N-sulfonylated β-aminoalcohol resins 13 and 14 have been prepared from radical co-polymerizations of styrene, divinylbenzene, and styrenes bearing a para-substituent of N-sulfonylated aminoalcohol. Resins 13 and 14 were obtained in high yields of 85.8 and 84.7%, and were characterized by IR and solid state ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. Elemental analyses reveal that 1 g of resin 13 contains 0.93 mmol bidentate N-sulfonylated β-aminoalcohol. The ligand content in tridentate resin 14 is calculated to be 0.95 mmol/g. The Ti(O-i-Pr)₄/13 catalytic system works excellently in asymmetric ZnEt₂ additions to aldehydes affording secondary alcohols in ≥90% ee. Resin 13 can be reused 9 times without losing any activity, giving the product with enantioselectivities ≥87% ee. The Ti(O-i-Pr)₄/14 system was used only once in asymmetric AlEt₃ additions to a variety of aldehydes affording secondary alcohols in good to excellent enantioselectivities from 73 to 92% ee.     

Electrochemical study of stable N-alkoxyarylaminyl radicals

The electrochemical study of N-tert-butoxy-2,4-diphenyl-6-tert-butylphenylaminyl (1a), N-tert-butoxy-2,4-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-6-tert-butylphenylaminyl (1b), N-[2-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-propyl]-2,4-diphenyl-6-tert-butylphenylaminyl (2), and N-tert-butoxy-2,4,6-tris(4-chlorophenyl)phenylaminyl radicals (3) was performed by cyclic voltammetry using acetonitrile as the solvent and Bu₄NPF₆ as the supporting electrolyte. On cathodic scan (100 mV/s), all the radicals gave chemically reversible cyclic voltammograms, and the were determined to be −1.405 V (1a), −1.310 V (2a), −1.282 V (2b), and −1.195 V (3) (versus Fc⁺/Fc), respectively. On anodic scan (100 mV/s), on the other hand, 1a, 1b and 2 showed chemically reversible cyclic voltammograms, but 3 exhibited a partially reversible couple even on a scan rate of 500 mV/s, indicating that the cation species of 3 was less stable. The determined for 1a, 1b, 2 and 3 were 0.220, 0.280, 0.318 and 0.294 V (versus Fc⁺/Fc), respectively. The electrochemical data were compared with those of thioaminyl radicals, the corresponding sulfur analogues of 1-3.     

Synthesis and properties of polyacetylenes carrying N-phenylcarbazole and triphenylamine moieties

Novel acetylene monomers containing N-phenyl-substituted carbazole (Cz) and triphenylamine (TPA) groups, namely, 3-ethynyl-9-phenylcarbazole (1) and p-(N,N-diphenylamino)phenylacetylene (2) were synthesized, and polymerized with several Rh-, W-, and Mo-based catalysts. Poly(1) and poly(2) with high number-average molecular weights (15?500-974?000) were obtained in good yields (77-97%), when [(nbd)RhCl]₂-Et₃N (nbd = norbornadiene) was used as a catalyst. The polymers exhibited UV-vis absorption peaks derived from the Cz and TPA moieties at 250-350 nm and polyacetylene backbone above 350 nm. The UV-vis absorption band edge wavelengths of the polymers were longer than those of the corresponding monomers. Poly(2) exhibited a UV-vis absorption peak at a longer wavelength than poly(1) did, which indicates that poly(2) has main chain conjugation longer than that of poly(1). The molecular weights and photoluminescence quantum yields of the polymers obtained by the polymerization using [(nbd)RhCl]₂-Et₃N were larger than those of the Rh⁺(nbd)[η⁶-C₆H₅B⁻(C₆H₅)₃]-based counterparts. The cyclic voltammograms of the polymers indicated that they had clear electrochemical properties; the onset oxidation voltage of poly(1) was higher than those of N-alkyl-substituted Cz derivatives. The polymers showed electrochromism and changed the color from pale yellow to blue by application of voltage, presumably caused by the formation of charged polaron at the Cz and TPA moieties. The temperatures for 5% weight loss of the polymers were around 350-420 °C under air, indicating the high thermal stability.     

