Highly Efficient Direct Carboxylation of Propane into Butyric Acids Catalyzed by Vanadium Complexes

A direct and highly efficient carboxylation of propane by carbon monoxide into butyric acids (mainly isobutyric and, in a smaller amount, n‐butyric), in the presence of potassium peroxodisulphate (K₂S₂O₈) and in trifluoroacetic acid solution, has been achieved by using a vanadium catalytic system based on Ca[V{ON(CH(CH₃)COO)₂}₂] (synthetic amavadine), its model compounds Ca[V{ON(CH₂COO)₂}₂] or [VO{N(CH₂CH₂O)₃}] – other simpler vanadium compounds, such as [VO(acac)₂] or VOSO₄, are less active. Overall yields (based on propane) of carboxylic acids up to 70 % and TON values up to 18.4×10³ have been reached. The effects of various factors such as the propane and carbon monoxide pressures, temperature, time, catalyst amount and radical traps have been investigated, the reactions are shown to proceed via both C‐ and O‐centred radicals, with K₂S₂O₈ playing the role of an oxidant via a free radical mechanism.     

Host (nanopores of zeolite Y)-guest (oxovanadium(IV) tetradentate schiff-base complexes) nanocomposite materials: synthesis,characterization and liquid phase hydroxylation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide

Oxovanadium(IV) tetradentate Schiff-base complexes; [VO(X₂-haacac)] (X = H, Cl, CH₃ and NO₂), X₂-haacac = substituted bis(2-hydroxyanil)acetylacetone; and encapsulated in the nanopores of zeolite NaY; [VO(X₂-haacac)]-NaY; have been synthesized and characterized. The host-guest nanocomposite materials; [VO(X₂-haacac)]-NaY; was characterized by chemical analysis and spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, UV/VIS, XRD, BET and DRS). The analytical data indicated a composition corresponding to the mononuclear complex of Schiff-base ligand. The characterization data showed the absence of extraneous complexes, retention of zeolite crystalline structure and encapsulation in the nanopores. Substitution of the aromatic hydrogen atoms of the Schiff-base ligand by electron withdrawing groups like −Cl, and −NO₂ has two major effects: (1) retention and concentration of the oxovanadium(IV) complex in the zeolite cavities is enhanced (due to the larger size of the substituents) and (2) the electronic and spectral properties of the encapsulated complex are modified. Liquid-phase selective hydroxylation of phenol with H₂O₂ to a mixture of catechol and hydroquinone in CH₃CN has been reported using oxovanadium(IV) Schiff-base complexes encapsulated in zeolite-Y as catalysts. Reaction conditions have been optimized by considering the concentration of substrate and oxidant, amount of catalyst, effect of time, volume of solvent and temperature. Under the optimized reaction conditions, [VO((NO₂)₂-haacac)]-NaY has shown the highest conversion of 42.3% after 6 h. All these catalysts are more selective toward catechol formation. Encapsulated oxovanadium(IV) complex is catalytically very efficient as compared to other neat complexes for the hydroxylation of phenol and is stable to be recycled without much deterioration.     

Effects of amines on the polymerization of isoprene with sec-butyllithium catalyst

Polymerization of isoprene (IP) with alkyllithium (RLi) catalysts in the presence of amines such as triethylamine (TEA), 1,2-dipiperidinoethane (DPPE) and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyldiaminoalkanes [(CH₃)₂N(CH₂)_nN(CH₃)₂ where n=1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 (TMDAA)] has been studied. By adding the amines, the polymerization rate of IP was accelerated, and the contents of 3,4- and 1,2-units in the resulting polymers increased. The effects of methylene chain length of the TMDAA on the polymerization were examined. It was found that both the polymerization rates and the microstructure of the polymers depend on the methylene length of the TMDAA. The amines having 2 and 3 methylenes in (CH₃)₂N(CH₂)_nN(CH₃)₂ favoured production of the polymer consisting of predominantly 1,2- and 3,4-units. It was proposed that two types of active sites for the polymerization of IP were produced depending on the number n of the TMDAA. Two types of active species were confirmed to be produced with sec-BuLi in the presence of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) depending on the TMEDA/sec-BuLi mole ratios. © 1998 SCI.     

