Nitrile Functional Groups Research Articles

Photoinduced Copper‐Catalyzed Coupling of Terminal Alkynes and Alkyl Iodides

AbstractWe have developed a photoinduced copper‐catalyzed alkylation of terminal alkynes with primary, secondary, or tertiary alkyl iodides as electrophiles. The reaction has a broad substrate scope and can be successfully performed in the presence of ester, nitrile, aryl halide, ketone, sulfonamide, epoxide, alcohol, and amide functional groups. The alkylation is promoted by blue light (λ≈450 nm) and proceeds at room temperature in the absence of any additional metal catalysts. The use of a terpyridine ligand is essential for the success of the reaction and is shown to prevent photoinduced copper‐catalyzed polymerization of the starting materials.

Aluminum-Catalyzed Hydroboration of Alkenes

The aluminum-catalyzed hydroboration of alkenes with HBpin is reported using simple commercially available aluminum hydride precatalysts [LiAlH4 or sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminum hydride (Red-Al)]. Good substrate scope and functional group tolerance is demonstrated for alkene hydroboration, and the protocol was also applied to the hydroboration of ketone, ester, and nitrile functional groups, showing the potential for wider application. The aluminum-catalyzed hydroboration is proposed to proceed by alkene hydroalumination, which generates an alkyl aluminum species that undergoes σ-bond metathesis with HBpin to drive turnover of the catalytic cycle.

Synthesis of Tapioca Cellulose-based Poly(amidoxime) Ligand for Removal of Heavy Metal Ions

ABSTRACTPoly(acrylonitrile)/cellulose block copolymer (PAN-b-cell) was prepared by using a free radical initiating process and then the nitrile functional groups of the PAN blocks of the copolymers were transformed into amidoxime ligands. The resulting poly(amidoxime) ligands could complex with heavy metal ions; for example, the reflectance spectra of the [Cu -ligand]n+ was found to be at the highest absorbance, about 94%, at pH 6. The pH was the key parameter for metal ions sensing by the ligand. The adsorption capacity for copper was very good, 272 mg g−1, with a fast adsorption rate (t1/2 = 10 min). The adsorption capacities for other heavy metal ions such as Fe3+, Cr3+, Co3+ and Ni2+ were also good, being 242, 219, 201 and 195 mg g−1, respectively, at pH 6. The heavy metal ions removal efficiency from water was 98% at low concentration. The data proved that the heavy metal ions adsorption onto the polymer ligands were well fitted with the Langmuir isotherm model (R2>0.99), which suggests that the cellulose-based adsorbent surface namely the poly(amidoxime) ligand, was homogenous and a monolayer. The reusability was examined by a sorption/desorption process for six cycles and the extraction efficiency was determined. This new adsorbent could be reused for 6 cycles without any significant loss in its original removal function.

Chlorocarbonylsulfenyl Chloride Cyclizations Towards Piperidin-3-yl-oxathiazol-2-ones as Potential Covalent Inhibitors of Threonine Proteases.

Using rescaffolding approach, we designed piperidine compounds decorated with an electrophilic oxathiazol-2-one moiety that is known to confer selectivity towards threonine proteases. Our efforts to prepare products according to the published procedures were not successful. Furthermore we identified major side products containing nitrile functional group, resulting from carboxamide dehydration. We systematically optimized reaction conditions towards our desired products to identify heating of carboxamides with chlorocarbonylsulfenyl chloride and sodium carbonate as base in dioxane at 100 °C. Our efforts culminated in the preparation of a small series of piperidin-3-yl-oxathiazol-2-ones that are suitable for further biological evaluation.