Novel poly(diphenylacetylene)s with both alkyl and silyl groups as gas permeable membranes: Synthesis, desilylation, and gas permeability

Diphenylacetylenes having a dimethyloctylsilyl group and an alkyl group at para positions [Me₂n-C₈H₁₇SiC₆H₄CCC₆H₄R; R = H (1a), i-Pr (1b), t-Bu (1c), n-Bu (1d)] and having only an alkyl group [PhCCC₆H₄R; R = i-Pr (1B), t-Bu (1C)] were synthesized and then polymerized with TaCl₅/n-Bu₄Sn catalyst to provide the corresponding poly(diphenylacetylene)s (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2B, and 2C). The formed polymers afforded tough free-standing membranes by casting from toluene solutions. Desilylation reaction of Si-containing membranes (2a-d) was carried out with trifluoroacetic acid to give the desilylated membranes (3a-d). The permeability of these membranes to O₂, N₂, and CO₂ were determined. All the Si-containing membranes exhibited almost the same gas permeability. The desilylation of Si-containing membranes of 2a-c resulted in large increase of gas permeability. No apparent increasing of gas permeability was observed in the desilylation of 2d. To clarify the effects of desilylation, CO₂ diffusivity (D(CO₂)), CO₂ solubility (S(CO₂)), and fractional free volume (FFV) of the polymer membranes were investigated. The S(CO₂) values of desilylated membranes were much larger than that of Si-containing counterparts. The D(CO₂) and FFV of membranes of 2a-c increased through desilylation. The desilylated membrane of 3d had small D(CO₂) value and almost the same FFV compared with 2d. Further, the comparison of the permeability between three types of membranes with the same chemical structure revealed that the microvoids were not generated by the desilylation of membranes of poly(diphenylacetylene)s containing alkyl groups.     

Pd-catalyzed hydrosilylation polymerization of a dihydrosilane with diyne/triyne mixed systems affording crosslinked silylene-divinylene polymers and their properties

Treatment of a dihydrosilane (methylphenylsilane, 1) with mixtures of a diyne (p- or m-diethynylbenzene, 2a or 2b) and a triyne (1,3,5-triethynylbenzene, 3a or B,B′,B″-triethynyl-N,N′,N″-trimethylborazine, 3b; 1:2:3=100:95:5, 100:90:10, 100:80:20) in the presence of Pd-PCy₃ (Cy=cyclohexyl) catalyst gave new crosslinked silylenedivinylene polycarbosilanes. In TGA the resulting crosslinked polymers tended to show higher Td₅ values and higher char yields than the corresponding linear polymers. On the other hand, UV/vis absorption spectra of the crosslinked polymers obtained in the reactions of 2a or 2b with 3a exhibited increased broad peaks around 390 nm for 2a or 360 nm for 2b. Coincidently, their fluorescence spectra showed significant increase of the emission peaks in 400-550 nm. The crosslinked polymer derived from 2a and 3b, however, showed decrease of the absorption peak around 390 nm and profound depression of fluorescence peaks in 400-550 nm.     

Hydrolytic processes and condensation reactions in the cellulose solvent system N,N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride. Part 2: degradation of cellulose

