Development Of New Synthetic Approaches Research Articles

Deuterated Liquid Crystals - design and synthesis of deuterium labelled 4,4ʺ-dialkyl-2′,3′-difluoro-[1,1′:4′,1ʺ]terphenyls using batch and continuous flow systems

ABSTRACT The high interest of isotopically labelled compounds is induced by two important factors: (i) improvement of highly sensitive and precise analytical methods for isotope identification and (ii) development of new synthetic approaches for isotopically labelled compounds. However, there is still a lack of efficient and cheap methods for the design of deuterium labelled liquid crystalline materials. Herein, the continuous flow system was adapted for the synthesis of deuterated Liquid Crystals using the H-Cube Pro reactor, where deuterium gas was generated in situ from heavy water. We designed and developed the synthesis of homologous series of 4,4ʺ-dialkyl-2′,3′-difluoro-[1,1′:4′,1ʺ]terphenyls where deuterium atoms are placed at carbon α and carbon β positions or only at carbon α positions of alkyl terminal chains. The synthetic strategy involves mainly selective deuteration reactions of C≡C bonds as well as reduction of carbonyl groups C=O using batch or continuous flow conditions. Theoretical calculation and experimental study show that deuterium labelled Liquid Crystals exhibit increased photochemical stability compared to protonated ones. Moreover, the comparison of physicochemical properties between deuterium labelled and non-labelled 4,4ʺ-dialkyl-2′,3′-difluoro-[1,1′:4′,1ʺ]terphenyls is presented. This work provides efficient methods to obtain deuterated liquid crystalline materials with much better photochemical stability compared to their fully protonated isotopologues.

Nanodiamonds synthesis using sustainable concentrated solar thermal energy: applications in bioimaging and phototherapy

There is a renewed interest in nanodiamonds and their applications in biology and medicine, especially in bioimaging and photothermal therapy. This is due to their small size, chemical inertness and unique photo-properties such as bright and robust fluorescence, resistant to photobleaching and photothermal response under near infrared (NIR) irradiation. However, the biggest challenge limiting the wide-spread use of nanodiamonds is the high-energy consuming, dangerous and sophisticated synthetic methods currently adopted by industry named higher temperature high pressure approach, and detonation method. Despite over a decade of research towards the development of new synthetic approaches, most of the methods developed to date require sophisticated instrumentations and have high energy demand. To circumvent the reliance on high energy demanding sophisticated experimental setups, here we present a simple synthetic approach using solar energy as a sustainable sole energy source. Using low-grade coal as carbon precursor, we used high power magnifying glasses to concentrate and focus sunlight to induce synthesis of nanodiamonds. The synthesized nanodiamonds exhibit similar physicochemical and photo-properties as nanodiamonds synthesized using other synthetic approaches. In vitro studies using macrophage Raw 264.7 cells demonstrated rapid uptake and bright fluorescence of the synthesized nanodiamonds with superior biocompatibility (≥95% cell viability). The synthesized nanodiamonds also exhibited dose dependent photothermal response under NIR irradiation.

Recent Advances in Sequential Infiltration Synthesis (SIS) of Block Copolymers (BCPs).

In the continuous downscaling of device features, the microelectronics industry is facing the intrinsic limits of conventional lithographic techniques. The development of new synthetic approaches for large-scale nanopatterned materials with enhanced performances is therefore required in the pursuit of the fabrication of next-generation devices. Self-assembled materials as block copolymers (BCPs) provide great control on the definition of nanopatterns, promising to be ideal candidates as templates for the selective incorporation of a variety of inorganic materials when combined with sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS). In this review, we report the latest advances in nanostructured inorganic materials synthesized by infiltration of self-assembled BCPs. We report a comprehensive description of the chemical and physical characterization techniques used for in situ studies of the process mechanism and ex situ measurements of the resulting properties of infiltrated polymers. Finally, emerging optical and electrical properties of such materials are discussed.