Reactivity studies of 2,3,5,6-Tetra(2-pyridyl) pyrazine (tppz) with first-row transition metal ions

Reactions of 2,3,5,6-tetra(2-pyridyl) pyrazine (tppz) with [ML₆][X]₂ (L = CH₃CN, H₂O;X = [BF₄]⁻, [ClO₄]⁻, [NO₃]⁻ [BArF]⁻(BArF - B[3,5-C₆H₃(CF₃)₂]₄) lead to the high-yield formation of mononuclear [M(tppz)₂]²⁺, (M = Mn^II, Fe^II, Co^II, and Ni^II) and dinuclear [Ni₂(tppz)(CH₃CN)₆]⁴⁺ species. The new compounds were fully characterized by X-ray crystallographic, spectroscopic, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Surprisingly, the 2:1 M:tppz reactions did not lead to isolation of the dinuclear species except in the case of Ni(II). It was further noted that even in the case of the Ni reactions, the nuclearity of the product depends on the choice of anions and the reaction conditions. Magnetic measurements of the mononuclear species [Co(tppz)₂]²⁺ revealed thermally induced spin-crossover behavior from a high-spin S = 3/2 at higher temperatures to a low-spin S = 1/2 complex at lower temperatures. The dinuclear compound [Ni₂(tppz)(CH₃CN)₆]⁴⁺ exhibits a weak anti-ferromagnetic interaction through the bridging tppz ligand.     

Preparation of vinyl polymers bearing photo‐labile diethylthiocarbamoylthiyl (S2CNEt2) groups via ATRP

Direct synthesis of vinyl polymers functionalized with photo‐labile diethylthiocarbamoylthiyl (S₂CNEt₂) groups was reviewed via three living polymerization procedures: normal atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), reverse ATRP and photo ATRP. The S₂CNEt₂ group was transferred by mediating the dormant–active species equilibrium in the course of polymerization and eventually ω‐terminating the resulting polymer chain. ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was successfully performed with a p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride/Cu(S₂CNEt₂)/2,2′‐bipyridine(bpy) or benzoyl peroxide (BPO)/Cu(S₂CNEt₂)/bpy initiation system. The oxidized complex, Cu(S₂CNEt₂)Cl/bpy, catalyzed the reverse ATRP of vinyl monomers initiated with BPO or 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), producing tailor‐made polymers with ω‐S₂CNEt₂ groups and a narrow molecular‐weight distribution. Without external ligands, the living polymerization of vinyl monomers was achieved under the thermal initiation of diethyl 2,3‐dicyano‐2,3‐diphenylsuccinate (DCDPS) in conjunction with Fe(S₂CNEt₂)₃ catalyst. Photo ATRP of MMA and styrene was first realized in the presence of 2,2‐dimethoxy‐2‐phenylacetophenone (DMPA)/Fe(S₂CNEt₂)₃ under UV irradiation at ambient temperature. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of Sodium (+)-(12S,13R)-Epoxy-cis-9-octadecenyl Sulfonate from Vernonia Oil

A water-soluble, foaming epoxyalkene sulfonate, sodium (+)-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenyl sulfonate, was synthesized from vernonia oil (VO) by a series of simple reactions that include transesterification, metal hydride reduction, tosylation, and S_N2 reactions. Conversion of VO into vernonia oil methyl esters (VOME) using sodium methoxide was quantitative. Subsequent reduction of VOME with lithium aluminum hydride yielded (+)-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenol (94%), along with minor amounts of hexadecenol, octadecenol, cis-9-octadecenol, and cis-9,12-octadecandienol. The (+)-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenol, was tosylated with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride to give (+)-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenyl tosylate at 96% yield. Iodination of the tosylate with sodium iodide and subsequent S_N2 reaction with sodium sulfite afforded (+)-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenyl sulfonate (63% yield). This study demonstrates the ability to produce an epoxyalkenyl sulfonate, belonging to a class of anionic surfactants, from VO without destroying the epoxy functionality in the (+)-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenyl moiety of VO. The critical micelle concentration of the synthesized sulfonate was also determined.     