Certain cellulose samples, especially those of higher molecular weight, are initially insoluble in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc, 1)/lithium chloride, which is a very common solvent system for cellulosic materials. According to a common protocol, heating or refluxing these samples in DMAc, or in DMAc containing dissolved LiCl, represents one of several so-called ‘activation’ procedures, which are aimed at facilitating subsequent dissolution. In the present work, it is shown that the improved solubility achieved by this method is not only caused by a better activation or improved accessibility of the pulp, but also by a progressing degradation of the cellulosic material (DP loss).The degradation of cellulose in DMAc or DMAc/LiCl is due to two separate chemical processes. The first one, involving N,N-dimethylacetoacetamide (2) which is the primary condensation product of DMAc, causes a slow degradation by thermal endwise peeling. The glucose units peeled off the reducing end are released as furan structures (3). The mechanism appears to be a thermal cleavage of the glycosidic bond, which becomes quite selective towards the proximal anhydroglucose unit by a neighbor group-assisted effect according to quantum-chemical calculations. Due to its stepwise and thus slow mechanism, this pathway contributes only insignificantly to the overall cellulose degradation.The second degradation mechanism causes random chain cleavage and thus pronounced and rather fast changes in the molecular weight distribution. It involves N,N-dimethylketeniminium ions (5), whose presence in DMAc/LiCl at temperatures above 80 °C—the coalescence temperature of DMAc as determined by dynamic NMR—was unambiguously demonstrated by specific trapping in a thermal [2+2]-cycloaddition with lipophilic olefins. The keteniminium ion is an extremely reactive electrophile, which is able to directly cleave glycosidic bonds. The detrimental effect of this intermediate on the integrity of cellulosic pulps was confirmed by addition of an external degrading agent of the keteniminium type. Also the precursor compound, a ketene aminal, was confirmed to be present in heated DMAc or DMAc/LiCl by trapping with allyl alcohol in a spontaneous Claisen-type rearrangement.     

Photosensitive poly(benzoxazole) based on precursor from diphenyl isophthalate and bis(o-aminophenol)

A new synthetic method for the preparation of poly(benzoxazole) (PBO) precursor, poly(o-hydroxyamide) (7) from bis(o-aminophenol) (5) and diphenyl isophthalate (6) has been developed. Polymer 7 was prepared by the polycondensation of 5 and 6 in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) at 185-205 °C. Model reactions were carried out in detail to elucidate appropriate conditions for the formation of 2-hydroxybenzanilide (3) from o-aminophenol (1) and phenyl benzoate (2). The photosensitive (PBO) precursor based on polymer 7 containing a 22% of benzoxazole unit and 30 wt% 1-{1,1-bis[4-(2-diazo-1-(2H)naphthalenone-5-sulfonyloxy)phenyl]ethyl}-4-{1-[4-(2-diazo-1(2H)naphthalenone-5-sulfonyloxy)phenyl]methylethyl}benzene (S-DNQ) showed a sensitivity of 110 mJ cm⁻² and a contrast of 5.0 when it was exposed to 436 nm light followed by developing with a 2.38 wt% aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution at room temperature. A fine positive image featuring 8 μm line and space patterns was observed on the film of the photoresist exposed to 200 mJ cm⁻² of UV-light at 436 nm by the contact mode.     

New host copolymers containing pendant triphenylamine and carbazole for efficient green phosphorescent OLEDs

A series of vinyl copolymers (P1-P6) containing pendant hole-transporting triphenylamine (11-88 mol%) and carbazole chromophores were synthesized by radical copolymerization to investigate the influence of triphenylamine groups upon optoelectronic properties. The copolymers were readily soluble in common organic solvents and their weight-average molecular weights (M_ws) were between 1.41 × 10⁴ and 2.24 × 10⁴. They exhibited moderate thermal stability with T_d = 402-432 °C at 5% weight loss. The emission spectra (both PL and EL) of the blends [P1-P6 with 4 wt% Ir(ppy)₃] showed dominant green emission (517 nm) attributed to Ir(ppy)₃ due to efficient energy transfer from P1-P6 to Ir(ppy)₃. The HOMO levels of P1-P6, estimated from onset oxidation potentials in cyclic voltammeter, were −5.42 to −5.18 eV, which are much higher than −5.8 eV of conventional poly(9-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) host owing to high hole-affinity of the triphenylamine groups. The optoelectronic performances of phosphorescent EL devices, using P1-P6 as hosts and Ir(ppy)₃ as dopant (ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P1-P6:Ir(ppy)₃ (4 wt%):PBD (40 wt%)/BCP/Ca/Al), were greatly improved relative to that of PVK. The best performance was obtained with P4 device, in which the maximum luminance and luminance efficiency were 11?501 cd/m² and 10.6 cd/A, respectively.     