Nitrile versus isonitrile adsorption at interstellar grain surfaces

Context. Almost 20% of the ~200 different species detected in the interstellar and circumstellar media present a carbon atom linked to nitrogen by a triple bond. Of these 37 molecules, 30 are nitrile R-CN compounds, the remaining 7 belonging to the isonitrile R-NC family. How these species behave in their interactions with the grain surfaces is still an open question. Aims. In a previous work, we have investigated whether the difference between nitrile and isonitrile functional groups may induce differences in the adsorption energies of the related isomers at the surfaces of interstellar grains of various nature and morphologies. This study is a follow up of this work, where we focus on the adsorption on carbonaceous aromatic surfaces. Methods. The question is addressed by means of a concerted experimental and theoretical approach of the adsorption energies of CH3CN and CH3NC on the surface of graphite (with and without surface defects). The experimental determination of the molecule and surface interaction energies is carried out using temperature-programmed desorption in an ultra-high vacuum between 70 and 160 K. Theoretically, the question is addressed using first-principle periodic density functional theory to represent the organised solid support. Results. The adsorption energy of each compound is found to be very sensitive to the structural defects of the aromatic carbonaceous surface: these defects, expected to be present in a large numbers and great diversity on a realistic surface, significantly increase the average adsorption energies to more than 50% as compared to adsorption on perfect graphene planes. The most stable isomer (CH3CN) interacts more efficiently with the carbonaceous solid support than the higher energy isomer (CH3NC), however.

Synthesis of Few-Layer Graphene by Peeling Graphite Flakes via Electron Exchange in Solution Plasma

Compared with conventional graphene, few-layer graphene is an easy-to-use material because of its interesting mechanical and chemical properties. Meanwhile, solution plasma (SP) represents a nonequilibrium discharge, which induces electron exchange similar to a catalyst. Thus, SP serves as an electron donor and acceptor between organic molecules and graphite flakes in a solution. Finally, electron exchange leads to the formation of few-layer graphene by peeling graphite flakes. Furthermore, CN-functionalized few-layer graphene (f-FLG) exhibits excellent stability and dispersibility because of the balance of attractive and repulsive forces, i.e., the van der Waals force between the planes and the electrostatic force of the nitrile functional groups on the edges. In this study, f-FLG was successfully synthesized by peeling graphite flakes via electron exchange induced by SP in an aqueous solution containing an ionic liquid (IL) (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide (EMIM-DCA)). X-ray diffraction measurem...

Doping of Graphene Nanoribbons via Functional Group Edge Modification.

We report the on-surface synthesis of 7-armchair graphene nanoribbons (7-AGNRs) substituted with nitrile (CN) functional groups. The CN groups are attached to the GNR backbone by modifying the 7-AGNR precursor. Whereas many of these groups survive the on-surface synthesis, the reaction process causes the cleavage of some CN from the ribbon backbone and the on-surface cycloisomerization of few nitriles onto pyridine rings. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy and density functional theory reveal that CN groups behave as very efficient n-dopants, significantly downshifting the bands of the ribbon and introducing deep impurity levels associated with the nitrogen electron lone pairs.

15N fractionation in infrared-dark cloud cores

Nitrogen is one of the most abundant elements in the Universe and its 14N/15N isotopic ratio has the potential to provide information about the initial environment in which our Sun formed. Recent findings suggest that the Solar System may have formed in a massive cluster since the presence of short-lived radioisotopes in meteorites can only be explained by the influence of a supernova. The aim of this project is to determine the 14N/15N ratio towards a sample of cold, massive dense cores at the initial stages in their evolution. We have observed the J=1-0 transitions of HCN, H13CN, HC15N, HN13C and H15NC toward a sample of 22 cores in 4 Infrared-Dark Clouds (IRDCs). IRDCs are believed to be the precursors of high-mass stars and star clusters. Assuming LTE and a temperature of 15K, the column densities of HCN, H13CN, HC15N, HN13C and H15NC are calculated and their 14N/15N ratio is determined for each core. The 14N/15N ratio measured in our sample of IRDC cores range between ~70 and >763 in HCN and between ~161 and ~541 in HNC. They are consistent with the terrestrial atmosphere (TA) and protosolar nebula (PSN) values, and with the ratios measured in low-mass pre-stellar cores. However, the 14N/15N ratios measured in cores C1, C3, F1, F2 and G2 do not agree with the results from similar studies toward the same massive cores using nitrogen bearing molecules with nitrile functional group (-CN) and nitrogen hydrides (-NH) although the ratio spread covers a similar range. Amongst the 4 IRDCs we measured relatively low 14N/15N ratios towards IRDC G which are comparable to those measured in small cosmomaterials and protoplanetary disks. The low average gas density of this cloud suggests that the gas density, rather than the gas temperature, may be the dominant parameter influencing the initial nitrogen isotopic composition in young PSN.