Study of vanadium(IV) species and corresponding electrochemical performance in concentrated sulfuric acid media

The vanadium(IV) ion is found to form the [VO(SO₄)(H₂O)₄]·H₂O complex, as well as the dimer, [VO(H₂O)₃]₂(μ-SO₄)₂, in concentrated H₂SO₄ media. Their formation mechanisms were investigated by UV–Visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). UV–Vis spectroscopy study showed that [VO(SO₄)(H₂O)₄]·H₂O concentration in H₂SO₄ solution was proportional to concentrations of VO²⁺ and SO₄²⁻. The increased deviation from the near centrosymmetry of the octahedral complexes is due to the replacement of an equatorial water oxygen in [VO(H₂O)₅]SO₄ by a sulfate oxygen in [VO(SO₄)(H₂O)₄]·H₂O. The dimer shows symmetrical structure, which correlates very well with non-activity in UV–Vis spectroscopic analysis. Structural information on both vanadium(IV) species can be confirmed by Raman and XRD measurements of crystals from the supersaturated solution of VOSO₄ in 1 M, 6 M and 12 M sulfuric acid. A solution of vanadium(IV) (0.05 M) in 12 M H₂SO₄, in which the vanadium(IV) species is [VO(H₂O)₃]₂(μ-SO₄)₂, exhibits a reversible redox behavior near 1.14 V (vs. SCE) on the carbon paper electrode.     

Neutral Pd(II) and Ni(II) Acetylide Catalysts for the Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate

Homogenous polymerization of methyl methacrylate using Pd(II)- and Ni(II)-based acetylide complexes as initiators has been investigated. M(PR'₃)₂(CCR)₂ (M=Pd, Ni; R'=PPh₃, Pn-Bu₃; R=Ph, CH₂OH, CH₂OOCCH₃, CH₂OOCPh, CH₂OOCPhOH-o) were found to be a novel type of effective initiators for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate. Among them, Pd(C CPh)₂(PPh₃)₂ (PPP) shows the highest activity in the MMA polymerization and the PMMA obtained is a syndiotactic polymer with high number-average molecular weight (M _n) of 14.1 × 10⁴. Some features and kinetic behavior of MMA polymerization initiated by PPP were studied in detail. The polymerization reaction is first-order with respect to both [PPP] and [MMA]. Radical polymerization mechanism is proposed.     

Enantioselective formation of an α, β-epoxy alcohol by reaction of methyl 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z), 11(E)-octadecadienoate with titanium isopropoxide

Methyl 11(R), 12(R)-epoxy-13(S)-hydroxy-9(Z)-octadecenoate (threo isomer) was generated from linoleic acid by the sequential action of an enzyme and two chemical reagents. Linoleic acid was treated with lipoxygenase to yield its corresponding hydroperoxide [13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z), 11(E)-octadecadienoic acid]. After methylation with CH₂N₂, the hydroperoxide was treated with titanium (IV) isopropoxide [Ti(O-i-Pr)₄] at 5°C for 1 h. The products were separated by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and characterized with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Approximately 30% of the product was methyl 13(S)-hydroxy-9(Z), 11(E)-octadecadienoate. Over 60% of the isolated product was methyl 11(R), 12(R)-epoxy-13(S)-hydroxy-9(Z)-octadecenoate. After quenching Ti(O-i-Pr)₄ with water, the spent catalyst could be removed from the fatty products by partitioning between CH₂Cl₂ and water. These results demonstrate that Ti(O-i-Pr)₄ selectively promotes the formation of an α-epoxide with the threo configuration. It was critically important to start with dry methyl 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z),11(E)-octadecadienoate because the presence of small amounts of water in the reaction medium resulted in the complete hydrolysis of epoxy alcohol to trihydroxy products.     

Metal-free isotactic-specific radical polymerization of N-alkylacrylamides with 3,5-dimethylpyridine N-oxide: The effect of the N-substituent and solvent on the isotactic specificity

Radical polymerization of N-methylacrylamide (NMAAm), N-n-propylacrylamide, N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and N-benzylacrylamide was investigated in CHCl₃, CH₂Cl₂ and CH₃CN, in the presence of 3,5-dimethylpyridine N-oxide (35DMPNO) to examine the effects of the N-substituent and the solvent on the isotactic specificity induced by 35DMPNO. With addition of 35DMPNO to radical polymerization of N-alkylacrylamides in CHCl₃, isotactic specificity was significantly induced in NIPAAm polymerization but only slightly induced in NMAAm polymerization. Furthermore, mixed solvents of CH₃CN and halomethanes such as CHCl₃ and CH₂Cl₂ enhanced the ability of 35DMPNO to induce isotactic specificity, and poly(NIPAAm) with 74% meso dyad was obtained.     