Synthesis and properties of various poly(diphenylacetylenes) containing tert-amine moieties

The polymerization of diphenylacetylene derivatives possessing tert-amine moieties, such as triphenylamine, N-substituted carbazole and indole, was examined in the presence of TaCl₅-n-Bu₄Sn (1:2) catalyst. A polymer with high molecular weight (M_w = 570 × 10³) was obtained in good yield by the polymerization of diphenylamine-containing monomer 1b, whereas the isopropylphenylamine derivative (1c) gave a polymer with relatively low molecular weight (M_w = 2.4 × 10³). The polymerization of monomer 1d containing cyclohexylphenylamine group did not proceed; however, carbazolyl- and indolyl-containing monomers also produced polymers. Poly(1b), poly(2f) and poly(4b) could be fabricated into free-standing membranes by casting toluene solutions of these polymers. The gas permeability of poly(1b) was too low to be evaluated accurately whereas poly(4b) possessing two chlorine atoms in the repeating unit showed higher gas permeability than that of poly(1b); furthermore, poly(2f) having trimethylsilyl and 3-methylindolyl groups exhibited relatively high gas permeability (). In the cyclic voltammograms of diphenylamino group-containing polymers, poly(1b) and poly(2b), the intensities of oxidation and reduction peaks decreased more than those of carbazolyl-containing poly(2a). The molar absorptivity (?) of poly(1b) at ∼700 nm increased with increasing applied voltage in the UV-vis spectrum.     

Synthesis and properties of ornithine- and lysine-based poly(N-propargylamides). Responsiveness of the helical structure to acids

Ornithine- and lysine-based novel N-propargylamides, N-α-tert-butoxycarbonyl-N-δ-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-l-ornithine-N′-propargylamide (1), N-α-tert-butoxycarbonyl-N-?-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-l-lysine-N′-propargylamide (2), N-α-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-N-δ-tert-butoxycarbonyl-l-ornithine-N′-propargylamide (3), and N-α-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-N-?-tert-butoxycarbonyl-l-lysine-N′-propargylamide (4) were synthesized and polymerized with a rhodium catalyst. Polymers with moderate molecular weights were obtained in good yields. Poly(1)-poly(4) showed strong Cotton effects in THF, whose sign and wavelength depended on the substituents. They were satisfactorily converted into the corresponding polymers [poly(1a)-poly(4a)] with free amino groups. Poly(1a) and poly(2a) also formed a helix, while poly(3a) and poly(4a) did not. Poly(1a) and poly(2a) decreased the CD intensity by the addition of m- and o-phthalic acids.     

Titanium complexes based on aminodiol ligands for the ring opening polymerization of l- and d,l-lactide

A series of new titanium isopropoxide complexes (1-4-Ti(OⁱPr)₂ based on enantiopure (1-H₂), racemic (2-H₂), meso (3-H₂) and diastereomeric (4-H₂) aminodiol ligands have been prepared and tested as initiators for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of l/rac-lactide in solution and in bulk conditions. All complexes were shown to have significant activity in solution at 70 °C and higher activity in bulk at 130 °C with a good control over the molar mass distribution and molecular weights. The complex derived from the racemic-aminodiol ligand gave partially heterotactic polylactide in ROP of rac-lactide and afforded atactic polylactide in the bulk, whereas all other complexes yielded atactic polylactides both in solution and in bulk. Ligand variation (chirality) in the complexes has little effect on either the activity or selectivity of the initiators. The polymerization kinetics using (1-Ti(OⁱPr)₂) as an initiator indicated a first order reaction with respect to the monomer concentration.     