Effect of task specific thiocyanate based ionic liquids on relative volatility of cyclohexane and benzene azeotropic mixture

The relative volatilities of cyclohexane (Cy) to benzene (Bz) in the presence of eight task-specific imidazolium thiocyanate ionic liquids (ILs) were measured using headspace gas chromatography. The ILs contain nitrile, ally, benzyl and hydroxyl functional group in their imidazolium cations and thiocyanate as anion. The effects of incorporation of nitrile, allyl, benzyl and hydroxyl functional groups in imidazolium alkyl chain on the relative volatility of Cy to Bz were investigated using experiment and quantum calculations. COSMO-RS model was used to study the polarity (charge distribution) of the ILs and the solutes. Density functional theory (DFT) was employed to investigate the cation-anion interaction energies and IL-Bz/Cy binding energies. The structural variations of the imidazolium cation influence the performance of the ILs. Moreover, the performances of the ILs were compared with two typical conventional entrainers, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Except two hydroxyl containing ILs, the remaining six ILs show higher Cy to Bz relative volatility values compared to the bench marked conventional solvents.

Unexpected efficient reactions of nitrogen nucleophiles with α,β-unsaturated nitriles / esters

α,β-Unsaturated compounds containing aldehyde, ketone, nitrile and ester functional groups are versatile precursor for the synthesis of novel organic molecules. All these compounds undergo Michael addition of carbon and other nucleophiles at b-carbon atom of the a,b-unsaturated system. Different carbo- and hetero-cyclic compounds can be synthesized by varying the conditions of cyclisation of the Michael adducts. In this context, it is planned to synthesize pyrazole derivatives and diazepine derivatives by reacting a,b-unsaturated compounds with different Nitrogen nucleophiles such as, o-phenylenediamine etc. The present investigation reports the unexpected hydrogenation of C=C in a,b-unsaturated nitriles and the unexpected synthesis of azine derivatives from a,b-unsaturated nitrileand hydrazinium sulphate.

A divergent heritage for complex organics in Isheyevo lithic clasts

Primitive meteorites are samples of asteroidal bodies that contain a high proportion of chemically complex organic matter (COM) including prebiotic molecules such as amino acids, which are thought to have been delivered to Earth via impacts during the early history of the Solar System. Thus, understanding the origin of COM, including their formation pathway(s) and environment(s), is critical to elucidate the origin of life on Earth as well as assessing the potential habitability of exoplanetary systems. The Isheyevo CH/CBb carbonaceous chondrite contains chondritic lithic clasts with variable enrichments in 15N believed to be of outer Solar System origin. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM-EELS) and in situ isotope analyses (SIMS and NanoSIMS), we report on the structure of the organic matter as well as the bulk H and N isotope composition of Isheyevo lithic clasts. These data are complemented by electron microprobe analyses of the clast mineral chemistry and bulk Mg and Cr isotopes obtained by inductively coupled plasma and thermal ionization mass spectrometry, respectively (MC-ICPMS and TIMS). Weakly hydrated (A) clasts largely consist of Mg-rich anhydrous silicates with local hydrated veins composed of phyllosilicates, magnetite and globular and diffuse organic matter. Extensively hydrated clasts (H) are thoroughly hydrated and contain Fe-sulfides, sometimes clustered with organic matter, as well as magnetite and carbonates embedded in a phyllosilicate matrix. The A-clasts are characterized by a more 15N-rich bulk nitrogen isotope composition (δ15N=200–650‰) relative to H-clasts (δ15N=50–180‰) and contain extremely 15N-rich domains with δ15N<5000‰. The D/H ratios of the clasts are correlated with the degree of clast hydration and define two distinct populations, which we interpret as reflecting mixing between D-poor fluid(s) and distinct organic endmember components that are variably D-rich. High-resolution N isotope data of 15N-rich domains show that the lithic clast diffuse organic matter is typically more 15N-rich than globular organic matter. The correlated δ15N values and C/N ratios of nanoglobules require the existence of multiple organic components, in agreement with the H isotope data. The combined H and N isotope data suggest that the organic precursors of the lithic clasts are defined by an extremely 15N-poor (similar to solar) and D-rich component for H-clasts, and a moderately 15N-rich and D-rich component for A-clasts. In contrast, the composition of the putative fluids is inferred to include D-poor but moderately to extremely 15N-rich H- and N-bearing components. The variable 15N enrichments in H- and A-clasts are associated with structural differences in the N bonding environments of their diffuse organic matter, which are dominated by amine groups in H-clasts and nitrile functional groups in A-clasts. We suggest that the isotopically divergent organic precursors in Isheyevo clasts may be similar to organic moieties in carbonaceous chondrites (CI, CM, CR) and thermally recalcitrant organic compounds in ordinary chondrites, respectively. The altering fluids, which are inferred to cause the 15N enrichments observed in the clasts, may be the result of accretion of variable abundances of NH3 and HCN ices. Finally, using bulk Mg and Cr isotope composition of clasts, we speculate on the accretion regions of the various primitive chondrites and components and the origin of the Solar System’s N and H isotope variability.