Shape Tailoring of Iodine‐Based Cesium Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals in Hot‐Injection Methods

AbstractAll‐inorganic lead‐halide perovskite nanocrystals continue to attract the attention of the scientific community due to their optical potential. In this work, we demonstrate that synthetic approaches based on the modulation of the ligand‐to‐metal ratio in hot‐injection methods can provide direct access to a variety of colloidal nanocrystal morphologies without resorting to post‐synthetic transformations. The shape tailoring observed for iodine‐based perovskite nanocrystals suggests that nanowires can evolve through the oriented attachment of nanocubes in the presence of high ligand‐to‐metal ratios. Conversely, mixed‐halide perovskite nanoplatelets are generated in low‐surfactant regimes, due to the peculiar reactivity of halo‐plumbate species generated before cesium injection, which favors an anisotropic growth of the nanoparticles. These results contribute to deepen the knowledge on the shape evolution of perovskite nanoparticles, thus opening the way to the development of new synthetic approaches.

Overcoming the Interfacial Lattice Mismatch: Geometry Control of Gold–Nickel Bimetallic Heteronanostructures

AbstractSeed‐mediated heteroepitaxial growth provides a versatile synthetic approach to a diverse set of geometrically distinct bimetallic heteronanostructures. In bimetallic nanocrystal systems, interfacial heteroepitaxial growth typically occurs between structurally similar metals with lattice mismatch below 5%, whereas controlled epitaxial growth of bimetallic nanocrystals comprising metals with larger lattice mismatches or even dissimilar crystalline structures has long been challenging. Here, the epitaxial growth of both face‐centered cubic (fcc) and hexagonal close‐packed (hcp) Ni on fcc Au nanocrystal seeds in polyol solvents is systematically investigated, to shed light on the complex mechanisms underpinning the intriguing geometric evolution of lattice‐mismatched bimetallic nanocrystals during seed‐mediated heteroepitaxial overgrowth. The success in geometry‐controlled syntheses of a series of Au–Ni bimetallic heteronanostructures, such as conformal core–shell nanoparticles, asymmetric heterodimers, and multibranched core–satellite nanocrystals, represents a significant step toward the extension of nanoscale interfacial heteroepitaxy from lattice‐matched bimetallic systems to the ones exhibiting large lattice mismatches and even dissimilar crystalline structures. The insights gained from this work serve as a central design principle that guides the development of new synthetic approaches to architecturally sophisticated and compositionally diverse multimetallic heteronanostructures.

Photoelectrochemistry by Design: Tailoring the Nanoscale Structure of Pt/NiO Composites Leads to Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution Performance.

Photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution is a promising avenue to store the energy of sunlight in the form of chemical bonds. The recent rapid development of new synthetic approaches enables the nanoscale engineering of semiconductor photoelectrodes, thus tailoring their physicochemical properties toward efficient H2 formation. In this work, we carried out the parallel optimization of the morphological features of the semiconductor light absorber (NiO) and the cocatalyst (Pt). While nanoporous NiO films were obtained by electrochemical anodization, the monodisperse Pt nanoparticles were synthesized using wet chemical methods. The Pt/NiO nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, XPS, SEM, ED, TEM, cyclic voltammetry, photovoltammetry, EIS, etc. The relative enhancement of the photocurrent was demonstrated as a function of the nanoparticle size and loading. For mass-specific surface activity the smallest nanoparticles (2.0 and 4.8 nm) showed the best performance. After deconvoluting the trivial geometrical effects (stemming from the variation of Pt particle size and thus the electroactive surface area), however, the intermediate particle sizes (4.8 and 7.2 nm) were found to be optimal. Under optimized conditions, a 20-fold increase in the photocurrent (and thus the H2 evolution rates) was observed for the nanostructured Pt/NiO composite, compared to the benchmark nanoparticulate NiO film.

Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Networks with Predefined Architecture for Metal Ion Fluorescence Monitoring.

The development of new synthetic approaches for the preparation of efficient 3D luminescent chemosensors for transition metal ions receives considerable attention nowadays, owing to the key role of the latter as elements in biological systems and their harmful environmental effects when present in aquatic media. In this work, we describe an easy and versatile synthetic methodology that leads to the generation of nonconjugated 3D luminescent semi-interpenetrating amphiphilic networks (semi-IPN) with structure-defined characteristics. More precisely, the synthesis involves the encapsulation of well-defined poly(9-anthrylmethyl methacrylate) (pAnMMA) (hydrophobic, luminescent) linear polymer chains within a covalent poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (pDMAEMA) hydrophilic polymer network, derived via the 1,2-bis-(2-iodoethoxy)ethane (BIEE)-induced crosslinking process of well-defined pDMAEMA linear chains. Characterization of their fluorescence properties demonstrated that these materials act as strong blue emitters when exposed to UV irradiation. This, combined with the presence of the metal-binding tertiary amino functionalities of the pDMAEMA segments, allowed for their applicability as sorbents and fluorescence chemosensors for transition metal ions (Fe3+, Cu2+) in solution via a chelation-enhanced fluorescence-quenching effect promoted within the semi-IPN network architecture. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-induced metal ion desorption and thus material recyclability has been also demonstrated.

ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Application of [3.3.0]Furofuranone in Total Synthesis

AbstractReview: [66 refs.

Synthesis and Application of [3.3.0]Furofuranone in Total Synthesis.

The synthesis and application of [3.3.0]furofuranone species has received considerable attention from the scientific community. During the last twenty years, there has been a remarkable increase in publications focusing on their relevant method development as well as applications to natural product synthesis. This tutorial review discusses instructive examples to give a special emphasis on the development of new synthetic approaches and important applications to the total synthesis of natural products.

Octahedral and trigonal-prismatic coordination preferences in Nb-, Mo-, Ta-, and W-based ABX2 layered oxides, oxynitrides, and nitrides

Crystallographic and electronic structures of Nb-, Mo-, Ta-, and W-based layered oxides, oxynitrides, and nitrides were analyzed to elucidate the structural relationship between layered oxides and nitrides consisting of octahedral and trigonal-prismatic layers. The electron density, as derived by synchrotron X-ray analysis of LiNbO2 and Ta5−x(O,N)6, showed orbital overlaps between Nb–Nb and Ta–Ta metals in the trigonal layers. Computational calculations based on DFT exhibited that these overlaps stabilized these structures by lowering the hybridization states composed of the dxy, dx2−y2, and dz2 orbitals below the Fermi level. Crystal structures and formation energies suggest that tuning the Fermi level through the substitutions and vacancies of the cation/anion sites determines the structural preferences of the coordination. The properties and syntheses of these compounds are briefly described. This study enhances the understanding of layered oxides, oxynitrides, and nitrides to further the development of new synthetic approaches, compounds, and applications.

Bottom up fabrication of (9, 0) zigzag and (6, 6) armchair carbon nanotube end-caps on the Rh(1 1 1) surface

The exploration and wide application of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) require the development of new synthetic approaches enabling facile and fully rational CNT fabrication. In this communication the conversion of two precursors yielding the potential CNT seeds of (9, 0) zigzag and (6, 6) armchair nanotubes using surface-assisted cyclodehydrogenation on the Rh(111) single-crystal surface is reported. The conversion efficiency found is nearly 100% and the CNT-caps remain thermally stable on the Rh surface up to 820K which is high enough for subsequent SWCNT growth. It is shown that Rh is a suitable catalyst for the controllable synthesis of SWCNTs by the surface assisted bottom-up strategy.

Biomimetic Magnetite Formation: From Biocombinatorial Approaches to Mineralization Effects

Biological materials typically display complex morphologies and hierarchical architectures, properties that are hardly matched by synthetic materials. Understanding the biological control of mineral properties will enable the development of new synthetic approaches toward biomimetic functional materials. Here, we combine biocombinatorial approaches with a proteome homology search and in vitro mineralization assays to assess the role of biological determinants in biomimetic magnetite mineralization. Our results suggest that the identified proteins and biomimetic polypeptides influence nucleation in vitro. Even though the in vivo role cannot be directly determined from our experiments, we can rationalize the following design principles: proteins, larger complexes, or membrane components that promote nucleation in vivo are likely to expose positively charged residues to a negatively charged crystal surface. In turn, components with acidic (negatively charged) functionality are nucleation inhibitors, which stabilize an amorphous structure through the coordination of iron.