Synthesis, electroluminescence, and photovoltaic properties of dendronized poly(p-phenylene vinylene) derivatives

Two dendronized poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivatives, ED-PPV and BB-PPV, have been successfully synthesized according to the Gilch route. The obtained polymers possess excellent solubility in common solvents, good thermal stability with 5% weight loss temperature of more than 340 °C. The weight-average molecular weight (M_w) and polydispersity index (PDI) of ED-PPV and BB-PPV are in the range of (1.26-2.34)×10⁵ and 1.37-1.45, respectively. Polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer/Ca/Al devices were fabricated, and the PLEDs emitted green-yellow light. The turn-on voltages of the PLEDs based on ED-PPV and BB-PPV were approximately 4.3, and 4.5 V, respectively. The PLED devices of ED-PPV exhibited the maximum luminance of about 157 cd/m² at 10.5 V. Photovoltaic cells with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer:C₆₀ (1:1)/Al were also fabricated, and the energy conversion efficiency of the devices based on ED-PPV and BB-PPV was measured to be 0.58, and 0.014%, respectively, under the white light at 75 mW/cm².     

Colorless and high organosoluble polyimides from 2,5-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)-t-butylbenzene dianhydride and aromatic bis(ether amine)s bearing pendent trifluoromethyl groups

A series of polyimides III_a-h characterized by colorlessness, high transparency, high solubility, and good mechanical property, was synthesized from the aromatic dianhydride, 2,5-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)-t-butylbenzene dianhydride (I), and various aromatic diamines (II_a-h) with pendent trifluoromethyl group via polyaddition, chemical imidization, and direct cast films. The III series showed more colorless than the polyimides (V and VI series) of 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA) contained, the VI series was synthesized from the II with 6FDA. These films III had cut-off wavelengths between 371 and 376 nm, as well as b* value (a yellowness index) ranging from 3.0 to 4.7. In fact, it is so far the most colorless aromatic polyimide in our systematical researches. The III series had inherent viscosity ranging from 0.72 to 1.33 dL/g and showed excellent solubility in a variety of organic solvents. They were soluble in a concentration of 5-10% in the amide polar solvent, ether solvent, and chlorinated solvent. These films showed strength tensile of 97-123 MPa, dielectric constants of 2.78-3.28 (1 MHz), and moisture absorptions of 0.11-0.36 wt%. The glass transition temperature of the III series was recorded at 214-259 °C, the 10% weight loss temperature was over 468 °C, and the residue was more than 47% at 800 °C in nitrogen.     

Thiophene-containing poly(arylene-ethynylene)-alt-poly(arylene-vinylene)s: Synthesis, characterisation and optical properties

This work describes the synthesis and characterisation of two types of thiophene-containing poly(arylene-ethynylene)-alt-poly(arylene-vinylene)s (PAE-PAV) copolymers, whose repeating units (-Ph-CC-Th-CHCH-Ph-CHCH-)_n, 5, and (-Th-CC-Ph-CC-Th-CHCH-Ph-CHCH-)_n, 8a-c, consist, respectively, of a 1:2 and a 2:2 ratio of triple bond/double bond moieties. Comparison of their photophysical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties has been carried out. Although similar electrochemical data (HOMO: −5.43 eV, LUMO: ∼−3.15 eV, ) as well as identical thin film absorption behaviour (λ_a=500 nm, ) were obtained for both types of materials, significant differences in their thin film photoluminescence behaviour and photovoltaic properties were observed. While polymer 5 shows a fluorescence maximum at λ_e=568 nm (with a fluorescence quantum yield of Φ_f=7%), a total fluorescence quenching was observed in 8. Far better photovoltaic performance was obtained from solar cells (set up: ITO/PEDOT:PSS/active layer/LiF/Al; active layer consisting of 5 or 8b as donor and PCBM as acceptor in a 1:3 ratio by weight) designed from 5 than from 8b. Open circuit voltage, V_OC, as high as 900 mV and power conversion efficiency, η_AM1.5, around 1.2% were obtained. This can be attributed to the 1:2 triple bond/double bond ratio as well as the grafting of shorter octyloxy and 2-ethylhexyloxy side chains in 5 and to its comparatively higher molecular-weight.     

