Electroactive polymers containing crown ether or polyether ligands as cation-responsive materials

Oxoammonium-Catalyzed Ether Oxidation via Hydride Abstraction: Methodology Development and Mechanistic Investigation Using Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancement NMR

Hydride abstraction represents a promising yet underexplored approach in the functionalization of C-H bonds. In this work, we report the oxidation of α-C-H bonds of ethers via oxoammonium catalysis using 3-chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA) as the terminal chemical oxidant or by means of electrochemistry. Mechanistic studies revealed intricate equilibria and interconversion events between various catalytic intermediates in the presence of mCPBA, which alone however was incompetent to drive catalytic turnover. The addition of a small amount of strong acid HNTf2 or weakly coordinating salt NaSbF6 turned on catalytic turnover and promoted ether oxidation with excellent efficiency. NMR experiments leveraging paramagnetic relaxation enhancement effect allowed for quantification of open-shell catalytic intermediates in real time during the reaction course, which aided the identification of catalyst resting states and elucidation of reaction mechanisms.

Polysiloxane-Based Side Chain Liquid Crystal Polymers: From Synthesis to Structure⁻Phase Transition Behavior Relationships

Organosilicon polymer materials play an important role in certain applications due to characteristics of much lower glass transition temperatures (Tg), viscosities, surface energy, as well as good mechanical, thermal stabilities, and insulation performance stemming from the higher bond energy and the larger bond angles of the adjacent silicon-oxygen bond. This critical review highlights developments in the synthesis, structure, and phase transition behaviors of polysiloxane-based side chain liquid crystal polymers (PSCLCPs) of linear and cyclic polysiloxanes containing homopolymers and copolymers. Detailed synthetic strategies are elaborated, and the relationship between molecular structures and liquid crystalline phase transition behaviors is systematically discussed, providing theoretical guidance on the molecular design of the materials.

Comparison of the selectivity of [M(12-Crown-4)]+ (M=Li+, Na+, K+) complexes for halide anions and some neutral molecules; a computational study

A theoretical study on the selectivity of a series of [M(12C4)][Formula: see text] (M = Li[Formula: see text], Na[Formula: see text], K[Formula: see text], 12C4 = 12-crown-4) complexes for F[Formula: see text], Cl[Formula: see text] and Br[Formula: see text] anions and a number of neutral molecules (CH3CN, CH3OH, NH3, H2O, py, and 12C4) is reported. At first, it was shown that in the gas phase among all studied halide anions and neutral molecules, halides have much more bonding interaction with all [M(12C4)][Formula: see text] cations. Calculated interaction energies of above anions and [M(12C4)][Formula: see text] cations decrease from F[Formula: see text] to Br[Formula: see text]. Also the interaction energy of halide anions with [M(12C4)][Formula: see text] complexes, decreases from [Li(12C4)][Formula: see text] to [K(12C4)][Formula: see text]. The electron decomposition analysis showed that the bond between [M(12C4)][Formula: see text] complexes and both the neutral and anion guests is mainly electrostatic in nature. Then the selectivity of [M(12C4)][Formula: see text] complexes for studied anions and neutral molecules are compared in methanol, acetone, acetonitrile, and nitromethane solutions. It was shown that both the desolvation process of reactants and the strength of host–guest interactions have significant effect on the selectivities. Thus the selectivity of [Li(12C4)][Formula: see text] cation for NH3and H2O neutral molecules in solution, in contrast to the gas phase, is higher than that for bromide anion. The results of calculations showed that all [M(12C4)][Formula: see text] complexes, specially [Li(12C4)][Formula: see text], have high selectivity for F[Formula: see text] over other halide anions and neutral molecules.

Conducting polypyrrole films as a potential tool for electrochemical treatment of azo dyes in textile wastewaters

In this paper, we demonstrate conducting polypyrrole films as a potential green technology for electrochemical treatment of azo dyes in wastewaters using Acid Red 1 as a model analyte. These films were synthesised by anodically polymerising pyrrole in the presence of Acid Red 1 as a supporting electrolyte. In this way, the anionic Acid Red 1 is electrostatically attracted to the cationic polypyrrole backbone formed to maintain electroneutrality, and is thus entrapped in the film. These Acid Red 1-entrapped polypyrrole films were characterised by electrochemical, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Based on a two-level factorial design, the solution pH, Acid Red 1 concentration and polymerisation duration were identified as significant parameters affecting the entrapment efficiency. The entrapment process will potentially aid in decolourising Acid Red 1-containing wastewaters. Similarly, in a cathodic process, electrons are supplied to neutralise the polypyrrole backbone, liberating Acid Red 1 into a solution. In this work, following an entrapment duration of 480 min in 2000 mg L(-1) Acid Red 1, we estimated 21% of the dye was liberated after a reduction period of 240 min. This allows the recovery of Acid Red 1 for recycling purposes. A distinctive advantage of this electrochemical Acid Red 1 treatment, compared to many other techniques, is that no known toxic by-products are generated in the treatment. Therefore, conducting polypyrrole films can potentially be applied as an environmentally friendly treatment method for textile effluents.