Density Functional Theory Study on the Decay of Fullerenyl Radicals RC60•, ROC60•, and ROOC60• (R = tert-Butyl and Cumyl) and Polarizability of the Formed Fullerene Dimers

Currently, there are no comparative studies on the possible routes of decay of fullerenyl radicals. Such information is required for development of new synthetic approaches to the fullerene derivatives, obtained via radical reactions, and understanding mechanisms of oxidative destruction of fullerene-containing materials. In the present work, we have performed a theoretical study on the possible reactions of the selected fullerenyl radicals, generated in the well-known experimental systems. We consider three main routes for the radical decay: formation of fullerene bisadducts via XC60(•) + X(•) reactions, dimerization of XC60(•), and their interaction with molecular oxygen. The calculated heat effects explain the experimental regularities of fullerene radical reactions (e.g., the reversibility of the dimerization and low reactivity of fullerenyls toward molecular oxygen). We have found that the heat effects are maximal for the dimerization of ROOC60(•), so the interaction of C60 with peroxy radicals may provide more effective synthetic routes to the single-bonded C60 dimers compared to the known ones. Moreover, the exothermicity of ROO(•) addition to C60 is increased during the subsequent addition that allows reconsidering the reasons underlying C60 antioxidant activity. Additionally, polarizability and its nonadditivity of fullerene dimers XC60-C60X have been found. Guided by the calculated polarizabilities, we assume a new bistable system "fullerenyl ↔ dimer" for molecular machinery. Depending on the conditions, such a system can exist in two states differing by their response to external electric fields.

ChemInform Abstract: Transition Metal Mediated Synthesis of Monocyclic Aromatic Heterocycles

AbstractReview: 1074 refs.

Transition metal-mediated synthesis of monocyclic aromatic heterocycles.

Heterocycles constitute the largest and the most diverse family of organic compounds. Among them, aromatic heterocycles represent structural motifs found in a great number of biologically active natural and synthetic compounds, drugs, and agrochemicals. Moreover, aromatic heterocycles are widely used for synthesis of dyes and polymeric materials of high value. 1 There are numerous reports on employment of aromatic heterocycles as intermediates in organic synthesis. 2 Although, a variety of highly efficient methodologies for synthesis of aromatic heterocycles and their derivatives have been reported in the past, the development of novel methodologies is in cuntinious demand. Particlularly, development of new synthetic approaches toward heterocycles, aiming at achieving greater levels of molecular complexity and better functional group compatibilities in a convergent and atom economical fashions from readily accessible starting materials and under mild reaction conditions, is one of a major research endeavor in modern synthetic organic chemistry. Transition metal-catalyzed transformations, which often help to meet the above criteria, are among the most attractive synthetic tools. Several excellent reviews dealing with transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of heterocyclic compounds have been published in literature during recent years. Many of them highlighted the use of a particular transition metal, such as gold,3 silver,4 palladium,5 copper,6 cobalt,7 ruthenium,8 iron,9 mercury,10 rare-earth metals,11 and others. Another array of reviews described the use of a specific kind of transformation, for instance, intramolecular nucleophilic attack of heteroatom at multiple C–C bonds,12 Sonogashira reaction,13 cycloaddition reactions,14 cycloisomerization reactions,15 C–H bond activation processes,16 metathesis reactions,17 etc. Reviews devoted to an application of a particular type of starting materials have also been published. Thus, for example, applications of isocyanides,18 diazocompounds,19 or azides20 have been discussed. In addition, a significant attention was given to transition metal-catalyzed multicomponent syntheses of heterocycles.21 Finally, syntheses of heterocycles featuring formation of intermediates, such as nitrenes,22 vinylidenes,23 carbenes, and carbenoids24 have also been reviewed. The main focus of the present review is a transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of aromatic monocyclic heterocycles. The organization of the review is rather classical and is based on a heterocycle, categorized in the following order: (a) ring size of heterocycle, (b) number of heteroatoms, (c) type of heterocycle, and (d) a class of transformation involved. A brief mechanistic discussion is given to provide information about a possible reaction pathway when necessary. The review mostly discusses recent literature, starting from 200425 until the end of 2011, however, some earlier parent transformations are discussed when needed.

Nanoparticles-chemistry, new synthetic approaches, gas phase clustering and novel applications

In this paper, an overview of the synthesis, chemistry and applications of nanosystems carried out in our laboratory is presented. The discussion is divided into four sections, namely (a) chemistry of nanoparticles, (b) development of new synthetic approaches, (c) gas phase clusters and (d) device structures and applications. In ‘chemistry of nanoparticles’ we describe a novel reaction between nanoparticles of Ag and Au with halocarbons. The reactions lead to the formation of various carbonaceous materials and metal halides. In ‘development of new synthetic approaches’ our one-pot methodologies for the synthesis of core-shell nanosystems of Au, Ag and Cu protected with TiO2 and ZrO2 as well as various polymers are discussed. Some results on the interaction of nanoparticles with biomolecules are also detailed in this section. The third section covers the formation of gas phase aggregates/clusters of thiol-protected sub-nanoparticles. Laser desorption of H2MoO4, H2WO4, MoS2, and WS2 giving novel clusters is discussed. The fourth section deals with the development of simple devices and technologies using nanomaterials described above.