Copolymers containing pendant styryltriphenylamine and carbazole groups: Synthesis, optical, electrochemical properties and its blend with Ir(ppy)3

A series of vinyl copolymers (PVKST12-PVKST91) and homoploymer PVST containing pendant hole-transporting 4-(4-oxystyryl)triphenylamine (12-100 mol%) and carbazole chromophores were synthesized by radical copolymerization and employed as host for Ir(ppy)₃ phosphor to tune emission color. They were characterized using the ¹H NMR, FT-IR, absorption and photoluminescence spectra, elemental analysis, GPC, cyclic voltammetric and thermal analysis (DSC, TGA). Their weight-average molecular weights (M_w) and decomposition temperatures (T_d) were 1.46-5.68 × 10⁴ and 356-399 °C, respectively. The HOMO levels of PVKST12-PVKST91 and PVST, estimated from the onset oxidation potentials in cyclic voltammograms, were −5.40 to −5.14 eV, which are much higher than −5.8 eV of the conventional host poly(9-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) owing to high hole-affinity of the 4-(4-oxystyryl)triphenylamine groups. Therefore, copolymers PVKST are effective in reducing hole-injection barrier between the PEDOT:PSS and emitting layer. Electroluminescent devices [ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PVKST:Ir(ppy)₃:PBD/BCP/Ca/Al] using the hole-transporting PVKST as host were fabricated to tune the emission color. Their EL spectra showed a major emission at 515 nm and a minor peak at 435 nm attributed to Ir(ppy)₃ and 4-(4-oxystyryl)triphenylamine, respectively. The C.I.E. 1931 coordinates shift from (0.29, 0.61) for PVK to (0.33, 0.42) for PVST with an increase in 4-(4-oxystyryl)triphenylamine content.     

New amphiphilic fluorescent CBABC-type pentablock copolymers containing pyrene group by two-step atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and its self-assembled aggregation

A series of novel amphiphilic fluorescent CBABC-type pentablock copolymers (Py-PMMA-PEG4600-PMMA-Py) were prepared from BAB-type amphiphilic triblock copolymer (PMMA-PEG4600-PMMA) as macroinitiator with various contents of 1-(methacryloyloxyethylamino-carboxylmethyl) pyrene (PyMOI) by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in toluene using CuBr/2,2-bipyridine as catalyst system. Triblock copolymer (PMMA-PEG4600-PMMA) was prepared by ATRP and obtained from Br-PEG4600-Br as macroinitiator with methyl methacrylate in tetrahydrofuran using the same catalyst. The molecular weights of pentablock copolymers which were reinitiated by PMMA-PEG4600-PMMA macroinitiator were calculated from ¹H NMR spectra up to 42,400 gmol⁻¹. The polydispersity of pentablock copolymers obtained from GPC analysis was narrow between 1.10 and 1.38. The crystallinity of triblock copolymer (PMMA-PEG4600-PMMA) was decreased slightly with incorporating PMMA segment. Introducing the bulky pyrene substituent into pentablock copolymer, the melting temperature was not observed and all pentablock copolymers showed amorphous patterns in wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) due to decrease in the degree of crystallinity of polymer chain because of disturbing regular packing. The temperatures at 10% weight loss (Td₁₀), examined by TG analysis, showed values ranging from 265 to 323 °C in nitrogen and 264 to 313 °C in air. Fluorescence spectra of Py-PMMA-PEG4600-PMMA-Py exhibited stronger excimer emission at ca. 480 nm due to the aggregations of pyrene group formed via interaction of the hydrophobic chains. The more content of PyMOI segment in pentablock copolymers can obtain the higher emission intensity ca. 480 nm. When there were higher PyMOI contents (84.9 wt% PyMOI) in pentablock copolymers, they formed larger aggregates (210 nm) in SEM micrographs. On the other hand, while increasing the concentration of the polymer solution in THF, the morphology was changed from spherical (0.1 mg/mL) to chainlike (1.0 mg/mL) aggregates.     