A novel high specific surface area conducting paper material composed of polypyrrole and Cladophora cellulose

We present a novel conducting polypyrrole-based composite material, obtained by polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of iron(III) chloride on a cellulose substrate derived from the environmentally polluting Cladophora sp. algae. The material, which was doped with chloride ions, was molded into paper sheets and characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, N 2 gas adsorption analysis, cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and conductivity measurements at varying relative humidities. The specific surface area of the composite was found to be 57 m (2)/g and the fibrous structure of the Cladophora cellulose remained intact even after a 50 nm thick layer of polypyrrole had been coated on the cellulose fibers. The composite could be repeatedly used for electrochemically controlled extraction and desorption of chloride and an ion exchanging capacity of 370 C per g of composite was obtained as a result of the high surface area of the cellulose substrate. The influence of the oxidation and reduction potentials on the chloride ion exchange capacity and the nucleation of delocalized positive charges, forming conductive paths in the polypyrrole film, was also investigated. The creation of conductive paths during oxidation followed an effective medium rather than a percolative behavior, indicating that some conduction paths survive the polymer reduction steps. The present high surface area material should be well-suited for use in, e.g., electrochemically controlled ion exchange or separation devices, as well as sensors based on the fact that the material is compact, light, mechanically stable, and moldable into paper sheets.

Unusual coordination environment for barium cations in ion recognition conducting poly[Ni(salen)(receptor)] films

[Ni( salen)] complexes bearing different crown ether receptors were electropolymerized to give films whose voltammetric signatures responded to Ba2+. In line with DFT calculations, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) near the Ni K-edge showed the nickel local environment in the monomers and their corresponding polymers (in the presence or absence of barium) to be identical. However, the expectation of crown size-dependent barium local environment (based on geometry and donor atom availability) was not found. XAS near the Ba K-edge showed that Ba2+ in the films coordinated to only two oxygen donors, irrespective of crown size. This surprisingly low coordination number (compared to solution species) is accompanied by a higher barium/crown ratio than the anticipated 1:1 stoichiometry. The implications of these effects for design and performance of sensors based on metal ion recognition chemistry are discussed.

Electroanalysis of NADH Using Conducting and Redox Active Polymer/Carbon Nanotubes Modified Electrodes-A Review

Past few decades, conducting and redox active polymers play a critical role in the development of transducers for biosensing. It has been evidenced by increasing numerous reports on conducting and redox active polymers incorporated electrodes for assay of biomolcules. This review highlights the potential uses of electrogenerated polymer modified electrodes and polymer/carbon nanotubes composite modified electrodes for electroanalysis of reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinuceltoide (NADH). In addition, carbon electrodes modified with organic and inorganic materials as modifier have been discussed in detail for the quantification of NADH based on mediator or mediator-less methods.

Fluorocarbon-Modified Organic Semiconductors: Molecular Architecture, Electronic, and Crystal Structure Tuning of Arene- versus Fluoroarene-Thiophene Oligomer Thin-Film Properties

We present here the systematic synthesis and comparative physicochemical characterization of a series of regiochemically varied and core size extension-modulated arene(perfluoroarene)-thiophene oligomers. The molecules investigated are: 5,5''-diphenyl-2,2':5',2'':5'',2'''-quaterthiophene (1), 5,5'-bis[1-[4-(thien-2-yl)phenyl]]-2,2'-dithiophene (2), 4,4'-bis[5-(2,2'-dithiophenyl)]-biphenyl (3), 5,5''-diperfluorophenyl-2,2':5',2'':5'',2'''-quaterthiophene (4), 5,5'-bis[1-[4-(thien-2-yl)perfluorophenyl]]-2,2'-dithiophene (5), 4,4'-bis[5-(2,2'-dithiophenyl)]-perfluorobiphenyl (6), 5,5''-diperfluorophenyl-2,2':5',2''-tertthiophene (7), 5,5'-diperfluorophenyl-2,2'-dihiophene (8), and 5,5-diperfluorophenylthiophene (9). Trends in optical absorption and emission parameters, molecular structures as defined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, as well as electrochemical redox processes are described. The morphologies and microstructures of the vapor-deposited films grown over a range of growth temperatures have also been characterized. Field-effect transistor (FET) measurements demonstrate that all of these materials are FET-active and, depending on the molecular architecture, exhibit comparably good p- or n-type mobility when optimum film microstructural order is achieved. A very large n-channel mobility of approximately 0.5 cm2/Vs with I(on)/I(off) ratios > 10(8) is achieved for films of 4.

Effects of multiple ion loading on redox and luminescence properties of ruthenium trisphenanthroline crown ether hybrids

Homoleptic and heteroleptic ruthenium trisphenanthrolines were prepared with azacrown ethers attached to the 4,7-positions of the phenanthrolines to maximise the electronic communication between the ruthenium and the crown ethers as complexation sites. Redox and spectral data were processed to explain the non-steady trends in the absorption and emission spectra in the series. Addition of Ba2+ entailed large shifts in the redox potential (up to 370 mV) and in the emission spectra (up to 87 nm). Due to the crowded situation of the azacrown ether units in, this complex showed a non-linear behaviour both in the redox and emission properties upon loading with Ba2+ that is postulated to originate from the intermediate formation of sandwich type complexes.