Metallabenzenes.

Many similarities exist between metallabenzenes and conventional arenes. Among these similarities are structural features such as ring planarity and the absence of bond length alternation, spectroscopic features such as downfield chemical shifts for ring protons, and chemical reactions such as electrophilic aromatic substitution and arene displacement from (arene)Mo(CO)3. All of these features, taken together, strongly support the thesis that metallabenzenes represent a new class of aromatic compounds, one in which metal d orbitals participate fully with carbon p orbitals in the formation of ring pi-bonds. However, it is also apparent that metallabenzenes are much more prone to isomerization reactions than are conventional arenes. This appears to be particularly true of first-row and second-row metallabenzenes, where the metal-carbon bond strengths are weaker. In these systems, carbene migratory insertion often leads to cyclopentadienyl-metal products. pi-Coordination of metallabenzenes to other metal centers generally stabilizes the metallabenzene moieties while maintaining their aromatic character. Among metallabenzenes coordinated in this way, there are representatives from all three transition-metal rows (Fe, Ni, Mo, Ru, and Ir). The metal atom in pi-coordinated metallabenzenes is displaced out of the ring and away from the complexing metal center. The reason for this displacement in most cases appears to be steric repulsion between ligands on the two metal centers. However, other subtle effects may contribute. For example, metal displacement leads to more favorable internal angles at the alpha-carbons and a better orientation of C alpha p orbitals toward the complexing metal center. While no dominant synthetic strategy for constructing metallabenzenes has emerged, cyclization reactions involving metal-thiocarbonyl, metal-alkylidyne, and metal-alkylidene precursors have proved useful. In addition, approaches involving pentadienyl reagents as the source of ring carbons have yielded notable successes. Vinylcyclopropene reagents have recently led to isolation of the first example of a metallabenzene valence isomer--a metallabenzvalene--and its subsequent conversion to a planar metallabenzene. Finally, interligand attacks of butadienyls on carbonyls have produced a variety of transient oxy- or alkoxy-substituted metallabenzene species. The development of new synthetic approaches, particularly systematic approaches that can be used with a variety of transition metals, is the key issue facing metallabenzene chemists. One hundred and thirty-five years after Kekulé's celebrated dream, aromatic chemistry continues to be a fascinating and provocative research topic. Metallabenzenes represent one of the "new frontiers" that promise to keep aromatic chemistry vibrant well into the 21st century.

Nickel Catalyzed Electrosynthesis of Triorganyl Phosphines from Organic Halides and Chlorophospines

One of the important problem in preparative organic chemistry of organophosphorus compounds is the development of new synthetic approaches to compounds with P-C bonds under mild conditions. Particular attention has been given in this area to the synthesis of triorganyl phosphines much used primarily as ligands in metal complexes. Triorganylphosphines can be easily obtained by electroreduction of an organic halide in the presence of mono- or dichlorophenyl phosphine added gradually using a Ni-2,2-bipyridine catalytic system in DMF in an undivided cell fitted with an magnesium or zinc sacrificial anode. The overall reaction is

Methods of Synthesis of Thia Analogues of Gonasteroids

Abstract The voluminous literature that appeared on thiasteroids, especially after the publication of our earlier review on this subject,1 prompted us to highlight exclusively the recent progress achieved in the total syntheses of a large variety of thia analogues of gonasteroids otherwise known as thiagonanes. These modified steroids have drawn the attention of steroid chemists for the following reasons: (i) their preparation itself constitutes a stimulating exercise to the organic chemist, often demanding development of new synthetic approaches of general utilitarian value; (ii) the investigations concerning the reaction mechanisms and stereochemistry, based on the steroidal framework, provide fundamentally significant and often fascinating chemical problems; (iii) as common with conformationally rigid molecules, the spectral properties, especially in 1H and 13C NMR, of these heterogonasteroids may reveal quite interesting features. The introduction of a heteroatom like sulfur, oxygen or nitrogen in pla...