The reductive decyanation reaction: an overview and recent developments.

This review presents an overview of the reductive decyanation reaction with a special interest for recent developments. This transformation allows synthetic chemists to take advantages of the nitrile functional group before its removal. Mechanistic details and applications to organic synthesis are provided.

Nitrile versus isonitrile adsorption at interstellar grains surfaces

Context. Almost 20% of the ~200 different species detected in the interstellar and circumstellar media present a carbon atom linked to nitrogen by a triple bond. Among these 37 molecules, 30 are nitrile R-CN compounds, the remaining seven belonging to the isonitrile R-NC family. How these species behave in presence of the grain surfaces is still an open question. Aims. In this contribution we investigate whether the difference between nitrile and isonitrile functional groups may induce differences in the adsorption energies of the related isomers at the surfaces of interstellar grains of different nature and morphologies. Methods. The question was addressed by means of a concerted experimental and theoretical study of the adsorption energies of CH3CN and CH3NC on the surface water ice and silica. The experimental determination of the molecule – surface interaction energies was carried out using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) under an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) between 70 and 160 K. Theoretically, the question was addressed using first principle periodic density functional theory (DFT) to represent the organized solid support. Results. The most stable isomer (CH3CN) interacts more efficiently with the solid support than the higher energy isomer (CH3NC) for water ice and silica. Comparing with the HCN and HNC pair of isomers, the simulations show an opposite behaviour, in which isonitrile HNC are more strongly adsorbed than nitrile HCN provided that hydrogen bonds are compatible with the nature of the model surface. Conclusions. The present study confirms that the strength of the molecule surface interaction between isomers is not related to their intrinsic stability but instead to their respective ability to generate different types of hydrogen bonds. Coupling TPD to first principle simulations is a powerful method for investigating the possible role of interstellar surfaces in the release of organic species from grains, depending on the environment.

Physicochemical and thermodynamic properties of imidazolium ionic liquids with nitrile and ether dual functional groups

Synthesis of new dual functionalized imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) containing nitrile functionality and ether group were synthesized and characterized. Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, trifluoroacetate and dicyanamide were used as the anion. The combination of two functional groups on an imidazolium cation was mainly developed to assess their potential in desulfurization of fuel oil. Although ILs based on this individual functional group has been reported to improve the desulfurization efficiency, no effort has been made to combine nitrile and ether functional groups on the same cation to enhance the desulphurization potential. In this report, we tailored both nitrile and ether functionality on imidazolium cation and studied their physicochemical properties in details. NMR (1H and 13C) spectroscopy and elemental analysis were used to characterize the synthesized ILs. Physical properties and optical properties of the ILs were investigated in a wide temperature range. The synthesized ILs showed good thermal stability. COSMO-RS was effectively utilized to discuss the σ surface, σ potential and σ profile of the synthesized ILs.