Co-polymerization of propylene oxide and CO2 using early transition metal (groups IV and V) metallocalix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6, 8)

A number of metallocalix[n]arenes, where n = 4, 6, or 8, of titanium and vanadium have been screened for their ability to act as catalysts for the co-polymerization of propylene oxide and CO₂ to form cyclic/polycarbonates. The vanadium-containing catalysts, namely [VO(L¹Me)] (1), [(VO₂)L²H₆] (2), [Na(NCMe)₆]₂[(Na[VO]₄L²)(Na(NCMe))₃]₂ (3), [VO(μ-OH)L^3/H₂]₂∙6CH₂Cl₂ (4), {[VO]₂(μ-O)L⁴[Na(NCMe)₂]₂} (5), {[V(Np-tolyl)]₂L⁴} (6) and [V(Np-RC₆H₄)Cl₃] (R = Cl (7), OMe (8), CF₃ (9)), where L¹H₃ = methylether-p-tert-butylcalix[4]areneH₃, L²H₈ = p-tert-butylcalix[8]areneH₈, L³H₄ = p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]areneH₄, L⁴H₆ = p-tert-butyltetrahomodioxacalix[6]areneH₆, performed poorly, affording, in the majority of cases, TONs less than 1 at 90°C over 6 h and low molecular weight oligomeric products (M_n ≤ 1665). In the case of the titanocalix[8]arenes, {(TiX)₂[TiX(NCMe)]₂(μ₃-O)₂(L²)} (X = Cl (10), Br (11), I (12)), which all adopt a similar, ladder-type structure, the activity under the same conditions is somewhat higher (TONs >6) and follows the trend Cl > Br > I; by comparison the non-calixarene species [TiCl₄(THF)₂] was virtually inactive. In the case of 10, it was observed that the use of PPNCl (bis[triphenylphosphine]iminium chloride) as co-catalyst significantly improved both the polymer yield and molecular weight (M_n 3515). The molecular structures of the complexes [HNEt₃]₂[VO(μ-O)L³H₂]₂∙3CH₂Cl₂ (4∙3CH₂Cl₂), [VO(μ-OH)L^3/H₂]₂∙6CH₂Cl₂ (4^/) (where L^3/H₂ is a partially oxidized form of L³H₄) and {(TiCl)₂[TiCl(NCMe)]₂(μ₃-O)₂(L²)}·6.5MeCN (10·6.5MeCN) are reported.     

Binuclear cyano-bridged complex derived from [MnIII(salpn)] and [FeIII(CN)6]: Synthesis,structure and magnetic properties

The reaction of the neutral [Mn(salpn)C(CN)₃(H₂O)] (salpn^2 − = N,N^′-1,3-propylenebis(salicylideneiminato) dianion) with [Fe^III(CN)₆]^3 − in the presence of strong oxidizer (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ yields a binuclear anion complex [NH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂NH₃]^2 +{[Mn^III(salpn)(H₂O)][Fe^III(CN)₆]}^2 − (1). Its structure, DC and AC susceptibility have been studied. Frequency dependence of the AC susceptibility characteristic for single-molecule magnets has been found.     

Single‐Pot Ethane Carboxylation Catalyzed by New Oxorhenium(V) Complexes with N,O Ligands

The oxorhenium(V) chelates [ReOCl(N,O‐L)(PPh₃)] [N,O‐L=(OCH₂CH₂)N(CH₂CH₂OH)(CH₂COO) ( 2 ), (OCH₂CH₂)N(CH₂COO)(CH₂COOCH₃) ( 3 )] and [ReOCl₂(N,O‐L)(PPh₃)] [N,O‐L=C₅H₄N(COO‐2) ( 4 ) C₅H₃N(COOCH₃‐2)(COO‐6) ( 5 )] have been prepared by reaction of [ReOCl₃(PPh₃)₂] ( 1 ), in refluxing methanol, with N,N‐bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)glycine [bicine; N(CH₂CH₂OH)₂(CH₂COOH)], N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid [N(CH₂CH₂OH)(CH₂COOH)₂], picolinic acid [NC₅H₄(COOH‐2)] or 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid [NC₅H₃(COOH‐2,6)₂], respectively, with ligand esterification in the cases of 3 and 5 . All these complexes have been characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, FAB⁺‐MS, elemental and X‐ray diffraction structural analyses. They act as catalysts, in a single‐pot process, for the carboxylation of ethane by CO, in the presence of potassium peroxodisulfate K₂S₂O₈, in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), to give propionic and acetic acids, in a remarkable yield (up to ca. 30%) and under relatively mild conditions, with some advantages over the industrial processes. The picolinate complex 4 provides the most active catalyst and the carboxylation also occurs, although much less efficiently, by the TFA solvent in the absence of CO. The selectivity can be controlled by the ethane and CO pressures, propionic acid being the dominant product for pressures about ca. 7 and 4 atm, respectively (catalyst 4 ), whereas lower pressures lead mainly to acetic acid in lower yields. These reactions constitute an unprecedented use of Re complexes as catalysts in alkane functionalization.     