Electrochemical studies of the nickel catecholate complexes for detection of sulphur dioxide gas

Nickel catecholate complexes, bis(diphenylphosphino)ethanenickelcatecholate [(dppe)NiO₂C₆H₃4-R₁] R₁ = CH₃ (1), C(CH₃)₃ (2), H (3) and F (4)] were studied using CV and SWV techniques between −1.5 and +1.5 V at 50 mV s⁻¹ in cathodic and anodic sweeps. Glassy carbon electrode was used with 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium tetrafluroborate (TBATFB) in CH₂Cl₂. Complexes 1-4 before addition of SO₂, showed approximately reversible behaviour (i_pa/i_pc ≈ 1 and ΔE ≈ 77-88 mV); oxidation peaks observed between +313 and +524 mV, reduction peaks between +225 and +436 mV, depending on the substituent on the ligand. Detection limit 0.01 ppm, linear range 0.01-20 ppm, sensitivity 0.02 ppm/mV (with SWV) were obtained. The complexes 1 and 2 could be used as voltammetric sensors while complexes 3 and 4 would be suitable as amperometric sensors, for monitoring industrial SO₂ emissions.     

Anodic carbon-boron bond cleavage through the intermediacy of electrogenerated bromonium ion

The electrochemical properties of a series of cyclic arylboronic esters, XC₆H₄B(OR)₂ [RR = CH₂CH₂; X = H (1a); p-Me (1b); p-OMe (1c); p-Cl (1d); p-Ph (1e); m-Cl (1f); m-OMe (1g); CF₃ (1h); OMe (1i); 2,6-dimethyl (1j); 1b with RR = (CH₂)₃, (1k); 1b with RR = CMe₂CMe₂, (1m)] has been studied in acetonitrile by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and controlled-potential electrolysis (CPE). The CV of representative examples of aryl borates with different substituents show one irreversible oxidation wave on a Pt cathode, at 1.8-1.9 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), with a negligible substituent effect. The cathodic CPE process led to small amounts of biaryls only, whereas the direct anodic CPE could not be carried out practically due to low currents. However, in the presence of electrogenerated bromonium (or iodonium) ions a C-B bond cleavage does take place to yield the corresponding bromoaryls, brominated phenols, and arylboronic acids as the major products.     

Propylene polymerisations with novel heterogeneous combination metallocene catalyst systems

Propylene was polymerised with novel combination metallocene catalyst systems prepared by an emulsion-based heterogenisation method in liquid monomer conditions. The catalyst combinations investigated were rac-dimethylsilanylbis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1-indenyl)zirconium dichloride/rac-[ethylenebis(2-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)indenyl)]zirconium dichloride/methylaluminoxane (MAO) (1 + 2) and rac-dimethylsilanylbis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1-indenyl)zirconium dichloride/rac-dimethylsilanylbis(2-isopropyl-4-[3,5-dimethylphenyl]indenyl)zirconium dichloride/MAO (1 + 3). The effects of polymerisation temperature and hydrogen on catalyst performance and polymer properties, as well as copolymerisation with hexene and ethylene were investigated. Depending on the polymerisation conditions, M_w of polypropylene varied from 144 to 286 kg/mol for 1 + 2 and from 200 to 390 kg/mol for 1 + 3. Combination 1 + 2 produced broader molecular weight distribution (MWD) than 1 + 3, and a bimodal MWD with clearly separated low- and high-M_w polymer fractions was observed with 1 + 2. The two catalyst systems showed similar hydrogen and hexene responses. Each metallocene precursor showed individual response towards the polymerisation conditions, especially polymerisation temperature, suggesting that interaction between the catalyst active sites was negligible in the studied systems.