Nonmonotonic piezoresistive effect in elastomeric composite films

ABSTRACTWe compared the change of electrical resistance with elongation (piezoresistive effect) in thin films made of conductive multiwalled carbon nanotubes embedded in eight different elastomers. Two distinct forms of piezoresistive effect were observed: (i) in the “monotonic” (M) case, the film resistance always increased with the applied strain; (ii) the “nonmonotonic” (NM) case showed an initial increase in the resistance, while with further elongation the resistance began to decrease. By varying the amount of nitrile and/or styrene groups in the polymer matrix one can alter the piezoresistive effect qualitatively: composites with ∼25 wt % or more of nitrile or styrene functional side groups exhibited M piezoresistance, while others, with no, or methyl side groups only, showed NM piezoresistance. Influence of the second filler (either conductive carbon black or nonconductive nanoclay) in the ternary composites on the piezoresistive effect was explored. The possibility to modify the piezoresistive behavior of the conductive elastomer composites, for example, via chemical modification of the polymeric matrix, opens up a new venue for practical applications such as diverse types of sensors and, in NM case, complex dynamical systems (bistable elements, electromechanical oscillators, etc.) in the MEMS field. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43518.

Surface Enhancement in Ultrafast 2D ATR IR Spectroscopy at the Metal-Liquid Interface

We investigate surface enhancement in two-dimensional attenuated total reflectance infrared (2D ATR IR) spectroscopy from organic monolayers (MLs) at metal–liquid interfaces. We consider MLs from both aromatic and aliphatic organic samples equipped with nitrile and azide functional groups, both of which are widely used as local vibrational probes in ultrafast spectroscopy. Polarization-dependent 2D ATR IR spectroscopy indicates the excitation of local hot spots formed between gold (Au) nanoparticles as the dominant origin of signal enhancement. The highest enhancement factors (∼50) are observed in the case of aromatic nitrile MLs, whereas modest values (<10) are found for aliphatic azide and nitrile groups. Different contributions to signal enhancement are evaluated systematically and indicate the presence of both electromagnetic enhancement and contributions from molecular properties. The obtained enhancement factors are promising to allow 2D ATR IR spectroscopy to become applicable as a versatile technique for the detection of ultrafast structural dynamics in even low-absorbing organic MLs at solid–liquid interfaces.

Synthesis, structure and conformational mobility of tetra-substituted cyanomethoxy p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes

A range of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes are functionalized at the lower rim with nitrile and amide functional groups, and the conformational mobility of macrocycles is investigated.

ChemInform Abstract: A Parham Cyclization Approach to Diaryl‐Fused Seven‐Membered Ring Heterocyclic Ketones.

AbstractThe novel synthesis of the title compounds involves the generation of functionalized aryllithiums from aryl bromides followed by intramolecular cyclization onto an electrophilic nitrile functional group.

Porous carbons from ionic liquid precursors confined within nanoporous silicas

We propose Vycor® porous glass and various types of enhanced pore size Vycor® (hereafter referred to eps-Vycor®) as hard templates for the development of micro-mesoporous N-doped carbons via nanocasting/thermolytic treatment of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tricyanomethanide Ionic Liquids (ILs). Vycor® is less costly than mesoporous ordered silicas of the type SBA-15 and MCM-41 which are sometimes employed for the development of micro-mesoporous carbons (CMK-3) as inverse replicas from the solid matrix; in addition Vycor® and eps-Vycor® can also be used in the form of sheets or tubes, thus opening the road for the development of composite carbon/silica substrate membranes with molecular sieving characteristics. We find that the nitrile functional groups in the anion of the IL lead to enhanced carbon yield while nanocasting and nanoconfinement are decisive for producing functional carbons with high levels of microporosity. In addition, the developed functional carbons exhibited extended mesoporosity with characteristic H2 or H1 types of hysteresis in their N2 adsorption isotherms (77 K), solely in the cases when eps-Vycor® was applied as the hard template. The widening of the Vycor® pores, especially of the pore constrictions by treatment in HF for varying periods led to the formation of thicker carbon nanodomains that exhibited the required mechanical stability to retain the inverse structure (replica) upon dissolution of the hard template.

A Parham cyclization approach to diaryl-fused seven-membered ring heterocyclic ketones

Aryl-fused seven membered heterocyclic frameworks appear in a variety of pharmaceutically pertinent compounds. However, only a very few methods for their preparation have been described. This work describes a novel synthesis route to diaryl-fused seven membered heterocyclic ketones through the generation of functionalized aryllithiums by bromine–lithium exchange, followed by intramolecular cyclization onto an electrophilic nitrile functional group. The resulting N-lithioimine can then be hydrolyzed to the desired ketone, generally in good yields. The order of addition of n-butyllithium is crucial to the process with inverse addition proving to mitigate side product formation and increase yields.