Synthesis,antiapoptotic biological activity and structure of an oxo–vanadium(IV) complex with an OOO ligand donor set

The oxo–vanadium(IV) complex VO(oda)(H₂O)₂ (1) (oda=oxydiacetate, O(CH₂COO⁻)₂) was obtained by reaction of aerobic aqueous solutions of VO(acac)₂ with oxydiacetic acid, O(CH₂COOH)₂. The antiapoptotic biological activity of 1 was studied in insulin-producing cells. Chemically generated nitric oxide (NO) triggers apoptotic events, such as the appearance of oligonucleosomes in cytosol, and this response was prevented by the presence of 1 in the culture medium. The molecular structure of 1 has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Extraction Properties of P(O)-Modified N-Aryl-Carbamoylmethylphosphine Oxides in Nitric Acid Media

Novel polyfunctional neutral organophosphorus compounds, P(O)-modified N-aryl- carbamoylmethylphosphine oxides, Ph₂P(O)CH₂C(O)NH-(o-C₆H₄)(CH₂)_n-P(O)Ph₂ and Ph₂P(O)CH₂C(O)NH-(m-C₆H₄)(CH₂)_n-P(O)Ph₂ (n = 1,2), were synthesized and studied as extractants for U(VI), Th(IV) and Ln(III) from HNO₃ solutions. The influence of aqueous and organic phases on the extraction efficiency was elucidated and stoichiometry of the complexes extracted was determined. Introduction of an additional phosphoryl group into the phenyl substitutent at the nitrogen atom of diphenyl(N-phenylcarbamoylmethyl)phosphine oxide resulted in an increase of the efficiency of U(VI), Th(IV), Ln(III), and Re(VII) extraction.     

(S)-2-(Ethyl propionate)-(O-ethyl xanthate) and (S)-2-(Ethyl isobutyrate)-(O-ethyl xanthate)-mediated RAFT polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone

(S)-2-(Ethyl propionate)-(O-ethyl xanthate) (X1) and the newly synthesized (S)-2-(ethyl isobutyrate)-(O-ethyl xanthate) (X2) were used as the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agents for the radical polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP). The former showed the better chain transfer ability in the polymerization at 60 °C. Kinetics study with X1 shows the psuedo-first order kinetics upto 45% monomer conversion. Molecular weight (M _n) of the resulted polymer increases linearly with increase in the monomer conversion upto around 45%. Polydispersity of the corresponding poly(NVP)s increase gradually from 1.2 to 1.9 with increase in the monomer conversion. Chain-end analysis of the resulted polymer by ¹H NMR shows clearly that polymerization started with radical forming out of xanthate mediator. Living nature of the polymerization was confirmed from the successful homo chain extension experiment and also the hetero-chain extension experiment involving synthesis of poly(NVP)-b-polystyrene amphiphilic diblock copolymer.     

Poly(methylphenylphosphazene)–Graft–Poly(methyl Methacrylate) Copolymers Via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was used to graft poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, onto poly(methylphenylphosphazene), [(Me)(Ph)PN] _n , PMPP. A two-step process was used to convert a portion of the methyl substituents on [(Me)(Ph)PN] _n to –CH₂C(CH₃)₂OH groups and then to bromoalkyl groups, –CH₂C(CH₃)₂OC(=O)C(CH₃)₂Br, the latter of which served as initiation sites for ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of CuCl/bipyridine. Variations in the length of the grafted chains were investigated and the graft copolymers were compared to the parent polymer and blends of similar composition. The new bromoalkyl derivatives of [(Me)(Ph)PN] _n and the PMPP–graft–PMMA copolymers were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). We dedicate this paper to Professor Harry R. Allcock for consistently maintaining the highest standards in his creative, pioneering work in inorganic rings and polymers.     

Liquid Emulsion Membrane (LEM) Process for Vanadium (IV) Enrichment: Process Intensification

Abstract

A liquid emulsion membrane (LEM) system for vanadium (IV) transport has been designed using di‐2‐ethylhexyl phosphoric acid (D2EHPA), dissolved in n‐dodecane as carrier. The selection of extractant, D2EHPA, was made on the basis of conventional liquid‐liquid extraction studies. The work has been undertaken by first carrying out liquid‐liquid extraction studies for vanadium (IV) to get stoichiometric constant (n), and equilibrium constant (K_ex), which are important for process design.

Transport experiments were carried out at low vanadium (IV) concentration (ppm level). The studies on liquid emulsion membrane included i) the influence of process parameters i.e. feed phase pH, speed of agitation, treat ratio, residence time and ii) emulsion preparation study i.e., organic solvent, extractant concentration, surfactant concentration, internal strip phase concentration. When the strip phase concentration was 2 mol/dm³ (H₂SO₄) and feed phase pH 3 better extraction of vanadium was obtained. Higher V_m/V₁ gave higher extraction of vanadium (IV). A simplified, design engineer friendly model was developed.     

Expanding the chemistry of single‐ion conducting poly(ionic liquid)s with polyhedral boron anions

The synthesis of a new family of single‐ion conducting random copolymers bearing polyhedral boron anions is reported. For this purpose two novel ionic monomers, namely [B₁₂H₁₁(OCH₂CH₂)₂OC(?O)C(CH₃)?CH₂]^2?[(C₄H₉)₄N⁺]₂ and [8‐(OCH₂CH₂)₂OC(?O)C(CH₃)?CH₂‐3,3′‐Co(1,2‐C₂B₉H₁₀)(1′,2′‐C₂B₉H₁₁)]^?K⁺, having methacrylate function, diethylene glycol bridge and closo‐dodecaborate or cobalt bis(1,2‐dicarbollide) anions were designed. Such monomers differ from previously reported ones by (i) chemically attached highly delocalized boron anions, by (ii) valency of the anion (divalent anion and monovalent one) and by (iii) the presence of oxyethylene flexible spacer between the methacrylate group and bonded anion. Their free radical copolymerization with poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate and subsequent ion exchange provided lithium‐ion conducting polyelectrolytes showing low glass transition temperature (?53 to ?49 °C), ionic conductivity up to 9.1 × 10^?7 S cm^?1, lithium transference number up to 0.61 (70 °C) and electrochemical stability up to 4.1 V versus Li⁺/Li (70 °C). The incorporation of propylene carbonate (20–40 wt%) into the copolymers resulted in the enhancement of their ionic conductivity by one order of magnitude and significantly increased their electrochemical stability up to 4.7 V versus Li⁺/Li (70 °C). © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

An Investigation on the Structure of Polyselenocyanogen [Se2(CN)2]x

The structure of polyselenocyanogen [Se₂(CN)₂] _x is analogous to that of polythiocyanogens, which have the general formula [S _y (CN)₂)] _x (y=1,2,3,...). This result is based on the surprising fact that the FT-IR spectrum of the former compound is similar to the spectra of the latter class of compounds and on other experimental data. Thus, the proposed structure for polyselenocyanogen involves polyazomethine chains connected together by selenium bridges. Selenocyanogen Se₂(CN)₂ polymerizes when treated with certain organic solvents. The polymerization was followed by electronic spectroscopy and involves the formation of peculiar absorption bands in the visible and near infrared portion of the spectrum. Alternatively, selenocyanogen polymerization is promoted by thermal treatment in high boiling solvents like xylenes and decalin. The resulting polymer shows an FT-IR spectrum comparable to that of polythiocyanogens. The thermal stability of selenocyanogen has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in conjunction with differential thermal analysis (DTA). Heating of Se₂(CN)₂ under N₂ to 650°C causes conversion into paracyanogen (CN) _x with the release of selenium.